Courageous Faith

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them” Joshua 1:6, NLT

Settle this in your heart today: “I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. I can do what God says I can do, and I will be what God says I will be. There’s nothing too hard for me, because there’s nothing too hard for God!”

Maybe God has asked you to do something you’ve never done before. You are in uncharted waters and you may have no point of reference and not one example in your life to model after. Yet, God chose you, and He wants you to have courageous faith. Here’s how you can…

Write it down.
Create a vision board, a drawing, or write down the task God gave you. The vision you pen will be what fuels you.
(see Habakkuk 2:2,3)

Feed your faith.
The more you hear God’s word  and act on it, the more your faith will grow like a giant. Record yourself speaking God’s word and listen to it over and over again. (see Romans 10:17)

Surround yourself with people who believe in you.
Everyone isn’t going to champion your cause and support your bold steps toward obeying God. Instead of allowing their discouragement to deter you, surround yourself with people who believe in you and who are full of faith.

Say what you believe.
The Apostle Paul said, “I believed, therefore, I spoke” (see 2 Corinthians 4:13). When it comes to having courageous faith, you will have to declare it openly, especially in the face of those who doubt you and your God.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You for Your work in my heart and in my life. You are wonderful! Thank You for nourishing my faith and helping me to believe in You and in myself. I often feel scared, but don’t let that stop me from obeying You. I love You. Thank You for giving me courageous faith. In Jesus name, Amen.


©Daughter of the King

Great encourager

              

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Today, I am now working on all areas of my life with the help of the Lord. He has strengthened me, encouraged me, and helped me to be consistent and follow through with my intentions. When I want to give up, I say, “Jesus, please help me and give me Your strength.” He comes quickly to the rescue without fail, and helps me to no longer compare myself to people or this world.

If your weight has been a constant struggle, know that the Lord accepts you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are more than a conqueror. Hear the Lord whispering to you, “You can do it, My child, you can do it.” That encouragement is eternal. He will take you from glory to glory.

Prayer: Father, I need You more than ever. I need this  encouragement that comes from Your throne. Please help me today find my way and strength in You to achieve this. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

©Daughter of the King

You have some declaring to do!

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Psalms 118:17 (KJV)

When you could be dead, but God caused you to live, you have some declaring to do. When it’s a miracle that you are here, you have some declaring to do. When you wanted to backslide, but God kept you from going back, you have some declaring to do. There has been a supernatural work in you, and now there must be a supernatural work through you. Your declaring the works of the Lord will cause all around you to know and recognize the power of your God.

To declare in this verse means to inscribe, to recount, and to celebrate. Don’t hold back your declaration of what the Lord has done in your life. Write about it, talk about it, shout about it, and testify to the goodness of your great God! Don’t allow anyone to make you feel as though what He brought you through is too shameful to mention out loud. The only shame is in keeping quiet. If God brought you through it, He wants you to greatly rejoice about it and shout it on the mountain top! The only time we have God’s permission to be rooftop women is when we are boldly declaring what God has said and what He has done (see Matthew 10:27)!

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony (see Revelation 12:11).

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your mighty work in me, Your work through me and Your work around me. Help me not be afraid to open up and declare to others what You have done in my life. I pray my testimony touches someone and helps them come to know You for themselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

He waits.

“Love suffers long…” 1 Corinthians 13:4, NKJV

Have you ever said to someone, “I don’t know how you put up with him.” “How do you put up with her?” I have asked my mother this question many times over the course of my life. In dealing with people, she continues to love no matter what. It shows her unbelievable strength and her supernatural ability to be longsuffering.

In the above scripture, the original meaning of to “suffer long” is to be long spirited, that is, (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient. God is patient and longsuffering toward us all. He desires for us all to come into a true knowledge of Him, so He waits…and waits…and waits. He gives us many chances and opportunities to receive His love, His wisdom, His help and His mercy.

