Feb Quote

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.---Proverbs 16:24

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Choose Your Friends Wisely

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’

1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV.

TODAY’S WORD

Sometimes, in order to embrace the destiny God has in store, you have to be willing to make some changes in your life. You have to be willing to examine where you are and what you need to move forward. This may mean that you need to change some friends that you’re spending time with. Maybe they were fine for a season in your life, but now you’ve outgrown them. This is a new season, and in order for you to rise higher, you have to break away from relationships that are limiting you. You have to develop some new relationships with people who are going to pull you up and inspire you to rise higher.

And, this doesn’t just mean separating yourself from people who are holding you back spiritually. I’ve found that if you’re the smartest one in your group, your group is too small. Find people who will challenge you to stretch to the next level and become everything God’s created you to be. Remember, he who walks with the wise becomes wise. Choose your friends wisely and don’t be deceived. Surround yourself with people who will cause you to rise higher so you can live in the destiny God has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me choose my friends and companions wisely so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Your Mission Comes from God Himself by Rick Warren “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” (John 17:18 MSG) If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, God has given you a mission in this world. You’re not here to just take up space; you’re not here to just strive after your own personal goals. You have an assignment from God himself. Once you’re in the family, your life changes. You have a new reason for living. Your life isn’t about you anymore; it’s about God’s mission. And your mission fits into God’s mission for all of history. God created everything in the universe because he wanted a family. He didn’t need Earth. He didn’t need the other planets. He didn’t need the stars. He created all of it because he knew some of us would willingly choose to be a part of his family. The mission God gave Jesus he now gives to the Body of Christ — the Church. He wants us to help get other people into his family. Jesus said it like this: “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (John 17:18 MSG). Once we know Jesus, we have to go! We must tell our friends and families about him. But we can’t stop there. God has never made anyone he doesn’t want saved. He loves everyone — across the entire globe. God wants us to live out his mission everywhere: in our families, our communities, and our world. His mission for your life is both global and local. The Bible says, “Now the Lord says to me, ‘It isn't enough for you to be merely my servant. You must do more than lead back survivors from the tribes of Israel. I have placed you here as a light for other nations; you must take my saving power to everyone on earth’” (Isaiah 49:6 CEV). That’s God’s plan for the world. That’s his mission for you. He wants everyone on Earth to know him. And he wants to use you to see that happen. God didn’t just say that to missionaries or pastors. If you’re in his family, he gave his mission to you! Talk About It - Is it possible that you need to change the way you live in order to follow God’s plan? If so, what would that look like in your life? - How will you be on mission with God this month?

Feb Quote

" The earth was formless and empty… and God said, Let there be light"

(Genesis 1:2 to 3, NIV).

Reprogram Your Mind

Reprogram Your Mind

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…

Romans 12:2, AMP.

TODAY’S WORD

Many people today don’t realize that the reason they’re not happy, the reason they’re not enjoying life is simply because they’ve trained their minds in the wrong direction. They’ve programmed their minds to worry. They’ve programmed their minds to complain. They’ve programmed their minds to see the negative. But just as we can train our mind to focus on the negative, we can also reprogram our minds to focus on the positive. It all depends on what you meditate on.

When we meditate on the Word of God, we reprogram our minds. When we meditate on God’s goodness, we are developing a right mindset. When we choose to be grateful and focus on what’s right rather than what’s wrong, we are choosing a positive attitude. This doesn’t happen automatically; you have to discipline yourself to focus on the right things. You have to make a conscious effort to spend time in the Word of God every single day until a habit is formed.

I believe that as you honor God with your time, He’ll multiply it back to you. As you stay faithful and focused on Him, He will direct your steps, and you will embrace the blessing and victory He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I surrender my thoughts and mind to You. Help me retrain my thoughts so that they are in line with Your will for my life. I choose to have a positive attitude of faith and expectancy and thank You for empowering me to enjoy the good life You have for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

God Wired Us to Be on Mission by Rick Warren "Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark 8:35 TLB) Why don’t we feel more fulfilled? Far too many people are asking themselves that question. We’re not happy, we’re not satisfied — in fact, we’re miserable. Why? In his book Rich, Free, and Miserable, sociologist John Brueggemann shared a great story that illustrated why. Climbing Mount Everest is one of the challenges that inspire people to do something big. Lots of people try, even though nearly 10 percent of the people who do, die in the process. Many of the corpses still line the path up the mountain. Yet people still want to climb the mountain — though it has no real redeeming social value. A few years back one climber, David Sharp, was clearly in trouble on the mountain. There were 40 climbers who noticed his obvious need but passed him that day. He died on Mount Everest because none of the other climbers were willing to put their personal goal on hold to help him. That’s us. Our own personal drive to have more, be more, and do more causes us to lose sight of what really matters. But that isn’t how God wired us. Life isn’t about what you make, who you know, or what you do. Life is all about love — loving God and loving others. Jesus tells us in Mark 8:35, "Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (TLB). God wired you in a way that you’ll never be happy unless you’re giving your life away in his work. You were made for something greater than yourself. The Bible calls this your mission in life. Significance doesn’t come from status, salary, or sex. It comes from service. Only by giving your life away can you feel that your life has significance. Talk It Over - Are you unhappy, unsatisfied, or miserable? That is a sign that you’ve become focused on a cause other than Christ’s. Why do you think you’re focused elsewhere? - What do you need to do to join God’s mission?

