Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Quality Makes the Difference

Quality Makes the Difference

11/30

1 John 4:7

Sometimes we think that the busier we are, the more we are doing in the kingdom of God. But it is not how much we do, it is the quality of what we do that makes the difference. Most people will admit that they need to spend more of their time developing good relationships.

 

You can’t be a good friend to somebody if you never put any time into your relationship. Ask God to bring someone to mind that He would like for you to bless today. Then follow through and let that person know that God brought them to your heart.

 

Listen to God... Don’t Get Burned Out...Be Led by the Holy Spirit

Listen to God

 

Proverbs 19:20

You may wonder, "How do I know when to confront someone about an issue, and when to let it go?" If you are too eager to set someone straight, it may not be God motivating you. Correction must be done in love to build up the person and not tear them down. Always pray and wait until you know what God wants you to do.

 

You must be led of the Spirit. If after prayer you still feel that you are to talk to someone about their behavior, be absolutely sure that you are doing it for their good and not yours. If it is what God has told you to do, you may not even want to do it, but it will be done as an act of obedience to Him. Whatever you do, do it in love

 

Don't Get Burned Out

 

Ephesians 4:23

Expect God to show you something new today. Some people resist change, but God created us to need variety in our life. If we do the same thing over and over, we get burned out on it. God will keep our lives exciting if we seek Him everyday.

 

Look for new ways of doing things. If you have been working on the same job for thirty years, driving to it the same way, at least find a new route you can take once in a while to get there. Do something to invite newness into your life so you can discover God's many ways of revealing Himself to you.

 

Be Led by the Holy Spirit

 

Romans 8:14

We live in a society in which people are driven to engage in many activities. We can get almost too tired to move from doing so much in a day, but busyness is not the kind of life to which God has called us.

 

God will not drive us to do things; He will lead us by putting in our heart what we are supposed to do. If you follow the Holy Spirit, you may have to say no to some activities that you are saying yes to right now. If what you are doing leaves you drained and worn out, you may not have God's anointing to do it. When He leads you to do something, He will also energize you to fulfill your true call.

 

Prune your life of things that drain you, and trust God to lead you to the works that keep you growing and healthy.

Change, Don't Complain

11/26

1 Corinthians 10:23

People complain about stress, but some people would rather complain than change. It is easy to be frightened at the thought of jumping off life's high-speed treadmill, especially if you aren't sure what to give up in order to slow down your life.

 

God wants you to enjoy a beautiful life with simplicity, sanity, and clear direction. That only comes by spending time with Him, reading His Word, talking to Him, and listening for His response. If you are too busy to get alone with Him each day, then set some boundaries in your life. Say no to whatever is keeping you from starting your day with God.

 

Rest Awhile

11/27

Matthew 11:28

Getting stress out of your life takes more than prayer alone. You must take action to make changes and stop doing whatever is causing the stress. You can learn to calm down in the way you handle things.

 

Jesus invited us to come to Him if we are overburdened. He promised to refresh us if we are weary, worn out, or over worked. Take time to go to Jesus anytime you feel that you are going over the edge of peace and into the pit of stress. Let His presence refill and refresh you.

 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Come Apart to Stay Together

 

 

Come Apart to Stay Together

11/28

Isaiah 32:17

If you are feeling compelled to do so much that you are physically worn out, you may be driven instead of led. Remember, you have to come apart from a busy routine before you come apart yourself. You have to get away from everything before you come apart physically, mentally, and emotionally. Give yourself time to get a good night’s sleep.

 

It is tempting to do everything that everybody else is doing, be involved in everything, know everything, hear everything, and be everywhere, but it isn’t God’s best for you. Be willing to separate yourself from compulsive activity before you come apart at the seams! Spend time with God, and ask Him to give order to your day.   

 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Accept Responsibility...Start Something...Start Something Good

Accept Responsibility

2 Corinthians 13:11

Each one of us needs to accept our responsibility to do what is right in God’s eyes, whether others do the right thing or not. Otherwise we will have a standoff:

“Well, if you won’t say you’re sorry, then I won’t say I’m sorry.”

“You’re not nice, so I’m not going to be nice.”

“You haven’t given me a compliment in a year, so I’m not giving you one either.”

That attitude gets relationships in trouble. God wants us to live above the pettiness of selfish arguments by loving on another.

 

Start Something

Romans 12:9-11

If all of us started having a Godly attitude, it would catch hold and spread like a virus. Wouldn’t it be great if we could spread a good virus?

 

Imagine the whispers: “Have you heard? There’s something wonderful going around. Have you caught it? It is running rampant all over the place. Everywhere you look, people have a new attitude!”

 

Let’s start something today! Let’s decide to think like Christ. Let’s decide to love everyone we meet today. And pass the word so that everybody catches on to it.

