Previous Quotes of the Day Page 5

But how can we track the well-being of the part of us that will last? This may look a little different for everyone, but there are a few mirrors and scales that we all will probably need:

·       Self-examination and confession

·       Friends who love you enough to speak truth to you

·       Time to be alone and listen to God

·       Examination of your calendar and checkbook

·       Key questions, such as: How easy discouraged do I get these days? How easily irritated am I compared to six months ago?

·       Attention to your secret thought life. What is your mind drawn toward – really? Where do envy or blaming or judging or lusting rob your inner person of life and joy?  ~John Ortberg

Spend as much time caring for the inner you as you send on the outer you.  ~John Ortberg

Caesar thought his throne in Rome was secure. But the kingdom was lying in a manger in Bethlehem.  ~John Ortberg

Surrender is not passivity or abdication. It is saying yes to God and life each day. It is accepting the gifts he has given me – my body, my mind, my biorhythms, my energy. It is letting go of my envy or desire for what He has given someone else. It is letting go of outcomes that in reality I cannot accept anyway. I surrender my ambitions, my dreams, my money, my relationships, my marital status, my time, and my desires to God.  ~John Ortberg

When I try to control something too tightly based on my own little ideas, I miss all the creativity and serendipity of life.  ~John Ortberg

If you think you have free rein over things that are naturally beyond your control, or if you attempt to adopt the affairs of others as your own, your purpose will be thwarted and you will become a frustrated, anxious, and faultfinding person.  ~Epictetus

Jesus taught that we should speak truth without using words to manipulate, intimidate, deceive, or flatter.  ~John Ortberg

Jesus taught many times about this strange truth that power comes to us not when we seek control but when we freely yield our little centers of control to God. He said that if a grain of wheat remains alone, it bears no fruit, but if it is placed in the ground and dies, then it lives. He said that if we deny ourselves, we are fulfilled. He said that if we seek to save our lives, we lose them, but when we lose them for His sake, we come alive.  ~John Ortberg

We actually receive greater power by surrendering … There is only so much that willpower can accomplish.  ~John Ortberg

Everyone must carry two pieces of paper with him and look at them every day. On one it is written: “You are as dust and ashes.” And on the other: “For you the universe was created.”  ~Rabbinic Saying

A game is at its heart the creation of a challenge against which one tests oneself. What makes a good game, he argues, is that it embodies well-crafted problems. And it is in the owning and embracing of the problem that players are able to grow in what the Greek Olympians called arête: excellence of will and character.  ~Bernard Suits

God has given to you a tiny measure of what he has without limit – the ability to choose. Psychologists use words like initiative or being proactive or taking responsibility. But these are not just psychological concepts. They are deeply connected to what it means to be made in the image of God.  ~John Ortberg

In nursing homes, such trivial choices as getting to decide when to see a movie or how to arrange their rooms made seniors’ health and emotional well-being improve and the death rate drop. Daniel flourished because even in exile he refused to believe he was helpless.  ~John Ortberg

Smart players are clear on what lasts and what doesn’t. It is wise to store up treasure in what’s eternal: God and people.  ~John Ortberg

It’s not that such treasures are bad. It’s that they won’t last long. It’s all going back in the box.  ~John Ortberg

When we give casually, we receive casual joy. When we effortfully, thoughtfully, creatively, we get immense joy.  ~John Ortberg

Richness of having usually means getting more stuff; richness of being is generally associated with giving more stuff. Jesus’ goal of “richness toward God” always involves richness of being.  ~John Ortberg

I’ll do it someday, I tell myself, when my life is not so full. And then the day is gone.  ~John Ortberg

Creeping commitments are the crabgrass on the lawn of life. They multiply without our permission or even our awareness.  ~John Ortberg

Our truth is certain: time will not slow down, and we will never be able to redo yesterday.  ~John Ortberg

The journey to integrity requires the cultivation of a desire: I must want to be good more than I want to do well. It requires a decision: I will choose to play with integrity and lose rather than cheat and win. It requires a belief: I cannot succeed in what I do and fail in who I am.   ~John Ortberg

Developing a reputation for integrity is not the same as having it.  ~John Ortberg

In a strict sense, I cannot break the rules. They endure, for they reflect the way things are. I can only break myself against them.  ~John Ortberg

Integrity is much bigger than simply avoiding breaking the rules. It is becoming the kind of person who does the right thing. Integrity does not mean I get really good at not doing the things I really want to do. It is not using lots of willpower to override my desires. It means I become the kind of person who actually wants to do what is right.  ~John Ortberg

My problem is not just my lack of character; it is that I can’t even see how badly I lack it.  ~John Ortberg

The way back home for rule breakers is the way of grace through repentance.  ~John Ortberg

If you wait for days to get easier before you get around to what matters, you may wait a long time.  ~John Ortberg

If the devil cannot make you bad, he will make you busy.  Either way you miss out on the life God intended for you to lead.  ~John Ortberg

Here’s the radical idea: take the jar that is your life, and empty out all the sand. Start your day with an empty jar.  ~John Ortberg

God never gives anyone too much to do.  ~John Ortberg

Boredom ought to be one of the seven deadly sins.  ~Frederick Buechner

That little amoeba had no stress, no problems, no challenges. Know what happened to it? It died. Too much comfort is lethal.  ~John Ortberg

Whether it’s a special assignment or just living in a fallen world, people all the time are given burdens they cannot handle.  ~John Ortberg

When God calls people to do something, their initial response is almost always fear. If there is a challenge in front of you, a course of action that could cause you to grow and that would be helpful to people around you, but you find yourself scared about it, there’s a real good chance that God is in that challenge. Take it a step further. If you’re not facing any challenges too big for you, if it has been a while since you have felt scared, there’s a real good chance that you’ve been sitting in the chair too long.  ~John Ortberg

What really matters when God calls you to do something is not whether or not you feel inadequate. Of course you will; you are inadequate. So am I. That’s why God promises to go with us. What matters is your decision. Only people who say yes to challenge, demand, and risk are ever fully alive.  ~John Ortberg

Where proof is possible, faith is impossible.  ~John Ortberg

We would all like to be people of faith, but we would prefer a guarantee up front.  ~John Ortberg

Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It opens us up to wonder, delight, and humility. It makes our hearts generous. It liberates from the prison of self-preoccupation.  ~John Ortberg

 Having too much can make a person ungrateful.  ~John Ortberg

Sometimes we do not realize how much we have to be grateful for until it is threatened.  ~John Ortberg

Our souls need to be fed, just as our bodies do.  Bodies are fed by protein and carbs; souls are fed by words. What people need from us the most is not more information. They just need words that will feed their souls. Sometimes words as simple as “thank you” or “I hope you have a really good day” can feed a soul.  ~John Ortberg

Sometimes we’re tempted to think that our current position/job/situation is a barrier to our mission, but in fact it is where it starts.  ~John Ortberg

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.”

Salt’s calling is to lose itself in something much bigger and more glorious; and then it fulfills its destiny. We were made to count. We were made to be salt.  ~John Ortberg

If I do it by myself for myself, it’s death. If I do it with God for others, it’s life, because whatever I do with God for others does not go back in the box.  ~John Ortberg

Sometimes people think they are robbed of any chance at having a significant mission in life because of their weaknesses. In fact, the opposite is true. God never wastes a hurt. Part of what makes a human life most powerful is the struggle.  ~John Ortberg

If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Esther had no idea what the future would hold for her. Neither do you or I.  ~John Ortberg

What is your position? Maybe it involves your job, your marriage, your tasks as a parent, or your friendships. Maybe your position includes going to school. Maybe it involves the neighborhood where you live, or volunteering, or your church. One thing is for sure: this is your time. Not some other situation. Not tomorrow or yesterday. We are often tempted to think that we are treading water right now, waiting for some other time, some more important position. You don’t get to choose your time; your time chooses you. You are what and who you are for a reason.  ~John Ortberg

We play games to win. But merely winning doesn’t mean we have always achieved this inner excellence, and losing doesn’t mean we have neglected it. There is a score inside us, a measure of determination and heart and courage under pressure that matters more than the points on the board. Winning and losing apart from this inner score do not matter much.  We play games to test ourselves.  ~John Ortberg

Competitive greatness is a love for the battle, because it is in the struggle and the challenge that you are offered the opportunity to be your best when your best is required.  ~John Ortberg

Men have succeeded in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.  ~Fyodor Dostoyevsky

That’s the world in which we live: we sell what nobody needs. But the problem of the human heart is: we need what nobody sells.  ~John Ortberg

Contentment does not come when we acquire enough. It is a product of the way we think.  ~John Ortberg

A pastor wants his church to change in ways that the people do not embrace. He wants it to look like his ideal of what a church should look like. Mostly this means he wants it to look big. But people sense that his desire has more to do with his ego than anything else. So they vote no in a hundred subtle ways. Still, he cannot bring himself to admit the truth. So he preaches angry sermons that chastise them for not following his leadership. He tries to pressure the elders. He threatens, he whines, he manipulates. Eventually the elders ask him to leave the church. Because he cannot lose and learn from his losses, he loses everything.  ~John Ortberg

In the spirit of the Reformation, the astronomer Johannes Kepler wrote of being “called” by God to use his talents in his works as an astronomer.  In one of his notebooks, Kepler broke spontaneously into prayer: “ I give you thanks, Creator and God, that you have given me this joy in thy creation, and I rejoice in the works of your hands. See I have now completed the work to which I was called. In it I have used all the talents you have lent to my spirit.”  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

