Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

His Voice, Your Heart

8/31/2014

"He again fixes a certain day, 'Today,' saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.'"
-Hebrews 4:7 (NASB)

We hear many things throughout the day. Some noises are loud and demand our attention. Other voices are soft whispers. Mixed in with all of the voices we hear is the voice of God speaking to our hearts.

We should always be listening for God's message. After we hear His voice, we need to respond appropriately. We should begin by opening up our hearts and not hardening them to His Word and His voice. We must not shut the door on what God is calling us to do, but instead trust His plan for us and follow Him!

Do not harden your heart, but keep it open to God's voice and direction for your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your voice that speaks to my heart. Help me to hear when You are speaking to me and help me to keep an open heart to Your plan for me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Dead and Alive!

8/30/2014

"Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." -Romans 6:8-11 (NASB)

I was recently watching an animated movie with my daughter that starred an opossum as one of the characters. The father opossum, after waking up from playing dead, explained to his daughter that they must "die" in order to live. The same is true for us as Christians!

Romans (6:8-11) explains that we are to die with Jesus in order to live. Jesus died for our sins and rose again so that death has no power over Him. If we are believers in Jesus and His resurrection, then we can consider ourselves dead to sin and alive in God. We must die to sin with Jesus in order to live with Him forever!

Like the opossum, "die" so that you can live! Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the opportunity to be forgiven, so that I can be dead to sin and alive in You! Help me to live in You and for You in all I do. Through Jesus, the risen, I pray, amen.

Citizens and Family

8/29/2014

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord."
-Ephesians 2:19-21 (NASB)

This school year started like many others, with nearly 100 new 8th grade students rotating through my classroom in the course of the day. For the most part, these students enter my room as strangers, but I make every effort to be welcoming and to offer them a foundation on which future lessons can be built. As my colleagues and I explain to our students, our team of teachers and students will become like a family as we work together over the course of 181 school days.

Paul reminds us that we experience a similar welcome and family building experience with God. We begin as strangers, but are welcomed by a loving and supporting God. Through our belief, we can join God's family as it is built on His Word, His Son, and the believers that came before us. However, we have more than 181 days, we have eternity with God!

Build on the cornerstone of Jesus to join the saints as fellow citizens and become part of God's family!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for allowing me to be part of Your family. Help me to continue to build Your family and Your Kingdom by showing Your love to all those around me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Depth of Knowledge

8/28/2014

"God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." -Philippians 1:8-10 (NIV)

As I have been preparing for my students' return to school, one of the areas of discussion has been the "depth of knowledge" that my colleagues and I are seeking in our students. The instruction, tasks, and activities that we give our students allow the students to dive deeper into learning and understanding the concepts presented. My colleagues and I want our students to truly and deeply understand the concepts and skills we are teaching. Paul wanted the same thing for each of us!

In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul told the church that he was praying that they could grow in the depth of their knowledge and insight. These feelings and lessons are still relevant in our lives. God has provided us with opportunities and tools for getting to know him and knowing what is best and pure. We can learn through prayer, study of the Bible, lessons from church, and fellowship with other believers. We should put effort into using each tool and opportunity to increase our depth of knowledge about and closeness to God!

Get started increasing your depth of knowledge about God through prayer, study, and fellowship!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me the tools and opportunities to grow in my depth of knowledge about You, Your ways, and Your plan for me. Help me to use what You have provided so that I can grow closer to You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Outside Opportunity

8/27/2014

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
-Colossians 4:5-6 (NASB)

When I watch my daughter interact with other children, I am often nervous that she won't fit in or that she'll feel like an outsider. However, my daughter tends to make friends easily and play without a problem. Kids can often teach us about interacting with outsiders. My daughter's kind, gentile, and generous approach is one that can reach many individuals and can teach many of us lessons about interacting with and welcoming outsiders!

In Colossians (4:5-6), we are reminded about our words and actions around "outsiders." Each person that we meet provides an opportunity for interacting and showing God's love. To take advantage of each opportunity to make a positive impression or build a relationship, we are to apply wisdom and grace in our conversation and actions. We can rely on God to guide us in our interactions so that we can help transform outsiders into members of God's family!

