From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman Ministries
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."
For many people in the world, real meaning in life is the next vacation, career success, or stepping up the income ladder. It is a life based on pleasurable experiences. Many a human being has toiled their whole life to gain a pleasurable lifestyle only to find a life that is empty and meaningless. You only have to watch television for one evening to discover that advertisers want us to believe this is the goal of life. The work-to-play theme is consistent with most advertising messages.
Solomon was a man who had nothing withheld from his appetite. He was a great builder, a great businessman, and a great lover of women. Every imaginable pleasure was his. Nevertheless, he was to discover that these things alone could not satisfy the human soul.
The apostle Paul said there is only one way to find meaning and purpose in life: "May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe..." (Ephesians 1:17-19).
Knowing Christ brings the only real meaning and purpose to the human soul. Spend time today getting to know the Lord in a more intimate way. Then you will discover real meaning and purpose in life.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Amateurs
From: Our Daily Bread Ministries
Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, with your whole mind, and with all your strength."
The word amateur has been redefined over the years and has lost the luster of its original meaning. The English word comes from the Latin word amore, which means “to love.” An amateur is someone who does something simply for the love of it.
In today’s way of thinking, receiving payment moves you into a “higher” category—that of a professional. The reasoning is that if someone is willing to pay for your service, you must be really good. An amateur, therefore, is considered to have less skill or talent.
As I read my Bible, however, I see a different hierarchy of values. During the time of Jesus, the religious professionals were using their position to gain power and prestige for themselves, not to serve the people. Jesus didn’t choose those who were wise, mighty, or noble by human standards (1 Cor. 1:26). He sought those willing to follow Him and be trained for loving service.
In today’s world, the scene is much the same. God is still looking for “amateurs,” those who will serve the Lord for the sheer love of it. Compelled by our love for Jesus, may we, like the disciples and apostles before us, proclaim the love of God for the world by following Christ’s example of loving and serving others.
Matthew 22:37 "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, with your whole mind, and with all your strength."
The word amateur has been redefined over the years and has lost the luster of its original meaning. The English word comes from the Latin word amore, which means “to love.” An amateur is someone who does something simply for the love of it.
In today’s way of thinking, receiving payment moves you into a “higher” category—that of a professional. The reasoning is that if someone is willing to pay for your service, you must be really good. An amateur, therefore, is considered to have less skill or talent.
As I read my Bible, however, I see a different hierarchy of values. During the time of Jesus, the religious professionals were using their position to gain power and prestige for themselves, not to serve the people. Jesus didn’t choose those who were wise, mighty, or noble by human standards (1 Cor. 1:26). He sought those willing to follow Him and be trained for loving service.
In today’s world, the scene is much the same. God is still looking for “amateurs,” those who will serve the Lord for the sheer love of it. Compelled by our love for Jesus, may we, like the disciples and apostles before us, proclaim the love of God for the world by following Christ’s example of loving and serving others.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Discover Your Life's Purpose
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope."
Why were you born? What is your life's purpose? Can you write it down in a phrase or a sentence? Let's fast forward. What do you want on your tombstone? What few words would describe your priorities or your passion?
Clarity of purpose is a key to successful living:
* It guides us in our decision-making.
* It helps us to know when to say yes and when to say no.
* It determines where we will go in life. It's the difference between just existing and making a difference.
* Only through our Creator can we find our ultimate purpose; He created us for a purpose. No one is here by accident. God has a plan for every life--a destiny to fulfill.
What's yours?
I can't answer that question for you, but the One who created you can. Get to know Him through His Son Jesus, and His ever-insightful Word in Scripture. You'll be taking the first and most important step in discovering your life's purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope."
Why were you born? What is your life's purpose? Can you write it down in a phrase or a sentence? Let's fast forward. What do you want on your tombstone? What few words would describe your priorities or your passion?
Clarity of purpose is a key to successful living:
* It guides us in our decision-making.
* It helps us to know when to say yes and when to say no.