In the same spirit [of Kepler], the early chemist Jean-Baptiste van Helmont insisted that the pursuit of science is “a good gift,” given by God. This broad concept of calling lent spiritual and moral sanction to science as a legitimate way of serving God.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The mathematical laws sought by science were legislated by God in the same manner as a king ordains laws in his realm.  ~Rene’ Descartes

One of the most distinctive aspects of modern science is its use of mathematics – the conviction not only that nature is lawful but also that those laws can be stated in precise mathematical formulas. This conviction, too, historians have traced to Biblical teaching on creation. The Biblical God created the universe ex nihilo and hence has absolute control over it. Genesis paints a picture of a Workman completely in charge of His materials. Hence in its essential structure the universe is precisely what God wants it to be.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Matter in the Platonic sense, which must be ‘prevailed upon’ by reason, will not obey mathematical laws exactly: matter which God has created from nothing may well strictly follow the rules which its Creator has laid down for it. In this sense I called modern science a legacy, I might even have said a child, of Christianity.   ~Physicist C.F. von Weizsacker

Johannes Kepler first major book sought to demonstrate that the planetary system could be inscribed within a series of three-dimensional geometrical shapes. Although he later had to abandon the schema, it reveals his Pythagorean conviction that numbers and geometry are the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe. As Kearney puts it, Kepler believed “God created the cosmos upon the basis of the divinely inspired laws of geometry.” In fact, it was his intense commitment to mathematical precision that led Kepler through failure after failure until he finally hit upon elliptical orbits for the planets.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The reason Newton felt free to avoid ultimate causes was, of course, that for him the ultimate cause was God. He viewed gravity as an active principle through which God Himself imposes order onto passive matter – as one of the avenues through which God exercises His immediate activity in creation. As Kaiser puts it, for Newton things like gravity “depended on God’s immediate presence and activity as much as the breaching of an organism depends on the life-principle within.” Like breathing, these active powers were regular and natural, and yet they could not be explained in purely mechanical terms.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Today we are conditioned to think of the history of science as a warfare between science and religion. In the development of classical physics, however, what we see is not a battle between science and Christiany but a debate among Christians over the best way to conceptualize God’s role in the world – a debate over how to construe divine action in a world increasingly understood to operate by natural law.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

These ideas breathed life into scientific work, especially after the Protestant Reformation. The Reformers rejected the nature/grace dualism of the medieval church and taught that one could honor the Creator by studying His creation. Scientific work acquired great dignity.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Science became, as Kline explains, a “religious quest”: “ The search for the mathematical laws of nature was an act of devotion which would reveal the glory and grandeur of His handiwork.  … Each discovery of a law of nature was hailed as evidence of God’s brilliance rather than the investigator’s.    ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

We find these convictions expressed, for example, in the writings of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) and Johannes Kepler (1571-1630). They conceived of God as the Cosmic Lawgiver, who created the world according to mathematical laws.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Listen to Kepler: “The chief of all investigations of the external world should be to discover the rational order and harmony which has been imposed on it by God and which He revealed to us in the language of mathematics.”  This was not mere religious piety, incidental to Kepler’s scientific contributions. His convictions about God and mathematics were in fact the central inspiration for his scientific work.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

… for Kepler it was a “law of creation” that “just as the eye was made to see colors, and the ear to hear sounds, so the human mind was made to understand … quantity.” Many of the early scientists like to cite a passage from the apocryphal Wisdom of Solomon 11:20, “Thou hast arranged all things by measure and number and weight.”  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) summed up the new worldview in his well-known statement that the book of nature is written by the hand of God in the language of mathematics. Today this idea has become so familiar that it strikes us as a platitude. But in Galileo’s day it was, as philosopher R.G. Collingwood puts it, “a fighting speech” – a declaration of war on Aristotelian philosophy and a ringing endorsement of the conviction that God had created the world on a mathematical plan.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

God had designed the universe, and it was to be expected that all phenomena of nature would follow one master plan. One mind designing a universe would almost surely employed one set of basic principles to govern related phenomena.  ~Mathematician, Morris Kline

God, who founded everything in the world according to the norm of quantity, also has endowed man with a mind, which can comprehend those norms.  ~Kepler

Certain laws which God has so established in nature and of certain notions which He has impressed in our souls.  ~Rene’ Descartes

For the early scientists, there had been no epistemological dilemma. They believed that the Biblical God had created the world according to an intelligible pattern – and that He had designed the human mind to apprehend that pattern. God provided the link between the natural world and the human mind.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science

If the history of mathematics reveals anything, it is the crucial role that the Christian faith has played, and must play, in the world of science and scholarship. The history of mathematics was decisively shaped by its interaction with Christianity. This is not to assert that the early mathematicians were evangelicals in the modern sense of the term. Yet they did assume a broadly Christian worldview – that the world has an ordered structure because God made it; that humans made in God’s image can decipher that order; that in studying the creation, we honor its Creator. The notebooks of such giants as Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton overflow with praises to God for His orderly creation.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The earliest attempts to formulate a mechanistic theory of life’s origin leaned heavily on chance – on random interactions of chemicals in a warm pond on the early earth. Given the complexity of life, its chance origin was a highly unlikely event, of course. But biologists hoped to vault that barrier by injecting immense quantities of time. Given enough time, they said, the most improbable event becomes not only possible, not merely probable, but inevitable.

However, at a symposium held in 1966 at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, the computer revolution caught up with the biologists. Using high-speed computers, mathematicians simulated the trial-and-error methods of chance. The outcome was devastating. Computers showed that the probability that life arose by chance processes is essentially zero, no matter how much time is allotted.

Since that time, there has been a gradual shift away from chance models of life’s origin to models that rely on some force inherent in matter. Chance has proved to be the materialist’s God-of-the-gaps, continually pushed back by advances in scientific knowledge.  

As chance theories lost credibility, they were replaced by theories that rely on some inherent self-ordering force within matter.  ~ Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

But this particular form of predestinist theory has lost its initial plausibility. To begin with, it has not been confirmed experimentally. Experiments designed to simulate conditions on the early earth have not revealed any significant ordering effects due to differences in chemical bonding forces. Dean Kenyon, one of the authors of Biochemical Predestination, has since rejected the theory on experimental grounds. “If you survey the experiments performed to date designed to simulate conditions on the early earth,” he said in an interview, “ one thing that stands out is that you do not get ordered sequences of amino acids. Nor do you get ordered sequences of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. These simply do not appear among the products of any experiments. If we thought we were going to see a lot of spontaneous ordering, something must have been wrong with our theory.”

What the experiments do yield is primarily a sludge of gummy brown tar. Or as Kenyon expresses it more elegantly: “The dominant trend in simulation experiments is the formation of non-biological materials.    ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The design argument rests on an analogy between the order found in nature and the order exhibited by objects of human manufacture. The best-known formulation is by William Paley in 1802. Piling detail upon detail, Paley described the intricate adaptations found in living things. Ascribing these marvels to physical causes, he argued, would be like finding a watch on the heath and ascribing it to natural forces such as wind and erosion. The kind of order we see in watches indicates clearly that they are the products of human intelligence; and since we see an analogous order in living things, Paley argued, they are products of divine intelligence. If we are to believe the recent Gallup Poll, a great many Americans still agree with Paley.

The crux of Paley’s argument was the analogy between living things and watches. But today molecular biology has given us a much more striking analogy – between the base sequence in DNA and a written message. Updating Paley, we could say that ascribing DNA to physical-chemical causes would be like finding a book or computer disk on the heath and ascribing its contents to the effects of wind and erosion. If books and computer programs require an intelligent origin, so too does the message in the DNA molecule. Though no one has actually witnessed the creation of life, creationists argue, still we recognize the distinctive complexity that in our experience results only from intelligent activity.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

In our experience, a written message is always the product of an intelligent agent; hence we can construct a positive argument that informational structures such as DNA are likewise the result of an intelligent agent.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The most common objection to any notion of design is that it falls outside the range of science – that any theory involving reference to an intelligent agent is unscientific. But this objection assumes a particular definition of science. It assumes that there exists what some philosophers of science call a “magic fence” that enables us to divide real science on one side – astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, geology – from pseudoscience like acupuncture, astrology, parapsychology, and the writings of Velikovsky. In this scheme, any concept of a designer, an intelligent cause, falls on the side of pseudoscience.

But philosophers of science have been notoriously incapable of specifying acceptable criteria for delimiting these two realms – for mapping the dividing line where the magic fence should be erected. Observability, testability, repeatability, falsifiability, and a host of other criteria have been offered, but none has been universally accepted.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

In fact, many philosophers of science now recognize that proposed principles of demarcation are themselves philosophically charged – that they reflect the metaphysical presuppositions of the person proposing them. Larry Laudan writes that the principles offered for defining science really function as weapons in philosophical battles. “No one can look at the history of debates between scientists and ‘pseudo-scientists’ without realizing that demarcation criteria are typically used as machines de guerre in a polemical battle between rival camps,” Lauden writes.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

It is well known, for instance, that Aristotle was concerned to embarrass the practitioners of Hippocratic medicine; and it is notorious that the logical postivists wanted to repudiate metaphysics and that Popper was out to get Marx and Freud. In every case, they used a demarcation criterion of their own devising as the discrediting device.   Larry Laudan

Philosopher of biology David Hull writes that he is “highly skeptical” of proposed methodologies for delimiting true science. “They tend to be self-serving,” Hull writes, “designed to put one’s opponents at a disadvantage while shoring up one’s own position.

