Month: October 2011

Comfort

Posted on October 31, 2011

THOUGHT:

Hold on, man.  We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title.  ~From Scooby-Doo

Challenge

It can be fun to pretend there are ghosts, goblins, and scarecrows on Halloween night. The rest of the year look for inspiration and guidance from THE Holy Spirit. Pray for love, happiness, goodness and your fellow man. Happy Halloween – The TAGteam

Verse

Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, they cannot speak; They must be carried about, for they cannot walk. Do not fear them, they can do no harm, neither can they do good.

Reference

Jeremiah 10:5

Habits

Posted on October 28, 2011

THOUGHT:

You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.

Challenge

Today, worry less about what others think about you and more about what God thinks about you. Repeat tomorrow.

Verse

Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Reference

Galatians 1:10

Praise

Posted on October 27, 2011

THOUGHT:

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.

Challenge

Be thankful for your relationship with God and you will strengthen that relationship. As your relationship with God grows stronger, you will realize you have enough.

Verse

Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”

Reference

Hebrews 13:5

Habits

Posted on October 26, 2011

THOUGHT:

We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.

Challenge

Make a habit of living your Christian values each and every day. Be intentional about daily prayer and lead by Christ's example. Your habits will help you become the Christian you want to be.

Verse

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Reference

Romans 12:2

Courage

Posted on October 25, 2011

THOUGHT:

There are countless ways of achieving greatness, but any road to achieving one’s maximum potential must be built on a bedrock of respect for the individual, a commitment to excellence, and a rejection of mediocracy.

Challenge

Strive to be your very best, but always do it with integrity and not at someone else’s expense. This is what God expects us to do each and every day. Make God proud today.

Verse

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.

Reference

Joshua 1:7

Faith

Posted on October 24, 2011

THOUGHT:

I am strong because I know my weakness, I am wise because I've been foolish, and I laugh because I've known sadness.

Challenge

With the benefit of your life experiences, evaluate what you want in the future. Get motivated and stay strong in your faith as you pursue your goals.

Verse

“Let me rise then and go about the city, through the streets and squares; Let me seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him but I did not find him.

Reference

Song of Solomon 3:2

Praise

Posted on October 21, 2011

THOUGHT:

Repentance is not turning away from something, but rather turning towards something.

Challenge

If you are like most humans, you can identify several things that you need to turn away from, but as a Christian you need to turn toward only one thing. Look towards Him who conquered your sin, and leave today’s temptations behind.

Verse

On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of repentance.

Reference

Acts 26:20

Habits

Posted on October 20, 2011

THOUGHT:

Being miserable is a habit. Being happy is a habit. The choice is yours.

Challenge

How can you be miserable with the knowledge that eternal life is waiting for you? Choose to be happy and watch that joy spread to those around you. The choice is yours.

Verse

As the smoke is dispersed, disperse them; as wax is melted by fire, so may the wicked perish before God.

Reference

Psalms 68:3

Discipleship

Posted on October 19, 2011

THOUGHT:

The resurrection did not abolish evil, but transformed it.

Challenge

Jesus’ sacrifice did not remove evil from the world, but it abolished its power over you. Today, be an example to others of one who is transformed by Christ’s love. Let them see His goodness in you.

Verse

Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.

Reference

Romans 12:21

Habits

Posted on October 18, 2011

THOUGHT:

Make room for the Holy Spirit.

Challenge

Watch a little less TV, work just a little less, but whatever you do, find some quiet time to meditate and let the Holy Spirit in. Let go and let The Spirit guide your thinking. Then, keep hold of that feeling in order to let the Holy Spirit be with you throughout your day.

Verse

For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

Reference

Luke 12:12

Discipleship

Posted on October 17, 2011

THOUGHT:

It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

Challenge

How much time do you spend preparing for eternal salvation? If you believe in eternal life with Christ, look ahead and prepare. Don't wait and regret.

Verse

If anyone cleanses himself of these things, he will be a vessel for lofty use, dedicated, beneficial to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Reference

2 Timothy 2:21

Habits

Posted on October 14, 2011

THOUGHT:

It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.

Challenge

Read the Bible every day. Let the power you receive from God’s word overcome those things of the world that would try to dampen your spirit.

Verse

For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the holy Spirit and [with] much conviction. You know what sort of people we were [among] you for your sake.

Reference

1 Thessalonians 1:5

Faith

Posted on October 13, 2011

THOUGHT:

God wants to redirect our hope in His grace rather than goods, in His mercy rather than money, and in His worth rather than wealth.

Challenge

As many of us are struggling in this economy, God is calling us to direct our hope in Him. Remember: He is still the same powerful God. Immediately increase your net worth today by investing your trust in God.

Verse

Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.

Reference

Luke 12:33

Faith

Posted on October 12, 2011

THOUGHT:

If you see everything as covered by God’s goodness, you may not always understand what He does, but you will trust Him.

Challenge

It is our human nature to ask “why” when we are faced with adversity. We may not always get an answer, but we know we can trust Him to give us what we need to persevere. Ask less – trust more.

Verse

His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power.

Reference

2 Peter 1:3

Leadership

Posted on October 11, 2011

THOUGHT:

The world is divided into people who do good things, and people who are more interested in getting the credit. Strive to belong to the first group, there is far less competition.

Challenge

Focus today on doing things for God. Don't worry who gets the credit - God knows.

Verse

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Reference

Matthew 6:3-4

Attitude

Posted on October 10, 2011

THOUGHT:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. – Steve Jobs

Challenge

Be yourself and live your life to the fullest each and every day. God has a special purpose for your life. Thank Him by living it.

Verse

Do not lay hands too readily on anyone, and do not share in another’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

Reference

1 Timothy 5:22

Discipleship

Posted on October 7, 2011

THOUGHT:

It is as hard to see one’s self as to look backwards without turning around.

Challenge

Take a look around at yourself. Are you following Christ’s teachings? Are you reading His word? Helping others? Praying? If not, turn yourself around. If so, keep turning toward God.

Verse

Be careful, therefore, to do as the LORD, your God, has commanded you, not turning aside to the right or to the left,

Reference

Deuteronomy 5:32

Faith

Posted on October 6, 2011

THOUGHT:

Just as a small fire is extinguished by the storm whereas a large fire is enhanced by it - likewise a weak faith is weakened by predicament and catastrophes whereas a strong faith is strengthened by them.

Challenge

Strenthen your faith today so that when a predicament occurs in your life, you will be equipped to overcome it. With faith in God, all things are possible.

Verse

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Reference

1 Corinthians 12:13

Faith

Posted on October 5, 2011

THOUGHT:

God gave each of us a huge packet containing all that we need to be a part of His kingdom.

Challenge

Faith is a huge part of that packet. Nurture it daily. Share it with others. Don’t waste it.

Verse

Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all his words, and loving in all his works.

Reference

Psalm 145:13

Discipleship

Posted on October 4, 2011

THOUGHT:

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

Challenge

You may be only one but you are an important one to God. He put you on earth to do something good. Do the good that God gave you the talent to do.

Verse

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.

Reference

Galatians 6:9

Gratitude

Posted on October 3, 2011

THOUGHT:

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

Challenge

How often do we take God for granted? In the few times we stop to give thanks we often forget the one who is ultimately responsible for the things that mean the most. Show God your gratitude daily through prayer and service in his name.

Verse

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Reference

Colossians 3:16