Take advantage of opportunities for sharing God's wisdom, love, and grace to help "outsiders" be transformed into brothers and sisters in Christ!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your wisdom, love, and grace. Thank You for transforming me from an outsider to a member of Your family. Help me to know how to conduct myself in the presence of outsiders so that they can see You through me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Night Vision

8/26/2014

"Even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You." -Psalms 139:12 (NASB)

Many of us have awakened during the night and needed to make our way through a dark room. Even in our own rooms, walking through the darkness can be a challenge. For God, darkness isn't a problem. We cannot be hidden or separated from God, not even by the darkness!

Our God is an awesome God. He created us, knows everything about us, and loves us. He has guided our formation and knows us better than we know ourselves, but we don't need to fear God's knowledge and power. We can be reassured in His love for us. God's "night vision" can see through the darkness to our needs. We just have to reach out so that He can hold us in His guiding hand!

Experience God's night vision: Allow Him to guide you, in light and through darkness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love for me. Please guide me, through light and darkness, so that I can further Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Your Ministry!

8/25/2014

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." -II Timothy 4:5 (NASB)

Many of us don't think of ourselves as evangelists. We pray, praise, worship, read the Bible, and sometimes talk about God, but we're not always the "evangelists" on T.V., knocking on doors, or preaching on the street corner. Even though we may not think of ourselves as evangelists, God has given each of us a ministry to fulfill.

Each person has talents, gifts, and experiences that allow for an individualized ministry. In the church we can see different ministries ranging from pastoral duties to music to youth and children's programming to mission work, both local and abroad. Other areas of ministry are often behind the scenes, but can include maintaining the building or meeting place, organizing events, monitoring finances, or editing newsletters and publications. In order for the church, the body of Christ on earth, to further God's Kingdom, all of these ministries must work together.

The work of ministry is not always easy, but it is fulfilling. As society changes, we shouldn't be afraid to expand the ministries of the church to reach out to others. We each need to find our role in the ministry of God's Kingdom so that we can serve God and serve our fellow man.

Find your ministry and work to fulfill your calling from God and be fulfilled by working for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for calling me to be a member of Your family. Thank You for all of those that have helped me to learn about and grow in You. Help me to find my calling and ministry that will further Your Kingdom and allow me to carry out my ministry in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Tempted?

8/24/2014

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."
-I Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

Traveling to work, sitting down to watch T.V., or flipping through the pages of a magazine, we find ourselves bombarded by advertisements. Each of these messages has been carefully crafted to grab our attention and tempt us to buy something or to think a certain way. Beyond these more obvious temptations, we are continually bombarded by more subtle or hidden temptations. What are we to do?

God knows that we live in a world filled with temptations. We learn in I Corinthians (10:13) that all of our temptations are common to mankind. In fact, we have created many of the temptations that we face! Even though there are temptations all around us, we can be reassured that God will not allow a temptation that we cannot overcome or escape. We can rely on God and ask for His guidance in helping us to avoid temptations by finding His provided escape away from the temptation.

When you are tempted, pray and listen to God in order to find the escape route and endure!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Thank You for not allowing temptations that I cannot overcome. Please guide me so that I can avoid temptations by following the escape that You provide for me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Mentor for God!

8/23/2014

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

Watching my daughter reminds me that with each day and each interaction I am giving her direction that will last a lifetime. I sometimes don't realize the impact of little things until I see it through her questions or actions. It is my hope that I can give her the foundation she needs now and for long into the future.

Even if we don't have children at home, we can still participate in training the children of our church family or in the community. We don't have to preach to children, but we can make a difference by interacting with them and being a positive mentor or role model for them. We can show them love and discipline that will have impacts well into their futures!

Take time to be a positive influence on all children around you by showing them love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for allowing me to be an influence on the children of my family, church, and community. Help me to be a positive influence that shows Your love to children and prepares them for a future in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Vines and Fruit

8/22/2014

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." -John 15:4 (NASB)

The tomatoes in the garden are finally turning red! My daughter has been closely monitoring their progress and was eager to finally be able to pick them. On the other hand, the pumpkins are still green. My daughter knows that she can't pick them yet. She must wait until they turn orange. Jesus reminds us that we are much like these plants in the garden.

Just like my daughter knows that she can't separate the vine and the branches and expect to get tomatoes or pumpkins, Jesus reminds us that we cannot bear fruit without being connected to Him! It seems like common sense, but sometimes we try to separate ourselves by doing things on our own. When we try to do things on our own, our efforts start to shrivel, much like a vine removed from the main stalk.

