Day 87 - Serve Him

The greatest among you will be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

MATTHEW 23:11-12 HCSB

"We live in a world that glorifies power, prestige, fame, and money.  But the words of Jesus teach us that the most esteemed men and women in this world are not the self-congratulatory leaders of society but are instead the humblest of servants." p176

"Today, you may feel the temptation to take more than you give.  You may be tempted to withhold your generosity.  Or you may be tempted to build yourself up in the eyes of your friends.  Resist those temptations.  Instead, serve your friends quietly and without fanfare.  Find a need and fill it ...humbly.  Lend a helping hand ...anonymously.  Share a word of kindness ...with quiet sincerity.  As you go about your daily activities, remember that the Saviour of all humanity made Himself a servant, and we, as His followers, must do no less." p176

"In the very place where God has put us, whatever its limitations, whatever kind of work it may be, we may indeed serve the Lord Christ." - ELISABETH ELLIOT p177

"Through our service to others, God wants to influence our world for Him." - VONETTE BRIGHT p177

"So many times we say that we can't serve God because we aren't whatever is needed.  We're not talented enough or smart enough or whatever.  But if you are in covenant with Jesus Christ, He is responsible for covering your weakness, for being your strength.  He will give you His abilities for your disabilities!" - KAY ARTHUR p177

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, let me help others in every way that I can.  Jesus served others; I can too.  I will serve other people with my good deeds and with my prayers.  And I will give thanks for everybody who helps me. Amen

Day 86 - The Lessons of Tough Times

If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.  If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.

PROVERBS 28:13 NCV

"Have you experienced a recent setback?  If so, look for the lesson that God is trying to teach you. Instead of complaining about life's sad state of affairs, learn what needs to be learned, change what needs to be changed, and move on.  View failure as an opportunity to reassess God's will for your life.  And while you're at it, consider life's inevitable disappointments to be powerful opportunities to learn more - more about yourself, more about your circumstances, and more about your world.

Life can be difficult at times.  And everybody (including you) makes mistakes.  Your job is to make them only once.  And how can you do that?  By learning the lessons of tough times sooner rather than later, that's how." p174

"Truth will sooner come out of error than from confusion." - FRANCIS BACON p174

"Mistakes offer the possibility for redemption and a new start in God's kingdom.  No matter what you're guilty of, God can restore your innocence." - BARBARA JOHNSON p175

"We become a failure when we allow mistakes to take away our ability to learn, give, grow, and try again." - SUSAN LENZKES p175

" Lord, when we are wrong, make us willing to change; and when we are right make us easy to live with." - PETER MARSHALL p175

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, I know that I am imperfect and that I fail You in many ways.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your unconditional love.  Show me the error of my ways, Lord, that I might confess my wrongdoing and correct my mistakes.  And, let me grow each day in wisdom, in faith, and in my love for You.  Amen

Day 85 - God Can Handle It

I will lift up my eyes to the hills.  From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, Who made Heaven and Earth. 

PSALM 121:1-2 NKJV

"It's a promise that is made over and over again in the Bible: Whatever "it" is, God can handle it.

Life isn't always easy.  Far from it!  Sometimes life can be very, very difficult, indeed.  But even when the storm clouds form overhead, even during our most stressful moments, we're protected by a loving Heavenly Father.

When we're worried, God can reassure us; when we're sad, God can comfort us.  When our hearts are broken, God is not just near; He is here.  So we must lift our thoughts and prayers to Him.  When we do. He will answer our prayers.  Why? Because He is our sheperd, and He has promised to protect us now and forever." p172

"God is God whether we recognise it or not.  Nothing about that can change except us." 

- LISA WHELCHEL p172

"Either we are adrift in chaos or we are individuals, created, loved upheld and placed purposefully, exactly where we are.  Can you believe that? Can you trust God for that? 

- ELISABETH ELLIOT p173

"God is in control, and therefore in everything I can give thanks, not because of the situation, but because of the One who directs and rules over it." - KAY ARTHUR p173

"The choice for me is to either look at all things I have lost or the things I have.  To live in fear or live in hope.  Hope comes from knowing I have a sovereign, loving God who is in every event in my life." - LISA BEAMER p173

TODAY'S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, You never leave or forsake me.  You are always with me, protecting me and encouraging me.  Whatever this day may bring, I thank You for Your love and Your strength.  Let me lean upon You, Father, this day and forever.  Amen

Day 84 - Rely Upon Him

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB

"Do the stresses of these turbulent times threaten to overwhelm you?  If so, you must reply not only upon your own resources but also upon promises of your Father in Heaven.

God is a never ending sources of support and courage for those of us who call upon Him.  When we are weary, He gives us strength.  When we see no hope, God reminds us of His promises.  When we grieve, God wipes away our tears.

