Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Hold Your Head High

3/31/2014

"But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and He answers me from His holy mountain." -Psalms 3:3-4 (NIV)

Have you ever felt down and had someone tell you to keep your head up? It's often easier said than done, because it's easier to pity ourselves than to stand up and regroup. When you feel like hanging your head, stop and look to God for help.

God will help you lift your head up. When relying on God, you are never defeated. There may be setbacks or challenges that you do not understand in the moment, but God is shielding you, protecting you, and giving you the reason and strength to hold your head high. Just call on Him and He will help you!

When feeling down, turn to God. Call on Him for help and lift your head up in praise for all He does for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for shielding and protecting me. Thank You for being there when I call on You and for helping to lift my head high. Praise be to You for all You do for me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Got plans?

3/30/2014

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
-Proverbs 21:30 (NIV)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Maybe you have heard the saying "We plan and God laughs." We spend a lot of time planning, preparing for the future, and making decisions. We try to figure out what we need and what we should be doing. We attempt to plan for success and happiness. No matter what we think we need or should do, God knows better and He wants to see us prosper here on Earth and for eternity!

God has made plans for each of us. He knows where we should be, what we should face, and how we can prosper and be successful. When making our plans, we should always rely on God's wisdom and guidance so that our plans are in line with His plans for us. No earthly wisdom, insight, or plan can measure up to God's wisdom and planning!

When we are faced with making plans or decisions, we should begin by praying and talking to God. We also need to remember to take time to stop and listen to what God is telling us. There may still be disappointments in life, but we need not worry or fear what is to come because God knows all and wants us to have a prosperous future.

When you are thinking about the future, planning the next steps in the journey of life, or making decisions, talk to God, listen to what He is saying, and align your thinking with His plans so you can be prosperous for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for wanting me to be prosperous. Thank You for providing hope and a future for me. Please help me to seek Your wisdom, the greatest wisdom, and follow the plan that You have for me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Gain Understanding

3/29/2014

"Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding." -Proverbs 15:32 (NIV)

It's not always easy to hear feedback or take criticism. We don't always want to hear the things that we don't do well or relive the mistakes we've made. If we ignore criticism, feedback, and mistakes, then we can't improve and get better. When we don't account for our actions and reflect on our relationship with God, then we can't improve this relationship in order to move closer to God!

God gives us people and circumstances in our lives to help us grow. Sometimes we don't act or react in a loving or Godly way. There are consequences because of our actions. In order to grow, we must respond to discipline. When we are disciplined, when we listen to feedback and constructive criticism, then we can have a better understanding of God, ourselves, and each other. These understandings can lead to a closer relationship with God and a more loving, peaceful relationship with each other.

Don't regard discipline solely as punishment. Look at discipline as loving correction and opportunities to grow in God's love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for your discipline and guidance. Help me to see Your guidance and heed Your correction, so that my understanding can grow. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Need Wisdom?

3/28/2014

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." -James 1:5 (NIV)

As we go about our lives each day, we are faced with any number of situations, questions, or expectations. There are times when we don't have all the answers. Sometimes we might feel that we don't even know what questions we should be asking!

When you feel like you don't have the questions or answers, there's only one request to make: "God, please give me the wisdom I need." The book of James reminds us to ask, believe, and receive! It's as simple as that.

God loves you and will grant you the wisdom that you need. You have to be open to receiving wisdom from God, which requires you to let go of trying to do it your way or on your own. Allow God to guide you. He's willing to generously give wisdom to you, He's just waiting for you to ask and trust in Him!

Feeling confused? Looking for answers? Ask God for wisdom, then follow where His wisdom leads you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being generous and willing to give, even when I don't deserve it. Please give me the wisdom to handle any situation that comes my way. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Grace, Mercy, Peace

3/27/2014

"Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." -II John 1:3 (NASB)

There are people who search far and wide for grace, mercy, and peace. These people look to material goods, other people, different philosophies of life, and other teachings and actions. How fortunate it is when someone finds that grace, mercy, and peace can all be found in one place...in God and His Son!

