Are You Dating? Be Picky!

Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness! - 2 Corinthians 6:14

If you're still searching for that special someone, be patient, be prudent, and be picky. Look for someone whose values you respect, whose behavior you approve of, and whose faith you admire. Remember that appearances can be deceiving and tempting, so watch your step. And when it comes to the important task of building a lifetime relationship, pray about it!

If you happen to be one of those very lucky persons who has already fallen madly in love, say a great big thanks to the Matchmaker in heaven. But if you haven't yet found your love, don't fret. Just keep trusting in God, and keep your self open to the direction in which He is leading you. And remember: When it comes to selecting someone, God wants to give His approval - or not - but He wont give it until He's asked. So ask, listen, and decide accordingly.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
We are glad that You know all things. We bring the request for a partner to You, and trust that You will choose a partner that will complement us in the task that You have given us.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage -

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

New Century Version (NCV)

Warning About Non-Christians

¹⁴ You are not the same as those who do not believe. So do not join yourselves to them. Good and bad do not belong together. Light and darkness cannot share together. ¹⁵ How can Christ and Belial, the devil, have any agreement? What can a believer have together with a nonbeliever? ¹⁶ The temple of God cannot have any agreement with idols, and we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live with them and walk with them. And I will be their God, and they will be my people.”^[a]

¹⁷ “Leave those people,
    and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch nothing that is unclean,
    and I will accept you.” Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41

¹⁸ “I will be your father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Samuel 7:14

 

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blw0b8C3gYc

 

 

Challenge:

Ask God to help you find a mate He approves of.

Demonstrating Your Faith

So brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God. But encourage each other every day while it is "today." Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. - Hebrews 3:12-13

Let's face facts: those of us who are Christians should be willing to talk about the things that Christ has done for us. Our personal testimonies are vitally important, but sometimes, because of shyness or insecurities, we're afraid to share our experiences. And that's unfortunate.

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul shares a message to believers of every generation when he writes, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity" (1:7). Paul's meaning is crystal clear: When sharing our testimonies, we must be courageous and unashamed.

If you seek to be a radical follower of Christ, then it's time for you to share your testimony with others. So today, preach the Gospel through your words and your deeds.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord Jesus,
Please give us the opportunity today to share what you have done in our lives.
Amen

Read:

Hebrews 3

New Century Version (NCV)

Jesus Is Greater than Moses

3 So all of you holy brothers and sisters, who were called by God, think about Jesus, who was sent to us and is the high priest of our faith. ² Jesus was faithful to God as Moses was in God’s family. ³ Jesus has more honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. ⁴ Every house is built by someone, but the builder of everything is God himself. ⁵ Moses was faithful in God’s family as a servant, and he told what God would say in the future. ⁶ But Christ is faithful as a Son over God’s house. And we are God’s house if we confidently maintain our hope.

We Must Continue to Follow God

⁷ So it is as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today listen to what he says.
⁸ Do not be stubborn as in the past
    when you turned against God,
when you tested God in the desert.
⁹ There your ancestors tried me and tested me
    and saw the things I did for forty years.
¹⁰ I was angry with them.
    I said, ‘They are not loyal to me
    and have not understood my ways.’
¹¹ I was angry and made a promise,
    ‘They will never enter my rest.’”^[a] Psalm 95:7–11

¹² So brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God. ¹³ But encourage each other every day while it is “today.”^[b] Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. ¹⁴ We all share in Christ if we keep till the end the sure faith we had in the beginning. ¹⁵ This is what the Scripture says:

“Today listen to what he says.
    Do not be stubborn as in the past
    when you turned against God.” Psalm 95:7–8

¹⁶ Who heard God’s voice and was against him? It was all those people Moses led out of Egypt. ¹⁷ And with whom was God angry for forty years? He was angry with those who sinned, who died in the desert. ¹⁸ And to whom was God talking when he promised that they would never enter his rest? He was talking to those who did not obey him. ¹⁹ So we see they were not allowed to enter and have God’s rest, because they did not believe.

 

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRyeH8mu10

 

Challenge:

Share what God as done for you.

The Daily Path

Then He said to them all, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. - Luke 9:23

For Christian believers, every day begins and ends with God and His Son. Christ came to this earth to give us abundant life and eternal salvation. Our task is to accept Christ's grace with joy in our hearts and praise on our lips. Believers who fashion their day around Jesus are transformed: They see the world differently, they act differently, and they feel differently about themselves and their neighbors.

