Kindness

TODAY’S VERSE
But the fruit of the Spirit is – kindness
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Kindness is not an option. It is not something we can decide to do only if it is convenient. It is evidence of the Holy Spirit alive in our life. Jesus instructed us to behave toward others in the same way we want them to behave toward us. When have we ever turned away kindness? Paul admonishes us to esteem others better than our self. Kindness is love in action. I have seen family members say they love each other, but don’t act kind toward each other. However, you can be kind to someone without loving them, but you can’t love someone and continually refuse to be kind to them. Today, purpose in your heart to be kind to those around you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, kindness can make such a difference in someone’s life. Help me today to be Your ambassador of kindness to all those I come in contact with.
AMEN

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Grace, Truth, and Time

TODAY’S VERSE
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus came to earth to be our Savior. He came to give us an abundant life. The way He does this is through the very expression of who He is. We see this in today’s passage. Jesus, or as John calls Him, the Word, came from the Father, took on a human form and was full of grace and truth. It is grace that saves us. Grace that sustains us. God’s grace that forgives us. But it is His truth that corrects us, directs us and as Jesus said, “Sets us free.” Dr. Henry Cloud talks about this in his book, “Changes That Heal.” He claims that it is the combination of God’s grace and truth that gives us the balance we need to live an emotionally healthy life. Grace without truth would never lead to true change. Truth without grace would never allow us the space we need to fail and start over. We need both. Dr. Cloud adds one more ingredient. He adds time. How wise. When we take the grace of God to forgive, the truth of God to guide and we add time, true maturity results. Today may we rejoice in God’s wonderful plan for our spiritual growth.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, how I thank You for Your wonderful amazing grace that loves me unconditionally. Thank You for Your truth that has as its aim, my maturity. And Father, thank You for the time and patience that You have given me in order that I may mature in You.
AMEN

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Living For Jesus

TODAY’S VERSE
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their thought. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
John 17: 20-21 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
This was more than a prayer Jesus prayed. It was His mission statement. His goal was to spread the thought that there was a loving God that had salvation for all people, to all ends of the earth. He knew that this would only happen if we worked together. It is through the oneness of purpose and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we can spread His message to all the ends of the earth. In his book, “The Deeper Journey” M. Robert Mulholland Jr. writes, “Union with God results in our being a person through whom God’s presence touches the world with forgiving, cleansing, healing, liberating and transforming grace. – The world will not believe in Christ because of our sound theology, our correct Creed, our well-defined dogma, our rigorous religiosity. The world will believe when it sees Christlikeness manifested in our life.” Today, might we commit our self to be a more effective witness for Christ through our unity, faith, and love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me live for You. Help me join other believers in a deeply loving relationship, so together, we will be a witness of Your love, grace, and truth.
AMEN

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Love Others

TODAY’S VERSE
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples.
Matthew 9:10 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
So often we forget that God loves all of mankind. Jesus came and exemplified this. We get so caught up in our Churches, small groups and Bible studies that we can’t remember how to relate to everyday normal people. Jesus expects us to be good neighbors. He desires that we share His love with those that don’t know what it is like. The Pharisees did not get it. They were offended that He ate with “sinners.” In response to their disdain, Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” There are people all around us in need. Broken hearts, addictions, depressed, lonely, angry, poor, hungry. Wonderful people needing someone to stop and show mercy and love. Someone to invite them in and eat with them. Someone to be their friend. God has called you and me to be that someone. Today let Jesus love someone through you. Look around and ask God who He wants you to befriend.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your love and mercy in my life. Help me go and give the same to others. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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The Father’s Love

TODAY’S VERSE
His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!”
Luke 15: 31-32 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Someone thought they would help Jesus and called this story, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Now true, it is about a son leaving home, but it would be more appropriate to call it, “The Parable of the Loving Father.” The story is about a father who had two sons, one irresponsible and one responsible when it came to the matters of the farm. It would have been easy to disown the son who left and enjoy the pleasure of the son who stayed behind. But that isn’t how love works.  Dr. David Benner in his book, “Surrender To Love,” gives great insight into the Father’s love. He writes, “The Father’s love reflects the Father’s character, not the children’s behavior. My behavior – whether responsible or irresponsible – is beside the point. Responsible behavior does not increase the Father’s love, nor does irresponsible behavior decrease it.” The prodigal son returns home and the father is beside himself with pure unadulterated joy. This wasn’t a time for rebuke. It was not the time to test the son’s sincerity. The son’s behavior and consequences could be dealt with later. It was time to lavish love on his lost son. But the other brother did not understand. The saddest part of the story is that the son who stayed home had every opportunity to bask in his father’s love. But he took the Father’s love for granted. Both boys missed their father’s love. One returned home to receive it. The other had it all the while and ignored it. Which are you? Are you far from God’s love today? Return to him. Or, have you taken His love for granted? If so, draw close to the love that God the Father has for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Forgive me for the times I take Your love for granted. Forgive me for the times I have taken advantage of Your love and rebelled. Help me today live in the knowledge that You love me unconditionally.
AMEN

