Month: August 2006

Attitude

Posted on August 31, 2006

THOUGHT:

Why do some people always see beautiful skies and grass and lovely flowers and incredible human beings, while others are hard-pressed to find anything or any place that is beautiful.

Challenge

God has painted a beautiful picture. It is up to each of us to determine how we view it. Take a moment right now to appreciate the blessings God has given you. Thank Him for all His blessings.

Verse

The Father’s Plan of Salvation. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

Reference

Ephesians 1:3

Faith

Posted on August 30, 2006

THOUGHT:

Life is God's novel. Let him write it.

Challenge

Put your life in God's hands today. Trust him implicitly and explicitly. Be the best you can be and leave the rest up to Him.

Verse

For up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law.

Reference

Romans 5:13

Attitude

Posted on August 29, 2006

THOUGHT:

It's the little things in life that determine the big things.

Challenge

Pay attention to the seemingly insignificant actions you take today. Everything you do, no matter how small, should be done with God in mind.

Verse

Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,

Reference

Colossians 3:23

Priorities

Posted on August 28, 2006

THOUGHT:

We are such a busy society. In our busyness it is easy to forget to order our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. God tells us that our two main priorities in life are to love God and to love other people.

Challenge

Take a look at your schedule for this week. Prioritize it according to God’s desires of loving God and loving people.

Verse

He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Reference

Luke 10:27

Habits

Posted on August 25, 2006

THOUGHT:

Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God

Challenge

Include God in EVERY moment in your life today. He does the same for you.

Verse

Psalm 46 God, the Protector of Zion - For the leader. A song of the Korahites. According to alamoth.

Reference

Psalm 46:1

Discipleship

Posted on August 24, 2006

THOUGHT:

Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

Challenge

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people you will come across today who are in need of your help. Fortunately, you have the ability to help many of them. Will you?

Verse

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Reference

Matthew 25:40

Prayer

Posted on August 23, 2006

THOUGHT:

You should never let adversity get you down – except on your knees.

Challenge

The next time you feel overwhelmed, find a quiet place, kneel down and ask God for help – When you get back on your feet, you will feel your burden is not quite as heavy.

Verse

The Gentle Mastery of Christ. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Reference

Matthew 11:28

Courage

Posted on August 22, 2006

THOUGHT:

God’s reward to us is eternal happiness…Why do most of us struggle with finding the time and effort to do His will?

Challenge

Stop for a minute today and contemplate on how we are able to spend so much energy and effort on expected rewards that pale in comparison to God’s promise of salvation.

Verse

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”

Reference

John 6:27

Habits

Posted on August 21, 2006

THOUGHT:

A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

Challenge

Get a good nights rest tonight by: avoiding temptation, steering clear of bad influences, and asking God for His forgiveness.

Verse

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

Reference

Matthew 26:41

Priorities

Posted on August 18, 2006

THOUGHT:

Realizing that life on earth is just a temporary assignment should radically alter your values.

Challenge

Review your task list for today. How many tasks meet your primary objective as a Christian? Add at least one task that focuses your energy on serving the person who gave you your assignment.

Verse

Those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.

Reference

1 Corinthians 7:31

Priorities

Posted on August 17, 2006

THOUGHT:

Life on earth is a test. The good news is that God wants you to pass.

Challenge

Just like a parent wants to ensure their children are ready, God wants us to be ready for tests of the world. Spend at least 5 minutes reading the bible today to help you prepare for the test.

Verse

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. Warning Against Idolatry.

Reference

1 Corinthians 10:13

Habits

Posted on August 16, 2006

THOUGHT:

Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty. They merely move it from their faces to their hearts.

Challenge

Start today to make your heart more beautiful through kindness, love and empathy toward others. No need to wait till you get older – everybody starts benefiting today.

Verse

With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.

Reference

Proverbs 4:23

Comfort

Posted on August 15, 2006

THOUGHT:

Whenever you feel unimportant, unloved, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.

Challenge

Take comfort in knowing that you are a part of God's family and that he loves you very much.

Verse

He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,”

Reference

Hebrews 2:11

Attitude

Posted on August 14, 2006

THOUGHT:

Everything created by God reflects His glory in some way.

Challenge

Look at the world with a different perspective today. Remember that all creations are from God and spend an extra minute today admiring the many blessings God has placed in your life.

Verse

“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”

Reference

Revelation 4:11

Discipleship

Posted on August 11, 2006

THOUGHT:

Being a disciple means having a personal relationship with Christ.

Challenge

Look closely at your discipleship and make sure your relationship with Christ includes completely putting your trust in him.

Verse

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;

Reference

Proverbs 3:5

Prayer

Posted on August 10, 2006

THOUGHT:

Don’t ask God to bless your appetites, ask Him to change your appetites.

Challenge

In your prayer today, don’t ask God for things YOU feel are important, ask him to change your desires towards things that are important to HIM.

Verse

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Reference

Matthew 5:6

Attitude

Posted on August 9, 2006

THOUGHT:

Christians are too blessed to be depressed.

Challenge

Remember your blessings, not just during your prayers but throughout your day.

Verse

You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Reference

Acts 3:25

Habits

Posted on August 8, 2006

THOUGHT:

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

Challenge

Temptation is all around us. Take an inventory of the potential temptations around you today and ask God’s help in avoiding them.

Verse

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

Reference

Matthew 26:41

Discipleship

Posted on August 7, 2006

THOUGHT:

Discipleship is following Jesus, not expecting Him to follow us.

Challenge

Jesus is our model for greatness, who came to serve instead of being served. As you pray today, ask Him how you can serve. Keep your eyes open for the opportunity that will surely come your way.

Verse

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

Reference

Mark 10:43-44

Service

Posted on August 4, 2006

THOUGHT:

The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements, but rather with the things we do for other people. - Walt Disney

Challenge

Review your To Do list for this weekend. How many things are for the service of others? Find at least one additional opportunity to provide a service to someone without an expectation of repayment.

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 August 3, 2006

THOUGHT:

Don't look for a problem, look for a remedy.

Challenge

It's too easy in today's world to look for problems. Take an extra moment today and look for opportunities to help in areas of need. Open your mind to the Holy Spirit and allow the Lord to help you help others today.

Verse

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.

Reference

Luke 10:33-34

Discipleship

Posted on August 2, 2006

THOUGHT:

Jesus accepts us as we are and makes us what we ought to be.

Challenge

Don't resist what Jesus is doing in your life. Avoid temptation, love your fellow man, and pray for His guidance.

Verse

Not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior,

Reference

Titus 3:5-6

Priorities

Posted on August 1, 2006

THOUGHT:

Everyone has the power for greatness… because greatness is determined by service. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Challenge

Take a hard look at your actions and priorities over the past few days. Are you leaving a legacy of greatness?

Verse

More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Reference

Philippians 3:8