Month: October 2005

Discipleship

Posted on October 31, 2005

THOUGHT:

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff - including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Challenge

On this day of fantasy with goblins, witches, demons, and fright remember to smile and let His light shine through you to TREAT others all day long and into the night. The TRICK is to try to be this way EVERYDAY!

Verse

But those with insight shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, And those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

Reference

Daniel 12:3

Joy

Posted on October 28, 2005

THOUGHT:

Smile, God loves You.

Challenge

What a simple concept. Throughout the day, find a way to continually remind yourself that God loves you, and remember to Smile about it.

Verse

God’s Love and Christian Life. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Reference

1 John 4:7

Prayer

Posted on October 27, 2005

THOUGHT:

A quick silent prayer before a challenging confrontation is a powerful tool.

Challenge

Try it and let the peace of God’s presence give you strength and direction.

Verse

Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart’s desire. Gimel - Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will act

Reference

Psalm 37:4-5

Discipleship

Posted on October 26, 2005

THOUGHT:

The easiest person to deceive is one’s self.

Challenge

Be honest with yourself – then it will be easy to be honest and humble to others.

Verse

The pride of your heart has deceived you— you who dwell in mountain crevices, in your lofty home, Who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to earth?”

Reference

Obadiah 1:3

Attitude

Posted on October 25, 2005

THOUGHT:

He who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.

Challenge

In this results-oriented world we live in, ask God to give you the will and perseverance to seek self-improvement instead of wasting your precious energy on rationalizing your failures.

Verse

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

Reference

Romans 8:26

Courage

Posted on October 24, 2005

THOUGHT:

Take care of the possible, and trust God with the impossible.

Challenge

When you feel your energy leaking away on things beyond your control today – allow your faith in God to invigorate your spirit to focus and impact things within your reach.

Verse

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Reference

Matthew 19:26

Priorities

Posted on October 21, 2005

THOUGHT:

Someone has tabulated that we have over 25 million laws on the books to enforce the Ten Commandments.

Challenge

Carefully review the Ten Commandments (see the link below)…Ask God’s help through prayer to carve these laws into your heart so you can be a better daily example of His love.

Verse

Chapter 20 - The Ten Commandments. Then God spoke all these words: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall not have other gods beside me. You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or serve them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their ancestors’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation;

Reference

Exodus 20:1-17

Determination

Posted on October 20, 2005

THOUGHT:

When you flee from temptations, don’t leave a forwarding address.

Challenge

Even when you are successful in avoiding temptations, don’t look back – it only tempts you again. Focus forward.

Verse

Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Reference

Matthew 26:41

Compassion

Posted on October 19, 2005

THOUGHT:

Always put yourself in others shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too!

Challenge

Show your empathy to someone else’s plight today and offer your help in any way you can.

Verse

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.

Reference

1 Peter 2:21

Evangelism

Posted on October 18, 2005

THOUGHT:

People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.

Challenge

Preach the Gospel today without saying a word. Show others that you are a Christian by your actions.

Verse

Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Confidence Before God.

Reference

1 John 3:18

Determination

Posted on October 17, 2005

THOUGHT:

A person is not finished when they are defeated. They are finished when they quit.

Challenge

Make a commitment today not to quit. Ask, and God will bless you with the strength to persevere.

Verse

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.

Reference

Galatians 6:9

Faith

Posted on October 14, 2005

THOUGHT:

It's not the greatness of our troubles, but the littleness of our faith that makes us complain.

Challenge

No matter how bad you think things are, there are others who have it worse than you. Take a moment now and ask God to strengthen your faith and the faith of others who are struggling.

Verse

Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Reference

Matthew 17:19-20

Courage

Posted on October 13, 2005

THOUGHT:

We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

Challenge

Ask God to help you restore your youth and your personal energy and enjoyment by making a conscious effort today to sprinkle a little more humor and fun into your daily life.

Verse

You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.

Reference

Psalm 16:11

Wisdom

Posted on October 12, 2005

THOUGHT:

God did the unexpected when He sent His son to be born of a poor carpenter and an unwed mother. With God, expect the unexpected.

Challenge

Today, look for God in the unexpected. You will be surprised where you might find Him.

Verse

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds.

Reference

Psalm 72:18

Courage

Posted on October 11, 2005

THOUGHT:

Keep the main thing the main thing.

Challenge

This is the reason for TAG. Let's not forget why we are here today. It's not to have a busy day with several meetings and activities. It's to worship God and praise His holy name! Don't lose track of the main thing.

Verse

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds.

Reference

Matthew 33:36-37

Praise

Posted on October 10, 2005

THOUGHT:

Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.

Challenge

Take a moment now to thank Him for the many blessings in your life.

Verse

Blessings are for the head of the just; but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Reference

Proverbs 10:6

Attitude

Posted on October 7, 2005

THOUGHT:

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.

Challenge

Give your best for God today. You won't regret it.

Verse

Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace.

Reference

Acts 20:24

Comfort

Posted on October 6, 2005

THOUGHT:

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

Challenge

Whatever situations you face today, gain strength and confidence from knowing that God is at your side.

Verse

After Solomon finished offering this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling, hands outstretched toward heaven.

Reference

1 Kings 8:54

Stewardship

Posted on October 4, 2005

THOUGHT:

He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Challenge

We often confuse need from want in today's society. Review your wish list and make sure you don't spend so much on "stuff" in order that you have ample left for God's work.

Verse

But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.

Reference

Matthew 6:20

Evangelism

Posted on October 3, 2005

THOUGHT:

The only ability God needs is avail-ability

Challenge

Even if you can't go to New Orleans or Mississippi doesn't mean you can't help. Find a local cause that needs volunteers and give some of your time this week.

Verse

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

Reference

Acts 11:29