If Laudan and Hull are right, what can we say about definitions of science that exclude any theory referring to intelligent cause of life? Do they simply reflect many scientists’ philosophical opposition to the idea? It appears so. For when evaluated from a purely logical point of view, the case for design is identical to the case one might build for any other explanation of the past.   ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Historical science is guided by the principle of uniformity – that the present is a key to the past. We postulate causes for past events by seeking an analogy among present events. Similar events warrant the assumption of similar causes. For example, when we observe the effects of water erosion in the present, we conclude that the same process explains the cutting of a river bed in the past. The surface of Mars has long, narrow trenches or rills, yet the planet has no water. Reasoning by analogy to phenomena observed on earth, scientists have concluded that at some time in the past there must have been running water on the surface of Mars.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

The principle of uniformity is open to either natural or intelligent causes. As philosopher David Hume wrote in 1748, “from causes which appear similar we expect similar effects.” And later: “The same rule holds whether the cause assigned be brute unconscious matter or a rational intelligent being.” In other words, the principle of uniformity is neutral in regard to the king of cause invoked.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

Applied to the origin of life, the principle of uniformity requires us to find an analogy in the present to the creation of information-rich structures such as DNA molecules. As we have seen, there are no known examples of information-rich structures created by natural processes. However, experience gives us a wealth of examples created by intelligent agents – books, poems, musical scores, computer programs. Even houses and automobiles present information. Hence, the principle of uniformity suggests that the origin of life may likewise be attributed to an intelligent agent. Rejecting that conclusion as beyond the bounds of science gives rise to the suspicion that the deck is already stacked in favor of mechanistic materialism – that one’s definition of science is nothing more than a machines de guerre in defense of a materialist worldview.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

If our definition of science is informed by actual scientific practice, certainly it will not be so narrow. Throughout the history of science, from Copernicus to quantum mechanics, science has been deeply implicated in metaphysical and religious questions. For example, Newton argued explicitly for the validity of drawing religious implications from science (then called Natural Philosophy). In the General Scholium, Newton wrote” And thus much concerning God, to discourse of whom from the appearance of things, does certainly belong to Natural Philosophy.  ~Nancy Pearcy in “The Soul of Science”

We overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, but we underestimate what God can do in a decade,  ~Mark Batterson

Lion chasers who are more afraid of missing God-ordained opportunities than making a few mistakes along the way. They know that when they fail to step out in faith and chase lions, God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.  ~Mark Batterson

Just because you’re past retirement age, that doesn’t mean you’re past your prime. It’s never too late to become who you’ve always dreamed of being. ~Mark Batterson

When God answers a prayer or fulfills a dream, you steward it by praying bolder prayers and dreaming bigger dreams. In other words, you chase even bigger lions! You go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.  ~Mark Batterson

Dreaming big enables you to fail forward.  ~Mark Batterson

The greatest opportunities are still the scariest lions. Impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles. And to the Infinite, all finites are equal. What if the life you really   want and the future God wants for you is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure, your greatest fear? Live your life in a way that is worth telling stories about. Chase the lion! It’s what you are destined to do!  ~Mark Batterson

You are responsible forever for what you have tamed.  ~Antoine De Saint-Exupery

There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab’s mighest warriors. Another time he chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it. Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.  ~2 Samuel 23:20-21

God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. A sense of destiny is our birthright as followers of Christ. God is awfully good at getting us where He wants us to go. But here’s the catch: The right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time.  ~Mark Batterson

God is in the resume-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. But those God-given opportunities often disguised as man-eating lions. And how we react when we encounter those lions will determine our destiny. We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges. Or we can chase our God-ordained destiny by seizing the God-ordained opportunity.  ~Mark Batterson

But when I look in the rearview mirror, I realize that the biggest risks were the greatest opportunities. Some of those life-altering decisions caused sleepless nights. The steps of faith were accompanied by acute fear that caused nausea. We experienced some financial hardships that required miraculous provision. And we had to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off after falling flat on our faces a few times.  ~Mark Batterson

Goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Those who simply run away from sin are half-Christians. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what’s wrong. We’re called to chase lions.  ~Mark Batterson

Lion chasers are always on the lookout for God-ordained opportunities.  ~Mark Batterson

What sets lion chasers apart isn’t the outcome. It’s the courage to chase God-sized dreams. Lion chasers don’t let their fears or doubts keep them from doing what God has called them to do. ~Mark Batterson

I have a simple definition of success: Do the best you can with what you have where you are. In essence, success is making the most of every opportunity. Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities. Think of every opportunity as God’s gift to you. What you do with those opportunities is your gift to God. I’m absolutely convinced that our greatest regrets in life will be missed opportunities.  Lion chasers are always on the lookout for God-ordained opportunities.  ~Mark Batterson

At the end of the day, success equals stewardship and stewardship equals success. But our view of stewardship is far too parochial [narrow minded]. Sure how we manage our time, talent, and treasure is a huge stewardship issue. But what about being a good steward of our imagination? Or our medial ventral prefrontal cortex (the seat of humor, according to neurologists)? Or how about stewardship of our sex drive and competitive streaks? Stewardship is all-inclusive. We’ve got to be good stewards of every second of time and every ounce of energy. But right at the top of the stewardship list is what I’d call opportunity stewardship.  ~Mark Batterson

How much happier you would be, how much more of you there would be, if the hammer of a higher God could smash your small cosmos.  ~G.K. Chesterton

There is a pattern that I see repeated throughout Scripture: Sometimes God won’t intervene until something is humanly impossible. And He usually does it just in the nick of time. I think that pattern reveals one dimension of God’s personality: God loves impossible odds. And I can relate to that.  ~Mark Batterson

Too often our prayers revolve around asking God to reduce the odds in our lives. We want everything in our favor. But maybe God wants to stack the odds against us so we can experience a miracle of divine proportions. Maybe faith is trusting God no matter how impossible the odds are. Maybe our impossible situations are opportunities to experience a new dimension of God’s glory.  ~Mark Batterson

Faith gives us the dimensional freedom to overcome our human limitations by exiting space-time via prayer. ~Mark Batterson

How you think about God will determine who you become. You aren’t just the by-product of “nature and nurture.” You are a by-product of your God-picture. And that internal picture of God determines how you see everything else.  ~Mark Batterson

Most of our problems are not circumstantial. Most of our problems are perceptual. Our biggest problems can be traced back to an inadequate understanding of who God is. Our problems seem really big because our God seems really small. In fact, we reduce God to the size of our biggest problem.  ~Mark Batterson

Maybe it’s time to stop placing four-dimensional limits on God. Maybe it’s time to stop putting God in a box the size of your cerebral cortex. Maybe it’s time to stop creating God in your image and let Him create you in His image.  ~Mark Batterson

The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions will become.  ~Mark Batterson

Long before God laid earth’s foundations, He had us in mind. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family. He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need.  Translation:  God planned for every contingency you might ever encounter, before the beginning of time.  ~Mark Batterson

God wants you to get where God wants you to go more than you want to get where God wants you to go.  ~Mark Batterson

Sometimes His itinerary entails coming face to face with a lion in a pit on a snowy day. But when you find yourself in those challenging circumstances, you need to know that God is ordering your footsteps. You can have a sense of destiny because you know that God has considered every contingency in your life, and He always has your best interest at heart. And that sense of destiny, rooted in the sovereignty of God, helps you pray the unthinkable and attempt the impossible.  ~Mark Batterson

To the Infinite all finites are equal.  ~Mark Batterson

The price of our vitality is the sum of our fears.  ~David Whyte

Half of learning is learning. The other half of learning is unlearning.  ~Mark Batterson

If you study the teachings of Christ you’ll realize that learning wasn’t His primary goal. His primary goal was unlearning. He was reverse engineering religious minds. And those can be the toughest minds to change. That is why two phrases are repeated over and over again in the Sermon on the Mount.  “You have heard that it was said …” “But I tell you …”  ~Mark Batterson

When we read Scripture, we are recruiting new nerve cells and rewiring neuronal connections. In a sense, we are downloading a new operating system that reconfigures the mind. We stop thinking human thoughts and start thinking God thoughts.  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” How do we accomplish that command?  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”  ~Mark Batterson

First John 4:18 describes the end goal of our relationship with God: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” The goal of love is fearlessness.  ~Mark Batterson

Faith is the process of unlearning your irrational fears.  ~Mark Batterson

The only God-ordained fear is the fear of God. And if we fear God, then we don’t have to fear anyone or anything else.  ~Mark Batterson

Unlearning our fear is really a process of learning to trust God more and more.  ~Mark Batterson

The cure for fear of failure is not success. It’s failure. The cure for the fear of rejection is not acceptance. It’s rejection. You’ve got to be exposed to small quantities of whatever you’re afraid of.  That’s how you build up immunity.  ~Mark Batterson

Courage is putting yourself into defenseless positions. Isn’t that what landed Daniel in a lion’s den? Isn’t that what Esther did by defying royal protocol and approaching the king without being summoned? And isn’t that what Jesus did on the cross?  ~Mark Batterson

If you take a second to reflect on your life, you’ll discover that the greatest experiences are often the scariest, and the scariest experiences are often the greatest.  ~Mark Batterson

Too many of us pray as if God primary objective is to keep us from getting scared. But the goal of life is not the elimination of fear. The goal is to muster the moral courage to chase lions.  ~Mark Batterson

