Keeping the Name of the Lord

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;

   The righteous run to it and are safe.

One of my favorite takeaways from the study of Proverbs 18 and posted in “The Power Like a Strong Tower” is that our words have the power of life and death. By keeping the name of the Lord in our everyday living, we not only have power in our own life but also give power to those around us as we encourage them.

Keeping the name of the Lord shelters us like a fortified tower providing safety from the wind and high ground above the floods. As pointed out in the song Strong Tower by Kutless, keeping the name of the Lord provides strength when we are weak and courage if afraid. When the storms of life rage, the Lord is our strong tower and His mercy sets us free.

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Getting Along with Each Other

Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. - Romans 14:10

Getting along with each other is one of the toughest things. Every person thinks a little differently and has their own way of going forward but as in the post “One Common Thread that Binds”, we gain victory by being one in Christ

Christ is the one common thread that binds us. Be inspired by today’s song Losing by Tenth Avenue North and remember that it is the power of Christ that unifies us in what we believe, what we do, and how we live.

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Forgiven and Given

If you have anything against anyone, forgive them, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:25-26

In the post “The Door is Opened with Grace”, pointed out is that there is a way to be forgiven and given the key to the kingdom. One of God’s qualities is that the door is open to all with eyes ready to see Him. The door is open to anyone with ears that listen to the Gospel message and receive the gift of God’s mercy.

So accept, appreciate, and affirm all who are willing to receive grace. Remember … the cross meant to kill brings the victory and as pointed out in the song Forgiven by Crowder, there is freedom in His amazing grace. His arms are open to receive those who believe.

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Living the Way He Teaches

Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You. - Psalm 86:11

The post “Integrate Faith with Actions” is about Paul pointing out that what we know in our mind needs to lead into the heart. It’s all about receiving God’s mercy and grace by accepting Christ first. Then, our hearts are transformed into committed followers of His Way.   

Every day can be amazing because we are putting the guidance of the Holy Spirit into practice. We can’t work hard enough to be saved but we can accept Christ in our heart and give it our best effort to daily show that we are saved.

Like the song Back to God by Reba McEntire, let us inspire others to begin today to integrate our faith with our actions because knowing God and accepting His grace makes our burdens lighter. Before long, the world will be changed for the better.

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Putting God First

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:2

One of the main questions I tried to answer within the post “Responsible To Each Other” was how do we put God first in the future? After reading the passage and giving it some thought, the best way to answer the question is by putting God FIRST in our finances, our interests, our relationships, and in our time.  Like the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country, we should fix our eyes on the things of God.

I remember a while back when I drove to work and saw a double rainbow in the sky. I got out of my truck and started walking up the hill to the office when I realized that I left my badge in my truck so I walked back to my truck and noticed the rainbow again.

This time, I took a few seconds to aim my smart phone to get a picture of the rainbow. If we focus on God’s beauty, we are able to make it through anything and realize that at the end of the rainbow of life, there is a pot of gold because those who give up what’s in the world and follow Christ, receive eternal riches in the kingdom of God.

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Cheerfulness

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The memories you make give you a lift, good weather can give you a lift, but the ultimate lift is knowing that the future is bright because of the reward God has for all that believe in His Son.

We get hit with so many negative thoughts on a daily basis. One idea to overcome is to start and end the day with uplifting positive music like this one: Hands of God by the Newsboys. This spiritual exercise gets your mind in the right frame of mind as you start your day or as you retire for the evening.

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Hearts Led By Mercy

Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. - Romans 14:19

Christianity is the most adaptable movement there is, allowing individuals to accommodate other’s attitudes and convictions without compromising principle. Christianity is built for the individual and is flexible yet distinctly substantiated by belief in Christ.

Unfortunately, we are so caught up in a time when being politically correct is all that matters and not offending people is the main objective rather than following the path laid out for us. 

Yet this day, let us remember that Jesus died for all. Let us not judge but edify. My hope is that this video will inspire this thought for us today: Jesus, Friend of Sinners – Casting Crowns.

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Faith is the Weapon Needed to Fight Our Spiritual Enemies

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

David faced many enemies and was in distress as written in the post “He is Faithful and Just” but prays with assurance because he knows that God would hear his prayer. David speaks with such assurance that his life would turn around because of his confession and his faith in God’s mercy.

David’s faith gives him an optimistic outlook for the future and the weapon needed to fight his spiritual enemies. This day with God, we too can look forward to a brighter future where every doubt or fear can be replaced with a deep abiding trust in God.

Enjoy today’s uplifting video: Healing Rain – Michael W. Smith.

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Receiving the Kingdom Like Children

In thinking of ways to receive the kingdom of God with enthusiasm like children as written about in Just be Yourself, we need to give all credit for what is accomplished in our life to God. We need to be humble and love others as God’s creation.

Have a passion for pointing out the good in others and let others know that God has great plans for them. Point out lessons in life that we have learned the hard way and that it is when God carries us that great things are done. Be inspired by today’s video: Free to be Me – Francesca Battistelli.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. - Philippians 2:3

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Kindness Interjection Leads to Life Redirection

In the post Bless with Gentleness, it was explained that Joseph never considered taking revenge on his brothers or those who placed him in prison. He was kind and respectful and this influenced those around him in a positive way. The result was the favor of the Lord and success in whatever he did.

Just like God showed us mercy and kindness which led to positive results, we can also influence those around us in a positive way. This day with God, let us use this video to inspire acts of kindness and mercy towards others: Kindness – Todd Agnew.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:31-32

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