Month: May 2006

Peace

Posted on May 31, 2006

THOUGHT:

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark:#2 of 9: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Challenge

As you connect (and disconnect) with your circles of family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers, keep in mind that you have more in common with these people than you may think. Ask God to help remind you of these sometimes hidden common bonds that will help to penetrate the unnecessary walls we put between others and ourselves.

Verse

Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.

Reference

3 John 1:8

Attitude

Posted on May 30, 2006

THOUGHT:

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark:#1 of 9: Don’t miss the boat.

Challenge

Don’t let life pass you by. Ask God to give you the courage and initiative to “Get on Board.” Don’t risk staying behind and potentially drowning in a “would-a, could-a, should-a” world.

Verse

Enjoy life with the wife you love, all the days of the vain life granted you under the sun. This is your lot in life, for the toil of your labors under the sun.

Reference

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Service

Posted on May 26, 2006

THOUGHT:

What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

Challenge

Take an inventory of your actions for the following week. Are you fulfilling your commitment to your faith? Have you attended church? Prayed regularly? Helped others and loved your neighbor? It’s not too late to change – become consistent in your service to God.

Verse

Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Reference

Romans 12:11

Prayer

Posted on May 25, 2006

THOUGHT:

There are 1440 minutes in a day. How many of them do you give back to God?

Challenge

Spend a minute in prayer to God right now. Set a stopwatch if you need to, but spend one full minute thanking God for the other 1439 minutes that He will give you today.

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

Habits

Posted on May 24, 2006

THOUGHT:

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

Challenge

God made each of us who we are. Don't undervalue the good qualities God has given you. Recognize and appreciate the talents God has given you and use them to serve him today and everyday.

Verse

Remember then the LORD, your God, for he is the one who gives you the power to get wealth, by fulfilling, as he has now done, the covenant he swore to your ancestors.

Reference

Deuteronomy 8:18

Comfort

Posted on May 23, 2006

THOUGHT:

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.

Challenge

When you feel threatened in life, know that God is with you. Trust that he is watching over you and will protect you.

Verse

Sing out, heavens, and rejoice, earth, break forth into song, you mountains, For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.

Reference

Isaiah 49:13

Joy

Posted on May 22, 2006

THOUGHT:

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Challenge

It is so easy to dull your senses with your daily routines. Ask God to give you the spirit to explore your surroundings today with a fresh and optimistic perspective. Here’s hoping that this exercise will help you realize that “getting out of the rut” is always readily available to you.

Verse

Enjoy life with the wife you love, all the days of the vain life granted you under the sun. This is your lot in life, for the toil of your labors under the sun.

Reference

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Faith

Posted on May 19, 2006

THOUGHT:

God hasn't called me to be succssful. He's called me to be faithful.

Challenge

Being faithful to God is a measure of your success on earth. Make sure your actions, today and everday, affirm your faith in God.

Verse

The Invaders Destroyed. Early in the morning they went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were going out, Jehoshaphat halted and said: “Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Let your faith in the LORD, your God, be firm, and you will be firm. Have faith in his prophets and you will succeed.”

Reference

2 Chronicles 20:20

Courage

Posted on May 18, 2006

THOUGHT:

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow or sun without rain. He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Challenge

When you face challenges, remember He will get you through them. When you face triumphs, remember that He is with you and Thank Him for helping you through.

Verse

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.

Reference

Deuteronomy 31:6

Comfort

Posted on May 17, 2006

THOUGHT:

The task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you.

Challenge

Look to the Lord today for the strength to help you through your tasks. Take comfort knowing that he is by your side every step of the way.

Verse

Battle Against Evil. Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.

Reference

Ephesians 6:10

Discipleship

Posted on May 16, 2006

THOUGHT:

Make one person happy each day and in forty years you will have made 14,600 human beings happy.

