JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Proverbs 15:32) "he who heeds rebuke gets understanding"
In spite of his faults, flaws and failures, God called David "a man after His own heart" (1st Samuel 13:14)
And one of the qualities that made David great was his willingness to acknowledge his mistakes.
Here were two instances of it:
1) When fleeing the wrath of King Saul, David sought the help of a certain priest... a decision that caused Saul to order the death of eighty-five priests and their families.
?Devastated but not defensive, David told the surviving son of the slain priest who had assisted him "I have caused the death of all your father’s family" (1st Samuel 22:22).
?Can you imagine taking responsibility for such a tragic consequence?
David could have said "it was not my fault it was Saul's".
2) When the prophet Nathan confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba and his attempt to cover up her resulting pregnancy by having her husband killed, David acknowledged "I have sinned against the Lord" (2nd Samuel 12:13).
I wonder... would you or I have the emotional and spiritual maturity to make such an admission?
Or do you have a tendency to defend your actions for fear of being judged, criticized or rejected?
Do you sometimes feel attacked when someone offers feedback, whether it is positive or negative?
?
Or do you retreat in sullen silence?
Do you counter-accuse... or blame the one whom questions you or calls you to accountability?
Do you make sarcastic and hostile comments in defensive retaliation?
Here in is my point for this mornings devotion… failure or making mistakes… even falling into sin doesn’t make you a lesser person… but defending them does!
Don’t let pride rob you of the wisdom that comes from acknowledging your mistakes and ultimately growing through them.
(Proverbs 15:32) says… “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul... but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding".
Ultimately God wants to bring all of us to a higher place of maturity than where we were at yesterday.
Owning up to, and admitting our mistakes... are a part of and a mark of that maturity.
David is often remembered for his faults, particularly his sin with Bathsheba and the arranged murder of her husband, Uriah.
However, what sets him apart is his capacity for repentance.
When confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin... David did not attempt to justify his actions but instead openly confessed and repented (2nd Samuel 12)
His heartfelt prayer of repentance in (Psalm 51) reveals his understanding of the gravity of his sins and his desire for restoration.
David’s journey showcases that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace... emphasizing the transformative power of repentance and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
His devotion to God, courage, humility, emotional depth, loyalty, and repentance… resonate through the ages, offering valuable lessons for you and I today.
David’s legacy encourages an understanding of what it means to pursue a heart aligned with God… to navigate challenges with bravery… and to embrace the complexities of human emotions with honesty and humility.
Remember God wants you to be "better" not "bitter".
The difference between these two words is this.
When we take the "I" out of bitter and replace it with an “e”… it changes the word to better.
When we take the "I" out of our lives and replace it with "Him"… we become better.
Good Day!
His devotion to God, courage, humility, emotional depth, loyalty, and repentance… resonate through the ages, offering valuable lessons for you and I today.
David’s legacy encourages an understanding of what it means to pursue a heart aligned with God… to navigate challenges with bravery… and to embrace the complexities of human emotions with honesty and humility.
Remember God wants you to be "better" not "bitter".
The difference between these two words is this.
When we take the "I" out of bitter and replace it with an “e”… it changes the word to better.
When we take the "I" out of our lives and replace it with "Him"… we become better.
Good Day!
(Jeremiah 18:6) "as the clay is in the potter’s hand… so are you in My hand".
So you've been having a tough time of it lately.
It seems like every time you turn around your having to deal with another issue, another trial, a test
or a situation that seems to be “beyond your ability” to deal with.
Sometimes you wish you could just crawl into a hole and forget about life.
Yet just lately… you were praying and asking God to use you and allow you to make a difference in
Sometimes you wish you could just crawl into a hole and forget about life.
Yet just lately… you were praying and asking God to use you and allow you to make a difference in
the world around you.
Never forget that there are two things happening here!
1) Any time you try to do great things for the Kingdom of God… know that you are going to face adversity.
Never forget that there are two things happening here!
1) Any time you try to do great things for the Kingdom of God… know that you are going to face adversity.
(1st Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant… because your adversary the devil is as a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour”.
