Hard Work

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries

 

Luke 5:5 "Simon answered, 'Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.'"

 

Fulfillment and significance in life does not come from ease and avoiding exertion but through engaging with people and problems, while depending on the Lord. Hard work with a heart for the Lord leads to good results.

Hard times require hard work. It may be working hard at working smarter. It may be working hard at being more creative in cost cutting. It may be working hard to close the deal or gain new customers. Lazy excuses bring death, but hard work brings life. You are healthier emotionally when you sweat out fear and replace it with faith.

Hard work is a command and a cure from God. Some days it hurts and the smell is repulsive, but the result from sweat is sweet. Go to work an hour earlier, stay an hour later or work on Saturday. Do whatever it takes during dire times to create compelling distinction in your work. Indeed, hard work is supported by the handprints of heaven.

Focus On God

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

Matthew 6:34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

All of us may find our courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies of life. After all, ours is a world filled with uncertainty, hardship, sickness, and danger. Trouble, it seems, is never too far from the front door.

When we focus upon our fears and our doubts, we may find many reasons to lie awake at night and fret about the uncertainties of the coming day. A better strategy, of course, is to focus not upon our fears, but instead upon our God. God is as near as your next breath, and He is in control. He offers salvation to all His children, including you. God is your shield and your strength; you are His forever.

So don’t focus your thoughts upon the fears of the day. Instead, trust God’s plan and His eternal love for you. And remember: God is good, and He has the last word.

Perseverance

From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman

 

Romans 5:2-4 "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

 

Perseverance is a refusal to quit. It's falling down 100 times and getting back up 100 times. Perseverance is the key to every great accomplishment because nothing of lasting value has ever been achieved without it.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. The race doesn't go to the swiftest, but to those who don't give up. We need endurance in order to deal with the stress of adversity. We must maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of rest. People give up or give out when they feel depleted - when they physically, emotionally and spiritually run out of gas.

When going through adversity, watch out for pessimists, blamers and toxic personalities. Beware of people who try to talk you out of your dreams and goals. Spend time with optimists and encouragers. Seek out people of faith.

Safe In His Dwelling

From: Joel Osteen Ministries

 

Psalm 27:5 "For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

 

What a wonderful promise found in today’s scripture that when you seek God, when you serve Him with your whole heart, He will hide you in His shelter. You can be so connected to God that you are untouchable to the enemy!

 

You are hidden in Him! That means no matter what is happening around you, you will have strength, confidence and rest greater than ever before knowing that you are safe in Him.

 

Challenges may come your way, but you won’t be worried about them. You know that, ultimately, things are going to work out for your good. You know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. You just keep on being your best, walking in integrity, meditating on the Word, worshiping throughout the day, and stay hidden in Him!

How To Bear Much Fruit

From: Bayless Conley Ministries

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

If we are connected to God and we abide in Him, Jesus says we will bear much fruit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, humility and self-control. (Galatians)

Think about a fruit tree for a moment. The leaves come out because the branches are attached to the tree. In the spring the branch will blossom, and from those blossoms comes the fruit. But if something happens and the branch is not solidly connected to the tree, it will probably not bear any fruit at all. There may be a few leaves, but the blossoms and healthy fruit will only come if the branch is fully connected.

God wants us connected to Him in every part of our lives. When that happens, our prayers will be in line with His desires, and we can be confident that He will answer.

Positive Thoughts

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

 

Colossians 3:1 "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power."

 

If a temporary loss of perspective has left you worried, exhausted, or both, it’s time to readjust your thought patterns. Negative thoughts are habit-forming; thankfully, so are positive ones.

 

With practice, you can form the habit of focusing on God’s priorities and your own possibilities. When you do, you’ll soon discover that you will spend less time fretting about your challenges and more time praising God for His gifts.

When you call upon the Lord and prayerfully seek His will, He will give you wisdom and perspective. When you make God’s priorities your priorities, He will direct your steps and calm your fears. Today and every day hereafter, pray for a sense of balance and perspective. And remember: no problems are too big for God—and that includes yours.

Facing Tough Times

From: Bryant Wright Ministries

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 "...but He has told me, 'My grace is all you need, because My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."

 

When reminded that God does not give us any burdens we cannot handle, Mother Teresa replied, "I know, but sometimes I just wish He didn't think so highly of me." While it’s true that tough times can challenge us and shape character, most of us would prefer that God would find another teaching method!

Sometimes God allows us to go through hard times so that we can learn to truly trust Him. You see, when we do choose to trust God – even when there is no concrete evidence of His presence - we demonstrate real faith. And that faith is not only demonstrated to God, it is a powerful witness to everyone who sees what you have gone through.

So, when facing tough times, recognize the opportunity you have to build trust in God, deepen your faith, and become a powerful witness for your Heavenly Father.

The Source Of All Wisdom

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

 

Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise..."

 

Wisdom does not spring up overnight—it takes time. To become wise, we must seek God’s wisdom and live according to His Word. And, we must not only learn the lessons of the Christian life, we must also live by them.

 

If you seek to live a life of righteousness and wisdom, you must study the ultimate source of wisdom: the Word of God. You must seek out worthy mentors and listen carefully to their advice. You must associate, day in and day out, with godly men and women. And, you must act in accordance with your beliefs.

 

When you do these things, you will become wise . . . and you will be a blessing to your friends, to your family, and to the world.

God's Game Plan

From: Boyd Bailey Ministries

 

Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart."

 

Activity can become competition to the best results, because sincere but inappropriate actions can lead to the wrong outcomes. On the surface of a busy life it can look like good things are being accomplished, but below the genuine intentions is the sandy foundation of unacceptable results.

Take the time to evaluate your life and work to God’s game plan. An ongoing audit of your actions will help you reap right results. Behaviors like honesty, humility and accountability will lead to the fruitful results of respect, trust and wisdom.

Wise activities lead to a life and work that, by God’s grace, withstand the winds of worry and the storms of insecurity. Let God guide you, and you will go a long way with the substance of rock solid results.

A Priceless Gift

From: New Life Daily Devotionals - Steve Arterburn

Colossians 3:16 "Let the Word of God, rich as it is, dwell in you..."

George Mueller observed, "The vigor of our spiritual lives will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our lives and in our thoughts." As Christians, we are called upon to study God’s Holy Word and then to share it.

The Bible is a priceless gift, a tool for Christians to use as they share the Good News of their Savior, Christ Jesus. Too many Christians, however, keep their spiritual tool kits tightly closed and out of sight.

Jonathan Edwards advised, "Be assiduous in reading the Holy Scriptures. This is the fountain whence all knowledge in divinity must be derived. Therefore let not this treasure lie by you neglected." God’s Holy Word is, indeed, a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure. Handle it with care, but, more importantly, handle it every day.