* It determines where we will go in life. It's the difference between just existing and making a difference.
* Only through our Creator can we find our ultimate purpose; He created us for a purpose. No one is here by accident. God has a plan for every life--a destiny to fulfill.
What's yours?
I can't answer that question for you, but the One who created you can. Get to know Him through His Son Jesus, and His ever-insightful Word in Scripture. You'll be taking the first and most important step in discovering your life's purpose.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
An Eternal Perspective
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries - Rick Warren
2 Corinthians 4:18 “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As we’ve been discussing, history is His story – that is, God’s story. From the book of Revelation we know that God’s global mission will be accomplished, and someday the Great Commission will be the Great Completion. In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him.
We can experience a little of what heaven will be like when we shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ to the eternal. To make the most of your time on earth, you must maintain an eternal perspective. This will keep you from majoring on minor issues and help you distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s ultimate.
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things. Jesus taught, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) And then Paul warned, “Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people! The Bible teaches, “By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19)
So what does this mean?
Throw off anything -- that you allow to stand in the way of your mission. What’s keeping you from being a world-class Christian? Whatever it is, let it go: “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Store up your treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20-21) – Jesus taught you should use the time, talent, and resources that God gives you to bring people to Christ. They will then be friends for eternity who will welcome you when you get to heaven!
Send it on ahead – What can you do today to invest in people? The investment may be your time, your talent, or your treasure. God guarantees it will be the best investment you make – an eternal investment that will also help you to live “a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19)
2 Corinthians 4:18 “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As we’ve been discussing, history is His story – that is, God’s story. From the book of Revelation we know that God’s global mission will be accomplished, and someday the Great Commission will be the Great Completion. In heaven an enormous crowd of people from “every race, tribe, nation, and language” will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him.
We can experience a little of what heaven will be like when we shift our thinking from the ‘here and now’ to the eternal. To make the most of your time on earth, you must maintain an eternal perspective. This will keep you from majoring on minor issues and help you distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s ultimate.
So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things. Jesus taught, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) And then Paul warned, “Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” (1 Corinthians 7:31)
You’ve probably heard the expression -- “You can’t take it with you”—but the Bible says you can send it on ahead, by investing in people! The Bible teaches, “By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19)
So what does this mean?
Throw off anything -- that you allow to stand in the way of your mission. What’s keeping you from being a world-class Christian? Whatever it is, let it go: “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Store up your treasures in heaven (Matt 6:20-21) – Jesus taught you should use the time, talent, and resources that God gives you to bring people to Christ. They will then be friends for eternity who will welcome you when you get to heaven!
Send it on ahead – What can you do today to invest in people? The investment may be your time, your talent, or your treasure. God guarantees it will be the best investment you make – an eternal investment that will also help you to live “a fruitful Christian life down here as well.” (1 Timothy 6:19)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Start Where You Are Right Now
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."
No matter where you are at this moment, if you haven't found God's plan for your life - stop what you're doing and start looking for it! There's nothing in your past or your present that He can't use. Maybe you've veered off course - we all have at one time or another. Read the stories of those God used and you'll discover that 'blowing it' isn't unusual. It's actually part of the learning curve.
When we come into this world kicking and screaming, none of us know exactly what we're supposed to do with our lives. That's okay. Just start where you are right now. When God puts your life on track, He begins by giving you a sense of hope. Only God-given hope will sustain you through the tough times.
Maybe you're wondering, "Am I ever going to get to where I'm supposed to be?" If that's how you feel today, read these words spoken by God to a group of people who'd spent their last 70 years in Babylonian slavery as a result of having done things the wrong way: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed… I'll turn things around for you." And those words are from God's mouth to your ear!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."
No matter where you are at this moment, if you haven't found God's plan for your life - stop what you're doing and start looking for it! There's nothing in your past or your present that He can't use. Maybe you've veered off course - we all have at one time or another. Read the stories of those God used and you'll discover that 'blowing it' isn't unusual. It's actually part of the learning curve.
