Proverbs 13:11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.
It can be disheartening to see people who become "rich" overnight through get-rich-quick schemes as the verse above says, however, God will reward those who do diligent work over time. Hard work always pays off, even if it is not in a short period of time or the time period we feel like it should be. Be patient in your work and know that when you work hard and be diligent to follow through, God will come through on your behalf.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Be Teachable
Proverbs 13:10 Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
Proverbs 13:14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
Sometimes advice and constructive criticism can be taken with defensive behavior and hurt feelings. Although there are times when people in our life say hurtful things, there are also times when advice and constructive criticism can be taken too personally and it was only meant to help or improve upon what you already have going for you. We all have mentors and authority figures in our lives, some that we look up to and some that we don't. No matter the level of admiration, those that have authority over you are there for a reason. They are there to guide you and to show you the way when something goes awry or could be improved upon. Know the difference between criticism and helpful advice or tips and be a person who is teachable.
Proverbs 13:14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
Sometimes advice and constructive criticism can be taken with defensive behavior and hurt feelings. Although there are times when people in our life say hurtful things, there are also times when advice and constructive criticism can be taken too personally and it was only meant to help or improve upon what you already have going for you. We all have mentors and authority figures in our lives, some that we look up to and some that we don't. No matter the level of admiration, those that have authority over you are there for a reason. They are there to guide you and to show you the way when something goes awry or could be improved upon. Know the difference between criticism and helpful advice or tips and be a person who is teachable.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Shielded in Forgiveness
Psalm 86:5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
We never have to be ashamed to ask for God's help when we have failed someone or something. He is always there to forgive us and to love us back to the path He had originally set us on. Seek God's help every day and let Him be there for you when you mess up. He's the best comfort there is and He's waiting for you to ask Him for forgiveness and move on to bigger and better things.
We never have to be ashamed to ask for God's help when we have failed someone or something. He is always there to forgive us and to love us back to the path He had originally set us on. Seek God's help every day and let Him be there for you when you mess up. He's the best comfort there is and He's waiting for you to ask Him for forgiveness and move on to bigger and better things.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Whole Being, Body & Soul
Psalm 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the LORD.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God
Picture a world of people who had their focus on praising and worshipping God with their whole being, body and soul. What would that look like for you? I'm sure if you asked six different people that question you would get six different answers. The way you worship with your whole being, body and soul is going to be different from anyone else. Take that picture and apply it to your life. Worship and praise God with your whole heart, your whole being. Long to spend time with the God who loves and adores you.
O LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the LORD.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God
Picture a world of people who had their focus on praising and worshipping God with their whole being, body and soul. What would that look like for you? I'm sure if you asked six different people that question you would get six different answers. The way you worship with your whole being, body and soul is going to be different from anyone else. Take that picture and apply it to your life. Worship and praise God with your whole heart, your whole being. Long to spend time with the God who loves and adores you.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
A God Who Answers Prayer
Luke 18:1-8 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’ "Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
This story reminds us that there is power in prayer. God always responds to our prayers but it is not always when or how we may be wanting or expecting Him to. I encourage you to never give up on anything you are asking God for. He always comes through and He is always faithful. Be patient in your waiting and be aware that how you want a response may not be how God wants to reveal Himself. Stay open to His ways and His knowledge because He is a God who answers prayers.
This story reminds us that there is power in prayer. God always responds to our prayers but it is not always when or how we may be wanting or expecting Him to. I encourage you to never give up on anything you are asking God for. He always comes through and He is always faithful. Be patient in your waiting and be aware that how you want a response may not be how God wants to reveal Himself. Stay open to His ways and His knowledge because He is a God who answers prayers.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
In Step
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing.
Christ has called us to a life of interaction with other people. In life we encounter several relationships that usually include family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, bosses, etc. Each relationship in our life is an important one whether it is good or bad. Relationships teach us lessons and often we learn things about ourselves as well as the other person. Maintaining relationships can be a very difficult thing and sometimes it can be easier to give up. However, when we are alone and have no one to interact with we are more suceptible to the attack of the devil. That is exactly where he wants you, alone and vulnerable. God placed people in our lives to stay connected and to keep us accountable to His word and His purpose. Next time you want to throw in the towel on a relationship, think about its importance and the outcome of giving up on that relationship.
Christ has called us to a life of interaction with other people. In life we encounter several relationships that usually include family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, bosses, etc. Each relationship in our life is an important one whether it is good or bad. Relationships teach us lessons and often we learn things about ourselves as well as the other person. Maintaining relationships can be a very difficult thing and sometimes it can be easier to give up. However, when we are alone and have no one to interact with we are more suceptible to the attack of the devil. That is exactly where he wants you, alone and vulnerable. God placed people in our lives to stay connected and to keep us accountable to His word and His purpose. Next time you want to throw in the towel on a relationship, think about its importance and the outcome of giving up on that relationship.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Strong Fortress
Deuteronomy 33:26-27 "There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, 'Destroy them!'
It's amazing how God can be everything we need. He can be our protector, provider, comfort. love, peace, etc! There is an endless number of positions that only God can completely fulfill in our lives. The verse above reveals the King and Protector that God is for us. When the verse says that God "rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splenor," it reminds us that He not only wants to reach out and lift us up when we are weak but also that He is beautiful in appearance (inside and out) and also that He is powerful beyond measure. This verse also says that His "everlasting arms are under you," and "He drives out the enemy before you." These two phrases remind us that God's strength never runs out, it is always there to catch us and renew the strength that we may be lacking on our own. Have hope today that God is your Strong Fortress and HE never tires out.
It's amazing how God can be everything we need. He can be our protector, provider, comfort. love, peace, etc! There is an endless number of positions that only God can completely fulfill in our lives. The verse above reveals the King and Protector that God is for us. When the verse says that God "rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splenor," it reminds us that He not only wants to reach out and lift us up when we are weak but also that He is beautiful in appearance (inside and out) and also that He is powerful beyond measure. This verse also says that His "everlasting arms are under you," and "He drives out the enemy before you." These two phrases remind us that God's strength never runs out, it is always there to catch us and renew the strength that we may be lacking on our own. Have hope today that God is your Strong Fortress and HE never tires out.
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