Month: April 2004

Kindness

Posted on April 30, 2004

THOUGHT:

Whoever gossips to you will be a gossip of you. Gossip destroys relationships, organizations, churches and ultimately lives. Be careful whom you confide in. The person who tells you “don’t tell this to a soul” has probably told all the souls you know.

Challenge

Should you feel the urge to gossip about someone today, stop. Instead, say a prayer for that person so that they can overcome whatever hardship you felt the urge to spread.

Verse

One who slanders reveals secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Reference

Proverbs 11:13

Wisdom

Posted on April 29, 2004

THOUGHT:

The Lord doesn't give wisdom on credit. He doesn't advance you a bundle of insight. God provides us with the words, wisdom and insight at the very instant they are required according to His plan.

Challenge

Continue to seek God's wisdom each day, but have faith He will deliver on time.

Verse

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Reference

Matthew 10:19

Evangelism

Posted on April 28, 2004

THOUGHT:

Jesus told the leper to keep his healing a secret, but in his joy, he told everyone. Jesus tells us to tell everyone, but in our timidity, we keep it a secret.

Challenge

Don't be afraid to show others that you believe in God. Forward this TAGline to someone else to show them you are Thinking About God.

Verse

And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

Reference

Acts 4:29

Prayer

Posted on April 27, 2004

THOUGHT:

One who is too busy to pray, is too busy.

Challenge

What activities can you eliminate to make time for prayer? Find a way to squeeze prayer into your busy schedule today?

Verse

Those who sit in the gate gossip about me; drunkards make me the butt of songs.

Reference

Psalms 69:13

Love

Posted on April 26, 2004

THOUGHT:

God’s mathematical gift to mankind: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. The entire gospel summed up in one simple sentence.

Challenge

Memorize this mathematical equation today, remember it always and pass it along.

Verse

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

Reference

John 3:16

Prayer

Posted on April 23, 2004

THOUGHT:

On days where everything seems to go wrong, remember that help is only a prayer away. God is listening, and if you listen to His response, you will find comfort.

Challenge

If nothing goes wrong in your life today, thank God. If it does, know He is waiting for your prayers.

Verse

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Reference

Psalm 34:15

Determination

Posted on April 22, 2004

THOUGHT:

Falling down doesn’t make you a failure, but staying down does. You display your faith by showing others your strength during times of adversity. God will supply you with the strength you need, so ask in prayer.

Challenge

Are you feeling down because of a recent failure? Display your faith to others by asking God to pick you up during times of adversity.

Verse

Though the just fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble from only one mishap.

Reference

Proverbs 24:16

Discipleship

Posted on April 21, 2004

THOUGHT:

People know what you are by what they see you do, not what they hear.

Challenge

Let your actions speak louder than your words. Instead of telling someone about your acts of kindness, act kindly to them.

Verse

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Reference

Matthew 5:16

Priorities

Posted on April 20, 2004

THOUGHT:

If you are like most people, you may have asked yourself – “If I know my life would end in a week, would I change my priorities?” The answer is usually Yes.

Challenge

Are your priorities in order? The answer is usually no. Take time today to evaluate your priorities.

Verse

But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Reference

Matthew 6:33

Compassion

Posted on April 19, 2004

THOUGHT:

God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.

Challenge

Who do you know that needs comfort? Find a way to comfort them today.

Verse

You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God,

Reference

2 Corinthians 9:11

Faith

Posted on April 16, 2004

THOUGHT:

Society by nature is skeptical. If you cannot prove it or touch it, people don’t want to believe it. But to be a Christian, God requires us to have faith. Faith is the difference between what we know 100% for sure and what we hope is true.

Challenge

God expects us to have doubts. What doubts do you have about your faith? Ask God to strengthen your faith today.

Verse

V. Examples, Discipline, Disobedience Chapter 11 - Faith of the Ancients. Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.

Reference

Hebrews 11:1

Discipleship

Posted on April 15, 2004

THOUGHT:

We commit the Golden Rule to memory and forget to commit it to life.

Challenge

Count the number of times you practice the Golden Rule today.

Verse

He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Reference

Matthew 22:37-39

Attitude

Posted on April 14, 2004

THOUGHT:

“I must do something” will always solve more problems than “Something must be done.”

Challenge

There are numerous opportunities everyday to do something nice for someone. Determine what "must" be done today and commit to do it.

Verse

Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share,

Reference

1 Timothy 6:18

Comfort

Posted on April 13, 2004

THOUGHT:

Two things are hard on the heart – running up stairs and running down people. When you concentrate on speaking badly of others, the one who truly gets rundown is you.

Challenge

Find someone who you have recently "rundown" and pick them up with your kind words.

Verse

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

Reference

Ephesians 4:29

Kindness

Posted on April 12, 2004

THOUGHT:

A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half-full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.

Challenge

What small act of kindness can you do for someone today? Find someone who is thirsty today, and give them a glass of water.

Verse

If I say to a young woman, ‘Please lower your jug, that I may drink,’ and she answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels, too,’ then she is the one whom you have decided upon for your servant Isaac. In this way I will know that you have dealt graciously with my master.”

Reference

Genesis 24:14