April week 3

Friday April 17, 2020

Topic:  Keep your eye on the prize

Scripture:  “Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

In a world where there is a multitude of distractions it is easy for us to forget to keep our eye on the prize. A prime example is the computer and the internet. The internet is a great source of resource information when one needs to find information to complete an assignment; however, everytime one searches for information there are links to other sites that also come up on the screen. Sometimes it is information that is relevant to the search and most often it is information that is not related but we will click the link because it has an interesting title or a picture which draws our attention. We then waste valuable time looking at other sites before getting back to our original purpose. A runner does not look to the left or to the right or behind but keeps their focus on the finish line and when they get close they actually lean to cross the line.  To be successful in this race called life we must be like the runner and remain focus on what is important and not allow “stuff” to cloud our path.

What is your main goal in life?  Remember to keep the main thing the main thing.

Thursday April 16, 2020

Topic:  Competition – Good or Bad

Scripture:  Philippians 4: 11-12 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Who are you in competition with as you go through the day? Much of our time is devoted to competing with others. We compare the amount of money that we have or the make of the car or the size of the house. We are so competitive that we drive ourselves into debt just to impress others. Our debt becomes so large that we stay awake at night time trying to figure out how to pay the bills for something that we never needed or do not ever use. We must learn to be content with what we have and rejoice in what the Lord has provided for us. It has been said that one is calling the Lord a liar If we are not satisfied with what he has given us because he says that he knows what we need even when we do not know.

Be competitive to be the best husband, wife, parent, Christian that you can be. Never comparing yourself to others but trying to run the race so that you can hear the words “ Well done good and faithful servant”

Wednesday April 15, 2020

Topic: Does God still answers prayers

Scripture: James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Phillipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Prayer is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible today.  This is especially true as many preachers have been preaching the gospel of prosperity. Prayer is a conversation between two friends, God and man. Prayer should not be just a time for request but also a time for thanks and worshipping God and recognizing his authority over our lives. No where in the Bible are we to read that God will grant us our every wish or desire. Furthermore God answers our prayers but we do not take the time to listen for the answer. We are so busy doing things without listening for God’s answer. We should be mindful that our prayers are for the right motives and consistent with Biblical teachings.  I suggest that we spend more time thanking and less time asking. And when we do ask spend more time asking for someone else and not ourselves. Spend less time asking for material things and more time asking for wisdom and understanding and how to have a closer walk with God.

I like to say that God always answers my prayers. He says yes, no, or wait I have something better. God has more in store for us than we can ever imagine. Just hold on and wait a little while longer,

Tuesday April 14, 2020

Topic:  It is not what you see but how you see it

Scriptures : Phillipians 4: 4  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

It is definitely known that two people can see the same event and have completely different view of the experience. We all have heard of the idiom “ is the glass half full or half empty?”.  There is a quote that says that we must not worry about how we will get through the storm but learn how to dance in the rain.  One person sees the challenges as a storm that they must overcome and the other sees it as rain and is learning to be happy and rejoice in the rain.  Life would be so much easier and enjoyable if we would just learn to rejoice no matter the circumstances.

Thought for the day:  We may not always be able to control the circumstances but we do control how we react. As the song says “ Don’t worry… Be happy

Monday April 13, 2020
Topic : Using what we have
Scriptures: Matthew 14: 13-21( Jesus fed 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and two fish)
When times get rough, often people tend to stop looking to help others and instead start thinking of their own self interest. This is true of countries as well. We often forget that if we fail to help the neighbor put out the fire at his house that the fire will soon be at our doorstep. We also forget that we can only receive a blessing when we are willing to open our hand to give. Many times we use the excuse that I have little so why should I give. How much we have should never be the concern. We never know what God will do with the little that we do have if we only believe. God can multiply when we can only see subtraction.
Make a dfference in the life of someone today no matter how little or how much. A smile can go along way and it is free.