A vine cannot be placed back on the stalk and continue to bear fruit. The good news for us is that we are different from the vine, we can be reconnected with Jesus! We are able to repent and be forgiven so that we can be reconnected with our vine, Jesus Christ. We can return to bearing fruit for His Kingdom!

Be sure that you are securely connected to the vine, so you can bear fruit for God's Kingdom!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for allowing me to return to You when I get separated and for being the vine that strengthens me so that I can work to further Your Kingdom. Through Jesus, the Vine, I pray, amen.

Marked!

8/21/2014

"From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus." -Galatians 6:17 (NASB)

It can be easy to tell what my daughter has been doing. She may have chocolate, lollipop, or popsicle on her face. She may have marker or paint on her hands. Her hands may be sandy from the sandbox or covered in flour and egg from helping to bake. Her "marks" are sure signs of her recent endeavors!

When people look at us, they should see our marks, too. Our marks may not be physical, but they should be just as noticeable. People should tell by our actions that our beliefs are in the one true God and His resurrected Son, Jesus. If we remain rooted in God, then it will be impossible for others to cause us trouble that we cannot overcome!

Bear the mark as a follower of Jesus through all you do. In Him, you will be able to overcome all trouble!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me Your Son and forgiveness and new life through His death on the cross. Help me to show Your mark so that others can see Your caring and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Greatest Inheritance

8/20/2014

"Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it." -Psalms 37:34 (NASB)

Like winning the lottery, some people dream of inheriting a fortune that will set them up for life. Many of us will never win the lottery or receive a monetary inheritance that will take away all of our worries. However, there are some inheritances worth more than gold!

Whether we have been told the stories and learned of God's power and love since childhood or we come to an understanding later in life, God is waiting to welcome us into His family. When we are given the knowledge and understanding of the ways of the Lord, we have received an inheritance that is greater than anything that could be given to us on earth. As we wait for the Lord and keep His ways, He will lift us up and give us inheritances far beyond any earthly inheritance!

Follow God's way and He will include you in a heavenly inheritance!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for welcoming me into Your family and including me in an inheritance that is beyond anything I could imagine. Help me to share Your love and forgiveness with others so that they can share in the inheritance, too. Through Your Son, Jesus, I pray, amen.

Keep at it!

8/19/2014

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." -Galatians 6:9 (NASB)

We all have times in life when things don't seem to be going our way. We lose heart. We may feel down, but we should not give up!

We don't always immediately see the benefits of our work. Even when we don't see the fruits of our labor, we need to remain rested and willing to work. We should not lose heart in the face of challenges, but continue to do good works for God. When we are working for God and through God, we can be sure that He will bring good from our efforts!

Don't lose heart! Keep working for God in all you do and blessings will follow!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all that I have been able to reap. Please sustain me, so that I do not lose heart, even when the going gets tough or when I don't immediately see the results of my efforts. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Glimpses of God

8/18/2014

"No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." -I John 4:12-13 (NASB)

My daughter likes looking in the mirror. She can't brush her teeth in the bathroom or walk by a mirror in the store without stopping to look at herself. My daughter can only see herself in a mirror, but we are reminded in 1 John that no one has seen God. We cannot look in a mirror or at a picture and see God...Or can we?

John tells us that no one has seen God, but he tells us that God is with us and His love is made perfect in us. God created us in His image, so even though we can't see God, we can see glimpses of Him. He has given us His Spirit, so that He can abide in us and we can abide in Him. When living in God's Spirit, each time we look in the mirror or at each other, His perfect love can bring us together and allow us to see glimpses of God!

Each time you look in the mirror and at each other, take time to feel God's Spirit and see glimpses of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for abiding in me and giving me Your Spirit so that I can know You better. Help me to see You in myself and others and allow me to follow Your plan for me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take the opportunity!

8/17/2014

"So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." -Galatians 6:10 (NASB)

As we go throughout our days, there are opportunities for each of us to do good things for people. However, we often get wrapped up in our schedules and routines and don't notice how we can do good. Even at our busiest times, we need to stop and notice how we can help each other.

Paul reminds us in Galatians (6:10) that we should take the opportunities to do good while we have them. Doing good doesn't need to be a big ordeal. Doing good can be anything from small, random acts of kindness to lending a hand from when someone is in need to planning or contributing to a bigger charitable cause. As we do good for those around us, we shouldn't forget to help our fellow believers, too!

