You are God’s Temple

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? – 1 Corinthians 3:16

As the post “Healthy Living” points out, we should take care of ourselves because we are God’s temple. We should plant the seeds of Christ’s principles into our soul.  By adding the clear water of the Spirit, God will make these seeds grow into the fruits of the Spirit.

One idea to growing the fruits of the Spirit that can be shared with others is to build great memories that last forever to help in times of worry or anger. We can reminisce about good times or a song like “Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns” to fill our thoughts with peace and joy.

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Show Me the Way

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

   For I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

   For to you I entrust my life. - Psalm 143:8

The things of this world can be impressive. There are new apps coming out each day to choose from but as pointed out in the post “Receive the Big Picture”, the love of Christ given to us on the Cross is the most amazing choice we can make. There is no need for an upgrade because the work of Christ on the Cross is perfect.

So this day with God, use the navigation tool known as the Word of God as you journey through life. Be inspired by this song I Choose Jesus by Moriah Peters and daily download the Gospel message in your heart so you are led to a place beyond what you could ever imagine!

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Blessed with a Home

What no eye has seen,

   What no ear has heard,

And what no human mind has conceived

   The things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Cor 2:9

Within the post “Warnings from Mom”, good advice is given by the mother of a future king. Wives and mothers are so important in a society because children are blessed, husbands are blessed, and all who are around them are blessed.

Wonderful memories come from a great home. It is unfortunate that all homes are not perfect but there is one home that is perfect. Be inspired each day that heaven is our ultimate home and reward. 

As the song Home by Chris Tomlin highlights, heaven is a place where every tear is wiped away and all fear is gone. There is always something to look forward to when our forever home is a place where the streets are golden and all chains are broken.

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Grace for the Humble

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - James 4:6

The post “Removing Bad Traits” gave some ideas to fix broken things in our life. To take the mistakes of the past and give them to God. He offers grace to the humble so admit mistakes and live with confidence in what God can do for the future. 

Like the song Live Like You’re Loved – Hawk Nelson, we don’t have to live with perfection. It’s just energy wasted. Instead, live like you’ve been set free with no more guilt. Be who God made you to be; a very valuable person to take on big challenges. He can change our character to do amazing things to fulfill His purpose.

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Overflowing with the Glory

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. - 2 Corinthians 4:15-16

As shared in the post “Sweet to Your Soul”, honey taste sweet and like honey wisdom is sweet to your soul. The objective then is to accept God’s grace and get filled up with wisdom. Then your soul will be filled with a rare and beautiful treasure that continues to grow in value. Each day we are the beneficiary of the past and have more wisdom to share with others.

You may never know what impact you have on others.  My dad was a high school teacher and coach for many years. One athlete wrote the following true story about my dad on facebook.

It has always been inspiring to hear dad passing along to us about those he has taught and coached. The achievements of his students not only as star athletes but also as student athletes that graduate and go on to flourish in life are very inspiring.

Not everyone is rewarded here on earth with knowledge of the impact you have on others but we all have the opportunity to someday be rewarded beyond our wildest dreams. Take inspiration from the song Home by Chris Tomlin. When we go to our eternal home, every fear will be gone, streets will be golden, and every chain will be broken.

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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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Advantage for Your Day

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13

In the post “Advice for Life”, highlighted is that being on God’s side gives a tremendous advantage. The scripture above and other memorized scriptures can be very useful when faced with pressure moments in life.

I once heard about a field goal kicker in football that repeated over and over in his mind scriptures like the one above before kicking a field goal. This gave him poise as he got set to perform the winning kick in the last seconds of the game. 

One thing about sports that is related in life is how we all compete against time. We all set priorities in the use of our time. As we plan out each day, two questions must be answered: What is it that needs to be done? What is most important?

The amazing thing to me is that efficiency is thought of highly in sports but not so much these days in government, organizations, and businesses. Each sports team competes and the coach puts players in a position where they can do the best for their team. In government and in some businesses, people seem to be put out of position. They are put in a position to fail and organizations are run in such a dysfunctional way.

We all win some and loose some but the most important thing is you give it your best. If God is with you through all of it, then you’ll end up victorious. Here’s a song to inspire us toward a winning day: Through All of It by Colton Dixon.

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The Great Gift of Grace

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8

The post “Wisdom’s Call“ highlights the difference between wisdom and folly. One way leads to much despair and the other way leads us to God’s blessings.

Many may say that God’s Word is outdated and not useful in today’s world but it’s a lie. Insight is gained from reading the Bible and God’s plan for us is revealed. By accepting what Jesus did for us on the Cross, we receive the greatest gift of all and we can step out in faith.

Like the song Holy Spirit – Francesca Battistelli gives attention to, by accepting Christ as Savior we also welcome the guidance of the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of our life. We accept the great reward of God’s presence and guidance.

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Reservoir of Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. - James 1:5

The post “System of Wisdom” presented ideas for becoming informed. Like in the song

Word of God Speak by MercyMe, the Word of God speaks to us with wisdom from up high that rains down on earth and collects in the reservoir of our heart and mind.

The wisdom we gain from God’s Word from our experiences and from each other brings us knowledge and understanding. Let us take this wisdom, bind it on our finger tips, and write down what we learn in the tablet of our heart.

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Freedom to Improvise

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. - Job 23:10

As the post “There is Freedom in Wisdom” points out, good things happen if you listen to those with experience, follow instructions, and prepare. If plans don’t totally work out, wisdom gives you a sense of freedom to improvise and tweak the kinks.

Some of the greatest plays ever in the game of football happened when the initial plan didn’t work out. Think of a quarterback that goes back to pass only to be blitzed by the defensive team. He decides to run the ball away from the blitz for either a first down or even a touchdown.

