Month: July 2017

Service

Posted on July 28, 2017

THOUGHT:

Ink, if not used, will dry up.

Challenge

God has blessed you with so many talents to allow you to serve Him and others. It is your responsibility to develop these skills and then to use them. Take time today to write down a few ways you can use your God-given abilities to help others. Now act before your ink dries up!

Verse

For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them. One in Christ.

Reference

Ephesians 2:10

Character

Posted on July 27, 2017

THOUGHT:

Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.

Challenge

Be an ambassador of Christ by giving a smile, an accolade, praise or comfort to everybody you encounter today. Your actions will truly make a difference for somebody.

Verse

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Reference

2 Corinthians 5:20

Faith

Posted on July 26, 2017

THOUGHT:

I'm not afraid of tomorrow because I know God's always there.

Challenge

Imagine every where you go you find God waiting for you there. How comforting. Now turn that imagination into faith and you will find it is a reality. God is always there for you. Take comfort in that reality.

Verse

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.

Reference

Hebrews 11:1

Evangelism

Posted on July 25, 2017

THOUGHT:

If you had the cure to cancer wouldn't you share it?†& You have the cure to death†& get out there and share it.

Challenge

Have you ever thought of eternal salvation that way? Rejoice that you now have and be a beacon for Christ by spreading your faith far and wide.

Verse

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Reference

matthew 28:19-20

Faith

Posted on July 24, 2017

THOUGHT:

If there's a single lesson that life teaches us, it's that wishing alone doesn't make it so.

Challenge

Replace wishing with praying and believing in God. Wishing by itself has no power, while praying puts the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit on your team. Now that's a powerful team to help make it so.

Verse

Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.’”

Reference

John 7:38

Change

Posted on July 21, 2017

THOUGHT:

Every moment a beginning. Every moment an end.

Challenge

Your life is dynamic and ever-changing. It is truly a series of starts and stops. Sometimes you have no control of the changes and their timing. Most of the time you do. So the next time you're seeking changes in your life, include God in the process and make the most of the moments that follow.

Verse

III - I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel with my eye upon you.

Reference

Psalm 32:8

Attitude

Posted on July 20, 2017

THOUGHT:

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.

Challenge

Some of our daily tasks are less exciting than others, but the results are still a reflection of you. Do your God given best in all things in honor of Him.

Verse

Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.

Reference

2 Timothy 2:15

Love

Posted on July 19, 2017

THOUGHT:

The sign of a beautiful person is they always see the beauty in others.

Challenge

Have you ever thought that your beauty as a person can be seen through how you recognize the beauty in others? Look for the inner beauty in others around you and acknowledge it through praise.

Verse

Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God.

Reference

1 Peter 3:3-4

Love

Posted on July 18, 2017

THOUGHT:

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.

Challenge

Let that thought settle in - God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. Have you ever considered how amazing it is that God wants to have such a special relationship with you? Are you doing your part?

Verse

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.

Reference

John 3:16

Faith

Posted on July 17, 2017

THOUGHT:

Instead of living in the shadows of yesterday, walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

Challenge

The past is the past. You can learn from it, but you can't change it. Let it go and live in the moment with faith in the future. Invite God to walk by your side and your today and tomorrow will be much brighter.

Verse

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Reference

1 John 1:7

Courage

Posted on July 13, 2017

THOUGHT:

A comfort zone can be a wonderful place, but nothing ever grows there.

Challenge

You are often encouraged to "Get out of your comfort zone." Better advice may be to "expand" your comfort zone. Maintain the positive characteristics that define you, but ask God for the courage to stretch and grow closer to Him with your new experiences.

Verse

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.

Reference

2 Timothy 1:7

Attitude

Posted on July 12, 2017

THOUGHT:

Work joyfully and peacefully knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results.

Challenge

We are all faced with daily challenges. Take comfort that with the right thoughts, the right efforts AND your reliance on God, you will get the right results.

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

Phillipians 4:8

Guidance

Posted on July 11, 2017

THOUGHT:

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.

Challenge

Control your life by making good choices each and every day. Look to the Lord your God for direction and pray for His guidance to keep you on the right path.

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

Wisdom

Posted on July 10, 2017

THOUGHT:

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

Challenge

Learn to forgive yourself for your sins – God does. Learn from your sins, but don't punish yourself for them.

Verse

Psalm 32 Remission of Sin - Of David. A maskil. I - Blessed is the one whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven.

Reference

Psalm 32:1

Courage

Posted on July 7, 2017

THOUGHT:

Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.

Challenge

Ask God for the courage and humility to ask others for help. Your openness to receive help will provide an opportunity for those close to you to benefit from the joy of being a Christian.

Verse

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

Reference

Ephesians 4:29

Attitude

Posted on July 6, 2017

THOUGHT:

If God had made eleven commandments, the eleventh might have been Thou Shalt Not Whine.

Challenge

We live in a world that can, at times, be more pessimistic than optimistic. Don't surrender to the negativity and whining from those around you. Be a positive example to everyone you encounter today.

Verse

Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world,

Reference

Philippians 2:14-15

Courage

Posted on July 5, 2017

THOUGHT:

If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody is not thinking.

Challenge

As Christians we are called to think for ourselves and stand for Christ. Make a concerted effort today to stand apart from those around you so everyone can see Christ in you.

Verse

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.

Reference

Romans 12:2

Praise

Posted on July 3, 2017

THOUGHT:

July 4th ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. – John Adams

Challenge

As you celebrate the freedoms you enjoy this weekend, remember that our devotion to God is key to this freedom. Thank God with open prayer when you gather with others this weekend.

Verse

Let bronze be brought from Egypt, Ethiopia hurry its hands to God.

Reference

Psalm 68:32