You might say, “I would be more patient with people if I saw a sign of hope. But they aren’t giving me any reason to be longsuffering, and it makes it difficult to put up with.”

We also gave God no hope that we would ever receive Him, but He chose to wait for us until we finally understood He was the way. If we are going to imitate our Father, we must learn how to wait while God work on others just as He is working on us.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for being so patient with me. Help me learn to be patient and longsuffering, not just with others, but also with myself. I pray that You help me love others the way You love me. In Jesus name, Amen.

(Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:2)

( Daughters of the King daily devotionals )

A message from the Lord's heart for you.

“I will increase your capacity to love. As you give your heart to Me, the walls that you’ve placed around your heart will come tumbling down. I will increase your ability to love. As you seek after Me the thoughts of mistrust will go far away. You will be able to love with My love. My love sets you free, it never binds you. My perfect love will cast out all your fears. My spirit of humility will clothe you. See? I have something better planned for you, a pleasant surprise. I will teach you how to receive love and give My love away without fear. I will heal every wound and mend your broken heart. You can love. Yes, you can. You can love those around you with My love and please your Father. It is not an impossible feat meant only for the naturally compassionate. My love has been shed abroad on your heart by My Spirit whom I gave you. He is your guide who teaches you all things and leads you into all truth, including the truth of how to love.”

(1 John 4:18; Romans 5:5; 1 Peter 5:5; John 16:13; 2 Timothy 1:7)

( Daughters of the King daily devotionals )

Be Accountable

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

A life that is deficient in iron will cause one to become physically weak. Likewise, a relationship that is iron deficient, where no one is being sharpened, corrected, or provoked to good works is not beneficial to growth. People may fear upsetting you or hurting your feelings, but a real friend that loves you would much rather make you upset and please God instead of the other way around.

Accountability isn’t telling people what to do.  It is encouraging them to do what God has already instructed them to do.  We are not just helping each other stay out of sin, but helping one another move forward into being all that God created us to be.  We will never grow on an island isolated away from people.  Nor will we grow if we surround ourselves only with those that think like us and talk like us.  We need people that get up under our skin and irritate us, encouraging us to grow and mature.  Not “yes” people, but those who feel personally responsible to help us become all that God has called us to be.

Prayer: Father God, I need more iron in my life. I pray that You send true friends that will not appease me, but will sharpen me and help me be what You called me to be.  I thank You for always knowing what’s best for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


( Daughters of the King Daily devotionals )

Knitted Hearts ( Part 2 )

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1, ESV

In the midst of corrupted hearts, authentic, non-competitive, loving friendships do exist, but only God can supply such a thing. I didn’t always have this mindset, especially after some friendship betrayals, but once I drew closer to God and allowed Him to work in my heart, I began to attract what I gave.

If you give love, you’ll receive love! If you have compassion, you’ll receive compassion! If you encourage, you’ll receive plenty of encouragement! If you offer support, God will surround you with loving supporters! We call this, “sowing and reaping.” You can’t expect to receive what you never give.

Beyond common interests and a sense of humor, the aim of friendships are to sow into each other words of purpose, eternal life and blessings. When we do this, we refresh each other’s spirit and strengthen each other’s faith. A Godly friendship means you bear your own hurts along with those of your friend. You cry when they cry, laugh when they laugh, applaud them when they succeed and hold up their arms when the battle has made them weak.

Truth: You can’t expect to receive what you never give.

Point to Ponder: Are you being the kind of friend you want to have?

Pray with me: Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that You heal every wound from past failed friendships. I deeply desire to have true friendships in my life, but I know I have to give in order to receive. So I pray that You help me be the Godly friend You expect me to be. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!


( Daughters of the King daily devotionals )

Knitted Hearts (Part 1)

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul,” 1 Samuel 18:1, ESV

I love the story of David and Jonathan. As we see in our opening verse, God sometimes knits hearts together, like He did with them, and He puts people in our path because He knows we’ll need them. Godly friendships are a wonderful force to be reckoned with. He uses our friendships as vessels, to encourage and strengthen one another. Jonathan loved David, believed in him, and sought God’s best for him. Jonathan’s friendship was what David needed to grow into the king and leader he was to become.

