Love Your Enemies

Pray for your haters, ask God to help you love them, and take every opportunity to do them good. Don’t avoid them, and don’t take sneaky swipes at them. One of the wonders of the gospel is that God can make the worst of enemies the best of friends. View this as a massive opportunity to display the power of the gospel.

Even if the person remains hostile, we still have opportunity to enter into the sufferings of Christ (John 15:18-25) and to demonstrate the love of Christ (1 Peter 2:20-23). Let your haters drive you to the Lover.

Failing

When we fail, we often feel a tremendous amount of guilt that can often cripple us. But we learn a very great lesson in grace and trust when God restores us and allows us to rise from our failures. When we rise above them we really understand that it is God who works in us to do good works. It’s a humbling experience, and one that brings a new perspective and a renewed motivation to continue and persevere.

Sonic Boom

Almost like a sonic boom in your spirit, there comes a moment in prayer when you know that God has answered your prayer. In that moment, your frustration and confusion give way to quiet confidence. Your spirit becomes like a sea of glass because you know it's out of your hands and in the almighty hands of God. The natural resistance that was thwarting you turns into supernatural momentum that is propelling you.

Prayer Is the Hub

In the circle of successful living, prayer is the hub that holds the wheel together. Without our contact with God, we are nothing. With it, we are a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor.

Discovering Your Joy

Being joy filled does not mean that your life is perfect. It means that you emphatically trust God and believe that he has great plans for your life, regardless of what is happening right now.

Joy is an outward sign of inward faith in the promises of God.

Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

- Marianne Williamson, author of A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principle of A Course in Miracles

Trust God - A Devo, In His Own Words...

Strive to trust Me in more and more areas of your life. Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life it is possible to trust Me in all situations. Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or have been. Start at the present moment--accepting things exactly as they are--and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances.

Trust is like a staff you can lean on, as you journey uphill with Me. If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed. Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind.

- Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling

Seek His Face

Seek God's face, and you will find more than you ever dreamed possible. Let Him displace worry at the center of your being. He is like a supersaturated cloud, showering Peace into the pool of your mind. His Nature is to bless. Your nature is to receive with thanksgiving. This is a true fit, designed before the foundation of the world. Glorify Him by receiving His blessings gratefully.

He is the goal of all your searching. When you seek God, you find Him and are satisfied. When lesser goals capture your attention, He fades into the background of your life. He is still there, watching and waiting; but you function as if you were alone. Actually, His Light shines on every situation you will ever face. Live radiantly by expanding your focus to include him in all your moments. Let nothing dampen your search for Him.

Psalm 27:8; Philippians 4:7; Jeremiah 29:13

Source: "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young