Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Phone Call?

8/31/2017

"He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." -II Thessalonians 2:14 (NIV)

The progression of technology is amazing. I can remember when phones were attached to the wall and the receiver was attached with a cord. Now many of us have phones that we can take everywhere! We can receive calls from anyone almost anywhere, even to make plans or meet up.

Before we had phones or could take our phones with us anywhere, we were receiving calls! We have been called by God through His Word. God is inviting us to join His family through His Son, Jesus Christ. We can carry His call with us as we take His Word in our hearts and reflect His presence in our thoughts and actions. We can join in celebrating God's glory and His gift of eternal life by sharing in the glory offered through Jesus Christ. We have been called, now it is up to us to answer!

God is calling you through His word, no phone required!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for calling me and being willing to save me. Help me to respond to Your call and share in the glory You provide. Through Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Excitement or Anxiety?

8/30/2017

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." -Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Tomorrow starts my 13th year of teaching public school students. As kids across the country are settling into school routines, they are experiencing a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety. No matter their feelings, one prayer for all students entering campuses, hallways, and classrooms is that they have teachers and peers that are humble, gentle, patient, and loving.

Having committed people around us and supporting us can make any endeavor easier. As teachers prepare to welcome their students on that exciting first day of school, we need to remember that there is another teacher waiting for each and every one of us. God is the Great Teacher. He is excitedly preparing a place for us. He prepares a pathway while we are on earth and He prepares an eternal place in Heaven. We do not have to enter His presence with anxiety, but we should be excited to embrace Him, His teachings, and His support as we are His children and students! He is humble, gentle, patient, and loving and He wants what is best for us!

Enter the presence of the God, our Teacher that is humble, gentle, patient, and loving!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and patience. Help me to show humility, gentleness, patience, and love to those around me so they can see You and Your teachings. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Hearts and Steps

8/29/2017

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." -Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

My daughter likes to ask, "Then what?" She likes to have a plan or know what is coming next. Many of us may be the same way. We may like to plan where we will be tomorrow, next year, and even five or ten years from now. We can plan, but, ultimately, these things may be beyond our control!

As humans, most of us like to have plans and to try to avoid uncertainty. Even though we try to account for different scenarios, our knowledge is limited. Our plans are incomplete without God's knowledge, wisdom, and guidance! God has a path for us to follow. It is only through Him that we can take steps that lead us to success, contentment, and peace. It is through aligning our hearts with God's steps that we will fully experience life.

Make sure your heart is aligned with God's steps in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your wisdom and guidance. Help me to align my heart and plans with Your will and steps for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Be Strong!

8/28/2017

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." -Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

As hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding hits parts of the country, we are reminded of the power of nature. In our lives we face many storms that threaten our routines and our way of life. Whether physical threats, such as rain and flooding, or emotional, mental, or spiritual storms, we need to find a place of comfort, safety, and peace.

When searching for strength and peace, we can turn to God. He can provide comfort, even in the middle of any storm! He can allow us to find emotional, mental, and spiritual stability. We can rely on Him to guide us and give us strength to find physical safety as well. When we are faced with a storm, no matter the type or size, we can go to God in prayer and then listen to Him and follow His voice. By relying on God, we can be strong and overcome!

Be strong by turning to God and relying on Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength that You provide. Help me to always call on You and trust in Your guidance. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Let Him Lead!

8/27/2017

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." -Psalm 23:1 (ESV)

Life is full of things that try to influence or lead us. Advertisements appear in all different forms and continually bombard us. We can allow these ads to lead us, but we will likely end up wanting more and more. Instead of being lured in by flashy, catchy colors, catch phrases, and promises, we can turn to the only One that can offer contentment in our lives!

Instead of subscribing to the various products and ways of thinking sold in many popular advertisements, we can choose to follow God. He is our caring Shepherd. God wants what is best for each and every one of us. We do not need to compete with each other for happiness and contentment. We do not need to "keep up with the Joneses" to acquire things for happiness. To find love, comfort, and contentment, we just need to let God lead us! He will lead us to places that allow us to be content and refreshed. God is our loving Lord. We need to trust that He will lead us and help us to be content as His children!

Find contentment by letting God lead you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being ready and willing to lead me through life. Help me to let go and allow You to show me the way to contentment and happiness in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Just a Taste!

