April 30, 2013

Who Not Do

The people who find their identity in what they do, are the ones who struggle with life. The person who knows God loves them, life is good.

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Have you ever noticed that when you ask someone “Who are you?” a lot of times they’ll say, “I’m a salesman.” “I’m a teacher.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m a teacher.” Many people find their identity in what they do. The problem with this kind of thinking is that people identify themselves with their negative habits and strongholds, too. I hear people say, “I’m an alcoholic; I just can’t beat it.” No, that’s not who you are, that’s what you do. But if you keep thinking that way and talking that way, it will become so ingrained on the inside that you’ll convince yourself that it’s true, and it will keep you from rising higher. One time somebody told me, “Scott, I’m an addict.” He was embarrassed by it. He didn’t want to live that way. I told him what I’m telling you, “That’s not who you are.  It’s time to start acting like you have a destiny to fulfill.” Do you know who you are today?

April 29, 2013

The Past is Past

When my pain was at its worst, I found peace in the belief that God had a plan for my life and that’s why I am still here.

Too often, people spend so much time and energy dwelling on the past, dwelling on mistakes, or dwelling on disappointments. They don’t even realize that their focus is keeping them from moving forward in life. But in order to fully experience God’s best, you have to let go of those past hurts; you have to forget the old things to make room for the new. God has a new beginning in store for you, and the way you prepare for it is by getting rid of the old. Don’t spend time focusing on where you’ve been; spend time focusing on where you’re going. When you “forget the former things,” it means you’re not worried about the past anymore. You don’t allow it to dictate your future. You may remember past events, but you don’t feel the pain like you used to. You’ve opened your heart to receive God’s healing. Begin today by declaring that your past is over! Forget the former things and receive the restoration and victory God has in store for you. Have you moved past the past?

April 28, 2013

Decision of Love

Love doesn’t have anything to do with feelings. It has everything to do with the decisions we make.

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how long you’ve been a Christian, 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. One characteristic is that it is not rude. That means, when we are walking in love, we treat other people with courtesy and respect. Are you courteous to other people? Are you kind to the person at the checkout counter that may be moving too slowly for you? 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. The Bible 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. Today, make the choice to do what is right. Choose today to show kindness and be courteous to others. Look for ways to cultivate the greatest thing in your life — love! As you do, you’ll move forward into the life of blessing God has in store for you. Are your decisions based on love today?

April 27, 2013

Thought Process

In all parts of your life, you are going to face obstacles. Our life is just a trial. Question is how you do during that trial.

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 a positive thought process. A lot of times people think, “I’ll have a good attitude as soon as I get over this health issue.” But that’s not how your process works. As long as we’re negative, discouraged and focused on our problems, it limits what we can do. You’ve got to change your focus first, and then things will change in your favor.  Today, if you’ve been dwelling on the wrong things and focusing in the wrong direction, switch over into a positive thought and action process. What is your thought process today?

April 26, 2013

Good Foundation

It is my desire is to see you grow and increase in every area of your life—especially in your love for others.

That’s because love is the greatest thing, and it is all that matters in eternity. The book, Love at Last Sight: 30 days to Grow and Deepen Your Closest Relationships  says it perfectly. It says, “At the end of the day—in this all-too-short life we all share, all we really have are relationships with people we love and who love us. In light of relationships, the job and career we set as goals now aren’t really so important; the ladders we try to climb don’t matter so much; the objects we long to possess seem utterly trivial. What really matters in the end is that special look that you share with your spouse, the arms of your child reaching up to you, the quiet comfort of being with a friend who stands by your side in a difficult time.” Today, I pray that your love continues to grow and build a solid foundation for your faith. I pray that through your connection with God, you are strengthened in all of your relationships as you move forward into the life of blessing He has for you. Are you rooted and grounded in love today?

April 25, 2013

No Sense

Everyone goes through things that don’t seem to make sense.

It’s easy to get discouraged and wonder, “Why did this happen to me?” “Why did this person treat me wrong?” “Why did I get laid off?” But we have to understand, even though life is not always fair, God is fair. And, He promises to work all things together for good for those who love Him. I believe the key word is this verse is “together.” In other words, you can’t just isolate one part of your life and say, “Well, this is not good.” “It’s not good that I got laid off.” “It’s not good that my relationship didn’t work out.” Yes, that’s true, but that’s just one part of your life. God can see the big picture. That disappointment is not the end. Remember, when one door closes, God has another door for you to walk through — a better door. Those difficulties and challenges are merely stepping stones toward your brighter future. Be encouraged today because God has a plan for you to rise higher. He has a plan for you to come out stronger. He has a plan to work all things together for your good so that you can move forward in the victory He has prepared for you. Are you going through no sense stuff today?

April 24, 2013

In Your Heart

When you are so tired you can barely get up, fans are booing, it’s late in the game, your team is down. That’s character exposing time.

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When the pressure is on, the bills are due, the doctor’s report is not good, kids not acting right, school is tough, that is when you see what you have on the inside and it will be exposed.  When pressure is applied the inner most character will come out. What is in your heart will just jump out of your mouth. You will do and say things you never thought you would when life gets tight. Make sure you are putting the truth inside you every day. Lies and facts will leave you disappointed and looking for more when it’s getting late in the game. When you are so tired you can hardly get back up, what then are you relying on? Last weeks, last year or even yesterday’s stuff won’t keep you today. Everyday put truth in your heart. Refresh and replenish it. Be character ready each day. There will come a time when life hits hard but you will be able to hit back harder and longer with the truth. What is in your heart today?

April 23, 2013

Roadmap To Your Destiny

April 23, 2013

Caring

Do you know how important you are to God?

He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares about your thoughts, feelings and emotions. In fact, what you are going through is so important to Him that He records every sorrow and collects the tears you’ve shed. Why would God record your sorrows and collect your tears? Because everything that affects you matters to Him. He is your Vindicator. He’s keeping an account of every wrong that’s ever been done to you so that He can make up for every single one of them. He wants to restore to you everything that has ever been stolen. He wants to heal every hurt and pain. Today, know that God cares about the things that concern you. He cares about the things that hurt you. He is close to the brokenhearted, and He wants to bring you peace and comfort. Turn to Him and receive His love. Let Him bring healing to your heart and restoration to your soul. Do you know how important you are to God?

April 22, 2013

One More Day

When the people of Israel were in slavery to Pharaoh, God sent different plagues to try to convince him to let them go.

One of the plagues was a plague of frogs! The people were so miserable that Pharaoh finally said, “Moses, we’ve learned our lesson. The Israelites may go. Please ask your God to take away these frogs.” Moses said, “I’ll do it, Pharaoh. When do you want it to happen?” You would think Pharaoh would say, “Right now!” But no, Pharaoh said, “Take them away tomorrow.” He was saying, “We can put up with these frogs just one more night.” How many times do we do the same thing? “Scott, I’m going to forgive, but I’m going to do it tomorrow. I’m going to have a better attitude. I’m going to quit worrying…tomorrow.” We’re saying like Pharaoh, “I can put up with this addiction, this mediocrity one more day.” No, our attitude should be, “I’m not going to spend one more night with the frogs, putting up with things that are not God’s best.” Why don’t you start today? Today, make the change. Today, choose to forgive. Today, stop worrying. Today, get in shape. Today, take a step of faith. Shake off passivity and procrastination and get rid of anything that would hold you back! Are you holding on to the frogs another day?