Relationships with people are one of the hardest to master. Just the idea of dealing with people is a challenge. Most people either avoid people they don't like, or flight with them. So often people get frustrated at work because of an unreasonable boss, or another common area of broken relationships is simply people get offended.
God's designed us all so differently, all unique, and all gifted in different ways. The challenge is not to look at the negative qualities in a person, but look at the positive. Today's word of encouragement is, "Don't let the opportunity slip away!" Sometimes people are harsh, rude, mean, and unreasonable because of their own lives and what they are going through.
Today, don't let that opportunity slip away, when God can use you to bless that person you are fighting with, hurt with, trying to avoid, and can't even stand looking at that person. The devil wants us to be hurt, he wants us to look selfishly at our own pain, suffering, and through that we become more "ME ME focused". Let us respond exactly the opposite of how satan wants us to respond. When people shout and yell, say bad things about us, let us smile, let us pray a blessing over their lives, let us encourage that person, let us not gossip, let us only speak good words about that person.
The devil wants to rob us all of God's blessings. Wouldn't it be amazing to be known in the office, at home with our family, and with our friends as a person who stands for righteousness, a person who exemplifies Jesus, who stands out not because they are outstanding but because they simply do the simple things right.
In Mattew 5:44 Jesus tells us all, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
-- By: Shaun Lee
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 30 July 2007
As we head into a new week, it is amazing to see how fast time passes. Before we know it, 5 years will pass, and then 10. Time is really very short, maybe this is a good time for us to really start taking action. Some of us, have had desires to go on missions trips, but never did so because of work or family. Some of us, wanted to pick up a new sport or play a new instrument, but never did because there was just no time. Some of us want to rebuild old friendships that were lost, either through fights, un-forgiveness, or just simply lost touch. Some of us, still hold on to past hurts, either hurt relationships, from husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents, and siblings. Some of us still have issues with people from different cultures and races. All of these issues have many things in common, but one in particular I want to address, “Stop making excuses!”
Making excuses is finding an easy way out of dealing with an issue. The more we make excuses, the bigger our bag of rubbish in our lives gets. As I prayed for today’s word of encouragement, I wanted to hold back, because I know many of us will get offended at this tone, and language. At this point, some of us would say, “Well talk is easy, but to live with those past hurts it is not easy to let go.” Or some of us may say, “I don’t know how to let go, it hurts so much.” The answer to all this, “Stop making excuses.” Believe me, I know that God is speaking to me as well, in this area of making excuses, and running away from issues. But if we keep making excuses, I don’t think we would ever change our old ways.
God is sovereign over any past hurt. God is greater than any offense; God loves us more than any human being can. Bottom line is if we are still living in hurt, still living in the past, still living with making excuses, we have not placed God above all. Today’s word of encouragement ties in with yesterday’s on chopping down our tree. If we don’t chop our tree, we will never grow, and more importantly we will never bear fruit. Jesus prunes our tree, to make us grow stronger, and bear more fruit. I pray that we would be encouraged today to completely surrender our lives to God, and allow Jesus to prune our tree.
John 15:2, Our Father says to us all, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” I pray today, we would allow Jesus to begin the work in us, allowing Him to prune our branches of hurt so that it will become a branch that will bear fruit.
By: Shaun Lee
Making excuses is finding an easy way out of dealing with an issue. The more we make excuses, the bigger our bag of rubbish in our lives gets. As I prayed for today’s word of encouragement, I wanted to hold back, because I know many of us will get offended at this tone, and language. At this point, some of us would say, “Well talk is easy, but to live with those past hurts it is not easy to let go.” Or some of us may say, “I don’t know how to let go, it hurts so much.” The answer to all this, “Stop making excuses.” Believe me, I know that God is speaking to me as well, in this area of making excuses, and running away from issues. But if we keep making excuses, I don’t think we would ever change our old ways.
God is sovereign over any past hurt. God is greater than any offense; God loves us more than any human being can. Bottom line is if we are still living in hurt, still living in the past, still living with making excuses, we have not placed God above all. Today’s word of encouragement ties in with yesterday’s on chopping down our tree. If we don’t chop our tree, we will never grow, and more importantly we will never bear fruit. Jesus prunes our tree, to make us grow stronger, and bear more fruit. I pray that we would be encouraged today to completely surrender our lives to God, and allow Jesus to prune our tree.
John 15:2, Our Father says to us all, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” I pray today, we would allow Jesus to begin the work in us, allowing Him to prune our branches of hurt so that it will become a branch that will bear fruit.
By: Shaun Lee
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 29 Jul 07
God sometimes brings seasons in our lives where we are called to chop down our tree, just like in the dream God gave to King Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel interpreted the dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, it was during a time when the king was at his peak, the most powerful, and richest. God purposely gave Nebuchadnezzar this dream, warning him that if he did not change his ways, if he did not honor our Father, God was going to remove him from his reign.
