From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Proverbs 16:3 "Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
Have you ever written down some God-given goals to keep you from being a drifter? Without goals, you’re a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure. Most people don’t plan to fail. They simply don’t plan.
How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God-given goal?
· First, have you prayed over it and asked for God’s blessing?
· Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled?
· Third, does it demand the very best in you?
· Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out-of-bounds from God.
Take some time now; it’s time to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Godly Resolutions
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
Romans 14:12 "Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God."
Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Right now, people are planning their New Year's Resolutions.
Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or television or overeating. Others are going to try to change wicked habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper.
Many people will try to start new habits like getting in shape physically. Health clubs love the first of the year, because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week.
But most of those people never follow through, because they were not serious in the first place.
There are different, more important resolutions you want to make for 2009. There are godly habits you want to start and ungodly habits you want to break.
It has been said, "A habit is like cable. We weave a thread of it every day until at last we cannot break it." That can be a good or a bad thing depending on your habits.
This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord.
Romans 14:12 "Every one of us will have to give an account of himself before God."
Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Right now, people are planning their New Year's Resolutions.
Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or television or overeating. Others are going to try to change wicked habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper.
Many people will try to start new habits like getting in shape physically. Health clubs love the first of the year, because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week.
But most of those people never follow through, because they were not serious in the first place.
There are different, more important resolutions you want to make for 2009. There are godly habits you want to start and ungodly habits you want to break.
It has been said, "A habit is like cable. We weave a thread of it every day until at last we cannot break it." That can be a good or a bad thing depending on your habits.
This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Finding Your Calling
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
Ephesians 1:17-18 "May God, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know Him clearly. May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you."
We can all think of a bad day at work, but can you think of any time when you were "in the zone" - a moment where you enjoyed your task, you were caught up in your work and lost track of time? What were you doing at that moment? What skills were you using? What was it that caused you to be passionate about the work? Understanding the answers to these questions will often help you better understand how to best use your time and talents - a calling.
A calling is when we are passionately using our God-given gifts in a way that pleases Him. We are not talking about your personality profile, but about those God-given gifts listed in the Bible like teaching, counseling, generosity, administration, and prayer, among many others. Kirk Livingston, CEO of a communications company, sums it up, "When we find ourselves involved with God at work, we also begin to find the work we were meant to do." And that's how we discover our true calling from God.
Have you discovered your calling? If not, pray and search for God's will. Over time, He'll reveal it to you.
Ephesians 1:17-18 "May God, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know Him clearly. May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you."
We can all think of a bad day at work, but can you think of any time when you were "in the zone" - a moment where you enjoyed your task, you were caught up in your work and lost track of time? What were you doing at that moment? What skills were you using? What was it that caused you to be passionate about the work? Understanding the answers to these questions will often help you better understand how to best use your time and talents - a calling.
A calling is when we are passionately using our God-given gifts in a way that pleases Him. We are not talking about your personality profile, but about those God-given gifts listed in the Bible like teaching, counseling, generosity, administration, and prayer, among many others. Kirk Livingston, CEO of a communications company, sums it up, "When we find ourselves involved with God at work, we also begin to find the work we were meant to do." And that's how we discover our true calling from God.
Have you discovered your calling? If not, pray and search for God's will. Over time, He'll reveal it to you.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What Would Jesus Do?
From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is in your life?
That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality.
Mahatma Gandhi is said to have studied Christianity intensely but declined to become a follower of Christ because he, "knew so many Christians who were so unlike Christ."
What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved?
The world would take notice.
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is in your life?
That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality.
Mahatma Gandhi is said to have studied Christianity intensely but declined to become a follower of Christ because he, "knew so many Christians who were so unlike Christ."
What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved?
The world would take notice.
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Stop Asking "Why"
From: Daily Disciples Ministries
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that you love one another."
Jesus tells us to "love one another." And even in this command, we have a choice. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you have to love that person who seems so undeserving? The answer is because Jesus says so.
Love is so important to Jesus that He summed up all Ten Commandments into two: love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 13 that nothing we do really matters without love.
But in today's world, we are confused about love. Movies and television lure us into fantasies about "true" love using sex, guilt and manipulation as tools to obtain love. When we are hurt by someone who says they love us, we begin to wonder if love really exists at all. Is love a feeling or is it an attitude or a behavior? Jesus knew exactly why He had to command us to love each other. Because we would not do it based upon on our own feelings. We are human and our nature is sinful.
The only way to keep this commandment is to pray. Pray for God's love to fill your heart. Pray that you will love your enemies as well as your neighbor (the good and bad). Pray that you will love Jesus more everyday. It is only when we stop asking "why" and start asking "how" that we can truly know what love is.
John 15:17 "These things I command you, that you love one another."
Jesus tells us to "love one another." And even in this command, we have a choice. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you have to love that person who seems so undeserving? The answer is because Jesus says so.
