Getting the Forever Prize

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24

One thought shared in the post “Enthusiastically Going After Our Treasured Reward” was that Paul was adaptable for others so he had the opportunity to inspire others towards accepting the Gospel message. He wanted people to feel empowered and ready to be deployed to change the world.

Paul followed the Word and was disciplined like a runner in a race enthusiastically going for first place. The difference for Paul is that the reward that He was after is a crown that last forever.

Like in the song Live with Abandon by Newsboys, desire that your life matters, accept the power God gives through the Holy Spirit, and give God all you have so His purpose can be fulfilled through you.  

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Speak with Words that Build Up

Be careful! Our words can hurt or help. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up". - Ephesians 4:29

The post “Free to Be All We Can Be” highlighted the importance of God’s Word in your life. As you take in God’s Word, your heart will be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. So full that the overflow will naturally build others up. 

Our Creator has produced 100 billion galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars but it is His people that are His greatest creation of all. Therefore, treat everyone with kindness and tact. As the song Words – Hawk Nelson points out, God’s Words bring truth and abundant life for all.

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The Best Way

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

The post “A Meaningful Life” offers some thoughts and ideas in living a life that brings meaning by letting God direct each step you take. To do the right thing with integrity. To love your neighbor and treat others right. To be disciplined so you have the basic necessities in life. To take advantage of tough times by learning from the experience.

The best way is God’s path. We can enroll in God’s school of wisdom and apply this wisdom in our life. The book of Proverbs is the text book to the course. Here’s a video with these thoughts in mind: The Way - Jeremy Camp.

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Inspired Hearts

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. - Colossians 3:12

The study written about in the post “Neighbor Helping Neighbor” gave some meaningful qualities that need to be a part of our life.

Our kindness to our fellow neighbor starts with the amazing kindness God first showed to us when He sent Jesus to die on the cross. It is highlighted in today’s song Kindness By Todd Agnew and has inspired the following poem.   

God’s love opened up

the skies of mercy

for His love reigned down

to take away worry.

Keep falling down on us,

amazing grace like rains

with a cleansing stream

washing away the stains.

Better than life itself

is the kindness of the Lord

and His favor that blesses

so keep on reigning Lord.

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United in Spirit for Good Works

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others – Romans 12:5

As explained in the post “Finding My Place in this World”, Paul’s appeal in Romans 12:1-8 relates to the status we have in Christ. As Christians, we are a diverse group forming one body.

To show today that we are a member of the body of Christ and to one another, let us use our individual God given strengths to fulfill His purposes.

Be inspired by the song Place in this World by Michael W. Smith to affirm the strength God has blessed you with in order to fulfill His purposes.

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Share the Evidence

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. - Psalm 89:1

In the post “Hear and Apply, discussed is Paul pointing out that all are given evidence of God’s power and divine nature but some still do not believe. There are various ways to receive knowledge of God. We can read His Word, learn from our experiences, and learn from others who have knowledge and experiences to share.

Going out in the backyard either at night before going to sleep or in the morning before sunrise with my dog Marlee, we can hear the sounds of a night. Marlee loves just lying in the grass, listening, and enjoying the cool breeze. I look up in the sky and see the stars and enjoy the amazement as God has painted another masterpiece to communicate His glory. The time in the back yard gives inspiration and hope; confidence that that God is with me and will be with me always.

Another way to receive inspiration and hope is through music as in this video: Light Up the Sky by The Afters.

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Guided By Truth

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. - Psalm 25:4-5

Like Paul as written about in the post “Truthfulness with Facts”, be concerned about the truthfulness of what you say. Talking about something unseen like faith has its challenges but with Christ we have a model to explain the intangible qualities of our faith with integrity.

The things of this world are built like a house of cards. They may work for a while but suddenly fall apart. On the other hand, the things of God are built on the foundation of truth. We can rest assured that the promises God has given in the Bible will be fulfilled.

By accepting Christ as the Son of God, we have the distinct benefit of a promise. Receive inspiration from the song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United and set out today fulfilling your purpose and your destiny with enthusiasm.

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Steadily Towards the Victory

In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. - Romans 8:37

There may be times when projects are due, bills are due, or for a business … payroll must be met and people start to panic. When people get in panic mode, don’t follow or listen … just keep heading steadily towards triumph just as pointed out in the post Ultimate Victory.

Have the attitude that you’ve been there, done that because when constantly relying on God’s guidance, the challenges in life are handled victoriously on a regular bases. Then non-believers will start to notice and want to make the changes in order to be conquerors too!  

This day with God will be amazing because we have the play book to victory. The Bible gives us great advice and victory is assured through Christ. To begin our victorious day, here is a song to get us going: My Victory by Crowder.

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Called According to His Purpose

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

A key point brought out in the study of Romans 8:26-30 and written about in the post “Let the Spirit Work in Your Life” is that the Spirit gives insight into how to play your part in a preferred future and gives plans to make a difference in society.

First, pray for God’s will. One song to inspire is Thy Will  by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family. Second, discover the purpose for which God has for you. Then respond with enthusiasm to fulfill that high purpose.

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Great Value in Starting New

But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. - Philippians 3:7-8

Grace received because of Christ and the Holy Spirit in you adds great value to your life. It is worth more than anything in the world because you then start new with freedom, peace, and the courage needed to face any challenge as you step ahead.

This day will be amazing because with God, we can sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout each day by praising Him.

As the song Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli recommends, welcome God’s Spirit inside. Be aware of God’s presence and experience the glory of His goodness.

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Fired Up

His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. - Jeremiah 20:9

As explained in the post “Released from the Law but Bound to Christ”, we are free from the demands of the law because Christ has given us a new Way that allows us to do some amazing things for God together.