Christians face the inevitable challenges and disappointments of each day armed with the joy of Christ and the promise of salvation. So whatever this day holds for you, begin it and end it with God as your partner and Christ as your Savior. And throughout the day, give thanks to the One who created you and saved you. God's love for you is infinite. Accept it joyously and be thankful.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father,
Once again we thank you for Your Son, and His gift of life, which is abundant and salvation, which never ends. Give us a heart that is fixed on you; one that will accept the grace which You, Christ Jesus, extend to us daily. Give us words of praise that we may return them to You and Your Father. Thank you because we do not see the world like those who choose not to believe in You.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read the following passage:

Luke 9:21-27

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Predicts His Death

²¹ Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. ²² “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

²³ Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ²⁴ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁵ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? ²⁶ If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. ²⁷ I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Meditate on His Word:
1. How do you deny yourself and pick up your cross daily?
2. How do you give up your life for the sake of Christ?
3. What does it look like to be ashamed of the Jesus and His message? Is that you?

The Believer's Daily Challenge:
Deny yourself today for the sake of Jesus and His kingdom, and enjoy the satisfaction of following your Savior and God.
 

Jesus Is First

But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
- Proverbs 1:33

Here's a tip for your dating life: behave yourself like a Christian every day of the week, not just on Sundays. In other words, make Jesus a priority in every aspect of your life, including your dating life.

Jesus made an extreme sacrifice for you. Are you willing to make changes in your life for Him? Can you honestly say that you're passionate about your faith and that you're really following Jesus? Hopefully so. But if you're preoccupied with other things - or if you're strictly a one-day-a-week Christian- then you're in need of a big-time spiritual make over.

Jesus doesn't want you to be a run-of-the-mill, follow-the-crowd kind of believer. Jesus wants you to be a "new creation" through Him. And that's exactly what you should want for yourself, too.

So remember this: you're the recipient of Christ's love. Accept it enthusiastically and demonstrate your love with words and action.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Savior Jesus,
Thank you for the extreme sacrifice You made on my behalf. Thank you for not with-holding Yourself. Lord, help me so that like You, I would not hold back myself. I want to give you all of me Lord Jesus. Help me to be a servant of the Most High, Sunday through Saturday.
By Your Blood,
 Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Proverbs 1:20-33
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%201:20-33&version=NLT
1. Are you a simpleton/fool?
2. Do you know when Wisdom is calling out to you?
3. When you are not in church, do your friends always know you are a Christian, through your actions?
4. Are you willing to go "all in" for Jesus as of this very moment?

Challenge:
Listen to the voice of Wisdom, and follow her. Begin going all in for Jesus right now.

Good Treasure from a Good Heart

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. - Matthew 12:35

How can we demonstrate our love for God? By accepting His Son as our personal Savior and by placing Christ squarely at the center of our lives and our hearts. Jesus said that if we are to love Him, we must obey His commandments (John 14:15). Thus, our obedience to the Master is an expression of our love for Him.

In Ephesians 2:10 we read, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works". These words are instructive: We are not saved by good works but for good works. Good works are not the root but rather the fruit of our salvation.

Today, let the fruits of your stewardship be a clear demonstration of your love for Christ. When you do, your good heart will bring forth many good things for yourself and for God. Christ has given you spiritual abundance and eternal life. You, in turn, owe Him good treasure from a single obedient heart...yours.

#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZhoREVxfw

 

Prayer from the Blogger:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of salvation. Thank you for the commands that point us to a life in You. Help us Lord, for when we are obedient to Your commands we show the world that we love You. Let our love be expressed in obedience to You, and through the works of kindness that reflect the love You have for us.

Amen

 

Digging Deeper:

Read Matthew 12:33-37

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:33-37&version=NLT

1. Can the same act performed by two different people be both good and evil, depending on their hearts? (Can preaching the word of God be both good and evil?). If so, how?

 

 

Digging Even Deeper:

Challenge - Build a treasury of good in your heart so that you will produce good works and speech. 

Finding (and Trusting) Mentors

A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance.
- Proverbs 1:5

Do you seek to be wise? Then you must acknowledge that you are not wise enough on your own. When you face an important decision, you must first study God's Word, and you should also seek the counsel of trusted friends and mentors.