The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a Heaven out of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.  ~John Milton

It took a God-ordained opportunity that came as a really well-disguised problem.  ~Mark Batterson

Opportunities often look like insurmountable obstacles. So, if we want to take advantage of these opportunities, we have to learn to see problems in a new way – God’s way. Then our biggest problems may just start looking like our greatest opportunities.  ~Mark Batterson

If we did an honest assessment of our prayer lives, I think we’d be amazed at the percentage of prayers aimed at problem reduction. Most of us pray that God would keep us out of pits with lions on snowy days. We ask God to help us steer clear of large Eqyptain warriors with spears. And if we have to fight a Moabite, we ask God to make sure the numbers are stacked in our favor. But if these problems are just opportunities in disguise, our prayers are totally misdirected.  ~Mark Batterson

Sometimes an unanswered prayer is God, in His sovereign wisdom, sparing us the pain of unintended consequences. Sometimes God allows what His power could prevent. Most of the time that causes us a great deal of temporal angst, but someday we will owe God as many thank-yous for the prayers He did not answer as the ones He did.  ~Mark Batterson

Maybe prayer is less about changing our circumstances than it is changing our perspective. Most of our problems aren’t the by-product of our circumstances but of our perspective on our circumstances. Maybe we need to quit praying safe prayers.  ~Mark Batterson

Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God.  ~Mark Batterson

Reframing problems is about shifting focus. You stop focusing on what’s wrong with your circumstances. And you start focusing on what’s right with God.  ~Mark Batterson

Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what’s right with God. It is like hitting the refresh key on your computer. It restores the joy of your salvation. It recalibrates your spirit. It renews your mind. And it enables you to find something good to praise God about even when everything seems to be going wrong.  ~Mark Batterson

The most important choice you make every day is your attitude. Your internal attitudes are far more important than your external circumstances.  Joy is mind over matter.  ~Mark Batterson

How you feel is a result of what you focus on.  ~Mark Batterson

I think there are basically two types of people in the world: complainers and worshipers. And there isn’t much circumstantial difference between the two. Complainers will always find something to complain about. Worshipers will always find something to praise God about. They simply have different default settings.  ~Mark Batterson

Worship changes the spiritual atmosphere. It charges the spiritual atmosphere. ~Mark Batterson

The circumstances you complain about become chains that imprison you. And worship is the way out. Worship reframes our problems and refocuses our lives. It helps us get through the bad days by reminding us of how good God is.  ~Mark Batterson

Adversity can produce an increased capacity to serve God.  ~Mark Batterson

God is in the business of recycling our pain and using it for someone else’s gain.  ~Mark Batterson

It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him (Philippians 1:29). The word granted comes from the Greek word charizomai, which literally means “to grant a favor.” This sounds ludicrous at first earshot, but it is almost as if God is saying: Listen, I owe you a favor. Let me let you suffer. We tend to see suffering as a necessary evil at best, but Paul calls it a divine favor.  ~Mark Batterson

We should stop asking God to get us out of difficult circumstances and start asking Him what He wants us to get out of those difficult circumstances.  ~Mark Batterson

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways; we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation.  ~Oswald Chambers.

Lion chasers challenge the status quo. They climb cliffs, move to foreign countries, build boats in the desert. Lion chasers are often considered crazy, but they are able to do these things because they aren’t afraid of uncertainty. They don’t need to know what is coming next because they know that God knows. They don’t need explanations for every disappointment because they know God has a plan. Lion chasers refuse to settle down because they want to experience every divine twist and turn that God has in store for them.  ~Mark Batterson

But maybe faith has less to do with gaining knowledge and more to do with causing wonder. Maybe a relationship with God doesn’t simplify our lives. Maybe it complicates our lives in ways that they should be complicated.  ~Mark Batterson

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.  ~Mark Twain

The more you’re willing to risk, the more God can use you. And if you’re willing to risk everything, then there is nothing God can’t do in you and through you.  ~Mark Batterson

In 1960, an MIT meteorologist named Edward Lorenz made an accidental discovery while he was trying to develop a computer program that could simulate and forecast weather conditions. One day he was in a hurry, instead of entering .506127, the number he had used in an earlier trial, he rounded to the nearest thousandth, or .506. Lorenz figured that rounding the number to the nearest thousandth would be inconsequwntial. He left the lab, and when he returned he found a radical change in the weather conditions. Lorenz estimated that the numerical difference between the orginal number and the rounded number was the equivalent of a puff of wind created by a butterfly’s wing. He concluded that a minor event like the flapping of a butterfly’s wing could conceivably alter wing currents sufficiently to eventually change weather conditions thousands of miles away. Lorenz then introduced the scientific community to “the butterfly effect.”

In his book Chaos, James Gleick defines the butterfly effect this way: “Tiny differences in input [can] quickly become overwhelming differences in output.”  ~Mark Batterson

Small changes and small choices become magnified over time and have major consequences. Everything we change changes everything. Too often we fail to connect the dots between choices and consequences. Every choice has a domino effect that can alter our destiny.  ~Mark Batterson

Most God-ordained dreams die because we aren’t willing to do something that seems illogical.  ~Mark Batterson

Good is often the enemy of great. ~Mark Batterson

Sometimes taking a calculated risk means giving up something that is good so you can experience something that is great.  ~Mark Batterson

The goal of faith is not the elimination of risk. In fact, the greatest risk is taking no risks. Isn’t that the principle in the parable of the talents? Jesus commends the two men who take a risk and make a return. But the servant who buries his talent and breaks even is called “wicked.”  ~Mark Batterson

Righteousness is using our God-given gifts to their God-given potential. And that requires risk.  ~Mark Batterson

God never promised that the reward for risk would always be given this side of eternity. But He does promise that every God-ordained risk will be rewarded on the flip side of the space-time continuum.  ~Mark Batterson

In the words of German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Hell begins the day God grants you the vision to see all that you could have done, should have done, and would have done, but did not do.”  ~Mark Batterson

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.  ~George Bernard Shaw

God is in the business of making sure we cross paths with the right people at the right time. The Holy Spirit can open doors that seem to be dead-bolted shut.  ~Mark Batterson

Dreams usually start out as mustard-seed opportunities. In fact, the biggest dreams often start out as the smallest opportunities. The seed is so small you wonder if it can actually grow into anything of significance.  ~Mark Batterson

Many of us fail to seize the small opportunities because we’re looking for the big opportunities. But Scripture says, “Do not despise these small beginnings.”  ~Mark Batterson

Lion chasers don’t look for excuses. They don’t focus on disadvantages. They find a way of making circumstances work in their favor.  ~Mark Batterson

Isn’t it ironic that some people who have so much do so little and others who have so little do so much? Lion chasers don’t let what they can’t do keep them from doing what they can.  ~Mark Batterson

Here is the great irony about opportunities. They usually come disguised as insurmountable problems. They look like five-hundred-pound lions that want to eat you for lunch. Or they look like six hundred Philistines charging at you.  ~Mark Batterson

Psalm 5:3 reveals the way David started every day: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  ~Mark Batterson

One of our greatest spiritual shortcomings is low expectations. We don’t expect much from God because we aren’t asking for much.  ~Mark Batterson

When I’m not in prayer mode, I have good ideas. But when I’m in prayer mode I have God ideas. And I’d rather have one God idea than a thousand good ideas.  ~Mark Batterson

Seizing an opportunity usually feels like swallowing a whale or chasing a lion. But at the end of our lives, we won’t regret the mistakes we made nearly as much as the opportunities we missed. It will be the “what if” questions that haunt us.  ~Mark Batterson

If you wait for perfect conditions before you seize an opportunity, you’ll be waiting till the day you die.  ~Mark Batterson

A dream becomes reality one opportunity at a time. And if you work like it depends on God, there is no telling what God can do in you and through you.  ~Mark Batterson

If you’re going to defy the odds, face your fears, reframe your problems, take a risk, and seize a God-ordained opportunity, you have to be willing to look foolish in the world’s eyes. Because, no matter how it might look, doing God’s will is never foolish.  ~Mark Batterson

Neoteny is more than retaining a youthful appearance, although that is often part of it. Neoteny is the retention of those wonderful qualities that we associate with youth: curiosity, playfulness, eagerness, fearlessness, warmth, energy. Unlike those defeated by time and age, our geezers have remained much like our geeks – open, willing to take risks, hungry for knowledge and experience, courageous, eager to see what the new day brings.  ~Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas.   Neoteny is at the very heart of what the kingdom of God is all about.  Neoteny  “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  ~Jesus Christ

Part of spiritual maturity is caring less and less about what people think about you and more and more about what God thinks about you. Part of taking God more seriously is taking yourself less seriously. The holiest and healthiest people in the world are those who laugh at themselves the most.  ~Mark Batterson

If we had ultrasonic hearing that allowed us to tune in to heaven’s frequency and hear angels singing, the music would literally lift us off our feet.  ~Mark Batterson

It’s not about what we can do for God. It’s about what God has done for us.  ~Mark Batterson

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.  ~John Henry Cardinal Newman

Aging is the process of accumulating evidence of God’s faithfulness, and the cumulative evidence is overwhelming. So the older you get, the more faith you have. Over time, your faith ceiling becomes your faith floor.  ~Mark Batterson

Start your day with a task completed. If you want to change the world … start by making your bed.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Nothing can replace the strength and comfort of one’s faith, but sometimes the simple act of making your bed can give you the lift you need to start your day and provide you the satisfaction to end it right.   ~Admiral William H. McRaven