The adversary knows that if he can bring you down, discourage you, cause you to get your eyes off of God… then he can thwart the plans that God has for using you.
2) God allows these testing’s, trials, and circumstances to come our way to mold us into what He wants… as does the potter with the clay.
Never forget that we are the clay, God is the Potter.
As a potter has a vision for the clay in his mind… so does God (in His mind) have a vision for you.
(Jeremiah 29:11) “For I Know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and give you a future not plans for evil”
There is a specific plan that God has for you and in the midst of that plan…
God will allow trials and testing’s to “conform” us to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. ?
Paul talks about this glorious consummation when he declares… "if we suffer with Christ we shall also be glorified together with Him"… and then he asserts… “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:29)
Henry Poppen, one of China’s first missionaries spent forty years telling its people about the love of Jesus and how He died to take away their sin.
One day after he had finished speaking… a peasant man approached him and said… "We know this Jesus! He’s already been here".
Dr Poppen explained how that wasn’t possible because Jesus had lived and died long ago in a country far from China.
"Oh no" the man insisted, "He died here… I can even show you his grave"
Intrigued Dr. Poppen followed the man outside the city to a cemetery where an earlier American missionary was buried. ?
There inscribed on a crumbling gravestone was the name of a medical doctor who felt called by
God to live and die among the people of this remote Chinese village.
And when its people heard Dr Poppen describe the attributes of Jesus…His mercy, His love, His kindness, His willingness to forgive… they remembered that missionary doctor… a servant of God sold out for Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
Know this… if you are truly a follower of God… a child of God committed to the Kingdom of God… then God will use you when you’re willing to become "clay in the potter’s hand".?
Clay has no aspirations… it’s moldable, pliable and completely subject to the potter’s will.
Canadian theologian and evangelical author Pastor Henry Blackaby… honored and respected for his best selling study guide called “Experiencing God” says…
And when its people heard Dr Poppen describe the attributes of Jesus…His mercy, His love, His kindness, His willingness to forgive… they remembered that missionary doctor… a servant of God sold out for Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
Know this… if you are truly a follower of God… a child of God committed to the Kingdom of God… then God will use you when you’re willing to become "clay in the potter’s hand".?
Clay has no aspirations… it’s moldable, pliable and completely subject to the potter’s will.
Canadian theologian and evangelical author Pastor Henry Blackaby… honored and respected for his best selling study guide called “Experiencing God” says…
“When God’s assignment demands or requires humility… He finds a servant willing to be humbled.
?
When it requires zeal, He looks for someone He can fill with His Spirit.
God uses holy vessels… so He finds those who will allow Him to remove their impurities.
It’s not a noble task being clay.
There’s no glamour to it, nothing boast-worthy… except that it’s exactly what God’s looking for".
You may not get a standing ovation, you may not get worldly acclaim, but you will hear the words… “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord!”
So today… let God work in your life and learn from the tests and the trials that come your way.
As iron hardened in the fire… let the impurities be burnt away and the “smeltering process” make you stronger.
And with God by your side, change the world around you today!
Good Day!
?
When it requires zeal, He looks for someone He can fill with His Spirit.
God uses holy vessels… so He finds those who will allow Him to remove their impurities.
It’s not a noble task being clay.
There’s no glamour to it, nothing boast-worthy… except that it’s exactly what God’s looking for".
You may not get a standing ovation, you may not get worldly acclaim, but you will hear the words… “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord!”
So today… let God work in your life and learn from the tests and the trials that come your way.
As iron hardened in the fire… let the impurities be burnt away and the “smeltering process” make you stronger.
And with God by your side, change the world around you today!
Good Day!
(Luke 6:12) "He went out into the mountains to pray, and prayed all night".
No matter who you are, what you do, or where your from, all of us need to have a "quiet time with "God" each day.
Partially because Jesus did and He’s our example: "He was up long before daybreak and went…to pray" (Mark 1:35)
But the other reason is that it puts us in touch with the one who has the answers for life’s deepest and most difficult questions.
?It's also in prayer that we find "peace" that is so elusive in this world and a strength to carry on in the face of stressful times.
