There are hundreds of Christians being persecuted around the world, this very minute, for proclaiming that they know Jesus.  Could we do that?  If someone pointed a gun to your head and asked if you believed in Jesus, what would you do?


That is a little extreme for our country, but others around the world are going through this every day.


Be ready, every day, to stand up for Jesus.  He hung on the cross for you, died for you, and rose on the third day, all for you.  What are you willing to sacrifice for Christ?  It may not be to lose our lives, but it could be to stand up and tell your neighbor, co-worker, someone on the bus or plane, about Jesus, and what' He's done for you.


Don't be ashamed of our God!


Luke 9:26 - "For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of Him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the father and of the holy angels."

We've all been there....times when God doesn't meet our expectations.  What do you do?  Do you challenge God and think to yourself (well, I could find a faster resolution, or I'll just figure it out on my own)?  Or, do you trust Him?  Truly, trust Him?


God's Will won't always make sense to us.  Sometimes we even wonder if He's listening to our cries.  Be encouraged, friends.  We may not understand why now, but someday we will.


Let go and let God take over.  Trust Him, don't challenge Him.


Psalm 27:5 - "For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock."

Wouldn't it be nice if we never felt tempted to do wrong things?  That will never happen.  The Bible says that temptation must come.  We need to already have the faith in God so that when temptation comes, we'll be ready.  Pray ahead of your troubles.  Pray before you even get into a situation you're not comfortable in.  


Don't forget that God has promised us strength, but we have to ask for it first!


Sad, but many people only recognize their need for God when things begin to fall apart.


It's not too late. Pray up.  Be ready.  Trust God to fight your battles!


Luke 22:40 - "When He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

When your circumstances are not looking good, God's purpose always is.


There will be times in your life when nothing seems to be going right.  You seem stagnant, nothing is moving in the pace you want it to.  So, what do you do?  Do you stomp your feet and pout, and shut God out?  Or, do you give it to God, and have peace in knowing that He will take care of all things, in His timing?


Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."


Most times we will find that if we wait upon God, we then understand His purpose in having us wait.  Is it easy to wait?  No, but that's what God requires from each one of His children.


Wait, even when things look bleak!

I know I've talked about weeds before, but weeds are inevitable in a garden; and weeds (sins) are inevitable in life.


You can't plant a garden without weeds, nor can you go through life without trouble/problems.  Such is life.


Weeds can literally choke a fully developed plant in any garden.  You have to be on the lookout for them.  You can't go very long without checking to see if any have popped up.


This is the way sin creeps into our lives.  It starts out small, insignificant.  Then, before we know it, it's strangling us.  Fear, doubt and anxiety come with it.  


What's distracting you from Jesus today?  What are you letting creep into your life right now?  Are you merely existing in the garden of life, or are you putting on your righteous gloves everyday and pulling out those weeds/sins before they even take root?


Matthew 13:24-30 
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also."


Sew some good seeds today.  Let them take root in your life.  Be alert and aware of the weeds that are ready to take control.


Keep weeds away before they get the chance to sprout!

Most of us think we're invincible, that nothing can touch us.  We're relying on our own strength, instead of the creator who made us.


I choose to rely on God, instead of man.  Why?  Because I've gone my own way before and it has only resulted in heartbreak, letdown, sometimes even tragedy. 


If you think about it, relying on yourself usually ends up bad.  And, once we get disappointed in ourselves over and over, this leads to depression, anxiety and fear of trying again.


Rely on God today.  He can take you places beyond your imagination.


John 9:25 - "He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know.  One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."

Are you hopeless or hopeful?  Are you destitute or prosperous?

God wants to see his children flourish, but be careful, friends.  "For the love of money is the root of all evil." - 1Timothy 6:10

The pursuit of wealth is a dangerous path for Christians, and God warns us in the Bible.  He wants us to be prosperous, but not to keep it to ourselves.  He wants us to share it with others.  And not only money, but share our time.

In the past, I admit, I have been selfish with my money.  But, I can honestly say that since I started tithing, my first fruits, I have never been better off financially.  I'm not wealthy beyond any means, financially, but I'm wealthy in my love for God.  I yearn to give my money, my time to others.

I went on my first mission trip this year and it brought all of this more visible to me.  What is life about, but to live for Christ, give to others.

Give your time; give your money to those in need.  You'll be better off in every way.  Try it!

Joshua 1:8 - "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful."

The word 'confidence' is used some 54-60 times in the bible (depending on the version you're reading).  There's a difference though, in what you have confidence in.  In other words, we should have no confidence in the flesh.  If we're going to have confidence in something it should be in Christ, not man.


Our confidence should come from our relationship with Christ.  We can follow Him in full confidence in His wisdom, power and His plan for each one of us.


Are you feeling confident today?  Check to see if you're trusting in your own intuition, or if you're fully vested with your confidence in Christ.


Through Christ, there's nothing we can't accomplish!


Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."