When we arrive at the inevitable crossroads of life, God inevitably sends righteous men and women to guide us if we let them. If we are willing to listen and to learn, then we, too, will become wise. And God will bless our endeavors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7iH7Vb3wCY

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxAtLz7OaE

 

 

Prayer from the Blogger:

All knowing Father, thank you for Jesus, your Son, the source of all wisdom. Thank you for Godly men, who care about our well being. Godly men who direct and instruct form Your Word, Dear Father. Thank you for a humble spirit, that allows me to hear from these men. And finally thank you a spirit of obedience that moves me to immediate action.
Amen.


Digging Deeper:
Read Proverbs 1:1-7
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%201:1-7&version=NLT
1. Who are your mentors?
2. When godly people try to help you, do you get upset? If so, why?

Digging Even Deeper:
Challenge - Find a mentor who will direct you towards God in all things, someone you can trust and confide in.



A Faith Bigger Than Fear

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
- John 14:1-2

American clergyman Edward Everett Hale observed, "Some people bear three kinds of trouble - the ones they've had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have." How true. But a better strategy is this: accept the past, live in the present, and place the future in God's capable hands.

As you face the challenges of everyday life, you may be comforted by this fact: Trouble, of every kind, is temporary. Yet God's grace is eternal. And worries, of every kind, bare temporary. But God's love is everlasting. The troubles that concern you will pass. God remains. And with these thoughts in mind, it's now time for you to place today's troubles in their proper perspective.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Jesus, thank you, for while troubles come and go, you remain. As worries come and go, you are still here. You Jesus, are my comfort and my rock. In Your name I will forever trust and rely. Amen


Digging Deeper:
Read John 14:1-12
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:1-12&version=NLT
1. What does it mean to ask something in the name of Jesus?

A Power Beyond Understanding

I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people. And you will know that God's power is very great for us who believe.
- Ephesians 1:18-19

Ours is a God of infinite possibilities. But sometimes, because of limited faith and limited understanding, we wrongly assume that God cannot or will not intervene in the affairs of mankind. Such assumptions are simply wrong.

Are you afraid to ask God to do big things in your life? Is your faith threadbare and worn? If so, it's time to abandon your doubts and reclaim your faith in God's promises.

God's Holy Word makes it clear: absolutely nothing is impossible for the Lord. And since the Bible means what it says, you can be comforted in the knowledge that the Creator of the universe can do miraculous things in your own life and in the lives of your loved ones. Your challenge, as a believer, is to take God at His word, and to expect the miraculous.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Father, we are so happy that nothing is impossible for you. Help us to take You at Your word, and firmly believe that nothing is impossible for You.
Amen



Digging Deeper:
Read Ephesians 1:15-23
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%201:15-23&version=NLT
1.What is the hope that God has given His holy people?
2. Do you really understand the greatness of God's power? How can you help someone else understand that power?

Digging Even Deeper:
 http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-immeasurable-greatness-of-his-power-toward-us

Your Plans, God's Plan

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. - Psalm 16:11

What on earth does God intend for me to do with my life? It's an easy question to ask but, for many of us, a difficult question to answer. Why? Because God's purposes aren't always clear to us. Sometimes we wander aimlessly in a wilderness of our own making. And sometimes, we struggle mightily against God in an unsuccessful attempt to find success and happiness through our own means, not His.

Are you genuinely trying to figure out God's purpose for your life? If so, you can be sure that with God's help, you will eventually discover it. So keep praying, and keep watching. Rest assured: God's got big plans for you.

#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfjcJGAuDw

 

Prayer from the Blogger:
Gracious God, You said you have plans for our lives, plans that will prosper us. God, We admit that we do not know the depths of Your plans for us. But we do know that you work everything for our good, because we love you. Grow our faith in you, strengthen our belief in the plan you have for our lives, and use our lives to bring glory to Your name. Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:10-14&version=NLT

1. Are you willing to wait on the Lord for an extended period of time?
 2.What does it look like to wait on the Lord when everything around you seems to be going against all your moral values?
3. Are you wholeheartedly looking for the Lord?
4. What is stopping you from finding Him?

Entrusting Our Hopes to God

You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. - Isaiah 26:3

Have you ever felt hope for the future slipping away? If so, you have temporarily lost sight of the hope that we, as believers, must place in the promises of our Heavenly Father. If you are feeling discouraged, worried, or worse, remember the words of Psalm 31:24: "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (NKJV).