The truth is, we make time for what we value most!
The people we love… priorities we think are most important… and activities that we find most rewarding… yes we seem to be able to find the time and make room for that/them in our busy schedules.
But when it comes to time for dedicated and committed prayer… we just can’t seem to prioritize that.
Jesus seldom prayed for anybody in public.
Why?
Because He’d already done His praying before He got there! ?
He made deposits each morning so that He could make withdrawals all day long. ?
And the busier He got… the more He prayed.
Do you think He knew something we don’t?
Jesus had no difficulty choosing between the crowd’s agenda and His Father’s will.
He said "I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me... therefore, my judgment is just,
because I carry out the will of the one who sent me" (John 5:30)
Why do most marriages fail?
Because they begin to forsake time together… they stop communicating… pursuing each other.... building their relationship with each other.
Why do spiritual leaders sometimes fall?
Because they get caught up in the business of serving God… but neglect their relationship with Him. ?
There is a huge difference in being religious and having a relationship with God. ?
Being religious is an activity.
Having a relationship is commitment!
Throughout history, anyone who has been greatly used by God was a man, woman, or person of prayer.
?
The Father of the great reformation Martin Luther said, "I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours each day in prayer".
Ceaseless activity will drain you and leave you vulnerable to Satan’s attack.
All though I don’t know where it comes from... I recall a proverb I once read years ago that says it all… "Seven days with out prayer makes one weak".
So the busier you become, the more time you need to spend with God.
Simply stated: if you’re too busy to have a quiet time with God, then your just too busy!
And if you find your too busy, then you need to have a quiet time with God, preferably at the beginning of your day.
Why the beginning of your day?
Because the steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way (your way) and though he (or she) stumble, they shall not utterly be cast down for the Lord upholds them in the palm of His right hand (Psalm 37:23-24)
So start your day with quite time… start your day with prayer and communication with God.
A little bit of His word… a little bit of prayer… a little bit of focused time with the one whom promises to look after each of us if we will call upon His name.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3)
You’ll be surprised the miracles that will over take you during the day and how much more you can accomplish and get done!
Good Day!
Why do most marriages fail?
Because they begin to forsake time together… they stop communicating… pursuing each other.... building their relationship with each other.
Why do spiritual leaders sometimes fall?
Because they get caught up in the business of serving God… but neglect their relationship with Him. ?
There is a huge difference in being religious and having a relationship with God. ?
Being religious is an activity.
Having a relationship is commitment!
Throughout history, anyone who has been greatly used by God was a man, woman, or person of prayer.
?
The Father of the great reformation Martin Luther said, "I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours each day in prayer".
Ceaseless activity will drain you and leave you vulnerable to Satan’s attack.
All though I don’t know where it comes from... I recall a proverb I once read years ago that says it all… "Seven days with out prayer makes one weak".
So the busier you become, the more time you need to spend with God.
Simply stated: if you’re too busy to have a quiet time with God, then your just too busy!
And if you find your too busy, then you need to have a quiet time with God, preferably at the beginning of your day.
Why the beginning of your day?
Because the steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way (your way) and though he (or she) stumble, they shall not utterly be cast down for the Lord upholds them in the palm of His right hand (Psalm 37:23-24)
So start your day with quite time… start your day with prayer and communication with God.
A little bit of His word… a little bit of prayer… a little bit of focused time with the one whom promises to look after each of us if we will call upon His name.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3)
You’ll be surprised the miracles that will over take you during the day and how much more you can accomplish and get done!
Good Day!
(Matthew 5:5) "Blessed are the "meek" (gentle)".
In His “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek (gentle), for they shall inherit the earth".
St Francis de Sales said, "Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength".
An old English proverb that was quoted in Benjamin Franklins “Poor Richards Almanac” says…
“just as you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar… people respond more readily to
gentleness than they do to aggressiveness.
The flies… as mentioned here represents anything you want to achieve.
Honey (sweet) represents anything pleasant that you do to get what you want.
Vinegar (sour) represents anything unpleasant that you do to get what you want.
This old proverb suggests that one should use nice methods rather than unkind methods in dealing
The flies… as mentioned here represents anything you want to achieve.
