When we have nothing left but Christ, we find He is enough.
If you know someone who is struggling with a tough issue, forward this message to them. This message may be enough to show them you care, and Christ's love is certainly enough to get them through their time of need.
In their distress they cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril;
Psalm 107:28
A sharp tongue can cut my own throat.
Pay extra attention to your words today. Make sure God would be proud of what you say.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45
The harder you work, the luckier you get.
Although God's hand is present in all we do, ask Him for the inspiration and energy to motivate you to aggressively pursue your goals.
My strength and my refuge is the LORD, and he has become my savior. This is my God, I praise him; the God of my father, I extol him.
Exodus 15:2
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
Spend less time today trying to accumulate more and more time enjoying what you already 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
Finding God does not mean building a house in a land of no storms, but building a house that no storm can destroy.
Life is not without challenges, but no challenge is greater than God. Face all your challenges head on with the confidence that God will be at your side.
The Two Foundations. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
Matthew 7:24
Well begun is half done.
We all have great ideas, goals and dreams, but getting started always seems to be the hardest part. As you begin the new year, ask God for the will to turn your good intentions into actions so that you can more effectively achieve His plan for you.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.
John 9:4
Speak thoughfully...Listen generously...Act respectfully.
Actions, looks, words and steps form the alphabet by which you may spell your character. How would the people closest to you describe the vocabulary of your character?
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is the by-product of your other activities.
It is easy to think of happiness as a goal. We all want to be happy, right? Ask God for the insight and courage to focus your time and efforts on things that can be more fulfilling to your heart and soul. Happiness will follow.
Whoever pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.
Proverbs 21:21
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep moving forward you must keep your balance.
We have many spokes in the wheel of our life, including our family, our friends, our work, our health, our faith, etc. If one of these areas gets out of line, it can make for a rough ride. Are you keeping the right balance in your life?
Chapter 11 - False scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an honest weight, his delight.
Proverbs 11:1
Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.
Through good times and bad, always remember to carry along the fruit of the Holy Spirit inside you. With this plan you can't go wrong.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22
There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty–God's will is good.
Start every day with the comfort and acknowledgement that God's will is good. With that foundation, you will be able to face all of life's uncertainties.
So I said, “See; I come with an inscribed scroll written upon me.
Psalm 40:8
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
Next time you start out on a big project, take a time out and ask God to be with you as you map out the road to achieving your goal. Take plenty of time to think about the little things you are going to have to do. Then get going – achieve!
And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you,
2 Peter 3:15
You cannot see faith, but you can see the footprints of the faithful. We must leave behind "faithful footprints" for others to follow.
More people than you realize observe your words and actions every day. Understanding that responsibility, strive to live a Christian life, one that you would be proud for others to follow.
Chapter 11 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Fragile trust is stronger than swaggering self-reliance.
Allow your faith and trust in God to restore your confidence in your ability to overcome your adversity.
It is he who judges the world with justice, who judges the peoples with fairness.
Psalm 9:9
We are like icebergs: 1/10 is seen, 9/10 is not seen.
Maybe unseen to the world, but God can see under the water. Make sure your actions today reflect your heart and soul, so that we look the same under the water as above it.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
Romans 11:33
Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.
It is very easy to get misguided by conforming to all the forces and expectations life demands of you each day. Ask God for the wisdom and the courage to shed yourself of these things in order that you are free to follow your heart and more clearly see God's plan for you.
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.
Romans 12:2
God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross.
Put Christ at the forefront of everything you do today. Let God shake up your priorities.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
John 14:23
All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, and deep roots are not reached by the frost.
As we mature, life's experiences reveal to us that things are not always what they initially appear to be. With God's help, allow your actions to strengthen your faith in order to form a solid foundation for you to grow, to see clearly what is valuable and to overcome adversity.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise.
Proverbs 19:20
Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible.
Visualize who you want to become and where you want to be in your life. Have faith in yourself and in your journey, then ask God for courage and the willpower to stay the course.
Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
God will not punish you for your anger, but your anger may distort your view of the situation. Avoid this by turning to God to restore a clear view and find a way to seek a just reconciliation.
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger,
Ephesians 4:26