Once we have experienced God's grace, mercy, and peace, we should share it with others. When we share the source of grace, mercy, and peace with others, we need to share it in truth and love. Sometimes truth can make people uncomfortable. Sometimes people may not believe what we are saying. It is important that we continue to love everyone and to stand up for the truth that we know. Through our words and actions God will work to show His grace and mercy and allow others to experience His peace.

Take time to rest in and be thankful for the grace, mercy, and peace that can only be found in God and Jesus, then lovingly share it with others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your grace in loving me and forgiving my sins. Thank You for Your mercy to forgive me even though I am imperfect and undeserving. Thank You for the peace that comes from knowing You are always with me. I pray in the name of Jesus, Your Son who was sacrificed to make all this possible, amen.

Don't Be Scared!

3/26/2014

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9 (NASB)

Recently my three year-old's has a go-to excuse for not doing something: "I'm scared." Ask her to put her shoes by the door and she's scared. Eat dinner? She's scared. Go upstairs to bed? She's scared. Get up in the morning to get ready? She's scared. My daughter often uses the "I'm scared" excuse. It doesn't work, but it made me stop and think...How often do we use the "I'm scared" excuse with God?

How often does God ask us to go somewhere or do something for Him? How often does He place us in a position to stand up for what is right and to stand up for Him? What is our response when God calls us?

We may respond to God's call like Moses trying to convince God that he was not the right person for the job of standing up to Pharaoh. We may respond like Jonah, who tried to run away from God's call. We might tell God that now is not a good time, that we'll go later. We might say we're not prepared or the task is too big. We might just sit quietly instead of taking a stand or give up before we even try. In all of these responses, we're using the same excuse as my daughter. We're saying to God, "I'm scared!"

Just as my daughter finds out that the "I'm scared" excuse doesn't work, it doesn't work for us with God. God tells us that we shouldn't be scared. God is with us, whenever and wherever. With God, we have the power to overcome any challenge or evil we might face. God commands us to be strong and courageous. He reassures us that He will not give us more than we can handle with His guidance.

The next time you catch yourself saying "I'm scared" to God, remember that He commands you to be brave and to trust in Him. He can make you strong and courageous!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Thank You for Your willingness to make me strong and courageous. Help me to trust in You so that I will always be ready to stand up for You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

One of Those Days

3/25/2014

"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress." -Psalm 59:16 (NASB)

Some days just don't start out as we plan them to. Today happened to be one of those days. A restless night without enough sleep. Waking in the wee hours of the morning to a cold house because the furnace had accidentally been turned off. Arriving at work with a list of things to do, only to be pulled in three directions other than accomplishing what was on the list. Dealing with people who want you to be two places at once. All that before 8 a.m. and then there was the meeting after work that I was not looking forward to attending. What to do?

Psalm 59:16 tells you exactly what to do when you face one of those days! Sing for joy in the morning, remembering God's love and strength. Pray and call on God to sustain you through whatever you will experience. Rely on God's power and presence as your stronghold and refuge. God will never leave you, so stay close to Him!

My day got better. I cleared my mind and thanked God that the issues of the morning were manageable. I listened to praise music on the way to my meeting and prayed that I would have the wisdom I needed. As for the meeting I was dreading? Smooth sailing thanks to God!

If you're having one of "those days", remember Psalm 59:16. Start off the day, or stop and "restart" the day, with a prayer and a song of praise for God's strength, then rely on Him to carry you through any difficulties you may face. In the end, you can look back at the stronghold and refuge that is God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Thank You for being loving and strong. Please sustain me through whatever I face. Give me the wisdom and patience to seek your will. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Not by Yourself

3/24/2014

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

There are times when I know I try to do too much. I think that if I work hard enough, plan enough, or use my time wisely enough, then I can accomplish everything on my list. Of course, my list just keeps growing! When we approach our faith and salvation, we need to avoid the pitfall of trying to do it all on our own!

We can't save ourselves from sin and the inevitable death that it brings. We are only saved through a gift from God - the gift of His Son and His Son's sacrifice. It is useless to perform good works to try to save our souls. We can and should do good things, as God has prepared each of us, but we should do them for God's glory because He has already saved us.