Honey (sweet) represents anything pleasant that you do to get what you want.
Vinegar (sour) represents anything unpleasant that you do to get what you want.
This old proverb suggests that one should use nice methods rather than unkind methods in dealing
with other people.
This old English proverb is saying that you will be more successful in life being sweeter, or nice,
This old English proverb is saying that you will be more successful in life being sweeter, or nice,
rather than being mean to people, not nice and doing hurtful, dishonest things in life.
The famous football coach, John Wooden, told the following story:
"My dad, (Joshua Wooden) was a strong tough brute of a man in one sense, but a gentle man in
The famous football coach, John Wooden, told the following story:
"My dad, (Joshua Wooden) was a strong tough brute of a man in one sense, but a gentle man in
another.
He could lift heavy things men half his age couldn’t, but he would also read poetry to us each night after a day working in the fields raising corn, hay, wheat, tomatoes, and watermelons. ?
We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm.
Kate would often get stubborn and lie down on me when I was plowing.
I couldn’t get her up no matter how roughly I treated her. ?
Dad would see my predicament and walk across the field until he got close enough to say “Kate”!
Then she would get up and start working again.
He never touched her in anger or got rough with her.
It took me a long time to understand that even a stubborn mule responds to gentleness".
When the Bible speaks of "meekness"… it’s not speaking of "weakness"?
Webster’s dictionary defines meekness in the following way... Demure, down-to-earth, humble, lowly, modest, unassuming, and unpretentious.
Meekness actually means "power under control".
Jesus was powerful but He was gentle as well… and we are all called to follow in His footsteps (1st Peter 2:21)
True “spirituality”… is described in (Galatians 5:22) which tells us "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… against such things there is no law".
As a Child of God… as a “servant of God”… our lives should be characterized by gentleness”.
And in fact Jesus gave us the following eight character traits that identify true servant hood.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom
He could lift heavy things men half his age couldn’t, but he would also read poetry to us each night after a day working in the fields raising corn, hay, wheat, tomatoes, and watermelons. ?
We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm.
Kate would often get stubborn and lie down on me when I was plowing.
I couldn’t get her up no matter how roughly I treated her. ?
Dad would see my predicament and walk across the field until he got close enough to say “Kate”!
Then she would get up and start working again.
He never touched her in anger or got rough with her.
It took me a long time to understand that even a stubborn mule responds to gentleness".
When the Bible speaks of "meekness"… it’s not speaking of "weakness"?
Webster’s dictionary defines meekness in the following way... Demure, down-to-earth, humble, lowly, modest, unassuming, and unpretentious.
Meekness actually means "power under control".
Jesus was powerful but He was gentle as well… and we are all called to follow in His footsteps (1st Peter 2:21)
True “spirituality”… is described in (Galatians 5:22) which tells us "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… against such things there is no law".
As a Child of God… as a “servant of God”… our lives should be characterized by gentleness”.
And in fact Jesus gave us the following eight character traits that identify true servant hood.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great… for in the same way… they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great… for in the same way… they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:3-12)
When all eight of these personality traits are mixed together in a life… balance emerges.
It is helpful and most important to understand and realize these eight personality traits are not a "multiple choice" list where we are free to pick and choose our favorites.
No, our Savior has stated very clearly that these qualities must characterize a follower of Christ… as His representative in the world where in we live for now.
(2nd Corinthians 5:17) “if any man be in Christ he (or she) is a new creature. Old things pass away and behold all things become new.”
Changed lives, changed attitudes are the evidence of a true Believer in Christ… as a Christian… and as a Child of God.
Within this list of eight “be-attitudes”... are fundamental qualities which when pursued… bring great satisfaction in ones spiritual journey thru life.
Jesus offers fulfillment here like nothing else on earth.
Notice those words… "Blessed are...." this is the only time our Lord repeats the same term eight times consecutively.
Those who enter into, those whom embrace and discipline themselves to living out these eight qualities and attitudes actually find lasting happiness.
Notice as well... that attached to each character trait is a corresponding promise.
Do you see this?
