What would God say about you?

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TODAY’S VERSE: 2 Corinthians 10:18

“What you say about yourself means nothing in God’s work. It’s what God says about you that makes the difference.” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

A key element in any successful and well-managed system is accountability: the need to give an account for what has been said and done. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our job, school, church, and family relationships. God’s “Kingdom System” –or ways of operating– works the same way. For every little thing we say and do –or miss to say or do– we will give an account at the appointed time. For the truth is that every word we say and action we choose to take does affect other people in positive or negative ways, and eventually all of this will be exposed to light.

Furthermore, it is what God says about you and me that really makes a difference. We may try our best to help others, submit to our assigned authority, or please others with our actions. But God, Who sees it all, knows the deep intentions of our heart. If our heart is where it needs to be, if our motives are pure and in alignment with His will, then we can be confident that God is pleased with us and will continue to place us in key positions to receive His annointing and blessing. This, my friend, is ultimately what really matters in life.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me so many ways to love others and be a faithful child of Your Kingdom. Help me to search my heart in every situation I encounter, so that my motives are always pure and aligned to Your will. Thank You for Your wisdom and strength to carry out Your purpose for me, and I praise You for the wonderful results of my obedience. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Are you listening?

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TODAY’S VERSE: James 1:19

“Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.” [Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Listening has been said to be one of the most difficult skills to develop in life (and I agree). As human beings, God created us with the need (and means) to talk and communicate our minds and feelings. But at the same time, God gave each of us a pair of ears so we may understand His truth and also care for our brothers and sisters’ hurts and joys. A great speaker is also considered a great listener. And perhaps God gave us just one tongue but two ears to emphasize the importance of listening over talking.

As a thinker and learning specialist who needs to share his creative ideas on a daily basis, I have found of great value channeling my thinking process through daily prayer and meditation in God’s Word. This has helped me tremendously in understanding what, when and how to share my ideas and thoughts at the right time and place –as well as when to just stop and listen. At times listening without talking can be very difficult, but it is possible –as long as we keep the Biblical principle in mind: “There is a right time for everything … a time to be silent and a time to speak.” [Ecclesiastes 3:1,7, International Children's Bible]

Perhaps you are also struggling with developing your listening skills (and I believe most of us are). If so, here’s a key: be humble before God on a daily basis and be sensitive to the needs around you. Through these, God will show you (and me) how to be the great listeners we need to be.

Are you listening?

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me the physical means to communicate and listen. Help me to focus on Your ability within me to listen more and speak less. Even in my quiet times with You, help me to provide You a space and listen to Your heart. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Dare to soar… you’re an eagle!

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TODAY’S VERSE: Isaiah 40:31

“But those who wait for the Lord –who expect, look for and hope in Him– shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” [Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

One of the most fascinating and peculiar creatures on earth is the eagle. Not only does it make its nest between rocks at very high distances –usually the highest mountain of rocks there is around–, but it can also fly and see its food with incredible vision from thousands of miles away in the sky. And once the eagle gets its eyes fixed on its prey, it rushes down at a high speed to get hold of what it has made its own.

We, very much like eagles, have been provided spiritual “wings” to soar and reach new heights at every stage of our earthly lives. As we continue to grow in our Christian journey, and allow ourselves to proceed to higher levels in our relationship with God, our vision and purpose become clearer and brighter. The closer we get to God and His purpose for our life the more evident our potential and blessings. The higher we strive to go, the better equipped we will be to experience success as God intended us to experience it. And once we see our blessing from that altitude, nothing can stop us from getting hold of what is already ours.

Dare to go higher in your daily walk with God. Adjustments might be needed, but the results will be worth everything.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me ways to soar higher in my daily walk with You. Help me each day to acknowledge Your willingness to soar with me to new heights, and give me the strength to carry on regardless of my present circumstances. In Jesus’ name I pray and give You thanks, amen.

Are you B.A.D.?

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TODAY’S VERSES: Matthew 5:3-10

3″You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

4″You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”

5″You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

6″You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.”

7″You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.”