When we come into this world kicking and screaming, none of us know exactly what we're supposed to do with our lives. That's okay. Just start where you are right now. When God puts your life on track, He begins by giving you a sense of hope. Only God-given hope will sustain you through the tough times.
Maybe you're wondering, "Am I ever going to get to where I'm supposed to be?" If that's how you feel today, read these words spoken by God to a group of people who'd spent their last 70 years in Babylonian slavery as a result of having done things the wrong way: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed… I'll turn things around for you." And those words are from God's mouth to your ear!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Stay Focused On Your Strengths
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
1 Timothy 4:14 "That special gift… you were given… keep that dusted off and in use."
Focused people don't hide their weaknesses or excuse them; instead they focus on their strengths! There's a story about a couple who decided to build a farm. Then they began to argue. The wife wanted to build the house first. The husband wanted to build the barn first to house the animals. They went back and forth until finally the man said, "Look, we have to build the barn first - because the barn will enable us to build the house, the garage, the silo, the childrens' swing set, and everything else!" When you focus on putting first things first, everything else is more likely to fall into place.
Anthony Campolo says, "What you commit yourself to, will change what you are and make you into a completely different person. The future conditions you, not the past. What you commit yourself to become, determines what you are - more than anything that ever happened to you yesterday. Therefore, I ask you, 'What are your commitments? Where are you going? What are you going to be?' Show me somebody who hasn't decided, and I'll show you somebody who has no identity, no personality, no direction.
"Focusing on weaknesses instead of strengths is like having a handful of coins, a few made of gold, the rest of tarnished copper, and setting aside the gold coins to spend your time shining the copper ones in hopes of making them more valuable. No matter how long you spend, they'll never be worth what the gold ones are. So, stay focused on your God-given strengths!
1 Timothy 4:14 "That special gift… you were given… keep that dusted off and in use."
Focused people don't hide their weaknesses or excuse them; instead they focus on their strengths! There's a story about a couple who decided to build a farm. Then they began to argue. The wife wanted to build the house first. The husband wanted to build the barn first to house the animals. They went back and forth until finally the man said, "Look, we have to build the barn first - because the barn will enable us to build the house, the garage, the silo, the childrens' swing set, and everything else!" When you focus on putting first things first, everything else is more likely to fall into place.
Anthony Campolo says, "What you commit yourself to, will change what you are and make you into a completely different person. The future conditions you, not the past. What you commit yourself to become, determines what you are - more than anything that ever happened to you yesterday. Therefore, I ask you, 'What are your commitments? Where are you going? What are you going to be?' Show me somebody who hasn't decided, and I'll show you somebody who has no identity, no personality, no direction.
"Focusing on weaknesses instead of strengths is like having a handful of coins, a few made of gold, the rest of tarnished copper, and setting aside the gold coins to spend your time shining the copper ones in hopes of making them more valuable. No matter how long you spend, they'll never be worth what the gold ones are. So, stay focused on your God-given strengths!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Discouragement Is A Choice
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late."
Life presents many opportunities to become discouraged. Some of you are discouraged over your children that their lives are not going well. Some of you are discouraged about your marriage; it’s not at all what you thought it would be. You feel deflated and disappointed. Some of you are discouraged about your finances, or your health, or the economy, or an unanswered prayer.
I want to say something to you, and it may sound mean, but it isn’t. It’s simply truth, so I say this in love: If you’re discouraged, that’s your choice.
We make a choice to be discouraged. We make a choice to let discouraging thoughts move freely through our minds. But, we can also make a choice to change our thoughts at any time, taking them captive in the Lord.
You get to choose what to focus on – your purpose or your problems, God’s power or your weakness, or your circumstances.
We can fight discouragement. Here’s a tip to help: When you get discouraged, focus somewhere else. Say to yourself, “I don’t have time to be discouraged right now. I’m too busy fulfilling my life mission.”
This doesn’t mean you should be a Pollyanna and pretend everything is okay. You can be realistic, but you also need to be optimistic because you are a Christian: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God says, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He will help you and he will strengthen you. Faith starts with optimism.
