It’s All Connected

Luke 10:27

He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

INSPIRATION

A favorite childhood song of mine was, "The Bone Connected Song," You know, "The neck bone's connected to the back bone. The back bone's connected to the hip bone, etc…" It taught us that in order for everything to work properly, it had to be connected. I would have to agree that the same applies to love. If love is connected to the heart, and the heart is connected to the mind, and the mind is connected to your actions and decisions, there you will find peace. Today, if you keep all words, actions, reactions and decisions connected to love, evil won't stand of chance of winning. Today, stay connected to love!

Pass Me Some Encouragement

Romans 14:13

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

 

INSPIRATION

Sometimes, passing judgment on other people is easy to do because for just one moment, it makes you feel superior over someone else. At the same time, it also doesn't help either of you in obtaining more blessings from God. Today, instead of passing judgment, pass a word of encouragement…it will go a long way!

I Can See the Light Now

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

INSPIRATION

It's easy to lose things in the dark because you can't see; but knowing where the light it is will always keep you on the right path. If you find that you may have lost your footing on your path, read God's word and let it penetrate into your spirit. Once your spirit is lifted, your path with God will be visible again.

Prosperity

Deuteronomy 8:18

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

INSPIRATION

The love of money is evil and can throw your vision in the wrong direction, but money itself or rather the management of money is dependent on you. You have to believe that God wants you to prosper. Your skills, your talents and even that good hustle you have on the side are all part of His plan to help you produce wealth. Don't be misled that you don't need money to live; you just don't need to fall in love with it to succeed. Remember, God wants you to prosper in all that you do to live a healthy life spiritually, physically, AND financially.

Those Whom God has Set Free Are Free Indeed

Isaiah 58:6

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

INSPIRATION

The purpose of fasting is not to punish you from the things that give you pleasure, but to serve as a form of teaching and acknowledgment of the important things you need in life. When you're not distracted by the "wants" of your life, God can then see what your "needs" are and will guide you to concentrate on those things. Have you forgotten your resolution from 1/1/2010? Fast, pray and ask God to get you back to the excitement you had about your New Year goals almost 3 weeks ago.

Speak To The Mountain

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?

INSPIRATION

Fear is a state of the mind. If you think you can't succeed, then you are setting yourself up for failure, but, when you know God is the stronghold in your life, you walk around proud of yourself because you didn't let your fears stump your growth. Whatever you stand in fear of, change how you think about that obstacle, speak to that mountain and walk with God!

Seek His Face!

1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.

INSPIRATION

While you search for different ways to overcome obstacles, be sure to always look to God first. There, you will find the strength that no infomercial, book, cd, or clinical professional can even compete with. While these are good resources, there is no recorded proof of them ever performing a miracle in anyone's life. Today, seek His face!

Enough IS Enough!

Psalm 94:18

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.

INSPIRATION

Your "I've had enough" mark becomes a reality when you realize you can't stand without God's help. If you've had enough, let today be the day you declare to God that you need Him to stand with you to get out of this financial rut, to bring your family together, to get a promotion, or just to be encouraged. Today, "Enough IS Enough!"

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Never Win

Romans 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

INSPIRATION

You have the power within yourself to turn a negative into a positive. Conversations with encouraging statements build strong relationships and will sometimes give you a new person in your circle of influence which can lead to an unexpected opportunity. Today, don't meet anger with anger, but turn it around for a positive result for everyone.

Growing Pains

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

INSPIRATION

The only thing outside sources can do is make an attempt on your livelihood. You have to decide to not let it bring you down! Regardless of how many countless obstacles keep creeping up in your way, you must remain steadfast and unmovable in your faith that God will not let you be destroyed by it! Today, if the lesson hurts, don't get use to the pain, grow from the pain!

A Message of Hope

Catastrophic situations can attempt to convince you that there is no need for hope; but the word of God remains stronger than these trying times we are experiencing. We come together in unity to pray with and for our Haitian brothers and sisters; to encourage them through these days and to remind them that even in the midst of all this destruction and loss, God is still on the throne and will get them through these days. Let us not get stuck on asking, "How or Why" but focus on making it a little easier for them. Kirk Franklin sang, "It Could've Been Me." Well I'm sure you can agree with me that in this particular case, I'm glad it's me that can give whatever I can to add relief. I would pray that before you make any donations, that you carefully investigate the source and verify its validity. Give with a glad heart because God loves a cheerful giver. God bless each of you and remember to remain encouraged!

Following the Heart

Deuteronomy 4:2-9

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

INSPIRATION

Vision does not start from your eyes; it starts from inside. Your passion to succeed and grow further from where you are comes from your heart. Your eyes are only there to make sure you keep your focus on the goal. Today, listen to where God rests in you…your heart and follow it.

Cheers!

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

INSPIRATION
There is someone near you right now with a ton of worries on their heart. Without you knowing it, they woke up this morning with the cost of groceries, the cost of fuel, a broken relationship and just everyday worries on their heart and it is holding them down. Now, without you knowing it, just say something encouraging to someone. Believe it or not, your words will probably change the outcome of their day.

Hide and Seek

Matthew 6:33

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

INSPIRATION

Hide and Seek was a childhood favorite game of mine growing up. While one hides its face, others scatter to find hiding places. Once time was up, in was time to find everyone. If you were successful in your seeking, you were declared as a winner. This same game is played every day in life! But, If you seek His Kingdom after everyone one else in your life has scattered away with hopes of you not finding them, then only look for Him. He will grant you His unmerited favor and declare you as the winner!

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

INSPIRATION

When we make promises or statements to people, at that moment they are merely words. When we add action to these statements, the truth is revealed. If you are the person who likes to say, "I'll stop by, I'll call you later, or "Sure, we'll hang out soon," and never do it, people will begin to think you are phony. Today, don't just say the words; mean what you say and follow it with action. Remember, action speaks louder than words.

Stand On The Rock

Matthew 7:24-25

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

 

INSPIRATION

Survival is dependent on how you started the course. If you want to go far and be successful, you have to start making smart decisions from the beginning. These decisions will create your foundation and your foundation will never move as long as you remain faithful to God and encouraged in the course He has designed for you. Today, stand firm on the rock!

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Psalm 91:14

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

INSPIRATION

"Sometimes You Wanna Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name." This song is so familiar to many as the opening song from the hit TV series, "Cheers." Today, God's inspiration inclines us to make it personal; to make sure everywhere you go, He knows your name. Regardless of how negative the energy may be around you or how bad the criticism sounds, take it all in as an opportunity to turn it around for your good because God is already protecting you from getting hurt. He will protect you just because He knows your name.

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

INSPIRATION

The only reason why we struggle with obtaining peace in our lives is because we are so easily distracted by things that bring us chaos. Trusting in God and maintaining a strong and steadfast faith in Him will allow you to determine what is good or bad for your Christian walk. Today, trust in your decision to let God lead and direct you.

Good Intentions

John 4:13-14

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

INSPIRATION

We seek for validation from other people and other sources to make us feel good, but over time, it begins to fade and becomes inconsistent. The good news is that whatever God gives you, is intended to last forever. Continue to seek His approval and His direction for your life and as long as you stay on that course, you will never go wrong.

This Is Not The Time To Be Afraid!

Mark 6:49-50

But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

 

INSPIRATION

How we envision the way the Lord will bless us is not necessarily the way He will work it out. It is our job to be patient and know that His way is only for our good. This is the year to not be afraid of what God has in store for you; to not be afraid of how or when He approaches you with your purpose. This year, know that it is far time for you to use all the courage inside of you to advance and improve on you so that God can use you all the more. Happy New Year and God bless!