Wed, Dec 31st - 10:33AM

Tue, Dec 30th - 11:28AM

Lying

The word of the day is:

      Lying

1 Samuel 21:2

   [2] David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place.

   David lied to protect himself against Saul. Some excuse this lie because of the war that was going on, and it is the duty of a good soldier to deceive the enemy. But nowhere is David's lie condoned. In fact, the opposite is true because he lied to the death of 85 priests. David's small lie seemed harmless enough but in the end it became a tragedy. The Bible makes it very clear that lying is wrong. Lying, like other sins, is serious in God's sight and may lead to all sorts of consequences big and small. Do not make excuses for lying or even water it down. A lie is a lie. We do not have the right to give the lie a format or condone a lie because a lie is wrong and we know it.

Challenge;

   Don't get me wrong but a lie, any kind of lie is a lie and therefore a sin. If you ever find yourself trying to justify something you said to manipulate someone or some situation then it is wrong in God's sight. If you feel the need to deceive someone because of a surprise birthday, do not lie here either. Find a different way to say or answer the persons question without lying. Rely on God, and He will help, but DO NOT LIE! This is one way we separate ourselves from God and we don't even see it. The challenge is to use your words wisely.

Mon, Dec 29th - 11:37AM

Jealousy

The word of the day is:

      Jealousy

Romans 13:12-14

   [12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. [13] Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. [14] Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

   The "night' refers to the present evil time. The "day" refers to the time of Christ's return. Some people were shocked and surprised to see that Paul put dissension and jealousy on the list with some pretty gross and obvious sins. Sins of orgies, drunkenness, sexual immoralities, and debauchery. Paul considers the attitudes as important as actions like Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount. Just like hatred leads to murder and lust to adultery, jealousy leads to strife. When Jesus Christ returns, he wants to find His people clean on the inside as well as the outside.

Challenge;

   Just when you thought it would be ok, pow, right in the kisser. Jealousy to me is like a cancer, eating away at your soul. I've personally struggled with this in my past. Well I think that there is only one question for the challenge today.

   If Jesus returned today, right this moment, are you clean inside and out? Do you struggle with any attitudes that may lead to something unclean? We don't know when He will come back exactly, so I'm here to tell you start today! I know when He comes I do not want to be caught with my pants down, so to speak. Seek help if you need it in this area.

Sat, Dec 27th - 12:20PM

Music

The word of the day is:

      Music

Psalm 81:2-4

   [2] Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
       play the melodious harp and lyre.

   [3] Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
       and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;

   [4] this is a decree for Israel,
       an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

   David instituted music for the worship services at the temple. Music and worship go hand in hand. Worship should involve the whole person, and the music helps to lift a person's thoughts and emotions to God. Through music we can reflect upon our needs and shortcomings as well as celebrating God's greatness.

Challenge;

   The next time you are in your church's worship services, lift your whole mind, body, and Spirit to God. Make sure that your focus is not on the words or music but on Him who creates the music in the first place. Whether you physically raise your hands to God or however you worship, make sure that your focus is where it needs to be. Give God all your stuff and let the music sink in and cleanse you. God will and does show up every time, all you have to do is touch Him.

Fri, Dec 26th - 11:13AM

Change

The word of the day is:

      Change

Exodus 9:27-34

   [27] Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. "This time I have sinned," he said to them. "The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. [28] Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don't have to stay any longer."

 [29] Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. [30] But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God."

 [31] (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom. [32] The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.)

 [33] Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. [34] When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts.

   Even after promising to free the Hebrews, to let them go, Pharaoh immediately broke his promise and brought even more trouble upon his land. His actions reveal that his change was not real. We do damage to ourselves and others when we pretend to change, never meaning to do so in the first place.

Challenge;

   If you decide to give yourself to the care of the Lord, you must change completely. No pretending to be a Christ follower and turning around and doing something you know is against God. Today make sure your actions show a truly changed life, heart, and mind that will now follow God and His ways only. If you are serving in a ministry, make sure it is genuine service, not for personal gain or recognition. Turn from your prideful ways and humbly continue to serve the Lord as a changed being with a new heart, mind, and soul. Do not get baptized or take communion unless you are willing to go through the change. The fake or half-way changed lives will be revealed and I don't want to be that person. To bring about trials and troubles in my life because I don't truly change. God loves us and is willing to wait for us to change, so be encouraged to change today to the one with the changed heart of a servant to God.

Thu, Dec 25th - 12:55PM

Worth

The word of the day is:

      Worth

Matthew 10:29-31

   [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. [30] And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

   Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens, even to the sparrows, and you are far more valuable to Him then they are. Your worth is so great to God that He sent His only Son to die for you. Because God places such value on you  means you never need to fear personal threats or difficult trials. These cannot shake the love God has from you or take His Spirit from within you.

   Remember though, this is not saying that God will take away all your trials and troubles. The real test of value is to see how it holds up under wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards.

Challenge;

   Today of all days, remember what you are worth to God. It doesn't matter what happens today, good or bad, God still loves you. Wherever you are, you are worth far more than the birds, or the moon, or the trees. Try to show yourself and everyone around you that no matter what you are worth something.

Wed, Dec 24th - 1:32PM

Keys

The word of the day is:

      Keys

Revelations 1:17-18

   [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

   Our own sins have convicted, condemned, and sentenced us, but Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. Only Jesus and Him alone can save us from the bondage Satan tries to hold over us. He alone has the power to release us from sin's control. Believers need not be afraid of death or Hades because Christ has the keys to both. All we have to do to turn from sin and turn to Him in faith. When we attempt to control our own lives while disregarding God, we set a collision course that leads us directly to hell. But when we place our lives in Christ's hands, he restores us now and resurrects us later to an eternal, peaceful relationship with Him.

