Category Archives: Attitudes & Behavior

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November 10, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises

Spiritual Muscle Building

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)]

Comfort and serenity are wonderful (and I prefer them), but tranquility doesn’t help us mature into the people God wants us to be. Difficulties are His way of building our spiritual muscles. It’s in times of hardship, adversity and pain that the qualities of honor, integrity and courage develop. Lord, may we have thankful hearts and willing spirits, not just in times of plenty and peace, but in times of pain and hardship, as well.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through trial and suffering is the soul strengthened. [Helen Keller]

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November 7, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works

Blessed are the Peacemakers

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. [James 3:16 (ESV)]

Lord, show me how to be a peacemaker: a person who brings harmony and reconciliation, rather than conflict and discord, to every situation. In trying moments, keep me calm and give me patience. Remind me to be silent when I would rather criticize, keep me from responding to rudeness with a similar lack of courtesy, and lead me to prayer when an angry response is what I’d prefer!

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November 5, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Obedience, Wisdom & Guidance

Put First Things First (Haggai – part 1)

Now, this is what the Lord of Armies says: Carefully consider your ways! You planted a lot, but you harvested little. You eat, but you’re never full. You drink, but you’re still thirsty. You wear clothing, but you never have enough to keep you warm. You spend money as fast as you earn it. [Haggai 1:5-6 (GW)]

Does this situation sound familiar? Although these words were spoken by Haggai in 520 BC, they make me think of our nation, with its problems and dark mood today. Although the Jews had returned to Jerusalem fifteen years earlier, they hadn’t managed to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. More concerned with building their homes and lives than in completing God’s work, they were experiencing severe problems. Have we, like the ancient Jews, lost our sense of values and misplaced our priorities? When hard times hit, when we feel empty, when our best efforts seem futile, perhaps it is time to reconsider what takes precedence in our lives.

Lord, guide us in setting our priorities. Let us always keep you first and foremost in our thoughts.

This is what the Lord of Armies says: Carefully consider your ways! [Haggai 1:7 (GW)]

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October 27, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless. Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world. [James 1:26-27 (GW)]

Lord, am I just filled with hot air or do I actually live in a way that demonstrates my words and belief? There may be no widows and orphans at my doorstep, but there still is plenty that I can do to make your world a better place. Remind me daily that I can’t just talk your talk, I must walk your walk.

You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen. [Isaiah 42:20 (NLT)]

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October 26, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith

Why Take the Trip?

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 (GW)]

People can have an accurate map and a clear route highlighted to get to a specific location, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to go take the trip. They need the desire to travel before they will depart. They must see that the destination is better than where they happen to be at the time.

Sharing our faith isn’t just about convincing someone that Jesus is the Son of God, our redeemer and savior; it’s much more than proving the accuracy and truth of the New Testament. Sharing our faith is reflecting the love, peace and joy of the destination. Only then will someone want to join us on our journey!

The surest mark of a Christian is not faith, or even love, but joy. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

 

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October 22, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, Patience & Perseverance

Success

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. [Psalm 20:4 (NLT)]

If our plans are those of God, we will, indeed, succeed!

May you be blessed with success in all your endeavors today. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! [Psalm 90:17 (NLT)]

Judge your success by the degree that you’re enjoying peace, health, and love. [From “Life’s Instructions for Wisdom, Success, and Happiness”, by H. Jackson Brown Jr.]