Going Toward That Ultimate Reward

Life can be difficult as we struggle at times, make the wrong decisions, or when life just doesn’t turn out to be like we thought it would be. We sometimes forget about the ultimate reward God has for us.

As we go through life and get closer to the final destination day by day, there is always a brighter future to look forward to. Such was the case with the penitent criminal written about in the post Eternal Life in Paradise who was being crucified with Jesus on the cross. He knew that he was being punished justly but sought everlasting deliverance. He asks Jesus to remember him and was rewarded with eternal paradise (v 43).

Today’s video is about this final destination that brings joy and hope for those who can say, “It is well with my soul”: Finally Home - MercyMe.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

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Be A Believer In The Redeemer

In the post Total Attention on the Mission, written about was that Pilate and Herod did not find a reason to crucify Jesus. Pilate did what was politically correct in his day and time. In order to keep his job as a politician, he took the easy way out by doing what the people wanted.

In present times, we face the same situations. The world wants to convince us that God is not who He says He is but as we go through each day; taking walks and feeling the fresh breeze hitting our face and hearing the sounds of night that sooths our soul, we know the world is telling a lie and the ONE who created the breeze and unique music of the night is telling us the truth.

As we go through life, things can get messy but God is there to help us pick up the messes. The Redeemer makes everything new and provides for our final victory. This day with God, celebrate with this inspiring video: The Redeemer – Sanctus Real.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. - Psalm 16:8

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Leadership Is Not A Popularity Contest

Written about in the post The Trial of Jesus, we get a lesson in leadership. Jesus demonstrates leadership with poise, courage, and strength. On the other hand, Pilot and Herod demonstrated poor leadership skills. They couldn’t make a decision because they lacked the courage to stand up and do what was right.

With God, we can be assured of a promising future and this gives us confidence to face our challenges with confidence. We know that He is faithful. He is like a mountain; standing rock solid over time and protecting us in our time of need. We can take courage, for God is there for us. Today’s inspirational video highlights these thoughts: Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

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Firm Foundation Of Truth

In the post More Precious Than Anything Life Has To Offer, written about was how Jesus handled the situation of being arrested and going through the trials before being crucified. Peter caved during the hostilities and sometimes in life, we may not handle the challenges we face like we should. One thing we can be sure of is that Christ is reliable and He has promised that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

We live in a world of shifting sand but with Christ, we have a firm foundation. This day, there is freedom with Christ. A freedom that helps us live, give, and love. A freedom that will speak and teach; laying out a solid path that we can follow and show others how to follow. The inspirational video for to today is Solid As The Rock by Avalon. Enjoy! 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us. - 1 John 1:9

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Ideas To Deal With The Stuff In Life

Written about in the post “Overcoming the Pressures of Life” was how Jesus went through the pressures of life on earth by praying and submitted to the purpose for which God had sent Him which was to die for our sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane, sweat was falling from Him like drops of blood to the ground. We may not face this type of pressure but we face stuff in life that can get to us. Maybe it’s trying to meet impossible deadlines at work, maybe it’s a health issue, or a relationship that’s not working out.

What can we do to deal with these challenges we face? Some ideas might include keeping positive, praying, planning out each step, and taking action with faith that God will provide the resources needed to get through anything. Another idea might be to set out each day to memorize scripture and try to internalize them so they can be used in time of need. With the Word of God internalized, we have more poise in stressful situations like talking in front of an audience or taking an exam or going through a medical procedure.

Each day has its challenges and that’s why we want to seek God first thing to help us take on these challenge the best we can. Today’s video is about this stuff of life: how God can use these moments to help us appreciate that maybe our stuff is not as bad as we think and we can step ahead with faith: This is the Stuff – Francesca Battistelli.

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:10

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Faith in God’s Way

Some things in life are hard to figure out. In the post Servant Leader, I wrote that Jesus teaches about the servant type of leadership during His last meal with the disciples. Faith is a great quality when leading others as a parent, teacher, boss, or any other leader.  Through reading the Bible, experiences of life, and sharing with others, our faith grows stronger. It is a valued possession that allows us to accomplish much more in life.

Our faith comes from high places where God is and connects to us. The invisible qualities of faith can’t be overtaken; even at death, these qualities are valued possessions so go, taste and see the goodness of God.

Remember that the life we are living on earth is just the beginning and it passes in a blink of an eye. Watch this video and be inspired by the story made to music of a daughter who loses her Dad. It emphasizes the fact that death is just the beginning and we will see our lost loved ones in due time: Glorious Unfolding – Steven Curtis Chapman.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7

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The Blessing of the Holy Spirit

Times are not always easy and that’s when prayer is useful to find out how to step ahead. As written about in the post The Vision of the Mission, Christ death on the cross has become the sacrifice to take the place of the sacrifice written about in Exodus 12 when the Lord passes over each house that had sacrificed a lamb.

Christ’s physical body is no longer on earth but His Spirit counsels at all times to help us. This video is about this blessing we have in the Holy Spirit:  Blessings – Laura Story.

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go away, I will send Him to you. - John 16:7

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The Word is More Precious than Gold

Like the post, “Be on Guard and Focus on Christ” highlights, it is important to pay attention to the lessons of nature and what is going on around us. But most of all, we should store the Word in our heart because it is more precious than gold. The Word never passes away like things on earth. Let us not get trapped in the negatives of this world but guard our hearts with the Word.

I remember one time seeing a rainbow as I drove to work. It was an amazing rainbow and seeing this put my attention on how amazing God is. If we focus on Him throughout our day, we are able to make it through anything. Do this each day and at the end of the rainbow of life, there is a pot of gold. Those who give up what’s in the world and follow Christ receive eternal riches in the kingdom of God.

He will bring us back to Him just like this video points out: Here is Our King – David Crowder Band.

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. - Hosea 6:3

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Flourish with Hope

Explained in the post “The Hope that Christ Gives”, there will be difficult times but we should never get down. Remember that the resistance only makes us stronger. There is resistance when we exercise to build up our muscles. There is resistance of the wind that helps an airplane to be lifted high in the sky and travel to faraway places. What we go through in life, only makes us stronger on the other side.

God will provide the resources needed to get through anything. Use His Word to help in difficult times. Examine your hopes and dreams and let God take them to a level that you never dreamed of. This day with God will be amazing because His light will illuminate even greater in dark times. Take inspiration from this video: Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope! - Romans 15:13

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