Some of you have been praying for something specific and you haven’t yet gotten the answer. In Habbakuk 2:3, God says, “These things I plan [for your life] won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.”
Just be patient. The answer you’re waiting for will not be overdue a single day. God’s timing is always perfect.
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late."
Life presents many opportunities to become discouraged. Some of you are discouraged over your children that their lives are not going well. Some of you are discouraged about your marriage; it’s not at all what you thought it would be. You feel deflated and disappointed. Some of you are discouraged about your finances, or your health, or the economy, or an unanswered prayer.
I want to say something to you, and it may sound mean, but it isn’t. It’s simply truth, so I say this in love: If you’re discouraged, that’s your choice.
We make a choice to be discouraged. We make a choice to let discouraging thoughts move freely through our minds. But, we can also make a choice to change our thoughts at any time, taking them captive in the Lord.
You get to choose what to focus on – your purpose or your problems, God’s power or your weakness, or your circumstances.
We can fight discouragement. Here’s a tip to help: When you get discouraged, focus somewhere else. Say to yourself, “I don’t have time to be discouraged right now. I’m too busy fulfilling my life mission.”
This doesn’t mean you should be a Pollyanna and pretend everything is okay. You can be realistic, but you also need to be optimistic because you are a Christian: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). God says, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). He will help you and he will strengthen you. Faith starts with optimism.
Some of you have been praying for something specific and you haven’t yet gotten the answer. In Habbakuk 2:3, God says, “These things I plan [for your life] won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.”
Just be patient. The answer you’re waiting for will not be overdue a single day. God’s timing is always perfect.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Stay Focused (2)
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Joshua 1:7 "Do not swerve either to the right or to the left that you may succeed wherever you go."
Focus does three things for you:
(1) It keeps you on target. We find ourselves pulled in a dozen different directions, spending much of our time and energy on things we don't really care about. Author Don Marquis put it this way: "Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, and are willing to go through hell to get it." The Bible says: "Let your eyes look straight ahead… Do not swerve to the right or the left" (Proverbs 4:25-27).
(2) It increases your energy. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. Focus gives you energy. Admiral Richard Byrd, the Polar explorer, said, "Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used." One of the reasons those wells go untapped is lack of focus. The mind doesn't reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives.
(3) It lifts you. It's been said that "the world stands aside to let anyone pass, who knows where he or she is going". In a sea of mediocrity, just knowing what you want to do and making an effort to pursue it, distinguishes you from almost everybody else. Henry David Thoreau asked, "Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated?" Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated - even if you don't accomplish what you desire, and even if others don't step aside for you. By trusting God and aiming higher, you move to a higher level.
Joshua 1:7 "Do not swerve either to the right or to the left that you may succeed wherever you go."
Focus does three things for you:
(1) It keeps you on target. We find ourselves pulled in a dozen different directions, spending much of our time and energy on things we don't really care about. Author Don Marquis put it this way: "Ours is a world where people don't know what they want, and are willing to go through hell to get it." The Bible says: "Let your eyes look straight ahead… Do not swerve to the right or the left" (Proverbs 4:25-27).
(2) It increases your energy. Attempting everything, like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. Focus gives you energy. Admiral Richard Byrd, the Polar explorer, said, "Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used." One of the reasons those wells go untapped is lack of focus. The mind doesn't reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives.
(3) It lifts you. It's been said that "the world stands aside to let anyone pass, who knows where he or she is going". In a sea of mediocrity, just knowing what you want to do and making an effort to pursue it, distinguishes you from almost everybody else. Henry David Thoreau asked, "Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly toward an object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated?" Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated - even if you don't accomplish what you desire, and even if others don't step aside for you. By trusting God and aiming higher, you move to a higher level.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Stay Focused
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Philippians 3:15 "Let's keep focused… those of us who want everything God has for us."
