Working Faithfully

"Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep"? -- Proverbs 6:6-9 / New American Standard Bible

The Bible instructs us that we can learn an important lesson of a surprising source: ants.  Ants are among nature's most industrious creatures.  They do their work without supervision and without hesitation. We should do likewise.  God's Word is clear:  We are instructed to work diligently and faithfully. We are told that the fields are ripe for the harvest, that the workers are few, and that the importance of our work is profound.  Nighttime is coming.  Until it does, let us honor our Father with grateful hearts and willing hands.

_______________

"God provides the ingredients for our daily bread but expects us to do the baking.  With our own hands" -- Barbara Johnson

_______________

Lord, make our work pleasing to You.  Help us to sow the seeds of Your abundance everywhere we go.  Let us be diligent in all our undertakings and give us patience to wait for Your harvest.

Using Your Gifts

"Do not neglect the gift that is in you"  -- 1 Timothy 4:14 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

God has given you talents and opportunities that are uniquely yours.  Are you willing to use your gifts in the way that God intends? And are you willing to summon the discipline that is required to develop your talents and to hone your skills?  That is precisely what God wants you to do, and that is precisely what you should desire for yourself.

As you seek to expand your talents, you will undoubtedly encounter stumbling blocks along the way, such as the fear of rejection or the fear of failure. When you do, don't stumble!  Just continue to refine your skills and offer your services to God.  And when the time is right, He will use you - but it is up to you to be thoroughly prepared when He does.

_______________

"There's a unique sense of fulfillment that comes when we submit our gifts to God's use and ask Him to energize them in a supernatural way - and then step back to watch what He does"  -- Lee Strobel

______________

Lord, we praise You for Your precious gifts. We give thanks for Your creation, for Your Son, and for  the unique talents and opportunities that You have given us.  Let us use our gifts for the glory of Your kingdom, this day and every day.

The Seeds of Generosity

"Freely you have received, freely give"  -- Matthew 10:8 / New King James Version

Paul reminds us that when we sow the seeds of generosity, we reap bountiful rewards in accordance with God's plan for our lives.  Thus, we are instructed to give cheerfully and without reservation: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6,7 KJV)

Today, make  this pledge and keep it:  Be a cheerful, generous, courageous giver. The world needs your help, and you need the spiritual rewards that will be yours when you give it.

_______________

"All the blessings we enjoy are divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition: that they should be dispensed for  the benefit of our neighbors"

-- John Calvin

_______________

Lord, You have given us so much.  Let us share our blessings with those in need.  Make us a generous, humble Christian, Lord, and let the glory be Yours and Yours alone.

God's Lessons

"Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days"  -- Proverbs 19:20 / New American Standard Bible

When it comes to learning life's lessons, we can either do things the easy way or the hard way.  The easy way can be summed up as follows:  when God teaches us a lesson, we learn it . . . the first time!  Unfortunately, too many of us learn much more slowly than that.  When we resist God's instruction, He continues to teach, whether we like it or not.  Our challenge, then, is to discern God's lessons from the experiences of everyday life. Hopefully, we learn those lessons sooner rather than later because the sooner we do, the sooner He can move on the next lesson, and the next, and the next.

_______________

"Enjoy the adventure of receiving God's guidance. Taste it, revel in it, appreciate the fact that the journey is often a lot more exciting than arriving at the destination"  -- Bill Hybels

_______________

Lord, we have so much to learn.  Help us to watch, to listen, to think, and to learn, every day of our lives

Ask and Receive

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" - Matthew 7:7-8 / New King James Version

Are you a person who asks God for guidance and strength?  If so, then you are continually inviting your Creator to reveal Himself in a variety of ways. Jesus made it clear to His disciples they should petition God to meet their needs.  So should we. Genuine, heartfelt prayer produces powerful changes in us and in our world.  When  we lift our hearts to God, we open ourselves to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love.

Do you have questions about your future that you simply can't answer?  Do you have needs that you simply can't meet by yourself?  Do you sincerely seek to know God's purpose for your life? If so, ask Him for direction, for protection, and for strength - and then keep asking Him every day that you live.  Whatever your need, no matter how great or small, pray about it and never lose hope.  God is not just near, He is here, and He's perfectly capable of answering your prayers.  Now, it is up to you to ask.

