Month: November 2007

Habits

Posted on November 30, 2007

THOUGHT:

You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

Challenge

Think before you speak and think before you act. Then proceed forward in a way that will be pleasing to God. If you follow this simple rule, you will carry less heartache through life.

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.

Reference

Philippians 2:1-2

Discipleship

Posted on November 29, 2007

THOUGHT:

Your character is not developed overnight, but is molded over your lifetime.

Challenge

Make sure you are always seeking to improve your character. If you need examples, look no further than Jesus Christ. He gave us plenty of examples and He won’t mind if you copy.

Verse

Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived. The New Commandment.

Reference

1 John 2:6

Discipleship

Posted on November 28, 2007

THOUGHT:

If you were given a nickname descriptive of your character, would you be proud of it?

Challenge

Reflect for a moment on the actions that truly define you. Remember the example Christ gave us and try to emulate His character traits today.

Verse

Chapter 22 - A good name is more desirable than great riches, and high esteem, than gold and silver.

Reference

Proverbs 22:1

Priorities

Posted on November 27, 2007

THOUGHT:

Many people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.

Challenge

Take a minute and truly examine your recent actions. Ask God for forgiveness, and more importantly for the convictions to live a principle-centered life, avoiding the temptations that conveniently compromise your values.

Verse

Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Reference

Acts 24:16

Wisdom

Posted on November 26, 2007

THOUGHT:

Words must be weighed, not counted.

Challenge

Often times the best advice we give comes when we carefully choose our words instead of speaking in volume. Consider advice you may have the opportunity to give today. Choose your words wisely and give advice that would be pleasing to God.

Verse

How you give counsel to one without wisdom; how profuse is the advice you offer!

Reference

Job 26:3

Attitude

Posted on November 23, 2007

THOUGHT:

After the Thanksgiving holiday, many people shift their thoughts to shopping – yet the only gift you need is the gift of Jesus Christ.

Challenge

Focus your energy on the gift of the birth of your savior – Jesus Christ. Always remember: He is the reason for the season.

Verse

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Reference

Matthew 1:21

Forgiveness

Posted on November 21, 2007

THOUGHT:

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.

Challenge

Although we are called by God to forgive EVERY sin of our neighbor, this can be difficult. Take account of all of the sins in your life for which God has forgiven you (and He has). Now, think about someone who you have had a hard time forgiving. Extend forgiveness to this person as God has forgiven you.

Verse

Fulfillment Through Christ. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace

Reference

Ephesians 1:7

Goals

Posted on November 20, 2007

THOUGHT:

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love and something to hope for.

Challenge

Seek God’s blessings today and ask Him to help you to develop your talent and passion for something significant in your life, to find and maintain loving relationships, and lastly, to develop and sustain an optimistic outlook.

Verse

Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing.

Reference

1 Peter 3:9

Anger

Posted on November 19, 2007

THOUGHT:

Every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.

Challenge

Ask God to help calm you when anger tries to get the upper hand. Life is too short to waste precious minutes being angry, anxious or stressed.

Verse

The ill-tempered stir up strife, but the patient settle disputes.

Reference

Proverbs 15:18

Determination

Posted on November 16, 2007

THOUGHT:

Knowledge is power, but enthusiasm pulls the switch.

Challenge

Ask God for the motivation to pursue your true passions in order to spark more genuine enthusiasm in your life.

Verse

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,

Reference

Isaiah 11:2

Discipleship

Posted on November 15, 2007

THOUGHT:

THANKSGIVING DAY, an American tradition often started out with words such as these: “God bless this food we are about to receive…”

Challenge

These words aren’t a reality for everyone in this country and certainly not throughout the world as many do not have enough food. Let’s each of us donate, at least as much as we’ll spend on our own Thanksgiving dinner, to a local food bank, a soup kitchen or a national charity which feeds the hungry such as: usaharvest.com, feedthechildren.org, secondharvest.org, and others. Let’s make this a Thanksgiving for as many as possible!

Verse

If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday;

Reference

Isaiah 58:10

Praise

Posted on November 14, 2007

THOUGHT:

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell.

Challenge

God’s glory is all around us, all of the time, whether we notice it our not. Take a special moment today to notice God’s glory in nature. Then, worship Him by giving Him thanks for His creation.

Verse

Psalm 19 God’s Glory in the Heavens and in the Law - For the leader. A psalm of David.

Reference

Psalm 19:1

Attitude

Posted on November 13, 2007

THOUGHT:

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

Challenge

Each day you are in complete control of your thoughts. Ask God’s help in developing a positive and optimistic outlook. You can not always control life’s obstacles, but you can control your response.

Verse

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.

Reference

Romans 14:13

Courage

Posted on November 9, 2007

THOUGHT:

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

Challenge

When confronted with adversity, ask God to give you the courage of persistence and to help you learn from these experiences in order that you will be better prepared the next time.

Verse

The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or the left.

Reference

Isaiah 30:20-21

Praise

Posted on November 8, 2007

THOUGHT:

Jesus can turn water into wine, but He can't turn your whining into anything.

Challenge

We have all been given challenges in our lives. We have also been blessed far more than we deserve. Use your God-given voice to thank Him for what you have, not to complain about what you want.

Verse

Do everything without grumbling or questioning,

Reference

Phillippians 2:14

Evangelism

Posted on November 7, 2007

THOUGHT:

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

Challenge

We will always be held accountable for our actions, if not on earth when we arrive at the Pearly Gates. Don't leave anyone with a doubt about your Christianity today.

Verse

A Tree and Its Fruits. “Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit.

Reference

Matthew 12:33

Compassion

Posted on November 6, 2007

THOUGHT:

God has given us two ears, but one tongue, to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.

Challenge

The next time someone comes to you with a problem, remember to listen before you speak. Often, the most comfort comes to the other from just talking about their pain.

Verse

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.

Reference

Ecclesiastes 3:7

Discipleship

Posted on November 5, 2007

THOUGHT:

Whoever gossips to you will gossip of you.

Challenge

Don’t encourage gossip. Instead, the next time someone shares a piece of gossip with you, turn it around. When they are done speaking, say something kind about that person.

Verse

A slanderer reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!

Reference

Proverbs 20:19

Discipleship

Posted on November 2, 2007

THOUGHT:

An honest man speaks the truth, though it may offend; a vain man, in order that it may.

Challenge

In today’s “politically correct” world, we have become sensitive to how easily we may offend others. Be mindful of your speech. Follow Christ’s example. He may have offended those who needed a word of truth, but He always spoke kindly – even to sinners.

Verse

Indeed, my mouth utters truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.

Reference

Proverbs 8:7

Prayer

Posted on November 1, 2007

THOUGHT:

The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God.

Challenge

Make a commitment to pray more often each day. As you begin to more clearly hear God's response, you more vividly see his significance and direction in your life.

Verse

Now, listen to me, and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. Act as the people’s representative before God, and bring their disputes to God.

Reference

Exodus 18:19