THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

WE SHOULD ALWAYS CONTROL OUR REACTIONS

Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated, or get offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour and it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our REACTION. I heard somebody say, “Life is 10% what happens TO you, and 90% how you RESPOND.”

We should always go out each day with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE, full of HOPE and expecting God’s FAVOR. But at the same time, we should RECOGNIZE that most days are not going to go exactly as we plan. Remember, we were created to live in PEACE. Peace is our position of POWER. If you get stressed because you got off schedule or upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you’re doing is giving away your POWER. Instead, make the DECISION to release those offenses and disappointments so you can live in PEACE and enjoy the day as the BLESSING God prepared for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.”

(Proverbs 19:11, AMPC)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

CONTENTMENT IS AN ATTITUDE GOD CAN WORK WITH

It’s easy to be tempted to go through life COMPETING with everyone around us when we see someone who’s more TALENTED, BETTER LOOKING or has more GIFTS. Instead of running OUR race and being comfortable with who WE are, oftentimes, we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to THEM.” The problem with this unhealthy COMPETITION is that it’s a NEVER-ENDING CYCLE.

There will ALWAYS be someone ahead of us. But, it’s a very freeing thing when you realize, “I’m not competing with YOU. I don’t have to have as big a HOUSE as my neighbor to feel good about MYSELF. I don’t have to keep up with my CO-WORKER. I don’t have to be a certain SIZE. I don’t have to have as many CHRISTMAS LIGHTS outside. No, I understand that I’m NOT in competition with my FRIEND, my NEIGHBOR or my CO-WORKER. Instead, I’m going to be the best ME that I can possibly BE.”

CONTENTMENT is an attitude God can WORK with. When you focus on being who God made YOU to be and focus on running YOUR OWN race, that’s when you’ll see things HAPPEN. That’s when you’ll rise up HIGHER and position yourself for every spiritual BLESSING He has in store for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOUR DESTINY IS TOO GREAT TO LET YOURSELF GET DISTRACTED

If you’re going to pursue GREATNESS, if you’re going to be a great BUSINESSPERSON, a great TEACHER, a great PARENT, a great LEADER, you have to understand that not EVERYONE is going to cheer you on. I’d love to tell you that your family, friends and co-workers will CELEBRATE you, but that’s not necessarily the CASE. Some people simply can’t HANDLE your success. As you GROW and INCREASE, as God pours out His FAVOR on you, someone will get jealous. Someone will start finding fault. Don’t be surprised if a relative tries to belittle or discredit you. You can’t focus on making everyone AROUND you happy or you’ll start changing and lose sight of what GOD has placed in your heart.

Remember, your destiny is too GREAT to be distracted by people who are NEVER going to affirm you. Don’t take it personally. It’s not ABOUT you. It’s THEIR problem. Shake it off, run YOUR race, and be great ANYWAY.

Having greatness in the midst of criticism begins with FORGIVENESS. Don’t hold a grudge. BLESS those who curse you; PRAY for those who spitefully USE you. As you keep doing what is RIGHT, God will HONOR you. He’ll PROMOTE you, and you’ll be GREAT in the midst of criticism!

Today’s Scripture:

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

(Matthew 5:44, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

CHOOSE TO WALK IN LOVE, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Spiritual MATURITY isn’t measured by how long you’ve been a Christian, or how much you know, or how often you go to church. Spiritual maturity is measured by the way you TREAT OTHER PEOPLE. It’s measured by the LOVE you allow to operate THROUGH you.

First Corinthians 13 tells us about the characteristics of love. When we are walking in love, we treat other people with COURTESY and RESPECT. Are you KIND to the person at the checkout counter that may be moving too slowly? Are you GENTLE when you are driving down the highway and someone cuts you off? Are you PATIENT with your family and coworkers? These are all ways we show LOVE.

Scripture also tells us that love is PATIENT. It is KIND. It does not ENVY; it is not proud. It is not rude. Love is not easily angered, and it keeps NO RECORD OF WRONGS. Love NEVER fails. Notice that these characteristics don’t have anything to do with feelings. That’s because love is a CHOICE. You can choose to walk in love toward people even when you don’t feel like it–and THAT’S what being spiritually mature is all about!

Today’s Scripture:

“Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

LOOK FOR WAYS TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS

You may have heard this verse many times before, but one translation says that “love looks for a way to be CONSTRUCTIVE.” In other words, KINDNESS isn’t just about being nice; it’s looking for ways to IMPROVE someone else’s life. It’s bringing out the BEST in others.

When you start your day, don’t just spend time thinking about yourself or how you can make your OWN life better. Think about ways you can make someone ELSE’S life better, TOO! Ask yourself, “Who can I ENCOURAGE today? Who can I BUILD UP?” You have something to offer those around you that no one else CAN give. Someone in your life needs your ENCOURAGEMENT. Someone in your life needs to know that you BELIEVE in them. We are responsible for how we TREAT the PEOPLE He’s placed in our lives. He’s COUNTING on us to bring out the best in our FAMILY and FRIENDS.

Today, ask the Lord to give you creative WAYS to ENCOURAGE those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the BEST in others, God will send people along your path that will build YOU up, TOO. Keep showing KINDNESS so you can move forward into the BLESSING and FREEDOM He has for you!

