Do you wake up each day dreading the day ahead?  Do you have an uneasy feeling of uncertainty that could possibly develop today?  I hope not.  God doesn't want this, nor should you.  


For us, as Christians, we know that we're living in God's purpose for our lives.  He works in all things, including our lives, according to His purposes.  Nothing in this life can happen without God ordaining it.


But, it's our choices and actions that also really matter.  God created each one of us uniquely and He does have a purpose for each of our lives.  Sure there will be difficult things you encounter, but overall we should have a sense of joy and excitement that fills our days.  This joy should be overflowing into our relationships, our work and families.


After all, what good does it benefit us to go around grumbling, down and just feeling sorry for ourselves?  It doesn't add one day to your life; so why not fill each day with joy, gratitude and a sense of pride in how we're living our lives out for God?


Take heart, my friends.  You know the saying "Not all who wander are lost?"  Seek God out.  Ask Him what your purpose is, here on earth.  You'll be surprised where you'll end up.  I hope it's with a joyful heart, giving God the glory, not ourselves.


Philippians 2:13 - "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Do you ever have those days when nothing is going right; everything you touch falls apart?  


When you feel down, do you think about looking up?  Do you think about wanting to be happy?  Some run after money, career, getting to the top as fast and hard as they can.  But, when something happens during that journey; something goes wrong, do they look to God for help?  Or do they ignore God and think they can handle it all by themselves?


Most of us make the mistake of thinking that happiness is related somehow to our circumstances.  We often think that "I'll be happy once this happens."  I honestly had spent most of my 20's and 30's thinking this.


The true key to happiness is to live happy, regardless of the circumstances.  Happiness is a feeling, one that we ourselves can manage.  Look around you.  See how blessed you are right now.  There are people in Peru would love to have what you throw away.


We, as Christians (more than non-Christians) should never be going around with our heads hanging down.  This doesn't mean that you'll find us happy and singing all the time either.  But, if asked how we are, we should be saying "I am very blessed today."


Look up to the one who created you!  He promises to wipe away those tears and fears some day.




Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I think we all could.  Encourage someone today.  Email or text them an uplifting bible verse.  Speak words of life, not defeat to someone in your path today.  Encourage them in their walk with Jesus, or if they don't know Jesus, say something wonderful that's happened to you lately, and mention that it was Jesus!


1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."


We, as Christians, have to remember that we will have struggles, but it's not against our flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil... (Ephesians 6:12).


We are daily in the crosshairs of a spiritual battle going on.  We have to put on our spiritual armor, or we don't have a chance.  What is this spiritual armor?  It's God's Word, the bible.  Stay in the Word, study it, apply it to your life daily.  Your life depends on it.


Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loves.  Encouragement also gives us hope.


Encourage someone today.  It will make their life and yours just a little bit brighter today!

Reality is defined as 'the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.'


Romans 8:8 - "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."


The true reality for Christians is to place our cares and concerns to God.  Sometimes we perceive God's inactivity in our lives as a lack of care.  But His care and love for us goes beyond anything we can see or physically touch.  The reality is that we have to live by faith.  What does that mean?  It means, even when we can't see the healing, the conflict resolved or the marriage restored, we have faith that through God, all things will work out because of His promises to us in the bible.


The bible addresses all issues on life...on God's terms.  He sets the agenda.


Satan deceives all of us.  He doesn't want us to see the reality in God.


God is working all the time in our lives; day and night; in ALL things.  Our life as a Christian is filled with growth and development.  Our reactions to some of life's difficulties are some of the most profoundly maturing processes that anyone can experience.


Wake up!  The reality is that this life here on earth will pass away for all of us. No one gets out of this life unscathed.  Give your life to Jesus and live the reality of an eternal home in heaven some day!

1 Corinthians 6:19 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own;"


We, as Christians should be able to relax, be peaceful and rest in God's promises.  But, do we?  Do we sit around and try to anticipate God's next move, instead of just being still and wait expectantly on His Will for our lives?


Listen and look for God's presence in everything!  You'll be amazed at the little blessings He lays out before you each day if He knows you're looking forward to finding Him throughout your day.


Since our bodies are considered to be temples of the Holy Spirit, shouldn't we be watching what comes in or goes out of it?


We are accountable to God for the way we take care of our bodies.  Eat well, exercise well and sleep well.  This will ensure that our minds and bodily actions will attempt to be pure.  Keep self discipline at the forefront of every day.


What is the state of your current temple (your body)?  We were carefully and wonderfully made by God with this body.  Take care of it, fuel it correctly and let the Holy Spirit dwell in it.

Jesus's message doesn't change from the beginning of time.  His message changes us!


Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."


Do other people see the change in you?  Did they know you before you were a Christian, and wonder why you seem so different now?


I would hope that people look at me and wonder that.  This is only accomplished by the change that Christ did in me.  I have been transformed; my mind has been renewed through His Word.


We are commanded to put off our old self and put on the new self.  We are to be led by the Spirit.


If you are unsure of this type of life, let me encourage you to be curious about God.  Ask someone about Jesus.


In this world, we will have problems; the devil is seeking each one of us to corrupt our minds and lead us astray.  God's message is clear.  He was in the beginning and is here with us now.  Christ is the only way to escape this life here on earth.


I'm looking forward to an eternity in a heavenly home with Jesus; where there will be no more pain, no more suffering and reuniting with my loved ones like my mom, dad and family that trusted Jesus also, but have long been gone from this world.


Let His message change you today!  

Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God."


There have been times in my Christian walk that I just want to give up.  It seemed like the trouble was going to last forever, and then maybe more trouble began.  But, if you're a child of God and have a relationship with Him, then you have something that the world does not.  Eternal life!


We can't seem to see the growth or opportunities while we're in the struggles, but there will come a day when we will see the amazing outcome; the grace that God gives to those who love and follow Him.


Without God's strength that He gives us daily, we can't see the opportunity that awaits.


Whatever you're facing today may look like an impossible situation, but stay with God.  He will never leave is in defeat. He will ALWAYS have a way out, and believe it or not, we will be thankful for it some day.  


I've experienced this growth in my own walk with God.  Last year was probably the most challenging in my Christian life, but I dived into the Word of God, kept professing that He will get me through this, and He did.  I came out closer to God, a fire to read the Bible more, and a humility that only comes from His divine intervention.


Trouble will come, be ready!

Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."


You've heard this before "Do your best and let God do the rest."  This is not coming from a bible verse, but it's content applies to all of us.  The message points to us using our God-given abilities and talents to do our best in whatever that is.


What most people miss about the above statement is that they don't give it to God in the beginning of the situation.  Some wait until they've completely exhausted all human efforts, and then throw up a (hail Mary) or 'God help me.'  


We should be loving and trusting God, ALWAYS.  It's that relationship I've talked about before that's paramount here.  


If I didn't know you, but you wanted something from me, I would be a little hesitant to give it away (whatever it is).  But if we had established a relationship and I trusted you, then I would feel better about giving something away.  It's that way with God too.


Trust His Will for your own life.  Give Him your best, ALWAYS.  Do this and watch what happens with your life.