8/26/2017

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." - Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

It can be challenging getting my daughter to try new foods. With some encouragement, she is usually willing to give something "a little taste." From a little taste, we may enjoy the food and then become stronger. Growing spiritually and sharing our faith with others can begin in a similar way, we can start with just a taste!

When we think about how we can share our faith, we may want to consider encouraging others to "taste" God. When others experience even a little bit of God, they can see and feel His goodness. God can encourage, love, comfort, protect, and deliver. One taste can lead to a life of being fed by God's Word, allowing us to grow in our faith. From this taste, a relationship with God can develop. Growing spiritually allows an appreciation of blessings from God, including the protection and refuge He provides!

Start with a "taste" of God and then be nourished and grow in faith!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for encouraging and feeding me. Help me to continue to grow in faith in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Wanting and Getting It All!

8/25/2017

"'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" -Revelation 1:8 (ESV)

It can be easy to get caught up in wanting it all. We may see the latest technology, the newest "toy", or things that seem like they could make life easier. Even though we know that material things cannot bring lasting happiness, we may get caught up in wanting and trying to get it all. However, our focus shouldn't be on our material things!

As we search for happiness, we need to consider the spiritual aspects of our lives. The good news is that we can want and get it all in our spiritual lives! God is everything. He has always existed and will always exist. He is eternal, He is love, and He is redemption. We can want all these things and we can get all these things through a relationship with the Almighty God. He is ready and waiting for us to join Him for eternity!

You can want and get everything your spirit needs through a relationship with God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and redemption. Please fill my soul and allow me to experience the happiness that only comes through You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Don't Waste Your Time!

8/24/2017

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." -Galations 6:9-10 (ESV)

While did not have the opportunity to see him play live, one of my favorite baseball players is Roberto Clemente. The stories of his athletic ability coupled with his commitment to serving others has allowed his memory to continue to impact others. Roberto summed up doing good when he said, "If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better for people coming behind you, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth."

God calls us to serve others and do good. There are times when we might not see immediate results of our work and we may become tired or frustrated. Just because we do not see the results doesn't mean our work does not have an impact on others. We need to continue to do good without giving up. God blesses us with talents and opportunities to spread His Word and His love. If we give up or pass on opportunities to make the world a better place, we are wasting our time and our talents. God will guide us, but it is up to us to do good...all the time!

Call on God and allow Him to help you do good and not waste your time on earth!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your blessings. Help me to follow You and to always take the opportunities to do good and to make the world a better place in Your name. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Only One!

8/23/2017

"Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." -I Corinthians 8:6 (NIV)

I remember that when I was growing up I had a difficult time making decisions or choices. I now see the same thing in my daughter. There may be times in our lives when we struggle with making decisions, second guessing ourselves, or even ending with regret or remorse. Even though we may have difficulty with some decisions, others are crystal clear!

Throughout the journeys of our lives, we may face more choices than we could count. One choice, the choice to follow God, is a clear choice. There is only one true God. He only has one Son. The pathway to salvation that leads away from our sinful lives to everlasting life with God is through the life, death, and resurrection of God's Son, Jesus Christ. As we consider our life here and now and our life beyond the here and now, there is only one God that can love us, save us, and guide us. We don't have to make any choice other than to give our lives to His redemptive plans!

There is only one true God, so make the choice to follow Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving, saving, and guiding me. Help me to always follow Your one true plan for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

You (Can) Know It!

8/22/2017

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." -II Peter 1:3 (NIV)

I recently been in two different conversations about preparing students for life after high school. The stories were similar, each person had two children. In each family one child decided to go on to college to pursue a career, while a second child opted for a trade or military training. As these parents considered the needs of their children, they were initially concerned with the different paths of learning. Considering our lives, we are each unique with our own paths to follow, but we need to keep ourselves centered on God.

It is true that we learn in different ways and have been given different talents and skills. As we decide on the direction of our lives, we need to include God in our plans. Beyond our careers and the activities that we may enjoy, we need to consider what it means to live a godly life. We are not all required to go to college to realize our purpose in life, but we are all called by God to be His children. God gives us what we need for living a godly life, we have to be willing to accept God's gifts and to choose to follow Him. Everything we need to know is provided through His Word, fellowship with other believers, and communicating with God through prayer. It is up to us to put that knowledge into action!

You can know what is required for a godly life, then you have to act on it!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your direction in my life. Help me to always act on Your wisdom and direction so that I may live a godly life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Up To You!