Love is so important to Jesus that He summed up all Ten Commandments into two: love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 13 that nothing we do really matters without love.
But in today's world, we are confused about love. Movies and television lure us into fantasies about "true" love using sex, guilt and manipulation as tools to obtain love. When we are hurt by someone who says they love us, we begin to wonder if love really exists at all. Is love a feeling or is it an attitude or a behavior? Jesus knew exactly why He had to command us to love each other. Because we would not do it based upon on our own feelings. We are human and our nature is sinful.
The only way to keep this commandment is to pray. Pray for God's love to fill your heart. Pray that you will love your enemies as well as your neighbor (the good and bad). Pray that you will love Jesus more everyday. It is only when we stop asking "why" and start asking "how" that we can truly know what love is.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Big Picture
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
James 4:14 "You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes."
John Walker writes: "We manage, waste, spend and save time. We wish it would come… we wish it would pass… we see it fly and we feel it drag. God controls time.
We're surprised by unexpected developments… God's never surprised, even by the most disastrous turn of events.
How would your faith be if you knew God wasn't surprised by your circumstances and is working towards a holy and healthy conclusion? How would you act, think, and live differently if you were absolutely certain God was at the end of your deadline… even if there were only seconds left?
The Bible says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Time doesn't diminish His love or His power to work within your life. He was there in the past, He's here now, and He will be there in your future. A thousand years are like a day to Him. (2 Peter 3:8). He's interested in bringing you into eternity, not just getting you through until the weekend."
When you see it like that, it changes the big picture, doesn't it?
James 4:14 "You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes."
John Walker writes: "We manage, waste, spend and save time. We wish it would come… we wish it would pass… we see it fly and we feel it drag. God controls time.
We're surprised by unexpected developments… God's never surprised, even by the most disastrous turn of events.
How would your faith be if you knew God wasn't surprised by your circumstances and is working towards a holy and healthy conclusion? How would you act, think, and live differently if you were absolutely certain God was at the end of your deadline… even if there were only seconds left?
The Bible says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Time doesn't diminish His love or His power to work within your life. He was there in the past, He's here now, and He will be there in your future. A thousand years are like a day to Him. (2 Peter 3:8). He's interested in bringing you into eternity, not just getting you through until the weekend."
When you see it like that, it changes the big picture, doesn't it?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
How To Know God's Will
From: Daily Disciples Ministries
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man may be fully competent and equipped for every good work."
Can you honestly say that you know what God’s will is for your life, or a specific area of your life? Most Christians today do want to know God’s will but many of us are not sure how to find it.
The answer lies in His Word, the Bible. It sounds simple, yet so many of us make it more complicated than it needs to be. We need to open the Bible and ask the Lord to speak to us. We need to start praying God’s Word back to Him. It is in praying God’s Word that we begin to truly understand His will for us.
Praying Scripture will change your life and give you direction for knowing the will of God every day. Ask the Lord to teach you how to read Scripture and then pray it back to Him, using His words from your heart to reflect His will.
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man may be fully competent and equipped for every good work."
Can you honestly say that you know what God’s will is for your life, or a specific area of your life? Most Christians today do want to know God’s will but many of us are not sure how to find it.
The answer lies in His Word, the Bible. It sounds simple, yet so many of us make it more complicated than it needs to be. We need to open the Bible and ask the Lord to speak to us. We need to start praying God’s Word back to Him. It is in praying God’s Word that we begin to truly understand His will for us.
Praying Scripture will change your life and give you direction for knowing the will of God every day. Ask the Lord to teach you how to read Scripture and then pray it back to Him, using His words from your heart to reflect His will.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Reason For The Season
Ephesians 5:20 "Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Every year during this season I seem to spend a little more time reflecting on the things I am most thankful for.
Family, friends, and health, all come to mind very quickly. Then the "reason for the season", Jesus Christ, takes His rightful place as Number One in my mind and heart.
All it takes is remembering what James said, "You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes." (4:14). The right thinking then becomes anchored and I recall Paul's words in Ephesians, "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life. Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself." (3:17-19). To me this is God's essential message to His followers.
Have a blessed, joyous and Merry Christmas.
May God bless you and your family.
Bobby
Every year during this season I seem to spend a little more time reflecting on the things I am most thankful for.
Family, friends, and health, all come to mind very quickly. Then the "reason for the season", Jesus Christ, takes His rightful place as Number One in my mind and heart.
All it takes is remembering what James said, "You are a vapor that appears briefly and then vanishes." (4:14). The right thinking then becomes anchored and I recall Paul's words in Ephesians, "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life. Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself." (3:17-19). To me this is God's essential message to His followers.
Have a blessed, joyous and Merry Christmas.
May God bless you and your family.
Bobby
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Master
From: In Touch Ministries
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping My eye on you."
