Month: September 2016

THOUGHT:

Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive: forget. Do more than dream: work.

Challenge

Sometimes the routines of everyday life subtly dull the edge of our vitality. Stop just going through the motions. Ask God for the vigor and drive to be more consciously active and productive in all phases of your life. God has warned us that love without action serves no one.

Verse

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reference

James 2:14-17

THOUGHT:

Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.

Challenge

If you had the opportunity to spend a week with yourself, at the end of the week would you be able to say you respect yourself? Your personal dignity is fueled by how you view yourself and how you hold yourself accountable for ALL your actions. Make sure your actions allow you to respect yourself so that you may love and respect others.

Verse

Showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity,

Reference

Titus 2:7

THOUGHT:

New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.

Challenge

The journey of life abounds with blind curves, dead-ends, and danger zones. It is also full of smooth sailing, breath-taking sunsets, and feelings of love and security. As you travel from one condition of your life to another, have faith that God is guiding you to your ultimate destination.

Verse

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reference

Proverbs 3:5-6

THOUGHT:

You'll never catch large fish if you cast your nets along the banks.

Challenge

It's much easier to preach to the members of your church than the unchurched. Step out into the depths of witnessing by talking to someone about your faith that doesn't have the same background as you.

Verse

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.

Reference

Luke 5:4-6

THOUGHT:

Are your thoughts trying to bring you closer to God, or trying to justify your actions and lifestyle?

Challenge

Take a minute to reflect on your recent thoughts. How often are you justifying yourself instead of aligning with God? Work to think thoughts that are Godly today.

Verse

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.

Reference

Philippians 4:8

THOUGHT:

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.

Challenge

How would you change your life if you knew others were looking to you for an example of how to live a Christian life? How will you change your life with the new awareness that they are?

Verse

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. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Reference

Philippians 4:8-9

THOUGHT:

At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud you or prod you."

Challenge

We are blessed each day with a fresh start. If you aren't proud of yesterday's performance you have a chance to make amends today. Make today a day you will applaud.

Verse

All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.

Reference

Romans 3:23

THOUGHT:

To strengthen the muscles of your heart, the best exercise is lifting someone else's spirit whenever you can.

Challenge

We all know the need and benefit to a regimented cardio workout. The next time you contemplate when you're going to workout, think of exercising your heart in a different fashion. Increase the heart rate of someone else today with a unexpected act of kindness.

Verse

Let each of us please our neighbor for the good, for building up.

Reference

Romans 15:2

THOUGHT:

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

Challenge

It is so easy to get absorbed in your own needs and wants. Identify an opportunity to help someone today in a meaningful way - And follow through with it. Do it again tomorrow.

Verse

Each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.

Reference

Philippians 2:4

THOUGHT:

Are your prayers trying to bring you closer to God, or are you trying to convince God to accept your plan?

Challenge

Reflect for a minute on your recent prayers. Have you been asking God to act in a specific way? The next time you pray, don't tell God your plan, just ask for His guidance and quietly wait for directions.

Verse

In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. The Lord’s Prayer. “This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

Reference

Matthew 6:7-9

THOUGHT:

Are your works trying to prove you're a Christian, or improve your standing on earth?

Challenge

As you serve others in large and small ways today, make sure the credit goes where it belongs - with God. Most importantly, find more ways to serve others.

Verse

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. IV. Advice to the Persecuted - Trial of Persecution.

Reference

1 Peter 4:10-11

THOUGHT:

The way get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

Challenge

Great achievers have provided the same advice in different ways. A poet once said, “It is not with great ideas that one makes great verse, it is with words.” An industrialist said “The best plan is only good intentions unless it generates into work.” An inventor notes “You cannot build a reputation on what you're going to be.” And a philosopher warns “You can't plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” Take the first step!

Verse

Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Confidence Before God.

Reference

1 John 3:18

THOUGHT:

The bible doesn't say much about the world going to a church, but it says much about the church going to the world.

Challenge

Christ called us to live His example, not just listen to stories about Him. How can you live His example and serve Him today? In small ways and large ones, look for opportunities to show Christ you heard his command.

Verse

So that your partnership in the faith may become effective in recognizing every good there is in us that leads to Christ.

Reference

Philemon 1:6

THOUGHT:

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.

Challenge

Which elements of your life do you wish were better? How about your relationship with God? Take some time to identify how you can grow closer to God. Make a list and keep it close so you can review it often.

Verse

“‘“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.

Reference

Revelation 3:20

THOUGHT:

Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax. —Abraham Lincoln

Challenge

Preparation is vital to success in most things in life. How's your prep coming along for the day you meet Jesus? Are you ready?

Verse

So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. The Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant.

Reference

Matthew 24:44

THOUGHT:

Light triumphs over darkness every time. You can stick a candle into the dark, but you can't stick the dark into the light.

Challenge

Your positive influences and actions begin with an attitude of optimism. Your optimism is fueled primarily by your faith and hope. Find a way to be a beam of light in someone's day today. Remember, light can illuminate both directly and indirectly. So can you!

Verse

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Reference

John 1:5

THOUGHT:

The way you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens to you. When you change the quality of your thinking, you change the quality of your life, sometimes instantly.

Challenge

There is only one thing in life that you have complete control over - that is what you allow your mind to think about throughout your day. Think positive thoughts and surround yourself only with positive people. Most importantly, Think About God more often each day and make Him a more meaningful part of your life.

Verse

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.

Reference

Philippians 4:8

THOUGHT:

You cannot get better if you already think you are the best.

Challenge

It has been said that "Good is the enemy of Great." Often times you become accomplished at something, you become satisfied and comfortable, perhaps too comfortable. When was the last time you consciously tried to improve as a Christian? Are you one of those "good" Christians feeling pretty "good" about yourself or are you striving to find ways to serve Him better?

Verse

The result of humility and fear of the LORD is riches, honor and life.

Reference

Proverbs 22:4

THOUGHT:

Imagine your life is perfect in every respect; what would it look like?

Challenge

In order to reach your goals in life, you have to define them. Stop for a minute and think of all the key aspects of your life. What would they look like if all your plans were fulfilled? In this process, did you stop to think about where God fits into your perfect life? Did you consider the role God plays in getting you there? Maybe you should go back and think about your goals again!

Verse

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Reference

Romans 8:14

THOUGHT:

God sells us all things at the price of labor. -Leonardo da Vinci

Challenge

On this Labor Day remember that the fruits of your labors are a gift from God and thank Him for these blessings. Happy Labor Day – The TAGteam

Verse

For this we toil and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe.

Reference

1 Timothy 4:10

THOUGHT:

You don't get punished for your sins, but by them.

Challenge

God has paid for your sins with his crucifiction. His love is unconditional. Ask God (and those you have harmed) for forgiveness. Then forgive yourself and enjoy the Grace of God.

Verse

Reference

Ehpesians 2:8