You become effective by being selective. It's human nature to get distracted. We're like gyroscopes, spinning around at a frantic pace but not getting anywhere. Without a clear purpose you keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, etc., hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think, 'This time it will be different,' but it doesn't solve your real problem - lack of focus.
The power of focusing can be seen in light. With a magnifying glass the rays of the sun can set paper on fire. But when light is focused even more as a laser beam, it can cut through steel. Nothing is as potent as a focused life. The men and women who make the greatest difference in life are the most focused. For instance, the Apostle Paul said, "I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing" (Philippians 3:13). Paul's obsession was to make Christ known.
So if you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Turn away from even good activities and do only that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity. Poet William Matthews wrote, "One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth a hundred shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day when so many things are clamouring for attention is concentration - to bend all our energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left." Does focus come easily or naturally? No, it's a discipline that must be practiced every day.
Philippians 3:15 "Let's keep focused… those of us who want everything God has for us."
You become effective by being selective. It's human nature to get distracted. We're like gyroscopes, spinning around at a frantic pace but not getting anywhere. Without a clear purpose you keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, churches, etc., hoping each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think, 'This time it will be different,' but it doesn't solve your real problem - lack of focus.
The power of focusing can be seen in light. With a magnifying glass the rays of the sun can set paper on fire. But when light is focused even more as a laser beam, it can cut through steel. Nothing is as potent as a focused life. The men and women who make the greatest difference in life are the most focused. For instance, the Apostle Paul said, "I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing" (Philippians 3:13). Paul's obsession was to make Christ known.
So if you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do less. Turn away from even good activities and do only that which matters most. Never confuse activity with productivity. Poet William Matthews wrote, "One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth a hundred shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day when so many things are clamouring for attention is concentration - to bend all our energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left." Does focus come easily or naturally? No, it's a discipline that must be practiced every day.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Resisting Discouragement
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
Galatians 6:9 "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up …"
There are many things that work to keep us from completing our life-missions. Over the years, I've debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can't get us to put off our life missions, then he'll try to get us to quit altogether.
The apostle Paul teaches that we need to resist discouragement: "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up …" Do you ever get tired of doing what's right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing. When we're discouraged, we become ineffective. When we're discouraged, we work against our own faith.
When I'm discouraged, I'm saying, "It can't be done." That's the exact opposite of saying, "I know God can do it because he said …."
Ask yourself these questions:
- How do I handle failure?
- When things don't go my way, do I get grumpy?
- When things don't go my way, do I get frustrated?
- When things don't go my way, do I start complaining?
- Do I finish what I start?
- How would I rate on persistence?
If you're discouraged, don't give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.
When an artist starts to create a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn't hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting it and hitting it, chipping away at the stone.
And that's true of life, too: Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy in life. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little-by-little your life becomes a masterpiece of God's grace.
The fact is, great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don't know how to quit.
Galatians 6:9 "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up …"
There are many things that work to keep us from completing our life-missions. Over the years, I've debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can't get us to put off our life missions, then he'll try to get us to quit altogether.
The apostle Paul teaches that we need to resist discouragement: "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up …" Do you ever get tired of doing what's right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing. When we're discouraged, we become ineffective. When we're discouraged, we work against our own faith.
When I'm discouraged, I'm saying, "It can't be done." That's the exact opposite of saying, "I know God can do it because he said …."
Ask yourself these questions:
- How do I handle failure?
- When things don't go my way, do I get grumpy?
- When things don't go my way, do I get frustrated?
- When things don't go my way, do I start complaining?
- Do I finish what I start?
- How would I rate on persistence?
If you're discouraged, don't give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.
When an artist starts to create a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn't hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting it and hitting it, chipping away at the stone.
And that's true of life, too: Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy in life. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little-by-little your life becomes a masterpiece of God's grace.
The fact is, great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don't know how to quit.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Seeing Your Trials The Right Way
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial."
