MIRROR PERFECT

What is your self-image? Do you think you are special, or just so-so? Do you see yourself as capable or as a dismal failure? Do you think you qualify for promotion, or feel you’ll never get ahead? The comparison could go on, touching every area of life, but chances are you aren’t seeing yourself in God’s “mirror of perfection”: and, therefore, have a distorted view. Some things we can’t see, no matter how keen our eyesight, unless we look into a mirror. There are also some things we can’t see with our spiritual vision unless we look into the “mirror” of God’s Word and see ourselves reflected there. That image is all the better with the brightness of the Holy Spirit turned on you. And all of us, as with unveiled face, (because we) continued to behold (in the Word of God) as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; (for this comes) from the Lord (Who is) the Spirit . The Bible tells us that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, created in His image. This “perfection” is something we can’t see with our eyes, but rejoice, for this is how our loving God sees you – right now! So, beloved, take out that spiritual looking glass and take another peek. See yourself as God sees you... transformed into a winner by His mirror of perfection.

BLUE PRINT FOR SUCCESS

There is a blueprint for success that is far more profitable than any book or seminar that is presently available. It is a blueprint that far surpasses the success strategies of any modern method in existence. There is no price too high to pay for the wisdom contained in this blueprint. If you apply its principles in your life, you will be guaranteed prosperity and success. I can just hear you saying, “Let me at it! Where can I get this blueprint?” Hold on, my friend, I will wager that you already own this blueprint. It is called the Bible, otherwise known as the Word of God. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Down through centuries of time God has preserved His blueprint for man to read and apply to his life. It is filled with guidelines for success and victory in every area of life. There is hardly a problem or need that is not addressed or a question that is not answered by a careful study of the Bible. God tells us that to gain the full benefits of His Word we are to have it so imbedded in our mind and hearts that it becomes our words and our actions. Make it a part

GOD, WHY?

Have you ever questioned God? Have you ever asked Him why He did something one way instead of another? Have you ever presented Him with alternate plans that certainly seemed more logical to you? Of course you have, because you’re human. Every one of us has surely questioned God at some point in our lives. We don’t question God’s existence or holiness or righteousness, and yet we question God’s judgment because things don’t work out the way we think they should or the way we want them to. If we don’t like the way He works in the circumstances of our lives – even though we’ve supposedly yielded our lives to Him – then we complain about His fairness and question His methods. Our big problem is that we would like to get God’s thinking in line with ours. But, God’s Word says: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). The secret to receiving God’s best for your life – the divine solution to your problems, and the plan of total victory in all of your circumstances – is not in getting God to work things our way, but in deciding that His way is what you really want and is for your best. Remember, He has the big perspective for your life; we only see what is confronting us today...

WASH ME

Have you ever gone to bed feeling almost unclean after listening to the details of someone's troubled personal life? Heartfelt confessions and innermost secrets come tumbling out as people come to us for comfort, help and relief. I don't think we fully realize how much these soul-baring tales affect us until we go to bed at night. Then every sordid detail looms up on the screen of our minds, causing unrest. If this describes you, then God has the perfect solution for you to be mentally, emotionally and spiritually refreshed. He says, "Let Me cleanse you." As He told Peter, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with (in) Me – no share in companionship with Me...Anyone who is bathed needs not to wash except his feet, but is clean all over" . What do your feet do? They are the part of your body that takes you (spiritually) to where they are, as you walk with them in their misery or darkness. That is why, as you go to bed tonight, Jesus wants to cleanse your feet. He wants to relieve you of all the mental pictures or other muck you may have been trampling around in. He longs to cleanse you so you can spend the night in sweet, peaceful companionship with Him in its entirety:

ANCHOR OF LOVE

HOPE

Have you ever ended your evening prayers by silently thinking, "I sure prayed hard over this. I hope that it works!" Although God's Word talks a lot about hope, I don't believe this is the kind of hope He means. Webster defines hope as being "desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment." When we hope in this way, what a glory it is to God! What freedom and joy there is in expecting and believing that our prayers will be fulfilled. This kind of hope gives tremendous energy to our prayers. The book of Hebrews confirms this fact by saying that godly hope actually propels us into Christ's presence "behind the veil." "...we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil" There is power in true hope! Unlike wishful thinking, there is also stability and assurance, a combination which can send your spirit soaring into the very presence of God. Lay hold of God's way of hoping now. When you do, your life will never be the same.

HOLD PAST

Countless Christians lie awake night after night tormented by the question, “What has happened? I thought I won that battle. Why is it happening all over again?” “Common sense” would tell us that once we wage war with the enemy in a particular area and win, that the victory is over forever – right? Wrong. Satan doesn’t operate that way. As the enemy of our souls, he doesn’t play by the rules. He has come to steal and to destroy, and nothing will stop him from at least attempting to take every one of your victories back! Understand that the victory is still yours; Satan is just trying to regain some territory by making you think you never really won in the first place! Jesus warned us this would happen. He said, “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown” . What “territory” of your life is Satan trying to regain a foothold in tonight? Is he using some incident of the day to entice you to jealousy, anger, resentment, hate, fear, insecurity or mistrust? Hold fast to your victories. Don’t let Satan steal your crown! Rise up tonight and make your victory secure... Rise up brother and sister...With God we have our victories..

MANAGEMENT BY VISION

Have you ever heard the term "Management by Objective" used in business to describe the integration of a worker's personal goals with those of his company? I believe that God, like the president of a large company, wants us to utilize these goal-setting tools in the building of His Kingdom. But it's hard to be excited about setting goals if you don't have a clear vision of what God wants to accomplish through us! Has lack of vision and, thus, lack of objectives subtly haunted us, night after night, as we've wondered just where we going with God? God has two sets of visions for each one of us. The first is His overall vision that applies to every one of His children. The second is that unique, personal vision of what we, as individuals, are to do. God described His "general" vision for everyone to the Apostle Paul. Referring to the unsaved, Paul said it was, "To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in me. Wherefore...I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" Pray for God to give us a revelation, deep in our spirit, of the vision He has for us. Once you are under God's "Management by Vision," we'll be surprised how easy "Management by Objective" will be.

TYRANNY OF MOODS

"It takes commitment to be filled with joy. In fact, it takes the dedication of your whole life." My first reaction was, "Isn't joy something that God just gives you? But, as I thought about it, I realized she was right; it does take dedication and commitment to live a joyful life. Why? Because it's so easy to be ruled by the tyranny of our moods! Before we know it, the "I-don't-feel-like-its" can ruin your prayer life, praise life and fruitfulness. What about you? Have you gone to bed tonight completely dominated by one mood or another...so "wound up" that you can't get to sleep...so low that you never want to get up again? If so, God wants to give you a precious gift tonight. He wants to give you a new attitude toward overcoming these moods. He wants you to welcome them as opportunities to take control, His way. Remember that learning to rule and reign with Jesus starts with learning to "rule" our own souls! Jesus promises, "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life...He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death...To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna...I will give authority over the nations...I will make a pillar in the temple of my God...He who overcomes will inherit all this..." (