God has already saved us, so why would we spend time uselessly trying to re-do what God has already accomplished? Accept forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice and don't brag about what you have done. Take time you have to praise, pray, and serve God for what is already done and so that others will know of His glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for saving me so that I can have eternal life with You. Allow my works to be in praise and honor of You and what You have done for me. Help others to learn of Your glory through me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Earthly Lanterns

3/23/2014

"For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves." -II Corinthians 4:6-7 (NASB)

Each year at the end of summer, a neighboring town holds a hot air balloon festival. As part of the festival there is a "balloon glow" one evening. The hot air balloons ascend, glowing with the fire that warms the air and causes the balloon to rise. As they rise into the dark of night, the hot air balloons look like over-sized lanterns in the sky.

In the beginning, God made light shine out of the darkness. God then gave us His Son to shine and light the way for us. Now we are called to be God's light on earth. God has given us the example of His Son. He has given us the Bible as a guide. He has given us forgiveness through His Son. He loves us. We are to let this fire of God's light show through us in our words and actions.

Just like the fire glowing through the balloon at night, we are to be earthen vessels of light, earthly lanterns, fueled by God's greatness. If we glow for God, then we can light up the darkness of those we meet, giving God the glory for saving all who choose to believe!

Choose to be an earthly lantern for God and give Him all the glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and for the forgiveness through the sacrifice of Your Son. Help me to follow Your guidance in order to be a light in the darkness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Dwell in Unity

3/22/2014

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!"
-Psalm 133:1 (NASB)

We all know those certain people that know how to push our buttons and get our blood pressure up. Whether it's something they say or something they do, we immediately feel the need to react. When we are encountered with these people, we need to remember that we need to love everyone!

Living in unity and harmony is pleasant. Unfortunately, we are imperfect beings and we are surrounded by others that are imperfect as well. Living in unity requires effort, in some circumstances more than others! When we are faced with a situation in which we want to react immediately, we need to step back and ask God for strength and the words to say in order to reach out in love. As we live in His love, we will experience how good and pleasant it is to live in unity!

It may take practice, but the next time you want to react remember to act in God's love to build unity!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your never ending love and forgiveness. Please help me to act in Your love to build unity here on earth until we reach our perfect destination with You in Heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Stay with God

3/21/2014

"Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." -II John 1:9 (NASB)

My three year-old daughter knows that when we are in a parking lot or crossing the street, she needs to hold an adult's hand. While she knows this, her excitement can sometimes take over and she gets the urge to run to in the parking lot of a restaurant or movie theater to meet her cousins. She knows the safety rule, but she tries to pull away and go too far on her own. Sometimes we are the same way with God!

The Bible reminds us about this in the book of II John (1:9). We want to move forward for the Kingdom of God. Sometimes we are impatient and try to run ahead. It is good to be on fire for God and wanting to grow His Kingdom, but we can't forget that God needs to be the center of all we are doing. We need to be cautious so we don't try to go too far on our own without remembering Christ's teachings and without relying on God for His wisdom and guidance.

We never want to let go of the victory that Christ gained for us on the cross. Take time to draw close to God through study of His Word and through talking with Him in prayer. Be patient and walk with God, don't try to run too far ahead.

Continue to walk in the way of the Lord so that you can remain connected to His teaching. Abide with both Jesus and God the Father while you spread the Good News through word and deed.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for reminding me that I need to stay centered on You. When I start to run ahead, please pull me back to You, keep me safe, and allow me to be an example for You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

His Righteousness

3/20/2014

"Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." -Romans 10:3-4 (NIV)

I can do it. I've got this. Give me a chance. I'm ready. I can be better. I just have to try harder to be a better person. And it goes on and on. So many times we think we can take care of things on our own. We think that we can become a better person through our own works, will, and determination. Yet, no matter how good we think we are, we can never measure up to God's standard of perfection. When we start to think that we can save ourselves or become righteous without His help, we stumble and fall.

