Now there’s a concept. First of all, when people hear the word worship, they think of music, or people singing.

If you’re a Christian, you know that it’s more than that. Worship can be changing what you’re thinking, or what you’re worrying about, and talking to God. It can be reading the Bible, to see what the Bible says about your concerns.

Just try it. For one day, or maybe just for one morning or evening, when worry pops in your train of thought, immediately recognize it and start singing a song (in your mind), or reading an online devotion. You’ll be amazed at how this change can put you in a better mood.

God didn’t design us to be worry worts (as my mom would call it). He asks us to give our worries and concerns to Him. He can handle it, we often cannot handle the pressure of worry.

We have two choices when confronted with worry or fear. We can think and agonize over it until we’re physically sick, or we can start thinking about how fortunate we are to have a roof over our head, enough to eat, and people that love us.

Now that’s something to sing about.

Make your requests (concerns) be known to God. He can help you go from worry to worship.

Philippians 4:6-7 - “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Pride can really do a lot of damage to a person, a family, or any relationship. Pride is thinking you deserve everything you have, or accomplished, and that you are the reason.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Mr. Pride, but anything you have, whether it’s a relationship, a good job, a house, car, etc., was all provided by God.

The opposite of pride is humility. To be humble, is to show a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. A humble person thinks of others before themselves. They put other’s needs before their own. It’s becoming selfless, instead of selfish.

How about you? Where do you fit in this equation?

To show kindness or empathy to those in need is one of the most selfless acts you could do.

When I meet someone who talks about themself more than their family, or God, then I have to question their motives.

Do you want to be known as a humble person? Then give up your life as you know it and turn it over to God.

God hates pride and what it does to us. Show your humble spirit by giving to others; your love, and your time.

A strong leader, whether it be in a family, a relationship or a leader of a company, has the ability to sacrifice their own needs for the needs of others.

Be humble. God loves it!

1 Peter 5:5 - “ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble”

A lot of people may look at Christians and say, “why are you wasting your time with Church, reading the Bible, even listening to Christian music?”

My answer is people. There are hurting people, angry people, the list goes on. We are called by God to spread the gospel across the world. We have very little time to tell nonbelievers that Christ is coming, and that He is the only answer to an eternal life. Jesus is the only way out of this world.

We do this because we are changed. We have been given a new life; one that will last forever and ever.

We should be billboards for Christ. Others should be looking at us and wanting what we have.

You know that feeling when you find something new, or experience an exciting vacation destination, and you can’t wait to tell others about it? That’s how Christianity should feel.

You may be believing in something or someone so much that you’re convinced you made the right choice. But, did you choose God or people?

I hate to burst your bubble. People can let you down; material things fade or lose their luster.

There’s only one good choice in this life, and that’s to choose to believe in and follow Christ.

Matthew 5:16 - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Don’t you hate it when people bash religion. Most of these people are not even sure of the definition of religion.

Religion is defined as, “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.”

Just because someone says they’re religious, doesn’t mean that they’re a Christian. Your religion could be Islam, Muslim, etc.

You’ll see many religious communities do good things. But, this doesn’t necessarily make them religious.

Just because you work for a Christian-run company, doesn’t make you a Christian.

To become a Christian, you have to be born again. You have to lay down your life, leave behind your old life and give it to God. God has to become your one and only God.

Don’t waste your time on counterfeit religion.

One of these days, Jesus will return to earth to take His children home to be with Him.

If you want a religious activity, start evangelizing. Start telling others about Jesus.

James 1:26 - “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

As many of you have experienced, putting your faith in people, often leads to disappointment.

I have been through many trials in my life. Looking back, I now see that I was putting my hope in people, not God. I was letting the world convince me that they are there for me. Yeah, this didn’t work. I was miserable, blaming others for my happiness, and just plain angry.

It wasn’t until I turned my life around, and started depending on God, that things changed.

I started putting my faith in God, meaning, I saw how God proved over and over again, that He is who He says He is, and that His promises never fail.