Take an opportunity, big or small, to do something good for someone and give God the glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the opportunities that You provide for me to do good. Please help me to take advantage of the opportunities before me in order to help others in order to further Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Tell Your Teachers!

8/16/2014

"The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him." -Galatians 6:6 (NASB)

As a middle school teacher, I appreciate seeing my students grow and change. It is nice when students come back to tell of their journeys and successes. Sometimes it is easy to move on and forget those that have helped us along the way, but it is important for us to share the good things that happen to us with those that had a hand in teaching us and shaping our lives.

Not only should we share our successes or triumphs with those who taught us, we should also "share" the glory. We should give all of the glory for our learning and the good things that have come of it to God. God is responsible for providing opportunities that prepare us for success. He is the ultimate teacher, always teaching and ready to guide us to success in His Kingdom!

Say thank you to those that have taught you the Word...and give the glory to God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of the teachers that I have had in my life, those that taught me about the world and those that taught me about Your Word. Help me to remember to share with those that have helped me and allow me the opportunities to be a teacher and share Your Word with others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Supply Chain

8/15/2014

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19 (NASB)

When I was younger I attended a conservation "school" summer camp. One of the activities we completed was tracing the supply chain of items found on the menu of a fast food restaurant. For example, we thought about French fries and the box they are served in and worked backwards to find the resources, energy, and people necessary to get the fries from producer to consumer. We knew the fries didn't just appear at the restaurant, but we were amazed to discover how many resources were involved in making and delivering the fries!

When writing to believers in Philippi, Paul is outlining a supply chain. Paul encourages the church in Philippi by reminding them that God has the power to supply all of their needs. However, this supply doesn't usually appear magically. The supplies for the church in Philippi were rooted in God and in church's generosity toward and support of Paul. There are connections between what was given to the church and their sharing for the furthering of God's Kingdom.

Like the church in Philippi, God will supply all of our needs. God has the power to make a supply appear to us, but He often uses a supply chain to deliver supplies. God relies on us, believers and followers of His Word, to be the chain by sharing the bounty He has given us to further His Kingdom!

Receive blessings from God and use them to be part of the "supply chain" to help others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of Your blessings and for supplying my needs. Help me to know how and to share the bounty that You have provided. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Not Orphans!

8/14/2014

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:18 (NASB)

Jesus walked the earth as a human. He spent time living among, talking to, and teaching humans. When His time on earth as a human was coming to an end, He reminded His closest followers that, though they wouldn't see Him, He was not abandoning them or leaving them as orphans.

Jesus told His disciples that even though they wouldn't see Him, He needed to die and be resurrected so that they could continue to live. The same is true for each of us. We are not orphans. We have been adopted into God's forever family because of Jesus' sacrifice. We have been given eternal life in a family that is overflowing with love. All we have to do is love God the Father, accept Jesus' sacrifice, and live for God!

You are not an orphan, you are part of God's family!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus to live on earth as a human and to be the sacrifice for my sins. Thank You for the love and forgiveness that You show to me each day. Help me to spread Your love to others so that they can be part PC Your family, too! Through Jesus, my Savior, amen.

Worthwhile, Not Worthless!

8/13/2014

"He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense." -Proverbs 12:11 (NASB)

"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.'"
-Luke 9:23-24 (NASB)

Throughout life we have passions and pursuits. Often our pursuits arise from our passions. Some pursuits have worthwhile, valuable goals, while others may be senseless.

Proverbs reminds us that our passions and pursuits should have a purpose. We don't want to be lost in a senseless wandering after after trivial or worthless things! Throughout the New Testament we are reminded that one of our pursuits should be understanding and spreading the Word of God. Picking up our cross and following Jesus by digging in to God's Word can transform our lives and sharing it can transform the lives of others. This is a pursuit that is definitely worthwhile!

Pursue worthwhile goals that make sense by taking up the cross and following Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and the lessons that it provides for me. Help me to understand Your Word and Your will and to pursue worthwhile goals. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

He is ALL!

8/12/2014

"For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things." -Acts 17:23-25 (NASB)

Sometimes our worship rituals, routines, and objects can become more important than the act of worshiping the one, true God. This may not be our intention and we might not have an inscription to an unknown God in our sanctuaries, but our worship can become an uninspired time of going through the motions. We can lose the focus of our worship.