8/21/2017

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." -Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

There are many things that we may want in our lives. When we look at what we want, we need to think about the steps that are necessary for achieving our goals. To get what we want, we have to be willing to take steps that bring us closer to making our goals and wants a reality. While others may help us along the way, it is up to us to take the first steps!

When we decide that we want to build a relationship with God, to seek His will in our lives, and to live for Him, we need to take the first steps. God is always near by and waiting for us. God has established a plan for our salvation. He has called us to be His followers, but it is up to each of us to take the steps to ask of Him, to seek Him, and to knock on His door. We can have a deep and meaningful relationship with God as long as we let Him know we are ready and willing to draw near to Him!

God is ready and willing to have a relationship with you, but it is up to you to move closer to Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being willing and ready to have a relationship with me. Help me to always draw near to You, to ask, seek, and find You! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Love and Direction

8/20/2017

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life." -Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Each morning that we awake, we have an opportunity to make a difference in the world around us. Even small acts can bring a smile to someone's face or change the course of someone's day. Fortunately, as we wake, we have God, His unfailing love, and direction for our lives!

We can begin each day by talking to God and accepting His love and direction for our lives. Just as a smile or kind gesture can brighten someone's day, God's love can lighten our burdens and set us on the course for a positive outcome. Through prayer and reading God's Word, we can listen to and hear God's direction for our lives. As we start our days with God's love and direction, we can trust our lives to Him and strive to follow His will in our lives!

When you awake, acknowledge God's love for you and listen for His direction in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and direction in my life. Please continue to encourage me each morning and help me to trust Your will for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

No Problem!

8/19/2017

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" -Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

I once used the expression "No problem!" when responding to someone where I used to work. I soon learned that my boss was not a fan of that saying. He explained that saying "No problem" implied that it should have actually been a problem. While his view has stuck with me, when we think of God, we can be reassured that nothing is, was, or should be a problem for God!

God is all powerful. No matter what hardships we may face, they are not problems for God. When we are facing difficulty, we can call on God to guide and strengthen us. We may think of God reaching out to us and saying, "No problem!" This isn't because things should be, are, or ever were a problem for God, but it is a reminder of His power over everything. He is the Creator. He is active in the world. Nothing is too hard for Him. We just need to call on God and allow Him to be Lord of our lives!

Nothing is a problem for God's power, you just have to trust Him as the Lord of your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your power that You demonstrate in my life. Help me to always trust in Your power and not doubt Your ability to see me through even the roughest times. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Need for Guilt!

8/18/2017

"Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And You forgave the guilt of my sin." -Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

We have probably all faced times when we have felt guilty about something. Sometimes the guilt may be from a "guilty pleasure" such as a sweet treat. Other times the guilt may stem from something deeper and more serious. While having a conscience and feeling guilt can be beneficial in leading us through right and wrong, hanging on to our guilt can cause problems in our lives!

We all sin. God knows we all sin. We may feel guilt because of our sin, but we do not have to live our lives overshadowed by our prior sin and the resulting guilt. Instead, we have been invited to approach God and to be relieved of our sin and guilt. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us and save us from both sin and its consequences, including guilt. We have to be willing to acknowledge and admit our sin. God already knows what it is, but we need to confess and believe in the forgiveness that God offers us. Once we do that, we can be reassured that our sin and guilt will be removed, as long as we are willing to let God take them from us!

You don't need to have guilt because God is ready to forgive you and take away your guilt!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son to provide me with forgiveness and redemption. Please help me to let go of guilt and to find peace in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Young and Young at Heart!

8/17/2017

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." -I Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

My daughter is inquisitive and likes to ask questions. As she asks questions and seeks answers, she is growing and learning. Some questions even provide opportunities for all of us to learn together. While some people view an abundance of questions as annoying, it is natural for us to be inquisitive and to question in order to learn. Instead of looking down on questions, we can view these characteristics as an example as we strive to learn about and grow closer to God!

No matter our ages, we can learn more about and grow closer to God. As we grow, God can use us. We can be inspired by questions, learning, and growth of those that we may consider "young" and "young in the faith." We can see their trust, faith, and love. There are times when we, ourselves, may be the young or young at heart. We can be examples of His love. Our actions can show that we have faith in God and trust in His presence in our lives. Throughout our lives there are times when we will be the "young" and times when we will be "old." Whether we are young or young at heart, we can be examples, we can learn, and we can grow ever closer to God!