"Blessed are... (the trait or attitude), for they shall... (receive the promise)."
Christ holds out a particular benefit for each particular quality.
And what great promises they are!
Small wonder when He finishes the sermon we read… “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching… for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29)
Never before had His audience heard such marvelous compelling truths presented in such an interesting and meaningful manner.
They longed to have those promises become evidenced in their lives.
Perhaps… if we really ant to be make a difference in the world around us… we should endeavor to assimilate these same eight qualities into our lives… and because these are not normal human qualities from birth… that means we all need a heart change… we need to be born again from above…
Remember Jesus said “Unless a man is born again… he cannot see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3)
So how about you today?
Have you been born again?
Have you been washed n the blood of Jesus?
Have you and are you being filled with the Spirit of God… and are you a carrier of these eight qualities that Jesus said was so important to our spiritual health and success?
Food for thought this morning.
Good Day!
(Isaiah 26:3) "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you."
Fear is a normal part of living.
And the most successful and confident people you know experience it.
Fear is a chain reaction in the brain that starts with a stressful stimulus and ends with the release of chemicals that cause a racing heart, fast breathing and energized muscles also known as the fight-or-flight response.
Unfortunately however there are many people whom are "frozen" by fear.
In the midst of danger they freeze and do nothing.
In the story of the "talents" or "money" divided out to his servants to use at their discretion in
(Matthew 25:25)… one of the recipients said "I was afraid and went and hid thy talent in the earth".
Though fear is a normal part of living it is an emotion that God tells every one of us “not” to let hamper our lives or destroy our peace!
In (Isaiah 41:13) God says "Fear not".
Almost every book in the Bible has a "fear not" in it.
Someone once estimated that there are more than 365 “fear not’s” or some form of encouragement
Though fear is a normal part of living it is an emotion that God tells every one of us “not” to let hamper our lives or destroy our peace!
In (Isaiah 41:13) God says "Fear not".
Almost every book in the Bible has a "fear not" in it.
Someone once estimated that there are more than 365 “fear not’s” or some form of encouragement
“not to be afraid” recorded in the bible.
That’s at least one for every day of the year.
The enemy uses fear… but God would have us to have faith in Him.
Although Job was a righteous man and would not speak evil… the bible says he opened the door for the enemy to wreak havoc in his life through thoughts of fear.
That’s at least one for every day of the year.
The enemy uses fear… but God would have us to have faith in Him.
Although Job was a righteous man and would not speak evil… the bible says he opened the door for the enemy to wreak havoc in his life through thoughts of fear.
"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me (Job 3:25-26)
In other words he said… "I did what was right but I was afraid that God would not take care of me."
In contrast… Jesus challenges us to have faith.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, verily I say unto you. If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also… if ye shall say unto this mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea… it shall be done. And all things… whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer… believe and ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:21-22)
The difference between “faith filled” people and “fear filled” people… is that faith filled people refuse to be ruled by fear… they know their God and have chosen to allow Him to be the controlling factor in their lives.
The Bible says, "Fear hath torment" (1 John 4:18)
Neuroscientists at Yale University discovered that patients who "expected" to experience an electric shock… had anxiety levels similar to those whom had experienced the real thing.
Researcher Elizabeth Phelps writes, "A lot of our fears and anxieties are learned through communication. If someone tells you to be afraid of a dog, then the brain responds as if you actually were."
In other words, "our brains don't know the difference between real and imagined threats".
This goes a long way toward explaining why the National Institute of Mental Health reported that almost twenty million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. ?
Someone who's perfectly safe but has a fear of being robbed… suffers just as much anxiety as
someone living in a situation with a high risk for robbery… or someone actually in the act of being robbed.
Because our brains don't discriminate between emotions that are real or imagined, fear can dominate our lives… and it's just as devastating as physical injury.
Psychologist Marilyn Barrick says… "For the most part, fear is nothing but an illusion and when you share it with someone it tends to disappear."
So share your fears with God and watch them begin to disappear.
The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3)
Today, set Jesus in your sights… look unto Him continually… and don't let fear immobilize you from doing what He has set before you.
