1 Samuel 16:7 - “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Are you earnestly seeking God’s guidance in every aspect of your life? Are you stepping back and allowing God to work through you? Or is your attitude proud and confident in your own skin?

Attitude is defined as “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.”

Every time we try to control our circumstances and the people around us, we’re only demonstrating that we want to be god.

We are to be ‘Christ-like’ in our attitude. How does this look? It means transforming or conforming your mind to be focused on God; to grow spiritually.

For me, the more I do this, the more productive and effective I am at home, my job and in my community.

God looks at the heart. I hope He’s seeing the right attitude in your walk with Him.

The tongue could very well be the most deadliest body part.

James 3:8 - “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

God made each of us in His image and we should be good stewards of our body. But did you know that your tongue could be considered the most evil part of our human body?

Evil words, hurtful words, vile words, all can cripple a person, making them feel worthless.

It says in Proverbs 15:1 that “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

A tongue under control can speak life and truth into others. It can bless others and transfer the wisdom God has given us to them.

Guard your tongue. Think before you speak.

Speak life, not death.

It says in Psalm 62:8 - “Trust in Him at all times; you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

I can remember my early years as a Christian. I didn’t know how to pray. No one sat me down and said, “This is how you pray.” I would watch others in church pray, but thought to myself that I could never pray that eloquent. I was always shy and never liked to speak in public either.

God doesn’t want us to be this way. He wants us to pray to Him. He designed us to have a relationship with Him and that’s what prayer is; Communication with God.

And I’ve said this before, “don’t use God as a vending machine.” In other words, don’t just throw up requests from your to-do lists.

Prayer should always be a first choice as you get up in the morning, and all throughout the day.

God blesses us when we choose Him first, instead of looking to Him as a last resort.

Life is not a series of random events. God knows what’s going on in every detail. Now, this doesn’t mean that everything that happens in your life is God’s will.

God weaves various ventures into our lives. Some happy, some sad, some very difficult to get through. He does this in order to shape our character, hopefully to mold our character to be more like Him.

1 Peter 1:7 - “so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

God may permit things to happen in your life, but rest assured, He will use it for good.

As Rick Warren (one of my favorite pastors) wrote, “God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections.”

I had a trying season a few years ago that I did not understand at the time. I now know that God used this adversity to get me to where I am today. From that trial, He gave me the confidence I needed to write a book.

God found my faith genuine. He tested me and I stuck with Him, trusting Him all along the way.

I’ll never stop believing in God’s promises and will praise Him through the storms of life.

Are you genuine in your faith in God?

James 1:13 - “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.”

Satan uses many things to tempt us, like money, fame, position and many other evil thoughts. We often are deceived and controlled by these things, falling into temptation.

We have to read and study God’s word about temptation in order to restore our relationship with Him. God will never tempt us.

God does tests us and when He does, He’s doing a valuable thing. When God tests His children, His purpose is to prove that our faith is real, and that no trial will overcome our faith.

Accept the tests that God may put before you, but be prepared by reading God’s word to withstand the temptations thrown at you by Satan.

Keep the faith in the tests of life, and stay strong in your faith when temptations storm into your life.

If you’re like me, you want to know what lies ahead. You want to see the future.

But God asks us to stay in peace; to trust that whatever He has planned for us, that it will be good.

In the meantime, we are to love others, pray continually and serve others with our gifts.

Quit trying to determine your destination. That’s God’s job.

1 Peter 4:7 - “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

Ask God for wisdom in knowing His will for you.

It’s ok to make a plan for what you want to do in reaching the next chapter of your life, just make sure you’re relaying those desires to God.

I’m at a transition in my life that seems to be changing constantly. God knows my heart. I want to obey Him and serve others.

His Will for me will determine my destination. How about you? Are you planning your own destination, your own eternity? Let God be God.

Have you ever been around young kids, or the elderly and engage in a conversation with them? You’ll find out soon that they speak their mind. Whatever they’re thinking, it automatically comes out of their mouth.

1 Corinthians 13:4 - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

As a Christian, we should be loving one another, no matter the color of their skin or the status of their bank account. Love is an action.

This also means that we are to love those who don’t love us.

Even if someone offends us unintentionally, forgive them. Show them the love and compassion that Jesus shows us every day.

Become unoffendable. Love intentionally.

My salvation; my righteousness.

Isaiah 51:8 - “For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.”

You can lose your job; you can lose your home. They can take away your promotion or bonus, but no one can take your salvation from you.

I was saved when I was 16 years old. I can remember thinking, ‘as a baby Christian, what if I lose this; what happens if I lose this? What happens if I commit a sin after salvation?

I now know that even though I commit sins, Jesus has already paid for them. When He died on the cross, my sin debt was paid in full.

So, if you are a Christian you can no longer fear losing your salvation. Thank Jesus as you lay down tonight for your salvation and eternal home in heaven.

No one, absolutely no one can take away yours or my salvation.