Month: January 2009

Wisdom

Posted on January 30, 2009

THOUGHT:

Friday - SHOPPING DAY (5 of 5): O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Challenge

Refresh your faith everyday by reminding yourself of God’s perfect gift of everlasting life. Remember never to shop in the aisles of temptation, greed or selfishness.

Verse

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.

Reference

John 5:24

Courage

Posted on January 29, 2009

THOUGHT:

Thursday† CLEANING DAY (4 of 5): Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Challenge

Faults are controllable. Do your best today to control your faults before they control you and turn into actions. Be proactive and begin working to eliminate your faults – then, replace them with virtues.

Verse

For we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.

Reference

James 3:2

Discipleship

Posted on January 28, 2009

THOUGHT:

Wednesday† MENDING DAY (3 of 5): O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Challenge

Make a concentrated effort to set a good example by emulating Christ’s love throughout your day. If you slip, immediately stop and make it right [offer an apology if appropriate] – you’ll sleep better tonight.

Verse

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.

Reference

John 13:15

Kindness

Posted on January 27, 2009

THOUGHT:

Tuesday† IRONING DAY (2 of 5): Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Challenge

Treat everyone you encounter today with an equal amount of respect and kindness. Show everyone your God given brotherly love through your actions.

Verse

Chapter 7 - Judging Others. “Stop judging, that you may not be judged.

Reference

Matthew 7:1

Discipleship

Posted on January 26, 2009

THOUGHT:

Monday† WASH DAY (1 of 5): Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Challenge

Keep a close watch on yourself throughout the day that you are humble in all your dealings with others. Find a reason to praise or complement everyone you encounter today.

Verse

For the LORD takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory.

Reference

Psalm 149:4

Discipleship

Posted on January 23, 2009

THOUGHT:

Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.

Challenge

Stop worrying about who’s right and wrong and aim your compass on what is right - use Christ as your example. Let’s all make this one of our first, most important, and eternally lasting, New Year’s resolutions.

Verse

For the LORD takes delight in his people, honors the poor with victory.

Reference

2 Corinthians132:7

Service

Posted on January 22, 2009

THOUGHT:

Do two things today: Have a Blessed Day, and reach out to help someone else have a blessed day.

Challenge

You’ll surely have a blessed day if you reach out and touch someone’s life. So make it your goal today to positively touch another’s life. This can be as simple as listening whole heartedly to someone, giving someone praise, or giving a helping hand – the positive possibilities are endless.

Verse

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Reference

Matthew 19:26

Discipleship

Posted on January 21, 2009

THOUGHT:

In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.

Challenge

The greatest illustration of this thought in human existence is Jesus Christ. He became what he needed to be through His sacrifice. Are you prepared to make a sacrifice to be what you need to be?

Verse

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,

Reference

1 Corinthians 15:51

Determination

Posted on January 20, 2009

THOUGHT:

"If it is to be, it is up to me."

Challenge

Take charge of your life and especially your faith. Ask God for the strength to "do", as "try" will never get you there - but He will.

Verse

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,

Reference

1 Corinthians 13:16

Forgiveness

Posted on January 19, 2009

THOUGHT:

Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Challenge

As we remember Martin Luther King, Jr. today, let us remember that he constantly inspired us to Think About God. As you follow his advice to adopt a permanent attitude of forgiveness, you follow one of the most urgent teachings of the Lord - forgive and you will be forgiven.

Verse

Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Reference

John 20:23

Service

Posted on January 16, 2009

THOUGHT:

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others? - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Challenge

There has never been a greater need to serve others than in today's economic climate. Begin today to donate your time, talent or treasure to helping others whether it be by donating money to a local food pantry or clothes to the needy. What you do for others may be the bright spot in their day. Don't underestimate the impact of your small acts of charity.

Verse

Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble.

Reference

1 Peter 3:8

Priorities

Posted on January 15, 2009

THOUGHT:

Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.

Challenge

Make it a priority this New Year to always wear a positive expression. Smile more – not just with your lips but with your eyes and your friendly body language. Watch those around you begin wearing the same. Express your thanks to God for this and all your other blessings.

