Doers of the Word

"Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" 

-- James 1:22 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

The old saying is both familiar and true:  actions speak louder than words.  And as believers, we must beware: our actions should always give credence to the changes that Christ can make in the lives of those who walk with Him.

God calls upon each of us to act in accordance with His will and with respect for His commandments.  If we are to be responsible believers, we must realize that it is never enough simply to hear the instructions of God; we must also live by them.  And it is never enough to wait idly by while others do God's work here on earth; we, too, must act.  Doing God's work is a responsibility that each of us must bear, and when we do, our loving Heavenly Father rewards our efforts with a bountiful harvest.

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"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility" 

-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Dear Lord, we have heard Your Word, and we have felt Your presence in our hearts; let us act accordingly.  Let our words and deeds serve as a testimony to the changes You have made in our lives.  Let us praise You, Father, by following in the footsteps of Your Son, and let others see Him through us.  Amen.

A Walk With God

"For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you"

-- John 13:15 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Each day, we are confronted with countless opportunities to serve God and to follow in his footsteps of His Son.  When we do, our Heavenly Father guides our steps and blesses our endeavors. As citizens of a fast-changing world, we face challenges that sometimes leave us feeling overworked, overcommitted, and overwhelmed.  But God has different plans for us.  He intends that we slow down long enough to praise Him and to glorify His Son.  When we do, He lifts our spirits and enriches our lives.

Today provides a glorious opportunity to place yourself in the service of the One who is the Giver of all blessings.  May you seek His will, as you trust His word, and may you walk in the footsteps of His Son.

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"Teach a man a rule and you help him solve a problem; teach a man to walk with God and you help him solve the rest of his life" -- John Eldredge

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Dear Jesus, because we are Your disciple, we will trust You.  We will obey Your teachings, and we will share Your Good News.  You have given us life abundant and life eternal, and we will follow You today and forever. Amen.

Born Again

"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" -- 1 Peter 1:23 / NIV

 

Why did Christ die on the cross?  Christ sacrificed His life so that we might be born again.  This gift, freely given from God's only begotten Son, is the priceless possession of everyone who accepts Him as Lord and Savior.
 

Let us claim Christ's gift today. Let us walk with the Savior, let us love Him, let us praise Him, and let us share His message of salvation with all those who cross our paths.

The comforting words of Ephesians 2:8 make God's promise clear:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (NKJV).  Thus, we are saved not because of good deeds but because of our faith in Christ.  May we, who have been given so much, praise our Savior for the gift of salvation, and may we share the joyous news of our Master's limitless love with our families, with our friends, and with the world.

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Lord, when we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, You changed us forever and made us whole. We were born again.  Help us to share Your Son's message with our friends.  You are a God of love, redemption, conversion and salvation.  We will praise You today and forever. Amen.

A Passionate Pursuit of God's Truth

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory both now and forever.  Amen"  -- 2 Peter 3:18 / New King James Version

 

Have you established a passionate relationship with God's Holy Word?  Hopefully so.  The words of Matthew 4:4 remind us that "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (KJV).  As believers, we must study the Bible and mediate upon its meaning for our lives.  Otherwise, we deprive ourselves of a priceless gift from our Creator. 

 

Martin Luther observed, "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.  The Bible is not antique or modern.  It is eternal."  God's Holy Word is, indeed, an eternal, transforming, one-of-a-kind treasure.  And, a passing acquaintance with the Good Book is insufficient for Christians who seek to obey God's Word and to understand His will - passionate believers must never live by bread alone.

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Dear Lord, the Bible is Your gift to us; let us use it.  When we place Your Word at the very center of our life, we are blessed.  Make us a faithful student of Your Word so that we might be a faithful servant in Your world this day and every day.  Amen

Keep an Eternal Perspective

"And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever"  -- 1 John 2:17 / NKJV

 

For most of us, life is busy and complicated.  Amid the rush and crush of the daily grind, it is easy to lose perspective . . . easy, but wrong.  When our world seems to be spinning out of control, we can regain perspective by slowing ourselves down and then turning our thoughts and prayers toward God.

