The ONLY time to talk about the past...

When we start praising God for what things He has already done, we activate faith in our lives to believe that He is can and will do things in our current situations!
We serve a GREAT God who does GREAT things!! Be encouraged that He is For you and has all the power, ability and might to meet EVERY need!!

Psalm 150:2 Praise him for his acts of power,praise him for his magnificent greatness!

He has already said it... did you hear Him?

God, through His word has already spoken everything we need. The bible is jammed packed with promises that apply to our everyday lives. There is NO issue that we face that His Word doesn't cover or have an answer for. Every word that He ever spoke is pure truth, it is vital that we grab onto His words and not let go, believe that what he said is true and start claiming those promises for our lives!!

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Tired vs. Weary...

There is a difference between being tired and being weary.
Tired~ You've taken on the day or week and you need rest. Your day to day tasks have taken a toll, you need to sleep or relax to gather back strength.
Weary~ You've taken on the weight of your life and at times the world. You are burnt out, wore out and spun out.
At times Christians feel like if they aren't "worn out" working for the Lord then they haven't accomplished anything, this couldn't be further from the truth. He has never asked us to do anything in our own strength...He is our constant source and everything we need! There are no Lone Rangers in the kingdom of God!
Get rested up so you don't try and carry what God has told you He would!! :)

Galatians 6:9 So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Don't Focus on Being a Christian...

Don't live each day trying to be a christian - but live each moment striving to be like Jesus!! He is the difference. When we pattern our lives and who we are after Him, Christianity is the result. If we strive to follow the pattern of Christianity, then we can get caught up in what we think we are supposed to do, what others think, what others expect...

John 15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

Think about what you think about!

God gave us our emotions to enjoy life with! We must be careful though, they can also work against us and control our lives. If we are constantly being led by our emotions and feelings then we become "flighty" Christians with no grasp on truth. It is VITAL that we renew our minds (our thoughts, feelings and emotions) DAILY by the Word of God. Start speaking what He says not what you feel!

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

A Game Changing Exchange

I can't wrap my brain around the fact that an absolutely perfect God, stepped out of heaven and onto a sin filled planet to take our sin! Anything that you or I could ever do... His sacrifice covered it. What grace and mercy He has... it trumps any sin that would try and trip us up! Wow!! I am so thankful for forgiveness and for what He did for me!!

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]

You've Got the Power!!

The storms (issues and problems) that arise in our lives NEVER alarm God. He knows all, sees all and always has a way out! He has given us the ability, through our words to speak peace into our situations! Start telling things to settle down, to calm down and for peace and clarity to sweep in!

Matthew 8:23-27 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Anyone Can Point Out the Obivious!

Most of us know the areas we are weak in. From tempers to habits, we all have "those" issues. Why is it that some feel the need to point out others flaws? By speaking against each other with criticism we continually build up the negative traits without offering grace or hope!
Our words can be gifts so instead of criticizing, we can bless each other by recognizing the qualities that we do possess. When we become each others biggest fans and supporters, we will see the flaws turn into strengths and healing in areas of our lives that have been broken!

Isaiah 58:12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

Know Who You Are...

When we are no longer motivated by the need for others to accept us, we will not feel driven to constantly prove ourselves right! Know who you are, who God has made you, what your purpose is and what you need to do... once you are confident in that, you will not look to others for their approval or acceptance. Don't get trapped in the world's way of comparing yourselves with others.
I find so much comfort in being with people who know who they are!

Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Showing Off...

If you look at nature, it is constantly displaying and showing off God's greatness and His creativity- without apology!
You and I are His prized creation, how much more should our lives tell the same stories and greater! Live BIG today, point people to Him, and let everything about your life glorify your creator!!

Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.

Change... Love it or Hate it!

Change is everywhere, it happens to all of us, it touches every part of our lives... good and bad. We are so blessed with a God who NEVER changes! His faithfulness is steady, His promises never get broken, what He said- He will do, His love is constant...
Take a minute to thank Him for who is is in your life... He is so worthy of our thanks, praise and love!

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change!

In Case You Forgot...

God hasn't left you ~ He's longing for you.
Pray ~ He's listening.
Turn to Him ~ He's waiting.
His forgiveness is life changing and more powerful than anything you can ever do to offend!!

Isaiah 55:6 Seek God while he's here to be found, pray to him while he's close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

What do you have?

In feeding the 5,000 people Jesus asked His disciples what they HAD... all they could see was what they NEEDED. What an amazing miracle they would have missed out on had they tried to act only on the need. God is limitless and in your life He is asking that you give Him what you have - ALL that you are...He will take that and make a miracle!!

John 6:5-6 When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread to feed these people?" He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
The message bible

Remember the saying "Look but don't touch"?....

We must guard our eyes, what we allow ourselves to see and take in will determine the course of our lives. They are the gates to our mind & actions. Keeping them focused on Jesus will be the very thing that causes victory or defeat! When stepping off of the boat and onto the water, Peter didn't begin to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus...


Matthew 6:22 Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.

Tamara Lowe at Christ Fellowship

Does God Need My Help?

Because God already knows all of our needs and everything we face, when we pray
"Lord, I want YOUR will in my life" we are activating Him to move in every need~ in the best way possible!
By asking and giving Him our opinions of what He should do, aren't we really telling the creator of the universe how He needs to fix things? I'm guessing He doesn't need our advice!! :)

Matthew 6:8-10 For your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this:Our Father in heaven,may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.May your will be done on earth,as it is in heaven.
--New Living Translation

Don't Just Exist!

We were not designed to just exist or barely survive- only living to make it through the day at hand... nope, we were designed to be MORE than conquerors. Facing our problems and pain head on and overcoming every time, we are destined to walk in the life and the power of God! How's that for a Monday morning shot of energy?!?!

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

How ya Feeling??

God will give you strength to experience a FULL life in Him. His design for your life wasn't for you to be so bound by worry, fear or even your own limitations!! Get out there and LIVE!

Eph. 3:14-19 --My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
(The Msg Bible)