God will hold your hand and walk with you every day of your life if you let Him.  So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust the Father.  His love is eternal and His goodness endures forever." p170

"Faith is not merely you holding on to God - it is God holding on to you. - E. STANLEY JONES p170

"God can do all that we need." JULIANA OF NORWICH p171

"God calls each of us in secret to make certain sacrifices which always involve a risk, even though it may differ from person to person.  He does not promise us success, or even final victory in this life.  God does not promise that He will protect us from trials, from material cares, from sickness, from physical or moral suffering.  He promises only that He will be with us all these trails, and that He will sustain us if they remain faithful to Him. - PAUL TOURNIER p171

"I was learning something important: we are most vulnerable to the piercing winds of doubt when we distance ourselves from the mission and fellowship to which Christ has called us.  Our night of discouragement will seem endless and our task impossible, unless we recognise that He stands in our midst." JONI EARECKSON TADA p171

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, whatever, "it" is, You can handle it!  Let me turn to You when I am fearful or worried.  You are my loving Father, and I will always trust You.  Amen

Day 83 - Finding and Sharing Encouragement

Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket.

PROVERBS 25:11 NLT

"Life is a team sport, and all of us need occasional pats on the back from our teammates." p168

"...since we cannot always be certain who needs our help, we should strive to speak helpful words to all who cross our paths." p168

"In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their need, that it may benefit those who listen" (4:29 NIV).  This passage reminds us that, as Christians, we are instructed to choose our words carefully so as to build others up through wholesome, honest encouragement." p168

As a faithful follower of jesus, you have every reason to be hopeful, and you have every reason to share your hopes with others.  When you do, you will discover that hope, like other human emotions, is contagious.  So do the world (and yourself) a favour: Look for the good in others and celebrate the good that you find.  When you do, you'll be a powerful force of encouragement to your friends and family ...and a worthy servant to your God. p169

He climbs highest who helps another up. - ZIG ZIGLAR p169

"No journey is complete that does not lead through some dark valleys.  We can properly comfort others only with the comfort we ourselves have been given by God."  VANCE HAVENER p169

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, because I am your child, I am blessed.  You have loved me eternally, cared for me for faithfully, and saved me through the gift of Your Son Jesus.  Just as You have lifted me up, lord let lift up others in a spirit of encouragement and optimism and hope.  And, if I can help a fellow traveler, even in a small way, Dear lord, may the glory be Yours.  Amen

Day 82 - Conquering Everyday Frustrations

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

PROVERBS 15:18 NIV

"Life is full of frustrations: some great and some small.  On occasion, you like Jesus, will confront evil, and when you do, you may respond as He did: vigorously and without reservation.  But, more often your frustrations will be of the more mundane variety.  As long as you lose you live here on earth, you will face countless opportunities to lose your temper over small, relatively insignificant events: a traffic jam, a spilled cup of coffee, an inconsiderate comment, a broken promise.  When you are tempted to lose your temper over the minor inconveniences of life, don't. Turn away from anger, stress, bitterness, and regret. Turn instead to God. When you do, you'll be following His commandments and giving yourself a priceless gift ...the gift of peace." p166

"When something robs you of your peace of mind, ask yourself if it is worth the energy you are expending on it.  If not, then out it out of your mind in an act of discipline.  Every time the thought of "it" returns, refuse it. - KAY ARTHUR p167

"Anger is the noise of the soul; the unseen irritant of the heart; the relentless invader of silence. MAX LUCADO p167

Doomed are the hotheads! Unhappy are they who lose their cool and are too proud to say, "I'm sorry" - ROBERT SCHULLER p167

TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, when I am angry, I cannot feel the peace that You intend for my life.  When I am bitter, I cannot sense Your love.  Heavenly Father, keep me mindful that forgiveness is Your commandment and Your will for my life.  Let me turn away from anger and instead claim the spirit; abundance that You offer through the priceless gift of You Son Jesus.  Amen

Day 81 - Trusting God

It is better to trust the Lord than put confidence in people.  It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

PSALM 118:8-9 NLT

"Sometimes the future seems bright, and sometimes it does not.  Yet even when we cannot see the possibilities of tomorrow, God can.  As believers, our challenge is to trust an uncertain future to an all-powered God.

When we trust God, we should trust Him without reservation.  We should steel ourselves against the inevitable stresses of the day, secure in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father has a plan for the future that only He can see.

Can you place your future into the hands of a loving and all-knowing God? Can you live amid the uncertainties of tomorrow?  If you can, you are wise and you are blessed.  When you have, He will bless you now and forever." p164

"God is God.  He knows what He is doing.  When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart." - MAX LUCADO p164

"God delights to meet the faith of the one who looks up to Him and says, "Lord, You know that I cannot do this - but I believe that You can!" - AMY CARMICHAEL p165

"Sometimes the very essence of faith is trusting God in the midst of things He knows good and well we cannot comprehend." - BETH MOORE p165

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, when I trust in the things of this earth, I will be disappointed.  But, when I put my faith in You, I am secure.  In every aspect of life, Father, let me place my hope and my trust in Your infinite wisdom and Your boundless grace. Amen