Month: August 2013

Gratitude

Posted on August 30, 2013

THOUGHT:

A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving. - Albert Einstein

Challenge

As you prepare for the holiday weekend, take time to say a prayer for those whose hard work in the past has been instrumental in providing you with the blessings you enjoy today. Happy Labor Day! - The TAGteam

Verse

Willingly serving the Lord and not human beings,

Reference

Ephesians 6:7

Faith

Posted on August 29, 2013

THOUGHT:

Whether you think you can or can't, you're right!

Challenge

Believe in God and know that he believes in you...Now believe in yourself and show others how your faith inspires you. With belief in God and belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything.

Verse

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

Reference

Philippians 4:13

Joy

Posted on August 28, 2013

THOUGHT:

Blessed is he who has learned how to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained.

Challenge

With all the pressures (many self-imposed) of your daily life, it is very easy to take yourself way too seriously. Ask God for a clear vision to see what really matters in order that you can find more humor and enjoyment each day.

Verse

You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.

Reference

Micah 6:8

Habits

Posted on August 27, 2013

THOUGHT:

The truth needs so little rehearsal. 

Challenge

Make all your verbal and written conversations easy on yourself. Be honest; that information is readily available and can be drawn upon with little effort. Quit working so hard developing new material!

Verse

An honest reply— a kiss on the lips.

Reference

Proverbs 24:26

Gratitude

Posted on August 26, 2013

THOUGHT:

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. 

Challenge

Don't just sit there in quiet appreciation and pass up the opportunity to thank someone. Thank them and show others that no good deed should go unnoticed. God will surely notice.

Verse

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Reference

Matthew 5:16

Service

Posted on August 23, 2013

THOUGHT:

We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.

Challenge

We have all experienced the joy and personal satisfaction that only comes when we humbly help another.  If that is the case, then brighten your day (and your way) today by helping someone. Try it more often.

Verse

Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Reference

Luke 6:38

Habits

Posted on August 22, 2013

THOUGHT:

People who say it can't be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Challenge

Join the people who are doing it...It is always more fun and rewarding than rationalizing why you're not reaching your goals. The best way to change is to just start acting ...Don't think about it too long, you might talk yourself out of it AGAIN! You might want to ask for God's help this time.

Verse

For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.

Reference

Galatians 5:13-16

Kindness

Posted on August 21, 2013

THOUGHT:

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Challenge

Don't underestimate the power of kindness. Look and listen for opportunities to be kind to others. Communicate your kindness to everyone you meet today. Don’t worry about its form just its message.

Verse

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,

Reference

Galatians 5:22

Joy

Posted on August 20, 2013

THOUGHT:

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer up someone else.

Challenge

Think back. Have you ever not felt good after helping someone? This is the Holy Spirit being your tour guide to happiness here on earth. Follow Him constantly to find eternal happiness.

Verse

And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.

Reference

Acts 15:8

Discipleship

Posted on August 19, 2013

THOUGHT:

It's not what you do once in a while; it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference.

Challenge

What do you do day in and day out to strenghten your relationship with God? If you are not happy with your answer, make changes starting today.

Verse

Attend to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Reference

1 Timothy 4:16

Kindness

Posted on August 16, 2013

THOUGHT:

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Challenge

The sooner you share kindness the quicker it takes affect and touches someone’s life. Touch someone’s life ASAP and you’ll never regret the lost opportunity. Neither will they.

Verse

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.

Reference

Hebrews 10:24

Prayer

Posted on August 15, 2013

THOUGHT:

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

Challenge

Instead of praying for things to “go your way” today, simply ask God to transform you into a devoted follower of Christ. Do this every day and you will discover the “stuff” you used to pray for may seem less important.

Verse

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Reference

Philippians 3:20-21

Habits

Posted on August 14, 2013

THOUGHT:

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil -- it has no point.

Challenge

Each time you pick up a pencil (or pen) today, ask yourself if God would be pleased with your work. Life's work without God is truly pointless.

Verse

Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

Reference

Colossians 3:23-24

Wisdom

Posted on August 13, 2013

THOUGHT:

It is not the church's job to change your behavior, but to introduce you to Christ who will create the change in you.

Challenge

Don't just show up at church expecting your life will change. Be present, actively participate, and seek a relationship with the One who will change your heart. Once your heart changes your behavior will follow.

Verse

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

Reference

2 Corinthians 5:17

Discipleship

Posted on August 12, 2013

THOUGHT:

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Challenge

Remember that God lies within us and guides us through each day and each challenge. Follow Him and you'll find the greatness within you.

Verse

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

Reference

Psalm 23:3

Wisdom

Posted on August 9, 2013

THOUGHT:

Knowledge is in your head - it doesn't become wisdom until it travels to the heart.

Challenge

Take a minute to think about the blessings you have and the education you have received. Now let your heart impart that wisdom to someone around you.

Verse

For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will be at home in your soul,

Reference

Proverbs 2:10

Discipleship

Posted on August 8, 2013

THOUGHT:

Don’t count the days, make the days count.

Challenge

Count them by the number of days you reached out and helped another - when you showed someone you cared, praised someone, or gave someone encouragement. These type days really add up. Make sure your numbers reach the heavens.

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

Kindness

Posted on August 6, 2013

THOUGHT:

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

Challenge

Share the gift a smile with everyone you encounter today. Even an innocent baby recognizes a smile when it sees one. Use the universal language and power of a smile to spread kindness throughout your day.

Verse

When I smiled on them they could not believe it; they would not let the light of my face be dimmed.

Reference

Job 29:24

Courage

Posted on August 5, 2013

THOUGHT:

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

Challenge

Refrain from going along with the crowd. Ask God for the courage to be yourself and show off God’s true creation. Always remember to thank Him for the unique blessing of who you really are.

Verse

Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

Reference

2 Timothy 2:15

Prayer

Posted on August 2, 2013

THOUGHT:

In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back.

Challenge

Make sure the Bible is your book of life. Let the history of the Old Testament bring you wisdom and Jesus’s words in the Gospel of the New Testament strengthen your faith. Read the bible daily and you’ll find the answers you're looking for.

Verse

He said in reply, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’”

Reference

Matthew 4:4

Attitude

Posted on August 1, 2013

THOUGHT:

If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, imitate Jesus today.

Challenge

Paul urges us to follow the example of Christ, to love as Jesus loved. How will you imitate Christ today?

Verse

Chapter 5 - So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Reference

Ephesians 5:1-2