Month: August 2017

Attitude

Posted on August 31, 2017

THOUGHT:

You can either complain that rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.

Challenge

Your attitude affects your perception and your actions. Look for the beauty in everything you see today, allowing God's presence within you to be an example for others.

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

Courage

Posted on August 30, 2017

THOUGHT:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.

Challenge

Fear and pessimism can be paralyzing. Ask God for the courage and the positive spirit to overcome today's obstacles, so that you can hit the "high notes" of your life that He has planned for you.

Verse

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.

Reference

Jeremiah 29:11

Determination

Posted on August 29, 2017

THOUGHT:

At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils. And with boiling water comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train.

Challenge

Never give up… You may only be one step away from generating the heat you need to drive you to accomplish your goals. With God all things are possible!

Verse

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.

Reference

Philippians 4:13

Kindness

Posted on August 28, 2017

THOUGHT:

Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.

Challenge

You don't need a reason to help someone else. Find a way to be kind to EVERYONE you meet today. It will not only change the way you feel about yourself, it will change you.

Verse

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Reference

Luke 6:35

Praise

Posted on August 25, 2017

THOUGHT:

The Holy Spirit does not just give believers a gift, the Holy Spirit IS the gift.

Challenge

Don't be paralyzed with inaction trying to identify your "best" spiritual gift. Instead, focus on the ultimate gift, your relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. He gave us this gift so that we could always find it easy to be close to Him and serve Him.

Verse

The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.

Reference

John 14:26

Habits

Posted on August 24, 2017

THOUGHT:

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.

Challenge

Watch what you say and always make sure it would be pleasing to Christ. Angry, hateful, condescending, and other negative words hurt not only those who they are aimed at, but put us in a dark place too. See the light and speak respectfully and kindly to everyone you encounter.

Verse

And I saw that wisdom has as much profit over folly as light has over darkness.

Reference

Ecclesiastes 2:13

Discipleship

Posted on August 23, 2017

THOUGHT:

In today's climate, maximizing and preserving your investments is your biggest challenge.

Challenge

Jesus tells you the way to preserve your investments beyond the grave is to store them in heaven. Begin your permanent savings account today by using some of your talents, resources, and experiences to help someone who is in need.

Verse

Treasure in Heaven. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. The Light of the Body.

Reference

Matthew 6:19-21

Discipleship

Posted on August 22, 2017

THOUGHT:

God may use the pain of your past for His purposes in the present.

Challenge

Who is better to comfort someone with cancer than one who has had cancer? Who is better to council someone going through divorce than one who has been divorced? Who is better to help someone kick their addiction than one who has been addicted. If God has brought you through a painful experience, look for a way to use that experience to comfort someone today.

Verse

As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.

Reference

1 Peter 4:19

Attitude

Posted on August 21, 2017

THOUGHT:

It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow.

Challenge

Whether you feel as if you are under the black cloud, or enjoying the sunshine, remember to take a positive attitude with you today and maintain it with all those around you. Your positive influence and example to others is one of the best way to experience and reflect the many colors of God's love.

Verse

Declare them guilty, God; make them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many sins; for they have rebelled against you.

Reference

Psalm 5:11

Attitude

Posted on August 18, 2017

THOUGHT:

We should concern ourselves less with viruses that enter our body and make us sick, and concern ourselves more with the vices that come from within us and prove that we are.

Challenge

Consider the amount of time you spend each day trying to keep your body healthy; taking medications, eating healthy, and exercising. Today, take that same amount of time and use it to keep your soul healthy; take time to read the Bible, exercising the opportunity to pray, and helping someone in need.

Verse

“But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles. From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Reference

Mark 7:20-23

Joy

Posted on August 17, 2017

THOUGHT:

If you think you will be happy tomorrow, remember that tomorrow never arrives.

Challenge

Don't put your happiness off until a point in the future. Today is a gift from God. Treat it that way. It is okay to plan for tomorrow, but not at the expense of enjoying today.

Verse

If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

Reference

Matthew 6:30

Attitude

Posted on August 16, 2017

THOUGHT:

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Challenge

You get what you focus on in life. You can choose to focus on the suffering, or the joy that comes from overcoming it. What are you focusing on today?

Verse

This is my comfort in affliction, your promise that gives me life.

Reference

Psalm 119:50

Attitude

Posted on August 15, 2017

THOUGHT:

Everything is either an opportunity to learn and grow or an obstacle that keeps you stuck. You get to choose.

Challenge

Turn every obstacle you encounter today into a learning opportunity. Adopt the mindset that you either "Win or Learn". With that mindset, you cannot lose.

Verse

Instruct the wise, and they become still wiser; teach the just, and they advance in learning.

Reference

proverbs 9:9

Character

Posted on August 14, 2017

THOUGHT:

Vacillation is the prominent feature of weakness of character.

Challenge

The ability to make up your mind inspires self-confidence, gives inner strength and commands respect from others. Don't ever be afraid to make decisions and make commitments. Just make them by following your heart and by doing what you know is the right thing to do.

Verse

Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.

Reference

Matthew 5:37

Priorities

Posted on August 11, 2017

THOUGHT:

You will never have this day again, so make it count.

Challenge

It often takes a tragedy to make us appreciate how special each day is. Make today special. Start by doing something for someone that makes their day special.

Verse

Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

Reference

Matthew 6:34

Kindness

Posted on August 10, 2017

THOUGHT:

Speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.

Challenge

It's easy to say, but I challenge you to do it today. Trust in God for the rest.

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

Wisdom

Posted on August 9, 2017

THOUGHT:

Three things that never return: The spoken words, the sped arrows and the neglected opportunities.

Challenge

We all have regrets about things we may have said and done or things that we failed to say or do. No one can turn back the hands of time, but you can still redeem yourself for your past actions or inactions starting with how you live your life today. Are you taking advantage of the opportunity or neglecting it again?

Verse

Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.

Reference

Isaiah 43:18-19

Service

Posted on August 8, 2017

THOUGHT:

One hand can not tie a bundle.

Challenge

Life is not only more productive when you lend a hand to others or allow others to help you, it is more meaningful and happy. Open your hands and your heart more fully to others and to God today. You will be amazed how it will lift your spirit.

Verse

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.

Reference

Hebrews 13:16

Evangelism

Posted on August 7, 2017

THOUGHT:

The way you store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people there.

Challenge

Invest your time and talent in sharing the word of God. Don't be afraid, God will be there with you giving you the strength and courage to brag about His Son - your savior.

Verse

Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.

Reference

Galatians 2:20