Whether you are young or young at heart, strive to be an example for others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the examples that You have provided in my life. Help me to serve as an example for others so they can see Your glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Wet Floors, Banana Peels, & More!

8/16/2017

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me." -Psalm 94:18 (NIV)

When having lunch a couple of days ago at a restaurant, I noticed a wet floor caution sign that was shaped like a standing banana peel. The image of a banana peel from cartoons and comedies may bring back laughter as someone would slip and fall from the surprise banana peel. Wet floors and banana peels may be reason for caution, but there are even bigger evils in the world that are waiting to make us slip and fall!

Evil is lurking in the world around us. The devil is waiting to trip us up or to make us slip and fall. Even tiny missteps allow the devil an opportunity to enter our lives and lead us away from the path that God has established for us. Fortunately, God knows that we will sin and He provides us with love, support, and a means of redemption. We can call on God to help us, to guide us, to keep our feet on solid ground. When we do slip, we can also call on God for forgiveness and redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ! We don't have to slip on wet floors, banana peels, or the devil's plans, we can turn to God so He can help us keep a firm foothold!

Don't be surprised by the devil's "banana peels", but call on God to keep you on solid ground!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for leading and redeeming me. Help me to always have a strong foothold on the path that You have prepared. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Rest and Rest Assured!

8/15/2017

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Long days, long nights, and long weeks are things that we probably all experience at some point. The routines and "have to dos" of life can wear on our bodies, minds, and souls. While we become tired on different levels, we shouldn't struggle on our own. We should look for solutions!

Some solutions to being tired may seem simple. When we are physically tired, we can sleep and give our bodies time to physically rest and rejuvenate. Getting over being tired may require more than just sleep. Overcoming mental and spiritual tiredness involves a relationship with God. We cannot do it on our own! To rest and rejuvenate our souls, we need to move closer to God and allow Him to feed and replenish our souls. We can rest in God and we can rest assured that He will care for and rejuvenate our spirits!

If you are tired find rest in God and rest assured that He will rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being present in my life and willing to give me rest. Please rejuvenate my body, mind, and soul so I can continue to grow closer to You and serve You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

What the World Needs Now...

8/14/2017

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." -I John 4:20 (NIV)

The world has long been a place that is filled with differing views and resulting disagreements. While we do not always have to agree with our neighbors, we are called to stand up for what is right and just. There are events in the news that remind us that hatred and evil are alive in this world. It is during these times, more than ever, that we need to stand as followers of God and be a light unto the world!

When we see injustice and hatred, we know these things are not from God. However, we cannot counteract hatred with more hatred. We are called to show God's love. Showing love does not mean we have to be weak or that we have to accept and condone any and all behaviors. Sometimes this love may be "tough love" that takes a stand in a way that sheds light on God's loving nature. What the world needs in times of darkness and hatred is a light that shines God's love. We need to be people of God that act in ways that allow others to see that God is love and hatred is not the answer!

Be what the world needs: A beacon of God's love that can overcome hatred!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love that surrounds me. Help me to be a beacon of Your love every day, especially during times that seem dark and shrouded in evil. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Sigh

8/13/2017

"All my longings lie open before You, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You." -Psalm 38:9 (NIV)

We all have those days that seem to drag on and on. There may be different reasons that make some days seem longer. We may not feel well or we may not be looking forward to a task at work or at home. While we may sigh when faced with unpleasant tasks or situations, we do not have to face them alone!

We may choose to hide our true feelings when faced with unpleasant tasks. Even though we may not let others hear our sighs, God knows our wants and needs. We cannot hide our feelings from God, but the good news is that we don't have to hide them! Instead of trying to hide our feelings, we can call on God and allow Him to help us through whatever we are facing. We can sigh, but then we need to turn to God and allow Him to guide us!

Don't just sigh, but turn to God for His help!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and for guiding me. Help me to always turn to You for continued guidance and help. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Look Around!

8/12/2017

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." -Psalm 19:1-2 (NIV)

Recently my family and I took a trip to the National Aviary. The Aviary has over 150 species of birds, as well as bats and sloths. While visiting the aviary, I overheard a woman say to the children with her, "Just look at the creativity of God!" When we stop to look around, we can be amazed at God's creativity!

