Month: April 2009

Priorities

Posted on April 30, 2009

THOUGHT:

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

Challenge

He even gave us the answers! All we have to do is execute the plan. If you feel things have not been going His way lately, pull out His cheat sheet (the Bible) and start reviewing the answers. It's the best way to ace the test.

Verse

Temptation. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.

Reference

James 1:12

Priorities

Posted on April 29, 2009

THOUGHT:

No matter what you have done for yourself or for humanity, if you can not look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?

Challenge

Reflect back on the past week. How much time have you spent with your spouse? Your children? Parents? Siblings? Make sure you spend more time this week recognizing and appreciating the blessings that are closest to home.

Verse

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Reference

Matthew 12:49-50

Change

Posted on April 28, 2009

THOUGHT:

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Challenge

Change is inevitable. How you react to change is optional. Accept change with optimism, confident that God has good things in store for you.

Verse

Children of God. And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

Reference

1 John 2:28

Priorities

Posted on April 27, 2009

THOUGHT:

Life is more precious than money will ever be.

Challenge

Take time this week to make an investment in creating a memory that will be with you forever. Make sure you offer to share the memory with others around you.

Verse

With length of days I will satisfy him, and fill him with my saving power.

Reference

Psalm 91:16

Integrity

Posted on April 24, 2009

THOUGHT:

Remember, a lie may take care of the present, but it has no future.

Challenge

Honesty is always the best policy. Don't compromise your values by allowing a little white lie to make a minor problem go away. Stand firm in your knowledge of right and wrong.

Verse

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Reference

Exodus 20:16

Courage

Posted on April 23, 2009

THOUGHT:

Courage is contagious. When a brave person takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.

Challenge

Show your Christian values today by standing up for Christ and living as an example of His love to those around you. Stand tall for Him, and those around you will be encouraged to do the same.

Verse

Exhortation and Greetings. Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

Reference

1 Corinthians 16:13

Faith

Posted on April 22, 2009

THOUGHT:

We see only the beginning. God sees the end from the beginning.

Challenge

Although many desire to know what is at the “end”, this is only for God to know. Since we can only see the beginning, we need faith to guide us to the end. Pray today that God will increase your faith for the journey.

Verse

Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God,

Reference

2 Corinthians 3:5

Attitude

Posted on April 21, 2009

THOUGHT:

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Challenge

There are times in life that require you to be serious, but life is meant to be enjoyed. Loosen up whenever you can and focus on the little joys in life.

Verse

Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.

Reference

John 16:20

Empathy

Posted on April 20, 2009

THOUGHT:

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

Challenge

Open your mind to what you can learn from those outside of your peer group (age, social status, etc). God blessed us with diversity. Appreciate the differences and learn from them.

Verse

The glory of the young is their strength, and the dignity of the old is gray hair.

Reference

Proverbs 20:29

Discipleship

Posted on April 17, 2009

THOUGHT:

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Challenge

Live your life in a way that is pleasing to God. What others think of you is insignificant compared to what God thinks about you.

Verse

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

Reference

Psalm 149:4

Discipleship

Posted on April 16, 2009

THOUGHT:

Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for.

Challenge

God has a plan for us and only He knows what He expects of you, and when your plan will be completed. Live today knowing that you are living for Christ and you will spend eternity with Him. Make sure everyone around you can see it also.

Verse

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,

Reference

John 11:25

Praise

Posted on April 15, 2009

THOUGHT:

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Challenge

The grass often seems greener on the other side, but looks can be deceiving. Focus on the blessings you have instead of coveting what you perceive your neighbor possesses. Take a minute and thank God for the many blessings He has given you.

Verse

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Reference

Exodus 20:17

Discipleship

Posted on April 14, 2009

THOUGHT:

Focus on your abilities rather than your limitations, for a person can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. Unused talents give you no advantage whatsoever over someone who has no talents at all.

Challenge

Spend a moment in quiet reflection thinking of your talents that don't get used. How can you improve the lives of those around you by using your God given talents to serve them?

Verse

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. IV. Advice to the Persecuted - Trial of Persecution.

Reference

1 Peter 4:10-11

Character

Posted on April 13, 2009

THOUGHT:

Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

Challenge

Sow an act of kindness today. Repeat it until it becomes a habit and watch your character grow.

Verse

Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Reference

2 Corinthians 9:6

Faith

Posted on April 10, 2009

THOUGHT:

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” - Astronaut Neil Armstrong's first words from the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969. “Forgive them father for they know not what they do” – Savior Jesus Christ’s last words from the cross on Nisan 14, [27-36] AD

Challenge

Both of these statements are hard to forget because they were so powerful. However, the one originally spoken over 2000 years ago transcends time, geography and is known in even the most remote parts of the earth. Remember these words first spoken by Jesus and revitalize your faith this Good Friday by thanking God for this most powerful sacrifice of all.

Verse

[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”] They divided his garments by casting lots.

Reference

Luke 23:34

Goals

Posted on April 9, 2009

THOUGHT:

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent Van Gogh

Challenge

The Easter season represents a time of rebirth. Give rebirth to your goals by taking small steps as to not overwhelm yourself. Your persistance, with God's help, will make your goals reality.

Verse

He restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name.

Reference

Psalm 23:3

Character

Posted on April 8, 2009

THOUGHT:

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. Choose to change for the better.

Challenge

While God gave everyone a different level of ability, we all have the ability to make the right choices. Look for someone around you that makes good Christian choices, and follow their example. Surround yourself with the kind of people you want to become.

Verse

Do not be friendly with hotheads, nor associate with the wrathful, Lest you learn their ways, and become ensnared.

Reference

Proverbs 22:24-25

Attitude

Posted on April 7, 2009

THOUGHT:

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.

Challenge

It's all about attitude. Make a concerted effort today to look for the positive in every situation. Take time to reflect and enjoy what (and who) you encounter today.

Verse

A glad heart lights up the face, but an anguished heart breaks the spirit.

Reference

Proverbs 15:13

Discipleship

Posted on April 6, 2009

THOUGHT:

Our background and circumstances influence who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

Challenge

Learn from your past, but don't let it define you. Take responsibility for your personal growth, following Christ's examples and pursuing His will.

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

Forgiveness

Posted on April 3, 2009

THOUGHT:

It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

Challenge

If God can forgive us, there is no reason we can't forgive ourselves. Take a deep breath and let go of something that has been bothering you. Fill the opening that is created with peace and comfort.

Verse

She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more.”] The Light of the World.

Reference

John 8:11

Attitude

Posted on April 2, 2009

THOUGHT:

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Challenge

Even when things aren't going your way, you can instantly improve your mindset with a smile. Be grateful for what you do have and express your gratitude by smiling and helping other people to smile. God will smile with you.

Verse

There he lies rotting beside the road, and out of the soil another sprouts.

Reference

Job 8:19

Attitude

Posted on April 1, 2009

THOUGHT:

Either you control your attitude, or it controls you.

Challenge

Choose to have a positive attitude today. Approach each situation with a Christian attitude and take more control over creating a positive outcome.

Verse

That you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Reference

Ephesians 4:22-24