You can’t do it alone!  If you want to change the world … find someone to help you paddle.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Only the size of your heart matters. If you want to change the world … measure a person by the size of their heart.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Determination and girt are always more important than talent.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Life’s not fair, drive on! If you want to change the world … get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.   ~Admiral William H. McRaven

It is easy to blame your lot in life on some outside force, to stop trying because you believe fate is against you. It is easy to think that where you were raised, how your parents treated you, or what school you went to is all that determines your future. Nothing could be further from the truth. The common people and the great men and women are all defined by how they deal with life’s unfairness: Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Malala Yousafzai, and – Moki Martin.   ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, no matter how good you are, you still up as a sugar cookie. Don’t complain. Don’t blame it on your misfortune. Stand tall, look to the future, and drive on!  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Failure can make you stronger. If you want to change the world … don’t be afraid of The Circus.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

The Circus, which had started as a punishment for failure, was making us stronger, faster, and more confident in the water.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

You will pay for your failures. But, if you persevere, if you let those failures teach you and strengthen you, then you will be prepared to handle life’s toughest moments.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

You must dare greatly. If you want to change the world … slide down the obstacle headfirst.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential. Without pushing your limits, without occasionally sliding down the rope headfirst, without daring greatly, you will never know what is truly possible in your life.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Stand up to the Bullies. If you want to change the world … don’t back down from the sharks.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Courage is a remarkable quality. Nothing and nobody can stand in your way. Without it, others will define your path forward. Without it, you are at the mercy of life’s temptations. Without courage, men will be ruled by tyrants and despots. Without courage, no great society can flourish. Without courage, the bullies of the world rise up. With it, you can accomplish any goal. With it, you can defy and defeat evil.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Rise to the Occasion. If you want to change the world … be your very best in the darkest moments.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Give People Hope.  If you want to change the world … start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

One again, we had learned an important lesson: the power of one person to unite the group, the power of one person to inspire those around him, to give them hope. If that one person could sing while neck deep in mud, then so could we. If that one person could endure the freezing cold, then so could we. If that one person could hold on, then so could we.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Never, Ever Quit! If you want to change the world … don’t ever, ever ring the bell.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

“If you form good habits, good habits will start to form you.” Kirby Smart

Never quit. It doesn’t sound particularly profound, but life constantly puts you in situations where quitting seems so much easier than continuing on. Where the odds are so stacked against you that giving up seems the rational thing to do.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Life is full of difficult times. But someone out there always has it worse than you do. If you fill your days with pity, sorrowful for the way you have been treated, bemoaning your lot in life, blaming your circumstances on someone or something else, then life will be long and hard. If, on the other hand, you refuse to give up on your dreams, stand tall and strong against the odds – then life will be what you make of it – and you can make it great. Never, ever, ring the bell!   ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Remember … start each day with a task completed. Find someone to help you through life. Respect everyone. Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often. But if you take some risks, step up when times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden, and never, ever give up – if you do these things, then you can change your life for the better … and maybe change the world.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made – that you made – and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

You can’t change the world alone – you will need some help – and to truly get from your starting point to your destination takes friends, colleagues, the goodwill of strangers, and a strong coxswain to guide them.  If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Sometimes no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform you still end up as a sugar cookie. It’s just the way life is sometimes.  If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Life is filled with circuses. You will fail. You will fail often. It will be painful. It will be discouraging. At times it will test you to your very core. If you want to change the world, don’t be afraid of the Circuses.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If you want to change the world, sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle headfirst.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

There are a lot of sharks in the world. If you hope to complete the swim you will have to deal with them. If you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Every SEAL knows that under the keel, at the darkest moment of the mission, is the time when you must be calm – composed – when all your tactical skills, your physical power, and all your inner strength must be brought to bear. If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment. ~Admiral William H. McRaven

We knew if one man could rise above the misery, then others could as well.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If I have learned anything in my time traveling the world, it is the power of hope. The power of one person, a Washington, Lincoln, King, Mandela, and even a young girl from Pakistan, Malala. One person can change the world by giving people hope.  If you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

If you want to change the world, don’t ever ring the bell.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often, but if you take some risks, step up when the times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden, and never, ever give up … if you do these things, then the next generation and the generations that follow will live in a world far better than the one we have today.  ~Admiral William H. McRaven

God promises to provide everything we need to honor Him with our lives.

God’s Word is the only sure foundation for life.

Jesus has made true love possible.

Jesus came to usher peace into our lives and our world.

To live forever we must let Jesus live in us now.

The Bible is the only Book whose Author is always present when it is read.

God’s love for us is revealed through Jesus.

Grace and forgiveness are unearned gifts.

Hearts in tune with God sing His praises.

The biggest work a Christian can do is to find his friend and introduce him to Jesus Christ.

The highest form of prayer comes from the depths of a humble heart.

Do what you can with what you have and leave the results to God.

Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator.

Jesus wants us to walk with Him.

God desires unity among believers.

We owed a debt we could not pay, but Jesus paid the debt He did not owe.

God delights to hear from us!

A life for Christ is the best inheritance we can leave our children.

Do everything for the glory of God.

What could be better than working to bring out the best in one another?

God comforts others as we share how He comforted us.

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.  Proverbs 29:7

There are no soloists in God’s orchestra.

No deed is small when done for Christ.

The words we take in determine the words we speak, live by, and pass on to those around us.

All creation bears God’s autograph.

It’s not the words we pray that matter; it’s the condition of our heart.

He is the potter; we are the clay.

We live out our faith through good deeds.

God has given the world extra time to respond to His offer of forgiveness.

Most things worth doing are difficult.

God can purge our hearts of the sin that destroys our intimacy with Him and others.

Living for Christ brings true freedom.

In the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the loving hand of God.

God loved us first so we can love others.

We are good – and we please God  - when our hope and faith are in Christ alone, not in our goodness.

In our faith and service, rest is as important as work.

Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart.

Sin will not ultimately be judged by the way we see it, but by the way God sees it.

The prayer of the feeblest … is a terror to Satan.

God is everywhere, is available every time, and listens always.

The God of the cosmos cares for us intimately.

We can speak to the Lord as a friend.

God uses present circumstances to prepare us for the future.

All Scripture helps us see our need of Jesus.

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like the Son.

God’s forgiveness defies our labels of failure or pride.

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

God gives us the seasons of our lives.

When others see us, may what they see speak well of the Savior.

God is with us in all our struggles.

The secret of true service is absolute faithfulness wherever God places you.

The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world.

As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

God delights in saving His children.

The Christian’s heart is the Holy Spirit’s home.

Monitor your heart daily to avoid wandering from God’s wisdom.

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.

God’s kingdom is alive and active in all generations.

Jesus offers new life.

Brokenness can lead to wholeness.

Jesus loved us by serving.

Jesus is our peace.

Faith-testing times can be faith-strengthening times.

Gracious words are always the right words.

Our intimate moments spent with God can change us and direct us to His love.

Following Jesus is the way to a rich and satisfying life.

Follow Jesus’ example: Reach out to others in need.

Caring for others honors Jesus’s love for us.

God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.

To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.   ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Be grateful to God for even the smallest gift.

When faced with difficult circumstances we can trust God to be our strength.

Be an expression of the love of Jesus.

When fear causes hope to fade, flee to God, the refuge you can reach on your knees.

Fear can paralyze but faith propels us to follow God.

God promises His children a peaceful home in His kingdom.

Spiritual growth occurs when faith is cultivated.

One day our sorrow will be turned to joy!

Our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him.

Each day we need to be still and listen to the Lord.

We can reap what others have sown.

When God forgives, our guilt is gone.

Serve God by serving others.

Pray your way past the urge to do wrong.

Genuine faith is rooted in reason.

God seeks His beloved children.

Only a life given away for love’s sake is worth living.  ~Frederick Buechner

The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us.

The Lord makes us clean.

The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator.

Our troubles can fill our prayers with love and empathy for others.

Who can I encourage to persevere through difficulty today?

Sacrificial offerings motivated by our love for God will always be priceless expressions of worship.

Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.  ~Oswald Chambers

God is making all things new.

God is our greatest help in times of distress.

The ministry of mourning with others helps healing to our hearts.

God is lovingly working toward restoration and joy in and through the pain of our lives.

The clearer we see God, the clearer we see ourselves.

We are Christ’s letters.

God understands the struggles we face.

Our willingness to seek reconciliation with others shows God’s heart to them.

Linger in God’s Word and you’ll find stories of faith.

God gives us the power and the privilege to enjoy the rewards of doing things His way.

God is our Eternal Father.

Put out the fire of anger before it blazes out of control.

The gospel changes people and relationships.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus our Savior as He directs our lives.

When we are His, He is ours, forever. You have made us for yourself, Lord. Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in You.  ~Augustine of Hippo

We need each other to get where God wants us to go.

Daily prayers lessen daily worries.

God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.

Our obedience to God will guide us through the unknown and draw us closer to Him.

God gives us a solid foundation for our lives.

Though we’re far away from those we love, they are never far from God.

Jesus’s sacrifice pays for our spiritual debt.

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

God never leaves the voices of His children unheard.

God can change our doubts into bold statements of faith.

Only God can make us new.

Words of truth spoken in love can guide us all toward maturity in Christ.

There’s no greater privilege than praying with Jesus.

Your next crisis is your next opportunity to trust our unfailing God.

Interruptions can be opportunities to serve.

