Build Up and Encourage

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

A few thoughts listed in the post “Power in Life” is that there is power in our life when we let God be the final judge. There is power in our life when we give God credit for what we are blessed with. There is power in our life when we strive to be good examples for others to follow.

We should approach each day with patience, gentleness, love, and humility. Never judge but build up and encourage others. As the song Forgiven by Crowder points out, we all have done things we wish we would not have done.

We all have sinned and should forgive others because we all need forgiveness. To gain worthiness, all we need is grace which is available when we accept that the debt has been paid by our Savior on the Cross.

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Stronger on the Other Side

Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5

Even in hard times, we can have joy. Never get down but remember what Jesus went through on the cross. Remember the many things people have gone through but came out stronger on the other side.

Hope is a major part of the Christian life because it gives patience in time of difficulty. For regardless of circumstance, hope keeps us looking forward to a day when there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more fears.

This day with God, have hope in all circumstances. As in the song There Will Be a Day by Jeremy Camp, be liberated from bondage and set free as God’s children. Someday there will be no more burdens because we will see Jesus face to face. Keep holding on to the day when there is joy and peace; keep holding on to the hope.

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Change for the Better

My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul, If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.

In the post “Riches of the Soul”, one idea brought out is to put God’s Word into practice by evaluating our life and determining the changes that need to be made.

We spend a lifetime working hard and trying to save enough to someday retire. But along the way, our greatest activities are to accept the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience to help us change for the better.

Persistently living as the Bible teaches adds to the riches of our soul which we will have not only in this life but the eternal one too! Take inspiration from this song: Live Like That – Sidewalk Prophets and give it all you have today.

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Hold Onto the Promise

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. - Romans 8:25

God’s actions seemed delayed when Moses went to the top of the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and the people got impatient. As pointed out in the post “Hope Produces Patience” our response when the answers to our prayers seem delayed should be to hold on to the promise just like in this song: Hope in Front of Me by Danny Gokey. 

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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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Focus on what is Truly Important in Life

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

Most of the time, we may go through life always in a hurry rather than slowing down and taking in spiritual thoughts. Instead, we can take some time to think about how amazing God has made this world. We can take in a brilliant sunrise or beautiful sunset and bathe in the warmth of His sunshine.

In the post “Constant Attitude of Watching and Waiting”, some specific directions were given by Paul to constantly be alert, self-controlled, and prepared for the Lord’s return.

As you begin this day, here is a video to inspire in you this need to focus on what is truly important in life: Christ in Me – Jeremy Camp.

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Joy Destroys any Ploy

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

Alone, we are like one drop of water but together we make an ocean. In the post “Persistence Overcomes Resistance”, we get the account of Paul spending two years in prison for simply being a Christian. Paul and many early Christians went through many hardships as they laid out the foundation for Christianity; a foundation that has proven can withstand extreme opposition.

Next time your day is filled with some resistance, smile at it, say thank You God, and keep going. Like a stream of water, persistence will eventually cut into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives us, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

Take inspiration from this song knowing that together, we can press on with confidence that our joy destroys any ploy: Press On – Building 429.

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Meet Resistance Head On with Patience and Persistence

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4

During the missionary journeys of Paul, he went through physical and mental strain yet carried out God’s will. Paul spoke all night at one stop along the way as explained in the post “Joy Even in Trials”.

There were plots out to kill Paul, yet he had confidence that God would protect him. He took every opportunity to share about the Lord even when it caused personal inconvenience.

As the scripture above states, let us take this inspiration and count it all joy when we fall into various trials; knowing that God is making us into the person He wants us to be. Enjoy today’s inspirational video Keep Making Me – Sidewalk Prophets.

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Waiting Yet Anticipating

Patience is definitely a virtue. In the post “Desire to Hear More”, Paul and Barnabas shared the Good News; some desired to hear more but others were in no mood to listen and even took out their anger on the messengers.

