Month: March 2006

Joy

Posted on March 31, 2006

THOUGHT:

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

Challenge

Starting today, focus on following Christ’s teachings at home, at work, and everywhere else. This indirect route to happiness may not proivde you with a bigger house, new car, or clothes, but it will give you fulfillment, contentment and peace.

Verse

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Reference

Matthew 4:19

Compassion

Posted on March 30, 2006

THOUGHT:

“Visualize World Peace”

Challenge

Stop a moment and do just that – Visualize… World… Peace... Think of how powerful and wonderful that would be. Help that vision become a reality today by throwing out your prejudices and show empathy to those who are different from you.

Verse

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.

Reference

Colossians 3:15

Praise

Posted on March 29, 2006

THOUGHT:

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, you will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.

Challenge

Take time today to thank God for your freedom of religion. Pray for the safety of those not as fortunate that they may see the day when they can worship in peace.

Verse

Psalm 127 The Need of God’s Blessing - A song of ascents. Of Solomon. I - Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.

Reference

Psalm 127: 1

Courage

Posted on March 27, 2006

THOUGHT:

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, “God, could you get that for me?”

Challenge

We are all faced with temptations on a daily basis.  The next time you are tempted to do wrong, turn the situation over to God.  He will provide you the answer you are looking for.

Verse

Arrival in Jerusalem. We set out from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God remained over us, and he protected us from enemies and robbers along the way.

Reference

Ezra 8:31

Priorities

Posted on March 24, 2006

THOUGHT:

The best things in life aren’t things.

Challenge

In a world that is in a constant pursuit of things, know that you are blessed with the best thing in the world – the Grace of God. Stop right now and thank God for this wonderful blessing you have received through Jesus Christ.

Verse

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

Reference

2 Corinthians 8:9

Priorities

Posted on March 23, 2006

THOUGHT:

Heaven – Don’t miss it for the world.

Challenge

Jesus taught us that to gain material things in exchange for our Christian character is worthless. Be watchful today that you don’t give up a part of your soul for something that might seem enticing.

Verse

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

Reference

Matthew 16:26

Goals

Posted on March 22, 2006

THOUGHT:

Are you as much like Jesus as you would like to be?

Challenge

Make a conscious effort to follow the teachings of Jesus in your daily life. Look for examples in today’s reference and elsewhere in the Bible.

Verse

Chapter 2 - Plea for Unity and Humility. If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.

Reference

Philippians 2:1-4

Praise

Posted on March 21, 2006

THOUGHT:

Don’t have anything to be thankful for? Check your pulse.

Challenge

Your life is the most precious gift from God. Tell someone today how thankful you are that the Lord gave you life by giving up His.

Verse

And he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Reference

Luke 20:38

Joy

Posted on March 20, 2006

THOUGHT:

Every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Challenge

Keep your attitude on a positive note throughout your day. Keep looking for examples of goodness, beauty, love, hope and kindness wherever you go and whatever you do.

Verse

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

Reference

Philippians 2:5

Discipleship

Posted on March 17, 2006

THOUGHT:

Church: You are not too bad to come in. You are not too good to stay out.

Challenge

Spiritual growth happens best in community with fellow believers. Grow this weekend by attending church and communing with fellow Christians.

Verse

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.

Reference

Act 2:42

Courage

Posted on March 16, 2006

THOUGHT:

Prepare and prevent rather than repair and repent.

Challenge

Although there is nothing you can do to fall from God’s grace, it is better to avoid temptation and sin rather than to succumb and seek forgiveness. Ask God today and every day to strengthen you for the battle against the temptations of the world.

Verse

Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.

Reference

Ephesians 6:13

Praise

Posted on March 15, 2006

THOUGHT:

Today is a gift, that's why it is called "the present".

Challenge

Thank God each day for his presents of love, grace, and hope and most of all for his Son Jesus Christ.

Verse

Chapter 16 - They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings to God. When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and communion offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD, and distributed to every Israelite, to every man and every woman, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a raisin cake. David’s Directives for the Levites. He then appointed certain Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, thank, and praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was their chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Uzziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. These were to play on harps and lyres, while Asaph was to sound the cymbals,

Reference

1 Chronicles 16

Discipleship

Posted on March 14, 2006

THOUGHT:

Prayer is not a substitute for action; it is an action for which there is no substitute.

Challenge

As you ask God for his blessings in your daily prayer, know that He may need you to take action in order for those blessings to be fulfilled. As you pray today, listen to God. What action is He asking you to take?

Verse

For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

Reference

Colossians 1:29

Evangelism

Posted on March 13, 2006

THOUGHT:

For the believer, there is no question; for the non-believer, there is no answer.

Challenge

Thank God for showing you the path of the believer. Commit today to sharing your beliefs with family, friends, and others to help them find their answers.

Verse

For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.

Reference

Romans 10:10

Faith

Posted on March 10, 2006

THOUGHT:

Open your heart, open your mind, open your bible.

Challenge

Open your bible today and see what you’ve been missing. The gospels are a good place to start as Jesus’ words are guaranteed to open your heart and your mind.

Verse

Do not let this book of the law depart from your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may carefully observe all that is written in it; then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed.

Reference

Joshua 1:8

Forgiveness

Posted on March 9, 2006

THOUGHT:

When you feel you're not close to the Lord, ask yourself, "Who Moved?"

Challenge

If you have distanced yourself from God's way, all you have to do is ask with a repentant heart and He will forgive you. Christ will always accept you back.

Verse

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” The Call of the First Disciples.

Reference

Mark 1:15

Courage

Posted on March 8, 2006

THOUGHT:

Just as are your habitual thoughts, so will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts.

Challenge

Ask God to give you the strength to avoid thinking about things you know in your heart are not right. Fill your heart and mind with positive and righteous thoughts…It will make it so much easier for you to create the habit of taking “the high road” on your journey.

Verse

The schemes of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.

Reference

Proverbs 15:26

Courage

Posted on March 7, 2006

THOUGHT:

When we come to the edge of the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, of this we can be sure ... either God will provide something solid to stand on or... we will be taught to fly.

Challenge

Ask God to strengthen your faith the next time you venture into the unknown. Allow God's presence to give you the confidence and the light to find your way.

Verse

Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.

Reference

Luke 10:19

Anger

Posted on March 6, 2006

THOUGHT:

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

Challenge

The next time road rage or another temper testing situation is close at hand, remember that your anger could quickly lead to danger to yourself and others. Stay on the right road by allowing your emotions to yield to God's peace.

Verse

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.

Reference

Colossians 3:15

Praise

Posted on March 3, 2006

THOUGHT:

If you pause to think, you will have cause to thank.

Challenge

Pause at this moment to think of a blessing you have already received today. Thank God for His generosity and His grace.

Verse

Giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

Reference

Ephesians 5:20

Parenting

Posted on March 2, 2006

THOUGHT:

Timeless Bumper Sticker: “Have you hugged your child today?”

Challenge

Go home and hug your child, your spouse, your parent or a friend. A hug is a simple way to remind someone you love them and you care.

Verse

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Reference

1 Corinthians 13:13

Priorities

Posted on March 1, 2006

THOUGHT:

We do not remember days, we remember moments.

Challenge

Is your schedule so busy that “you don’t have a moment to yourself”? Even worse, are you so busy that you really can’t remember a recent great moment with someone dear to you? Ask God’s help to downshift your busy life today and find an opportunity to create a memorable moment.

Verse

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Reference

Luke 10: 40-44