Our God hovers over us with love.

Leave your heavy burdens with God.

Don’t despair because of evil; God will have the last word.

An offering given in faithful obedience is just right.

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

Spending time with Jesus is a joy!

Call out to God; He is wanting to hear from you.

The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep.

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

Like children, we can learn to rest in the love of God.

Care for creation honors the Creator.

By God’s grace, we can have our best witness in the worst of times.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit leads to right living.

Our sin is great – God’s grace is greater.

The Holy Spirit transforms us through His love and by His grace.

We were created to enjoy God forever.

God is a safe place in life’s storms.

Share Christ’s love with another.

Sibling rivalry is natural. God’s love is supernatural.

When we serve others, we serve Jesus.

Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy our thirst for God.

God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ exceeds all gifts.

Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.

When we follow God, He makes us to flourish.

God’s past faithfulness proves His everlasting dependability.

A commitment to read and follow God’s Word begins a journey of discovering His love and power.

Belonging to Christ is not rehabilitation; it’s re-creation.

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go  ~Matthew 8:19

Always be humble before God and allow Him to be your all in all.

God can do the most with what we think is least.

Hope in the heart puts a smile on the face.

Work for justice; pray for mercy.

When we cannot see God’s hand at work, we can still trust His heart.

God gives us second chances.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  ~Proverbs 16:24

God promises His people a good end to the story.

Simple gestures can bring powerful comfort.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  ~Genesis 1:1

The most treasured gift we can give to God is our love.

Our generosity meets needs and glorifies Jesus.

How deep is the Father’s love for us!

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives is available to each of us today.

Every moment can be lived in God’s presence.

Receive love. Give love. Repeat.

God knows us completely … and loves us just as much.

God masterfully creates each person with uniqueness and purpose.

In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.

Jesus calls us to give our lives in serving Him.

Worship takes the focus off us and places it where it belongs – on God.

Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.

Beneath all our longings is a deep desire for God.

Humility is the result of knowing God and knowing yourself.

God sees everything we do for Him.

God gives us a new start.

God through His love created the world. Praise Him!

Jesus calls us to stand with others as if we were in their place.

Broken people are made whole by God’s love.

God is at work to make us who He intends us to be.

Reminding ourselves about God’s goodness can keep us filled with His peace.

True faith demands not only our words, but also our actions.

God’s Word is a valuable possession and a guide to life.

The gift of God’s love in us can bring light to any darkness.

The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way.  ~Oswald Chambers

We keep unity by being united in Spirit.

We can never praise Jesus too much!

Encouragement may be the greatest gift we give this Christmas.

A friend is one who can tell you the truth in love.

Great expectation on our part honors God.

Never confuse temptation with opportunity.

The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever received!

Choosing to love people well shows the world what God is like.

To see Jesus will be heaven’s greatest joy.

God’s discipline is designed to make us like His Son.

The only permanent covering for sin is the blood of Christ.

The identity of Jesus is the central question of eternity.

 Love conquers all.

Take the joy of Christmas with you every day.

Share the love of Christ.

The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to others.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him – give Him my heart.  ~Christina Rossetti

The joy of Christmas is Jesus.

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

God’s timing is always right – wait patiently for Him.

Go and make disciples of all nations.  ~Matthew 28:19

Christ’s death and resurrection are the measure of God’s love for me.

We are God’s heirs and ambassadors, sharing His love in the world.

When we draw near to God our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed!

There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family.

When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God.

The best gift we can give to God is ourselves.

Things are always better than they seem to be when we remember that God is by our side.

Love your neighbor as yourself. ~Jesus

When God calls, we need to answer.

When we find Christ we offer our worship.

Prayer is the voice of faith, trusting that God knows and cares.

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

Our Creator God makes everything new.

It’s never too soon to be kind.

The growth we gain from waiting on God is often greater than the answer or result we desire.

No part of our lives is hidden from God’s grace and power.

When we cannot see God’s hand, we can trust His heart.

God never sleeps.

Every loss leaves a space that can be filled with God’s presence.

God is the master of turning burdens into blessings.

Only Jesus can give us new life.

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Let others see your testimony as well as hear it.

Give thanks to God, our Creator, who gives us the breath of life.

There is no risk in abandoning ourselves to God.

God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.

God’s will done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

Our life and witness for Jesus Christ are not in vain.

Faith connects our weakness to God’s strength.

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.  ~C.S. Lewis

Unseen heroes are always seen by God.

The reason we exist is to be in fellowship with God.

Christ holds all things together.  ~Colossians 1:17

We cannot change the past, but God is changing us for the future.

Christ gave His life on the tree for our salvation.

We are never out of God’s sight and His loving care.

The Lord who made you wants you to make Him the center of your life.

To know that God sees us gives us comfort and confidence.

By God’s grace we can be thankful in all things.

[God] is the beauty behind all beauty.  ~Steve Dewitt

A focus on the Lord is the beginning of joy.

A friend is the first person who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

The one who died as our substitute now lives as our advocate.

Jesus alone gives the rest we need.

Knowing God is what matters the most.

Jesus gave His all; He deserves our all.

Real doubt searches for the light; unbelief is content with the darkness.

We know how much God loves us because He sent His Son to save us.

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  ~Romans 8:1

Jesus is the restorer of life.

God sees the beginning to the end.

Jesus came to bring us hope in the darkest of circumstances.

We have been saved by grace. Now we enjoy the many blessings that come by grace.

Let’s remember in good times what we have learned in days of trouble.

There’s no better news than the gospel-spread the Word!

Jesus fulfilled the perfect requirements of the law so that we may enjoy the perfect peace of His grace.

Never call it quits in pursuing Jesus.

Our greatest hope comes from trusting God.

Commitment to Christ is a daily calling.

Because of the cross of Christ, we can become friends of God.

Sin’s darkness retreats when Christ’s light is revealed.

Christ has replaced the dark door of death with the shining gate of light.

“Who is Hannah Scott?” asked John. Hannah answers, “I am created by God. He designed me. So I’m not a mistake. His Son died for me just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be His own, so I’m chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me because He loves me. So, I don’t wonder anymore, Coach Harrison. I am a child of God. I just wanted you to know.”

It was one thing to believe God could forgive a sinner. It was another thing to believe that the sinner could live forgiven.

It is our privilege to give everything we have to the One who gave us everything on the cross.

No one understands like Jesus.

When we put our cares into His hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

God looks past our words to our hearts.

When we practice hospitality, we share God’s goodness and gifts.

To show His love, Jesus died for us; to show our love, we live for Him.

God is great, we are small, and that is good.

Christ’s sacrifice of Himself motivates us to sacrifice ourselves for others.

The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness is to admit that we need it.

Hope means the most to those who have lived without it.

God hears our cries for help and leads us in His way.

There are no ordinary people – we were created to be unique.

When we help or hurt one another, Jesus takes it personally.

When worry walks in, strength runs out. But strength returns when we run to God.

If someone has left you a godly inheritance, invest it in others.

We can trust God to handle the things that overwhelm us.

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.  ~Jim Elliot

The best kind of friend is a praying friend.

What will our words be like today?

In our life of faith and service, rest is as important as work.

Though we may be unfaithful to God, He will never turn from us.

Faithfulness to God is true success.

God’s comfort soothes us perfectly.

Seeking the face of God can strengthen our faith.

God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose.

Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.

God’s deep love means we can be real with others.

God’s Spirit lives in His people, in order to work through them.

Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ.

The Lord will never abandon us, especially at the time of our death.

When we accept Jesus’s invitation to follow Him, our whole life changes direction.

God’s answers are wiser than our prayers.

God is always at work on behalf of His people.

Compassion is understanding the troubles of others.

The Spirit of God renews our minds when we meditate on the Word of God.

Dear children, keep yourself from idols. ~1 John 5:21

The One who holds the universe together will not let go of you.

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

God never abandons us.

Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform.

God’s free gift cost Him dearly.

Even on the cross, Jesus forgave those who hurt Him.

Our worship is right when we are right with God.

Because of God’s love, we are never truly alone.

The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God’s love at its best.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice who died to give us life.

He is not here; He has risen! Luke 24:6

Jesus prepares a place for us to live forever.

Join God in taking delight in all that He has made.

We are the aroma of Christ to others.

God can be trusted to guide us.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Our God is big enough to hear the smallest voice.

Spiritual growth is a process.

Praise to God comes naturally when you count your blessings.

In prayer we call on God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”  Ephesians 3:20

No one is too troubled or unclean to be touched by Jesus.

Before you tell others about Christ, let them see how much you care.

Be slow to anger.

Faith is the radar that sees through the fog.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

The true measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure. ~Bernard of Clairvaux

What could be better than getting answers to our why questions? Trusting a good and powerful God.

Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.

God can use our deepest disappointments to nurture our faith in Him.

Forgiving others expresses our trust in God’s right to judge according to His perfection and goodness.

Praising God helps us recall His goodness that never ends.

We can face the reality of our own mortality because we trust in God.

The gospel is too good not to share.

God is with us even when we can’t see Him.

When God gives us a new beginning, we find a joy that’s never ending.

The Holy Spirit fills Jesus’s followers.

A God wise enough to create me and the world I live is wise enough to watch out for me. ~Philip Yancey

A big part of loving is listening.

Faithfulness to God inspires others.

Who can wash away my sin?  Jesus!

Though conversation and demonstration, help prepare children to follow the Lord on the road ahead.

God promises to help us when we are tempted.

God is God alone.

