The man who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The man who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen.
God didn’t make only followers because if He had no one would get anywhere. Ask His help in giving you the courage to step out of the crowd and discover His world and strengthen your faith in new ways. Share what you have learned, seen and discovered with others.
- Daniel 12:3
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.
When it comes to your faith, always be courageous. Take a stand for God in situations where others may be weak. Your courage will inspire others.
Exhortation and Greetings. Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Instead of contemplating the question, “Will a person who has never heard the Gospel be saved?” we should consider more important the question whether we, who have heard the Gospel and fail to share it with those who have not, will be saved.
Don’t be shy about your faith and the good news that Jesus died to save us all from our sins. Share this with a person who has not heard the Gospel so that they may understand the joy of knowing Christ.
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!
1 Corinthians 9:16
The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.
Let the Scriptures change your life today. Pick up the Bible and find a passage that inspires you. Read it slowly and prayerfully.
Answer them: As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—I swear I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! Why should you die, house of Israel?
Ezekiel 33:11
Friendship doubles joy and cuts grief in half.
We all have good intentions to stay in closer touch with our friends. Contact one of your friends today in order to realize the joy and support friendship offers.
A friend is a friend at all times, and a brother is born for the time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17
The real measure of our wealth is how much we should be worth if we lost our money.
Take an accounting of what you are worth to those around you. Don't think in terms of money. Hopefully you will find that you are very valuable to those closest to you, and some others that might be strangers (through your church, charities, work, etc.). If you don’t see value beyond your money, start investing in others!
Treasure in Heaven. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19-20
Remember to always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. In fact leaving everyone with kind words is pretty good advice.
Start making this a habit by always saying something kind to everyone you meet with today. Also, tell your loved ones how much you love and care about them.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12
Martin Luther King Jr’s dream encouraged us to seek peaceful resolutions to the problems we face.
During this week when we honor Martin Luther King Jr., ask God to influence and inspire world leaders to settle disputes by peaceful means and compromise. Closer to home, let’s practice what he preached when disputes arise in our lives.
He shall judge between the nations, and set terms for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.
Isaiah 2:4
The simplist and most difficult definition of a Christian: to be Christ-like.
The idea is simple, but not easy. Do this for just one day. With every significant action you take, Think About God.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24
A problem well stated is a problem half solved.
Ask for God's insight to define your challenges and He will provide you a short-cut to your solutions.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may know your testimonies.
Psalm 119:125
Be content with what you have, but not with who you are.
God doesn't want complacent followers. We should be constantly working to better ourselves, but always remember what we have is all from God.
Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Phillipians 4:11-13
Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.
Apply what you know and do what you know is right. Use your God given talents to improve your life and the lives of those around you.
If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it.
Genesis 4:7
The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles, than in growing with them.
With God’s help, evaluate, understand, and put in perspective those things that may be bothering you. In God’s hands you can grow beyond your troubles and move on.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.
Psalm 34:19
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is even greater.
Rough times are bound to come our way. Use these times to learn 1) who you can count on to help you through them, 2) how you can avoid them in the future, and 3) how your faith in God can strengthen you when adversity weakens.
Like a swallow I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weary looking heavenward: Lord, I am overwhelmed; go security for me!
Isaiah38:14
Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
God gives us the ability to aspire to many things. Aspire to greatness, but enjoy the beauty of God’s blessings and his world along the way. God will help you find the miracle in the journey itself.
Like a swallow I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weary looking heavenward: Lord, I am overwhelmed; go security for me!
- Judges 18:6
The poor man’s hand is the treasury of Christ.
Christ did not come to give us wealth and prosperity, but rather to give us the gifts of love and hope. Be one of Christ’s bankers – make deposits of love, and loans of hope and faith. These will provide huge returns.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
Mark 12:43-44
We may be certain that whatever God made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives.
When Jesus was asked what was prominent in God’s word, he told the crowd to love God and love your neighbor. Make certain that your love of God and neighbor will be conspicuous today.
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:36-39
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
Ask God today for the determination to do the best in all you do. You will be pleased at how the quality of your life will improve as this determination turns your good intentions into actions and your actions into habits.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
2 Timothy 2:15
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
Ask God today for the courage to use good judgment and to overcome your fear to do whatever is necessary to pursue righteousness.
Only be strong and steadfast, being careful to observe the entire law which Moses my servant enjoined on you. Do not swerve from it either to the right or to the left, that you may succeed wherever you go.
Joshua 1:7
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions…Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
The message is really simple. Who you ultimately become is a result of how and what you think each day. Ask God to guide your thoughts in a positive direction in order that you may become the very best version of yourself.
The schemes of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
Proverbs 15:26
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
You are a gift from God. Act like it. Spend the entire day with your head up, and walk confidently knowing you are made in God's image.
I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.
Psalm 139:14
Some 2008 years ago, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so our sins would be forgiven - his words of faith, hope, and love have stood the test of time for all of us. He brings us peace.
As this New Year brings new challenges, changes, and opportunities remember the love of Jesus is unchanging and perfect. Pray for the guidance and stability of Chris⁴ s love and the peace it brings throughout this new year. The TAGteam wishes you a Happy New Year. We hope the daily TAGlines continue to provide spiritual inspiration throughout the year.
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:48-50