_______________

Lord, today we will ask You for the things we need.  In every situation, we will come to You in prayer.  You know what we want, Lord, and more importantly, You know what we need.  Yet even though we know that You know, we still won't be too timid - or too busy - to ask.

Beyond Anxiety

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul" 
-- Psalm 94:19 / New King James Version

God calls us to live above and beyond anxiety.  God calls us to live by faith, not by fear.  He instructs us to trust Him completely, this day and forever. But sometimes, trusting God is difficult, especially when we become caught up in the incessant demands of an anxious world.

When you feel anxious, and you will, return your thoughts to God's love. Then, take your concerns to Him in prayer, and to the best of your ability, leave them there. Whatever "it" is, God is big enough to handle it.  Let Him.  Now.

_______________

"Worry and anxiety are sand in  the machinery of life; faith is the oil"  -- E. Stanley Jones

_______________

Lord, sometimes this  world is a difficult place, and, as frail human beings, we are fearful.. When we are worried, restore our faith.  When we are anxious, turn our thoughts to You.

Face to Face with Old Man Trouble

"I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire and the flame will not burn you"  -- Isaiah 43:2 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

As life here on earth unfolds, all of us encounter occasional setbacks:  Those occasional visits from Old Man Trouble are simply a fact of life and none of us are exempt.  When tough times arrive, we may be forced to rearrange our plans and our priorities. But even on our darkest days, we must remember that God's love remains constant.

The fact that we encounter adversity is not nearly so important as the way we choose to deal with it.  When tough times arrive, we have a clear choice: we can begin the difficult work of tackling our troubles ... or not.  When we summon the courage to look Old Man Trouble squarely in the eye, an amazing thing usually happens:  he blinks.

_______________

Lord, You are our refuge. As we journey through this day, we know that we may encounter disappointments and losses.  When we are troubled, let us turn to You.  Keep us steady, Lord and renew a right spirit inside of us this day and forever.

A Passionate Life

"Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord"
-- Romans 12:11 / Holman Christian Standard Bible
 

Are you passionate about your life, your loved ones, your work, and your faith?  As a believer, who has been saved by a risen Christ, you should be.  You have every reason to be enthusiastic about life, but sometimes the inevitable struggles of life may cause you to feel decidedly unenthusiastic.  If you feel that your enthusiasm is slowly fading away, it is time to slow down, to rest, to count your blessings, and to pray.  When you feel worried or weary, you must pray fervently for God to renew your sense of wonderment and excitement.

Life with God is a glorious adventure; revel in it.  When you do, God will most certainly smile upon your work and your life.
_______________
 

"This is Christianity as God intended it - a passionate, willful, and fully emotional relationship"  -- Bill Hybels
_______________
 

Lord, the life that we live and the words that we speak bear testimony to our faith.  Make us a faithful and passionate servant of Your Son, and let our testimony be worthy of You. Let our words be sure and true, and let our actions point others to You.

Love That Forgives

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions"

-- Mark 11:25 / New American Standard Bible

Genuine love is an exercise in forgiveness.  If we wish to build lasting  relationships, we must learn how to forgive. Why? Because our loved ones are imperfect (as we are). How often must we forgive our family and friends? More times than we can count. Why? Because that's what God wants us to do.

Perhaps granting forgiveness is hard for you. If so, you are not alone. Genuine, lasting forgiveness is often difficult to achieve, difficult but not impossible. Thankfully, with God's help, all  things are possible, and that includes forgiveness.  But, even though God is willing to help, He expects you to do some of the work.  And make no mistake:  forgiveness is work, which is okay with God. He knows that the payoffs are worth the effort.

_______________

"Are you aware of the joy-stealing effect an unforgiving spirit is having on your life?"  - Charles Swindoll

_______________

Lord, let forgiveness rule our hearts, even when forgiveness is difficult.  Let us be Your obedient servants, and let us be people who forgive others just as You have forgiven us.