 

Start Something Good

Zechariah 8:12

Start something good in someone’s life today.  Sow faith for a healing. Sow hope for a restoration. A sincere compliment can sow confidence in someone who is starving for encouragement. Your forgiveness of an ongoing offense can sow a seed for a miracle breakthrough in that situation.

 

Pray for someone else’s need, or make a special offering to start something positive in the name of the Lord. Remember, God won’t ask you to sow anything that He doesn’t give you the grace to give. Enjoy the abundant harvest that is returned to your own life when you sow into someone else’s life.

 

Be Christ’s Bond Servant

 

Be Christ's Bond Servant

11/21

2 Corinthians 3:17

Paul said that he would not become the slave of anything or anyone but Jesus Christ: "Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power" (1 Corinthians 6:12)." He also said, "If I had been trying to be popular with people, I would not now be a bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ" (see Galatians 1:10).

 

If you let other people control you, you will not fulfill the call of God on your life. If you let their rejection frighten you and change your focus, you won't do what God wants you to do. Be a slave only to God, and a servant to people on His behalf.

 

Follow Jesus

Follow Jesus

11/22

Some people wanted to follow Jesus, but they were afraid they would be put out of the synagogue (see John 12:42). Some people are still afraid to follow the Lord because they might be put out of their family, their group, or even their church.

 

Eventually, there will only be one person to face – God. You won’t want Him to say, “I had so much for you, but you didn’t receive it because you were too concerned about what people thought; you were a people-pleaser.” Jesus wasn’t swayed by men’s opinions, threats, judgments, or criticisms. Follow Jesus, and enjoy life.

 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Enjoy a New Beginning

Enjoy a New Beginning

 

Psalm 130:4

People sometimes tell me, “I did something wrong, and I just don’t know if God can ever forgive me of it.” Even when we have made serious mistakes, there is always a place of forgiveness and a new beginning in Christ. When we have a new beginning with Christ, we don’t have to mourn over the past. We just have to repent and go on. We don’t need to repent again and again.

 

If you know the character of God, you know He will forgive any sin, no matter how terrible, because to Him sin is sin. Remember, God can make miracles out of mistakes. If you need forgiveness today, simply confess to the Lord what you have done, and enjoy your new beginning (see 1 John 1:9). It begins at the moment of forgiveness.

 

Trust God

Trust God

 

Psalm 5:11

Many wounded people don’t know how to get what they really need, so they wallow in self-pity.  God once told me, you can be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both.”

 

Taking our eyes off of ourselves enables us to look to God. This positions us to trust Him to meet every need in our lives. God knows exactly what we need, and He promises to provide it through His abundant grace and mercy.

 

Ask Him to fill you with His power today, and trust Him as Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider (see Genesis 22: 14 KJV).

 

Don’t Get Rattled

 

Don't Get Rattled

 

Hebrews 12:3

We have authority over the devil, but that doesn't mean he will never come against us. Resisting the devil doesn't rid us of the problem. But standing in the faith of God's promises while we are waiting for God to do something keeps us from acting like the devil ourselves.

 

Don't get rattled about the devil. If he causes problems for you today, just say, "Forget it, devil! I am not staying hurt, bitter, wounded, or angry. My trust is in God. I am a Christian – Watch me be happy."

Let Christ Live Through You

 

Let Christ Live Through You

 

Galatians 2:20

Some people need to unlearn some things before they can start learning what God wants for them. For example, some people try to manipulate others with their self-pity or anger. They believe these emotional tools will get what they want from others. Some people who have been hurt or abused feel that they have to take care of themselves because nobody else will.

 

Both attitudes display the common fear, “What about me? What about me?” But Paul offers us a life-changing principle to follow: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20 NIV). When Christ lives through you, you will enjoy every day of your life.

 

Opportunity Brings Opposition

 

Opportunity Brings Opposition

 

James 1:25

Many people agree with a sermon or a Scripture, but they don’t apply it in their everyday life, so nothing changes. They think that just because they agree with the Word, it should bring change into their life.

 

But change doesn’t happen automatically; a person has to be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only. Jesus said, “Keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Enjoy Liberty

Enjoy Liberty

 

James 1:12

Life is miserable when we won’t listen to anybody else, or when we get mad every time somebody doesn’t agree with us.  To be so emotionally ruled and controlled that we are stressed every time something doesn’t go our way is bondage. When Jesus sets us free, it means that we are free not to get upset just because we don’t get everything we want.

 

It is wonderful to be free. We can give thanks for the liberty to receive God’s help and walk in patience despite our circumstances. Our lives can be happy, blessed, and peaceful. We can experience joy no matter what the situation may be.