Chopping down our tree is an important part of our lives, sometimes we need to chop down our trees, in order to remove our old selves. God allows seasons to enter our lives so that we can chop down our tree, so that we can remove, work, learn, and humble ourselves. It is a fact of life that we are all flawed; we are filled with sins. By chopping the tree and removing the branches, our insecurities, pride, arrogance, selfishness, and negative attitudes will fall off and a new tree will start to form in the image of Christ.
As we cut our tree, watch and see God move in our lives. Watch our old tree turn into a new tree: brighter, vibrant, bigger, stronger, wider, and bearing more fruit. The old has gone! The new has come, and see God transform our lives.
Daniel 4:14, He called in a loud voice: Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
By: Shaun Lee
Chopping down our tree is an important part of our lives, sometimes we need to chop down our trees, in order to remove our old selves. God allows seasons to enter our lives so that we can chop down our tree, so that we can remove, work, learn, and humble ourselves. It is a fact of life that we are all flawed; we are filled with sins. By chopping the tree and removing the branches, our insecurities, pride, arrogance, selfishness, and negative attitudes will fall off and a new tree will start to form in the image of Christ.
As we cut our tree, watch and see God move in our lives. Watch our old tree turn into a new tree: brighter, vibrant, bigger, stronger, wider, and bearing more fruit. The old has gone! The new has come, and see God transform our lives.
Daniel 4:14, He called in a loud voice: Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 15 But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 16 Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.
By: Shaun Lee
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 28 Jul 07
As we head into the weekend, let us offer our full devotion, attention to Him in prayer. God’s leading me to pray, Our Father’s prayer. Instead of just saying it, I pray that we would meditate on it, and we would write it on our hearts, that we feel we are saying it to our Father from the deepest part of our soul.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Father, it is your name that is exalted, not mine. Father you reign over all the earth, for you are mighty, for you are my rock, and I pray that I will never fail to proclaim your name. Father, humble me each day to give all glory to you.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father, it is your will, your plans, your purpose! Not mine! I pray Lord that I give my life to you, I surrender all to you! Take my life, take all of me, take my desires, take my will, may I live each day fulfilling your purpose. Your plans will be done on earth, and I thank you Master that you would even use me as an instrument of your perfect will.
Give us this day our daily bread. Lord, you are my provider, no matter the circumstance. The blessings, the ups and downs, and the times of trials, Father you are my daily bread. Father, my dreams, my future, I know you are my daily bread. I pray that in my heart I will not chase after the worlds desires. Lord, teach me to be a giver. As you are my daily bread, let me never forget to learn from you, to always give and never be selfish but selfless.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Father, teach my heart to forgive. I let go of all my past hurts and pains. Father, instead of being bitter, I pray that you would enter the lives of those that hurt me, offend me, those that make me angry, bitter, upset, and frustrated. Father, I pray that you would bless them abundantly, give them a fruitful life that they may see more to life than what they already see. I pray for healing. Lord, I pray that as we start to forgive, this will be like a “virus” that will spread throughout the world. People forgiving others, and through this, Lord I know nations like Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, and many more will come to know you as their King.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Father, I am a sinner, but as your word says in 1 Corin 10:13 Lord you are faithful and you will not let me be tempted beyond what I cannot bear.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen You are the Lord of all! You are the King of Kings! You have already won! The battle has already been won! I face the devil, I face the giants, and I shout with praise, I raise my banner, I stand upon my rock of salvation—Victory is mine!
By: Shaun Lee
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Father, it is your name that is exalted, not mine. Father you reign over all the earth, for you are mighty, for you are my rock, and I pray that I will never fail to proclaim your name. Father, humble me each day to give all glory to you.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father, it is your will, your plans, your purpose! Not mine! I pray Lord that I give my life to you, I surrender all to you! Take my life, take all of me, take my desires, take my will, may I live each day fulfilling your purpose. Your plans will be done on earth, and I thank you Master that you would even use me as an instrument of your perfect will.
Give us this day our daily bread. Lord, you are my provider, no matter the circumstance. The blessings, the ups and downs, and the times of trials, Father you are my daily bread. Father, my dreams, my future, I know you are my daily bread. I pray that in my heart I will not chase after the worlds desires. Lord, teach me to be a giver. As you are my daily bread, let me never forget to learn from you, to always give and never be selfish but selfless.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Father, teach my heart to forgive. I let go of all my past hurts and pains. Father, instead of being bitter, I pray that you would enter the lives of those that hurt me, offend me, those that make me angry, bitter, upset, and frustrated. Father, I pray that you would bless them abundantly, give them a fruitful life that they may see more to life than what they already see. I pray for healing. Lord, I pray that as we start to forgive, this will be like a “virus” that will spread throughout the world. People forgiving others, and through this, Lord I know nations like Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, and many more will come to know you as their King.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Father, I am a sinner, but as your word says in 1 Corin 10:13 Lord you are faithful and you will not let me be tempted beyond what I cannot bear.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen You are the Lord of all! You are the King of Kings! You have already won! The battle has already been won! I face the devil, I face the giants, and I shout with praise, I raise my banner, I stand upon my rock of salvation—Victory is mine!