It is still the same for us today and we should employ the same attitude that Paul and Barnabas did by continuing to be encouraged, simply shaking off the dust, and remain steady in offering the Good News to those ready to listen.

Today’s inspiring video shares this encouragement as we patiently wait on the Lord’s return: Even So Come – Kristian Stanill.

 I wait on the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His Word I hope. - Psalm 37:4

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Seek More Patience and Make Christ More Than an Acquaintance

Many may think following God’s way is boring and there is no liberty or the ability for amazing success but in reality, there is freedom and great success in obeying God’s way because God cares for us more than we care for ourselves. He understands our needs more than we do.

We should strive to be prepared daily through His Word in order to receive His divine power. The first priority is seeking more patience in making Christ more than an acquaintance which is one thought from today’s video: Lead me to the Cross - Hillsongs.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

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Focus On the Possibilities

Things can be frustrating but the thing to do is be patient and keep going. Remember God is working the plan. Go to Him for assurance and support when you’re pressured with problems or criticisms.

Believe this day with God will be amazing because of your faith in the possibilities He gives. Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way. Take inspiration from this video: Everything I Need - Kutless.

So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

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God’s Plan for Us

As we observed in the post “A Major Project”, Moses was a man of patience and made God an acquaintance. He endured distress and God did bless to start a major project. One that would eventually lead the Israelite people to the Promised Land.

Moses faced doubts because he didn’t feel qualified but God gave him insight into how to play a part in freeing His people so they would have a better future and gave him plans to make a difference.

Just like Moses, we may feel unqualified at times but God has given us a plan. God’s Plan for Us is a plan that frees people so they can go the Way to a better place. Take inspiration from today’s video: Who Am I – Casting Crowns.

“...let us know His secret purpose.  This was what God wanted, and He planned to do it through Christ.  His goal was to carry out His plan, when the right time came, that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head. - Ephesians 1:9-11 

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The Most Important Activity

Life is not easy and can hit right in the face. Sometimes we want to correct the problems our own way but it just will not work. David had issues in life as written about in the post “Eyes on Him as we Arise and Shine”. Then, he prayed for God to help and immediately felt confident that God would arise.

We all have a desire to get it right but sometimes we are hard headed and try to work it out all by ourselves. The most important activity is to pray like David did. Let us get help through prayer as we plan out our daily activities

Today’s inspiring video is about how we all need the Lord. Remember, the most important activity is to begin this day with prayer and feel confident that whatever we ask will be answered in God’s timing: Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher.

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. - Matthew 7:8

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He Loves Us Even When We Do Not Deserve It

Joseph had been sold into slavery many years ago because of his brother’s jealousy but his ability to interpret dreams helped him progress from slave to second-in-command in Egypt. When a famine hit the region, Joseph was prepared because God had told him in a dream that the famine would occur so Joseph had stored up provisions.

In much the same way, Jesus became a servant only to rise up as King. He loves us even when we do not deserve His love and provides for our needs. Today’s video is about this love that has been given to us: You Loved Me Anyway – Sidewalk Prophets.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

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Putting our Attention on His Greatness

In the study of Genesis 16 and writing about it yesterday in the post Trust in His Perfect Timing, the lesson for me is that we should be careful not to force the issue. We should put our attention on God and do things according to His timing; to trust Him to work situations out for us.

God may get our attention in many ways. There are times of the year that inspire and bring out  memories; the end of summer when football starts, the fall and the smell of pecan pie, the winter when the leaves have fallen and you look up into the cold night sky and see more stars than you could ever count. The spring and the memories of playing baseball and the summers going to the water park; you can count on the seasons. They are coming, you can depend on it, but they never are exactly the same because life and how we see things is always changing.

Music also has a way of bringing out memories and giving inspiration. Here is a video about God’s greatness from a young lady in my local community that does just that: How Great Thou Art – Holly Tucker on the Voice.

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

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