"You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world's happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged."
Praise someone today. Repeat
I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him.
Make prayer a habit in your life. Know that He is listening. Make the effort to hear Him.
You go closer and listen to all that the LORD, our God, will say, and then tell us what the LORD, our God, tells you; we will listen and obey.”
Deuteronomy 5:27
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.
It takes no more energy to look up than it does to look back or around, but the results are far greater if you choose to faithfully look up. Put your faith in God today and lift the burden of sorrow and worry.
Yet when you seek the LORD, your God, from there, you shall indeed find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?
Send this TAGline to as many people as you sent your last joke.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, Announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”
Isaiah 52:7
To feel sorry for the needy is not the mark of a Christian - to help them is.
There are many opportunities in life to help the needy. Show that you are a Christian today by acting on one of those opportunities.
Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him.
Proverbs 14:31
What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.
If you were standing before God today would you be proud of the gift you have become? What steps can you take today to improve your gift to God?
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10
Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
The Lord says to be a cheerful giver. Remember He gave you 100% of your talent and money. He only wants 10% back.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict.
We all experience conflict in our life. The next time you experience conflict, seek God’s presence. Have faith that He will give you the wisdom to resolve the conflict.
May the LORD give might to his people; may the LORD bless his people with peace!
Psalm 29:11
The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.
When a difficult decision presents itself today, do what you KNOW is right. Take the high road not the easy road.
You shall not hold on to anything that is under the ban; then the LORD will turn from his burning anger and show you mercy, and in showing you mercy multiply you as he swore to your ancestors,
Deutoronomy 13:18
Have you ever wondered why stained glass often portrays Saints? Could it be that the Light of Christ is seen shining through them? Can people see Christ's light shining through you?
Find someone around you who needs the light of Christ in their life. Show them the love of Christ through your actions.
For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of [Jesus] Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
A generous man forgets what he gives and remembers what he receives.
It doesn't matter if you are giving or receiving, "real generosity" allows us to focus our attention on others. Cultivate your spirit of generosity today by discovering simple ways to help others.
Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
The average church in the U.S. is built to hold 40% - 50% of the congregation. Where is the other half supposed to sit?
Invite someone to go to church with you this Sunday.
Observe the sabbath day—keep it holy, as the LORD, your God, commanded you.
Deuteronomy 5:12
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Start today to prepare yourself for the opportunity to meet God.
To equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:12
If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it. Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.
Often times it gets taken for granted. Tell someone you care about that you love them.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
1 John 4:16, 19
When confronted with a Goliath-sized problem, which way do you respond: "He’s too big to hit, " or like David, "He’s too big to miss."?
The next time you are faced with a big problem, don’t avoid it. Confront it head-on and ask God for the courage to help you deal with the situation.
David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.”
1 Samuel 17:37
Some complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses on thorns.
Each day you have a choice to face your challenges with optimism or pessimism. The Bible teaches us to be optimistic. Today, choose optimism!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian, any more than going to a sporting event makes you a better athlete.
Stop going through the motions in your faith journey... Try to identify at least one meaningful element each time you attend worship that will be a building block to make you a better Christian.
We are not boasting beyond measure, in other people’s labors; yet our hope is that, as your faith increases, our influence among you may be greatly enlarged, within our proper limits,
2 Corinthians 10:15
Trusting in others and even in God is especially difficult when we are vulnerable. Yet it is when we are most vulnerable that we can experience trusting in others fully for the first time.
Share one thought, fear or burden with a friend or God today. You will feel your heart lighten.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;
Proverbs 3:5
Remember happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think. So start each day by thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for.
Start each day by thanking God for at least 3 things He has blessed you with in your life.
He reveals deep and hidden things and knows what is in the darkness, for the light dwells with him. To you, God of my ancestors, I give thanks and praise, because you have given me wisdom and power. Now you have shown me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the king’s dream.” So Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not put the wise men of Babylon to death. Bring me before the king, and I will tell him the interpretation of the dream.” Arioch quickly brought Daniel to the king and said,
Daniel 2:22-24
It is easy to be in awe of God’s power; however, it is God’s gentleness that should really move us.
Through gentleness and love, God’s work is done. Allow God's gentle spirit into your heart today, and focus your thoughts, words and actions on encouragement to those around you.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5: 22-23
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath way.
Breathe more life into your spirit by breaking out of your daily routine more often with activities that not only warm your heart, but increase your heart rate.
III - Many say, “May we see better times! LORD, show us the light of your face!” Selah
Psalms 4:7