Good is the enemy of Great.
We often fall short of greatness because we become too comfortable with being good at many things in our lives. As you prepare for the New Year, ask God for the inspiration and the energy to break out of your comfort zone in order that you can become a better version of you. In 2020, be the best you you can be.
Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
Acts 24:16
Look forward with faith, not backward with regret.
Yesterday is gone so don't dwell on what could have been. Instead, learn from the past and focus on making your todays and tomorrows better and more filled with faith, hope, and love with God at your side.
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does.
Be better today than you were yesterday. One of the challenges to being a better person is often in forgiving. What grudges are hardening your heart? Use Christ's example of forgiving and forgetting each and every day in order to stay on the path that God has laid out for you.
Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
Collosians 3:13
To win a race, your eyes need to be fixed on the finish line. To run the race of life, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Are you running in circles or staight down the center of the lane? Remember to focus your life on your Christian values and everything else will fall in place.
The Narrow Gate. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few. False Prophets.
Matthew 7:13-14
Gladly accept the gifts of the present hour.
When the hustle and bustle of daily life pull you from the moment you forfeit all the happiness that you could be living in right now. Focus on living in the moment more each day. As we prepare for the birth of Christ, remember that His coming was the greatest gift of all. Be present with the ones you love as you keep Christ in Christmas this year. MERRY CHRISTMAS from the TAGteam.
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
During this season of joy, find time today to call a friend and spend 5-10 minutes catching up, sharing fond memories and laughing together. It will be your prescription for happiness today. Instead of thinking to yourself, "this would be a good idea", pick up your phone and start dialing.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD had done great things for them."
Psalm 126:2
Haste manages all things badly.
Practice patience today, particularly with your family and friends. Take time to listen to their concerns and share in their joys. Your relationship with them will grow stronger.
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a lofty one.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
We tire of those pleasures we take, but never of those we give.
When was the last time you felt bad about making someone else feel good? The answer for most of us is never. So, when was the last time you made someone else feel good about themselves? Go make someone fell good today. What are you waiting for?
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.
Luke 6:38
What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Fear, doubt and procrastination...Un-affectionately known as the "Unholy Trio."; Where one is present, the other two are not far away. Don't allow them to rob you of your optimism, hope and your will to succeed. Think of 3 things right now that you would do if you knew you could not fail. Ask God for the courage to take the first step.
Jesus said to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea," it will be done.
Matthew 21:21
Kind people help each other even without noticing that they are doing so.
Good resides in each of us. Find more ways to be kind to others today. It is your actions, not your intentions that will nourish your spirit.
[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
You can give without loving, but you can not love without giving.
Giving doesn't have to be a gift. Show those you love just how much you love them by giving them a part of you (your time, your patience, your compassion, your encouragement, your understanding, …)
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.
John 3:16
When Mother Teresa received her Nobel Prize, she was asked, "What can we do to promote world peace?" She replied, "Go home and love your family."
World Peace starts at home. Take a few minutes tonight listening to your family. Tell them how much you love them and show them how much you care. These seeds of love will eventually grow far beyond your backyard.
Do not let love and fidelity forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3
Always do you best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.
Make sure you put your best into your giving of your time, talent and treasure to those in need. The world will become a better place for us all if you do.
My eyes look with glee on my wicked enemies; my ears shall hear what happens to my wicked foes. The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:12-14
I can forgive, but I cannot forget is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note – torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.
Make sure you clean the slate with those around you. Don't bring up the past in discussions with others, as this is a sign that it's not forgotten. The true test is to actually let it go, as God does for us.
[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
The pleasure of what we enjoy is lost by wanting more.
Take time today to think about your material, physical and spiritual blessings. Take one of these blessings which you may be taking for granted, and truly enjoy the pleasure it brings to your life. Do this everyday and you will find yourself wanting less.
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
The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.
We all at times in our lives have painted a vision of ourselves, and how we hoped life would turn out for us. This is a healthy exercise. Before you visualize your future today, Think About God and ask His intervention to shape your plans.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
Romans 8:18
The unity you have within your church may be the most powerful sermon those outside your church will ever hear.
Take a minute and reflect on the image you portray when they see you. Do people hear you complaining about the issues or praising the opportunities? Think before you speak. Voice your concerns with your church staff in private, and always praise the positives in public.
“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one,
John 17: 20-22
All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.
Does a goal of eternal happiness seem too lofty for you? This is God's promise to ALL those who believe in Him and follow His word. Spend more time today allowing your actions to reflect your desire to realize God's ultimate reward for you.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.
Philippians 4:13
Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
Surprise someone you may not get along with by showing kindness and lending them a helping hand. Most of us don't like surprises but this one will be unlike most and seen as an act of God [which it will be].
We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
The secret of happiness is not always in doing what one likes to do, but in liking what one has to do.
Ask God to provide you with the right attitude today in order that you can begin to develop a habit of seeing more of the positive elements of your daily tasks. The positive spirit that you begin to nurture and develop each day will transform you into a happier version of yourself and a better model of God's love to others.
And I saw that there is nothing better for mortals than to rejoice in their work; for this is their lot. Who will let them see what is to come after them?
Ecclesiastes 3:22
It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
Forgiving oneself is not easy; but the good news is that peace of mind is a result of doing so. Talk with God about your sin in prayer and ask for His forgiveness. This is the first step in finding the path to forgive yourself.
To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
Luke 1:77
Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror.
Don't dwell on the past, only use it to improve your future and those around you by repeating the good, avoiding the bad and sharing your blessings.
Though your beginning was small, your future will flourish indeed.
Job 8:7
Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, set in the hearts of honest men. Be careful that you don't take the day and leave out the gratitude.
Start your Thanksgiving day with prayful gratitude to God for all his blessings. Remember to say a heart filled prayer before taking your knife and fork upon your Thanksgiving feast. And finally, leave this blessed day with prayer once again. Happy Thanksgiving – the TAGteam!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name;
Psalm 100:4
There are no limits on what you can achieve with your life, except the limits you accept in your own mind.
God places no limits on what you can achieve – why do you? Think big, dream big and achieve big! With God all things are possible.
Jesus looked at them and said, "For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
Faith grows in the field of uncertainty.
Nurture your faith each day by feeding it with prayer, scripture and praise. Do so, and you can be certain of a bountiful harvest of grace and love.
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.
Hebrews 11:1
Patience is a strong antidote to anger.
Practice patience. In times of anger or frustration, pause before reacting. You will find a calming effect and discover that you need not react in anger, but instead react with the peace that thoughts of Jesus bring to mind.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27
The soul, while itself invisible, is vividly seen by what it does through the body.
Let your soul shine today. The kindness of your soul can pour out through a smile, a hug or a kind word to someone who is down.
[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32
Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
Choose hope, which is a blessing from God, and your glass is not only half full, but completely full. Take this energy to extend hope to someone else today.
Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for:
Job 6:8
God thought about you before you ever thought about Him.
Before you were even born, God set forth a purpose for your life. He created you with intentionality. Through daily prayer, ask God to continue to reveal the purpose He intended for you.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
Jeremiah 1:5
He who waits for God fails to understand that he possesses Him.
What are you waiting for? Believe that God and happiness are one, and put all your happiness in the present moment. Enjoy the moment.
As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Life in the Christian Community.
Acts 4:31