Contagious Faith

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men"  Colossians 3:23 / New American Standard Bible

Genuine, heartfelt Christianity is contagious. If you enjoy a life-altering relationship with God, that relationship will have an impact on others, perhaps a  profound impact.  Are you genuinely excited about your faith? And do you make your enthusiasm known to those around you? Or are you a "silent ambassador" for Christ?  God's preference is clear:  He intends that you stand before others and proclaim your faith.

Does Christ reign over your life? If so, then share your testimony and your excitement.  The world needs both!

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"There seems to be a chilling fear of holy enthusiasm among the people of God. We try to tell how happy we are - but we remain so well-controlled that there are very few waves of glory experienced in our midst"  -- A.W. Tozer

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Lord, we know that others are searching the way that we live our lives.  Help us to be an enthusiastic Christian with a faith that is contagious.

Infinite Forgiveness

"God forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us" 

-- Luke 11:4 / New King James Version

God's power to forgive, like His love, in infinite.  Despite your shortcomings, despite your sins, God offers you immediate forgiveness and eternal life when you accept Christ as your Savior.

As a believer who is the recipient of God's forgiveness, how should you  behave towards others? Should you forgive them (just as God has forgive you), or should you remain embittered and resentful? The answer, of course, is found in God's Word:  you are instructed to forgive others. When you do, you not only obey God's command, you also free yourself from a prison of your own making.

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"The love of God is revealed in that He laid down His life for His enemies" 
-- Oswald Chambers

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Lord, when we ask for forgiveness, You give it.  Thank You, Father, for forgiving us when we make mistakes.  I pray that in the coming days, we will be quick to forgive others, just as You have forgiven us.

The Gift of Salvation

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift - not from works, so that no one can boast"

-- Ephesians 2:8-9 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

God has given us so many gifts, but none can compare with the gift of eternal life. We have not earned our salvation; it is a blessing from God. When we accept Christ into our hearts, we are saved by grace.

God's grace is the ultimate gift, and we owe to Him the ultimate in thanksgiving.  Let us praise the Creator for His priceless gift, and let us share the Good News with all who cross our paths. We return our Father's love by accepting His grace and by sharing His message and His love.  When we do, we are eternally blessed and the Father smiles.

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"Christianity helps us face the music even when we don't like the tune" -- Phillips Brooks

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Lord, Accepting your grace can be hard. Somehow, we feel that we must earn Your love and Your acceptance. Yet, the Bible promises that You love us and save us by Your grace. It is a gift we can only accept and cannot earn. Thank You for Your priceless gift.

Character Counts

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge" -- 2 Peter 1:5 / New King James Version

Character is built slowly over a lifetime. It is the sum of every right decision, every honest word, every noble thought, and every heartfelt prayer.  It is forged on the anvil of honorable work and published by the twin virtues of generosity and humility. Character is a precious thing - difficult to build but easy to tear down. As believers in Christ, we must seek to live each day with discipline, honesty and faith.  When we do, integrity becomes a habit. And God smiles.

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"God cannot build character without our cooperation. If we resist Him, then He chastens us into submission. But, if we submit to Him, then He can accomplish His work. He is not satisfied with a halfway job. God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished product that is mature and complete"

-- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, Your Word instructs us to walk in righteousness and in truth. Make us Your worthy servant, Lord. Let our words be true, and let our actions lead others to You.

God Never Leaves You

And he said, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust"

-- 2 Samuel 22:2-3 / New King James Version

Being a believer in this difficult world is no easy task. Ours is a time of uncertainty and danger, a time when even the most courageous have legitimate cause for concern. But as believers we can live courageously, knowing that we have been saved by a loving Father and His only begotten Son.

Are you anxious? Take those anxieties to God.  Are you troubled? Take your troubles to Him. Seek protection from the One who cannot be moved. And then live courageously, knowing even in these troubled times, God is always as near as your next breath and you are always protected.

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"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake" -- Victor Huge

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Lord, You are our Shepherd.  You care for us; You comfort us; You watch over us; and if we have trusted You with our lives, You have saved us.  We will praise You for Your glorious works, for Your protection, for Your love, and for Your Son.

The Power of Faith

" ... put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed"  -- 2 Chronicles 20:20 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Every life - including yours - is a series of successes and failures, celebrations and disappointments, joys and sorrows.  Every step of the way, through every triumph and tragedy, God will stand by your side and strengthen you . . . if you have faith in Him. Jesus taught his disciples that if they had faith, they could move mountains.  You can too.

