Category Archives: Attitudes & Behavior

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January 1, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Love & Works

New Year’s Resolution (New Year’s Day 2014)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [Colossians 3:12 (NIV)]

This day and every day –

I will think of someone to love and for whom to pray;
I will tell someone what it is I like, appreciate or admire about them;
I will practice random acts of kindness;
I will set aside quiet time for Bible study and prayer;
I will resist the urge to disparage, gossip, or complain;
I will express my gratitude to God and other people;
I will intentionally look for the extraordinary in the ordinary;
I will live each day as if it is my last.

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December 30, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Obedience

Who’s the Boss?

Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, instructed the Hebrew midwives … to kill all Hebrew boys as soon as they were born, but to let the girls live. But the midwives feared God and didn’t obey the king—they let the boys live too. … And God blessed the midwives because they were God-fearing women. … And because the midwives revered God, he gave them children of their own. [Exodus 1:15-17,20-21 (TLB)]

Do we, like the midwives, ever have to make difficult decisions? Do we ever have to choose between what we’ve been told to do and what we know God wants us to do? Lord, guide us when we have to decide who the real boss of our lives is and let us never forget that it is you. While the joy that comes from doing the right thing is reward enough, thank you for the reassurance our lives will be blessed when we honor you.

And so the Lord has paid me with his blessings, for I have done what is right, and I am pure of heart. This he knows, for he watches my every step. [Psalm 18:24 (TLB)]

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December 19, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Obedience, Thanks & Praise

Some Overdue Thanks

The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold! [Psalm 119:71-72 (TLB)]

Discipline and punishment are two concepts that seem to have fallen out of favor and yet they teach us about living as we should: about accepting responsibility for our words and actions. They teach us self-restraint, the inevitability of consequences, and the importance of being true to ourselves and God. Oddly enough, I don’t remember ever thanking someone for punishing or disciplining me. In fact, I probably said unpleasant things about them under my breath. Today let’s give them some overdue thanks.

Thank you, Lord, for those people in the past who cared enough about us to demand good behavior and to teach us the difference between right and wrong. Thank you for those people in our lives today who won’t hesitate to chastise us when we err in our ways. Lord, thank you for correcting us by putting people in our lives who make us accountable for our conduct.

After you have corrected me, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey! Oh, don’t forsake me and let me slip back into sin again. [Psalm 119:7-8 (TLB)]

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December 16, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

What Tempts You?

To an evil person, sin is bait in a trap, but a righteous person runs away from it and is glad. [Proverbs 29:6 (GW)]

When trying to trap an animal, a good hunter uses bait specifically designed for each animal. For the mouse, it is peanut butter or cheese; for a groundhog, cantaloupe and corn; for a coyote, tainted game meat. For a bear, lard, donuts and frosting are recommended! Satan is a wily hunter, too, and he knows just what tempts each one of us. What tempts one of us quite often has no appeal to another. What sort of bait does he use on you? Think about it. It’s wise to know exactly what tempts us so we can avoid stepping into the trap of sin!

Don’t let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One. [Matthew 6:13 (ERV)]

Just say, “No!” [1980s slogan for the “War on Drugs”]

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December 10, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days

‘Tis the Season to be Busy

A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” [Luke 10: 38b-42 (MSG)]

O Lord, there is so much we need to do and so little time in which to do it. Our days seem to pass by in a whirlwind of activity. We need a few more hours in each day if we’re ever going to accomplish everything set before us. Don’t let our busyness, even when we’re occupied doing something for you, hinder us from feeling your presence in our lives. Help us pause to relish the holiness of this and every day.

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December 8, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Wisdom & Guidance

Presence Not Presents (2nd Sunday in Advent)

And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”). [Matthew 1:21-23 (NKJV)]

In this Christmas season, O Lord, how easy it is to get caught up in the trimmings and forget the significance of this holiday. As the celebration of our Savior’s birth fast approaches, help us focus on Christ’s presence and not people’s presents. Remind us of the true meaning of “Christmas spirit” and show us how to keep Christ at the center of our hearts, not just this holiday season but every day of the year.