Of course, we will face disappointments and failures, but these are only temporary defeats. Of course, this world can be a place of trials and tribulations, but we are secure. God has promised us peace, joy, and eternal life. And God keeps His promises today, tomorrow, and forever.

#alln4Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1PzOpUzYkA

Prayer from the Blogger:

Lord Jesus, thank you for peace, joy, and eternal life. I know I have them because I belong to you. Jesus, when times get hard my emotions and feelings drive me away from what you may want me to do. But Jesus, even when my emotions and feeling try to get in the way, the hope that I have lies solely in you. Thank you for being the source of my hope.

Amen

Digging Deeper:

Read Hebrews 10:19-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:19-25&version=NLT

1. Why do we waiver from the hope we have in Jesus when confronted with trials?

2. How, today, can we as believers stir up one another in love, if we are too busy to take time out for true fellowship?

Digging Even Deeper:

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/encouraging-each-other-at-the-end-of-the-age#/watch/full

Body Care

Don't you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? - 1 Corinthians 3:16

How do you treat your body? Do you treat it with the reverence and respect it deserves, or do you take it more or less for granted? Well, the Bible has clear instructions about the way you should take care of the miraculous body that God has given you.

God's Word teaches us that our bodies are "temples" belonging to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are commanded by God (not encouraged, not advised - we are commanded!) to treat our bodies with respect and honor. We do so by making wise choices and by making those choices consistently over an extended period of time.

Do you sincerely seek to improve the overall quality of your life and your health? Then promise yourself - and God - that you will begin making the kind of wise choices that will lead to a longer, healthier, happier life. The responsibility for those choices is yours. And so are the rewards.

#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3mMSplnseU

So, I would really like to know what you think of this video.

Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the body you have given me. Thank you, for taking residence in it. Help me to keep it fit for you to dwell in.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
The purpose of the Digging Deeper section is to challenge those wanting a deeper more meaningful relationship with God to examine themselves through God's Word. The questions are meant to be thought provoking and discussed between you and God. But while reading the text if you have any questions I would love to attempt to bring clarity on the question.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%203&version=ESV

1. Is your diet made up of milk or solid food? (Consider verses 2-4)
2. Jesus has laid the foundation and it is our job to build upon it. 1 Corinthians 3:13 says, "each one's work will be manifested, ... it will be revealed by fire, and fire will test what sort of work each one has done." Which one of the materials in verse 12 are you using to build upon that foundation? How do you know?
3. Verse 16 states that, "you (plural) are the temple of God." If we are the temple of God, and God's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) dwells in us, what does that say about how we treat one another?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/let-christ-be-all-in-this-building#/listen/full

Preparing for Life...and Death

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

God has given you the gift of life. How will you use that gift? Will you allow God's Son to reign over your heart? And will you treat each day as precious treasure from your Heavenly Father? You should, and, hopefully, you will.

Every day that we live, we should be preparing to die. If we seek to live purposeful, productive lives, we will ever be mindful that our time here on earth is limited, and we will conduct ourselves accordingly.

Life is a glorious opportunity, but it is also shockingly brief. We must serve God each day as if it were our last day. When we do, we prepare ourselves for the inevitable end of life here on earth, and for the victory that is certain to follow.

#alln4Jesus

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rny8qet-IQ

Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord Jesus, we are here but for a moment in time. While we are here, help us to glorify You, Lord Jesus. Give us purpose, and productive lives. Reign over our hearts. Amen


Digging Deeper:
Read Philippians 1:18-26
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:18-26&version=NLT
1. Will your life bring honor to Christ?
2. What fruitful work do you do for Christ?
3. Who are you helping to grow and experience the joy of their faith?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/50-9/joy-in-spite-of-death

Faith Above Feelings

Now the just shall live by faith. - Hebrews 10:38

Hebrews 10:38 teaches that we should live by faith. Yet sometimes, despite our best intentions, negative feelings can rob us of the peace and abundance that would otherwise be ours through Christ. When anger or anxiety separate us from the spiritual blessings that God has in store, we must rethink our priorities  and renew our faith. And we must place faith above feelings. Human emotions are highly variable, decidedly unpredictable, and often unreliable. Our emotions are like weather, only far more fickle. So we must learn to live by faith, not by the ups and downs of our own emotional roller coasters.