The Bible reminds us that if we try to become great on our own, we will not succeed. We need to remember to submit to God and His plan for each of us. When we rely on God and believe in God and the sacrifice of His Son, then we receive righteousness that we could never earn on our own and we become great in the Kingdom of God.

The next time you are thinking about how to become a better person, talk to God. Ask God to help you. Believe in Jesus and His sacrifice and you will find that God has more than enough righteousness for all believers!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son to save me from my sins. Help me to remember that only You can make me righteous and pure. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Authority

3/19/2014

"They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority."
-Luke 4:32 (NIV)

In life people are always trying to get our attention. There are many ways people try to get that attention. Maybe they are the loudest, the flashiest, the tallest, the best speaker, the most sophisticated looking, the most highly educated, the highest paid, and the list could go on and on. How do we act when we are trying to get people's attention for God?

Jesus took a different approach to getting people's attention. He was neither loud nor flashy. He wasn't the most educated by earthly standards or the highest paid. What Jesus had was an authority from God and a truth that made people stop, listen, and gravitate toward Him.

Luke tells us that when Jesus spoke people noticed His teaching. His words were filled with authority. Those that heard His words first hand were amazed. Now, over two thousand years later, His words are still life changing. When we are trying to get people's attention for God, we should rely on the authority of Jesus' words.

We have the authority and truth of Jesus' words. We don't have to be the loudest or flashiest. We can let Him do the talking through us.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending me Your Son. Thank You for the authoritative words that Jesus has given me and that are still true today. Help me to use these words wisely to get people's attention for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Embrace Youth

3/18/2014

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." -I Timothy 4:12 (NASB)

No matter how old we are, we may long for the "good old days" of our youth from time to time. Yet, we don't always stop to appreciate the youth presently in our midst. It can be easy to brush aside the ideas of a youthful person due to our perception of his or her inexperience, optimism, idealism, or blissful ignorance. We tend to think that age automatically brings wisdom for every situation we might face. Paul (I Timothy 4:12) wants us to rethink the "older is wiser" cycle of making decisions.

It's not that there is no value in age and experience. There are times that age and life experience result in wisdom that God uses to help us see consequences to different approaches and decisions. However, the fresh perspective, passion, and honesty that a youthful voice can contribute to the conversation shouldn't be overlooked.

In the verse from I Timothy (4:12), Paul is giving some advice to young Timothy. If you are a youthful person, take heed of Paul's advice. Don't be intimidated just because you are young. Do your best to be an example and an inspiration to those both older and younger than you. It's a lot of responsibility, but God can help you through it.

If you are no longer as youthful as you once were, Paul's words still have meaning for you. Take notice of the youth around you and their faith, love, and worship...even (especially) if it is different than yours. Talk to the youth, understand their passions for a closer relationship with Jesus that may re-ignite similar passions in you. Do not dismiss the ideas and feelings of the youth because of their age, but look to the examples and inspirations that they are striving to be throughout their lives.

Take time to embrace youth - yours or that of others around you. Use this youth to ignite a passion for God that sets an example beyond your life and your church and into the world as a witness for God.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the wisdom of experience and the joy and passion of youth. Help me to listen to those younger than me. Guide me in being an example through my speech, conduct, and faith. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Just do it!

3/17/2014

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do." -James 1:22-25

Whether I'm talking to my three year-old daughter or some of the 8th graders that I teach, there are times when I am talking that I know my audience is not really listening. Maybe they say "OK" or nod their heads, but when the time comes to follow the directions or put words into action, they can be lost. My wife and I often remind our daughter to be a "good listener", to actually hear what we are saying and then act on the directions.

James reminds all of us to be "good listeners" of God's word AND people of action! If we just read or hear God's word and do nothing, then we are fooling or deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are doing God's will. We nod our heads and smile, but then are lost when we should be in action.

We need to take time to linger on God's word, meditating on it, praying about it, and then acting on it. Don't sit back and wait on someone else to take action. God has called each of us to listen and to do! Don't glance at His word and then forget the meaning. Study intently so you are prepared for action. God will bless what we do when we put His word into thoughtful and prayerful action.

