Ajo Aliyas

Choose Joy!

VERSE: "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." (Psalms 128:2)

THOUGHTS: Did you know that having a life full of joy and fulfillment is a matter of choice? Many people are not living in victory today because they have walked around with a chip on their shoulder. They are constantly complaining, always dwelling on what they don't have or focusing on their problems.

Let me encourage you to stay out of that trap. Wake up every morning and begin each new day by counting your blessings. Take time to make a list. Write down at least 10 things that you are thankful for. Whatever your situation in life, find things to add to the list.

Keep your list in a place where you can see it every day. When you feel yourself getting negative, when you're beginning to get discouraged, check your list; read it out loud. Focus on all the blessings that God has given you. Begin to thank Him for what He has already done for you and for all that He has in store for your future.

Give God an offering of thanksgiving every day. As you begin to express your appreciation and praise to the Lord, you will begin to see Him pour out His blessings and favor in greater portions, and you'll experience the overcoming life of victory He has in store for you.

PRAYER: God, I am making the decision today to be a grateful person! You have richly blessed me and I am going to count those blessings everyday. When I make a daily list of 10, it will be in honor of You. In Jesus' name – Amen.

See Yourself as God Sees You!

VERSE: "Be confident in this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you." (Philippians 1:6)

THOUGHTS: Do you have a vision of victory for your life? Do you know that God desires to do great and mighty things in your life? But in order to fulfill God's plan, you must first see yourself the way God sees you–growing and prosperous in every area.

Where you are in life today is a direct reflection of your past thoughts about yourself. You are not able to rise above your own self-image. But no matter what your current situation, you can change your self-image by meditating on God's Word and spending time with Him.

Begin today to see yourself the way God sees you. He sees you as an overcomer, more than a conqueror, and a champion in life. He sees you as the head, and not the tail. He sees you above, and not beneath. He sees you growing and excelling, and living a life of victory!

As you begin to change your self image and see yourself living the life God has for you, you will experience His fulfillment, peace, and power.

PRAYER: God, I was made in Your image and that means I am a conqueror and can do all things! Thank you for Your confidence in me. I am going to stay focused on Your loving plan for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Seeds of greatness

VERSE: "Do not cast away your confidence for it will be richly rewarded." (Hebrews 10:35)

THOUGHTS: God is constantly trying to plant new seeds of victory inside of you! He's trying to increase you and enlarge your vision. He wants to take you to new levels of victory. But in order for this to happen, the seed has to take root in your heart. Before you're ever going to be successful, you've got to see yourself being successful. Before your dreams come to pass, you've got to look through your eyes of faith and see them come to pass.

The enemy doesn't want you to grow and increase, or fulfill your destiny, so he immediately tries to distract your heart and uproot the seed God planted. In order to defeat the enemy in your life, you have to stay focused on God, His Word–and the dream He's promised to you! Constantly meditate on His promises, and thank the Lord for His faithfulness no matter what the circumstances look like. Before long, you'll begin to see the dreams God placed in your heart come to pass.

PRAYER: God, a champion lives within me. Give me the focus and the courage to live the life I was destined to live. I want to recommit myself to reading Your Word daily and staying in fellowship with You so that I can grow the seed of greatness you planted in my heart. In Jesus' name – Amen.

Get your Hopes Up!

VERSE: "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope." Galatians 5:5

THOUGHTS: What are you expecting in life–good things? Bad things? Big things? Little things? Anything at all? God wants you to get your hopes up! The Bible says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for." One definition of hope is confident expectancy. Did you know you can't even have faith if you don't first have hope?

Your expectations set the limits for your life. If you never expect anything good, you're never going to receive anything good. If you don't expect things to get better, then nothing will get better. God promises to meet you at your level of expectancy. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 9:29: "According to your faith be it done unto you." One translation simply says: "Have what your faith expects."

Make the decision to expect the favor of God in your life! Start expecting to overcome every challenge you face! Start expecting God to meet all of your needs! Live every day of your life filled with anticipation that God is going to bless you exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond your wildest dreams!

PRAYER: God, I want to grow in my faith this year. I believe that You want the best for me. Help me learn to expect to be blessed and to face challenges with the confidence that You will see me through. In Jesus' name – Amen.

Blessed be the Balanced

VERSE: "Be well-balanced, for your enemy goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8 AMP)

THOUGHTS: God wants you to experience victory in every area of your life–physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and relationally. Living a well-balanced life is the key!

Excess is the enemy's playground. He knows that if he can get you over into extremes in any area, then he can keep you from experiencing God's best. When you get out of balance, you give the enemy a foothold. But when you have your priorities in order, there's security, protection, and safety. When you are taking care of yourself, your family, and your relationship with God, you are going to be strong and healthy and the enemy won't have a chance!

I encourage you to examine your heart and life today. Ask the Lord to show you if there are areas where you may be out of balance. Ask Him to help you make the right adjustments so that you are able to be effective in every area of your life. As you work towards balance, you will walk in the abundant life that God has prepared for you!

PRAYER: God, reveal to me the areas in my life that are out of balance. I may be spending too much time and energy on my job, a relationship, a leisure activity, or everyday distractions. Whatever it is that is preventing me from experiencing victory, help me to prioritize and live a more balanced life. In Jesus' name – Amen.

INVEST IN YOURSELF & HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

VERSE: ...they have made me a keeper of vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept. Song of Solomon 1:6

THOUGHTS: Living a balanced life brings peace, joy, and health to every area of your life. When you are out of balance in your life, you open a door to the enemy. If you re always on the go, constantly working, and never take time for yourself, you will end up stressed out and overwhelmed, and you won t be able to enjoy life the way that God intended.

Solomon was good at taking care of everyone else–his family, his friends, his work. He made sure everyone else was happy, but in doing that, he neglected to take care of himself. Are you living like that today? Do you spend all your time on other people, but not any on yourself? Eventually you will burn out and you won t be able to reach out to others. Decide today to begin investing in yourself. Take time to relax and rejuvenate yourself. When you are refreshed emotionally, physically, and spiritually, you are able to give to others more effectively. As you bring balance to your life, you will begin to enjoy life to the fullest.

PRAYER: God, my plate is full. I spend much of my time running, serving, doing. Remind me that it is OK to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment with You. Refresh my spirit and help me to live a balanced life with You

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

Today as I reflect on so many wonderful things from God, I am reminded in the 23rd Psalm that my cup runneth over. From the cotton fields of Itta Bena, MS to a home in Little Rock, AR, my cup runneth over; from having no work to having a job, my cup runneth over; from walking to driving my cup runneth over; from no shoes/clothes to wear, to having many, my cup runneth over. Sit back and think about how God has blessed you and allow your cup to runneth over.



Some days the cup may be pouring out burdens, heart aches, pain, trials or turmoil. Other days, the cup overflows with contentment, love, joy, and overwhelming peace. Whatever your cup holds today, rejoice in it. God has promised He is your Shepherd. He will guide you through each drop in your cup.

I am so grateful this morning for God s presence in my life. So many friends and family members don t know Him yet. They can t understand the peace that is given beyond our understanding. They can t feel the running over of the cup of Jesus. They don t have hope because there is none without Him. Friends, take time to praise Him this morning that you have the gift of the overflowing cup of Jesus. Share the hope and testimony of Jesus with someone today so they can come to know, received and love Him. God bless.