Scripture reading: Psalm 32
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: GUILT
True guilt is the violation of the law of God. David was truly guilty before God, because he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and made certain that her husband Uriah would be killed in the front lines of battle. King David did not confess the guilt of his sin, until he was confronted by Nathan the prophet. In the meantime, David’s guilt was destroying his health. He could not sleep and was emotionally distraught, until he confessed his sin to God and received forgiveness. Verse five is the turning point in David’s circumstances. He was forgiven, and now he expresses the blessedness of his life in the Lord. This psalm is his testimony of joy for God’s forgiveness and favor in his life. Now he instructs all who will listen, to call out to God, confess their sin, and make a decisive decision to trust and obey God. The benefits of God’s grace and forgiveness are many, but life without God is miserable.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the price Jesus paid on the cross for my sin. May I experience your unfailing love, as I trust in you.
Scripture Verse: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover it up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my trans-gressions to the Lord” – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday SHIFT Daily Devotional
Scripture reading: Proverbs 15:1, 22:24-25, 29:11&22
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: ANGER
Dissension, disharmony, conflict, contention, discord and strife, these are the fruits of a hot temper and unresolved anger. Anger has sabotaged many jobs, destroyed personal relationships, and generally makes the home or workplace an unpleasant place to be. Venting anger is a bad example for those who are still impressionable, and we are told not to associate with a hot-tempered man. Ephesians tells us that we are to get rid of rage and anger. God does not command us to do something without enabling us to do it. The alternative to indwelling anger is forgiveness and growth in our Christian Character. We are to confess that anger to God, asking God to replace destructive anger, with the positive fruit of His Holy Spirit. His indwelling Spirit will fill the empty place left by anger with: patience, gentleness and self-control.
Prayer: Lord, please wash me from any stronghold of anger. I ask in the strong name of Jesus that you would fill me with your; patience, gentleness and self-control.
Scripture Verse: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: ANGER
Dissension, disharmony, conflict, contention, discord and strife, these are the fruits of a hot temper and unresolved anger. Anger has sabotaged many jobs, destroyed personal relationships, and generally makes the home or workplace an unpleasant place to be. Venting anger is a bad example for those who are still impressionable, and we are told not to associate with a hot-tempered man. Ephesians tells us that we are to get rid of rage and anger. God does not command us to do something without enabling us to do it. The alternative to indwelling anger is forgiveness and growth in our Christian Character. We are to confess that anger to God, asking God to replace destructive anger, with the positive fruit of His Holy Spirit. His indwelling Spirit will fill the empty place left by anger with: patience, gentleness and self-control.
Prayer: Lord, please wash me from any stronghold of anger. I ask in the strong name of Jesus that you would fill me with your; patience, gentleness and self-control.
Scripture Verse: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
Wednesday SHIFT Daily Devotional
Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25-34
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: WORRY
There is a futility in worry, for it seems to immobilize our life rather than inspire appropriate action. Physicians’ tells us that worry may even damage our physical health. It may ruin our relationships, make us unproductive and compulsively consume our thoughts. Worry (a form of fear) stands in contrast to faith. Faith reminds us that God, who created us, will care for us. Rather than making these material needs our focus & priority, (as the pagans do), we are to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. We need to turn to the Lord first for help. Our focus needs to be on him, so that he may fill our thoughts with his desires, his kingdom values and his holiness. When we put our trust in the Lord, he promises to meet our every need. The real challenge in the life of a Christian is to be transformed in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is where our focus and priority need to be.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I choose to make you, the focus of my life. Enable me by your power to replace worry with faith and trust in you. Help me to seek the desires of your heart.
Scripture Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: WORRY
There is a futility in worry, for it seems to immobilize our life rather than inspire appropriate action. Physicians’ tells us that worry may even damage our physical health. It may ruin our relationships, make us unproductive and compulsively consume our thoughts. Worry (a form of fear) stands in contrast to faith. Faith reminds us that God, who created us, will care for us. Rather than making these material needs our focus & priority, (as the pagans do), we are to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. We need to turn to the Lord first for help. Our focus needs to be on him, so that he may fill our thoughts with his desires, his kingdom values and his holiness. When we put our trust in the Lord, he promises to meet our every need. The real challenge in the life of a Christian is to be transformed in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is where our focus and priority need to be.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I choose to make you, the focus of my life. Enable me by your power to replace worry with faith and trust in you. Help me to seek the desires of your heart.
Scripture Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Thursday SHIFT Daily Devotional
Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:29-32
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: BITTERNESS
Bitterness always inflicts a deeper wound on the person who harbors it than the person against whom it is directed. Resentment or hatred function as poisons to the soul. Taking our minds off of what is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. The Holy Spirit is grieved as the darkness within, invades our speech, attitudes and actions toward others. The solution to bitterness is not ignoring it, hiding it from others or making behavioral changes. The believer must confess the bitterness, and not let its’ roots grow within. If cleansing and wholeness are desired, confession and forgiveness of those who have planted the bitter root are a must. Forgiveness is not condoning the wrong. Forgiveness is giving the hurt to God, letting go of the right to be angry, and letting God do his healing in you.
Prayer: Lord I confess any bitterness in my soul, and with your help, I choose to forgive those whom I have been embittered against. Please cleanse me, in the powerful name of Jesus.
Scripture Verse: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Eph.4:3
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: BITTERNESS
Bitterness always inflicts a deeper wound on the person who harbors it than the person against whom it is directed. Resentment or hatred function as poisons to the soul. Taking our minds off of what is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. The Holy Spirit is grieved as the darkness within, invades our speech, attitudes and actions toward others. The solution to bitterness is not ignoring it, hiding it from others or making behavioral changes. The believer must confess the bitterness, and not let its’ roots grow within. If cleansing and wholeness are desired, confession and forgiveness of those who have planted the bitter root are a must. Forgiveness is not condoning the wrong. Forgiveness is giving the hurt to God, letting go of the right to be angry, and letting God do his healing in you.