We all have experienced seasons when life just seems to spin out of control. Sometimes people don't cooperate with us and become an obstacle to our goals. At other times, we are squeezed by overcommitment. Perhaps an illness interrupts our plans or an unexpected situation throws us off balance. None of these things take God by surprise. Our all-knowing heavenly Father will use the events of life to shape us internally and externally.
Let me give you an analogy to show how the Father works. Imagine a chess game in which one contestant is a master and the other is an amateur. The champion chess player wants to teach the other person how to play. But he never forces the beginner to move a particular piece. Instead, he allows the amateur to make his own decisions and then responds accordingly.
The inexperienced player knows only some simple strategies and lacks the experience to see several moves ahead. He makes many mistakes along the way. The champion understands the game so well that he can anticipate the result of every move. In this way, he is able to guide the game to the conclusion he has chosen.
In our case, the Father desires to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus. He knows we are beginners who will make some right choices and some poor ones. But He is the master with the knowledge and ability to work all things together for our good. Because of this, we need not be discouraged. The Lord is always at work for our benefit.
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk; I will counsel you, keeping My eye on you."
We all have experienced seasons when life just seems to spin out of control. Sometimes people don't cooperate with us and become an obstacle to our goals. At other times, we are squeezed by overcommitment. Perhaps an illness interrupts our plans or an unexpected situation throws us off balance. None of these things take God by surprise. Our all-knowing heavenly Father will use the events of life to shape us internally and externally.
Let me give you an analogy to show how the Father works. Imagine a chess game in which one contestant is a master and the other is an amateur. The champion chess player wants to teach the other person how to play. But he never forces the beginner to move a particular piece. Instead, he allows the amateur to make his own decisions and then responds accordingly.
The inexperienced player knows only some simple strategies and lacks the experience to see several moves ahead. He makes many mistakes along the way. The champion understands the game so well that he can anticipate the result of every move. In this way, he is able to guide the game to the conclusion he has chosen.
In our case, the Father desires to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus. He knows we are beginners who will make some right choices and some poor ones. But He is the master with the knowledge and ability to work all things together for our good. Because of this, we need not be discouraged. The Lord is always at work for our benefit.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Getting Convicted Is A Good Thing
From: Daily Disciples Ministries
Psalm 139:23-24 "Probe me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. See if my way is crooked, and lead me in the way of old."
One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of wrongdoing. In my life, there have been things I have been doing for years and years, never thinking much about it. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I start getting convicted. When the Lord starts working with us on these behaviors, thoughts come to mind like, "Maybe I should not do that anymore" and "Why do I do that?"Personally, I do not like these thoughts because I know how long I have been on this path and it is embarrassing to think that I might have been wrong all those years. Who wants to be wrong?
At these times, the Holy Spirit is the One who is working with you. God's standards are different than man's. Behavior that might be completely acceptable to others may not be acceptable for you in the Lord. However, it is the Lord's responsibility to change you. He is just letting you in on what He is doing. Our responsibility is not to suddenly change our behavior (as if it were that easy), but to yield to what the Spirit wants to do with your behavior.
If there is something in your life on which you believe the Holy Spirit is on, be thankful. It is confirmation that you are God's child. The Lord will not force His will or His best on you. But He wants you to be willing to yield to His leading in that behavior.
The Lord hears all your prayers and He wants to work with you. He will not convict you and let you fix it by yourself. He wants to do the work by His Spirit, not by you in your flesh. It is in the Spirit that God gets the glory. If He led you into conviction, He will be responsible for leading you into a different behavior. Rest, Trust and Relax. You will like who you are when He is done.
Psalm 139:23-24 "Probe me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. See if my way is crooked, and lead me in the way of old."
One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of wrongdoing. In my life, there have been things I have been doing for years and years, never thinking much about it. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, I start getting convicted. When the Lord starts working with us on these behaviors, thoughts come to mind like, "Maybe I should not do that anymore" and "Why do I do that?"Personally, I do not like these thoughts because I know how long I have been on this path and it is embarrassing to think that I might have been wrong all those years. Who wants to be wrong?
At these times, the Holy Spirit is the One who is working with you. God's standards are different than man's. Behavior that might be completely acceptable to others may not be acceptable for you in the Lord. However, it is the Lord's responsibility to change you. He is just letting you in on what He is doing. Our responsibility is not to suddenly change our behavior (as if it were that easy), but to yield to what the Spirit wants to do with your behavior.
If there is something in your life on which you believe the Holy Spirit is on, be thankful. It is confirmation that you are God's child. The Lord will not force His will or His best on you. But He wants you to be willing to yield to His leading in that behavior.
The Lord hears all your prayers and He wants to work with you. He will not convict you and let you fix it by yourself. He wants to do the work by His Spirit, not by you in your flesh. It is in the Spirit that God gets the glory. If He led you into conviction, He will be responsible for leading you into a different behavior. Rest, Trust and Relax. You will like who you are when He is done.
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