When you place your faith, your trust, indeed your life in the hands of Jesus, you will be amazed at the marvelous things He can do with you and through you. So strengthen your faith through praise, through worship, through Bible study, and through prayer. And trust God's plans.  With Him, all things are possible, and He stands ready to open a world of possibilities to you . . . if you have faith.

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Lord, sometimes this world can be a fearful place, full of uncertainty and doubt.  But You are always near and You can overcome any challenge.  Give us faith, and let us remember always that with Your love and Your power, we can live courageously and faithfully today and every day.

Saying Yes to God

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken"  -- Psalm 15:22 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Your decision to seek a deeper relationship with God will not remove all problems from your life; to the contrary, it will bring about a series of personal crises as you constantly seek to say "yes" to God although the world encourages you to do otherwise. You live in a world that seeks to snare your attention and lead you away from God.  Each time you are tempted to distance yourself from the Creator, you will face a spiritual crisis. A few of these crises may be monumental in scope, but most will be the small, everyday decisions of life.  In fact, life here on earth can be seen as one test after another - and with each crisis comes yet another opportunity to grow closer to God . . . or to distance yourself from His plan for your life.

Today, as you serve on the front lines of life, you will face many opportunities to say "yes" to your Creator - and you will also encounter many opportunities to say
"no" to Him.  Your answers will determine the quality of your day and the direction of your life, so answer carefully . . . very carefully.

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Lord, thank You for loving us.  And thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to this earth so that we can receive Your gift of eternal love and eternal life.  We will praise You, dear God, today, tomorrow and forever.

The Remedy for Uncertainty

"He (Jesus) said to them, 'Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?' Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm"

-- Matthew 8:26 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Sometimes, like Jesus' disciples, we feel threatened by the storms of life. During these moments, when our hearts are flooded with uncertainty, we must remember that God is not simply near, He is here.

Have you ever felt your faith in God slipping away? If so, you are in good company. Even the most faithful Christians are, at times, beset by occasional bouts of discouragement and doubt. But even when you feel far removed from God, God never leaves your side. He is always with you, always willing to calm the storms of life. When you sincerely seek His presence  and when you genuinely seek to establish a deeper, more meaningful relationship with His Son, God will calm your fears, answer your prayers, and restore your soul.

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Lord, sometimes this world can be a puzzling place, filled with uncertainty and doubt.  When we are unsure of our next step, keep us mindful that You are always near and that You can overcome any challenge.  With Your love and Your power, we can live courageously and faithfully, today and every day.

Dream Big

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" 

-- Ephesians 3:20 / New American Standard Bible

Are you willing to entertain the possibility that God has big plans in store for you? Hopefully so.  Yet sometimes, especially if you have recently experienced a life-altering disappointment, you may find it difficult to envision a brighter future for yourself and your family. if so, it's time to reconsider your own capabilities and God's.

Your Heavenly Father created you with unique gifts and untapped talents: your job is to tap them. When you do, you will begin to find an increasing sense of confidence in yourself and in your future. So even if you are experiencing difficult days, don't abandon your dreams. Instead, trust that God is preparing you for greater things.

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Lord, give us the courage to dream and the faithfulness to trust in Your perfect plan. When we are worried or weary, give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Keep us mindful of Your healing power, Your infinite love, and Your eternal salvation.

Today's Opportunities

"But encourage one another day after day as long as it is still called "Today" so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin"

--Hebrews 3:13 / New American Standard Bible

The 118th Psalm reminds us, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" (v. 24/KJV). As we rejoice in this day that the Lord has given us, let us remember that an important part of today's celebration is the time we spend celebrating others. Each day provides countless opportunities to encourage others and to praise their good works. When we do, we not only spread seeds of joy and happiness, we also follow the commandments of God's Holy Word.

How can we build others up? By celebrating their victories and their accomplishments.  So look for the good in others and celebrate the good that you find. When you do, you will be a powerful force of encouragement in the world.

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"A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could"  -- Zig Zaglar

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Lord, You have blessed all of Your children with special gifts and talents. Today, help us to use the talents You have given us and in turn, let us help others find the strength and courage to use their gifts according to Your master plan.