Prayer: Lord I confess any bitterness in my soul, and with your help, I choose to forgive those whom I have been embittered against. Please cleanse me, in the powerful name of Jesus.
Scripture Verse: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Eph.4:3
Friday SHIFT Daily Devotional
Scripture reading: I Kings 19:1-9
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: DISCOURAGEMENT
Only days earlier the prophet Elijah had experienced two great spiritual victories, the defeat of the false prophets of Baal and God’s answer to his prayer to end the drought. Like the prophet Elijah, there can be times in the lives of believers when we feel discouraged. We want to say as Elijah did: “I have had enough Lord.” Often one of the best remedies is nourishment and plenty of rest. However we need to remember that regardless of our own fatigue or discouragement, our God is still the same. He knows what is going on in our lives, and he is there to strengthen us and empower us to go on living for Him. God sent the angel to Elijah not just once but twice, to ready him for service, to the Lord. Each of us needs God’s second blessing in our lives to empower and enable us to serve in his strength.
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I need more than my own human ability and strength to live for you. Help me to surrender my life to you, so that I may experience ongoing victory by the power of your Spirit.
Scripture Verse: The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said. “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: DISCOURAGEMENT
Only days earlier the prophet Elijah had experienced two great spiritual victories, the defeat of the false prophets of Baal and God’s answer to his prayer to end the drought. Like the prophet Elijah, there can be times in the lives of believers when we feel discouraged. We want to say as Elijah did: “I have had enough Lord.” Often one of the best remedies is nourishment and plenty of rest. However we need to remember that regardless of our own fatigue or discouragement, our God is still the same. He knows what is going on in our lives, and he is there to strengthen us and empower us to go on living for Him. God sent the angel to Elijah not just once but twice, to ready him for service, to the Lord. Each of us needs God’s second blessing in our lives to empower and enable us to serve in his strength.
Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that I need more than my own human ability and strength to live for you. Help me to surrender my life to you, so that I may experience ongoing victory by the power of your Spirit.
Scripture Verse: The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said. “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
Saturday SHIFT Devotional
Scripture reading: Psalm 25
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: SHAME
Shame can be a painful emotion that may come from different origins. Often shame is a legitimate consequence of deliberate, rebellious, sinful actions. Unfortunately, there are times and situations where people become victims of shame, as others sin against them. Often those who are filled with shame become hard hearted and lash out, shaming others. The good news is; that no matter what the origin of shame, God is the one who will deliver from sin and shame. The scripture tells us that anyone who puts their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will never be put to shame. (Rom. 9:33 &10:11) The believer is delivered from the sin that has controlled their life, and from shame. God is faithful to deliver his own children from situations that cause shame, and in his time he will heal the damage that shame has done to the soul.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please forgive my sin. Come into my heart and deliver me from sin and shame, because I am trusting in you, my refuge and deliverer.
Scripture Verse: Guard my life and rescue me, let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalm 25:2
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: SHAME
Shame can be a painful emotion that may come from different origins. Often shame is a legitimate consequence of deliberate, rebellious, sinful actions. Unfortunately, there are times and situations where people become victims of shame, as others sin against them. Often those who are filled with shame become hard hearted and lash out, shaming others. The good news is; that no matter what the origin of shame, God is the one who will deliver from sin and shame. The scripture tells us that anyone who puts their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will never be put to shame. (Rom. 9:33 &10:11) The believer is delivered from the sin that has controlled their life, and from shame. God is faithful to deliver his own children from situations that cause shame, and in his time he will heal the damage that shame has done to the soul.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please forgive my sin. Come into my heart and deliver me from sin and shame, because I am trusting in you, my refuge and deliverer.
Scripture Verse: Guard my life and rescue me, let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalm 25:2
Sunday SHIFT Devotional
Scripture reading: Psalm 91
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: FEAR
It seems that we have come to an extremely advanced and enlightened time in world history. Our chariots (cars) are without number, knowledge has increased exponentially and even common technology grows faster than the average person can keep up with. Yet, today’s fears are common to the fears of the psalmist time. Americans are fearful of potential pandemics, terrorist attacks, increased unemployment rate and the decreasing value of the dollar. We have a choice to make. Will we focus on our circumstances, or will we put our trust in the Lord? The psalmist tells us that the Lord is our security. We can rest in the Lord and have peace in our hearts, as we trust in him. He is our refuge & our fortress. The Lord will deliver and save his own, when we call on him & trust him with all our heart.
Prayer: Heavenly father, help me to trust in you and focus on you when I am fearful. I acknowledge Lord, that you are my security and that you answer those who love and trust in you alone.
Scripture Verse: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14
OVERCOMING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS: FEAR
It seems that we have come to an extremely advanced and enlightened time in world history. Our chariots (cars) are without number, knowledge has increased exponentially and even common technology grows faster than the average person can keep up with. Yet, today’s fears are common to the fears of the psalmist time. Americans are fearful of potential pandemics, terrorist attacks, increased unemployment rate and the decreasing value of the dollar. We have a choice to make. Will we focus on our circumstances, or will we put our trust in the Lord? The psalmist tells us that the Lord is our security. We can rest in the Lord and have peace in our hearts, as we trust in him. He is our refuge & our fortress. The Lord will deliver and save his own, when we call on him & trust him with all our heart.
Prayer: Heavenly father, help me to trust in you and focus on you when I am fearful. I acknowledge Lord, that you are my security and that you answer those who love and trust in you alone.
Scripture Verse: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14
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