Hope For Today

"You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and recognized God's grace in the truth" 
-- Colossians 1:5-6 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Despite God's promises, despite Christ's love, and despite our countless blessings, we can still hope from time to time.  When we do, we need the encouragement of Christian friends, the life-changing power of prayer, and the healing truth of God's Holy Word. If we find ourselves falling into the spiritual traps of worry and discouragement, we should seek the healing touch of Jesus and the encouraging words of our friends.  Even though this world can be a place of trials and struggles, God has promised us peace, joy, and eternal life if we give ourselves to Him. And, of course, God keeps His promises today, tomorrow and forever.

______________

"Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances which we know to be desperate"  -- G. E. Chesterton

______________

Lord, we will place our hope in You.  If we become discouraged, we will turn to You.  If we are afraid, we will seek strength in You.  In every aspect of our lives, we will trust You and we will place our faith in You.

The Answer to Adversity

"I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you"
-- 2 Kings 20:5 / New King James Version

From time to time, all of us must endure discouragement and defeat.  And, we sometimes experience life-changing personal losses that leave us reeling.  When we do,  God stands ready to protect us. When we are troubled, we must call upon God, and, in His own time and according to His own plan, He will heal us.

Are you anxious? Take those anxieties to God.  Are you troubled? Take your troubles to Him. Does your world seem to be trembling beneath your feet? Seek protection from the One who cannot be moved. The same God who created the universe will protect you if you ask Him ... so ask Him.

_______________

"We should not be upset when unexpected and upsetting things happen.  God, in his wisdom, means to make something of us which we have not yet attained, and He is dealing with us accordingly"  -- J.I. Packer

_______________

Lord, You are our strength and our protector.  In times of adversity, let us trust Your plan for our life.  Your love is infinite, as is Your wisdom.  Whatever our circumstances, let us always give the praise, and the thanks, and the glory to You.

Forgiving and Forgetting

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy"

-- James 3:17 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Do you have a rough time forgiving and forgetting? If so, welcome to the club.  Most of us find it difficult to forgive the people who have hurt us.  And that's too bad because life would be much simpler if we could forgive people "one and for all" and be done with it.  Yet forgiveness is seldom that way. Usually,  the decision to forgive is straightforward, but the process of forgiving is more difficult.  Forgiveness is a journey that requires time, perseverance, and prayer.

If you sincerely wish to forgive someone, pray for that person.  And then pray for yourself by asking God to heal your heart. Don't expect forgiveness to be easy or quick, but rest assured, with God as your partner, you can forgive . . . and you will.

_______________

"There is no use in talking as if forgiveness were easy. For we find that the work of forgiveness has to be done over and over again" -- C.S. Lewis

_______________

Lord, today, we ask You to help us move beyond feelings of bitterness and anger.  Jesus forgave those who hurt Him; let us walk in His footsteps by forgiving those who have injured us.

A Shining Light

"While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so you may become sons of the Light" -- John 12:36 / New American Standard Bible

The Bible says that you are "the light that gives light to the world."  What kind of light have you been giving off? Hopefully, you have been a good example for everybody to see.  Why?  Because the world needs all the light it can get, and that includes your light, too!  Christ showed enduring love for you by willingly sacrificing His own life so that you might have eternal life.  As a response to His sacrifice, you should love Him, praise Him, and share His message of salvation with your neighbors and with the world.  So let your light shine today and every day.  What you do, God will bless you now and forever.

________________

"Whatever clouds you face today, ask Jesus, the light of the world, to help you look behind the cloud to see His glory and His plans for you"

-- Billy Graham

_______________

Lord, You are the way and the truth and the light.  Today, as we follow Your way and share Your Good News, let us be a worthy example to others and a worthy servant to You.

God's Guidance

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD; And He delights in his way"

-- Psalm 37:23 / New American Standard Bible

God is intensely interested in each of us, and He will guide our steps if we serve Him obediently.  When we sincerely offer heartfelt prayers to Him, He will give direction and meaning to our lives - but He won't force us to follow Him.  To the contrary, God has given us the free will to follow His commandments ... or not.

When we stray from God's commandments, we invite bitter consequences. But, when we follow His commandments and when we genuinely and humbly seek His will, He touches our hearts and leads us on the path of His choosing. Will you trust God to guide your steps?  You should.  When you entrust your life to Him completely and without reservation, God will give you the strength to meet any challenge, the courage to face any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace. So trust Him today and seek His guidance.  When you do, your next step will be the right one.