Don't let “the roaring lion whom is seeking to devour you” intimidate you any longer.
All he can do is seek… but God holds you in the palm of His hand… (Psalm 37:24) and its in His hand you can find security, comfort and confidence.
Good day!
Because our brains don't discriminate between emotions that are real or imagined, fear can dominate our lives… and it's just as devastating as physical injury.
Psychologist Marilyn Barrick says… "For the most part, fear is nothing but an illusion and when you share it with someone it tends to disappear."
So share your fears with God and watch them begin to disappear.
The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3)
Today, set Jesus in your sights… look unto Him continually… and don't let fear immobilize you from doing what He has set before you.
Don't let “the roaring lion whom is seeking to devour you” intimidate you any longer.
All he can do is seek… but God holds you in the palm of His hand… (Psalm 37:24) and its in His hand you can find security, comfort and confidence.
Good day!
(Proverbs 16:3) "Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed”?
The moment you start believing you’re successful enough to rest on your laurels you’re in trouble!
You’ve just put a lid on your growth!
Solomon wrote, "Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!" (Proverbs 22:29).
Success is always a possibility, but never a guarantee.
It belongs to the man or woman who’s willing to show up early, stay late, go the extra mile and keep asking… "is there a better way?"
An agency once created an ad for an automobile company which said… "At sixty miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock". ?
When they ran the ad by the company’s CEO he smiled and said… "I guess we’ve got to do something about that clock".
A young man once asked Henry Ford, "How can I make a name for myself and be successful?"
Mr. Ford replied, "Decide what you want, then stick with it. Never deviate from your course no matter how long it takes or how hard the road… continue until you’ve accomplished your purpose".
Successful people have one thing in common… they refuse to quit!
No matter how many times they fall, they get back up, dust themselves off, learn from it, and start over.
Successful people are also creative people.
They seldom if ever reach the completion of a project and then say… “that’s good enough.”
They are always thinking… “can I do it better”?
Paul J. Meyer says, ‘Ninety-nine per cent of those who fail are not actually defeated… they simply quit."
The Bible says “To win… you must deny yourselves things that keep you from doing your best" (1st Corinthians 9:25)
The only people who never fail are those who never try… so keep going and don't even think about quitting!
And remember… with God on your side "All things are possible to them that believe" (Mark 9:23)
(Ephesians 3:20) Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.
I want to challenge each of us today to get out of the box we have been in.
I want to challenge each of us to think and imagine possibilities that you have never dreamed of before.
It matters not your age or your gender… your social status or your belief system.
God is on your side!
He wants you to succeed… beyond your wildest imaginations!
The bible say’s “the eye has not seen, the ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man all the things that God has prepared for those that love Him” (1st Corinthians 2:9)
So today… you take the initiative!
Today… you make up your mind that you’re the head and not the tail! (Deuteronomy 28:13)
Today… you make up your mind that your going to move forward and be more than a conqueror in Christ! (Romans 8:37)
Today… you start claiming the promise God made in (Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord… plans to prosper you and give you a future… not plans for evil.”
O by the way it will help big time if you open up your heart and let Him come in to your life as your Lord and your Savior.
You see… to many people have never made the commitment to Him to allow Him to be Lord and Savior… to set up residence… move in to their lives.
Jesus said… “You must be born again” (John 3:16)
Paul said “if any man be in Christ He is a new creature, old things pass away and behold all things become new.” (2nd Corinthians 5:17)
If your in Christ today… you can and will be more than a conqueror.
The Bible says… “Christ in you the hope of Glory”… (Colossians 1:27)
But you have to make the decision to let Him in…
Good Day!
(Galatians 6:2) "Carry each other’s burdens…"
Burdens come in many different forms mental, physical, and spiritual. ?
In fact… that is the immediate context of this command from (Galatians 6:2)... "Brothers, if someone
is caught in a sin… you who are spiritual should restore them gently… (please note the word "gently")… but watch yourself or you may also be tempted."
Then comes the command… "Carry each other's burdens and in this way… you fulfill the law of Christ."
In (John 13:34) Jesus said ”A new commandment I give unto you… that ye love one another… as I have loved you, you also love one another”.
