From: In Touch Ministries
Matthew 14:27 "Jesus hastened to reassure them: 'Get hold of yourselves! It is I. Do not be afraid!'"
No one gets through life without trials. Realistically, you are either in a storm, just getting out of a one, or about to enter a turbulent time. That is the bad news. Thankfully, we serve a good God who provides beautifully—especially during the dark periods of life.
Today's passage tells of a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus provides for us today just as He did for His disciples in that unsettling situation. Today, we will focus on ways that He does this.
First, the Father gives Christians His presence and the promise that He will never leave (Heb. 13:5-6). This is, perhaps, the greatest gift because from this awareness, He offers a sense of comfort, courage, and confidence.
Second, the Lord blesses His children with a pathway through trouble. He is in total control of our storm and will use the trial for His purpose. We may not understand, but we can trust His hand to guide us and accomplish good. Sometimes the reason and benefit of a difficulty will becomes obvious, while in other cases, it may never be clear.
Third, the Father offers believers the potential to grow. Hardships are exercises in trust and times to learn more fully who God is and how great His power and love are.
No one enjoys trials, but hardships are chances to trust your Creator and to know Him better.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
When You Get Knocked Down, Get Up
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass
Joshua 1:9 "I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go."
Tom Monaghan started Domino's Pizza in 1960 with one little shop. He struggled for eight years. When his shop burned to the ground, the insurance company paid him only one cent on the dollar to cover his losses. All he knew was pizza, so he started another shop. He worked 100 hours a week. Up to this point he had only taken one week-long holiday - for his honeymoon.
By 1971 he was $1.5million in debt. But he stayed in his field, which was the pizza business, and tried something new. He limited his menu to pizza only, and decided to deliver it hot and fresh to customers at no extra charge. It worked. By 2007, Domino's Pizza had grown to 6100 stores across the United States and other countries. Today he's one of the richest men in the nation, and he gives most of his profits to charity.
What was his secret? He started where he was. He fought for what he believed to be his God-given purpose. And when he got knocked down he got back up.
Joshua 1:9 "I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go."
Tom Monaghan started Domino's Pizza in 1960 with one little shop. He struggled for eight years. When his shop burned to the ground, the insurance company paid him only one cent on the dollar to cover his losses. All he knew was pizza, so he started another shop. He worked 100 hours a week. Up to this point he had only taken one week-long holiday - for his honeymoon.
By 1971 he was $1.5million in debt. But he stayed in his field, which was the pizza business, and tried something new. He limited his menu to pizza only, and decided to deliver it hot and fresh to customers at no extra charge. It worked. By 2007, Domino's Pizza had grown to 6100 stores across the United States and other countries. Today he's one of the richest men in the nation, and he gives most of his profits to charity.
What was his secret? He started where he was. He fought for what he believed to be his God-given purpose. And when he got knocked down he got back up.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Passions And Strengths
From: Boyd Bailey Ministries
Romans 12:6 "We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us."
Know and understand your strengths, for it is best to behave how God created you. By God’s grace, He places within you the gifts to carry out His plan. This is called your core competency. You may be a gifted leader, so lead. You may be a gifted coach, so coach. You may be a gifted counselor, so counsel. You may be a gifted administrator, so administer.
You may be a gifted writer, so write. You may be a gifted servant, so serve. You may be a gifted artist, so create. You may be a gifted communicator, so communicate. There is a long menu of gifts, and you probably resemble several of them. Study your gifts, and you will discover your strengths.
Become comfortable with and accept the one thing you do naturally. It is effortless because God has engineered you for this. He gave you the skills and abilities to innovate, create, and produce these desired outcomes. However, make sure you do not confuse passion with strength. If you have the passion to speak, it is imperative you at least have the raw skill for speaking. Many of the technicalities of communication can be learned, but don’t try to make yourself become someone you’re not.
Synergy for life and work come as you align passions and strengths. Take the time to understand what you do best and where you have the most energy, and then position your responsibilities at home and work to mirror that ideal. Do not be afraid to change and try new things. Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you well to affirm where they see your passion protrude. Then, prayerfully align around both.
Be who God has made you to be!