Challenge;

   Who holds the keys to your life? Find out who and focus on the right direction to take. If you are already perfect and sinless, than thank God for that. If not than just work on those areas that our Father wants you to. Can you believe that the one who holds the keys is the one who loves us the most?

Tue, Dec 23rd - 10:05AM

Tomb

The word of the day is:

      Tomb

John 20:1

   [1] Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

   The stone was not rolled away for Jesus to get out, because He could have easily got out with the stone in place. The stone was rolled away so that people could get in and see it empty.

Challenge;

   How often do we believe that Jesus needs our help? Isn't it ironic how we as humans think that we could ever fill those shoes? Today, humbly remind yourself who is the ultimate leader in your life; it is you, Jesus, or something else?

Let us remind ourselves to submit to the power of Christ and that only He has the power to roll away our stones so that we can continue our journey with Him. If we think we can move the stone on our own, we will be stuck in our own tomb. Instead of eternal life with Him, we will surely die in that place, if we don't let Him let us out!

Mon, Dec 22nd - 11:18AM

Effort

The word of the say is:

    Effort 

Matthew 7:7-8

   [7] "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 

   Jesus tells us to continue to pursue God every day. People often throw in the towel after a pretty weak effort of trying to find God, saying it is impossible to find Him. But to know God is to have faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us we will be rewarded for that effort. Don't give up in your effort to seek God, continue to ask him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love and understanding. He will give them to you, just be sure that if you pray for it, ask for Him to give it to you gently. Praying for patience, He might make you wait for long periods of time for something you need. Praying for knowledge, He might reveal more to you than you really wanted to know. Get the picture? We all want and need these things, just be sure to get a little at a time. 

Challenge;

  How is your effort in pursuing God? Crank it up a notch. We should all be pursuing God everyday with all our hearts. Do not let a little haphazard effort be your story for not being with Jesus, anyone can do that. It takes a real strong person to be able to pursue everyday. How strong are you? Remember that if you don't feel that strong, find someone who is and console with them. I'm pretty sure that with being family and all that they would be glad to help.

Sat, Dec 20th - 10:47AM

Motives

The word of the day is:

      Motives

Proverbs 21:2

   [2] All a man's ways seem right to him,
       but the LORD weighs the heart.

   People make excuses for doing just about everything, but God looks through those excuses and right into the motives of their heart. We often have to make choices where the right action is hard to discern. We can help ourselves in making such decisions by first identifying our motives and also asking if God would be pleased with my reasons or motives for doing this. God is not pleased when we do good deeds in order to receive something in return such as self-recognition, praise, respect, honor, etc...   This is selfish reasons, we need to make sure our motives are to glorify the name of Jesus.

Challenge;

   Every decision you make today, align it or focus on whether you are doing it for you, or for our Father. Check your motives for doing the things you do. Don't get me wrong, if people try to give you praise for doing a good job or for helping out or whatever it may be, accept it, then give it up to God. How can you give it to God if your motives are misaligned? How can God receive the glory if you keep it for yourself? Again, make sure your motives are true to Him and you will have the Father smiling down on you. I don't know about you but that's what I would like, God happy and glorified for the things He's done in my life.

Fri, Dec 19th - 11:20AM

Daily Word

The word of the day is:

      Reading

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

   [18] When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. [19] It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees [20] and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

   These were some of the guidelines for a king to rule in Israel. The king must be a man of God's word. He was to (1) have a copy of the law made for his personal use, (2) keep it with him at all times, (3) read from it every day, and (4) obey it completely. During these steps he would learn respect for God, keep himself from feeling more important than others, and avoid neglecting God in times of prosperity. God's Word is the key in finding out what God wants from us and it doesn't effect us like it should unless we read it and think about it most of the time. With the amount of Bibles accessible today, it is not hard to get a copy of the king's wisdom into your hands. The hard part is to follow what it tells you to do.

Challenge;

   Read and obey anything in your Bible today. Concentrate on the wisdom He will give you as you read. Have you ever read a portion of the Bible going "Yea God that was good", or " Aw man! Do I really have to give that up?" etc...

There is wisdom in reading the Bible. God revealed to me that even though I study the Bible and do this daily word, sometimes writing up a teaching, but I still need to read it! Just read it, take in it's nuggets of wisdom, but listen in my head to the story I've read. Just READ!

Thu, Dec 18th - 1:51PM

Daily Word

The word of the day is:
      Uselessness

Ephesians 3:8
   [8] Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

   What Paul meant in this scripture is that without God's help, he would never be able to do God's work. Yet He chose Paul to share the gospel with the Gentiles and also gave him the power to do so. If we feel our work in God's work is minor, we are probably right - except we have forgotten the difference that God makes. He can fill any gap, the gap between what we can do and what He can do. He will fill that gap if you let Him and ask Him to do so. How does He want to use you? Draw on His power as you do your part that God called you to perform in His great plan.

Challenge;
   Ever feel useless in God's kingdom? Like you couldn't be of any help because of lack of knowledge, wisdom, courage or anything else? These are excuses, God will help you finish the tasks He has called you to do if you simply ask. Quit listening to those voices that say "you can't do it" or "you're not worthy." These lies are not from God! He will never treat His children like that. I challenge everyone reading to truly, I mean TRULY, chase the tasks God has brought you to do, and with a renewed vigor tackle that task because God will fill that gap if you TRULY let Him. Don't ever let some silly crud like "you can't do it" or "you're not worthy" stop you from ever doing anything for God. He knows you need His help and is standing patiently waiting for you to call on Him. He called on you.

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