Month: January 2005

Anxiety

Posted on January 28, 2005

THOUGHT:

Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Challenge

Think of the #1 stress in your life today. Take a moment to ask God to comfort your heart. Remember God's plan is beyond our comprehension, and take comfort in His ability to make the right long term (eternal) decisions.

Verse

When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land. The Healing of Two Blind Men.

Reference

Matthew 9:25-26

Attitude

Posted on January 27, 2005

THOUGHT:

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes their way.

Challenge

Make the most out of everything that comes your way today. Remember that it comes from God. You’ll be happy you did!

Verse

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.

Reference

2 Corinthians 9:8

Courage

Posted on January 26, 2005

THOUGHT:

Once you start down the wrong path, you can't get turned around without getting a little dirty.

Challenge

The sooner you acknowledge your mistakes, the easier it is to correct them. A little white lie may offend a friend when they learn the truth, but the longer it goes, the more it hurts when the truth comes out.

Verse

Tell the Israelites: If a man or a woman commits any offense against another person, thus breaking faith with the LORD, and thereby becomes guilty, that person shall confess the wrong that has been done, make restitution in full, and in addition give one fifth of its value to the one that has been wronged.

Reference

Numbers 5:6-7

Comfort

Posted on January 25, 2005

THOUGHT:

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

Challenge

When you begin to fear a situation or the outcome, take a deep breath and remember the Power of God. Have faith that God will get you through it.

Verse

And saw the great power that the LORD had shown against Egypt, the people feared the LORD. They believed in the LORD and in Moses his servant.

Reference

Exodus 14:31

Evangelism

Posted on January 24, 2005

THOUGHT:

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Challenge

When the chance to serve God arises (and it will if you just look for it), welcome it. The Holy Spirit will guide your actions when you are working for The Lord.

Verse

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Reference

Matthew 28:19-20

Discipleship

Posted on January 21, 2005

THOUGHT:

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Challenge

Don't try to play God and judge people. Just show up to court and offer your testimony. God doesn't want us to hide in the back of the room when there's testimony to be heard.

Verse

Chapter 7 - Judging Others. “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.

Reference

Matthew 7:1-2

Priorities

Posted on January 20, 2005

THOUGHT:

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Challenge

When temptation bangs on the door, put in earplugs and walk away. The more you go to look, the more likely you'll eventually open the door.

Verse

First Book—Psalms 1–41 Psalm 1 True Happiness in God’s Law I - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night.

Reference

Psalm 1:1-2

Courage

Posted on January 19, 2005

THOUGHT:

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

Challenge

Curves bend, but the cross of Christ is always standing firm as a reminder that Christ died for you. Stand firm for Him today.

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

Service

Posted on January 18, 2005

THOUGHT:

"That 'Love thy neighbor thing', I meant it!" - God.

Challenge

Throughout the day, notice all the chances you have to help others. How often did the chance arise? How often did you succeed?

Verse

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Reference

1 Peter 4:10

Attitude

Posted on January 17, 2005

THOUGHT:

Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened.

Challenge

Try to look at the bright side of things today and be thankful for the good you can find in every situation.

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

Prayer

Posted on January 14, 2005

THOUGHT:

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.

Challenge

Pray today for guidance with the problems you are facing. Let God’s love help you cope.

Verse

The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

Reference

Psalm 145:18

Wisdom

Posted on January 13, 2005

THOUGHT:

One undisputed truth . . . We all take too much for granted.

Challenge

Tonight, think of one thing you are thankful for that you have never been grateful for in the past. Do this tonight and every night for 15 days. It will become a habit and you will find a new peace in your life.

Verse

There, too, in the presence of the LORD, your God, you and your families shall eat and rejoice in all your undertakings, in which the LORD, your God, has blessed you.

Reference

Deuteronomy 12:7

Priorities

Posted on January 12, 2005

THOUGHT:

If God isn’t in first place, you can’t win the race.

Challenge

Your priorities will be right when you put God first. Putting God first will allow you to handle the successes and failures in your life. Share a “God success” with someone today. Inspire them to put God first.

Verse

Then I will rejoice in the LORD, exult in God’s salvation.

Reference

Psalm 35:9

Attitude

Posted on January 11, 2005

THOUGHT:

God won't take away your bad habits; you have to give them up.

Challenge

Be diligent today. Examine your bad habits and start making decisions that will move you to good habits.

Verse

And said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Reference

Matthew 18:3

Prayer

Posted on January 10, 2005

THOUGHT:

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

Challenge

Share today's problems with the Lord through prayer and ask for His guidance.

Verse

The Answer to Prayers. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Reference

Matthew 7:7-8

Comfort

Posted on January 7, 2005

THOUGHT:

Let go and let God.

Challenge

Many people say, "God helps those who help themselves." In reality, God helps the helpless. When you are at the end of your rope and cry out "God help me" God says "Let go, I’m here to catch you." Trust Him completely.

Verse

But Moses answered the people, “Do not fear! Stand your ground and see the victory the LORD will win for you today. For these Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again.

Reference

Exodus 14:13

Peace

Posted on January 6, 2005

THOUGHT:

From acquaintances we conceal our real selves, but to friends we reveal our real weaknesses.

Challenge

Remember that you have a great friend in Jesus. Talk to Him today like you would talk to any friend. Talk about everything, and nothing.

Verse

Constant Prayer. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones

Reference

Ephesians 6:18

Forgiveness

Posted on January 5, 2005

THOUGHT:

Forgiveness is as much for the one who is forgiving as it is for the one who is being forgiven.

Challenge

If you have the opportunity to forgive, forgive fully like Jesus did.

Verse

For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more.”

Reference

Hebrews 8:12

Prayer

Posted on January 4, 2005

THOUGHT:

He who ceases to pray ceases to prosper.

Challenge

God says to always remember Him and He will always remember you. Continue to seek new ways to include prayer in your daily life.

Verse

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?

Reference

Luke 18:7

Wisdom

Posted on January 3, 2005

THOUGHT:

Living in Truth is making the right choices.

Challenge

Each day we are faced with the decision of making the right choices, often choosing between truth and lies. Make the decision to walk in the light of truth today. Eliminate the "convenient" lies.

Verse

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ear to words of knowledge.

Reference

Proverbs 23:12