When you blink, remember to thank God for His protection.

The best way to defend Jesus is to live like Him.

Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.

The remedy for jealously is thankfulness to God.

God guides us through the rapids of change.

Drawing close to Christ helps us to live as He designed us.

Death is the last shadow before heaven’s dawn.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.

When we realize the depth of our need for mercy, we can readily offer mercy to others.

Godly sorrow leads to joy.

Jesus’s kingdom is upside down.

When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time.

We wait for God’s promises, believing they will come true.

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

Jesus loves me! This I know.

Faith relies on our Almighty God’s unchanging character, not on our circumstances.

A Christian’s life is the window through which others can see Jesus.

A Christian’s grace-filled actions can smooth someone’s path to the Savior’s presence.

Pastor Gary Inrig says that what we call the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 could well be entitled God’s Hall of Reclaimed Failures. “There is scarcely an induvial in that chapter without a serious blemish in his or her life,” he observes. “But God is in the business of restoring failures. . . . That is a great principle of God’s grace.”

In Jesus, true and lasting transformation is possible.

Our stories of failure can be God’s stories of success.

At Bethlehem, God demonstrated that to love is to give.

Christmas is about God taking extreme measures to reclaim those who were lost.

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.  ~C.S. Lewis.

God became one of us so that we might become one with Him.

God’s love became Incarnate at Bethlehem.

Wise is the person who would rather give honor than receive it.

God provides the strength we need to preserve and grow.

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.  ~Philippians 4:13

God’s grace is immeasurable, His mercy inexhaustible, His peace inexpressible.

Humility toward God will make us gentle toward others.

God secures our hope in His unchanging character.

Home is not so much a place on a map, as it is a place to belong. God gives us that place.

Without Christ there is no hope. ~Charles Spurgeon

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.  ~Romans 15:13

We are children of the King!

Remember to thank God for the ordinary as well as the extraordinary.

Encourage one another and build each other up.  ~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Wonder leads to gratitude.

God is always at work in and through us.

As we look ahead to the new year, let’s remember that God has always been and always will be faithful.

God’s grace offers us fresh starts.

God alone is worthy of our worship.

Knowing the future is uncertain; knowing the One who holds the future is a sure thing.

Through the cross, believers are made perfect in His sight.

God’s gift of grace is priceless.

Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.   ~Augustine

Our greatest debt, caused by sin, is erased by our greater God.

Physical reminders of God’s faithfulness in the past can remind us to trust Him in the present – and with the future.  ~Amy Peterson

God’s love for us empowers us to serve others.

The gospel of truth shines through the brokenness of God’s people.

Our faith may be tested so that we may trust God’s faithfulness.

Though we often change, God never does.

The wonder of it all – just to think the Jesus loves me!

Christ’s love creates unity in the midst of diversity.

God hears us when we pray.

When you think of all that’s good, thank God.

The Maker of the universe is the helper of God’s people.

God’s Word to us reveals His heart toward us.

God can bring times of growth out of our times heartache.

We show God’s love when we are willing to help others; we show His strength when we take on the task, He gives us to do.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  ~Colossians 1:17

In Christ, the hopeless find hope.

A heart in tune with God can’t help but sing His praise.

Carefully chosen words honor God.

God is the giver of joy.

Our faith in Jesus is to be like that of a trusting child.

God is always able and available to help us.

When God forgives, He purifies us too.

Jesus shows that God is always better than our expectations.

Take every opportunity to serve someone.

God has given us the power to have an impact on lives through our words.

We can see and enjoy the glory of God both now and forever.

God speaks through His Word when we take time to listen.

Even at our lowest point, we can lift our eyes to the Lord.

God loves you and me – let’s love each other.

True humility comes from God.

One day God will restore the world to perfect peace.

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is knowing God is with us.

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

God supplies all our needs – one day at a time.

Who can you thank today?

We can trust God to lead us through difficult times.

God will show us how to serve Him wherever we are.

Embracing God’s love for us is the key to loving others.

Eternal life is a free gift ready to be received.

God's care for me eases my mind.

Confidence in God enables us to live out our faith patiently.

Human power is inadequate to accomplish God's purpose.

God alone can meet our deepest needs and give us soul-deep satisfaction.

Let us be bold as we witness for God.

When we believe that God is good, we can learn to open our hands to others.

When God is our home, our hope is in Him.

God is always near in spite of our fears.

Although we cannot anticipate the trials of life, we can pray to our Father who fully understands what we face.

God's mercy prompts us to be merciful.

God invites us to participate with Him in taking the gospel to our world.

The Lord Himself is our strong foundation in life.

Fearless giving to God and others reveals our trust in the Lord's promises and provision.

The Lord releases us from fear.

Amazing grace! ... I once was lost, but now am found.  ~John Newton

Worry won't break us when we trust the Giver of all good things.

Access to God's throne is always open.

God's love is meant to be shared.

Anchor your heart in God.

My life helps paint my neighbor's picture of God.

Faith shines brightest in a childlike heart.

At death, God's people don't say, "goodbye," but "we'll see you later."

To avoid the mistakes of youth, draw from the wisdom of age.

God's words are the ones that matter most.

Rest on the Rock.

Loyalty is the test of true love.

God is our cause for joy in the midst of despair.

We run together in the race of faith.

Prayer is a gift to be shared.

Jesus takes us as we are and makes us what we should be.

In the faces of nature there are wonders that never cease.

Compassion is understanding the troubles of others and reaching out.

The Bible help us see ourselves as we really are, and also helps us see how much God loves us.

Thanksgiving is a virtue that grows through practice.

Every season brings a reason to rejoice.

When we call out to God, He hears.

Sharing and living out our faith is the best way to leave a legacy.

Trusting God's faithfulness can dispel our fearfulness.

We are called to live out God's Word as we teach and encourage others.

We honor God's name when we live like His children.

We don't need to wait to enjoy a rich life in God's kingdom.

God deserves the glory for the growth of His people and His kingdom.

Look at the cross and worship.

Because of love, Jesus humbled Himself and washed His disciples' feet.

Christ's sacrifice was what God desired and what our sin required.

The crown of thorns has become a crown of life.

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  ~Revelation 19:6

Giving quietly and generously reflects God's generosity.

God is good.

God's provisions are always greater than our problems.

God's counsel is trustworthy and wise.

God's kindness meets our deepest need.

Live so that others will want to know Jesus.

When we suffer for Jesus, He comes to walk us through it.

Living for the Lord leaves a lasting legacy.

The name of Jesus is the powerful prayer that leads us into His mighty presence.

In times of pain and loss, the timeless God is our greatest comfort.

The glory of life is to love, not to be loved; to give, not to get; to serve, not to be served.

Lord, please give peace to those who are persecuted or in pain. Your family is my family too.

We are in this together (God’s Family).

No danger can come so near that God is not nearer still.

Lord, You have done great things in my life. Even if my voice isn’t one that would be heard on stage, I want to join the choir in thanking You for the amazing things You’ve done.

God loves to hear the voices of His children.

Lord, thank you for each moment You give us. May we strive to honor You with this gift by using our time wisely for Your honor and glory.

Don’t just spend time – invest it.

Dear Lord, thank You that I do not have to face the storms in this life without You. Your calming presence and power carrying me through whatever I face,

We can experience God’s powerful presence even in the storms of our lives.

Lord, we take great comfort knowing You don’t show favoritism based on where we’re from. Our heritage is found in You. Thank You for adopting us into Your family.

Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.  ~Matthew 19:30

Lord God, You give the peace that passes all understanding, which is a gift I don’t want to take for granted. Thank You!

The way we treat others reveals what we believe and value. When we choose to do good instead of harm, our actions might just prompt them to wonder about the God we know and love. ~Kirsten Holmberg

God’s peace helps us not to hurry.

Father, as we receive Your love and forgiveness, may we also extend it to others in Your name.

God’s love for us is undeserved yet unchanging.

Dear God, help me to keep the promises I’ve made to You. I will follow You anywhere.

You don’t need to know where you’re going if you know God is leading.

Loving Lord, I praise You for the wonder of Your creation. Help me to reflect Your compassion by taking care of what You have made.

God attends to our every need.

Dear Lord, please give us Your peace at all times and in every situation.

To trust in Jesus is peace.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your loving presence. Help us to make the most of our waiting through trust in and service for You.

Father, we are so inclined to forget who we are, where we’ve come from, and that we belong to You. Help us to remember that in Christ we are Your children – known, loved, gifted, and cared for – now and forever.

When we forget who we are, our Father cares.

Father, thank You for Your patience when I trust in my own resources and turn to You only as a last resort. Teach me to seek Your help before I do anything at all.

We may face situations beyond our reserves, but never beyond God’s resources.

Lord, thank You for the riches of Your wisdom that guide our steps today.

God offers the true riches of wisdom to all who seek and follow Him.

Lord, thanks for affirming we can depend on You completely as we share You cheerfully, confidently, and courageously.

Knowing our power-size personally gives us confidence in our role as servants to the King.

Father, through Your Spirit, empower us to courageously love, honor, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking to Jesus can give us courage to face the challenges in our lives.

Lord God, through the death of Your Son, You have given us life forever. Help me to share this gift of grace with someone today.

Jesus redeems us from the slavery of sin.

Please bring light to my darkness. Open my eyes to see You at work and to trust You. I’m grateful that You are faithful, Father.

God can be trusted in the light and in the dark.

Loving Lord, thank You for Your compassion for me, proven at the cross. Please help me to obey and love You today.

