2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

I have had a 28 year career in the computer industry and I've been through several upgrades with our system's softwares.  As I was thinking about this, I realize that we (Christians) are continually being renewed; or as the computer world calls it ' upgraded'.  

When your computer software is being upgraded, it has to be up to date; in the last official version of the software before it will upgrade properly.  Isn't this like us, as Christians?  In order for us to be better, more devoted and on fire for Christ, we need to be spiritually and emotionally ready.  We have to prepare our hearts and minds, specifically in God's word.

So, who doesn't need a little boost every once in a while.  Be ready, day or night for the coming of Christ.  Be the better version of you every day!

Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear".


Just as a small fire can start a huge forest fire, the tongue can be just as damaging if misused.  The key to watching what you say is self control.  We can control a fire to use as cooking, warming our bodies, etc.  We can also use our tongues and the power of our tongue to bring praise and honor to God, and to benefit others.


It's scary to think that one of the smallest parts of our body can bring the most damage, especially if used for gossip or remarks against someone's character.


Ask God daily to guard your tongue.  Rather than tearing someone down for whatever reason, build them up with your tongue.  


Our speech usually reflects how we feel about others. If our hearts are full of love and compassion, our speech will likely be positive and upbuilding.


Watch your tongue!

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."


It takes effort for each of us to make sure our heart is staying in His truth.  You faith will grow as you have direct consistent conversations with God and consistency in reading His word.  


Through my walk with God I have found that every need, every doubt and every fear is met, answered and removed by Jesus.  This is where faith comes in, because sometimes we have to wait, and wait.  Most of us are not good at waiting.


We have to remind ourselves that NOTHING in this world will ever satisfy us.  Some of us will think, "well, if I had a better job, then....; or if I had more money, etc."  Then, we all know what happens when these things don't happen.  We get dissatisfied, go onto sinful things.  We eventually find out that all these things will not satisfy us. It only comes from Christ that satisfaction is achieved.  


Once we figure out that in order to achieve happiness, security, etc., we have to have those things in Christ first.  Then, and only then will things turn around.  God is most glorified when we are happy in Him.


Let God be enough for you today; otherwise you'll spend a futile life trying to find out what is enough.

Deuteronomy 7:9 - "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments."


From the beginning of time, God has been in pursuit, seeking communion with human beings.  Even though God knew everything about Adam, He still came searching for him in the garden.  God continually is searching the entire planet, on a quest for the human heart.  He actually created us to be pursued by Him forever.


It is hard to wrap this around our infinite minds, but we are precious in the eyes of God; the apple of His eye.  His desire is for me/us.  He wanted us so much that He sent His only son to give His life for each of us. 


To me, that sounds like someone who is pursuing me, don't you think?

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing,"


It's really not a question of if we will wait on a prayer request, but rather how we'll wait.  My experience has been that how we wait will determine on how long we wait for the answer.


I have always had this attitude of 'expecting an answer'; and having faith that God ALWAYS answers us.  God wants us to be eager, waiting on His answer.  There are times when the answer seems to be slow in coming, but looking back, I realized that I may not have been ready to handle the answer, in my timing.


Stay full of hope and expectation when waiting on God's answer to your prayer.  Remain in faith, believing that the Creator of the universe is working in our life and will fulfill His Will in our lives.


Prayer does change things.  I have so many stories of these changes in my life!

It's hard to be thankful when times get tough, but we are commanded to do just that.  


2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we live by faith, not by sight."


We are to be made suitable for our calling into God's kingdom and glory.  We need to tap into God's power.  Power that He has for us to resolve the situation, so that He, not us, will get the glory.


We need to have faith in God's power.  By this faith, we trust God for the power to fulfill the resolve.  This becomes a work of faith.  This sin was defeated.  Righteousness was performed.  We looked away from ourselves and looked to God and all His power to resolve the situation.  


And, because Jesus died for us, God's power is always for us, never against us. 

Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. "


We are commanded to love one another.  True love for God can be seen by our willingness to meet the needs of others we're capable of serving.


I'm not wealthy, nor do I desire to be wealthy; other than my hope is to be wealthy in God.  Wealthy in His love and whatever God desires to give me financially, I hope that I'm giving it to the poor and needy; those who are so much less fortunate than I am.  It's all God's money anyway.  This is all temporary.  


Are we wasting what God has given us to use while here on earth, to meet our own needs?  We have a lot of potential with the privileges God gives us.  They can either make us prideful or make us a blessing to others.


Are you willing to let your privileges transform you into the person God desires you to be?

Proverbs 27:1 - "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."


We all do it.  We say we're going to do something, then before you know it the day has went by and we have yet to do it.  One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task.


There is no time to waste, when it comes to sharing the gospel with others.  Are we guilty of this?  Life is so short; none of us are promised tomorrow.


Procrastination is such a bad habit, but especially when it comes to spreading the gospel.  It's a bad habit that can have eternal effects.


Tell someone today about Jesus.  It's up to them to accept Him.