Romans 12:6 "We have gifts that differ according to the favor bestowed on each of us."
Know and understand your strengths, for it is best to behave how God created you. By God’s grace, He places within you the gifts to carry out His plan. This is called your core competency. You may be a gifted leader, so lead. You may be a gifted coach, so coach. You may be a gifted counselor, so counsel. You may be a gifted administrator, so administer.
You may be a gifted writer, so write. You may be a gifted servant, so serve. You may be a gifted artist, so create. You may be a gifted communicator, so communicate. There is a long menu of gifts, and you probably resemble several of them. Study your gifts, and you will discover your strengths.
Become comfortable with and accept the one thing you do naturally. It is effortless because God has engineered you for this. He gave you the skills and abilities to innovate, create, and produce these desired outcomes. However, make sure you do not confuse passion with strength. If you have the passion to speak, it is imperative you at least have the raw skill for speaking. Many of the technicalities of communication can be learned, but don’t try to make yourself become someone you’re not.
Synergy for life and work come as you align passions and strengths. Take the time to understand what you do best and where you have the most energy, and then position your responsibilities at home and work to mirror that ideal. Do not be afraid to change and try new things. Ask others to validate what you do best. Ask those who know you well to affirm where they see your passion protrude. Then, prayerfully align around both.
Be who God has made you to be!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
As You Practice, So You Play
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
James 4:8 "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you."
Football coaches have a saying about preparing for the big game. As you practice, so you play. It works the same way in our spiritual lives. Regular time alone with God is how we practice staying close to God each day. And certainly if we're going to have meaningful, weekly worship with other believers, it's always more meaningful when we've spent time alone with God.
Have you ever been to a worship service that just seemed to fall flat? Maybe you thought your pastor let you down and gave a sermon that was just plain boring! Or maybe the music didn't connect or wasn't the style you were in the mood for that day. Some days things just don't connect and you think, "Well, there's an hour of my life I'll never get back."
Maybe it's just a little too easy to blame the worship leaders for a flat experience. When a weekly service disappoints, it might be because you haven't been in practice all week. As you practice, so you play the game. You'll be amazed how much anticipation there is for weekly worship if you have regular time alone with God.
James 4:8 "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you."
Football coaches have a saying about preparing for the big game. As you practice, so you play. It works the same way in our spiritual lives. Regular time alone with God is how we practice staying close to God each day. And certainly if we're going to have meaningful, weekly worship with other believers, it's always more meaningful when we've spent time alone with God.
Have you ever been to a worship service that just seemed to fall flat? Maybe you thought your pastor let you down and gave a sermon that was just plain boring! Or maybe the music didn't connect or wasn't the style you were in the mood for that day. Some days things just don't connect and you think, "Well, there's an hour of my life I'll never get back."
Maybe it's just a little too easy to blame the worship leaders for a flat experience. When a weekly service disappoints, it might be because you haven't been in practice all week. As you practice, so you play the game. You'll be amazed how much anticipation there is for weekly worship if you have regular time alone with God.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
With God Timing Is Everything
From: Powerpoint Daily Devotionals - Jack Graham
Romans 8:18 "I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
The great basketball coach, John Wooden, who passed away fairly recently at almost 100 years of age, wrote a book called, Be Quick, Don't Hurry. He was talking about basketball of course, saying be quick, but don't rush because that's when mistakes happen.
That's good advice for us today regarding life in general. You see, with God time means nothing, but timing with God is everything!
You may be struggling today wondering when your struggles will ever end. But with God, your suffering is only temporary and your future is filled with eternal hope.
Trust God's timing and the masterful hand of Providence in your life. Your struggles today cannot compare to the glorious promise that is yours in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:18 "I consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
The great basketball coach, John Wooden, who passed away fairly recently at almost 100 years of age, wrote a book called, Be Quick, Don't Hurry. He was talking about basketball of course, saying be quick, but don't rush because that's when mistakes happen.
That's good advice for us today regarding life in general. You see, with God time means nothing, but timing with God is everything!
You may be struggling today wondering when your struggles will ever end. But with God, your suffering is only temporary and your future is filled with eternal hope.