When we worship, whether at home, in church, or elsewhere, we need to remember that we are worshiping the one true God. He created everything and He can provide for our needs. Our worship should reflect that He is all - the Creator and Sustainer of everything! God doesn't need our sanctuaries or to be served by our hands, but He appreciates our reverence, respect, praise, and thanksgiving. Our worship should not be to an unknown god, but to the one know God and His love, care, and forgiveness.

Take time to truly worship the known God that cares for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for caring for me, loving me, and forgiving me. I ask that you be glorified through all of my worship, accepting my praise and thanksgiving for all that you have done in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

I know it!

8/11/2014

"For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased' - and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain." -II Peter 1:16 (NASB)

Sometimes things can seem unbelievable. Things can become more real when there is an eyewitness, when someone witnesses something and can say, "I saw it myself!" We read or see eyewitness accounts of many things. When we see or hear these accounts, it can help us know what is real and what has happened.

The Bible gives us eyewitness accounts as well! Peter tells us that he and the first believers did not make up or follow some crazy story. They followed Jesus because of what He said and did - what they witnessed. Not only did they witness the events, they have written them down and shared them so that we, too, can believe!

God has given you eyewitness accounts of His power and glory. You just have to believe!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me the Bible and the eyewitness accounts of the first believers as guidance and encouragement. Thank You for the events in my life that show me Your love and power. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Big Bang Theory?

8/10/2014

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." -Genesis 1:1 (NASB)

Science and Christianity are often portrayed as two competing ideas. Louis Pasteur, the scientist that gave us pasteurization, once said, "The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God." Albert Einstein said that, "Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind." The study of science does not need to lead us away from God, it can lead us to God!

The study of the origins of the universe is one example of science leading us to God. Scientists call it the "Big Bang Theory" and the Bible describes it as God's creation, but both agree that the universe exploded into being. Out of nothingness came everything that we see and study! The study of astronomers and God's word in the Bible really aren't that different!

Don't exclude the ability of science to bring us closer to God. Allow science to be just one of ways that God can reveal His glory to you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of the ways that You show Yourself to us. Allow me to see You and Your glory through reading Your Word and studying Your works. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Suffering for Perfection

8/9/2014

"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
-I Peter 5:10 (NASB)

There are different ways that we suffer. Sometimes our suffering is public and others show up to help us through it, but other times we may be suffering silently. Either way, God is always with us and we don't need to suffer alone!

Not only is God standing by our side and helping us through our suffering, He is also using the experience to build us up. He is strengthening us, confirming that we are His children, and giving us a place in His eternal kingdom. No matter what our suffering looks like or is about, we should put our faith in God and trust that He will make us better!

Don't suffer alone, rely on God to strengthen you and make you better through your suffering.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being by my side. Help me to rely on You in order to become strong throughout all of my experiences, including suffering. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

What is your goal?

8/8/2014

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." -Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

It is easy to get caught up in trying to please people. We may try to please our boss at work, our family at home, or others that we feel have expectations of us. We want these people to be happy with our work, enjoy the time we spend with them, or feel that we have met their expectations of us. However, if we forget our true calling, we may be neglecting God in our attempts to get the approval of other people.

Paul reminds us in his letter to Galatians that if we focus on trying to win the approval of people, we are not servants of God. We should be working to please God by listening to His voice and following His plan. When we focus on God and serve Him, then we will find His goodness as He works for good in our lives. We should make serving God our first goal, before our goal of pleasing people.

What is your goal? Focus on pleasing God and not on pleasing people, then experience all He has to offer you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for reminding me to focus on You and Your will in my life. Help me to serve you and not be preoccupied with trying to win the approval of people. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

He Works in You!

8/7/2014

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." -Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

It feels good to accomplish something. We have different tasks that are set before us that we can work at and accomplish. If it feels good to accomplish earthly tasks and even better to accomplish tasks for God!

God has a purpose for each of us. He works in us and through us to accomplish His good purpose. We need to be open to God's work in our lives. Letting go can be difficult, but we need to allow Him to guide us, trusting that He is always working for good.

Open up your life and allow God to use you for His good purpose!

Prayer-
Dear God-
Thank You for always working for good in my life. Please help me to be open to hearing You so I can allow You to work in me and through me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.