Wait Upon The Lord May 31,2017

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

What is your strength? Is it your youth? ...your conditioning? ...your wisdom? ...your friends? ...your experience? None of us can depend upon our human ability. Health, wisdom, and wealth are all vulnerable to the fragility of life and circumstance. Only the LORD can ensure that we can survive the unthinkable, thrive in the mundane, and soar in good times. Let's call upon, let's wait upon, let's depend upon the LORD!

Thought for today: Do I know what it means to wait upon the Lord?

Surrendering Your Will May 30, 2017

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Christianity is all about dying to ourselves. Some see this as hideous, onerous, and weak. "Why give up your desires, wants, and longings for something someone else mandates?" they wonder. "That sounds like slavery!" they charge. However, they fail to realize that surrendering our wills to Christ is like a bird surrendering to air currents or a fish to the water. When we surrender to the Lord, he gives us the power to be what we were made to be — enabled to be useful in ways that are eternal, empowered to have life not limited by mortal boundaries, and blessed by communion with the Creator as our Father. What is lost in this surrender to Christ living in us? Only our selfishness and our self-damage caused by rebellion.

Thought for today: Do I recognize my self will and God’s will?

In The Spirit May 29, 2017

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

It is one thing to talk about being filled with the Spirit; it is quite another to live under the Spirit's control and direction in our life. Paul is reminding us that we must do more than talk the talk; we must walk the walk. The Holy Spirit must guide our decisions, determine our morality, and control our speech. His fruit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control — must be in evidence. Paul says to Christians filled with the Spirit, "Live like it!"

Thought for today: Do I walk, talk and live in the Spirit?

Heed The Call May 28, 2017

Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.

Christians in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the life of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves.

Thought for today: Am I a defender?

Power May 27, 2017

Isaiah 40:28-29 (NIV)

28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

God is eternal. He has unlimited power. His supply of strength is limitless. He blesses and shares his grace without growing tired. Most importantly, he longs to share his power and grace with us daily.

Thought for today: Do I know how to tap into God’s power?

Call Him May 26, 2017

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

This was originally spoken to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in special ways for us as well. God wants us to call to him. God often waits for us to ask before he blesses us what he longs to give us. Yet we lack the ability to comprehend and receive all the great truth about God. He is simply too big and too glorious for us to fully apprehend him in his grace.

Thought for today: Do I try to understand the nature of God?

Seek Ye First May 25, 2017

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God wants us to seek him. In fact, he made us to seek him! Unfortunately, however, we often seek God along with the other things that draw our eye for a moment or two. We must never let anything detract from God having first command of our heart. Only God is worthy of our full devotion.

Thought for today:  Do I put other things before God?

Strong Faith May 24, 2017

Acts 16:25 (NIV)

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Falsely imprisoned, Paul and Silas had been beaten "with many blows," placed in prison, and locked down in stocks. Under such horrible circumstances, they managed to praise God in hymns and pray to their Father in Heaven. Under this kind of pressure, their faith caught the attention of the other prisoners who listened to them. We need to be reminded that over the years of Christian witness, some of the most effective times of evangelism happened because Christians remained faithful and joyous people despite persecution and harassment. Nothing should limit our prayer and praise. God will use them to reach the hearts of those in the most difficult of places!

Thought for today: Is my faith the kind of faith that highlights and honors God?

Celebrating God May 23, 2017

Jude 24-25 (NIV)

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Two things I trust implicitly: 1) God's power and might, and 2) my joy at getting to share in his presence. My best efforts will always fall short, but God's grace is greater and more glorious than my best efforts! The faultlessness that I have when I stand before him is based on his grace and mercy. How can I not praise him from a thankful heart and anticipate seeing him face to face in glory?

Thought for today: Do I celebrate God and his glory in this life and anticipate greater in the next?

Freedom May 22, 2017

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Freedom is a wonderful gift when it is handled with responsibility. Not being under law is such a sweet grace, but we want to pass that sweetness on to each other through service, kindness, and care.

Thought for today: How do I enjoy my freedoms and still uphold my faith?

Unifying Practices May 21, 2017

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

If people in our congregations are ever going to get along, the leaders of those churches must remind us of how important it is. Jesus' dying prayer was that we would be one. Why? So the world would know that the Father had sent him. Unity is not important, it is essential; not just as a theory or theology, but as a daily practice among the people who claim Jesus as Lord.

Thought for today: Is unity a part of my mindset?

Unity May 20, 2017

Romans 15:5-6 (NIV)

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unity comes from God's Spirit as we follow Jesus. But, unity has a purpose much deeper than our getting along with each other. Jesus prayed we would be one so that the world would know that God sent Jesus into the world as his Son (John 17). We want to be united so that our praise can bring glory to God. Unity is far more than a goal. Unity is a process through which the world learns of Jesus. At the same time, we glorify the Father who sent Jesus to save us. Leading others to Jesus and glorifying God are what living for Jesus is all about! Let's make unity our passion!

Thought for today: Do I seek to find unity (common ground) with others?

Righteousness May 19,2017

James 3:17-18 (NIV)

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren't many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That's a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!

Thought for today: Am I mindful of what I sow?

Blessed Assurance May 18, 2017

Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

So much assurance in such a short verse! God is not unjust — boy is that an understatement: if he produced the atoning sacrifice for our sins, what will he deny us if we seek after him? He will not forget our work and love — an eternal record of the good we have done! When we help our brothers and sisters in Christ, we bless him! We are HIS people!! That's real motivation to keep on maturing in Christ.

Thought for today: Do I truly offer help or is there a hidden agenda?

Salvation May 17, 2017

Romans 11:33 (NIV)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

God's plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work and his will in our lives.

Thought for today: To I acknowledge all God does?

