What counts is not the number of hours you put in, but how much you put in the hours.
How are you dedicating your gift of time to your church? This week, reevaluate the time you are spending in support of your local church. Can you put more into the hours?
Ephisians 5:15-16
Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.
We started the prayer. You finish it.
Chapter 6 - Teaching About Almsgiving. “[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
Matthew 6:1
Watch out for temptation - the more you see of it, the better it looks!
Block out opportunities to go down the wrong paths in life by developing the habit of simply doing what your heart tells you is right. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
Make it a rule of Christian duty never to go to a place where there is no room for my Master as well as myself.
Imagine how your actions may change if God was visible and perched on your shoulder observing your every behavior. By the way, he may not be sitting on your shoulder today, but he is watching!
Surely, the LORD, your God, has blessed you in all your undertakings; he has been concerned about your journey through this vast wilderness. It is now forty years that the LORD, your God, has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.
Deuteronomy 2:7
It seems hope is most difficult when most necessary.
It is easy to be optimistic when things are going your way. . .Ask God to give you the strength to be as faithful and positive when you are faced with personal adversities and failures.
He shall not fear an ill report; his heart is steadfast, trusting the LORD.
Psalm 112:7
The most important things in your house are the people.
Review what's most important for you. What are their names? Do something today to make sure they realize how much you care.
And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
Love is an active verb, not a passive one. Turn your good intentions into good deeds today.
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?
James 2:15-16
Inverted Paranoia: I think everyone is out to do me good.
What a difference a perspective makes. Expect the best in people today, starting with yourself.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Luke 6:35
Many a person has found the acquisition of wealth only a change, not an end, of miseries.
Honestly evaluate your priorities. If accumulation of wealth is at the top of your list, consider a change. Money should be a means to living a generous, giving life.
Where there are great riches, there are also many to devour them. Of what use are they to the owner except as a feast for the eyes alone?
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Maybe it is true that we don't know what we have until we lose it. It is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.
Discover what you have been missing (Is it time with your family? Time with Christ? Time to take care of yourself?) and devote the time today making sure these things remain a high priority.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6
Ninety percent of the friction of daily life is caused by the wrong tone of voice.
Allow both your brain and your heart to catch up with your tongue before you respond to others today.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. IV. Advice to the Persecuted - Trial of Persecution.
1 Peter 4:11
There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
God loves you. What more do you need to be happy? Say a quick prayer to thank God for the many blessings He gives you every day. Enjoy your blessings as they come your way today.
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace,
John 1:16
Worry is like a rocking chair…it gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.
It may be naïve to think we can eliminate worry completely, but it is not unrealistic to expect better outcomes if we can convert this anxious energy into positive actions. If you are worried about something today, ask God to help you focus on a solution instead of dwelling on the problem.
Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies.
Psalm 34:14
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
I’ll bet you can recall kind words of encouragement or a specific compliment from a friend or family member that happened months or even years ago. Create a lasting positive memory for someone you care about today.
To the angel who spoke with me, the LORD replied favorably, with comforting words.
Zechariah 1:13
If you want the fullest possible life, take advantage of this law. "If you give more than is expected of you, you will get back more than you expect!"
Take a second and reflect over the past few days. Make sure you are giving more than is expected, especially as it relates to your spiritual growth.
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.
Matthew 22:37-39
A statue has never been set up in honor of a critic.
Each day, we have many opportunities to criticize, but even more opportunities to praise. Make sure your compliments outweigh your criticisms today.
Consideration for the Weak Conscience. Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Romans 14:13
Living bravely will not always lead to a long life, but living cautiously will not allow you to live at all.
Ask God to give you the courage to overcome your fears today in order that you may accomplish great things for him.
Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
The more impossible the situation, the greater God accomplishes His work.
It is when we are at the end of our rope that even the weakest of Christians call to God for help. If you feel like this today, it may be God trying to get your attention. Reach out to Him.
Slay me though he might, I will wait for him; I will defend my conduct before him.
Job 13:15
Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so it does not depend on what we have, but on who we are.
If you're not happy on the inside, you can't share your joy with others. Spend a moment now and recognize the goodness within you so you can share your happiness more fully with others.
A glad heart lights up the face, but an anguished heart breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13
Experience is not what happens to a person, it’s what a person does with what happens to them.
As a Christian, we have strength through our faith in God to deal with any experience that happens to us. As life “happens” to you today, be sure to tap into this never ending source of strength.
For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
1 John 5:4
Enthusiasm is contagious. It’s difficult to remain indifferent in the presence of a positive thinker.
Share your enthusiasm for the Lord! Help those you care about to think about God more often by introducing them to TAG. Encourage them to sign up at www.ThinkAboutGod.org
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