Too many of us view our trials the way we watch television. Some televisions have a second channel in the corner of your screen that enables you to divide your focus and watch two programs at once. A lot of us try to superimpose our human viewpoint on the screen of God's will for our lives. God gives us a divine perspective, but then we open up a second screen - a human one - and try to figure it all out.
Don't waste your trials by trying to fit them into your limited vision and understanding or you'll end up frustrated. It's much better to trust God, rest in His wisdom and take Him at His word.
A Spiritual perspective on your trials will keep you from buckling under the weight of them when times are hard. When you begin to look at your trials from God's perspective, your Spirit is renewed and you're enabled to press on and receive what God has waiting for you.
James writes, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the Crown of Life" Now the Crown of Life is not just something you receive in Heaven, you can enjoy it today. And who's it for? Those who 'persevere'. When God gives you this Crown, He's saying, "You've passed another of life's tests, now you're ready for a new level of blessing."
Remember the wonderful feeling you had when you passed some of your hardest tests in school? Don't get discouraged. God is up to something good. Keep going - don't stop until you receive the Crown of Life.
James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial."
Too many of us view our trials the way we watch television. Some televisions have a second channel in the corner of your screen that enables you to divide your focus and watch two programs at once. A lot of us try to superimpose our human viewpoint on the screen of God's will for our lives. God gives us a divine perspective, but then we open up a second screen - a human one - and try to figure it all out.
Don't waste your trials by trying to fit them into your limited vision and understanding or you'll end up frustrated. It's much better to trust God, rest in His wisdom and take Him at His word.
A Spiritual perspective on your trials will keep you from buckling under the weight of them when times are hard. When you begin to look at your trials from God's perspective, your Spirit is renewed and you're enabled to press on and receive what God has waiting for you.
James writes, "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the Crown of Life" Now the Crown of Life is not just something you receive in Heaven, you can enjoy it today. And who's it for? Those who 'persevere'. When God gives you this Crown, He's saying, "You've passed another of life's tests, now you're ready for a new level of blessing."
Remember the wonderful feeling you had when you passed some of your hardest tests in school? Don't get discouraged. God is up to something good. Keep going - don't stop until you receive the Crown of Life.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
How God Measures Us
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
1 Samuel 16:7 "...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
How do you measure the worth of another person? Is it by their wealth, their position, their fame, their looks, their education, or their success?
I don't know how you would answer that question, but I can tell you how God measures the worth of a person. God's Word says, "God does not see man as man sees him. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
The heart speaks of a person's character, courage and spirit. So often when we measure the worth of a person we just look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the inside.
If that's the case, how does He measure you? If you had a heart exam today, what kind of heart would God find? The good news is this: God has given us a way to have a new heart and it's found through faith in Jesus Christ.
It's an interesting insight into life that when we begin to have the right heart through Christ, we begin to measure the worth of others God's way.
1 Samuel 16:7 "...for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
How do you measure the worth of another person? Is it by their wealth, their position, their fame, their looks, their education, or their success?
I don't know how you would answer that question, but I can tell you how God measures the worth of a person. God's Word says, "God does not see man as man sees him. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
The heart speaks of a person's character, courage and spirit. So often when we measure the worth of a person we just look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the inside.
If that's the case, how does He measure you? If you had a heart exam today, what kind of heart would God find? The good news is this: God has given us a way to have a new heart and it's found through faith in Jesus Christ.
It's an interesting insight into life that when we begin to have the right heart through Christ, we begin to measure the worth of others God's way.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Don't Look Back
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
Philippians 3:13–14 “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal. . . .”
If you want to run the race of life successfully, then don’t look back. If you ever have run a race and looked over your shoulder to see what your competitor was doing, then you know that looking back can break your stride and ultimately cause you to lose the race.
Paul, along the same lines, says in Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting those things which are behind. . . . ” If you are going to walk with the Lord, then you must forget the things that are behind. Here, the word “forget” doesn’t mean a failure to remember as much as it means no longer being influenced or affected by the past.