The next time you are listening to someone speak God's word or when you are reading God's word, ask God to help you look intently into its meaning so that you can put His word into action.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me Your word. Help me to study and look intently into Your word so that I can learn more, then help me to apply Your word through action for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Buddy System

3/16/2014

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
-James 5:16 (NIV)

Research on human behavior shows that whenever we embark on a journey to change our behavior or commit to a plan it often helps to be accountable to another person. Establishing a diet or exercise routine? You will be more likely to stick to the plan if you have a "buddy" making sure you are doing what you need to do to be successful. In our journey to grow closer to God and build a strong relationship with Him, we can apply the same "buddy system" logic.

We are reminded in the book of James (5:16) that we should not only be accountable to God, but also to each other. We can form bonds with each other, supporting each other in confessing sins to each other and praying for each other. As we pray for each other, we can be strengthened and made whole. We can help each other grow in our walk with God and be reassured that our prayers hold power.

God is always there for us, but we can also benefit by supporting each other. God has placed people around each us that can help us on our journey to know Him better. So, do you have concern that needs lifted to God? Find that person God has placed in your life, share your struggle or concern, and pray for each other. Have a thanksgiving or praise? Share it, so that others can also lift up the joy to God. Have a plan to read the Bible more? Share it with a friend and hold each other accountable.

God wants to have a closer relationship with each of us. God has given us people in our lives that can be our supports or "buddy system" so that we can grow together and grow closer to God. Be accountable first to God... and to each other!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank you for loving me and always being there for me. Thank you for providing people in my life that can help hold me accountable. Please hear our prayers and fill them with Your power. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Level Path

3/15/2014

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes."
-Psalm 27:11

Maybe you've heard stories about someone who had to walk to school...uphill BOTH ways. Walking uphill can be hard! Sometimes our journey through life feels like we are always walking uphill or just treading water to stay afloat. When we begin to feel that the path is too steep, we are probably trying to make it on our own without the Lord's help.

Like the Psalmist, when the road seems too rough, we need to stop and ask God to teach us and show us the way, His way. Once we put our faith and trust in God, we turn over the map to Him and let Him guide us. God will clear the way for each of us. He knows where we are and where we need to be...even if we don't know where we are headed. God will help us over the hills and around the mountains to level the path and protect us from our foes.

If you are feeling bogged down and like everything is a struggle, let God help! Ask for His teaching. Listen and follow His guiding hand.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for protecting me and guiding me. Teach me Your way so that I can follow You and bring others to Your level path. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Storms

3/14/2014

"A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." -Mark 4:37-39

Jesus was traveling by boat with His disciples when a storm erupted on the sea and threatened the boat. Jesus was asleep, but His disciples woke Him. Jesus spoke and calmed the storm. While the disciples faced an actual storm in this reading, we may face different kinds of storms in our lives. Jesus is there to calm whatever storm we face!

Sometimes when we are facing a storm, we feel that Jesus is "sleeping" or not paying attention to our needs. Jesus cares for us and is always there, but sometimes in the midst of the storm we are still trying to control the outcome on our own! When we feel that Jesus has forgotten us or doesn't care, we need to stop trying to control the storm and ask Jesus to help us calm the storm and make it through to the other side.

Once we have called on Jesus, we must fully trust in His power, wisdom, and grace. Jesus knows exactly what each of us needs to weather whatever storm we are facing. The challenges, heartaches, and triumphs will all work perfectly in His plan for our lives. The winds and waves of the storms we face will be quelled by the words of Jesus.

When you are up against a storm of any type remember to call on Jesus. After you have called on Him, trust in His power to deliver you safely!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for caring for me both in times of calm and in times of turmoil. Please guide me safely through any storm I face. Help me to rely on Your power, wisdom, and grace in all things. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Solitary Place

3/13/2014

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." -Mark 1:35 (NIV)

I used to live at a nature preserve, surrounded by hundreds of acres that included a lake, forests, and miles of trails. One of my favorite times to be alone in the woods was in the early morning, as the stillness of the pre-dawn became a lively time filled with the songs of a multitude of birds. During my time at the nature preserve, I could step out my door and find a solitary place, a place where I could leave the cares of the world behind, and a place where I could be alone with God.

