Month: August 2009

Wisdom

Posted on August 31, 2009

THOUGHT:

The time is always right to do what is right.

Challenge

In your heart, you can determine what is right or wrong. Ask God to provide you with the strength to make the right decision EVERYTIME.

Verse

For we are concerned for what is honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others.

Reference

2 Corinthians 8:21

Evangelism

Posted on August 28, 2009

THOUGHT:

You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.

Challenge

We all have different talents for a reason. What can you do today to help spread the Word of God? Take a minute and think about the opportunities that will come before you to serve the Lord today. Don't be afraid to serve the Lord through your words, and actions.

Verse

II - You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.

Reference

Psalm 139:13-14

Faith

Posted on August 27, 2009

THOUGHT:

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.

Challenge

If you feel like letting go today, remember that God is with you, and He can help you hold on. All you have to do is ask Him and you will get the help He knows you need.

Verse

You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

Reference

Hebrews 10:36

Wisdom

Posted on August 26, 2009

THOUGHT:

You don’t have to choose between staying close to Christ and staying on your life’s journey. He is the WAY and staying close to him is your life’s journey.

Challenge

Take a closer walk with Christ today. In prayer, ask Him for the wisdom to see His Way more clearly, and then ask for the strength to walk with Him more closely.

Verse

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Reference

John 14:6

Service

Posted on August 25, 2009

THOUGHT:

Service is the pathway to real significance. It is through ministry that we discover the meaning of our lives.

Challenge

In a world that is very materialistic a small frail woman (Mother Theresa) is one of the most respected women of this century because of her tireless service to the needy. How much long term significance is your day going to provide to those around you? Don't just do the ordinary, make a difference for someone today.

Verse

For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. One in Christ.

Reference

Ephesians 2:10

Praise

Posted on August 24, 2009

THOUGHT:

God created beauty to declare the existence of His Holy Being. A magnificent rose, a glorious sunset, oceanic splendor – all these things proclaim His presence in the world.

Challenge

Most people rush past these proclamations without giving them a second thought. Take a moment today to stop and enjoy something that displays the beauty of God’s creation, then thank Him for his presence in your world.

Verse

One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!”

Reference

Isaiah 6:3

Determination

Posted on August 21, 2009

THOUGHT:

You may be on the right track, but if you just sit there you'll get run over.

Challenge

Most of the time, success in our journeys is the result of steadfast and continuous pursuit of our goals, not something that just happens overnight (especially our Christian journey). It’s important to get on the right track; however, it's more important to wake up each day and strive to reach the next station.

Verse

You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice. II - Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities.

Reference

Psalm 51:10-11

Discipleship

Posted on August 20, 2009

THOUGHT:

 There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.

Challenge

Take a minute and think about what's happening around you. Do you see anything that doesn't show your love for God? Make the necessary adjustments to change an obvious fact to show your love of the Lord.

Verse

II. God As Light - God Is Light. Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Reference

1 John 1:5-7

Discipleship

Posted on August 19, 2009

THOUGHT:

God created each of us with a unique combination of personality traits. There is no "right" or "wrong" temperament for ministry. We need all kinds of personalities to balance the church and give it flavor.

Challenge

Just as a dish in a fine restaurant is made of many ingredients, so too is the church. If we all had the same gifts the church would be pretty bland and that's not God's plan. Use your unique gifts this week to spice up your relationship with others and the church.

Verse

There are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

Reference

1 Corinthians 12:6

Service

Posted on August 18, 2009

THOUGHT:

You are called to serve God. Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service.

Challenge

We are not just Christians on Sunday morning, but all the time. Take an extra measure of time to think about your actions today. Are you offering part-time or full-time service to the Lord?

Verse

For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Reference

Romans 8:29-30

Priorities

Posted on August 17, 2009

THOUGHT:

Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.

Challenge

Persevere in everything that is important to you - your faith, your family, your friends, your character. Never give up on these key elements of your life and God will ensure your ultimate success.

Verse

And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reference

James 1:4

Discipleship

Posted on August 14, 2009

THOUGHT:

God doesn't want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly - taking on His values, attitudes, and character.

Challenge

As you go through your day, feel the Spirit moving within you. Inspire the Christ-like values in others by reflecting His Godlyness through your actions today.

Verse

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Reference

2 Corinthians 3:18

Discipleship

Posted on August 13, 2009

THOUGHT:

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas. 

Challenge

Sometimes our daily interactions with others are mostly superficial and our personal exchanges simulate commodity trades. Slow down, look around, try to truly engage others in a meaningful dialogue that will allow both of you to grow and benefit.

Verse

But the LORD said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart.

Reference

1 Samuel 16:7

Wisdom

Posted on August 12, 2009

THOUGHT:

Amateurs practice until they get it right - Professionals practice until they don't get it wrong.

Challenge

Are you a professional Christian or an Amateur? When you do something right, it doesn't give you the authority to sit back and admire yourself. Ask God to purify your intentions and to provide you the will to continuously practice His values.

Verse

So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.

Reference

2 Timothy 2:22

Courage

Posted on August 11, 2009

THOUGHT:

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein

Challenge

Even the smartest members of our society run into challenges. Look to the Lord for the courage to perservere through the difficulties that are thrown at you today. You don't have to be a genius to know this is part of God's plan and He won't let you fail.

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

Courage

Posted on August 10, 2009

THOUGHT:

"If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always got. If you don't like what you're getting, you must change what you're doing."

Challenge

Too often we try the same thing, hoping for different results. Go outside of your comfort zone today and look for ways to grow your faith. Your strengthened faith will bring you closer to God and allow you to serve Him in new ways.

Verse

But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Reference

2 Peter 3:13

Service

Posted on August 7, 2009

THOUGHT:

He who lends to the poor gets his interest from God.

Challenge

Invest in God’s plan by pushing yourself this week to find a specific opportunity to help someone less fortunate than yourself (preferably the poor, or the homeless, or otherwise needy).

Verse

As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

Reference

2 Corinthians 9:9

Service

Posted on August 6, 2009

THOUGHT:

You are commanded to serve God. Jesus came "to serve" and "to give" - and those two verbs should define your life on earth too.

Challenge

Who can you serve today? A better question may be; How can I serve each person around me today? Look for opportunities to serve those around you just as Jesus did.

Verse

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Healing of Two Blind Men.

Reference

Matthew 20:28

Wisdom

Posted on August 5, 2009

THOUGHT:

Every time we open our mouths, others look into our minds.

Challenge

Regardless of the nature of your conversation with anyone, your words reflect your thoughts, and your thoughts reveal your values and priorities. Ask God to help you to choose your words wisely today in order that your words will reflect His character and provide a good example to others.

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

Fellowship

Posted on August 4, 2009

THOUGHT:

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.

Challenge

Make sure you keep in touch with your friends. Drop them a line or an email, ask what’s new in their lives, ask if you can do anything for them – tell them they are on your mind and in your prayers. These little acts fall under God’s category of “Love thy Neighbor” and that’s a pretty good place to be.

Verse

Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face.

Reference

3 John 1:14

Empathy

Posted on August 3, 2009

THOUGHT:

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.

Challenge

As you encounter others today, recognize that their behavior is largely the result of where they are at this phase of their life. Ask God’s help to provide you with the patience, insight and wisdom to treat them with the “Golden Rule.”

Verse

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Reference

Mark 12:31