Feb Quote

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.---Hebrews 10:24

Hit the Delete Button

Hit the Delete Button

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Isaiah 43:18, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

Our minds work a lot like a computer. The way we program it will determine how it’s going to function. You can have the most expensive, powerful computer you can find, but if you load the wrong software, it’s not going to perform at its best. In the same way, many people are not living a victorious life, not because there is something wrong with them, but because of what has been programmed in their thinking. They start believing the lies, “I’m not talented. I don’t have a good personality. I’ve made too many mistakes. I’ve reached my limits.” Just like a virus can slow down a perfectly good computer, our wrong thinking can keep us from our destiny. If you’re going to live in victory, you’ve got to know how to hit the delete button.

When that thought comes that says, “You’re just average. You’re ordinary.” Hit delete and say, “I’m a masterpiece. I’m one of a kind.” When you hear, “You’ve seen your best days. It’s all downhill from here.” Hit delete and say, “My future will be brighter than my past.” If you will start hitting the delete button on those negative thoughts, your life will go to a new level, and you’ll experience the blessing He has in store for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for loving me and making me in Your image. Today I choose to hit the delete button on negative thinking. I choose to declare what You say about me so I can walk and live the life that You have prepared for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Faith Is Something We Do by Rick Warren “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16 NIV) Faith is more than something you just feel. Many people confuse emotions and feelings with faith. They come to church, and they’re moved emotionally, they're inspired, and they're stimulated. But that doesn’t mean they’re walking in faith. The Bible says faith is something we do, not just what we feel. In other words, faith is not mere sentimentality. Let’s say I go out on the street and see someone who is homeless and destitute. I see that person is hungry, cold, and in need of clothing and shelter. Would I be showing great faith if I walked up and said, “Cheer up! Don't worry; be happy! Feel good! Put on a happy face”? It doesn’t take much faith to do that. Faith carries compassion. Faith says, “I’ll do anything I can to stop your hurt.” Throughout the New Testament, the witnesses say Jesus was moved with compassion for people. Jesus showed us that faith is practical. When we see a need, we do something about it. We don't just toss out a quick “Well, I'll pray for you.” The Bible says we show our faith by what we do. The world, however, is obsessed with self. But the more you give your life away, the more you take the focus off yourself, the more you serve others with unselfish love, and the more you bless others with your time and talents, then your counter-culture faith will be increasingly evident. Talk About It - In what areas is your faith more evident that others? - What are the practical ways you can show your faith to others today?

Feb Quote

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. --- Ephesians 5:25

Living With Enthusiasm

Living With Enthusiasm

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…

Isaiah 55:12, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word “entheos.” “Theos” is God. When you’re enthusiastic, it simply means you are full of God. When you get up in the morning excited about your future, recognizing that day is a gift and go out with a spring in your step, pursuing your goals and passionate about life, then God will breathe in your direction. Studies even tell us that people who are enthusiastic get better breaks. They’re promoted more often. That’s not a coincidence. When you’re full of passion, you have the favor of God.

Remember, God didn’t breathe His life into us to drag through the day. He didn’t create us in His image, crown us with His favor, and equip us with His power to just go through the motions of life. You may have had some setbacks, the wind may have been taken out of your sail, but this is a new day! God wants to breathe new life back into you. If you’ll get your fire back, get your passion back, the wind will start blowing once again. When you’re in agreement with God, He can cause the winds of favor to shift in your direction!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for another sunrise, another day, another opportunity to praise You and pursue the dreams You’ve given me. Help me to stay filled with Your joy which is strength so I can serve You with my whole heart in everything that I do in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Baptism: You Are Part of God's Family by Rick Warren "Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ's family and being called by his wonderful name!” (1 Peter 4:16 LB) Healthy families have family pride; members are not ashamed to be recognized as a part of the family. Sadly, I’ve met many church members who’ve never publicly identified themselves with God’s family by being baptized. Baptism is not some optional ritual to be delayed or postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God’s family. It publicly announces to the world, "I am not ashamed to be a part of God’s family." Jesus commanded this beautiful act for all in his family. For years I wondered why Jesus’ Great Commission gives the same prominence to baptism as it does to the great tasks of evangelism and edification. Why is baptism so important? Because it symbolizes one of the purposes of your life: incorporation into the fellowship of God’s eternal family. Baptism declares your faith, shares Christ’s burial and Resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old life, and announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your inclusion in God’s family. Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into his family. Baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family; only faith in Christ does that. Baptism shows you are part of God’s family. Like a wedding ring, it is a visible reminder of an inward commitment made in your heart. It is an act of initiation, not something you put off until you are spiritually mature. The only biblical condition is that you believe. The Bible says, "Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn't ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11 CEV). Let that amazing truth sink in! Because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you. Talk About It - Being included in God’s family is the highest honor, the greatest privilege you and I will ever receive. Nothing else comes close. Why not pause right now and thank God that he included you? - If you haven’t been baptized as an expression of your faith in Christ, do so immediately, as Jesus commanded.