I no longer live at a nature preserve. I can no longer step out my door and be lost in the wonders of the natural world. Finding a solitary place is more difficult than it used to be, but it is no less important! Taking time to be alone with God helps to foster a closer relationship with Him.

There were times when Jesus needed a solitary place to talk to His Father. We should follow Jesus' example and make time to find a solitary place where we can be alone with God and talk freely with Him. Whether a spot in nature, a garden, a room in our home, on the treadmill, out for a walk or jog, or another place, take time to unplug from this world and connect to God our Father.

Draw near to God and allow God to draw near to you. Your time in a solitary place with God can be comforting, renewing, and refreshing!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus as an example for me. Help me to find a solitary place when I need to be alone with You. Please draw near to me, comfort me, and renew Your spirit in me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

A Temple

3/12/2014

"Do you not know that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." -I Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Are you tired? Feeling stressed? Is your body struggling to adjust to the time change or another change in your schedule? Stop to think about how you are taking care of your body.

Sometimes we think that it is vain to take care of our body, and it may be if "looking good" becomes our sole purpose. However, the Bible reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are not our own. They belong to God. We should take the time to care for our bodies as a way to honor God.

Keeping our bodies functioning properly requires attention to how we care for our bodies. We need to be aware of what we are feeding our bodies, both in physical and spiritual food. We need to take the time to exercise our bodies, physically, mentally, and spiritually. We need to physically rest our bodies and to spiritually rest in God's reassurance and power.

Don't let your personal temple for God decay and crumble. If you feel that your body is trying to tell you something, take notice. Then take care of your body as a way to celebrate and honor God.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me my body as a temple for You. Please help me to keep my temple pure and healthy for You. Use my temple in service to and worship of You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Golden Rule

3/11/2014

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." -Luke 6:31-35 (NASB)

We've all heard it before. Some may have heard it from a teacher. Maybe some have heard it from a parent or grandparent. The "Golden Rule" tells us to treat others the same way that we want to be treated. We may have heard it before, but do we remember to practice it?

Jesus gives us the "Golden Rule" and tells us in the book of Luke (6:31-35) that it is easy to love those that love us. Jesus also tells us that we need to treat our enemies the way we want to be treated! Jesus gives us this reminder because he knows that we often need to focus on how we treat the people that don't love us or don't treat us well. We need to remember that we are to love everyone and treat everyone with respect, regardless of what they do to us.

When you encounter a friend, a stranger, or "enemy", treat all of them the way that you want to be treated. If you struggle with treating someone the way you want to be treated, ask God for guidance and assistance. Pray for yourself and the other person, then let God do the rest!

Don't just remember the "Golden Rule", remember to practice it with everyone you meet!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me no matter what I do. Please help me to not only treat everyone the way I want to be treated, even if I am not shown the same treatment. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Do I have to wait?

3/10/2014

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." -Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

Waiting can be hard. Just ask a three year old who just saw her "favorite" movie in the theater and is waiting for it to come out on DVD. The wait seems endless and requires patience. Adults can find it difficult to wait, too, but the Bible reminds us that there is no waiting, it's all God's perfect timing!

There are circumstances when the answers don't seem to come when we want them. We ask for help and it seems slow in arriving. We work to advance our careers, but the promotions and pay raises are not as near as we had hoped. We try to build relationships with others, yet some seem to resist our kindness. We attempt to foster a close knit family, but we battle constant distractions that attempt to pull in different directions.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that whatever happens, God is in control. God does not give us more than we can handle and He doesn't always respond when we think He should or how we think He should respond. When life is happening and you feel things are not going your way, take a step back and talk to God. We have great hindsight and can often see God's purpose after the fact, but God sees all before it happens! Allow God to show you that you are part of His plan. Have faith that God is working to make each of us prosper.

