August 30, 2012

Mark 13:31 NIV

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Encouraging Words...

It is such a blessing to know that our God has always been and always will be. In today's world where so many things are here today and gone tomorrow being a part of eternity is refreshing and freeing. It is also refreshing and freeing to know that His church can be found today practicing its faith in many ways just as it did when it was established nearly 2,000 years ago.

August 29, 2012

Psalm 56:3-4 NASB

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

Encouraging Words...

We are so blessed to have our Lord as the One whom we can put our trust in. In Him we do not need to fear anyone or anything. Through Him we can live our lives without fear of what man may try to do to us.

August 27, 2012

James 2:17 NASB

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Personal Challenge...

Faith is such a critical part of the Christian journey, but is not the end all. Our faith comes from God and draws us to Him, but it is the works that we do from within that faith that refines us on our journey. We must be living our lives for Him through the work that we do for Him.

August 22, 2012

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Personal Challenge...

We are commanded to be on the alert, stand firm and to be strong...but that is all to be tempered and done in love. Love for God and love for our fellow mankind. I think that we all too often believe that we must be aggressive and overbearing in the way that we present Christ to those around us. This is not the case. We are to do all that we do in love...and that means everything.

Note: photo provided by http://500px.com/photo/4171598

August 21, 2012

Acts 21:13 NASB

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Personal Challenge...

Oh, to be as strong and courageous as Paul. Knowing full well what his fate was going to be if he went back to Jerusalem he still went...for the sake of his Lord and Savior. Is the day coming where we who claim to follow Christ will have to make this same decision? Will I be able to be as committed as Paul was? My prayer is that by the grace of God I would.

August 20, 2012

John 3:30 NASB

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Personal Challenge...

One of the hardest things to remember every day, throughout the day, is that it is not about me! I so often forget and begin to wonder when things will go my way. If I can remember to focus on Christ and what He wants of me then I will also begin to focus on others and what their needs are. Won't that make life so much different?

August 17, 2012

Proverbs 4:23 NASB

Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Personal Challenge...

How we live our life all comes down to the state of our heart. Here we are told to guard our heart, to protect it, because our heart drives who we are and how we act.