Contentment August 7, 2018

1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV)

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Godliness with contentment is great wealth! (see 1 Tim. 6:6) So what does it take for us to be content? Paul reminds Timothy that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be able to be content. It's when our desires get out of that channel, when covetousness and greed take over, that our life gets out of control and we replace God with a hunger for what becomes our idol (cf. Colossians 3:5). God wants us to let him be enough and see the rest as the overflow of his grace!          

Thought for today: Am I always chasing after the “bigger and better” next great thing?

Truth In Love August 6, 2018

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic, genuine, and true — TRUTH! So as Jesus' disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive in our relationships. Instead, we are transparent, intimate, and honest. Why? Because true love delights in truth.

Thought for today: Today I am grateful

Facing Challenges August 5, 2018

Zechariah 4:5-6  (NIV)

5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and us through him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might. No, these greatest victories, the ones that catch us up in God's great story of salvation, will occur when we trust that God's power is greater than our weakness and God's might is greater than our insufficiency. The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength or God's?

Thought for today:  What is my faith rooted in ?

Eternity August 4, 2018

1 John 5:4  (NIV)

4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

This is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17 — "The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever." Our destiny and future are not limited to the boundaries of existence tied to our little blue planet. Our future and our hope burst the boundaries of mortality and are tied to our faith in a resurrected and victorious Savior who is coming back to bring us to his eternal home. This faith is displayed by doing God's will even when most people in our contemporary culture choose to chase what is fleeting and transient.

Thought for today: Are my actions of today based on my eternal life?

If God Is For You… August 3, 2018

Romans 8:31-32  (NIV)

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus. If he has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right and holy? So if God answers our prayers "No!" then it is for our good and the eternal well being of those for whom we've prayed. His intent is to bless, not wound. His desire is to redeem and bless. His commitment is to work things out for our ultimate good (cf. Rom. 8:28) as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Rom. 8:29).

Thought for today: Is your transformation audible and visible?

Sweet Release August 2, 2018

Isaiah 61:1-2  (NIV)

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

Jesus read this passage at a synagogue in Nazareth to describe his ministry (see Luke 4). He came to preach good news, to bind up, to bring deliverance, to offer release, to proclaim grace, and to offer comfort. If Jesus has sent us into the world as the Father sent him (John 20:21-23), shouldn't we be going the same?

Thought for today: Do you embrace the calling on your life?

Belonging August1, 2018

Romans 8:1  (NIV)

 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

"You are mine! My righteousness and glory are yours! Enter into your Father's eternal reward!" If we are in Christ, we don't face judgment, only welcome, with God our Father! His Spirit lives in us. His grace has set us free from the power of sin and death. His Son has paid the price for our sins. We are children of God!

Thought for today: Do I act like I’m involved in a talk show type adoption ?