The mirror of a man's heart is his actions.
Your true character is reflected by your actions, not just by your words. Make sure your actions today support your words and paint a clear portrait of what you believe God expects of you.
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.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Discipleship is becoming more like Jesus and letting Him live His life more in you.
Open your heart and let Jesus in. Let Him show you His path for you. Let the Holy Spirit guide you through the day. Start immediately by thinking of some small kindness you can do for someone around you. Now act; that's the Him in you.
The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.
Acts 13:52
When you gamble with your time, you may be placing a bet you can't cover.
Be conscious of your time today and how you use it, for only God knows how much you have left. If you knew your time was coming to an end, how would you change your priorities today?
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
A relationship is like a house. When a light bulb burns out, you don't go and buy a new house, you fix the light bulb.
Has the light gone out in any of the important relationships in your life? Meaningful relationships require a commitment. Don't just walk away in the darkness. Identify the problem and work on fixing it. Ask God to shed a little light on it for you. Could it be your relationship with God that needs your attention? Regardless, starting with prayer will help you flip the switch back on.
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
If you cannot be the poet, be the poem.
Most of us have been inspired by poetry, but few of us write poetry. You don't have to be a great writer or creator to make a difference...Be a living example of your Christian values each and every day. Others will see and "read" your actions and will be inspired by your goodness.
Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. Confidence Before God.
1 John 3:18
Work for a cause...Not for applause. Live life to express...Not to impress!
What is your passion? What are you motivated by most? What drives your priorities each day? Anything you would like to change? What are you going to do about it today? Tomorrow? Have you talked to God about it? What are you waiting for?
Whoever pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.
Proverbs 21:21
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
Sometimes our daily interactions with others are mostly superficial and our personal exchanges simulate commodity trades. Slow down, look around, try to truly engage others in a meaningful dialogue that will allow both of you to grow and benefit.
But the LORD said to Samuel: Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The LORD looks into the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.
Persevere in everything that is important to you – your faith, your family, your friends, your character. Never give up on these key elements of your life and God will ensure your ultimate success.
And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:4
God doesn't want you to become a god; he wants you to become godly – taking on His values, attitudes, and character.
As you go through your day, feel the Spirit moving within you. Inspire the Christ-like values in others by reflecting His Godliness through your actions today.
All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Amateurs practice until they get it right – Professionals practice until they don't get it wrong.
Are you a professional Christian or an Amateur? When you do something right, it doesn't give you the authority to sit back and admire yourself. Ask God to purify your intentions and to provide you the will to continuously practice His values.
So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart.
2 Timothy 2:22
Love would never be a promise of a Rose Garden unless it is showered with the light of faith, water of sincerity, and the air of passion.
On this Valentine's Day, keep your passion for Christ and your family in the forefront of your day so that all can see the sincerity of God's love showing through you.
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
1 John 4:16
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.† Albert Einstein
Even the smartest members of our society run into challenges. Look to the Lord for the courage to persevere through the difficulties that are thrown at you today. You don't have to be a genius to know this is part of God's plan and He won't let you fail.
Temptation. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
Make sure you keep in touch with your friends. Drop them a line or an email, ask what's new in their lives, ask if you can do anything for them – tell them they are on your mind and in your prayers. These little acts fall under God's category of “Love thy Neighbor” and that's a pretty good place to be.
Instead, I hope to see you soon, when we can talk face to face.
3 John 1:14
He who lends to the poor gets his interest from God.
Invest in God's plan by pushing yourself this week to find a specific opportunity to help someone less fortunate than yourself (preferably the poor, or the homeless, or otherwise needy).
As it is written: “He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
2 Corinthians 9:9
You are commanded to serve God. Jesus came "to serve" and "to give" – and those two verbs should define your life on earth too.
Who can you serve today? A better question may be; How can I serve each person around me today? Look for opportunities to serve those around you just as Jesus did.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The Healing of Two Blind Men.
Matthew 20:28
Every time we open our mouths, others look into our minds.
Regardless of the nature of your conversation with anyone, your words reflect your thoughts, and your thoughts reveal your values and priorities. Ask God to help you to choose your words wisely today in order that your words will reflect His character and provide a good example to others.
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
John 13:15
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
Allow your Christian values to guide your actions in everything you do. Fuel your Christian spirit by attending church, joining a bible study, or reading through the scriptures. Do this often and form a habit of becoming more Christ-like in everything you do.
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
Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one.
Don't compartmentalize your relationship with God. Open your heart, your soul, and your entire daily life to Him; Think About God throughout your day and include Him in everything you do. Enjoy your God, He's always there waiting for you.
Yet when you seek the LORD, your God, from there, you shall indeed find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 4:29
No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent.
Don't ever consent to being down. Look on the bright side of things and remember that God has a plan for you. When you feel things closing in around you, keep a positive attitude and seek out God's support through meditation and prayer.
Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Romans 12:11-12