The true value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he has.
You were blessed with an abundance of God given talents. Identify someone who would benefit from your talents and share them willingly. You will both be glad you did.
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate.
1 Timothy 4:14
Thanksgiving… Thanks, Giving… Give THANKS to God for all your blessings. Be generous in your GIVING to others.
This THANKSGIVING remember to start your meal with praise and THANKS to the Lord our God. Also be GIVING by donating to a local food bank to help them replenish their cupboards for all those in need of continued assistance. Have a blessed THANKSGIVING… the TAGteam.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Trust in God, but tie your camel.
Trusting in God and asking for His help and intercession is an essential part of our faith. However, we still need to be active in our lives and accountible for our actions and ommisions, so don't let prayer be an excuse for irresponsibilty and laziness.
The plans of the diligent end in profit, but those of the hasty end in loss.
Proverbs 21:5
Never reach out a hand unless you're willing to extend an arm.
Token help is not very helpful. If you really want to help someone or some worthy cause, give it some thought and decide on a specific way you can make a difference. Time is short and finances may be limited, but if you want to get involved, the best way is to have a clear intention and a genuine commitment.
Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.
Encourage a friend today. Make his/her day by showing you care, they have your support, your belief in them, and your assistance if necessary. It will mean the world to them.
When they had come out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and then they left.
Acts 16:40
We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.
People who focus on the good in every situation tend to have a greater sense of gratitude and are more resourceful. Strengthen your character today by focusing on the positive.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be.
Wasting your time wishing can become a habit. There's only one way to see your hope turn into reality: decide on the first small step and then take it. Ask God for the perseverance to keep at it, the vision to see the next small step, and the courage to take it.
V. Examples, Discipline, Disobedience Chapter 11 - Faith of the Ancients. Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Nature does not hurry, yet everything gets accomplished.
When your life gets too busy, just stop, take a deep breath, and ask God to help you recognize what really matters most today. Focus on those things and slow down to a healtier pace.
You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. Instead you should say, “If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.”
James 4:14-15
People who matter are most aware that everyone else does too.
Focus your attention on those around you today and embrace the simple truth that, as creatures of God, they matter. With this new awareness, treat everyone with the respect they deserve.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
Philippians 2:3
Don’t let your dreams be dreams.
Make sure you are a doer and not just a dreamer. Turn your ideas, goals, and dreams into reality by taking action today. A little quiet time in prayer and meditation with the Lord is a good place to start. Take that first step toward making your dreams come true.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:14
Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.
You have the ability to change the world for the better. What are you waiting for? Do something today and everyday, large or small, to make the world a better place.
Willingly serving the Lord and not human beings, knowing that each will be requited from the Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Ephesians 6:7-8
What we have done for ourselves alone, dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal.
Leave your mark on the world today. Do something for someone else with no expectation of getting anything in return. You have no idea how big of an impact you may have.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Luke 6:35
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
How would you change your life if you knew others were looking to you for an example of how to live a Christain life? Now, how will you change your life knowing that they are watching! Be an example of God's love today.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
James 1:22-26
“My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.”
None of us deserve Christ’s love, but he loves us anyway. This is the greatest gift we can receive. Thank Jesus right now for his everlasting love.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.
1 Timothy 1:15
The grass is often greener on the other side because you have neglected your own grass.
If you are spending time being envious of the possessions of others, you may find yourself neglecting those blessings around you. Be very careful that you don’t neglect your most precious gifts: your faith, your family, your health, your friends…
Even in laughter the heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be sorrow.
Proverbs 14:13
All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
Think About God and the complexity of even the simplest things around you. Happened by chance? No chance! It’s obvious that only an all-powerful creator could be behind everything around you. Accept the peace found in the trust you have in your Creator.
Beth - Trust in the LORD and do good that you may dwell in the land and live secure.
Psalm 37:3
It’s not about what God wants to do for you, it is what He wants to do through you.
We tend to spend our prayer time asking God to do things FOR us. As you pray this week, don’t ask God for anything; instead ask Him to do things through you. Then, pay close attention to how God answers those prayers.
B. Paul’s Ministry - Ministers of a New Covenant. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks - difficult but doable.
Do a trust check today. Take the time to really examine your trust in your faith, your trust in God, your trust in yourself, your trust in others. Look inward and see where you may need help. Ask God to give you the help you need; trust in Him.
The LORD is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusts. I am helped, so my heart rejoices; with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7
God's beautiful autumn season is upon us. Use it as a reminder to FALL into a better relationship with Him.
LEAF through your Bible today; try Corinthians or one of the Gospels. You'll find plenty of beautiful passages to bring you closer to God. RAKE in the benefit of His beautiful words to strengthen your faith.
Exhortation and Greetings. Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
The choices you make today will determine the rest of your life.
What choices are you going to make today. Do you think they will be pleasing to God? If not, you may want to rethink your choices.
“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the reward of loyalty; Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he comes and rains justice upon you.”
Hosea 10:12