Here is what you need to do: Forget the things that are behind. While you may not be able erase them from your memory, you don’t need to let them influence you. Sometimes we dredge up the things God has forgiven and forgotten. The Lord says, “I will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Yet many times we will bring past sins up, forgetting the fact that our God has a big eraser.
If God has forgiven my sins and forgotten them, then I need to leave them behind, learn from my mistakes, not do the same thing again, and move forward. Why should we choose to remember what God has chosen to forget?
Philippians 3:13–14 “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal. . . .”
If you want to run the race of life successfully, then don’t look back. If you ever have run a race and looked over your shoulder to see what your competitor was doing, then you know that looking back can break your stride and ultimately cause you to lose the race.
Paul, along the same lines, says in Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting those things which are behind. . . . ” If you are going to walk with the Lord, then you must forget the things that are behind. Here, the word “forget” doesn’t mean a failure to remember as much as it means no longer being influenced or affected by the past.
Here is what you need to do: Forget the things that are behind. While you may not be able erase them from your memory, you don’t need to let them influence you. Sometimes we dredge up the things God has forgiven and forgotten. The Lord says, “I will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Yet many times we will bring past sins up, forgetting the fact that our God has a big eraser.
If God has forgiven my sins and forgotten them, then I need to leave them behind, learn from my mistakes, not do the same thing again, and move forward. Why should we choose to remember what God has chosen to forget?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Pruning
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
John 15:2 "...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."
Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy seeing things grow? If so, you understand the principle that a plant must be pruned in order to produce at its peak. Dead wood and unhealthy parts must be cut away.
Pruning is a reality in the garden, but it's also a very real part of human life. Because God loves us, sometimes He chooses to prune our lives. This may come through the loss of a job or a loved one, or a move away from something that's comfortable for us. It may happen in many ways when we face adversity.
What is accomplished by pruning? For the plant, it's a healthier and more vigorous growth with more fruit. For us, it's the ability to rely more completely on God, our source of life, and the ability to live a more spiritually secure and disciplined life.
Pruning is painful; but it allows us to live a more fruitful life. With God, pruning always gives us hope.
John 15:2 "...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."
Are you a gardener? Do you enjoy seeing things grow? If so, you understand the principle that a plant must be pruned in order to produce at its peak. Dead wood and unhealthy parts must be cut away.
Pruning is a reality in the garden, but it's also a very real part of human life. Because God loves us, sometimes He chooses to prune our lives. This may come through the loss of a job or a loved one, or a move away from something that's comfortable for us. It may happen in many ways when we face adversity.
What is accomplished by pruning? For the plant, it's a healthier and more vigorous growth with more fruit. For us, it's the ability to rely more completely on God, our source of life, and the ability to live a more spiritually secure and disciplined life.
Pruning is painful; but it allows us to live a more fruitful life. With God, pruning always gives us hope.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Time Is Short!
From: Jack Graham Powerpoint Ministries
James 4:14 "You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes."
This verse is a challenging reminder to make every day count!
It can be easy to get distracted by problems or vain pursuits… or even to get weighed down in the same routine from day to day… and forget that God created you with specific plans in mind.
He wants your relationship with Him to deepen with every passing day… He wants to develop your Christian character… and He wants to use you to touch the lives of others.
God desires for you to experience a life of purpose and meaning here on this earth… and to be spiritually prepared to spend eternity with Him.
But time is short! And life can be filled with unexpected turns. So it’s important not to waste the days that God has given you but to make every day count for Him.
James 4:14 "You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes."
This verse is a challenging reminder to make every day count!
It can be easy to get distracted by problems or vain pursuits… or even to get weighed down in the same routine from day to day… and forget that God created you with specific plans in mind.
He wants your relationship with Him to deepen with every passing day… He wants to develop your Christian character… and He wants to use you to touch the lives of others.
God desires for you to experience a life of purpose and meaning here on this earth… and to be spiritually prepared to spend eternity with Him.
But time is short! And life can be filled with unexpected turns. So it’s important not to waste the days that God has given you but to make every day count for Him.
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