Month: July 2020

Grace

Posted on July 31, 2020

THOUGHT:

Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace.

Challenge

By existing in this world we are bound to suffer, but God offers a remedy – Grace through His son Jesus Christ. Accept His gift each day and ask Him to pour it over you when you suffer.

Verse

The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.

Reference

1 Peter 5:10

Discipleship

Posted on July 30, 2020

THOUGHT:

God calls us to get into the game, not to keep score.

Challenge

Find a way to be active in your faith daily. Focus more time serving God and less time comparing yourself to others. Leave the score keeping to God.

Verse

Not that we dare to class or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Reference

2 Corinthians 10:12

Praise

Posted on July 29, 2020

THOUGHT:

The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own.

Challenge

God has blessed all of us with special talents and abilities. Find those buried treasures in others and communicate them through recognition and praise. It will bring out the best in both of you.

Verse

Each one helps his neighbor, one says to the other, "Courage!"

Reference

Isaiah 41:6

Discipleship

Posted on July 28, 2020

THOUGHT:

Take care of "being" before you start "doing."

Challenge

Seek to transform your mind so that you can be a more deeply devoted follower of Christ. As you do, you will realize what you need to be doing, and you will know that what you are doing is in His will.

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

Compassion

Posted on July 27, 2020

THOUGHT:

Under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

Challenge

Show appreciation and love to your family and friends every chance you get. Go out on a limb to show someone who is a little reluctant themselves to open up. In the end it will mean even more to them. Be gracious if you receive the same in return.

Verse

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

Reference

John 13:34

Discipleship

Posted on July 24, 2020

THOUGHT:

Don't go to church for information or inspiration, go for transformation.

Challenge

As you go to church this weekend, don't go with the hope of being informed or entertained. Go instead with the intention to be transformed by His word. Do this each week for transformation is a lengthy process.

Verse

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.

Reference

2 Corinthians 3:18

Service

Posted on July 23, 2020

THOUGHT:

Everyone has a purpose in life… a unique gift or special talent to give to others.

Challenge

Blend your unique talent with service to others and experience the joy and excitement of your spirit.

Verse

He said to them in reply, "Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."

Reference

Luke 3:11

Praise

Posted on July 22, 2020

THOUGHT:

Some people pay a compliment as if they expect a receipt.

Challenge

Give out compliments generously and sincerely without expectation of praise or thanks. Start today.

Verse

How can I repay the LORD for all the great good done for me?

Reference

Psalm 116:12

Gratitude

Posted on July 21, 2020

THOUGHT:

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Challenge

Show your gratitude to God today by living by his commandments. Carry the 10 commandments in your heart and let them guide your decisions today.

Verse

Take to heart these words which I command you today.

Reference

Deuteronomy 6:6

Love

Posted on July 20, 2020

THOUGHT:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Dr. Martin Luther King

Challenge

Show someone the light of God's love today by resolving your differences (no matter how big or small) peacefully and with an open mind.

Verse

You who love the LORD, hate evil, he protects the souls of the faithful, rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Reference

Psalm 97:10

Courage

Posted on July 17, 2020

THOUGHT:

Albert Einstein (4 of 4) Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Challenge

With the strength of the Holy Spirit, step out today and try something new. It's okay if you make a mistake. As long as you are moving with the Lord, He'll be with you to comfort you and catch you if you fall.

Verse

I hear the whispers of the crowd; terrors are all around me. They conspire together against me; they plot to take my life.

Reference

Psalm 31:14

Habits

Posted on July 16, 2020

THOUGHT:

Albert Einstein (3 of 4) I want to know God's thoughts; the rest are details.

Challenge

The best way to begin understanding God's thoughts is to read the Spirit inspired memoirs. Pick up your Bible today and read a familiar passage.

Verse

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Reference

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Discipleship

Posted on July 15, 2020

THOUGHT:

Albert Einstein (2 of 4) A person starts to live when he can live outside himself.

Challenge

When is the last time you lived for another? Take a minute and think about that question. God calls us to look for those in need and help them. Now go do it.

Verse

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us.

Reference

Philippians 3:17

Empathy

Posted on July 14, 2020

THOUGHT:

Albert Einstein (1 of 4) Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.

Challenge

As you meet with people today, take a minute to truly listen in an effort to gain more understanding of their situation. Empathize with their position before you respond and it will help you find a peaceful solution.

Verse

You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,

Reference

Acts 10:36

Priorities

Posted on July 13, 2020

THOUGHT:

Think big. If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big.

Challenge

When you are thinking big, Think About God – it doesn't get any bigger or better than that. Include God in your plans to ensure your priorities are always where they should be.

Verse

In whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.

Reference

Ephesians 3:12

Comfort

Posted on July 10, 2020

THOUGHT:

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.

Challenge

Pain in our life is inevitable, but let these experiences draw you closer to the Lord. It is in your pain when He shouts, "come to me and be comforted!"

Verse

At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

Reference

Hebrews 12:11

Joy

Posted on July 9, 2020

THOUGHT:

Try to see God in the tough stuff with the same clarity that you see Him in the fun stuff.

Challenge

The feelings of anxiety and joy are both blessings from God. Treat them as such and the feeling of joy will ultimately over take your anxiety.

Verse

But he said to her, "You speak as foolish women do. We accept good things from God; should we not accept evil?" Through all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Reference

Job 2:10

Fellowship

Posted on July 8, 2020

THOUGHT:

Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion.

Challenge

Celebrate something everyday no matter how small. Each day is a gift from God and therefore most worthy of celebration.

Verse

Justice and judgment are the foundation of your throne; mercy and faithfulness march before you. Blessed the people who know the war cry, who walk in the radiance of your face, LORD.

Reference

Psalm 89:15-16

Faith

Posted on July 7, 2020

THOUGHT:

Show me someone who has a faith that cannot be shaken, and I will show you someone whose faith has been shaken.

Challenge

Faith has a wonderful way of getting stronger when it has been tested. Use your trials as faith-builders, and recognize God's presence when you are in the middle of one.

Verse

For David says of him :"I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed."

Reference

Acts 2:25

Encouragement

Posted on July 6, 2020

THOUGHT:

As time passes, it is not what you said to your loved ones that will be remembered, but how they felt when they were with you.

Challenge

As you encounter your friends and family today, worry less about what you say to them and focus more on being loving and compassionate – the feeling can last a lifetime.

Verse

Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble.

Reference

1 Peter 3:8