Today’s Scripture:

“…love is kind…”

1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

GOD WILL COMPLETE THE GOOD WORK HE’S STARTED IN YOU

Something SUPERNATURAL happens when you submit your mind and heart to the Lord. First, your HEART changes; then your THOUGHTS begin to change. Your ACTIONS begin to change. Your life begins to bring forth FRUIT, or it displays the CHARACTER of God. The Bible tells us in Galatians that the fruit of God’s spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and self-CONTROL. These character traits are PROOF that God is at work in our lives. Do you have more LOVE than you used to? Are you more at PEACE than you used to be? Are you more GENTLE? Self-CONTROLLED? That’s because GOD is at work in your life, and it brings Him PLEASURE when you act more like Him.

If you need to grow in any of these areas today, simply open your heart and ask Him to WORK in your life. He PROMISES that He will COMPLETE the good work He’s started in you. Don’t give up! Keep praying, keep believing, keep repenting and submitting your life to Him. Put His Word as a PRIORITY in your life and you will continue to grow and bring forth His fruit and live in His abundant blessings in EVERY area of life!

Today’s Scripture:

“Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart]”

(Matthew 3:8, AMP)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

TODAY, GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO GOD FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE

Today, take time to REFLECT on and give THANKS to God for all of His BLESSINGS in your life. Whether you are eating turkey, playing games with your family, watching football or visiting a friend, remember to take time to focus on God’s GOODNESS. Count your BLESSINGS and notice all the GRACE, FAVOR and LOVE that God has given you. Psalm 95:2 says to “come before His presence with THANKSGIVING…shout JOYFULLY to Him with psalms.”

No matter the circumstances in your life, give THANKS and PRAISE to God for all that He has done. Remember how GOOD He is and that His love will endure FOREVER. The Bible says that you show your love for God through your actions toward OTHER people. Reach out to those AROUND you this holiday season and share His love and FORGIVENESS with them. You are BLESSED to be a blessing to OTHERS!

Today’s Scripture:

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 15:57, NIV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

SWITCH OVER INTO PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING AND DECLARE THAT GOD IS GOOD

We all face challenges and obstacles in this life. We all have DREAMS in our hearts, and at times, it looks like they’re not going to come to pass. During these difficult SEASONS, we have a choice. We can get negative and discouraged and talk about how things are not going to work out, or we can switch over into PRAISE and THANKSGIVING which opens the door for God to move on our behalf.

A lot of times people think, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” “Mark, I’ll give God praise when I get through these tough times.” But that’s not how FAITH works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it LIMITS what God can do. You’ve got to give God PRAISE FIRST, and THEN the BREAKTHROUGH will come. You’ve got to change your FOCUS FIRST, and then things will change in your FAVOR. Praise ALWAYS precedes the VICTORY.

Today, if you’ve been dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, SWITCH OVER into PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Begin to declare that God IS good. Declare that He is FAITHFUL. Declare His PRAISES and open the door to VICTORY in EVERY area of your life!

Today’s Scripture:

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

(Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

YOUR DAYS ARE DESTINED TO SHINE BRIGHTER BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL

In the Old Testament when this scripture was written, God’s people were going through a VERY dark time. They were being held captive against their will and mistreated by other nations. God sent this word to ENCOURAGE them and give them HOPE for their FUTURE. When the time came, God was FAITHFUL to His Word!

Are YOU going through a difficult time today? Let this word bring you encouragement, TOO. God wants to give you DOUBLE for your trouble. He is the God of RESTORATION—that means He’s not going to just repay you for every wrong done, He’s going to go above and BEYOND and make things even BETTER than they were before.

If you are facing challenges today or going through a time of adversity, remember, it’s ALWAYS darkest just before the dawn appears. Your days are DESTINED to shine brighter because God is FAITHFUL. As you stay in faith and are obedient to His Word, you’ll receive DOUBLE for your trouble and the BLESSINGS He has in store for YOU!

Today’s Scripture:

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”

Isaiah 61:7, NIV

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

THE WAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES SHOULD BRING GLORY TO GOD

When others look at YOUR life, what do they see? Does your daily life win the RESPECT of others? As believers, we are Christ’s REPRESENTATIVES in the earth. We are called to a HIGHER standard. The way we LIVE our lives should bring glory to God the FATHER.

Notice this verse doesn’t say, “Go out of your way to do something major so that everyone will notice and respect YOU.” It doesn’t say, “Win a gold medal or Pulitzer prize so that people will glorify your Father in heaven.” No, it says that your daily life should win the respect of OTHERS. That simply means always taking the HIGH road and living a life of EXCELLENCE. It means doing the right thing even when NO one is looking. It means finding common ground in order to be a PEACEMAKER. It means living with an attitude of FAITH and THANKSGIVING.

Remember, you WILL BECOME like those you spend the most TIME with. If you are committed to spending time with God the Father every day, you’ll develop HIS character. You’ll win the RESPECT of outsiders and bring glory to HIM all the days of your life!

Today’s Scripture:

“So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders…”

(1 Thessalonians 4:12, NIV)