 

Do you carve out quiet moments each day to offer thanksgiving and praise to your Creator?  You should.  During these moments of stillness, you will often sense the love and wisdom of our Lord.

 

The familiar words of Psalm 46:10 remind us to "Be still, and know that I am God (NKJV).  When we do so, we encounter the awesome presence of our loving Heavenly Father, and we are blessed beyond words.  But, when we ignore the presence of our Creator, we rob ourselves of His perspective, His peace and His joy.

 

Today and every day, make time to be still before God.  When you do, you can face the day's complications with the wisdom and power that only He can provide.

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Dear Lord, when the pace of our lives become frantic, slow us down and give us perspective.  Give us the wisdom to realize that the problems of today are only temporary but that Your love is eternal. When we become discouraged, keep us steady and sure, so that we might do Your will.  Amen

A Terrific Tomorrow

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

-- Jeremiah 29:11 / New International Version

 

How bright do you believe your future to be?  Well, if you are a faithful believer, God has plans for you that are so bright that you should pack several pairs of sunglasses and a lifetime supply of sunblock!
 

The way that you think about your future will play a powerful-role in determining how things turn out (it's called the "self-fulfilling prophecy" and it applies to everybody, including you).  So here's another question:  Are you expecting a terrific tomorrow or are you dreading a terrible one? The answer to that question will have a powerful impact on the way tomorrow unfolds.

 

Today, as you live in the present and look to the future, remember that God has an amazing plan for you.  Act - and believe - accordingly.  And one more thing: don't forget the sunblock.

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"The pages of your past cannot be rewritten; but the pages of your future tomorrow are blank"  -- Zig Zigler

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Dear Lord, sometimes when we think about the future, we worry.  Today, we will do a better job of trusting You.  You are our Father, and we will place our hope and our faith in You.  Amen.

So Laugh!

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful"  -- Proverbs 15:13 / New International Version
 

Laughter is God's gift, and He intends that we enjoy it.  Yet, sometimes, because of the inevitable stresses of everyday life, laughter seems only a distant memory.  As Christians we have every reason to be cheerful and to be thankful.  Our blessings from God are beyond measure, starting, of course, with a gift that is ours for the asking.  God's gift of salvation through Christ Jesus.

 

So today, as you go about your daily activities, approach life with a grin and a chuckle.  After all, God created laughter for a reason . . . to use it.  So laugh!

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"It is pleasing to the dear God whenever you rejoice or laugh from the bottom of your heart"  -- Martin Luther

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Lord, when we begin to take ourselves or our lives too seriously, let us laugh.  When we rush from place to place, slow us down, Lord, and let us laugh.  Put a smile on our faces, dear Lord, and let us share that smile with all who cross our path . . . and let us laugh.  Amen.

The Joys of Friendship

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" 
-- Philippians 1:3 / New King James Version
 

What is a friend?  The dictionary defines the word friend as "a person who is connected to another by feelings of affection or personal regard."  This definition is accurate, as far as it goes, but when we examine the deeper meaning of friendship, so many more descriptors come to mind:  trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, kindness, encouragement, humor and cheerfulness, just to name a few.

 

Today, as you consider the many blessings that God has given you, remember to thank Him for the friends He has chosen to place along your path.  May you be a blessing to them, and may they richly bless you today, tomorrow and every day that you live.

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"True friends don't spend time gazing into each other's eyes.  They show great tenderness toward each other, but they face in the  same direction, toward common projects, interest, goals, and above all, toward a common Lord"  -- C.S. Lewis

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Dear Lord, we come before You this day, to thank You for our friends.  You have brought wonderful Christian friends into our lives.  Let our friendships honor You as we walk in the footsteps of Your Son.  Amen.