I had started to wait on God. I became quiet when I wanted to be angry. I had empathy, when I really wanted revenge.

It took some time, but my faith in God began to grow. I started seeing prayers being answered. My heart started to soften.

I learned that waiting on God, instead of rushing into a confrontation, brought me peace and confidence.

If you want to build your faith, trust in God’s promises. In order to do this, you have to read His word, the Bible.

It’s all in there, the Bible. It’s my daily dose of encouragement, confidence and faith-building principles, that I can’t do without.

Lamentations 3:25 - “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;”

Generosity is not how much you have in your pocket. It’s what you have in your heart.

You will meet generous people in your life, and then you’ll meet people who are holding onto their money with a tight grip.

Jesus taught generosity. He saw people, with their wealth, but He was more impressed with the woman who had very little, but gave all she had.

The thing is, God already knows how much money we have. After all, He’s the one who loans it to us. Yet, some think they can keep the money to themselves, hiding it from God.

How a true Christian gives is a real and true index of that Christian’s heart and character.

God knows if you’re giving as a duty, or as thanksgiving to God.

God thinks more of the poor widow who gave her last dime, rather than the wealthy person who gave just a little.

It’s the quality of giving that counts. Is it coming from the heart, or a guilty conscious?

Giving, no matter if it’s money or time, should come from the heart.

God knows your heart and He knows your intentions.

Give to others, always, not expecting anything in return.

Mark 12:41-44 - “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

What are you compassionate about?

Compassion is defined as, “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.”

Did you know that in the Bible, it talks about a time when Jesus cried? He wept; having compassion for His friends, who were weeping at the grave of Lazarus, and He wept along with them.

Jesus commands us to love on another. That means to also suffer along with them.

Sure, we can send money to the poor for a tax write off, but do you have empathy for these people?

I’ll admit that before going on my first mission trip, I wasn’t aware of the need, the hunger, and the desperation of the people living in a third-world country.

My love and compassion grew leaps and bounds, as I helped and loved on the beautiful people of Peru.

Be generous with your money, your time, your gifts.

God knows your heart. Give willingly, not because you feel guilty if you didn’t, but because you have compassion and are giving from the heart.

You have to take action with your compassion. Do something, instead of writing a check. Get out there, tell others about how Jesus saved you and loves you.

Romans 12:12 - “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

I’ve always been terrified of snakes. The thought of a snake invading my walking path, just gives me the creeps.

You can ask my husband about how hysterical I become when confronted with a snake.

On a trip to a national park a few years ago, we were walking on a trail that led to a swamp area. When, out of nowhere, a snake appeared ahead, on the path we had to go through. As my husband nonchalantly walked past it, he motioned for me to come on, to walk past the snake. Ugh. I was frozen for a moment, then suddenly started jumping up and down like a crazy person. You would have thought there was a cobra ahead, coiled up and waiting on me. The fear had me uprooted, so fearful that I wasn’t thinking straight.

We’ve all experienced fear. It’s a part of life; albeit not a pleasant part to experience at times.

But, as a Christian, fear should be a passive, short-lived emotion. If you’re afraid of getting cancer, even though you have no family history or symptoms, then that’s just satan trying to convince you of unknown fear. If you’re afraid of an oncoming dog that’s getting ready to attack you, then you have all right to be fearful.

But, fear of the future, shouldn’t be a thing with those who are a Christian. We are to cast our cares to God; He will carry our fears and burdens. He’s already planned our future with Him in eternity.

Don’t let fear paralyze you, or get so ingrained in your thoughts, that you can’t do anything. Fear can grow into anxiety, even depression if you let it.

Fear will knock you off course. Allow God to help you to overcome it, by stopping it at its inception.

The rest of the snake story turned out good. I was able to finally calm down enough to walk past the snake and go on my way. I conquered the fear that day, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again.

Always be on guard for the devil’s schemes. He loves to take us off guard and make us feel hopeless and fearful.

Trust God to help you overcome fear, no matter what it is you’re fearful of.

Stay grounded in God’s truth.

2 Timothy 1:7 - “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”