When we stop to look up into the sky, whether during the day or at night, we can be amazed at the scope of all God has created. We can also learn from God's creation. We can see God's beauty. We can see His creativity. The parts of creation here on earth and into the heavens of space can remind us how interconnected we are with the entire natural world. We just need to stop, look around, and listen to God as we learn from Him and His creation!

Stop, look around, listen to God, and continue to learn from His creation!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your creation and my connections to all that You have created. Help me to continue to care for and learn from Your creation. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

One Track!

8/11/2017

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" -John 14:6 (NIV)

Our dog sometimes has a one track mind. When he gets focused on something, he is persistent. There isn't much that can get his mind off of his goal. When considering our spiritual path, we need to be sure that we have a singular focus on the one, right track!

When following God, we each have a different journey. We have our own individual experiences, our own callings from God that we are to follow. Even though we travel our own journeys, we all have something in common. Jesus is the one track, the one way to truth and everlasting life. No matter the calling from God, we are to have a one track mind that is set on approaching God through His Son, Jesus Christ, and then following God's will for each of our lives!

Have a one track mind that is set on coming to God through Jesus Christ to know and follow His will!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for calling me and blessing me with talents. Help me to maintain a one track mind that is set on You and Your will for my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Speed Bumps!

8/10/2017

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." -II Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

There are few things in life that go smoothly and without any kind of trouble. The setbacks we face can be small challenges or larger obstacles. Often, it is our attitudes, actions, and reactions that determine how big or overwhelming the challenges become - whether they are speed bumps or mountains!

All of the troubles and challenges we face on earth are temporary. While we may feel like they will last forever, we can be reassured that they will pass. When we call on God, we know that God will help us through whatever we are facing. We can also be reassured that what we face now is for a greater purpose. God will take care of us now and for all eternity!

Life may have speed bumps, but God is preparing you for eternal glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for helping me through all of life's speed bumps. Please continue to guide me through this life and to eternal glory with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Only the Best!

8/9/2017

"Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best." -Proverbs 3:9 (MSG)

Most everyone likes nice things. We can cut corners in some things in our lives, but when it comes to certain things we have to have what we consider "the best." We may search for the best food, clothes, shoes, cars, or other things that interest us. While we can search for the best that the world may offer, we need to remember to keep our focus on what is most important!

One area of our lives that requires the best is our spiritual journeys and development. We want the best here and now, as well as the best for eternity. When we need the best, we know we can turn to God. In return, we should show God our gratitude and gratefulness. We should return our best to God! We shouldn't give Him our leftovers as offerings of gratitude and praise, but we should give Him the best of whatever we have. We should use our blessings from God to show our thankfulness and praise for all that we have in our lives!

Don't give God the leftovers in your life, give Him the best you have to offer!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of the blessings that You have provided in my life. Help me to always keep the focus on You and to give You the best that I have to offer. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Steady!

8/8/2017

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." -Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

Life gives us ups and downs. We may feel like we are being tossed about as we journey through these highs and lows. Even when we feel like we are spinning out of control, we can regain control. We don't have to be shaken if we call on God!

God cares for us. He will strengthen us. He will protect and sustain us. We only need to call on God, listen to His guidance, and have faith in Him. We need to give control to God and allow Him to be the Captain. As we follow Go's plan in our lives, we can be reassured that He will steady us. He will be our Rock to which we can anchor and weather any storms in our lives.

Call on God, give Him your cares, and allow Him to steady your path!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me strength and for Your steady guidance in my life. Help me to always follow Your plan and to allow You to take control. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Be a Beast!

8/7/2017

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

My current exercise program is lead by trainer Sagi Kalev, who calls himself "The Beast." While he leads people through training that results in physical strength, he also knows we need mental toughness, emotional strength, and spiritual stability. In order for each of us to become a "beast" we have to be strong and courageous in all of these areas. To built our strength, we can turn to God!

We need to build our mental, emotional, and spiritual strength through God. God commands us to be strong and courageous and He provides us with the tools to develop those qualities. Through God's Word, communication with Him in prayer, our experiences, and fellowship with other believers, we can be reassured of God's promises and the strength He provides for each of us. We can become a "beast" for God, not having to worry or fear, but knowing that we can be strong and encouraged through Him now and forever!

Become a force...a "beast"...for God by having faith and trusting in Him to develop your strength and courage!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your plans and tools for strengthening me. Help me to develop my strength and courage in You so that it can be used for Your glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.