The Reward Is Worth It!

Matthew 25:23

[Jesus says,] "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'"

INSPIRATION

Awww…the beauty of receiving your reward after you have worked so hard feels so refreshing. Even though you may feel the pressure to stop what you're doing because you can't see the result right now, keep pressing! The passion you have for your project to be completed is driving you towards bigger opportunities, so stay the course, your goal is near!

What A Difference Being Nice Makes

Proverbs 13:10

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

INSPIRATION

Don't get to the point where you are so far advanced that you can't take advice from others. If someone is trying to advise you, don't receive it as criticism, but rather as a message from God to try it another way. Surprise yourself today and take the advice from someone and see if it made a difference in your day.

Take a Praise Breath

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

INSPIRATION

Every breathing moment afforded to you by God is a moment to give Him thanks. The ability to take air in and breathe back out is another opportunity to give him praise. Right now, take a deep breath. Now, breathe out and say, "Thank you Lord!"

Show Your Power

1 Corinthians 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

INSPIRATION

The phrase, "action speaks louder than words" also applies to how we work in the Kingdom of God. We can't just talk about the goodness of God; we need to also act as if the POWER of God is in us as well. God requires more than just our lip service. He requires us to show and prove to others, the benefits of knowing what it feels like to have POWER! Now, imagine a world full of contagious power moving from person to person. That is a force the Devil would have a hard time penetrating. Today, show your power!

Casting Your Cares

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

INSPIRATION

Casting your cares onto God is like casting out a net for fishing. Sure, it goes down in water empty, but comes back up full. If your anxiety has made you feel empty, cast it out to God, lay it in God's hands and He will fill you with wisdom, grace and mercy to see you through.

Pull Yourself Up

Job 2:9

[Job's] wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

INSPIRATION

It won't always be your enemy persuading you to leave the grace of God. Sometimes, it will be the closest person to you. People are not going to always understand why in the midst of all your anguish, hard times, and despair that you can still give God praise. It's almost as if they'd rather see you die than to see you pull yourself up out of a situation. Today, know that if God isn't ready to bring you home, then He's not ready for you to give up. Forget what's around you and pull yourself up anyhow!

Say a Kind Word

Proverbs 12:25

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

INSPIRATION

You may know someone who is experiencing stress, worry and fear and you notice how it has affected them spiritually, mentally, and physically. Today, offer a word of encouragement to someone who cannot encourage their own spirit and your reward will be watching them walk into their victory.

A Change Is Coming

James 2:17

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

INSPIRATION

Praying for your request is the first step, having faith comes next, but then the next step requires you to do something different which is called, change. Change converts your comfort zone. It helps you see things differently and it restores your thrive to achieve more for yourself. When you're ready to change some things, then God will change some things. When you're ready to put action behind your faith, God will then put favor in your path. Today, apply action with your faith.

Replacing Anxiety with Praise

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

INSPIRATION

Anxiety blinds you from hearing God and seeing His direction for your situation. Although the circumstance is making you feel one way, perhaps even indecisive; be sure you remember that God is bigger than your circumstance. Today, when you make your request to God, replace all anxiety and doubt with praise and faith and you will feel the tension being released from your body.

I’m A Soldier

2 Timothy 2:4

No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs -- he wants to please his commanding officer.

INSPIRATION

The moment you accepted Christ as your Savior, was the moment you became drafted in His army. Christ's soldiers must always be on duty protecting the Kingdom and its people from evil forces that try to tear it down. When you see jealousy, deceit, backstabbing, and discord in the Kingdom, it is your job as a soldier to stop it immediately; not get involved with it. Sure, some may not like it, but the intent is always to please God, not man. Today, be a soldier in the army of the Lord!

“Don’t Tell Everyone Everything”

Luke 12:3

What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

INSPIRATION

The reason why most secrets end up getting out is because sometimes, the shock of your own secret catches you so off guard, that you can't help but tell someone about it. AND, as much and as often as you say, "Don't tell anyone," that same shock value is still in effect and will be told to others, and others, and others! Today, you better be sure that whatever you can't keep to yourself, is something that will not come back to haunt you in the days to come. My advice, tell it to Jesus who you know will not tell anyone!

What’s Ahead

Hebrews 10:36

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised"

INSPIRATION

You cannot persevere and look back at the same time. The past should only exist as a lesson of what not to do again, not as a means of not moving forward. Remember, your promise is in front of you, so just keep on moving. Everything that has already happened, God has already brought you out of it, so keep on pushing and moving forward towards His promise.

Can Your Children Tell Your Story?

2 Timothy 1:5

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

INSPIRATION

I often ask the question, "Can Your Children Tell Your Story?" We are taught to be respectful, thankful, loving, and faithful by those who we call role models or foundation in our families. Whatever behavior you show your children, they are going to imitate it when they become parents and role models to their children. If we really want the next generation to go further than we did, then we need to show them how faith in God and working hard will help them succeed. Today, make sure the story your child tells about you includes how you had sincere faith in God!

Incline Your Ear

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

INSPIRATION

While the economy continues to seem hopeless and jobs are harder to find, life will present all kinds of tricks and treats to throw you off your Christian walk. Be careful in these weak moments not to listen to just anybody, but remain in constant communication with God so that you can always identify Him from the false prophets. Today, incline your ear to hear only Him.

It’s All About Jesus!

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

INSPIRATION

Someone who is always doing something great or going beyond the call of duty to help others clearly has the bigger picture in mind, Jesus! You never know they're tired, frustrated, fatigued, or annoyed because they just keep on giving and doing. When you realize all your hard work is not being done to satisfy others, but to stay in the realm of God's grace and mercy, you always feel charged to help others. Today, know that it's not about you; it's all about Jesus and how far you are willing to help others to receive His favor.

You Won’t Even Miss It

Proverbs 3:27-28

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you.

INSPIRATION

Delaying people to come back to you over and over for their request creates an aura of power and control. The person in need is coming to you because you can do something to help them. There was something in you that lead them to your resources that God has blessed you with and now He expects you to share them. Every day, God expects us to look out for another and not try to control one another. Today, meet a need with one of your many blessings and God will restore what you think you'll be missing. In time, you won't even miss what you gave up.

Give Credit Where Credit Is Due

Deuteronomy 8:17-18a

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

INSPIRATION

It's one thing to give yourself credit for what you have, but it's another thing to ONLY give yourself the credit. All that we have is because of God's will. Whether it's a lot or just enough, it came from God first. On your next pay day, even if you have already written the bills from the check, and even before you begin to complain, give credit where credit is due and thank God first for having the wealth to pay those bills.

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!