Year: 2005

Discipleship

Posted on December 30, 2005

THOUGHT:

A Los Angeles Cab driver recently found $350,000 of uncut, untraceable diamonds in a bag in his cab. He told reporters that keeping the loot never entered his mind, even though his wife loves diamonds and he dreams of opening a restaurant. "God is up t

Challenge

The next time temptation is near at hand think of that LA cab driver and remember to look up to the Heavens for the strength and remember that “God is up there… He always watches.”

Verse

Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. Warning Against Idolatry.

Reference

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Service

Posted on December 29, 2005

THOUGHT:

Nearly all men can stand some adversity…But if you want to test a man’s character – give him power.

Challenge

Ask God today to bless you with both righteousness and humility when you are the one in control.

Verse

For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “This is why I have raised you up, to show my power through you that my name may be proclaimed throughout the earth.”

Reference

Romans 9:17

Success

Posted on December 28, 2005

THOUGHT:

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.

Challenge

Ask God today to help you to fight through the clouds you will inevitably face on your way to reaching your goals.

Verse

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Reference

1 Peter 1:6-7

Faith

Posted on December 27, 2005

THOUGHT:

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.

Challenge

Make a commitment today to feed your faith by reading your Bible more often. Make certain you come back for “seconds.”

Verse

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Reference

John 6:58

Discipleship

Posted on December 26, 2005

THOUGHT:

As Christians we should make an extra attempt during the Christmas season to practice our discipleship.

Challenge

Next time you hear someone sanitize Christmas by saying† Happy Holiday⁳ or† Merry Xma⁳ respond to them with a heartfelt "Merry Christmas". Make certain that you are emphasizing the Christ in Christmas.

Verse

Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.

Reference

1 John 4:14

Praise

Posted on December 23, 2005

THOUGHT:

Don’t forget the reason for the season.

Challenge

As the activities of Christmas begin to consume your time, remember that we are celebrating the gift of Chris⁴ s birth. Have a Blessed and Merry CHRISTmas - The TAG team

Verse

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Reference

Luke 1:31-33

Attitude

Posted on December 22, 2005

THOUGHT:

If you want to cast a big shadow, stand in God’s light.

Challenge

As you pray today, ask God where He would like you to cast a big shadow. Let His Spirit guide you there, and let His light show you the way.

Verse

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.

Reference

2 Corinthians 4:6

Forgiveness

Posted on December 21, 2005

THOUGHT:

When someone forgives you, they give you a gift; when you forgive someone else, you give a gift to yourself.

Challenge

Seek an opportunity to forgive others today. When you do, you will feel the joy of the “gift giving” that takes place in these moments.

Verse

If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

Reference

Matthew 6:14

Evangelism

Posted on December 20, 2005

THOUGHT:

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Challenge

What a simple statement, but are you singing it in your mind? God tells us we must be like children to enter the kingdom on heaven. Repeat the jingle in the thought to at least 3 people today.

Verse

Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Reference

1 Timothy 1:14

Charity

Posted on December 19, 2005

THOUGHT:

We make a living by what we get; We make a life by what we give.

Challenge

Spend more time thinking about how you can give today, and you will find your life more rewarding.

Verse

Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.

Reference

Luke 11:42

Attitude

Posted on December 16, 2005

THOUGHT:

Every person's life is a plan of God.

Challenge

Re-read this simple, but powerful thought. Live your life with purpose, knowing you are a plan of God.

Verse

Chapter 42 - Then Job answered the LORD and said: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.

Reference

Job 42:1-2

Joy

Posted on December 15, 2005

THOUGHT:

A smile is a light in the window of the soul, indicating that the heart is home.

Challenge

Try to smile more often today and notice the positive impact it has on both you and others.

Verse

Declare them guilty, God; make them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many sins; for they have rebelled against you.

Reference

Psalm 5:11

Courage

Posted on December 14, 2005

THOUGHT:

Do not follow where the path may lead – go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Challenge

If today you feel God nudging you out of your “comfort zone”, be courageous and blaze a trail where He is leading you.

Verse

And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or the left.

Reference

Isaiah 30:21

Joy

Posted on December 13, 2005

THOUGHT:

A happy home is a glimpse of heaven.

Challenge

Regardless of how tough the day might be, make certain you go home tonight with the intention to create a happy home. Your joy will be contagious.

Verse

On the eighth day he dismissed the people, who blessed the king and went to their tents, rejoicing and glad of heart because of all the blessings the LORD had given to David his servant and to his people Israel.

Reference

1 Kings 8:66

Faith

Posted on December 12, 2005

THOUGHT:

Life isn't fair! God is.

