Stand Within What You Believe by Robert Ricciardelli

Sincerity is not truth and often sincerely wrong. No one but God can tell you who you are, what to believe, or how to live. When you discover truth for yourself, you will never let anyone snatch it. We are told what we should think and how we should live our lives based on what others may think is correct. But you are an individual; know what you believe, stand within it, and let the truths of God permeate your being.

Humbled Before His Majesty by Robert Ricciardelli

The fear of God should not be induced by fear of judgment. It is in knowing the depth and kindness of a God who is willing to share His love, nature, and authority with mankind. Happy are those that humble themselves before the majesty, power, and sovereign grace of God. Embracing the revelation of the amazing wonders of our God is the beginning of wisdom, and the beginning of a life in pursuit of His Kingdom glory.

The Fear of God by Robert Ricciardelli

No matter how long we have had communion and friendship with God, there is a mysterious depth in relationship that has no limit or end. When we come into this sweet relationship, we are beginning to learn breathless adoration of the attributes of our God and His ever increasing presence in our lives. These perceptions and the consciousness of His divine Presence reveal what the Bible calls "the fear of God".

His Will, His Work, His Glory by Robert Ricciardelli

God's ability to move on people's life is not to the endorsement of the people, place, or thing God may use as an instrument. It is however an endorsement of a great God who desires to touch and transform people's lives, while utilizing various people and conditions to accomplish His will and His work. In this way, no man can take the glory for signs, wonders, or the latest or greatest of human creativity.

Character Over Reputation by Robert Ricciardelli

We must be more concerned with our character than our reputation, because our character is who we really are, all the time. Our reputation is merely what others may think we are. A real testimony of God's grace occurs when our character is lined up with God's nature, and His will for us as His children. May our reputation to others be a reputation of a life lived for the services of God and for the glory of His name.

Adversity Molds a Champion by Robert Ricciardelli

Adversity can turn those who are weak into victims, even so, adversity can turn those who are strong into over-comers and champions in life. We have been empowered by God to be strong and not weak, and to be strong in our desire to do good. If you have been a victim through weakness, stand up for your redemption is here. Go forward in His victory and His strength, for He is the Champion for your victorious life.

Empowered by God's Grace by Robert Ricciardelli

There is always an opportunity to harbor bitterness when we have been wronged. We must not miss God's grace by allowing bitterness to take root as a consequence to pain. We may become imprisoned or spiritually dead inside, and you cannot accept grace and bitterness at the same time. Choose God's grace and He will empower you to forgive and release the snare of bitterness in your life, and the freedom to move forward.

Ask For His Best Road by Robert Ricciardelli

I have found it best not to ask for an easier road but to ask for a strength that allows me to finish the race well. God in His wisdom has chosen to allow difficulty to invade my path, and then work within me to empower me to overcome every obstacle I face. I grow strong in rising above all challenges, I get the victory as I endure with Him and overcome, and God gets the glory because without Him I can do nothing.

Rewards of Painful Endurance by Robert Ricciardelli

God often allows for pain to forge purpose filled resolve in us. The testing of our faith develops perseverance, and perseverance works in us to make us more mature and complete in Him. We may endure painfully, but we become thankful for the endurance that brings us to greater fullness in Him. Let God reveal to you the secret things He has planned for you as a result of the crisis you are in or have come through.

Labor Produced Harvest by Robert Ricciardelli

The miracle of growth that comes from the seeds of your life to the harvest that God desires is not produced through dreams or affirmations. Dreaming, writing, planning, and affirmations are all very important, but until you do the work necessary, the harvest will remain in a dream and seed state. Abundant fruits in the harvest of life comes only from doing the work the Lord has set before you. 

Submitting Our Temperaments by Robert Ricciardelli

Our temperaments are often fixtures of our personalities, but how we handle our temperaments on a daily basis can vary greatly. We gradually learn to put our temperaments towards serving the Lord and others as we submit ourselves more fully to God. God can then lead us to show great zeal for the Kingdom, be at peace during conflict, silent in worship, or creatively sharing His passion with others.

Spirit and Emotion Working Together by Robert Ricciardelli

There are distinctions in our emotional and spiritual lives, and yet they influence one another profoundly. Our feelings often give us an indication of where we are spiritually. If fear has gripped us, we may wonder about our faith, and when we feel peaceful and "centered," we may become more aware of who we are as God's child. And finally, our faithfulness and prayers indicate the presence of His Spirit within us.

Emotional and Spiritual Flow of Life by Robert Ricciardelli

Our emotional and spiritual lives have different dynamics. Our emotional life flows up and down based on current or past conditions. We may be happy, sad, angry, or loving based on current or past happenings. Our spiritual lives flow through obedience, and our attentive listening to the Spirit of God within us. Without this listening, our spiritual life can become subject to the windswept waves of our emotions.

Beyond the Hurts of Life by Robert Ricciardelli

When someone hurts, offends, or rejects us, we can feel a deep urge to retaliate or withdraw into self-rejection. These occasions most often happen unexpectedly. We may ponder for days over words and actions we might use in response to what others have said or done. This is where we must seek God's strength more than ever to bring us beyond our need to hurt others or ourselves, and be free to forgive and to love.

Overcoming Emotions by Robert Ricciardelli

It is very hard to control our emotions, but we can gradually overcome them by living a disciplined spiritual life. This prevents us from reacting to life based on our emotions. We might not "feel" like being nice to a others but as we seek the goodness of God, His love will motivate us to love. As we are led by His Spirit, we will find emotions and moods to have decreasing power over our thoughts and actions.