_______________

Lord, You always stand ready to guide us.  Let us accept your guidance, today and every day of our lives. Lead us, so that our lives can be a tribute to Your grace, to Your mercy, to Your love, and to Your Son.

Pats on the Back

"So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another"  -- Proverbs 14:19 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Life is a team sport, and all of us need occasional pats on the back from our teammates. In the book of Ephesians, Paul writes, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Proverbs 4:29).  Paul reminds us hat when we choose our words carefully, we can have a positive impact on those around us.

Since we do not always know who needs our help, the best strategy is to encourage all the people who cross our paths.  So today, be a world-class source of encouragement to everyone you meet.  Never has the need been greater.

_______________

"Make it a rule, and pray to God to help you to keep it, never to be down at night without being able to say: "I have made at least one person a little wiser, a little happier, or a little better this day."  - Charles Kingsley

_______________

Lord, just as You have lifted us up, let us lift up others in a spirit of encouragement and hope. And if we can help a fellow traveler, even in a small way, may the glory be Yours.

In Focus

"Let your eyes look directly ahead, And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you" 

-- Proverbs 4:25 / New American Standard Bible

What is your focus today?  Are you willing to focus your thoughts and energies on God's blessings and upon His will for your life? Or will you turn your thoughts to other things? This day - and every day after - is a chance to celebrate the life that God has given you.  It's also a chance to give thanks to the One who has offered you more blessings than you can possibly count.

Today, why not focus your thoughts on the joy that is rightfully yours in Christ? Why not take time to celebrate God's glorious creation? Why not trust your hopes instead of your fears? When you do, you will think optimistically about yourself and your world and you can then share your optimism with others. They will be better for it, and so will you.

_______________

"Jesus challenges you and me to keep our focus daily on the cross of His will if we want to be His disciples"  -- Anne Graham Lotz

______________

Lord, help us to face this day with a spirit of optimism and thanksgiving. And let us focus our thoughts on You and Your incomparable gifts

The Last Word

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord ..."

-- 2 Timothy 1:7-8 / New American Standard Bible

All of us may find our courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies of life.  After all, ours is a world filled with uncertainty, hardship, sickness and danger.  Old Man Trouble, it seems, is never too far from the front door.

When we focus upon our fears and our doubts, we may find many reason to lie awake at night and fret about the uncertainties of the coming day. A better strategy, of course is to focus not upon our fears, but instead upon our God.  God is your shield and your strength; you are His forever. So don't focus your thoughts upon the fears of the day. Instead, trust God's plan and His eternal love for you.  And remember: God is good, and He has the last word.

_______________

"Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be"  -- Rick Warren

_______________

Lord, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil because You are with us.  Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect love, a love that casts our fear and gives us strength and courage to meet the challenges of this world.

God and Family

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom,  teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God"  -- Colossians 3:16 / New American Standard Bible

These are difficult days for our nation and for our families. But, thankfully, God is bigger than all of our challenges.  God loves us and protects us.  In times of trouble, He comforts us; in times of sorrow, He dries our tears. When we are troubled, or weak, or sorrowful, God is as near as our next breath.

Are you concerned for the well-being of your family? You are not alone. We live in a world where temptation and danger seem to lurk on every street corner. Parents and children alike have great reason to be watchful. But, despite the evils of our time, God remains steadfast. Even in these difficult days, no problem is too big for God.

_______________

"As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family established society's most basis values"  -- Charles Colson

______________

Lord, we are blessed to be part of the family of God where we find love and acceptance. You have also blessed us with our earthly family. Let us show love and acceptance for our own family so that through us, they might come to know You.

Trust Him

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"

-- Proverbs 3:5,6 / New American Standard Bible

Sometimes the future seems bright and sometimes it does not. Yet even when we cannot see the possibilities of tomorrow, God can.  As believers, our challenge is to trust an uncertain future in an all-powerful God.  When we trust God, we should trust Him without reservation. When we are against the inevitable disappointments of the day, we can be secure in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father has a plan for the future that only He can see.

Can you place your future into the hands of a loving and all-knowing God?  Can you live amid the uncertainties of today, knowing that God has dominion overall your tomorrows? When you trust God with everything you are and everything you have, He will bless you now and forever.