Carrying one another’s burdens is part of that “new commandment”.
In (Galatians 6:1) the word that is translated as "caught"… refers to those who are “caught in a sin”.
Originally it was a Greek word that was sometimes used to refer to an animal who was caught in a trap. ?
(2nd Timothy 2:26) says… "Beware the snare of the devil".
In (James 1:14) James says, "But each one is tempted when, by his own desire… he is dragged away and enticed"
The term that is used in this scripture… refers to a fishing lure.
You see it's not that we are unaware of what sin is… but we're often unaware (like an animal heading to a trap), of how insidiously we are being drawn in.
Curiosity, temptation… misinformation… self will... are all lures promising some form of pleasure or fulfillment… and we are often unaware of how drastic the consequences are going to be to the point that we become so burdened… or trapped that we fall underneath the weight.
That’s why the Bible say's… "carry" each other’s burdens.
That’s why we need to surround ourselves with friends who will support, encourage and share our burdens with us. ?
On the other side of the coin… are there those of us whom are willing to be used to share our brothers burden… or are we way to quick to accuse condemn and gossip?
Burdens also come through no fault of our own.
There are those whom have gotten sick, and need our help and care.
There are those whom have lost a spouse and need our support and help.
There are those whom have lost a job and need our support, help and encouragement.
And then there are those whom are overwhelmed by the cares of the world… the trials of life…and they just need a hug or a shoulder to cry on.
So the word for you today is… go out of the way to be a person who can be a friend to those in need of a friend…and then "find people who believe in you".
Ask God to send you to someone today… be a burden bearer today for someone whom is drowning caught in the current of the river of life.
Encourage and support them and welcome their support in return.
Spend more time with those who sharpen you and make you better, and less time with those who drain your energy, time and talent.
The truth is… friends who speak encouragement into your life are priceless.
Their words are "like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11)
Are you that kind of a friend with others?
Then comes the command… "Carry each other's burdens and in this way… you fulfill the law of Christ."
In (John 13:34) Jesus said ”A new commandment I give unto you… that ye love one another… as I have loved you, you also love one another”.
Carrying one another’s burdens is part of that “new commandment”.
In (Galatians 6:1) the word that is translated as "caught"… refers to those who are “caught in a sin”.
Originally it was a Greek word that was sometimes used to refer to an animal who was caught in a trap. ?
(2nd Timothy 2:26) says… "Beware the snare of the devil".
In (James 1:14) James says, "But each one is tempted when, by his own desire… he is dragged away and enticed"
The term that is used in this scripture… refers to a fishing lure.
You see it's not that we are unaware of what sin is… but we're often unaware (like an animal heading to a trap), of how insidiously we are being drawn in.
Curiosity, temptation… misinformation… self will... are all lures promising some form of pleasure or fulfillment… and we are often unaware of how drastic the consequences are going to be to the point that we become so burdened… or trapped that we fall underneath the weight.
That’s why the Bible say's… "carry" each other’s burdens.
That’s why we need to surround ourselves with friends who will support, encourage and share our burdens with us. ?
On the other side of the coin… are there those of us whom are willing to be used to share our brothers burden… or are we way to quick to accuse condemn and gossip?
Burdens also come through no fault of our own.
There are those whom have gotten sick, and need our help and care.
There are those whom have lost a spouse and need our support and help.
There are those whom have lost a job and need our support, help and encouragement.
And then there are those whom are overwhelmed by the cares of the world… the trials of life…and they just need a hug or a shoulder to cry on.
So the word for you today is… go out of the way to be a person who can be a friend to those in need of a friend…and then "find people who believe in you".
Ask God to send you to someone today… be a burden bearer today for someone whom is drowning caught in the current of the river of life.
Encourage and support them and welcome their support in return.
Spend more time with those who sharpen you and make you better, and less time with those who drain your energy, time and talent.
The truth is… friends who speak encouragement into your life are priceless.
Their words are "like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11)
Are you that kind of a friend with others?
Its all part of "Love that covers a multitude of sins" (1st Peter 4:7-10)
Good Day!
Good Day!