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here for?

by Rick Warren

“We are product of our past but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.” 

“Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E.” 

“Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.” 

 “Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past. Listen: those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.” 

“Forgiveness must be immediate, whether or not a person asks for it. Trust must be rebuilt over time. Trust requires a track record.” 

 “Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you. Don’t waste your pain; use it to help others.” 

“Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.” 

“God intentionally allows you to go through painful experiences to equip you for ministry to others.” 

“If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego. You were designed to worship God and if you fail to worship Him, you will create other things (idols) to give your life to. You are free to choose, what you surrender to but you are not free from the consequence of that choice.” 

“The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.” 

“You weren't put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.” 

“If you want God to bless you and use you greatly, you must be willing to walk with a limp the rest of your life, because God uses weak people.” 

“Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time? One answer is that life is supposed to be difficult! It’s what enables us to grow. Remember, earth is not heaven!” 

“If you have felt hopeless, hold on! Wonderful changes are going to happen in your life as you begin to live it on purpose.” 

“We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.” 

“A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.” 

“It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters.” 

 “Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closer to God than the place where you are right now.” 

“You cannot fulfill God's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans. ” 

“Life minus love equals zero.” 

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don't think of themselves.” 

“Your value is not determined by your valuables, and God says the most valuable things in life are not things!” 

“Life is a gift...Life is a test...Life is temporary assignment...” 

“Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness.” 

“Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.
I don't know all the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone.” 

“You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren't self-serving when you’re surrendered.” 

“Measured against eternity, our time on earth is just a blink of an eye, but the consequences of it will last forever.” 

“If you are a member of a small group or class, I urge you to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship: We will share our true feelings (authenticity), forgive each other (mercy), speak the truth in love (honesty), admit our weaknesses (humility), respect our differences (courtesy), not gossip (confidentiality), and make group a priority (frequency).” 

“The truth is, almost everything we do is done poorly when we first start doing it – that’s how we learn.” 

“Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test... You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.” 

“Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. ” 

“The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like What do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.” 

“Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.” 

“Then Jesus changed the situation. When he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to God was once again available.” 

“The more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.” 

“Familiarity breeds complacency.” 

“God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements.” 

“While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others.” 

“Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.” 

“The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears.” 

“Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren't rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice.” 

“Maturity is produced through relationships and community.” 

“Unfortunately, we forget the cruel details of the agonizing sacrifice God made on our behalf. Familiarity breeds complacency. Even before his crucifixion, the Son of God was stripped naked, beaten until almost unrecognizable, whipped, scorned and mocked, crowned with thorns, and spit on contemptuously. Abused and ridiculed by heartless men, he was treated worse than an animal. Then, nearly unconscious from blood loss, he was forced to drag a

cumbersome cross up a hill, was nailed to it, and was left to die the slow, excruciating torture of death by crucifixion. While his lifeblood drained out, hecklers stood by and shouted insults, making fun of his pain and challenging his claim to be God.” 

“The key to friendship with God, he said, is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do.” 

“It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or even ministry. Never focus on temporary crowns.” 

Take on Eternal Values

Take on Eternal Values

by Rick Warren

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)

In order to keep us from becoming too attached to Earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life — longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be! It’s not our final home; we were created for something much better.

A fish would never be happy living on land, because it was made for water. An eagle could never feel satisfied if it wasn’t allowed to fly. You will never feel completely satisfied on Earth, because you were made for more. You will have happy moments here, but nothing compared with what God has planned for you.

This is also why some of God’s promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair. But this is not the end of the story.

Realizing that life on Earth is just temporary should radically alter your values. Eternal values, not temporal ones, should become the deciding factors for your decisions. As C. S. Lewis observed, “All that is not eternal is eternally useless.”

The Bible tells us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).

Talk About It

- What are the things that will last in your life?

- How does an eternal perspective change everyday aspects of life like goals and plans, schedules, and relationships?