Seeking God and Finding Happiness

"But happy are those . . . whose hope is in the LORD their God"  - Psalm 146:5 / NLT

 

Happiness depends less upon our circumstance than upon our thoughts.  When we turn our thoughts to God, to His gifts, and to His glorious creation, we experience the joy that God intends for His glorious creation. But, when we focus on the negative aspects of life, we suffer needlessly. 

 

Do you sincerely want to be a happy Christian?  Then set your mind and your heart upon God's love and His grace.  The fullness of life in Christ is available to all who seek it and claim it.  Count yourself among that number.  Seek first the salvation that is available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and then claim the joy, the peace, and the spiritual abundance that the Shepherd offers His sheep. 

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"God has changed Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to him" 

-- A. W. Tozer

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Dear Lord, we are thankful for all the blessings You have given us. Let us be a happy Christian, Father, as we share Your joy with friends, with family, and with the world.  Amen.

The Storms of Life

But Jesus quickly spoke to them, "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid" 

-- Matthew 14:27 / New Century Version
 

A storm rose quickly on the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples were afraid.  Although they had seen Jesus perform many miracles, the disciples feared for their lives, so they turned to their Savior, and He calmed the waters and the wind.
 

Sometimes, we, like the disciples, feel threatened by the inevitable storms of life.  And when we are fearful, we, too, can turn to Christ for courage and for comfort. The next time you are afraid, remember that the One who calmed the wind and the waves is also your personal Savior.  And remember that the ultimate battle has already been won at Calvary.  We, as believers, can live courageously in the promises of our Lord . . . and we should.

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"The fear of God is the death of every other fear"   -- Charles Spurgeon

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Dear Lord, sometimes we face discouragement and challenges that leave us worried and afraid.  When we are fearful, let us seek Your strength.  Keep us mindful, Lord, that You are our God. With You by our side, Lord, we have nothing to fear.  Help us to be Your grateful and courageous servant this day and every day. Amen.

Living in an Anxious World

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"  -- 1 Peter 5:7

 

We live in a world that often breeds anxiety and fear.  When we come face-to-face with tough times, we may fall prey to discouragement, doubt or depression. But our Father in Heaven has other plans. God has promised that we may lead lives of abundance, not anxiety. In fact, His Word instructs us to "be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6).  But how can we put our fears to rest? By taking those fears to God and leaving them there.

 

As you face the challenges of daily life, you may find yourself becoming anxious, troubled, discouraged or fearful.  If so, turn every one of your concerns over to your Heavenly Father.  The same God  who created the universe will comfort you if you ask Him . . . so ask Him and trust Him.  And then watch in amazement as your anxieties melt with the warmth of His loving hands.

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"Worry is a complete waste of energy.  It solves nothing.  And it won't solve that anxiety on your mind either" -- Charles Swindoll

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Father sometimes troubles and distractions preoccupy thoughts and trouble our souls.  When we are anxious Lord, let us turn our prayers to You.  When we are worried, give us faith in You.  Let us live courageously, knowing that You love us and that You will protect us, today and forever.  Amen.

He Reigns

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" 
-- Proverbs 3:6 / New King James Version
 

God is sovereign.  He reigns over the entire universe and He reigns over your little corner of that universe.  Your challenge is to recognize God's sovereignty and live in accordance with His commandments.  Sometimes, of course, this is easier said than done.

 

Your Heavenly Father may not always reveal Himself as quickly (or as clearly) as you would like.  But rest assured:  God is in control.  God is here, and God intends to use you in wonderful, unexpected ways.  He desires to lead you along a path of His choosing. Your challenge is to watch, to listen, to learn . . . and to follow.

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"He proves His sovereignty, not by intervening constantly and preventing these events, but by ruling and overruling them so that even tragedies end up accomplishing His ultimate purpose"  -- Warren Wiersbe

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Dear Lord, You rule over our world, and we will allow You to rule over our hearts.  We will obey Your commandments.  We will study Your Word, and we will seek Your will for our lives, today and every day of our life. Amen.