When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
Stop for a minute and say your prayers, but today do something different. Don't ask for anything, except for God to guide your actions to serve His will.
May the LORD, your God, show us the way we should take and what we should do.”
Jeremiah 42:3
Give God what's right -- not what's left.
God calls us to be a joyful giver. Do a good deed today because it feels good, and because God is a priority.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Most of us have trouble praying when we are in little trouble, but we have little trouble praying when we are in much trouble.
Thank God for the little things that go right in your life today. Start with thanking Him for the food you eat, and expand from there.
I will always hope in you and add to all your praise.
Psalm 71:14
Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
Look for an opportunity to help someone today. Without reason or question, give them a helping hand.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
Share your light by helping someone in need today. Brightening another's day will never diminish your personal glow.
As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10
If you learn from your failures, there's no end to what you can learn.
Review your actions over the past few days. Small or large, what lessons can you internalize to improve yourself?
And if they truly learn my people’s custom of swearing by my name, “As the LORD lives,” just as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people.
Jeremiah 12:16
Success is moving from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
If you have a failure today, don’t make excuses, deny or rationalize your shortfall. Admit it to yourself, and admit it to God – learn and move on.
And if they truly learn my people’s custom of swearing by my name, “As the LORD lives,” just as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people.
Psalm 74:26
It is said that God works in mysterious ways. On the contrary, God works in very obvious ways.
Think back to the last "coincidence" or "stroke of luck" you experienced. See it for what it was - a blessing from God. Start looking for the ways God is deliberately blessing your life.
I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground, streams upon the dry land; I will pour out my spirit upon your offspring, my blessing upon your descendants.
Isaiah 44:3
Faith is meant to be personal but not private.
Share your faith story with someone today. Let the Holy Spirit flow through your words knowing that your story may change someone's life.
When I sing of your righteousness in a great assembly, See, I do not restrain my lips; as you, LORD, know.
Psalm 40:10
The grass may look greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed. In a world that tells us we should be younger, thinner and richer, it is difficult to be content with the things God has blessed us with in our lives.
Think of something that you have been wanting but really don’t need. Let go of that desire and pray for the strength to be content with what you have.
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.”
Hebrews 13:5
One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.
Fathers: Set a good example to your children through your acts and deeds of faith, love, kindness, humility, honesty, and generosity. Sons and Daughters: Show your father that you’ve been paying attention AND thank him for showing you the way. Happy Fathers’ Day – the TAGteam!
Honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 19:19
God’s mathematical gift to mankind: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. The entire gospel summed up in one simple sentence.
Memorize this mathematical equation today, remember it always and pass it along.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
John 3:16
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Start today to prepare yourself for the opportunity to meet God.
To equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:12
Our prayers must mean something to us if they are to mean anything to God.
How often do you just recite the words to a prayer without internalizing what you're saying? Take a minute right now and say the Lord's Prayer. Listen to the words you are saying and pray it like you mean it.
He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Further Teachings on Prayer.
Luke 11:2-4
When you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
Make it a goal to start the day with a positive attitude.
Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone.
1 Timothy 4:15
One of the greatest deeds you can do for others is not to just share your riches, but to reveal to them their own.
Find a way to get personally involved and through mentorship and even some creative questioning, you can help that person discover their own strengths, talents and possibilities. Jesus took a similar approach!
Chapter 5 - Advice to Presbyters. So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:1-3
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
When someone needs a friend to talk to, just be there. A compassionate ear and a sincere prayer for their needs may be the best gift you can give.
Whoever answers before listening, theirs is folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13
If you are following Jesus, you should be getting your hands dirty.
Jesus got his hands dirty by reaching out to the poor, hanging out with sinners and challenging the establishment. Let Christ be your guide and don’t worry about getting your hands dirty – He already cleansed you.
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21
Turn your next crisis into a “Christis”
Remember to always turn to Christ whatever your needs, good or bad. When something gets you down, just turn harder.
My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
The power of the resurrection is greater than the power of _____!
Fill in the blank... Christ died so you could leave your past behind and become a NEW creation. Accept His gift and live a new life today.
So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17