_______________

Lord, when I trust in things of this earth, we will be disappointed. But, when we put our faith in You, we can be secure. You are our rock and our shield. Upon Your firm foundation we will build our life. When we are worried, Lord, let us trust in You.  You will love us and protect us, and You will share Your boundless grace today, tomorrow and forever.

God's Forgiveness

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

-- 1 John 1:9 / New American Standard Bible

The Bible promises you this:  When you ask God for forgiveness, He will give it. No questions asked; no explanations required. God's power to forgive; like His love, is infinite.  Despite your sins, God offers immediate forgiveness. And its time to take Him up on His offer.

When it comes to forgiveness, God does not play favorites and neither should you. You should forgive all the people who have harmed you (not just those who have asked for forgiveness or the ones who have made restitution). Complete forgiveness is God's way and it should be your way, too. Anything less is just not enough.

________________

"When God forgives, He forgets. He buries our sins in the sea and puts a sign  on the shore saying, 'No Fishing Allowed.'" -- Corrie ten Boom

________________

Lord, when it is difficult to forgive those who have hurt us, we will draw strength from You. When forgiveness is hard work, we will persevere. You have given us the gift of forgiveness, and we will share this gift today, tomorrow and forever.

God Is Here

"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you"  -- James 4:8 / New Living Translation

God is constantly making Himself available to you; therefore, when you approach Him obediently and sincerely , You will most certainly find Him:  God is alwaysw available to you. Whenever it seems to you that God is distant, disinterested, or altogether absent, you may rest assured that your feelings are a reflection of your own emotional state, not an indication of God's absence.

If, during life's darker days, you seek to establish a closer relationship with Him, you can do so because God is not just near, He is hear.

________________

"Christianity says we were created by a righteous God to flourish and be exhilarated in a righteous environment. God has "wired" us in such a way that the more righteous we are, the more we'll actually enjoy life"  -- Bill Hybels

_______________

Lord, thank You for Your constant presence and Your constant love.  We draw near to You this day with  the confidence that You are ready to guide us.  Help us walk closely with You, and help us share Your Good News with all who cross our path.

It's Time to Look Up and Move On

"All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ"  --  Ephesians 4:31-32 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Are you mired in the quicksand of bitterness or regret?  If so, you are not only disobeying God's Word, you are also wasting your time. The world holds few if any rewards for those who remain angrily focused upon the past. Still, the act of forgiveness is difficult for all but the most saintly men and women.

Being frail, fallible, imperfect human beings, most of us are quick to anger, quick to blame, slow to forgive and even slower to forget. Yet, if you are a Christian, we are commanded to forgive others just as we, too, have been forgiven.

If there exists even one person - dead or alive - against whom you hold bitter feelings, it's time to forgive. Or, if you are embittered against yourself for some past mistake or shortcoming, it's finally time to forgive yourself and move on.  Hatred. bitterness, and regret are not part of God's plan for your life.  Forgiveness is.

______________

Lord, free us from anger and bitterness. When we are angry or bitter, we cannot sense Your presence.  Keep us mindful that forgiveness is Your commandment. Let us turn away from bitterness and instead claim the spiritual abundance that You offer through the gift of Your Son.

New Beginnings

"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing"  -- Isaiah 43:18-19 / New King James Version

Each new day offers countless opportunities to serve God, to seek His will, and to obey His teachings. But each day also offers countless opportunities to stray from God's commandments and to wander far from His path.

Sometimes, we wander aimlessly in a wilderness of our own making, but God has better plans for us. And, whenever we ask Him to renew our strength and guide our steps, He does so.  Consider this day a new beginning.  Consider it a fresh start, a renewed opportunity to serve your Creator with willing hands and a loving heart. Ask God  to renew your sense of purpose as He guides your steps. Today is a glorious opportunity to serve your Father in Heaven. Seize  that opportunity while you can; tomorrow may indeed be too late.

_______________

"No matter how badly we have failed, we can always get up and begin again. Our God is the God of new beginnings"  -- Warren Wiersbe

_______________

Lord, conform us to Your image. Create in us a clean heart, a new heart that reflects Your love for us. When we need to change, change us, Lord, and make us new.