It’s the same in the game of life. Take inspiration from today’s song Unfinished by Mandisa. Life is not easy as negatives blitz us from all sides and we all can get down or discouraged but God’s Work in us may not be done. If He started something good, just keep believing it and keep working it until He completes it.

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Desire and Power

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. - Philippians 2:13

The post “Wellbeing for Daily Living” laid out the effects of wisdom and discretion in your life. The results are courage, confidence, efficiency, health, safety, peace, riches, and honor. The things to be desired in our daily living.

What God gives in a plan for life is a treasure and the more you lose yourself in this plan, the more desire and power you will have. Take inspiration from the song My Desire by Jeremy Camp and desire to let God work in you for His purpose today.

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Incentive for Growing in Faith

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9

As pointed out in the post “Benefits of Wisdom”,  there is a part God plays and a part we play in our gaining wisdom. There are major benefits right now to gaining wisdom like being rewarded with understanding, protection, safety, and victory in life.

Even if everything does not work out in this life on earth, there is still a great incentive for growing our faith as inspired in the song Home by Chris Tomlin. For there is a better place where there are no more burdens. A place where the streets are golden, the chains are broken, where fear is gone, and we are free at last in our permanent home.

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Our Google Map for the Journey

It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  – 2 Corinthians 4:6

A thought from the post “Gaining Wisdom for Life” is that the more good information you can gather, the better decisions you can make. This is the main reason God had Solomon write Proverbs so you have wisdom and instructions for life.

One benefit of Google Maps is that you can use street views when planning out a trip to places that you’ve never been before. It’s kind of like visualizing the future so that things are planned out in your mind; what turns will be needed, what signs to look for, and the assurance that you are going to where you need to go.

Proverbs is our Google Map on the journey of life. A lie the world tells us is to do things your way but the best way is to work with others, accept the help God gives in Christ, and accept the obvious as truth.

This day will be amazing because God helps you plan the right things for your day and things fall into place for an amazing day. Take inspiration from the song Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin and believe the pathway set before you will lead to where you want to go.

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If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. – Proverbs 4:5

The post “Wisdom Multiplied” had some thoughts about being wise in what we read, what we see, and what we do. God’s wisdom, purpose, and mystery is all related since He knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end. What is written about in the Old Testament comes true in the New!

The challenge we face in a world that tries to discount the power of the gospel message is to remain faithful. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

Try this: memorize scripture, think about your day; what good things did you experience and what bad things did you experience that provided a lesson for the future and a lesson to share and help others.

As in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, gather lessons throughout life and strive to be wise.

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Connecting Each Other to the Power

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6

In the post “Power Available to All”, the mystery revealed in reading Romans 11:25-36 is that the divine power of God is available to Jew and Gentile. Understanding this mystery helps us all observe the greatness of God which takes away personal pride and makes us more apt to humbly show concern for others.

There have been several times when my vehicle would not start because of a dead battery. Jumper cables were used to recharge one battery from another. In a similar way, we can be the link that connects the power of God to people. We can get interested in them, listen to their needs, offer some help, or pray for them.

Sharing a song is a good way to connect each other to the power and recharge each other for the day. Here’s a song with that purpose in mind: Come as you are by Crowder.

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Gain Wisdom

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

The main point of the post “The Way to Righteousness” is that what is most important is not following some law or restriction but just accepting God’s grace and doing things that make a lot of sense. Everyone needs God's grace. Once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived.

The best way is God’s Way and we can enroll in God’s school of wisdom. The Bible is the text book to the course. Here’s a video to inspire us today as we follow the best way and apply the wisdom gained in our life: The Way by Jeremy Camp.

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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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Reflecting His Creative Activity

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. - Exodus 20:11

In the post “Filled With His Spirit”, God provided workers who could reflect His creative activity in order to build and furnish the tent of meeting; a place for His people to meet with Him.

Worship time is so important because it is a time to meet with God and be filled with His Spirit. It also is a day of rest so we can physically be prepared for the challenges faced in the week ahead.

Several years ago, I began to think a lot about how God could use me in a ministry at our church. One area that caught my attention was using my technology background to help with the tech team during our worship service.

I also wanted to use technology in getting God’s Word out with this on-line Bible study guide. We live in a very busy world with busy schedules so my hope was to use this tool to help with daily Bible reading and study.

As you listen to this video: In Me by Casting Crowns take some time to identify your strengths and how you can reflect God’s creative activity to a world in need. 

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My Strength and My Song

The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. – Psalm 118:14

In the post “Use Your God Given Talent”, mentioned were the skilled people that made the priestly garments. God has given each of us talents and abilities to serve others. The challenge for us is to discover our specific talent or ability and be thankful.

Sometimes when an athlete makes a good play like a touchdown or hits a homerun, they point to the sky; humbly pointing out that it was power from up above that made it happen.

In whatever we do today, let us also do amazing things by using abilities and skills from God to serve others. It may be to inspire others just like a great athlete or singer. It may be in our job or in how we serve others. Here is an inspiring video as we step ahead: There is Power by Lincoln Brewster.

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Notes to Your Younger Self

The Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. – Joshua 21:43

As brought out in the post “Follow Instructions”, God is continually requiring His people to follow instructions and when they follow, He is faithful to fulfill His promises just as in the scripture at the top of this post.

As His people, we sometimes get complacent and instead of continually seeking His excellence, we give in to the negatives promoted by the enemy. Everyone needs God's grace and once received, one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived.

Take some time to look back on life and write notes to your younger self. Here’s a video to inspire: Dear Younger Me by MercyMe. Take these notes to not only help provide a brighter path for your own future but to share with others so their future path is much brighter too!

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