By: Shaun Lee
Friday, July 27, 2007
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 27 Jul 07
Setting boundaries is the word God wants us to think about today. We are God’s design and this concept of boundaries can be understood at a very young age. Studies of numerous children have been conducted to see if children as young as six could understand the concept of boundaries. All of us remember our childhood during our school days; playing during recess time we would play in the field, play all sorts of games. In most schools the boundaries of where we are allowed to play is most often marked by a fence. Well on this occasion, the fence was removed, the boundaries were gone, yet these children did not go beyond the boundaries, instead they played closer to the school and would not venture further away.
This simple test reveals one true factor, that God sets boundaries in our lives for a purpose, for a reason. It is out of His love for us, not to make more rules for us that we feel like we are robots. Today, God is challenging us to reflect and look inside our hearts and see our lives. Ask yourself this question, are you walking the fine-line of the boundaries that God has placed in your heart? Or have you set strong boundaries in your heart that you would not even be tempted to see what is beyond that fence?
In God’s word He says to us all in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
By: Shaun Lee
This simple test reveals one true factor, that God sets boundaries in our lives for a purpose, for a reason. It is out of His love for us, not to make more rules for us that we feel like we are robots. Today, God is challenging us to reflect and look inside our hearts and see our lives. Ask yourself this question, are you walking the fine-line of the boundaries that God has placed in your heart? Or have you set strong boundaries in your heart that you would not even be tempted to see what is beyond that fence?
In God’s word He says to us all in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
By: Shaun Lee
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 26 July 2007
Our Father has gone before us! He goes before us when we face our giants and face our enemy who wants to destroy our lives. In so many countries around the world, things go on that is hidden from the World. Today God says, we need to fervently pray and proclaim God's word over these nations.
I pray that in this time, we can specifically pray for the women and children who live in countries where they are being persecuted and harmed. God's hand will be upon them to protect them from harm. God is going to send His angels to guard to protect our sisters. In Christ we shall be strong and have no fear. God is searching for an army of God fearing women who will humble the hearts of the proud, the wicked, and harmful. Through God's hand upon you our sisters, watch and see God use you.
Psalm 112:4 "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man...V6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever."
By: Shaun Lee
I pray that in this time, we can specifically pray for the women and children who live in countries where they are being persecuted and harmed. God's hand will be upon them to protect them from harm. God is going to send His angels to guard to protect our sisters. In Christ we shall be strong and have no fear. God is searching for an army of God fearing women who will humble the hearts of the proud, the wicked, and harmful. Through God's hand upon you our sisters, watch and see God use you.
Psalm 112:4 "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man...V6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever."
By: Shaun Lee
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 25 Jul 07
In this hour our Father is going to birth and remold our minds, eyes, ears, mouths, and souls. God is going to give us minds that will strategize His army into action, analyze areas where the enemy is attacking, and prioritize what needs to be done now, where to concentrate our time, resources, and energy. The unsearchable, we do not fully know the awesome power, the magnificent hand of our Father in action, unless we search Him and give our lives as an offering.
Father I pray today that you will in this hour renew our minds, I pray that we will give You our minds that You will be in our thoughts. Father, I pray for our eyes that we will see what You see. God is going to remold our eyes, removing the ways of the world and we will begin to see what God see's in the spirit. I pray for our ears, that we will begin to hear what God says. Let us today soften our voices and listen to our Father, for He is going to lead, direct, and command us to move in ways we have not moved before. I pray for our mouths, that we will begin to speak what God tells us to speak. That we will in this hour remove all fear. God is going to use our mouths to humble the wise, humble the proud, and humble the nations. Finally, I pray for our Souls. Today, I pray that we would all offer our souls to God. Lord we give you our soul, that you will reign in us, that you would dwell in our soul igniting the fire in us that burns, that will cause us not to stop the work that has already begun.
Philippians 1:6 the word of God says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
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By: Shaun Lee
Father I pray today that you will in this hour renew our minds, I pray that we will give You our minds that You will be in our thoughts. Father, I pray for our eyes that we will see what You see. God is going to remold our eyes, removing the ways of the world and we will begin to see what God see's in the spirit. I pray for our ears, that we will begin to hear what God says. Let us today soften our voices and listen to our Father, for He is going to lead, direct, and command us to move in ways we have not moved before. I pray for our mouths, that we will begin to speak what God tells us to speak. That we will in this hour remove all fear. God is going to use our mouths to humble the wise, humble the proud, and humble the nations. Finally, I pray for our Souls. Today, I pray that we would all offer our souls to God. Lord we give you our soul, that you will reign in us, that you would dwell in our soul igniting the fire in us that burns, that will cause us not to stop the work that has already begun.
Philippians 1:6 the word of God says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
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By: Shaun Lee
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