Godly Vision May 15, 2017

Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)

5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

I don't know. I don't know! That has to be one of the hardest phrases for us to use. But when thinking about God and his ways, that's really all we can say. What we know about God is only what he in his grace has chosen to reveal to us. He is the Mystery of mysteries. He is the supreme knowable Unknown. Yet what we do know of him, what he has revealed to us in Jesus, is not only mighty and awesome, but loving and merciful.

Thought for today: Do I trust God’s word?

Wonderfully Made March 14, 2017

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

I am made by God! You are made by God. Just as surely as ANYone has been made by God, we have been made by God. He knew us before anyone knew we were there. He had plans for us before anyone planned our arrival. And he made us well! How do we know? Look at all God has made.

Thought for today: Do I honor and celebrate God’s creation (people)?

Womanhood May 13, 2017

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

So many things we honor and exalt in our culture are shallow and temporary. The one thing that lasts in a beautiful woman is not her charm or her beauty, but her godliness. Let's make sure that our church families and our physical families value godly women and give them the praise they deserve!

Thought for today: Do I honor and respect womanhood?

Freedom May 12, 2017

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" Becoming a Christian means we have been liberated from law keeping. We now have God living in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us to know God's will and then live it. Through the Spirit's power, we can do what no law could make us do: live up to God's standards of righteousness. We are set free to be like God and to be with God, free from the crippling power of law, sin, and death.

Thought for today: Do I hold others captive while I enjoy my freedom?

Kindness & Compassion May 11, 2017

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Be kind and compassionate — two qualities that seem to be in short supply. Maybe it's because we hold up the wrong heroes. Unfortunately these two qualities are often seen as signs of weakness rather than strength. To forgive as God forgave us requires great courage and great strength. So let's be strong!

Thought for today: Can I look past my personal feelings to see or feel for another?

Speak Up May 10, 2017

Matthew 18:15 (NIV)

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

The right thing is so hard to do sometimes. It seems so much easier to gossip about someone who has wronged us, or to mention them in a group prayer as needing help, or to pass around an innuendo when talking about struggling Christians. But, only one thing is the right thing when we have been wounded by the action of another brother or sister in Christ! Go to the person who has wronged you, try to keep the damage contained to just the two of you, and work on being reconciled. This is God's desire, and should be our goal as his children.

Thought for today:  Do I directly address wrongs ?

A Godly Woman May 9, 2017

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.

Proverbs 31:27-28 (NIV)

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

Give honor to whom honor is due! This biblical principle is most certainly true of women, and especially those who are godly mothers. Let's make sure we praise the key women in our lives today!

Thought for today: Do I honor women (sisters, daughters, wives, mothers, aunts, etc…)?

Acts Of Kindness May 8,2017

Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

There are no random acts of kindness, only intentional acts given the opportunity to happen. We have thought about kindnesses we can do. We have committed ourselves to acting in ways that are kind and beneficial. We have prayed for an opportunity to be kind. Then the opportunity presents itself and bingo! We act with kindness. Nothing random about that! This is true not just in deeds, but in words as well. More than trying to avoid poor speech, we are urged to use our speech to bless and help others to come to know Christ.

Thought for today: Do I share my faith in words and action?

Where Your Heart Is May 7,2017

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Where does your heart live? That's what these verses are all about. It's about where we spend the most time with our hearts. Is there a constant awareness in your life that God is present? Is he the unseen but always present companion in all your ups and downs? Or is God here when it is convenient and gone when things are busy or we feel that everything is going okay? Joy comes from knowing we are never alone. Prayer is the ongoing conversation we have, Spirit to Spirit, child to Abba, human with God. Thanksgiving and joy are the great reminders that we have been blessed no matter what the outward circumstances imply.

Thought for today: Where is my focus?

Confession May 6, 2017

James 5:16 (NIV)

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

To confess our sins means we do two things with our sin: 1) we recognize sin for what it is in God's eyes and 2) we get rid of our secrets and are honest with another Christian about our weakness, vulnerabilities, failures, and sins. James' language is powerful. He mentions that this confession doesn't just bring forgiveness, it also brings healing.

Thought for today: Do I communicate with God in complete honesty?

Thanksgiving May 5,2017

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God wants to hear our prayers. But to keep them from becoming too self-focused, God wants us to always remember to give thanks. It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers. Without praise our hearts grow dim because all we think about are problems and prayer becomes a wish list.

Thought for today: Do I praise and give thanks with my prayers?

Humility May 4, 2017

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Humility is not our culture's most valued asset or most desired character quality. But, humility is what is demanded — not so much because it's commanded (though that would be enough), but because we've "earned" our need of it. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality. Even on our best days, we all fall short of God's holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping. Our need to approach God with humility is "earned"! So let's be humble and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him!

Thought for today: Am I willing to lose vision of me to fully see others?

Trusting May 3,2017

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw" and going on faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the apparent and outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer are all decisions of the will trusting that the God who raised Jesus from the dead can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice.

Thought for today: Do I fully understand steadfast prayer ?

It Shall Be Given May 2,2017

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Confidence before God. That's sort of an oxymoron if you meditate upon it. Yet through the presence of Jesus at the Father's right hand and the intercession of the Holy Spirit, we can have confidence and come boldly before the Creator of the universe and know that he not only hears us, but also cares for us. Wow, what an audience! Oh, and one final thing, he also ACTS on what we ask.

Thought for today: Do I have faith in my prayers?

Faith May 1, 2017

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

I believe! I believe that God not only knows me, but cares about me. I believe that God not only created the universe, but he knows the number of hairs on my head. I believe that God not only sent his Son to save the world, but that he's sending him back to bring me home. What's more, I believe that God is pleased by my belief.

Thought for today: What is the extent of my faith?