8″You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”

9″You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”

10″You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Here’s a great anonymous story to encourage you to believe and proclaim your victory today and every day:

While shopping at a local department store, I spotted a man with B.A.D. printed on his shirt. Being the curious person that I am , I stopped the man and asked, “What does B.A.D. stand for?” He replied, B.A.D. stands for: “Blessed And Delivered.” That thought stuck with me as I finished doing my shopping that day. So I came up with a little advice for you today:

1. When the enemy tries to attack you, tell him that you are indeed B.A.D.!

2. When things don’t seem to be going right on your job, keep acting B.A.D.!

3. When things are not looking good in your relationships, remember that you’re B.A.D.!

4. When others scandalize your name, just be B.A.D.!

5. Finally, get together with someone you know you can be B.A.D. with!

6. And, by the way, have A B.A.D. Day!!

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your awesome lovingkindness through which You have blessed me and delivered me from the evil one. I commit every day to see myself as a Blessed and Delivered child of Your Kingdom, whom You have given the authority in Jesus to be victorious and successful. In Jesus’ name I declare an ever-increasing anointing over my life and my loved ones, AMEN!

Remember that you’re a light!

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TODAY’S VERSE: John 8:12

“[Jesus] said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ ” New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

“Jesus once again addressed them: ‘I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.’ ” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

You and I are called to be Christ-like in words and deeds. And just like Jesus came one day as a human being to be God’s light to all humankind, you and I are called to be lights to our present world.

Since creation and human fall, darkness seems to have prevailed throughout history. Not only in the spiritual sense –related directly to sin and the reality of satan and his kingdom– but in many other different forms derived from these. The presence of guilt and fear, the unawareness of one’s possibilities and opportunities, and the absence of a purpose-driven life are just a few examples of the reality of the many forms of darkness all around us.

So how can we be lights in the midst of our present darkness? Besides being Jesus’ faithful witnesses on earth by sharing His light, we can assist others in understanding their true purpose in life. By affirming other people’s self-worth and potential we are giving them light to see God’s plan for them. And by going the extra mile and reaching out to those in need we definitely show God’s true loving nature, which is powerful enough to make any blind see.

Only by gratefully reminding ourselves of who we were and who we are now will we be able to help others learn who they can become.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus as my Savior and Everlasting Light. Help me to share this light with those around me, so that they can also live a life that may shine through their present darkness and enlighten their world and those around them. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Freedom always carries a price tag

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TODAY’S VERSE: Galatians 5:13

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” [New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Throughout our human history mankind has strived for freedom. In all areas of life –especially in the political, social, and economic aspects of society– the human race has struggled for independence. And those of us living in independent countries like the United States of America are debtors to all those past generations who fought and gave their lives so that future generations may enjoy freedom today.

But the truth about freedom goes beyond any human or historical event. Believe it or not, you and I will **never** experience true freedom outside of Jesus Christ’s cross and our Creator’s will. Although it may seem contradictory, only becoming God’s “slaves” can we become truly free. For when you and I sincerely devote our heart and life to God’s plan and purpose, it is exactly there where we find our place in this world, the place where we finally realize who we really are and what the true meaning of our life is all about. And it is in this reality that you and I can find true freedom.

Jesus –God Himself in human form– gave His life away so that today you and I can enjoy true freedom. It is up to us to acquire God’s eternal gift of salvation through faith and devotion to Him, and share it with others.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me true freedom through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Help me not to take my freedom for granted, but to commit my life to pursue Your will as I share this freedom with those around me. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Is your love true?

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TODAY’S VERSE: 1 Corinthians 13:3b

“So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus was truly committed to His disciples throughout His earthly mission. A clear sign of this is demonstrated through His three years of ministry and teaching, when He walked daily with them and prepared them to be the leaders they became. Quality time with His first followers was a major part of His ministry, and is a clear indication that both commitment **and** connection need to be present if our love is true and genuine.

As humans, our relationships work the same way. If we are truly committed to love and care for another person, we need to find ways to connect with her/him in a deep level; otherwise, the relationship becomes an end in itself instead of a means to personal and relational growth, development, and satisfaction. On the other hand, we may be deeply connected with another person, but if there is no expressed and lived-out commitment to the relationship, security is uncertain, and any of the parties involved may choose to abandon the relationship, creating much emotional dissapointment and hurt.

God not only loved us so much to sacrifice His only Son Jesus (connection), but He has promised to be with us “until the end of the world” (commitment). In the same way, God not only desires our commitment to His kingdom, but needs our deep loving connection. And the way we develop this “committed connection” is through daily quiet times with Him, being sensitive to His Spirit’s voice within us, and making sure we obey and follow His daily lead.

