I Choose Today...

I Choose Today to Rely on God’s Strength

Strength… The thing about strength is that it is necessary for life. There is not only physical strength, emotional strength, and mental strength, but also spiritual strength. The dictionary defines strength as “the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.” How can we possibly withstand great forces or pressures in our daily lives? The same way Jesus did. As we continue our study on the seven-fold Spirit in Isaiah 11:2, I want to look at the Spirit of Might and how we can apply it in our lives. Isaiah 11:2 describes seven attributes of the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus as He came to fulfill the law of sacrifice and restore our relationship with God forever. In order to do this, He needed supernatural, divine strength. Jesus operated in supernatural strength—physically, spiritually, and in authority over creation. When He was in the wilderness for forty days, He was strengthened to overcome spiritual attacks and resist temptation. Luke 4:1-14 tells us that He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness and returned in the power of the Spirit. That same Spirit strengthens us to resist the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-11 reminds us that we are not

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I Choose Today to be Empowered by the Spirit

One of the most amazing things about the Bible—other than it being the very breath and essence of God—is that it is alive and active, working to transform our lives every single moment of every single day. When I read and study God’s Word, I often discover something new or have the Holy Spirit reveal a deeper meaning I hadn’t noticed before. This happened when I was reading Isaiah 11:1-2. The passage begins by describing the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, as a Branch bearing fruit: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.” This verse paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ ministry, growing out of what appeared to be a lifeless stump and producing abundant fruit. The chapter continues by describing how the Holy Spirit would anoint Jesus with seven qualities, empowering Him to complete His mission and purpose on earth: “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord [awe and reverence].” We see this prophecy fulfilled in John 1:32, where John the Baptist recounts

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I Choose Today to Find God in the Unexpected

One of the things we can ascertain from reading the Bible and living as a child of God, is He rarely, if ever, does things the way we expect or anticipate. As a result, we see over and over again stories of missing God’s goodness and miracles God is doing in and among us. Even worse, we risk missing the fullness of His presence. John 1:10-11 (NLT) “He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.” It broke Jesus’ heart that the city which was the center of His chosen people, didn’t recognize Him. We might think they were foolish not to recognize and accept Him when He was walking among us, right? But we do the same thing, don’t we? We think we are right in our expectations of God because it makes sense to us. But that is where we miss recognizing that He is walking among us. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so

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I Choose Today to Learn to Listen

In our previous sessions, we’ve explored what to talk to God about and how to talk to Him. Today, let’s dive into the different ways God speaks to us and how we can listen. In any relationship, communication is crucial. We invest time and effort to learn how to speak effectively and, just as importantly, how to be a better listener. Our relationship with God is no different—it requires intentionality to understand how to communicate and listen when He speaks. But how does God speak to us? Here are some ways: Through His Word (the Bible): – 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” – Psalms 119:105 NLT: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” God gives us guidance, step by step, as we spend time with Him. Through Teachers and Pastors: – Ephesians 4:11-12: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service…” Sometimes, God uses a pastor’s message, a teacher’s insight, or even a blogger’s post to speak to us. Through Other People: – Proverbs 27:17:

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I Choose Today to Exhibit Self-Discipline

Self-control/discipline seems elusive sometimes. In this a day and age, people (myself included) can react inappropriately to situations. What does it mean to have self-discipline, and where does self-control come from? Self-control and self-discipline are closely related concepts, but there is a subtle difference between them: Self-control typically refers to the ability to restrain one’s impulses, desires, or emotions in the moment, particularly in situations where there may be temptations or distractions. It involves exercising moderation and making wise choices. One of the things I have exercised self-control is when it comes to eating sweets. I have learned to control my blood sugar with making life choices with my food. However, I do allow myself one bite of sweets when dessert is offered. This aligns with exercising moderation while making wise choices for my health. Self-discipline, on the other hand, is more about the ability to control one’s behavior and habits over the long term. It involves setting goals, making plans, and consistently following through with them, even when faced with obstacles or difficulties. In essence, self-control often pertains to immediate actions or reactions, while self-discipline is about maintaining a broader sense of control and direction in one’s life. Both

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