Daily Spiritual Meditations - May 13

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Baskets of Blessings Day 13 by SGLY Ministry

Blessing: Fulfilled Desire
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:
he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Psalm 145:19 KJV

Message:
The Lord delights to grant favor to those who fear Him. He shows them His goodwill and blesses them. Because they fear Him and walk in His ways, their desires are to please Him and to do His will, so He has no problem fulfilling their desires. And, besides all that, He hears their cry for help and saves them.

For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favor,
wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

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Laugh to Lift Yourself Up by Joyce Meyer

In Psalm 51:12, David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” It was a very difficult time in his life—and he understood that only God could return his joy! This is true for all of us. If you are dealing with painful or demanding circumstances that have sapped you of your joy, taken away your laughter, and brought stress into your life, don’t try to go through it alone. Ask God to return His joy to your heart. He is willing and able to give you “the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise.”

He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. Job 8:21

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God Isn't Finished With You

Senior Living

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over…I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. --Joshua 13:1,6

Joshua had accomplished much on the battlefield and in taking the Promised Land. Yet, at a very old age, his command from God to take all of the land had not been fulfilled. The Lord had to remind Joshua that his mission hadn’t been fully achieved.

Isn’t it interesting that God didn’t look for a younger leader, but went straight to Joshua even in his old age? God went to the person who had accomplished much and asked him to continue on with His purpose. The Lord wasn’t finished with Joshua, and he isn’t through with you either.

Whether it’s through volunteer work, a part-time job, or serving in a position at your church, God still has a purpose for you. He didn’t say, “OK…when a man or woman reaches the age of 55, they are no longer of any use to Me.”

In almost every Christian congregation or ministry, there are things not being accomplished that could be done by seniors. All that is required is a willing and able senior to step up and take the challenge God has presented to participate in various activities and ministries.

Joshua was virtually “retired” from his job. But, even in his old age, God called him out of retirement to continue on with the job he was to complete. Is God calling you in your later years to continue on in ministry for His purposes? Are you willing to take on that challenge today? God will continue with His work through His people, even those who are “well advanced in years.”

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a ministry in which you can be involved. Surrender yourself, even in your later years, to fulfilling His call on your life.

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A Bible Devotion

Always Be Thankful

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT 18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Bad things happen in life sometimes. There are times we don't understand what is happening or why. But we can always be thankful for many things:

God loves us.

Jesus died for us.

Our sins are forgiven.

Jesus has promised to never leave us.

God is our Father and He is faithful.

We have an eternal home in Heaven.

What we choose to focus on determines our attitude. While we may face problems, we don't have to let those problems become our focus. We can choose to give thanks and praise God for His goodness and faithfulness.

Imagine how discouraged that will make the devil feel!

Also, think of the pleasure it must bring our Father God when we stay in faith and focus on Him, instead of being distracted by the stuff the devil does trying to steal our faith.

SAY THIS: I choose to always be thankful to God, no matter what happens.

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A Bible Devotion

You Are Important!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed -- including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names? God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God where you are.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT 22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God would not have placed you there.

SAY THIS: God says I am necessary and important.

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God Cares by Seek Ye First the Kingdom

When times are tough, it is difficult to remember how much God loves us.

So remember what Jesus says in Luke 12:6-7, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Remembering then what Jesus said, we know God cares about us, so we should follow Paul’s guidance in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Dear Lord, Thank you for the care and comfort that you provide, and answering our prayers with your all knowing wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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Helping Hand

With joy in my heart, I lend a helping hand to others.

Each day is comprised of 1,440 minutes, which equates to numerous opportunities to help others—whether opening a door, assisting a neighbor, and so on.

Someone once said, “Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.” These words remind us of how powerful our actions can be to another. The little things matter for they create a flow of love and gratitude that blesses others. An unhappy day can quickly turn into a pleasant one just by smiling at someone or offering a listening ear.

As I go about my day—my 1,440 minutes—I remain ready and waiting for opportunities to help others.
You shall not see your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen on the road and ignore it; you shall help to lift it up.—Deuteronomy 22:4

Daily Word

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Bible Verses

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

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"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

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Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:29

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Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

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How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! Psalms 147:5

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Prayers

Lord, in utter humility I thank you and glorify you, that you might hear the prayer of one so small as myself, amidst the billions of souls among billions of stars in one of billions of galaxies in your universe. Let me go forth in your peace, keeping your Spirit always in my mind; and bless me, I pray, that I might always follow your will and live in the radiance of your blessing. Amen.

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Eternal God, I praise thee, that "thy love is broader than the measure of man's mind," and that through all my years I may hide myself in thee, trusting thee to the end. Amen.

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Dear heavenly Father, I honor You as my King and Lord, I submit myself to You to do Your will. Thank you, for Your love for me. I am grateful that You are a loving and forgiving God. I want to thank You also for the abundant blessings that You have given me. One of those blessings is that I can lay my head down each night and enjoy sweet sleep, and at times, You even speak to me in my dreams. It is such a blessing to have Your love, peace and joy. No amount of money can buy these blessings. I just want to say a special thanks for these gifts. Bless my brothers and sisters with Your love and guidance and lead us all into more truth. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

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Lord our God, whose light shines out of the darkness and gleams brightly into our hearts, we thank you for all the goodness you allow us to see. We want to see your goodness clearly and have confidence in it, no matter how much around us is dark and disquieting. We want to remain firm and full of trust, looking to what you have put into our hearts so that we may come to know you. Be with us with your Spirit. Lead us to realize ever more clearly that we are made for your honor. Amen.