Emotional Roller Coaster by Robert Ricciardelli

Our emotional lives are constantly shifting up or down and can sometimes flow from extreme joy to tremendous sorrow. Many things outside of our control can trigger such mood swings. Thus it is important to know that our emotional life is not the same as our spiritual life. As we feel our emotions shift we must connect our spirits with the Spirit of God and remind ourselves that what we feel is not who we are.

Children of the Same God by Robert Ricciardelli

As long as there is distance between people all sorts of false thoughts can arise. We may label people, prejudge, avoid contact, and think of them as enemies. We forget that they love like we do, and care for their children as we do. When we cross the bridge to look into one another's eyes we can see that we are all children of the same God and members of the same family called humanity. God loves all and so must we.

Words of Abundant Life by Robert Ricciardelli

God's Word eternally has the power to transform. To reject or neglect it is a sure fire way of losing what we already have. Do not tread lightly on the revelation and illumination of God's word. They are not just good ideas but Words that bring forth abundant life. When we faithfully hear the truths of God and respond, it brings forth life and continual growth in wisdom, stature and favor before God and man.

Living Beyond Chapter and Verse by Robert Ricciardelli

Words minus action becomes lifeless knowledge and a spatter of chatter. Many quote the bible that speaks of God's love, but if they do not live in that love, how much do they really know, and how committed are they in submitting to the Author of love? The world does not need more chapter and verses about love, they just need to witness those who will live in the power of God's love towards them and each other.

The Design of the Divine by Robert Ricciardelli

It is time for people to begin to walk in the design of the Divine. God created us to walk with Him and respond to Him while walking intentionally in His victorious ways. This will uplift your life, upgrade your favor, and the miraculous will flow from the unseen to the scene of His habitation. Dreams will be realized as God takes you from minimized to authorized in every phase of your life.

God Dwells Within You, As You by Robert Ricciardelli

God dwells within you, as you. He has created each of us so uniquely, and desires to use us despite our imperfections. Amazing is our God as He chose to live through us as us, while empowering us to live in His Spirit led ways. As we become more like Him, He sets us free to become how He has designed us to be, in order for us to touch one another through a broad spectrum of languages, expressions and talents.

Where Love and Unity Flourish by Robert Ricciardelli

God is well pleased when we work together in harmony to perform and achieve far beyond what we would accomplish separately. Community is a combined effort that yields a combined harvest. We fill each others gaps in humanity by coming together in His name and meeting life's challenges. We all face things in life that are too big for us to handle alone. Where love and unity flourishes, people are blessed.

One God, One Family by Robert Ricciardelli

When we gather together in God's love, we are transformed not only individually but also as community. People from different ages and races, with different backgrounds and histories, become one body. Not only as individuals but also as community we become the living Christ to the world. As one body, we become a living witness of God's immense desire to bring all peoples and nations together as the one family of God.

Generational Fruit Bearing by Robert Ricciardelli

We are God's chosen and blessed children. We can live in His nature by giving of ourselves to others. When we live our brokenness under His blessings and guidance, our lives will bear fruit from generation to generation. The saints that lived before us brought forth fruit that remained and a continued legacy of God's goodness. May it be so with us, that we live a life that touches eternity for all generations.

The Best Change is You by Robert Ricciardelli

If there is one change that would radically impact your future, it would be change in you. You are the most significant figure outside of God for your destiny. We sometimes look at things on the outside to change for us and neglect the inside of ourselves. Allow Father to expose areas in need of His growth and wisdom. Embrace the necessary changes in attitude and faith that will spur you on to new life for tomorrow.

Transformational Brokenness by Robert Ricciardelli

We become broken in many ways in the fragility of this life. God invites us to embrace our brokenness as Christ embraced the cross and live it as part of our mission. Purification and sanctification can come through the suffering. Thus our brokenness can become a gateway to new life, as Father picks us up and transforms us further into the image of Christ.

Highly Favored Children by Robert Ricciardelli

The Blessed and Beloved of the Father resides with you and in you. The Favored Son made the way for you to become a highly favored child of God. Father is now saying, "You are my beloved child, my favor rests on you." When we can hear that voice, trust in it, and always remember it, especially during dark times, we can live our lives as God's blessed children and find the strength to share that blessing with others.

Don't Believe the Hype by Robert Ricciardelli

There are charlatans that may tell or sell you on the latest technique to experience heavenly realms. Do not buy into them. There is a way however to experience all that God has for you. The secret to appropriating your heavenly position: Present your mind, body, and will as a living sacrifice to the Lord. This is the most excellent way, and Father will take you where no man or technique can ever lead you.

The Chosen of God by Robert Ricciardelli

Being chosen means being loved and singled out as special. In society being chosen implies exclusivity, but this is not true for God's people. God reveals to us our chosenness in Christ. The Kingdom of God is inclusive as each person is precious, unique, and valued. When we enter the realm of His presence, our value is secured and we are empowered to love and value all people, who were created in the image of God.

Do Not Miss Life in the Now by Robert Ricciardelli

We must live in the moment. We can learn, plan, and build for the future, but we must not miss living for the now. Many are the plans of men, but the Lord's plans prevail. His plan is for us to presently abide with Him and others. If we preoccupy our minds with what will happen one day, we may miss real life happening all around us. Pray and plan for the days ahead, but do not miss today, do not miss life in the now.