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God’s Faithfulness

TODAY’S VERSE
The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.
I Samuel17:37 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
If we would remember all the times that God delivered us from trouble we would enjoy a much more peaceful life. So many times I start my day as if it was the only day I have ever lived. Now I don’t mind forgetting some of the bad things in my life but when I begin to live as if God were not alive then I need to do some memory exercises. God has created us with a powerful memory so we could grow mentally, socially and spiritually. Throughout the Bible, we are admonished to “remember” the goodness of God. Hope, peace, faith all come out of a memory of God’s faithfulness in the past. David was going to fight Goliath and all he took with him was a sling, five smooth stones and memory of God’s deliverance. Listen to what he said when he went to face the giant. “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” What are you facing? What giant is between you and victory? Remember God’s faithfulness in the past and trust Him with today.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Help me remember all the good things you have done and how you have acted on my behalf. Then when trial and struggles come, help me step out in faith knowing that you are the same today that You were yesterday.
AMEN

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Self-Compassion

TODAY’S VERSE
The Lord does not ignore me or belittle me when I come to Him suffering and am needy. He never turns His back on me. Instead, He listens to my cry for help!
Psalm 22:24

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We need to rebuild our concept of ourselves. Because God is compassionate toward us, we also need to learn to be compassionate toward ourselves. But beware—self-compassion is not easy for someone who is shame-based. It is difficult to grasp the concept, but it can be done. It takes practice. It takes self-awareness, intentional correction of our negative thinking, and consistent intake of affirmations to keep us in the practice of thinking about ourselves in completely new ways. We can’t just say it. We must drive it deeply into our psyches so that we feel it. Our body and emotions need to become believers. We need to come against the lies about ourselves; we need to resist the emotional triggers that will cause us to slip back into shame, thinking about what we should have done and self-loathing. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and fellowship with other believers to truly grasp and practice the new reality. Today, love yourself the way God loves you. Walk in that freedom.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your love and compassion toward me. Help me be compassionate toward myself the way You are. Help me love myself so I, in turn, can love You and others from a truly joyful heart. In Jesus’ name.
Amen

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Are You Shining THe Light?

TODAY’S VERSE
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14-15

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What is the purpose of light? It is to invade the darkness. That’s right. We often fear that darkness is going to overcome us but the truth is darkness does not have power. It does not attack us. Darkness can only happen when there is an absence of light. So, what have we done with the light that God has given us? Do we put it on the hill so all can see? Do we go to the darkest places we can find and let the light of love and the gospel shine forth? No. Instead, we build our own islands of light, good for us but no others. We build our fortress in order to keep the darkness out when in truth there is enough light for everyone. We could prevent the darkness but we have hoarded the light. Might we hear God’s call – be GIVERS of the light! Rise up, use your spiritual gifts – give away the light – invade the world’s darkness. Today, give away hope, peace, love, joy, and God’s good news – GIVE AWAY THE LIGHT!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Oh, Father, Maker of Light, You have invaded my dark heart, but I am guilty of hoarding it. Forgive me. Help me to invade the darkness and give away Your light. Might all around be delivered from darkness!
AMEN

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We Need To Walk The Talk

TODAY’S VERSE
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
James 2:14-18

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a world in such need, but we are so busy we don’t see it. We are so inwardly focused, so concerned about our own welfare, we don’t stop to help others. That is not the way of Christ! Our churches should be making huge differences in our communities, but we don’t. Often we are trying to be the best church in the community. But the author, Eric Swanson challenges us and says that instead, we should try to be the best church for and with the community. That is Christ’s way. When will this change? It can change TODAY if you and I decide to do something. Today, we can make a difference in someone’s life if we just open our eyes and hearts. We can encourage others in our church to make a difference. May God help us to “walk our talk.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me see other peoples’ needs with Your eyes. Bring someone into my life today who needs help. Give me the mercy to stop, the wisdom to know what to do and then the love to do it. Thank You, God, for all You have done for me; help me do for others.
AMEN

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Great Advice

TODAY’S VERSE
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
James 1:19-20 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
How many times have we regretted something we said or did? We were too hasty, reacting before we could think. How much pain have we caused acting out of anger not concerned of the consequences? James admonishes us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. How different would our life be if we would follow this simple advice? How more effective would we be in our job, ministry or dealing with those in our family? What opportunities to heal and bless others would be ours if we would submit to this behavior code? Today, we can make a choice. Choose to listen. Choose to think before we speak. Choose to pray before we act out our anger. With God, all things are possible.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for Your help this day to watch my tongue and emotions. Help me to really listen to others. Help me to be careful before I speak and help me control my temper. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can be more like Your son Jesus.
AMEN

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