Challenge

Think how different the world would be if everyone tried to make at least one person happy each day. Do your part. Starting today, and everyday, do at least one thing to make someone happy. Together we can reach millions of people.

Verse

Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Reference

2 Corinthians 4:15

Attitude

Posted on May 15, 2006

THOUGHT:

Happy people plan actions, they don't plan results.

Challenge

Examine your actions today. Ask yourself if they would be pleasing to God. If the answer is yes, the results - in God's eyes - will be a success.

Verse

II. The Crisis Between Paul and the Corinthians A. Past Relationships - Paul’s Sincerity and Constancy. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God, [and] not by human wisdom but by the grace of God.

Reference

2 Corinthians 1:12

Courage

Posted on May 12, 2006

THOUGHT:

The door of opportunity won't open unless you do some pushing.

Challenge

Opportunity is all around you. Ask God for the courage to be proactive today. Push open the imaginary door that has been stopping you from pursuing your goals.

Verse

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.

Reference

Deuteronomy 31:6

Goals

Posted on May 11, 2006

THOUGHT:

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast…You also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

Challenge

Pause for a moment and try to put into perspective what matters most to you TODAY (Your Family, Your Friends, Your relationship with God). Now review your To Do List for today… Perhaps now you can attack these priorities with a little less stress knowing in your heart that your primary purpose in life is far more valuable than you give yourself credit (or time) for!

Verse

To live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,

Reference

Colossians 1:10

Priorities

Posted on May 10, 2006

THOUGHT:

May you live all the days of your life.

Challenge

Make an extra effort today (and everyday) to make this day meaningful. What are you waiting for?

Verse

Praise the LORD, my soul; I will praise the LORD all my life, sing praise to my God while I live.

Reference

Psalm 146:2

Fellowship

Posted on May 9, 2006

THOUGHT:

Talk is an essential ingredient in the best relationships.

Challenge

Remember to talk to those who are important in your life today (spouse, children, parents, …). Don't just say Good Morning and How was your day. Really have a conversation about something important. Don't be afraid to include God in the conversations.

Verse

Keep repeating them to your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up.

Reference

Deuteronomy 6:7

Empathy

Posted on May 8, 2006

THOUGHT:

Before you say a harsh word to a friend or loved one, ask yourself "would I say this if I knew it was the last time I would ever speak with this person"

Challenge

Try living what our mothers have taught for centuries: “If you don’t have anything nice to say – don’t say anything.”

Verse

A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

Reference

Luke 6:45

Discipleship

Posted on May 5, 2006

THOUGHT:

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Challenge

Listen carefully this week at church. Sermons are always full of ideas of how we can be better Christians. Take one or several of those ideas and practice them throughout the next week. Stop back next Sunday and receive your next assignment.

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

Priorities

Posted on May 4, 2006

THOUGHT:

Jesus, please teach me to appreciate what I have before time forces me to appreciate what I had.

Challenge

Live life in the present - right now! Be greatful for what you have. Tell God how much you appreciate his blessings. What are you waiting for?

Verse

And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

Reference

Luke 16:24-25

Anger

Posted on May 3, 2006

THOUGHT:

The best remedy for anger is delay.

Challenge

Ask God today to give you the strength and the patience to avoid reacting quickly with anger. If you can pause for only a few seconds, most of the time your mind can interrupt your anger with several more appropriate responses.

Verse

III. Exhortations and Warnings - Doers of the Word. Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Reference

James 1:19-20

Priorities

Posted on May 2, 2006

THOUGHT:

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Challenge

Take stock right now of who/what is really important in your life. Enjoy them now and avoid the regrets later.

Verse

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Reference

Matthew 19:14

Priorities

Posted on May 1, 2006

THOUGHT:

Responsibility is our response to the ability God has given us.

Challenge

Be responsible to God's call. Spend as much time this week honing your skills as a christian as you do developing your skills as a professional.

Verse

Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers, especially for strangers;

Reference

3 John 1:5