Friendships are vital in our walk with Christ because, in them, we are sharpened and are held accountable by one another. It’s not about your win in this race; it’s about a corporate win that makes this journey worthwhile. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 it says: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Truth: Never underestimate the power of two hearts knit together for God’s purpose.

Point to Ponder: If you desire this type of friendship, are you leading by example?

Pray with me: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendships. Lord, please surround me with strong friendships that will add value to my life, and I pray I can do the same for them. Thank You Lord, because You have heard my prayer and You are already working behind the scenes. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

(Read Proverbs 27:17)

( Daughters of the King daily devotionals)

A Father to the Fatherless.

“Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” Psalm 68:4-5, NLT

Maybe you never knew the love of a father. Today, God wants you to know that He loves you and You are dear and precious to Him. You don’t have to search anymore. The love you long for is found in Him. His love far exceeds the love any person can offer you. Receive His love and He will show you what a real father and daughter relationship is.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for being a great and loving Father to me.  You affirm me and make me feel so safe and secure.  I reach out to You to pick me up and love me. I receive You and Your love, Your special care and Your words spoken over me. I receive You as my Father and Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read 2 Corinthians 6:18

( Daughters of the King daily devotionals)

Our God is consistent

“Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 ESV

When trials come our way, it can be hard to press forward. A way you can encourage yourself is to meditate on this scripture. If Jesus turned your sorrow into joy yesterday, He will do it again today. If He came through for you last week, He will do it again this week. There is no failure in Him. He’s consistent.

Thinking of all the good things He has done for you already will cause you to walk in a faith realm that will overshadow any situation. My sister, whatever it is you’re going though, it will not last. Your trial has an expiration date. God said no more will you have to go through that again. He’s faithful, and you can always depend on Him to show up and show out in your life.

Prayer: Father God in Jesus name, I believe what Your Word says and I know that You are faithful. What I’m going through is nothing compared to the glory on the other side. I walk in victory because my help comes from You. I know that if no one else is there to help, You are my help. Thank you for being a consistent God. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

( Daughters of the King daily Devotionals )

What is Love?

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I’m simply making a lot of empty religious noise.

If I graduate from theological seminary and know all the answers to questions you’ll never even think of asking, and if I have all the degrees to prove it and if I say I believe in God with all my heart, and soul and strength, and claim to have incredible answers to my prayers to show it, but I fail to take the time to find out where you’re at and what makes you laugh and why you cry, I’m nothing.

If I sell an extra car and some of my books to raise money for some poor starving kids somewhere, and if I give my life for God’s service and burn out after pouring everything I have into the work, but do it all without ever once thinking about the people, the real hurting people-the moms and dads and sons and daughters and orphans and widows and the lonely and hurting-if I pour my life into the Kingdom but forget to make it relevant to those here on earth, my energy is wasted, and so is my life.

Here is what love is like–genuine love. God’s kind of love. It’s patient. It can wait. It helps others, even if they never find out who did it. Love doesn’t look for greener pastures or dream of how things could be better if I just got rid of all my current commitments. Love doesn’t boast. It doesn’t try to build itself up to be something it isn’t. Love doesn’t act in a loose, immoral way. It doesn’t seek to take, but it willingly gives. Love doesn’t lose its cool. It doesn’t turn on and off.

Love doesn’t think about how bad the other person is, and certainly doesn’t think of how it could get back at someone. Love is grieved deeply (as God is) over the evil in this world, but it rejoices over truth.