Sometimes during this day, you will probably be gripped by a strong negative emotion. Distrust it. Reign it in. Test it. And turn it over to God. Your emotions will inevitably change; God will not. So trust Him completely as you watch your feelings slowly evaporate into thin air - which , of course, they will.
#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Savior Jesus, we have faith, though at times it is very little. But sometimes our feeling replace the faith that you call us to have. Help us so that our feelings will never overtake our faith in you. Amen.

Digging Deeper:
Read Hebrews 10:38
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010:35-39&version=NLT

Digging Even Deeper:
This sermon is but 3 minutes if that long. Check it out and be blessed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3QJCdykCI

Beyond Envy

We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in futility and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! - Romans 13:13-14

Because we are frail, imperfect human beings, we are sometimes envious of others. But God's Word warns us that envy is sin. Thus, we must guard ourselves against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy when other people experience good fortune.

As believers, we have absolutely no reason to be envious of any people on earth. After all, as Christians we are already recipients of the greatest gift in all creation: God's grace. We have been promised the gift of eternal life through God's only begotten Son, and we must count that gift as our most precious possession.

So here's a surefire formula for a happier, healthier life: Count your own blessings and let your neighbors count theirs. It's the godly way to live.
#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Father, we always find ourselves in trouble when we focus on the things You have not given us. Help us to keep in focus the things that You have made available to us. Help us to see Your goodness in the gifts we have, and not the bitterness of envy that caused the deceiver to rebel against You and be cast from Your the presence of Your throne. Make us more like Christ daily.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Romans 13:8-14
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2013:8-13&version=NLT
1. How do you love yourself?
2. Do you love others in the same exact way?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/45-106/put-on-the-lord-jesus-christ--part-1
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/45-107/put-on-the-lord-jesus-christ-part-2

For God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

For believers, death is not an ending; it is a beginning. For believers, the grave is not a final resting-place; it is a place of transition. For believers, death is not a dark journey into nothingness; it is a homecoming.

God sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus, we are redeemed. By welcoming Christ into our hearts, we have received the precious, unfathomable gift of eternal life. Let us praise God for His Son. The One from Galilee has saved us from our sins so that we might live courageously, die triumphantly, and live again -- eternally.
#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEvL_ZT2Ofk

 

Prayer from the Blogger:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, who suffered Your wrath in my place. Jesus, I believe that you have suffered the wrath of God, the Father, in place of me. I openly accept your rule over my life. Please Spirit, help me to be obedient to the commands of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen

 

 

Digging Deeper:

Read John 3:16-21

1. What does it mean to accept the gift of eternal life?

 

 

Digging Even Deeper:

Today's sermon is no more than 3 minutes, please be sure to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7VhQxpSAQM

 



Entusiasm for Your Journey

Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men and women. - Ephesians 6:7

Do you see each day as a glorious opportunity to serve God and to do His will? Are you enthused about life, or do you struggle through each day giving scarcely a thought to God's blessings? Are you constantly praising God for His gifts, and are you sharing His Good News with the world? And are you excited about the possibilities for service that God has placed before you, whether at home, at work, at church, or at school? You should be.

You are the recipient of Christ's sacrificial love. Accept it enthusiastically and share it fervently. Jesus deserves your enthusiasm; the world deserves it; and you deserve the experience of sharing it.
#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D11e424M_Q

Are you this excited to work for Jesus Christ?

 

 

Prayer from the Blogger:

Lord, it is such a privilege and honor to do your work. To be employed in your service Jesus is what life is truly about. Help us, to be even more excited about our daily assignment for the kingdom.

Amen

 

 

Digging Deeper:

Read Ephesians 6:5-9

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:5-9&version=NLT

1. When you work, do you work as if you were working for Jesus or for man?

2. Is there a difference in your attitude towards your service for Jesus and man? Why or why not?

 

Digging Even Deeper:

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1951/spiritfilled-labor-relations

Whom We Should Judge

Stop judging (condemning) others, and you will not be judged (condemned). Stop criticizing others, or it will come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

Even the most devoted Christians may fall prey to a powerful yet subtle temptation: the temptation to judge (condemn) others. But as believers, we are commanded to refrain from such behavior. The warning of Luke 6:37 is clear: "Judge (Condemn) not."