Challenge

The next time you feel frustrated because life doesn't seem fair, take a second and thank God for his consistency. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but take comfort that they are coming from God who is always fair.

Verse

Consider the ramparts, examine its citadels, that you may tell future generations:

Reference

Psalm 48:14

Stewardship

Posted on December 9, 2005

THOUGHT:

Money is a wonderful servant, and a terrible god.

Challenge

Spend a few minutes reviewing your checkbook. Try to focus more effort investing in helping others rather than being obsessed with the amount of your current balance.

Verse

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Reference

Matthew 19:21-22

Comfort

Posted on December 8, 2005

THOUGHT:

To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.

Challenge

Ask God today to help you to continue to recognize the riches and goodness within you in order that you can fully enjoy your relationship with others.

Verse

When all our enemies had heard of this, and all the neighboring Gentiles round about had taken note of it, they were very discouraged, for they knew that it was with our God’s help that this work had been completed.

Reference

Nehemiah 6:16

Courage

Posted on December 7, 2005

THOUGHT:

The only ability God requires is avail-ability

Challenge

God gave us all the talents that we need to serve Him. Don't waste time worrying about what you can't do for God or others. Pick something you can do and do it.

Verse

So the disciples determined that, according to ability, each should send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea.

Reference

Acts 11:29

Courage

Posted on December 6, 2005

THOUGHT:

You often hear people say that life is too short. Do you ever reflect on what that means to you?

Challenge

Ask God to give you the strength to dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

Verse

Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Reference

Psalm 90:12

Evangelism

Posted on December 5, 2005

THOUGHT:

Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.

Challenge

As you go about your day, find an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone for the cause of Christ. Tell someone new about your faith.

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 December 2, 2005

THOUGHT:

We are saved by faith alone. But if faith is alone, it is not faith.

Challenge

Your faith is only meaningful if it is reflected in your actions. Reveal your faith to others today.

Verse

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reference

James 2:15-17

Comfort

Posted on December 1, 2005

THOUGHT:

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Challenge

Take a second and say a prayer asking God to give you the comfort to live your life to the fullest. Remember that God is in control and He knows what's best for you.

Verse

Chapter 14 - Last Supper Discourses. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

Reference

John 14:1

Courage

Posted on November 30, 2005

THOUGHT:

May you live all the days of your life.

Challenge

Sounds simple enough. God expects us to make the most of the lives He gave us. Don't just follow your routine today, live like it's your last - it just may be.

Verse

“But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Reference

Matthew 24:36-37

Attitude

Posted on November 29, 2005

THOUGHT:

Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth.

Challenge

Take time today to visualize yourself doing something positive. Repeat it later today, tomorrow, and the next day…The more often you do it, the sooner your visions of yourself will actually become you.

Verse

Free yourself like a gazelle from the hunter, or like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Reference

Proverbs 6:5

Priorities

Posted on November 28, 2005

THOUGHT:

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.

Challenge

Ask God today to help you avoid just “going through the motions” in your life and to motivate you to seek and actively pursue meaningful ways to serve Him and others.

Verse

God’s Indomitable Love in Christ. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Reference

Romans 8:28

Praise

Posted on November 25, 2005

THOUGHT:

Many of the things you can count, don’t count. Many of the things you can’t count, really count.

Challenge

The phrase “count your blessings” asks most of us to do the impossible. When you have accepted Christ as you savior, your blessings are too numerous to count. Take this moment to thank God for the blessings you can recall as well as the countless others you can't.

Verse

The God of your father, who helps you, God Almighty, who blesses you, With the blessings of the heavens above, the blessings of the abyss that crouches below, The blessings of breasts and womb,

Reference

Genesis 49:25

Praise

Posted on November 23, 2005

THOUGHT:

We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be thankful more.

Challenge

As you gather tomorrow with family and friends for Thanksgiving, spend ALL of your time giving thanks to God. No need to ask for more.

Verse

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the peoples his deeds.

Reference

1 Chronicles 16:8

Discipleship

Posted on November 22, 2005

THOUGHT:

Let your life be your sermon.

Challenge

Let your actions today stand as the opening of your sermon titled “I Love God and All His People.”

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

Discipleship

Posted on November 21, 2005

THOUGHT:

Live so that when your friends think of fairness, caring and integrity, they will think of you.

Challenge

Find an opportunity today to share something with a friend. Make certain you offer them “the better half” of whatever you are sharing.

Verse

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”

Reference

Luke 19:8

Attitude

Posted on November 18, 2005

THOUGHT:

No one's feelings are caused by others. Our feelings are caused by our own emotional responses; our own choices and reactions.

Challenge

When confronted today, don't let the actions of others interfere with your positive spirit.

Verse

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,

Reference

Philippians 2:5-7