I see each day as a clean slate, giving God the pen to write the story.
I love a good plan and there’s nothing wrong with goals.
But, I’ve found that if I start the day by talking to God, giving Him my desires, but asking for His guidance, my days go so much smoother.
Ask God for a new opportunity to serve Him today. Be ready to take on the new assignment.
Ephesians 5:16 - “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Read MoreAre you so consumed with fear and doubt that you feel stuck?
You want peace but your own selfish control is holding you back.
True freedom and peace will only come when you give up control and give it to God.
James 4:7 - “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Read MoreAre you trying to pay your sin debts as they come? It doesn’t work that way.
Our spiritual speeding ticket has already been paid.
Jesus was mocked, tortured and hung on a cross for my and your sins.
Let go of the wheel. You were never in control.
Philippians 3:13-14 - “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Read MoreWhat do you do when your plans go awry?
Most of us have a prioritized to-do list.
But when calamity arrives, those priorities get pushed away, or sometimes dismissed.
As a Christian, it is vital to be ready for anything, but flexible enough to change course.
God tells us to be ready.
Are you going to let your dilemma crush you, or will you be ready to change your plans?
2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
Read MoreGod took me across the U.S. several years ago to a small town in Oklahoma. At the time, I thought it was just to get me away from my past and to start new. But, God had other things in mind.
Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, God steps in to remind you that He’s in control and His plans are always good.
I spent years running from my past and thank God He never gave up on me.
Stop running away and run to God whose plans are so much better than anything we could ever imagine.
Psalm 37:4-5 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”
Read MoreI may be dating myself, but in the old days, when you bought something on credit, you were basically telling the store owner that you will pay the account in the future.
Things are a little different these days, but the principle still applies, not only to creditors but to our lives.
Jesus has already paid our sin debt in full, for our past, current and future sins.
Are you ready to put your life into His Hands?
Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Read MoreAdmit it. You’ve looked at another person and said, “I’m glad I’m not like them.”
God has called us to be peacemakers, not finger pointers.
God is the Judge. Not me. Not you.
Before you go looking at someone else’s sin, look at your own heart.
Matthew 7:1 - “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Read MoreAre you giving God lip service? Are you talking to Him about one thing, but doing something else?
God knows your heart. There’s nothing hidden from our creator.
God wants us to rely on Him.
It’s your choice, though. God’s not going to force Himself on you.
Make the right choice today.
Matthew 6:24 - “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Read MoreControl is a strong word, but without God in your life, it’s useless.
Just when you think you’re in control and you’re calling all the shots, God steps in.
He’s the beginning, the end and everything in between.
Stop trying to be God.
Let go of the wheel.
Proverbs 16:32 - “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
Read MoreHow many times have you taken things into your own hands, because you just couldn’t wait on God any longer?
Hold fast to your confidence in God’s plans for you. Don’t grow weary in the meantime.
Faith produces perseverance. Patience in the waiting is God’s grace.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 - “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
Read MoreThere’s nothing more beautiful or powerful than my prayer partners.
We know the power of God and He never fails to answer.
Now, this doesn’t mean that we always like the answer, but He knows best.
Prayer is communication with God. How about you? Have you talked to God today?
Matthew 21:22 - “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Read MoreThis past year has left me with a hole in my heart, missing my church family.
I need my brothers and sisters who love me, pray with me and whom I serve with.
Christ made us social creatures for His purposes.
Don’t go it alone. We’re all in this together.
Proverbs 27:17 - “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Read MoreIs God using you in His plans? Are you afraid to say yes? To step out of your comfort zone.
Ask God to send you to someone in need today.
I said yes in 2018, and God used me in the mission fields of Peru.
How about you? Where can God use you today?
Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Read MoreAre there boundaries in your life? Will you not step out beyond your own understanding?
Let God open the borders of your heart.
You can choose comfort or courage, but you can’t have both. Step out of your boundaries today.
Joshua 1:9 - “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Read MoreRebellion. Straying. Resentful. Anger.
These were all my former characteristics as a Christian 30 years ago.
Yet, through it all, God still loves me. Unconditionally.
He loves you too.
Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Read MoreWill others remember us when we’re gone?
Serve God, serve others and love those around you.
Leave an everlasting legacy of love.
Isaiah 46:9 - “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me;”
Read MoreAs a Christian, we are to love our enemies. Really? Yes.
It’s only by God’s grace that this can be accomplished.
I’m here to testify that if you love and serve those who hate you, life is better.
Luke 6:27 - “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
Read Morecomes wonder and imagination.
When did we grownups lose this?
Look at life differently today. See God’s creation all around you and imagine the wonder of it all.
Matthew 18:3 - “And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Read MoreAs long as you keep running from your enemies, they will keep chasing you.
Enemies are not just people, they come in the form of anger, depression, relationships.
Stop running. Let God fight your battles for you.
Deuteronomy 28:7 - “The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.”
Read MoreThis is to my mom, who told me this often. She always wanted me to look for the good in the day.
I thank God for my mom, the lessons she taught me, the love she tenderly gave, and the role model of Christ she wore each day.
Look for something good in your day, today and every day.
Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
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