The decision to commit and connect is ultimately yours. Are you willing to commit to God’s plan for your life? Are you committed to follow His lead wherever He takes you? If so, then make a way to connect at a deeper level with God. Reserve daily spaces to be alone with Him and develop a deep relationship with your Heavenly Father. Once you commit to doing this your whole life and perspective on true love will never be the same again.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your awesome love and never-ending care for me. Thank You for showing through many ways Your committed connection to me. Forgive me when I have taken Your love for granted, and help me to express my love to You and others in the same way You have done so. I am willing to deepen my relationship with you on a daily basis, and I thank You for the results of my obedience. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Honor and Respect The Sacred

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TODAY’S VERSE: Exodus 20:7

“No using the name of GOD your God, in curses or silly banter; GOD won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

“You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” [Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

One of the things that should bother us the most is the misuse of God’s name. And we find it everywhere: TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, and even books written by “best-selling” authors –persons with no reverential fear or respect for the sacred. I believe such attitude, while being self-centered and humanistic in nature, has been responsible for most of the huge calamities that we have experienced in the last decade. So the question is not “Where was God when this happened?” but rather “Who has been careless enough to not pay attention to the consequences of disrespecting God and what’s sacred?”

It was God’s intention from the very beginning of creation to develop an intimate relationship with us, His human creatures. It has always been God’s will to have children who love, trust, obey and even call Him “Abba, Father.” But being careless of the way we handle our familiarity with God and the sacred is a subtle way of rebellion, and God will not put up with such attitude and heart condition for too long.

As you and I continue to develop a loving, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, let us never forget Who our God really is and who we are before His presence. Let us come before God’s presence each day with humble hearts and clean hands, ready to give our very best to Him. Our God will always give out His very best to us.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to be one of Your redeemed children through Jesus. Thank You for loving me to the very end. Forgive me when I have been careless regarding Your name and Your ways, and help me to value my relationship with You as the most significant treasure I will ever possess. In the precious name of Your Son Jesus I pray with a humble heart, amen.

What do you think?

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TODAY’S VERSE: Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”[Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Have you ever wondered about the design and power of your human mind? Did you know that the storage capacity of our human brain extends beyond the millions of publications currently existent in the U.S. Library of Congress? Moreover, if today’s most brilliant scientists would build a human brain, it would never be able to originate a single creative thought –which you and I can so easily do in a blink of an eye!

On the other hand, such storage capacity can easily become “cluttered” with so much information all around us –data that most of the time we not only do not need but is negative and destructive in nature. And as the common phrase clearly indicates –”garbage in, garbage out,” whatever we allow to clutter our minds will eventually affect our behavior and will expose itself to light –even without our full consent.

That is why you and I need to renew our minds on a daily basis –so we may know and understand God’s true will for our lives –that which is “good, acceptable, and perfect.” That is why the Word of God needs to be at the center of everything we do and say, so that our light may shine unto others and we may blamelessly give glory to God by being faithful witnesses of the truth. As the Holy Scriptures clearly emphasize, “…whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (Philippians 4:8, Amplified Version)

What do you think?

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with an awesome brain with the capacity to think and make wise decisions. Help me to be careful not to allow destructive thoughts to clutter my mind, but rather to renew it daily with Your Word. In Jesus’ precious name I pray with a thankful heart, amen.

Why complain?

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TODAY’S VERSE: Philippians 2:14-15

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” [New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society]

“Do everything readily and cheerfully–no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night.” [The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson]

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Before we even realize it, there we are… complaining. It’s so easy to complain about having too much work, not being paid enough, too many cars on the road, too little time to relax, etc., etc., etc. When will we ever have a “perfect” day without all this mess around us?

The truth about complaining is simple: it demonstrates a lack of trust in God’s integrity and sovereignty. When our minds are fooled to believe that God doesn’t really care about us, that our circumstances will never change, that everyone out there is against us, that we’re destined to have a “bad” day every day, then we have more than enough reasons to complain. But when we believe God *DOES* care for you and me… when we understand His principle of love and mercy superseding the principle of sowing and reaping… and when we choose to continue planting good seeds despite our present circumstances… then we realize that complaining is just an unnecessary and unfruitful evil not worth of our precious time, energy, peace and joy.

Do you believe God is just and faithful in all He does? Do you truly believe God has a purpose for your life, and that everything will always work for the good of those who trust Him? If you do, then, why complain? Doing so will only show that we don’t really trust Him, that we are not sure that He will remain faithful as He has proved throughout history.

My recommendation? Stop complaining and start praising! Only then will you start experiencing all that God has in store for you. Today. Tomorrow. Every day.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being my True Source of everything I am and everything I have. I ask forgiveness for the times I have complained and questioned Your love and faithfulness toward me. I commit to stop complaining and instead fill my days with praise. In Jesus’ precious name I pray and rejoice, amen.