We are warned that to judge (condemn) others is to invite fearful consequence: to the extent we judge (condemn) them , so, too, will we be judged (condemned) by God. Let us refrain, then, from judging (condemning) our neighbors. Instead, let us forgive them and love them in the same way that God has forgiven us
#alln4Jesus

Judge defined is:
       to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically
       to infer, think, or hold as an opinion; conclude about or assess
   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7CbSaYHZO8

 

 

Prayer from the blogger:

Father God, Judge of all, when you look at me you see all the sins I have ever committed. You also see all the sins I will commit. But you Father, You do not hold these against me, because, You also see the Jesus that is in me. Help me Lord to see the Jesus in others, and if He is not there give me the heart I need to introduce them to Him.

Amen

 

Digging Deeper:

Read Luke 6:31-38

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:31-38&version=NLT

 

1. Think about the way you want your friends to treat you, is that how you treat those that are not your friends? Do you make fun of others? Call them out of their names? Pick on some because they are weaker or less fortunate then you? Do you treat them like crap because they are either younger than you or in a place of less authority? Or is it that they have offended you?

 

Digging Even Deeper:

http://www.gty.org/MediaPlayer/sermons/42-88



Finishing the Work

It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be patient than to be proud. -- Ecclesiastes 7:8

As you continue to seek God's purpose in your life, you will undoubtedly experience your fair share of disappointments, detours, false starts, and failures. When you do, don't become discouraged: God's not finished with you yet.

The old saying is as true today as it was when it was first spoken: "Life is a marathon, not a sprint." That's why wise travelers select a traveling companion who never tires and never falters. That partner, of course, is your Heavenly Father.

Are you tired? Ask God for strength. Are you discouraged? Believe in His promises. Are you defeated? Pray as if everything depended upon God, and work a if everything depended upon you. And finally, have faith that you play an important role in God's great plan for mankind - because you do.
#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Father we are so tired, and so discouraged, when, we labor to do what we should and fall short. We get the feeling of being defeated. Give us strength, and encouragement, remind us again that we are an important part of your plan.
Amen

Stewardship of God's Gift

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. -- 1 Peter 4:10

The gifts that you possess are gifts from the Giver of all things good. Do you have a spiritual gifts? Share it. Do you have a testimony about the things that Christ has done for you? Don't leave the story untold. Do you possess financial resources? Share them. Do you have particular talents? Hone your skills and use them for God's glory.

When you hoard the treasures that God has given you, you live in rebellion against His commandments. But, when you obey God by sharing His gifts freely and without fanfare, you invite Him to bless you more and more. Today, be a faithful steward of your talents and treasures. And then prepare yourself for even greater blessings that are sure to come.

#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_TVCqztEYU

 

For what purpose are you using your talents?

 

Digging Deeper:
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:7-11&version=NLT



 

1. What gift has God given you?

2. Are you using that gift with all the energy that God gives to SERVE others?

3. Is God being glorified?

 

Digging Even Deeper:

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/god-in-everything-at-the-end-of-the-age

 

Trust Him

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success. -- Proverbs 3:5-6



 As the journey through this life unfolds day by day, we are confronted with situations that we simply don't understand. But God does. And He has a reason for everything that He does. Furthermore, God doesn't explain Himself in ways that we, as mortals with limited insight and clouded vision, can comprehend. So, instead of understanding every aspect of God's unfolding plan for our lives and our universe, we must be satisfied to trust Him completely. We cannot know God's motivations, nor can we understand His actions. We can, however, trust Him, and we must.

#alln4Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhInj0ZHNC8

When you trust God, He will never let you hit the ground, nor will he decide to choose an object over you.


Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord Jesus, because we are mere mortals we will never fully understand you, but we can fully trust you. Today, we ask that you will continue to grow that trust in you.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Hebrews 2:10-13
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:10-13&version=NLT

1. How is Jesus making you Holy (How is He setting you apart for the purposes of the Father)?
2.Have you put your trust in God?
3. What does that trust look like?

Digging Even Deeper:
Today I am getting a bit scholarly on y'allz. Sorry but sometime I just got to hear some Piper.
Piper is the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been there since 1980. Enjoy!!!
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/our-captain-made-perfect-through-sufferings

Your Partnership with God

God is working I you to help you want to do and be able to d what pleases him. -- Philippians 2:13

Do you want the best that life has to offer? If so, then you must form a partnership with God.