 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Wait for God’s Justice

Wait for God's Justice

 

Colossians 3:24

When you really trust God, He will bring justice into your life. Isaiah 61:7 the Lord says "For your former shame I will give you a double reward" (paraphrased). If someone has mistreated you, rejected you, abused you, or abandoned you, hold on to that promise. You have many blessings ahead of you. Trust God with your future, and enjoy your day as you wait for God's justice.

Lend a Helping Hand

Lend a Helping Hand

11/14

Mathew 23:11

If we help someone become what God wants them to be, God will send someone along to help us be everything God wants us to be.

 

One day I asked one of our musicians if he would like to do something that needed to be done. He said, “I will do whatever you tell me to do; I am here to serve you.”

 

He said, “it doesn’t matter if I want to or not. Tell me what you want me to do, and I will do it.” He was anointed to help others and enjoyed doing whatever needed to be done.

 

To enjoy your day, be ready to help people with whatever God has called them to do.

 

Thursday, November 10, 2011

My Table of 8

"Today may there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."


 

Hi, My name is Rose.

 
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.

She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'


'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old.. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.


When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!


These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.


REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Pass this message on to 7 people. You will receive a miracle tomorrow ( if you don't think so....look out your window when you wake in the morning and think about it )

If you choose not, then you refuse to bless someone else.

'Good friends are like stars..... .....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.'
 

 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Spiritual Warfare

 

Spiritual Warfare

 

Colossians 3:15

You are waging spiritual warfare when you give radical praise to God in the midst of your need. When you are thankful to God for all He has done and is doing, you are defeating the enemy. When you hold your peace in the midst of the storm, you are warring with spiritual weapons (see 2 Corinthians 104-5).

 

Jesus said, “Peace I leave you; My [own] peace I now give and  bequeath to you…[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled]” (John 14:27). Jesus has given you peace! Put it on, and wear it everywhere you go.

 

GROCERY LIST

GROCERY LIST: 

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. 

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. 

She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. 

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.'

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store. 

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?'

Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'O.K' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.' 

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. 

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. 

The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.' 

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:

'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.' 

The grocer gave her the groceries that she had gathered and stood in stunned silence.

Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.' 

THE POWER: When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do.

Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune...then please send this to all your friends and relatives... 

I believe if you will send this testimony out with prayer in faith, you will receive what you need God to do in you and your families' life...

So dear heart, trust God to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Amen & Amen!!! 

Don't break this, please!

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards.

May you always walk with Angels

God Bless!

I AM CLAIMING THIS FOR YOU...Three things will happen to you this coming week: 

(1) You will find favor with someone you don't expect;

(2) You will be too relevant to be ignored;

(3) You will encounter God and you will never remain the same, Amen.

My prayer for you today: 

The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hands that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever. Remain in God's love as you send this prayer to everybody on your list. Have a lovely journey of life! Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will never fail you because He is Awesome!

TAKE 60 SECONDS and send this on quickly and within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves. Remain Blessed!!! 

Peace and Blessings...In God we trust, let's keep it that way!

Praise God, He is All Merciful!!!!

 

Don’t Stay Angry...Go on Through...Be Determined

Don't Stay Angry

11/4

Psalm 37:8

The Word tells us another way to resist temptation" "When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]" (Ephesians 4:26-27).

 

Paul said that we should forgive people to keep Satan from gaining an advantage over us (see 2 Corinthians 2:10-11). If someone offends you, get over it quickly so you won't leave open a door for the devil. It is a sin to hold anger and bitterness, so never go to sleep mad. If you forgive everyone before you fall asleep, freedom from wrong attitudes in your heart will help you start your day right the next morning.

 

Go on Through

11/5

Psalm 23:4

Knowing God personally requires trusting Him through the bad times in life and not running away from trials. It requires being faithful to do whatever He says to do, being steadfast while waiting for Him to work out your problems.

 

You understand how faithful and how good God is when you see His deliverance in your life. You can't get that certainty by reading a book about Him. Your faith increases by going through hard times and seeing His presence make a difference in your life. Don't run away from God during tests and trials; draw near to Him, and listen for His voice of assurance.

 

Be Determined

11/6

Ephesians 2:5

Paul said, "My determined purpose is, that I may know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, the power that lifts me out from among the dead, even while I am in the body" (see Philippians 3:10-11).

 

You can use every day to get to know God in a deeper way. Read the bible for understanding of what He wants to reveal to you, and receive His grace to be lifted out of every past fault. Let His power lift you into life His way.

 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Stand Up!

 

Stand!

11/2

Isaiah 46:9-10

There may be times when it seems that you cannot go forward, but at least you do not have to go backward. You may not know how to forge ahead, but you can stand firmly on what you know of God.

 

Instead of passively yielding to the enemy, you can say, “This is the ground I have gained, and I am not giving it up, devil. You are not driving me back into the hole that God pulled me out of.  I am going to stand strong in the power of God until He delivers me.”