Verse

For the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.

Reference

2 Corinthians 9:12

Attitude

Posted on January 14, 2009

THOUGHT:

What you see depends on what you thought before you looked.

Challenge

Be positively prejudiced today. Think positively and see how much better the world is around you. Pass on your positive attitude to others through your actions.

Verse

You deaf ones, listen, you blind ones, look and see!

Reference

Isaiah 42:18

Wisdom

Posted on January 13, 2009

THOUGHT:

There's always free cheese in the mousetraps, but the mice there ain’t happy.  

Challenge

Life is full of temptations, and it is often easy to take the path of least resistance. When you Think About God today, ask Him to help you to choose wisely.

Verse

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

Reference

Matthew 26:41

Faith

Posted on January 12, 2009

THOUGHT:

Thought for 2009: Think About God more each and every day!

Challenge

Start right now with a positive attitude that you intend to make the best of and be HAPPY throughout 2009. Re-NEW your faith by making more time for God and Jesus’ word in 2009. Make it a great YEAR for others by offering encouragement, a smile and a helping hand to everyone around you. HAPPY NEW YEAR… The TAGteam.

Verse

My eyes look with glee on my wicked enemies; my ears shall hear what happens to my wicked foes. The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

Reference

Psalm 92:12-13

Compassion

Posted on January 9, 2009

THOUGHT:

A man never likes you so well as when he leaves your company liking himself.

Challenge

The next time you have a conversation with someone, try harder to be more “interested” than “interesting.” Focus the attention and the conversation away from yourself and your experiences and more on the other person. These small steps in humility and selflessness will help you to more clearly see God’s plan for you.

Verse

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

Reference

Ephesians 4:29

Wisdom

Posted on January 8, 2009

THOUGHT:

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

Challenge

Bigger, faster, better, stronger is not a bad thing, but it is certainly not always the best thing for every moment. Ask God for the wisdom to focus for a minute on the “quality” of the moment in order that you can truly appreciate the simple things. As you improve your ability to capture more of these moments each day, find a way to share them with someone you love.

Verse

Should one have a hundred children and live many years, no matter to what great age, still if one has not the full benefit of those goods, I proclaim that the child born dead, even if left unburied, is more fortunate. Though it came in vain and goes into darkness and its name is enveloped in darkness,

Reference

Ecclesiastes 6:3-4

Integrity

Posted on January 7, 2009

THOUGHT:

The trouble with stretching the truth is that it’s apt to snap back.

Challenge

Stand fast to the principles of honesty and integrity in everything you do. Think of God sitting on your shoulder whenever you may be tempted to stretch the truth – make Him proud. You will see the fruits of your honesty returned to you over and over.

Verse

The king takes delight in honest lips, and whoever speaks what is right he loves.

Reference

Proverbs 16:13

Character

Posted on January 6, 2009

THOUGHT:

Always use tasteful words – you never know when you are going to have to eat them.

Challenge

Always remember to choose God's words of praise, encouragement, and love. You'll never regret speaking words that you could use in a conversation with God.

Verse

Also from arrogant ones restrain your servant; let them never control me. Then shall I be blameless, innocent of grave sin.

Reference

Psalm 19:14

Anger

Posted on January 5, 2009

THOUGHT:

Temper is a weapon that we hold by the blade.

Challenge

Ask God to bless you with the strength to keep your temper in check. Silently count to 10 or find a way to temper your reaction in order to avoid the hurt you may render to others (and yourself) with the anger of a double-edged sword.

Verse

The ill-tempered stir up strife, and the hotheaded cause many sins.

Reference

Proverbs 29:22

Attitude

Posted on January 2, 2009

THOUGHT:

Good is the enemy of Great.

Challenge

We often fall short of greatness because we become too comfortable with being good at many things in our lives. As you begin the New Year, ask God for the inspiration and the energy to break out of your comfort zone in order that you can become a better version of you. In 2009, be the best you you can be.

Verse

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

Reference

Acts 24:16