Trust God's timing and the masterful hand of Providence in your life. Your struggles today cannot compare to the glorious promise that is yours in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No Surprise To God
From: Joel Osteen Ministries
Matthew 5:45 "... The rain falls on the just and the unjust."
In life, we all have to deal with the unexpected. Just because we're believers, just because we're good people or doing the right thing doesn't make us exempt from trouble. The scripture says, "The rain falls on the just and the unjust."
In times when something unexpected happens, or you find yourself facing a crisis, you don't have to go into "panic mode" or fall apart emotionally. Remember, that crisis is no surprise to God. It may be unexpected to you, but God knows the end from the beginning. He has solutions to problems that you haven't even had. He has equipped you for every battle, and He goes before you making your crooked places straight.
Today, focus on the fact that He is with you. Remember that He is walking with you and guiding you to a place of peace and victory. No matter what has happened, He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for your good! He always leads us in victory, so keep moving forward trusting in the good plan He has for you!
Matthew 5:45 "... The rain falls on the just and the unjust."
In life, we all have to deal with the unexpected. Just because we're believers, just because we're good people or doing the right thing doesn't make us exempt from trouble. The scripture says, "The rain falls on the just and the unjust."
In times when something unexpected happens, or you find yourself facing a crisis, you don't have to go into "panic mode" or fall apart emotionally. Remember, that crisis is no surprise to God. It may be unexpected to you, but God knows the end from the beginning. He has solutions to problems that you haven't even had. He has equipped you for every battle, and He goes before you making your crooked places straight.
Today, focus on the fact that He is with you. Remember that He is walking with you and guiding you to a place of peace and victory. No matter what has happened, He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for your good! He always leads us in victory, so keep moving forward trusting in the good plan He has for you!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
From: Greg Laurie Ministries
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Are you mourning today? When you lose someone who is close to you, you don't get over it like people want you to—especially if that loved one was a child. You never plan for such a thing. So I mourn every single day. Yet Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." There is a blessedness, or happiness, in mourning.
Some good things can come out of mourning. One is that you gain a new perspective. You see things differently. Some of the things that were important to you before are not nearly as important to you now. And some of the things that were not as important to you before become very important to you now.
You get a different view of life and find yourself longing for heaven more. Before my son went to be with the Lord, I thought about heaven. But to me it was a lot more intangible than it is today. I think more specifically about heaven now because someone so close to me is there. So you long more for heaven. And you find yourself drawing close to God because, quite frankly, there is nowhere else to go.
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Are you mourning today? When you lose someone who is close to you, you don't get over it like people want you to—especially if that loved one was a child. You never plan for such a thing. So I mourn every single day. Yet Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." There is a blessedness, or happiness, in mourning.
Some good things can come out of mourning. One is that you gain a new perspective. You see things differently. Some of the things that were important to you before are not nearly as important to you now. And some of the things that were not as important to you before become very important to you now.
You get a different view of life and find yourself longing for heaven more. Before my son went to be with the Lord, I thought about heaven. But to me it was a lot more intangible than it is today. I think more specifically about heaven now because someone so close to me is there. So you long more for heaven. And you find yourself drawing close to God because, quite frankly, there is nowhere else to go.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Creativity And Innovation
From: Today God Is First - Os Hillman
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible." Those were the words of a Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp. which is the number one overnight delivery service in the world with 260,000 employees. Founder, Fred Smith, is synonymous with the word "innovation."
There have been many great innovators who have turned concepts into successful companies. Walt Disney said, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
God is the source of all creativity and innovation. He created the world in seven days. He has made you to create. If God has placed an idea in your heart to do, ask the Lord for His help in bringing it to reality. He desires to see His people create new things that can serve mankind and bring glory to God. Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."
Faith plays an important role when considering stepping out to launch a new endeavor. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Heb 11:1-2).
Perhaps you've failed in the past and you're afraid to step out again. Most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before they were successful. Don't let fear of failure keep you from success.
You were made to create. You were made to succeed.
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible." Those were the words of a Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp. which is the number one overnight delivery service in the world with 260,000 employees. Founder, Fred Smith, is synonymous with the word "innovation."