Even though you are faced with situations when seconds seem like minutes, minutes like hours, hours like days, and days like months, God is working for your benefit! Be patient and take heart that everything happens at the right time and for God's reasons. When you witness God's plan for you take time to rejoice and praise Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for keeping my best interests near to You, even when I can't see what the future holds. Please help me to be patient, to wait for the right time, and to always trust in You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Submission and Resistance

3/9/2014

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." -James 4:7-8 (NASB)

We, as humans, can be strong-willed or even stubborn! We try to take care of things on our own, even though we know we should rely on God. We try to tackle a problem and wrestle with it to find our own solution. Sometimes we even choose to engage the devil. All the while, the only solution we need is to submit to God!

Whenever we are faced with a situation that we are trying to handle on our own, we should remember to turn everything over to God. Whether the situation we're trying to deal with is big or small, God can help! There is power in submitting to God and giving Him our all...all of our love, all of our praise, AND all of our problems.

Once we draw near to God and submit to Him, then we can resist the devil. Once God is on our side, the devil will run away from God's power. The devil may try to work his way into our lives through any tiny crack he can find, but if we maintain a firm faith in God, then we can resist the devil's advances!

If you are wrestling with a problem and searching for an answer, remember that God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He can handle the little stuff and the big stuff in our lives! Ask for His forgiveness, purify your heart, and be single-minded, with a focus on the one and only solution to any problem: God. Embrace His answers for you and His plan for your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being there for me in all things. Please help me to remember that I don't have to face everything alone. Thank You for being with me. Forgive me for trying to do things on my own. Please draw near to me, cleanse my heart, and keep me safely on Your path. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Watch your Tongue

3/8/2014

"For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.'" -I Peter 3:10-11 (NIV)

The saying is that talk is cheap. That's because our words can come out so easily, with so little thought and effort. We also hear that the pen is mightier than the sword, which reminds us that our words can be damaging, too. Our words come easily and cheaply and they can cause damage worse than a sword, it's no wonder that the Bible warns us to keep our tongue from evil!

Words can stir up trouble. Words can create drama. Words can even start fights and wars! Maybe you have experienced the hurt associated with words. Maybe your words have caused hurt to another. It can be easy to make comments about others and even to gossip, but we need to be sure that our tongue and lips are not being mean and deceitful.

When we combine the two sayings from before, we see the importance of watching our tongue and speaking with care, deliberation, and good intent. Our words should not tear each other down, but we should seek to support one another and find peace. Remember that we are to turn from evil and embrace all that is good, to seek peace in the people and world around us. We can see good days unfolding in front of us if we speak positively with goodness and love!

Draw close to God and choose to have good days by keeping your tongue from evil!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me good days. Please help me to fill the days with love and goodness through speaking positive, supportive, and Godly words! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Earthly Experience, Heavenly Grace

3/7/2014

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." -Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

It's nice to have a friend that understands what you're going through, whether good times or bad. One that can empathize with you can share your joy in the good times or help bear your sadness, frustration, or anger in the not so good times. A friend who has been there before knows what to say to keep you grounded or build you up, depending on the situation.

Jesus is not only our friend, he is also royalty! Jesus is the Son of God, perfect in every way. Jesus sits with God in Heaven, yet Jesus was sent by God to live as a human - to experience temptation and understand our weaknesses.

Jesus temporarily left His seat next to God in order to experience a life similar to ours, so that we can be reassured that He understands what we face. Jesus dealt with "earthly siblings" and family dynamics. He had those who loved Him and those that did not like Him. Jesus faced those that called Him Lord and those that called Him crazy. He endured temptations. Jesus handled praises and criticism with grace.

In His short time on earth, Jesus experienced it all! No matter what we face, Jesus can empathize with us and speak on our behalf. Jesus can celebrate our triumphs with us and strengthen us in our times of need. He can take our joys and concerns directly to the throne of God!

Whether you are celebrating or calling out for help, hold onto your faith. Jesus understands! Approach God's throne with confidence and thankfulness for His grace and mercy.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son to experience life as a human, to reassure me of Your love and understanding. Thank You for sacrificing Your Son and raising Him from the dead so that He can bring all of my joys and concerns before You. Please help, me to share the good news of Your grace and mercy with others. In His name I pray, amen.