You are God's work-in-progress. God wants to mold your heart and guide your path, but because He created you as a creature of free will, He will not force you to become his. That choice is yours alone, and it is a choice that should be reflected in every decision you make and every step you take.

Today, as you encounter the challenges of everyday life, strengthen your partnership with God through prayer, through obedience, through praise, through thanksgiving, and through service. God is the ultimate partner, and He wants to be your partner in every aspect of your life. PLEASE don't turn Him down.
#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things in heaven, on earth, and under the waters, today, we choose to begin a partnership with you through this journey we call life. We ask that you would keep us in the security of your hands and direct our ways and choices. Father, finish in us what You have started.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Philippians 2:12-18
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:12-18&version=NLT


Digging Even Deeper:
John MacArthur on Philippians 2:13
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/50-21/god-at-work-in-you-part-3

The Mighty Works of Those Who Believe

I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. -- John 14:12

When you invite Christ to rule over your heart, you avail yourself of His power. And make no mistake about it: You and Christ, working together, can do miraculous things. In fact, miraculous things are exactly what Christ intends for you to do, but He won't force you to do great things on His behalf. The decision to become a full-fledged participant in His power is a decision that you must make for yourself.

The words of John 14:12 make this promise: when you put absolute faith in Christ, you can share in His power. Today, trust the Savior's promise and expect a miracle in His name.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:

Gracious Savior, I believe in your name, in your promise, and in your power. Use me today to do your great works.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read John 14:1-12
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:1-12&version=NLT
1. Do you speak words that the Father puts in you?
2. How do you ask something in the name of Jesus?

Digging Even Deeper:
Today's word is from Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York.
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/knowing-father

Trusting the Future to God

"I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you . I will give you hope and a good future. -- Jeremiah 29:11

How bright is your future? Well, if you are a faithful believer, God's plans for you are so bright that you'd better wear shades. But here's an important question: How bright do you believe your future to be? Are you expecting a terrific tomorrow, or a terrible one? The answer you give will have a powerful impact on the way tomorrow turns out.

Do you trust in the ultimate goodness of God's plan for your life? Will you face tomorrow's challenges with optimism and hope? You should. After all, God created you for a very important reason: His reason. And you still have important work to do: His work.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Heavenly Father, thank you for today, and while we still can, we thank you for tomorrow. Thank you for creating us for your reasons and to do your work. Your plan is the best plan for me. Help me to focus on your plan for my life and not mine.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Matthew 12:15-21
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2012:15-21&version=NLT

1. What does it mean to have Jesus as your hope?
2. Is Jesus your hope?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/80-101/christ-the-perfect-servant

Why Am I Here?

May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose. -- Psalm 20:4

Why did God put me here? It's an easy question to ask and, at times, a very difficult question to answer. As you seek to answer that question, God's purposes will not always be clear to you. Sometimes you may wander aimlessly in a wilderness of your own making. And sometimes, you may struggle mightily against God in vain effort to find success and happiness through your own means, not His.

Are you earnestly seeking to discern God's purpose for your life? If so, these pages are intended as a reminder of several important facts: 1. God has a plan for your life; 2. If you seek that plan sincerely and prayerfully, you will find it; 3. When you discover God's purpose for your life, you will experience abundance, peace, joy, and power -- God's power. And that's the only kind of power that really matters.

#alln4Jesus

Prayer from the Blogger:
Lord Jesus, direct us as we seek our purpose in life. Please LORD, reveal the plan that you have for us, as we struggle to draw closer to you.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2029:4-14&version=NLT

1. Who are the prophets and the fortune tellers of this land?
2. Are the prophets and fortune tellers in this land fooling you?
3. How?
4. How do we get back to God from this point?

Guard Your Thoughts

Those who are pure in their thinking are happy, because they will be with God. -- Matthew 5:8

Paul Valery observed, "We hope vaguely but dread precisely." How true. All too often, we allow the worries of everyday life to overwhelm our thoughts and cloud our vision. What's needed is a clearer perspective, a renewed faith, and different focus.

When we focus on the frustrations of today or the uncertainties of tomorrow, we rob ourselves of peace in the present moment. But, when we focus on God's grace, and when we trust in the ultimate wisdom of God's plan for our lives, our worries no longer tyrannize us.

Today, remember that God is infinitely greater than the challenges that you face. Remember also that your thoughts are profoundly powerful, so guard them accordingly.