Give Me Patience, Lord

"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone"   -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 / New American Standard Bible

Most of us are impatient for God to grant us the desires of our heart.  Usually, we know what we want, and we know precisely when we want it:  right now, if not sooner. But God may have other plans. And when God's plans differ from our own, we must trust in His infinite wisdom and in His infinite love.

As busy people living in a fast-paced world, many of us find that waiting patiently for God is difficult. But God instructs us to be patient in all things. We must be patient with our families, our friends and our associates. We must also be patient with our Creator as He unfolds His plan for our lives. And that's as it should be. After all, think how patient God has been with us.

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"It is wise to wait because God gives clear direction only when we are willing to wait" -- Charles Stanley

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Lord, let us live according to Your plan and according to Your timetable. When we are hurried, Lord, slow us down. When we become impatient with others, give us empathy.  Today, Lord, let us be a patient Christian, and let us trust in You and in Your master plan.

Defeating Discouragement

"The LORD is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged"

-- Deuteronomy 31:8 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

When we fail to meet the expectations of others (or, for the matter, the expectations that we have set for ourselves), we may be tempted to abandon hope. Thankfully, on those cloudy days when our strength is sapped and our faith is shaken, there exists a source from which we can draw courage and wisdom.  That source is God.

When we seek to form a more intimate and dynamic relationship with the Creator, He renews our spirits and restores our souls.  God's promise is made clear in Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (NKJV). And upon this promise we can and should depend.

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Lord, when we are discouraged, give us perspective and faith. When we are weak, give us strength. When we are fearful, give us courage for the day ahead. We will trust in Your promises, and we will live with the assurance that You are with us not only for this day,  but also throughout eternity.

The Right Kind of Attitude

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer" -- Psalm 19:14 / HCSB

What is your attitude today? Are you fearful or worried? Are you more concerned about pleasing your friends than about pleasing the Lord? Are you bitter, confused, cynical or pessimistic? If so, it is time to have a little chat with your Father in Heaven. 

 

God intends that your life be filled with spiritual abundance and joy - but God will not force His joy upon you - you must claim it for yourself. So do yourself this favor: accept God's gifts with a smile on your face, a song on your lips, and joy in your heart. Think optimistically about yourself and your future. Give thanks to the One who has given you everything, and trust in your heart that He wants to give you so much more!

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"The things we think are the things that feed our souls. If we think on pure and lovely things, we shall grow pure and lovely like them, and the converse is equally true"

-- Hannah Whitall Smith

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Lord, we pray for an attitude that is Christ-like. Whatever my situation, whether good or bad, happy or sad, let me respond with an attitude of optimism, faith and love for You.

Seeking His Will

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness"  -- Psalm 143:10 / New King James Version
 

God has a plan for our world and our lives. God does not do things by accident; He is willful and intentional. Unfortunately for us, we cannot always understand the will of God. Why? Because we are mortal beings with limited understanding.  Although we cannot fully comprehend the will of God, we should always trust the will of God.  As this day unfolds, seek God's will and obey His Word. When you entrust your life to Him without reservation, He will give you the courage to meet any challenge, the strength to endure any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace.

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"'If the Lord will' is not just a statement on a believer's lips; it is the constant attitude of his heart.  -- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, we will study Your Word and seek Your guidance. Give us the wisdom to know Your will for our lives and the courage to follow wherever You may lead us, today and forever.

Energized for Life

"So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose" 

 -- Philippians 2:12-13 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

Are you fired with enthusiasm for Christ? If so, congratulations, and keep up the good work! But, if your spiritual batteries are running low, then perhaps you are spending too much energy working for yourself and not enough energy working for God. If you are feeling tired, or troubled, or both, don't despair.  Instead, seek strength from the source  that never fails; that source, of course, is your Heavenly Father.  And rest assured, when you sincerely promise Him, He will give you all the strength you need to live victoriously for Him.

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"When there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing power"

-- Andrew Murray

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Lord, let us find our strength in You. When we are weary, give us rest. When we are overwhelmed, let us look to You for our priorities. Let Your power be our power, Lord, and let Your way be our way today and forever.

