TODAY’S THOUGHT - Ephesians 5:15-17

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

As I sat down after a long day, I turned the news on to see what was happening around the world. Even on the news our culture is constantly pumping into our lives and minds the things we need and the things that we should prioritize. God tells us through His word that we should be careful how we live. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

We shouldn’t just thoughtlessly follow whatever is put before us, but we need to know and understand what God’s will and priorities are for our lives. The best way to do that is by reading God’s word, hearing God’s word and hanging around with people who have a close relationship with God.You can't do this on your own. We need each other on this journey. 

Life is not a dress rehearsal! We only have this one life to live so let’s make the most of this day. Let’s choose to live out God’s priorities in all that we do!
You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Matthew 6:33

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Matthew 6:33 " But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Ever heard the saying time fly's? We all have 10,080 minutes in a week. The problem with time is that it quickly passes by. We’ve all said to ourselves or to someone else, “Where did the day go?” or “This week flew by.” When we are younger we want time to go fast and when we get older we want it to slow down.

Time is life’s most precious commodity. James 4:14 say’s “Life is like a vapor, it’s here one day, gone the next.” In today’s fast-passed culture, we have become masters at multi-tasking in order to get everything done and squeeze everything in.

However, the biggest temptation is to confuse activity with accomplishment. Too many people are busy making a living and forget to make a life. The “things” Jesus was referring to in Matthew 6:33 are the “things” that usually take precedence in our lives. However, those “things” are usually the very “things” that rob us from or crowd out the most important things in life; our relationship with Christ, our family and serving others. Jesus said, when you put first things first He will take care of all the other “things” in life.

You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - James 4:7-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT

James 4:7-8 " Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

It is awesome to know that God’s purpose and plan for us is to give us a rich and satisfying life! It may not seem like that sometimes, but it is His plan.

In our culture we become so easily distracted and drawn away by the hundreds of good options out there for us. If you have kids you know what I mean. Sports, dance classes; the list goes on and on. We can quickly become drained by our fast paced, overcrowded lives. But that is not God’s plan for us. He created us for so much more.

It is sometimes hard to stay focused on what God has purposed and planned for our lives. Today as you make choices ask yourself “is this just a good thing for me to do or is it the best thing for me?” And ask yourself, "Is this going to drain me or is this decision going to bring out the best in me so that I can be blessed and in return be a blessing to those around me?” God is ready to give us wisdom if we just take the time to ask! So ask, Gods ready to speak with you. You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Isa 43:19

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Isa 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

This was an amazing verse from God to me personally today. To be reminded that He is always with us no matter what is happening in our lives; to know that He is working something new out on our behalf. To get what God is doing in us personally we must begin to prioritize our lives around what God sees as important. Change is going to have to come because his ways are not our ways. As we go about our day today begin by asking God to show you what He prioritizes. So many times we fill our schedule with things that we have always done or what others might feel is important for us; but God wants us to seek him first. He wants us to see things from his perspective not ours.

Check your “to-do” list for this week. Is your schedule revolving around things that are eternally important like your relationship with God, your family and people who need Jesus? Maybe it is time for God to begin something new in you. Jesus said He is the beginning and the end. Maybe it’s time to allow him to bring you to the end of something so He can begin something new in you. You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Philippians 4:8

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Philippians 4:8 " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." As I was reading this scripture this morning God brought to mind that from the very moment we wake up, thoughts begin to fill our mind and they form the attitude and altitude of our day.

We have the opportunity and responsibility to choose the direction of our thoughts. That means we have to action in our mind to choose to replace those thoughts of worry, anxiety and negativity with the truth of God’s word. God's truth is the weapon we have at our disposal, its powerful and effective.

God tells us that if He is for us who can be against us? He tells us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. His word tells us we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength and with God all things are possible. Today fix the direction of your thoughts on what God says is true and not what the world is telling you.

You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Philippians 3:7-10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Philippians 3:7-10  "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death"

All of life is wrapped up in this one simple truth, true happiness and inner peace is only found in a relationship with Jesus. There may be others who will tell otherwise; but the fact is only a relationship with Christ makes all things good.

In life we will go through many different seasons and times in our journey of faith. There may be times when we have a lot and there may be times when we have little. There may be times when those we love disappoint us and times when they bring us great joy. There may be times when we do not measure up to our expectations of ourselves and times we have great confidence. There is one thing that will always remain and will never fail and that is God’s great love for us.

Live today thankful for your personal relationship with Jesus. Remember what He has done for you through the cross so that you can experience true happiness that is not based upon ever changing circumstances. You are loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Philippians 4:11-13

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Philippians 4:11-13 " I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

When you think about the horrible circumstances Paul was in when he wrote these words to the Philippians from a prison cell, you truly wonder how he could possibly be happy. You have probably asked that question many times yourself. With all this going on how can I even begin to have joy or happiness in my life?

Something Paul learned from his relationship with Christ was that happiness is not just an emotion you feel, but a decision you have to continually make no matter your circumstances. God has given us the ability to do all things and make it through anything because of Christ who gives us the inner strength! Faith to believe through the impossible.

Sunday we prayed for Josephina Hernandez because the doctor's had documented blockage in the heart. She came and asked us to pray for her and the power of God fell on her. The next day she was scheduled for surgery and as they went in to find the blockages, they were gone!!! God healed her. She told her doctor that her God would take care of her. Afterwards Josephina told him, see my God took care of me. The doctor said you must have a big God. We have a big God!

As you go about your day many circumstances will challenge your attitude and faith. This is your opportunity to remember the recipe Paul had found for being happy. It is not about the outside situations that you will face, it is all about what God is doing inside of you and what He has given you through His word. He gives you peace, confidence, power and true happiness that will challenge the norm of our world!!
You are loved...