There have been many great innovators who have turned concepts into successful companies. Walt Disney said, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
God is the source of all creativity and innovation. He created the world in seven days. He has made you to create. If God has placed an idea in your heart to do, ask the Lord for His help in bringing it to reality. He desires to see His people create new things that can serve mankind and bring glory to God. Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right."
Faith plays an important role when considering stepping out to launch a new endeavor. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Heb 11:1-2).
Perhaps you've failed in the past and you're afraid to step out again. Most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before they were successful. Don't let fear of failure keep you from success.
You were made to create. You were made to succeed.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Spiritual Nourishment
From: Ron Smith Ministries
Matthew 4:4 "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Just like our physical body needs physical nourishment, so the spiritual part of us needs spiritual nourishment! We eat from the various food groups in order to maintain our balanced physical well-being. So it is with our spiritual nature. What we feed our spirit affects our spiritual health!
Our physical nourishment enters our body through our mouth. We chew our food, swallow it, and our stomach and intestines squeeze out every bit of nourishment it can and then send it by the blood stream to every part of our body.
Our body will process and absorb whatever we feed it! If we feed our body “junk food”, it will process the junk and send junk to the rest of the body. The result is poor nutrition and eventually poor health. Our body can only process what we feed it!
So it is with our spiritual nature! Our spirit is fed through the eyes and the ears, and our senses. The brain (mind) processes what we feed it and then distributes it to our spirit nature. When we ingest, with our eyes, our ears and our senses, spiritually healthy information, our mind processes it and it becomes a part of our spiritual nature. We become spiritually strong and our love for God and His people grows.
James 4:8 "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you."
Matthew 4:4 "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Just like our physical body needs physical nourishment, so the spiritual part of us needs spiritual nourishment! We eat from the various food groups in order to maintain our balanced physical well-being. So it is with our spiritual nature. What we feed our spirit affects our spiritual health!
Our physical nourishment enters our body through our mouth. We chew our food, swallow it, and our stomach and intestines squeeze out every bit of nourishment it can and then send it by the blood stream to every part of our body.
Our body will process and absorb whatever we feed it! If we feed our body “junk food”, it will process the junk and send junk to the rest of the body. The result is poor nutrition and eventually poor health. Our body can only process what we feed it!
So it is with our spiritual nature! Our spirit is fed through the eyes and the ears, and our senses. The brain (mind) processes what we feed it and then distributes it to our spirit nature. When we ingest, with our eyes, our ears and our senses, spiritually healthy information, our mind processes it and it becomes a part of our spiritual nature. We become spiritually strong and our love for God and His people grows.
James 4:8 "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you."
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Listen Actively
From: In Touch Ministries
1 Samuel 3:10 "... Speak Lord for Your servant is listening."
No person can hear without actively listening. God taught me how, and it is this important lesson that I pass on to you. Heeding the Lord begins when I meditate upon His Word. I listen prayerfully for what He is saying to me through the passage, and I am expectant.
The Lord is not secretive. He clarifies Scripture to those who desire to know its meaning and are willing to abide by it. Often I have to be patient. God reveals His truth when a believer is ready to hear. I continually return to a portion of the Bible until His message to me is clear. Sometimes that means going over the same passage for days at a time.
God will speak with clarity to anyone who listens prayerfully and submissively. He wants to speak to you! His great desire is for you to know Him as intimately as did Moses, David, Paul, and others like them. Dig into the Bible every day, and listen to the words the Lord impresses upon your heart.
1 Samuel 3:10 "... Speak Lord for Your servant is listening."
No person can hear without actively listening. God taught me how, and it is this important lesson that I pass on to you. Heeding the Lord begins when I meditate upon His Word. I listen prayerfully for what He is saying to me through the passage, and I am expectant.
The Lord is not secretive. He clarifies Scripture to those who desire to know its meaning and are willing to abide by it. Often I have to be patient. God reveals His truth when a believer is ready to hear. I continually return to a portion of the Bible until His message to me is clear. Sometimes that means going over the same passage for days at a time.
God will speak with clarity to anyone who listens prayerfully and submissively. He wants to speak to you! His great desire is for you to know Him as intimately as did Moses, David, Paul, and others like them. Dig into the Bible every day, and listen to the words the Lord impresses upon your heart.
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