Above and Beyond Our Circumstances

"Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?" 
-- Job 2:10 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

All of us face difficult days.  Sometimes even the most devout Christians can become discouraged, and you are not the exception.  After all, you live in a world where expectations can be high and demands can be even higher.  If you find yourself enduring difficult circumstances, remember that God remains in His Heaven. If you become discouraged with the direction of your day or even your life, turn your thoughts and prayers to Him. He is a God of possibility, not negativity.  He will guide you through your difficulties and beyond them . . . far beyond.
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"Crisis brings us face to face with our inadequacy and our inadequacy in turn leads us to the inexhaustible sufficiency o God" -- Catherine Marshall
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Lord, when we are troubled, You can heal us. When we are afraid, You can protect us. When we are discouraged, You can lift us up.  During the difficult days of our lives, we will trust You. And whatever our circumstances, we will thank You for Your blessings, for Your love, and for Your Son.

Comforting Others

"Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" 
-- Galatians 6:2 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

We live in a world that is, on occasion, a frightening place.  Sometimes, we sustain life-altering losses that are so profound and so tragic that it seems we could never recover.  But, with God's help and with the help of encouraging family and friends, we can recover. 

In times of need, God's Word is clear; as believers, we must offer comfort to those in need by sharing not only our courage but also our faith. As the renowned revivalist Vance Havner observed, "No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys. We can properly comfort others only with the comfort where-with we ourselves have been comforted of God."  Enough said.
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"When action-oriented compassion is absent, it's a tell-tale sign that something's spiritually amiss"  -- Bill Hybels

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Lord, this world can be a difficult place, a place full of suffering and tears. Let us give comfort to those in need and let us share Your love with those who grieve. When we meet those who mourn, guide our speech.  And when we, too, become discouraged, keep us mindful of Your infinite love.

The Morning Watch

"He awakens (me) each morning: He awakens my ear to listen like those being instructed. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious I did not turn back" 

-- Isaiah 50:4-5 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

Each new day is a gift from God, and if you are wise, you will spend a few quiet moments each morning thanking the Giver.  Warren Wiersbe writes, "Surrender your mind to the Lord at the beginning of each day."  And that's sound advice.  When you begin each day with your head bowed and your heart lifted, you are reminded of God's love, His protection, and His commandments.  Then, you can align your priorities for the coming day with the teachings and commandments that God has placed upon your heart.
 

So, if you have acquired the unfortunate habit of trying to "squeeze" God into the corners of your life, it's time to reshuffle the items on your to-do list by placing God first.  And if you have not already done so, form the habit of spending quality time with your Father in heaven.  He deserves it . . . and so do you. 
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"Meditation is as silver; but tribulation is as fine gold"  -- C. H. Spurgeon
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Lord, help us to hear Your direction for us for our lives in the quiet moments of each day.  Let everything that we say and do be in Your perfect will.

Temporary Setbacks

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance .." 

-- Ecclesiastes 3:4 / King James Version

The occasional disappointments and failures of life are inevitable.  Such setbacks are simply the price that we must occasionally pay for our willingness to take risks as we follow our dreams. But even when we encounter bitter disappointments, we must never lose faith.

When we encounter the inevitable difficulties of life here on earth, God stands ready to protect us.  Our responsibility, of course, is to ask Him for protection. When we call upon Him in heartfelt prayer, He will answer - in His own time and according to His own plan - and He will heal us. And, while we are waiting for God's plans to unfold and for His healing touch to restore us, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even if we cannot.

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"Goals are worth setting and worth missing.  We learn from non-successes"  -- Bill Bright

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Lord, even when we are afraid of failure, give us the courage to try.  Remind us that with You by our side, we really have nothing to fear. So today, we will live courageously as we place our faith in You.

Hope for the Journey

"That is why we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"  -- Hebrews 13:6 / New Living Translation

Because we are saved by a risen Christ, we can have hope for the future, no matter how desperate our circumstances may seem.  After all, God has promised that we are His throughout eternity.  And, he has told us that we must place our hope in Him.  Today, summon the courage to follow God. Even if the path seems difficult, even if your heart is fearful, trust your Heavenly Father and follow Him. Trust Him with your day and your  life.  Do His work, care for His children, and share His Good News.  Let Him guide your steps.  He will not lead you astray.

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"Why rely on yourself and fall? Cast yourself upon His arm. Be not afraid. He will not let you slip. Cast yourself in confidence. He will receive you and heal you"

-- St Augustine

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Lord, when we are fearful, we will lean upon You. Keep us ever mindful, Lord, that You are our God, our strength, and our shield.  With You by our side, we have nothing to fear. And, with Your Son, Jesus as our Savior, we have received the priceless gift of eternal life. Help us to be a grateful and courageous servant this day and every day.