Our past is wiped clean and there is power to fulfill our purpose for the future. I tell you what – that should get us fired up just as in this song Soul on Fire by Third Day.

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Sing of the Lord’s Great Love

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. - Psalm 89:1

This day with God, receive the peace Christ has provided. Express your joy for God’s love to you by persevering, building character, and maintaining hope. 

Just as in the song I Am Free by Newsboys, each day can be amazing because we can live out loud. We can pray, listen for instructions, and get things done now. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s go out and give God our best.

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Doers of the Word

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James 1:22

Explained in the post “The Power of the Gospel” is that Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Roman Christians because he knew the Gospel would meet their needs and the Gospel message would spread faster to all parts of the world.

 Today, we look around us in this world and see poverty, sickness, and pain. We may ask God why He doesn’t do something. The thing is, He did by giving us the power of the Gospel to be His hands and feet to the world.

The Gospel message is so powerful because it continues to grow and can never be taken away or depleted. It has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down. It is like our fuel to energize us to do good works.

Maybe today it’s time for us to take to heart the song Do Something by Matthew West and be doers of the Word.  As the song says, if not us then who?

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Called According to His Purpose

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

As pointed out in the post “Fertile Ground for a Great Harvest”, Paul put a lot into his relationship with the Roman Christians. He knew that by teaching them, God’s purpose for him of spreading the Word would take root and the harvest would be plentiful because Rome was the center of communication throughout the world during this time.

Let us also see this purpose of Paul as our great purpose because the only things in life that last forever are the Word of God and our relationships with His people. Therefore, let us do things daily that last forever by getting to knowing God’s Word and creating a stream of compassion that flows from one Christian heart to another.

The song Who Am I by Casting Crowns points out that our forever home is with God. We are just here on earth for a short time. Our life on this earth will fade away into the sunset but our relationship with God and other Christians will last forever.

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Cheerful Giver

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

As pointed out in the post “Moved by the Spirit to Give”, you can satisfy that craving deep down inside by being a cheerful giver; feeding your soul by giving your skills, your time, and your resources. So enthusiastically give from your heart for the needs of others and the Spirit of the Lord.

The song When Love Sees You by Mac Powell is about stories of giving. In the Bible, we learn about the blind beggar that is blessed by the healing power of Christ, the widow that gave all she had as an offering, and Mary who washed the feet of Jesus.

These are just a few of the inspiring stories found in the Bible. This day with God, share your story of giving or receiving and be inspired by the ultimate gift which is Christ who died on the Cross for you and me.

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Keep Your Eye on the Ultimate Reward

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. - Revelation 22:12

In the post “Following God Wholeheartedly” were some thoughts about Caleb as his reward was finally being realized after 45 years. Sometimes, we may feel that all our hard work will never be rewarded. We may have some good days in our work then one set back seems to destroy our progress.

Making a comeback after a setback by keeping at it always is more rewarding and much more fulfilling. So today my friend, keep your eye on the prize and suddenly the breaks will start going your way. Many times, we get way too uptight about things. Let it keep on going forward and trust that everything will work out if we just do God’s will.

With God, we can sincerely believe that each obstacle will be overcome and enthusiastically act upon each task until completion; celebrating progress throughout each day by praising Him. Here’s today’s video to get us going: O Praise Him – David Crowder Band.

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Jump into Life with Enthusiasm

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” – Joshua 10:25

As shared in the post “Victory Builds Momentum for Future Victories”, the Ammonites were the people of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. The kings of each joined together to attack Gibeon. But Joshua and his army came to their rescue and God was with them as He produced hail stones to kill the enemy. He even stopped the sun so that Joshua and his army had the extra daylight to pursue the five kings.

The kings could not get away so they hid in a cave at Makkedah (vv. 16-17) but they were found and Joshua told his officers to put their feet on the king’s necks to engender trust in God for future victories (v. 24).

Joshua’s army always returned to Gilgal (v. 43) for rest, encouragement, inspiration, and to develop a strategy. My friend, let us daily return to God for study, prayer, and encouragement. He inspires us to jump into life with enthusiasm. We can pray, listen for instructions, and get things done now. Opportunities to do great things are right in front of us so let’s give God our best.

When we believe God is for us and if we see God at work in our life; confidence grows, victories come our way, and these victories can be used to build momentum to face future challenges just like in the song  Live with Abandon by Newsboys.

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Doing Our Part to get the Word into more Hearts

His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not. - Jeremiah 20:9

Shared in the post “Enthusiastically Spread the Good News” were the reasons Timothy was sent by Paul to the Thessalonians. In the same way, we are sent into the world to inspire and enthusiastically spread the Good News.

Let us live this day to the fullest by doing our part to get the Word into more hearts. As the message in this video, God is on the Move by 7eventh Time Down, there may be difficulties but we can use these difficulties to build up strength and endurance to run the race for a victorious life.

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Renewed Day by Day

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

In the post “Reward for the Soul”, the rich and powerful had oppressed the poor and there was idol worship throughout the land. The time had come for God’s judgment. Just like in the times of Amos, people today look for answers to life’s problems in the wrong places.

As the main point in this song: First – Lauren Daigle, the solution to our challenges each day can be found by seeking God first before anything else. Enjoy today’s inspiring music and have a blessed day?

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Power within Us

The post Empowerment gave one example of God empowering Peter to give healing to a crippled beggar. There is power in Jesus’ name and with this power, we can passionately believe in improved tomorrows.

Let nothing hold us up in our work for Him and know that one day at a time the impossible will become possible because God empowers His people. Let us praise the people who help us and remember to praise God. Here is today’s video to inspire us towards sharing our story: Life and Favor – John P. Kee.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us - Ephesians 3:20

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