What do you think of this statement, "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat."

Many things will challenge us to step out of the box and I think some challenges are worth the risk.  Fear is the number one thing that will cause one to not take a chance.  If you don't face these fears, then they will keep growing.

Don't limit your future because of your past.  This will only lead to discouragement.

Let God move you out of your comfort zone into something new.  Be open to God's plan for your life. Surround yourself with Godly people.  Your friends are either empowering and encouraging you, or they're not.

It's scary to do things out of your norm.  I get it.  But when you know and understand God's power within you, the sky's the limit!

Responding to God's call to fulfill your mission in life may require you to journey beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone.  Be obedient to God's voice and step out of your comfort zone.

 Mark 7:8-9 - “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”

Do people look at you and say, "she/he’s the real thing." Do they see Christ in you? Or do they question your faith?

As a Christian, our life should be as an open book. Our testimony should be visible, accepted by those we meet as genuine. Our story, our life should exhibit God's work in us.

It's better to be an open book than to write one. Not everyone has to write a book. You can be a pattern of living excellence to those around you.

The work that Christ is doing in believers can result in an influence far greater than any book they might write. Your changed life is the ministry platform from which God can draw others to Himself.

Look for opportunities to show off God. You may be the only Bible someone reads. What's in your heart reflects your life to those you encounter.

Others are watching us as Christians. How you act and react is transparent to those around you.

What open book are you presenting with your life? Drama? Fiction? Or is it a novel filled with stories of all God has done in your life?

Romans 6:4 – "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

I've never been interested in being a Marathon runner, but I admire those who are.

There’s an old Zambian proverb that says, “When you run alone, you run fast. But when you run together, you run far.”

The Christian life is not a 50-yard dash. It is a marathon.

This life, this world we live in is hard.  Daily we fight urges and temptations that Satan puts in our path.  There's no other way around these obstacles without Jesus.  Oh, you can try your own way, fight your own battles.  This will work, for a while.  Then what will you do when tragedy strikes?  How will you get your way out of that battle?

Running a marathon without training is not a wise thing to do.  Nothing you do in life that is great will ever be accomplished without great endurance and perseverance.  When you put your trust in God, rely on His protection and guidance, you'll win every race and accomplish your goals.

Keep feeding yourself the word of God.  That's your training, your fuel to victory. That's why it's so important when you become a Christian to surround yourself with other Christians.  Your endurance is meaningful.  Your perseverance is relevant.

Don't let the qualms of this life get you down.  Run the race with Jesus. You'll win every time!

Galatians 5:7 – "You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"

Having courage is having a boldness and a confidence that is undeniably noticeable.  In the Bible, courage is opposite of fear.

Throughout the Bible you see God commanding courage, not because it is natural for man to be brave and courageous.  It's because God is protecting and guiding us.  It's then that we can have courage because we are confident in Him.

The Bible talks about what should be the basis of our courage.  It is the promise of God's presence, power, and perseverance with those who have put their faith in Him.

The next time you feel fearful, think about who's on your side.  The Creator of the universe.  The maker of the moon and stars.

Having true courage means believing that God is with us and for us and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Once you get this, then live it in your daily life!

Deuteronomy 31:6 – "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you."

A task is defined as 'a piece of work to be done or undertaken.' A task could be an assignment given to you, a mission to accomplish or a duty to fulfill.

God requires us to fulfill the great commission. What does this look like? It means spreading the good news of Jesus around the world. Now you may be limited to a geographical area, but this doesn't hold you back from telling your neighbor, your co-worker or the girl at the check-out line at the market, the great news of Jesus.

These tasks that are required of a Christian shouldn't feel overwhelming. They shouldn't feel like a job. You should be filled with joy and compassion. This should be your vision with purpose and a plan. And although you should be committed to doing God's work, this commitment should come without dread or fear.

Accept the tasks assigned to you from the Creator that created you. Consider it joy to be doing God's work. We may not always feel our tasks matter. But God’s assignments make an eternal difference.

We only have a short time here on earth to carry out God's plan for mankind. Why not show others the love that Jesus did and does show every day.

Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

The goodness of God means He's going to guide you, guard you, protect you, direct you, and save you.

To look at God's goodness, you have to look at God's character and actions.  God is the original definition of good.  For us, goodness is an added quality.  But to God, it comes naturally to Him.  God is the greatest of beings ever!

To look at God's true character, we look at His actions.  He's kind, merciful, loving, generous, never changing.  God wants to give us the goodness of life. Not because we deserve it but because of His divine nature.

I know it's hard to see the goodness of God sometimes in your own life.  But if we intentionally look, His goodness is in every day.  Every relationship, every bird, every friend, every flower and tree.  They are all a reminder of His compassion for us.

Sometimes God's good plan for us means going through trials and losses and heartache and death.  God does have greatness stored up for you.  There is a better path for those who follow Him.  Take refuge in Him.  Rest there.

When you believe that God is good all the time, it frees you to take ever-increasing steps of faith.  It gives you a trust that no matter what lies ahead, God is good.

Psalm 107:1 – "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

There are different types of fires and different ways to fuel fire. Metaphorically speaking. They can either be destructive or useful, depending on the fuel.

If you think about a fire being ignited in your heart, this could be very productive. It can ignite passion and drive. It can ignite us to study God’s word. It can awaken us to inspire others. These types of fires need to be fueled continuously so they can burn bright.

But, there are other types of fires that left to smolder and grow, can be damaging. Bitterness for example. The more you let this settle in your thought patterns, the bigger the fire becomes until you’re engulfed in a raging fire that is almost impossible to put out.

We can pour water on these harmful fires all we want, but unless we take the steps to cut off the fuel supply, it’s always ready to re-ignite again.

In order to keep a fire, a passion for God going, you’ll need to keep God front and center. In your thoughts. In your actions and in the way you treat other people.

Let people look at you and say, “Wow! Look at the passion she/he has for God.”

Ignite your fire for God today!

Proverbs 26:20 - “Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end.”

Contentment is defined as 'a state of happiness and satisfaction.'  When we're content, we can sometimes find ourselves complacent, fulfilled, completely satisfied.  Those are all good things but contentment to a Christian is based on the way we think.  We don't base it on the way we feel.

Contentment as believers should be our trust and confidence in God that whatever our circumstances, we are satisfied with our condition.  But you'll find some people, even Christians, who base their contentment on their circumstances.  This is taking our eyes off God and putting them on the situation.  We sometimes think that we can change the situation without God.

How much is enough for us to be content?  Most Americans are far richer in food, water and the basic necessities than any other country in the world.  But, in my point of view, some of this has turned us away from God and into self. 

The opposite of contentment is disappointment, unhappiness, worry and sadness.  Who wants that?

Contentment comes down to trusting God with all of our heart. 

God has blessed me with so much and I hope I always convey to Him and to others that He is enough. 

Are you content today?  Do you trust God to take care of your needs?

1 Timothy 6:6-8 – "But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."