#alln

Prayer from the Blogger:
All mighty Father, thank you for your greatness. Thank you because You are greater than anything obstacle that I will face today. Father, I ask that you would guard my thoughts, that my thoughts would glorify you, and only you.
Amen

Digging Deeper:
Read Matthew 14:22-36
https://www.youversion.com/bible/116/mat.14.nlt

When Jesus calls you to come to Him, are there some things that stops you from reaching Him?
When you find yourself sinking in the midst of your worries, do you cry out "Jesus save me"?
Does your little faith cause you to doubt Jesus?

Digging Even Deeper:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/2310/worshiping-the-son-of-god-part-2

Preparing for the Day Ahead

Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:13

Are you willing to spend a few minutes every day with God? Are you willing to spend a few quiet moments each morning studying God's Word, or are you too busy for that? The answer of course, is that you can find time for God... and you should.

Scottish born evangelist Henry Drummond correctly observed, "Ten minutes spent in Christ's company every day - even two will make the whole day different." How true. If you dedicate even a few minutes each morning to a time of devotional reading and prayer, you will change the tone and direction of your day.

Are you seeking to change some aspect of your life? Do you seek to improve the condition of your spiritual, physical or emotional health? Do you desire the peace that can be yours through Christ? If so, ask for God's help and ask for it many times each day... starting with a diet of God's wisdom, God's truth, and God's love.

#alln

Prayer from the blogger:

Gracious Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ, the giver of salvation, wisdom, truth, and love. Let me be a reflection of Him today through my thoughts, actions, and speech.

Digging Deeper:

Read Luke 2:39-40

Do I perform everything according to the Law of the Lord?

Am I strong? 

Am I filled with wisdom?

Is God's favor upon me?

Digging Even Deeper:

The Amazing Child who was God, Part 1

http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/42-32

Expecting the Impossible

Is anything impossible for the Lord? – Genesis 18:14

Do you believe that God is at work in the world? And do you also believe that nothing is impossible for Him? If so, then you believe that God is perfectly capable of doing things that you, as a mere human being with limited vision and limited understanding, would deem to be utterly impossible. And that 's precisely what God does.

Since He created our universe out of nothingness, God has made a habit of doing miraculous things. And He still works miracles today. Expect Him to work miracles in your own life, and then be watchful. With God, absolutely nothing is impossible, including an amazing assortment of miracles that He stands ready, willing, and able to perform for you and yours.

#alln

Prayer from the blogger:

Heavenly Father, open my heart and eyes to your miracles, as You do what others believe to be impossible. Use my life and my body as vessels to proclaim your awesomeness and power.

Amen

Digging Deeper:

Read Matthew 17:14-21

In what area is your faith lacking? 

What is your mountain?

What is impossible for you?

Digging Even Deeper:

The Power of Faith
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/2325

Following Jesus

"Follow Me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fishers of men!" - Mark 1:17

Jesus wants you to follow Him. And God's Word promises that when you follow in Christ's footsteps, you will be blessed now and throughout eternity.

Who are you going to walk with today? Will you walk with shortsighted people who honor the ways of the world, or will you walk with the Son of God?

Jesus walks with you. Are you walking with Him? Hopefully, you will choose to walk with Him today and every day of your life.
#alln


Prayer from the blogger:
Lord I pray that we would choose to walk with you today and every day. Direct our paths, and give us the strength to choose your way over all others.
Amen

Introduction

The decision to follow Christ is the biggest, most important decision of your life. But once you've decided to follow Him, you still need daily reminders about God's rules, God's wisdom, and God's Son. So if you are smart you will make a habit of spending time each day with your Creator. When you do, you will soon discover that God will help you make better decisions, decisions that will improve your own life and the lives of your friends and family... 

During the next twelve months, try this experiment: Read a devotion each day -- and while you are at it put at least on good thought into your head and heart, and at least one nugget of inspiration for the day. By giving God a few minutes each day, you can change the direction of your thoughts and the quality of your choices. 

Your daily devotion time can be habit forming, and should be. The first few minutes of each day are invaluable -- if you treat them that way and offer them to God, you will never regret it.

Jesus Christ is the first and last, author and finisher, beginning and end, alpha and omega, and by Him all other things hold together, He must be first or nothing.

God never comes next!

Vance Havner

#alln