TODAY’S THOUGHT - Ephesians 6:10-13

Ephesians 6:10-13 "Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground."

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It’s been said, inviting Jesus into our lives to be our savior will be one of the easiest things we’ll ever do. However, living for Him will be one of the most difficult things we’ll ever do. We are under constant pressure from the world, other people and the culture around us to conform to it’s ways. The demands of life can easily defeat us. This is why it is so important to realize that we cannot be self-reliant in our Christian life. Relying on ourselves is the key to failure and God did not save you to fail.
We need God’s mighty power to help us remain strong in our faith. We must remember the devil is out to “kill, steal and destroy.” He works overtime to design strategies that will trip us up when we least expect it. This is why we need to put on “all” of God’s armor so that we can withstand the spiritual attacks from the devil. God’s purpose is that we live a life of victory and maximize our one and only life to it’s full potential. As believers, we are called to make an impact with our lives. However, in order to do that effectively, we must “stand firm” so that we can “stand out” for our Lord.

 

You are Loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Mark 8:34-35

Mark 8:34-35  "Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, "Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them."

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We know that God is calling us to be generous with our words, our time and our money; but He has also called us to be generous in sharing the Good News that Jesus died for our sins and to share how He was buried and rose again on the 3rd day conquering death and the power of sin over our lives! Phew that was a lot...The truth of the matter is we as Christians carry the hope of Christ in us. We cannot be selfish with that hope we must give it to every person God puts in our path.

God’s ways are not the norm. He may call us to go places we would not normally go. He may call us to reach out to people we would not normally associate with. He may call us to give up things we would normally hold onto. He tells us the way to find true life is to give up our life for the sake of the Good News!

What is it that you are tightly holding onto that God is calling you to give so that the Message might be shared? Are you willing today to let go and let God do miraculous things through you, as you are generous with His Message? I hope you will...

You are Loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - 2 Corinthians 9:6

2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a very small harvest. But the farmer who plants because he has received God's blessings will receive a harvest of God's blessings in return. Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn't be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver."

 

 TODAY’S THOUGHT

What brings more joy to you, giving a gift or receiving a gift? In reality, both can be joyful experiences. When we see giving as something we “get” to do rather than something we “have” to do, our attitude is more inline with God’s.

 

When we give “cheerfully” or with a “happy to do it” attitude, not only does it make giving more joyful, but it also positions us to receive blessings from God that can bring even greater joy to our lives. If you are like me, the blessings that God gives us are hard to beat. That is why Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

I know you've heard this statement but it is true; "We can’t Out Give God." The more generous we are with our giving the more generous God is with His blessings, provision and favor upon our lives. So be generous in your time, talents, and giving.

 

You are Loved!

TODAY’S THOUGHT - Mark 12:42-44

Mark 12:42-44 "A poor widow dropped in two small coins, worth less than a cent. He called his disciples and said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: This poor widow has given more than all the others. All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."

 

 

 



 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Can’t you just hear the sound of people dropping their coins into the offering box outside the temple that day as Jesus stood nearby with his disciples?

 

As they stood there the poor widow came and dropped in two small coins that probably did not even make a sound. Jesus was so impressed with her heart that right there in the temples courts He began to teach them a lesson on generosity. The lesson He wanted them to learn and He wants us to learn is when it comes to giving; it is not equal amount, but equal sacrifice that matters.

 

God is more pleased with our hearts than He is with the amount. Ask yourself today: What does my giving say about me? Am I giving out of surplus or out of sacrifice?

 

(Thank you all for your giving yesterday, we still need $1500.00 to make budget. Ask God if there might be a little more that you can do. Thanks for being a blessing in our church) 

 

You are loved!



TODAY’S THOUGHT - Ephesians 4:29

Ephesians 4:29 "Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you."

 

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a popular saying among young children “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Every time some kid in my school called me a name it hurt. For you it might have even been more than just words.

 

In our me-centered-culture it is so easy to get caught up in tearing others down in order to build ourselves up. Did you hear that? We have been so conditioned to tear down before we build up, it's hard to do what God Desires.

 

God desires is for us to be builders, where we build and invest in the lives of those around us! The Bible teaches that the power of life and death are in the tongue. We as Christ-followers have the incredible ability to speak life into people by the words that we choose to use.

If we open or spiritual eyes we can see that there are so many needs around us. People have the need to be loved, encouraged, empowered and to be told that they have unlimited potential and value because of what Christ has done for them. As you go about your day, think about the words you speak. Are you a builder or are you part of a wrecking crew by the words that you speak. Become very aware of the words you speak and let your talk be life-giving today!

 

You are Loved!



TODAY’S THOUGHT - Proverbs 12:25

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

 

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish I had an unlimited supply of money so I could shower my family, friends and those in need with gifts?”

 

Ironically each one of us has and unlimited supply of gifts that we can give, but most of the time we keep them all to ourselves! I know you are asking what gifts? The gifts I am talking about are not physical gifts, but they are the gifts of encouraging words. The gift of an encouraging word can meet a need and bless a person more than any physical gift ever could.

 

One of the things we are training our teams to do at CFW is when they greet someone tell them "Welcome to CFW, how can I make your day better; or how can I serve you today."

Our encouraging words have the power to turn someone’s day around. They have the power to change someone’s attitude about life and about their eternity! That's our heart at CFW, elevating peoples attitude the minute they step in our doors. Can you imagine a church full of people elevating each other towards Christ?

 

Today look for opportunities to be generous with the gift of your encouraging words. Maybe it will be your co-worker, someone next to you in class or it might even be your child or your spouse that needs the gift of your words. Will you hold back or will you make the choice to be generous with your words?

 

You are Loved!


TODAY’S THOUGHT - Romans 5:11

Romans 5:11 "Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God {in His love and perfection} through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation."  

 

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT
The greatest relationship we will ever have the opportunity to enjoy in our lives is our friendship with God. I can't stress this enough or stop telling you why this is so important. The Bible speaks of his love for us in the most quoted scripture of all time, John 3:16. "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." This word “love” in the Greek is the word Agape. It is the love that covers all, the love without demand and the love that is impossible to measure. This love so great is the love that God has for us and his greatest desire is not for us to be religious, but for us to have a relationship with him! That means have coffee with him in the morning or a chat sometime throughout the day.

All other loves will fail, but the love of God will never fail you. Even when we feel like He is not there or that He does not care about the situation you are in. That's just old Satan trying to keep you from the victory at hand. So keep your heart and thoughts on track and remember that our minds cannot even comprehend the eternal, everlasting love of God. We just have to trust that love and gratefully accept Him as the greatest friend we will ever know.

You are Loved!