Love comes and sits with you when you’re feeling down and finds out what is wrong. It empathizes with you and believes in you. Love knows you’ll come through just as God planned, and love sticks right beside you all the way. Love doesn’t give up, or quit, or diminish or go home. Love keeps on keeping on, even when everything goes wrong and the feelings leave and the other person doesn’t seem as special anymore. Love succeeds 100 percent of the time. That, my friend, is what real love is!” If I talk a lot about God and the Bible and the Church, but I fail to ask about your needs and then help you, I’m simply making a lot of empty religious noise.

LOVE NEVER FAILS !


( Daughters of the King daily Devotionals )

Loose them and Let them Go.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” John 10:10, New Living Translation (NLT)

When an eagle swoops down to pick up a fish from the water, if it holds on to a fish that is too big for too long, the eagle risks drowning. What a waste of a beautiful soaring creature—to be drowned by a fish.

Are you being drowned by a fish? Refusing to let go of your catch or that relationship? It doesn’t matter who the person may be and what they’ve meant to you in the past, if God has instructed you to let them go, you must let them go or you will drown! Holding on to them will cause you to do things you wouldn’t normally do, say things you wouldn’t normally say, and act in ways that is totally uncharacteristic of you. They are not worth you losing yourself, losing your life and God’s destiny for your life.

This is how the enemy destroys a life. He entices you to hold on to, run after, obsess over, and completely lose yourself in your hunt for a fish. Loose them and let them go so you can soar the way God intended for you to soar. You may can’t imagine life without them, but now is the time to obey His prompting lest you drown.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking directly to my heart. Forgive me for trying to hold on to someone you’ve told me to let go of. I repent for placing a person before You. I yield to You right now and to Your will. I trust You know what’s best for me. Take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart and help me move forward. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

( Daughters of the King daily devotionals)

Stay focused and never lose hope!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12, NIV

It can be difficult to remain focused, patient and joyful while in the midst of affliction. Your prayer time suddenly becomes limited because you are seeking ways, in your own strength, to find solutions. Your hope is suddenly floored because you begin to think there’s no way out.

In difficult moments like these, when it’s hardest to pray, that is when we must pray the hardest. When it’s the hardest to trust, that is when you should trust the hardest. When it’s hardest to love, we love harder. Jesus told His followers, “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (see John 16:33).

Next time you are up against a Red Sea and see no way of parting it, run to your source of hope, to your source of strength and your source of peace…run to Jesus! Without a yielding heart, you won’t make it on this journey called life, because when you begin to remove your focus from your Savior, you begin to remove your focus from your salvation. Stay focused!

“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be and that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prayer: Lord, help me stay focused on You and Your supply. I admit that I have sought after my own strength but plenty of times I have found nothing. I know that You are the only one mighty to save and the only one who can help me cross this red sea that I am up against. I repent for taking my eyes off You and I recommit my focus onto you, my King. Strengthen me, equip me and overwhelm me with Your peace in the name of Your precious Son I pray, Amen!


(Daughters of the King daily devotionals)

Watch your words

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” Proverbs 18:21.

While talking to a friend, she wanted God to save her marriage. So we prayed together and a few days later, she came to me saying how frustrated she was and how she wanted out. I told her to get some duct tape and put it over her mouth because she was messing up what God wanted to do in her home with her words. In one breath it was, “Lord save my relationship.” In another breath it was, “This man is the devil! I’m out of here.”

Well maybe you’re in a relationship with someone that acts like the devil, or maybe your boss or parent behaves like the devil, and you don’t know what to do. You want to see a change, but you don’t think you have the patience or strength to wait it out while God does whatever He’s going to do. In this situation, you need understanding. The Bible says understanding will keep you (see Proverbs 2:11). It will help keep your tongue, and it will keep your mind.

Understanding is God’s mind on the matter. Let Him show you what He thinks about the situation you’re in and what He wants you to do.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking directly to my heart. I repent for the things I’ve been saying. Give me understanding and help me keep my mouth. Help me not cancel my prayers through wrong talking. Be glorified in this situation. I’ll cooperate with You. In Jesus name, Amen.


( Daughters of the King Daily Devotionals)