God longs for us to long for Him.

Lord, I admit I quickly become frustrated with the way things appear. Help me to see the way You do.

God gives us the right perspective.

We are created in the image of God who is loving and relational.

God, thank You for Your overflowing, self-giving love.

Lord God, thank You for giving us the Bible, which is a wellspring for life. Help us to read and digest it today.

Surround yourself with God’s Word.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your many promises to us in Your Word. And thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit who gives discernment.

We have a promise-keeping God.

How would You like to use me, Lord? I am open and willing.

Each person is a unique expression of God’s loving design.

Lord, help me to follow You wherever You lead.

We are not called to be comfortable.

Lord, please guard my heart and my words today. May I speak only words that please You and bring health and healing to others.

When words become weapons, our relationships soon become casualties.

Lord, today we lift our eyes from the circumstances that discourage us to see You in Your splendor and find peace.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Lord, thanks for giving us rest in the peace of Your constant presence and assuring us of the victory You’ve already won.

God offers us peace as He holds us up and carries us through every trial.

How have others taken time for you? How might you show Jesus’s love to someone this week?

The best gift you can give to others may be your time.

Dear Father, help me to choose to invest my life in things that are eternal.

Our real wealth is what we invest for eternity.

Teach us to discern Your voice, Lord!

God is always trustworthy.

Lord Jesus Christ, You equip me to do Your works for Your glory. Open my eyes today, that I might understand how You are calling me to follow You.

God works in and through His followers.

Lord, I’m so thankful I don’t have to be in charge of my own life. Help me rest in You.

True freedom is found in following Christ.

Lord, thank You for the world You made and for the blessings on my life. Fill my heart with gratitude and put words in my mouth to acknowledge and appreciate You.

For all eternity, God’s love endures forever.

Lord, spills happen in life. But when they do, help us to be so full of Your Spirit that what pours out of us is the kind of hope that others can’t help but notice and be blessed.

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like the Son.

God’s forgiveness defies our labels of failure or pride.

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

God gives us the seasons of our lives.

When others see us, may what they see speak well of the Savior.

God is with us in all our struggles.

The secret of true service is absolute faithfulness wherever God places you.

The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world.

As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

God delights in saving His children.

The Christian’s heart is the Holy Spirit’s home.

Monitor your heart daily to avoid wandering from God’s wisdom.

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.

God’s kingdom is alive and active in all generations.

Jesus offers new life.

Brokenness can lead to wholeness.

Jesus loved us by serving.

Jesus is our peace.

Faith-testing times can be faith-strengthening times.

Gracious words are always the right words.

Our intimate moments spent with God can change us and direct us to His love.

Following Jesus is the way to a rich and satisfying life.

Follow Jesus’ example: Reach out to others in need.

Follow Jesus’ example: Reach out to others in need.

Caring for others honors Jesus’s love for us.

God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.

To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.   ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Be grateful to God for even the smallest gift.

When faced with difficult circumstances we can trust God to be our strength.

Be an expression of the love of Jesus.

When fear causes hope to fade, flee to God, the refuge you can reach on your knees.

Fear can paralyze but faith propels us to follow God.

God promises His children a peaceful home in His kingdom.

Spiritual growth occurs when faith is cultivated.

One day our sorrow will be turned to joy!

Our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him.

Each day we need to be still and listen to the Lord.

We can reap what others have sown.

When God forgives, our guilt is gone.

Serve God by serving others.

Pray your way past the urge to do wrong.

God seeks His beloved children.

Only a life given away for love’s sake is worth living.  ~Frederick Buechner

The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us.

The Lord makes us clean.

The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator.

Our troubles can fill our prayers with love and empathy for others.

Who can I encourage to persevere through difficulty today?

Sacrificial offerings motivated by our love for God will always be priceless expressions of worship.

Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.  ~Oswald Chambers

God is making all things new.

God is our greatest help in times of distress.

The ministry of mourning with others helps healing to our hearts.

God is lovingly working toward restoration and joy in and through the pain of our lives.

The clearer we see God, the clearer we see ourselves.

We are Christ’s letters.

God understands the struggles we face.

Our willingness to seek reconciliation with others shows God’s heart to them.

Linger in God’s Word and you’ll find stories of faith.

God gives us the power and the privilege to enjoy the rewards of doing things His way.

God is our Eternal Father.

Put out the fire of anger before it blazes out of control.

The gospel changes people and relationships.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus our Savior as He directs our lives.

When we are His, He is ours, forever. You have made us for yourself, Lord. Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in You.  ~Augustine of Hippo

We need each other to get where God wants us to go.

Daily prayers lessen daily worries.

God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.

Our obedience to God will guide us through the unknown and draw us closer to Him.

God gives us a solid foundation for our lives.

Though we’re far away from those we love, they are never far from God.

Jesus’s sacrifice pays for our spiritual debt.

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

God never leaves the voices of His children unheard.

God can change our doubts into bold statements of faith.

Only God can make us new.

I'm reading a short book by Charles Swindoll, "Finding GOD when the World's on Fire."  Here a few gold nuggets from the book:

David's refuge was in the Lord. A refuge is a place of hiding - a place of secure protection. The term "chasah" in the ancient Hebrew. A chasah is a protective enclosure that provides safety from that which would otherwise consume everything in its path. It's an impenetrable firewall of protection from danger and distress - from anxiety and fear. David makes it clear that the Lord is his chasah. He is our chasah too. Take time to read Ps. 11 and Ps. 46 today!

Words of truth spoken in love can guide us all toward maturity in Christ.

There’s no greater privilege than praying with Jesus.

Your next crisis is your next opportunity to trust our unfailing God.

Interruptions can be opportunities to serve.

Our God hovers over us with love.

Leave your heavy burdens with God.

Don’t despair because of evil; God will have the last word.

An offering given in faithful obedience is just right.

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

Spending time with Jesus is a joy!

Call out to God; He is wanting to hear from you.

The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep.

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

Like children, we can learn to rest in the love of God.

Care for creation honors the Creator.

By God’s grace, we can have our best witness in the worst of times.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit leads to right living.

Our sin is great – God’s grace is greater.

The Holy Spirit transforms us through His love and by His grace.

We were created to enjoy God forever.

God is a safe place in life’s storms.

Share Christ’s love with another.

Sibling rivalry is natural. God’s love is supernatural.

When we serve others, we serve Jesus.

Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy our thirst for God.

God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ exceeds all gifts.

Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.

When we follow God, He makes us to flourish.

God’s past faithfulness proves His everlasting dependability.

A commitment to read and follow God’s Word begins a journey of discovering His love and power.

Belonging to Christ is not rehabilitation; it’s re-creation.

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.  ~Matthew 8:19

Always be humble before God and allow Him to be your all in all.

God can do the most with what we think is least.

Hope in the heart puts a smile on the face.

Work for justice; pray for mercy.

When we cannot see God’s hand at work, we can still trust His heart.

God gives us second chances.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  ~Proverbs 16:24

God promises His people a good end to the story.

Simple gestures can bring powerful comfort.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  ~Genesis 1:1

The most treasured gift we can give to God is our love.

Our generosity meets needs and glorifies Jesus.

How deep is the Father’s love for us!

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives is available to each of us today.

Every moment can be lived in God’s presence.

Receive love. Give love. Repeat.

God knows us completely … and loves us just as much.

God masterfully creates each person with uniqueness and purpose.

In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.

Jesus calls us to give our lives in serving Him.

Worship takes the focus off us and places it where it belongs – on God.

Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.

Beneath all our longings is a deep desire for God.

Humility is the result of knowing God and knowing yourself.

God sees everything we do for Him.

God gives us a new start.

God through His love created the world. Praise Him!

Jesus calls us to stand with others as if we were in their place.

You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.

Broken people are made whole by God’s love.

God is at work to make us who He intends us to be.

Reminding ourselves about God’s goodness can keep us filled with His peace.

True faith demands not only our words, but also our actions.

God’s Word is a valuable possession and a guide to life.

The gift of God’s love in us can bring light to any darkness.

The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way.  ~Oswald Chambers

We keep unity by being united in Spirit.

We can never praise Jesus too much!

Sometimes encouragement may be the greatest gift we can give.

A friend is one who can tell you the truth in love.

Great expectation on our part honors God.

Never confuse temptation with opportunity.

The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever received!

Choosing to love people well shows the world what God is like.

To see Jesus will be heaven’s greatest joy.

God’s discipline is designed to make us like His Son.

The only permanent covering for sin is the blood of Christ.

The identity of Jesus is the central question of eternity.

 Love conquers all.

Take the joy of Christmas with you every day.

Share the love of Christ.

The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to others.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him – give Him my heart.  ~Christina Rossetti

The joy of Christmas is Jesus.

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

God’s timing is always right – wait patiently for Him.

Go and make disciples of all nations.  ~Matthew 28:19

Christ’s death and resurrection are the measure of God’s love for me.

We are God’s heirs and ambassadors, sharing His love in the world.

When we draw near to God our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed!

There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family.

When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God.

The best gift we can give to God is ourselves.

Dear Lord, we love You! Please give us unwavering faith – and strength and hope for each day – no matter the circumstances.

God is able.

Jesus, thank You for dying for us and uniting us as one people – the church.

The Holy Spirit turns “us” and “them” into “we.”

Father, You have so graciously forgiven us. Help us today to forgive others who have wronged us.

Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you.

Dear God, how we need Your rescue today!

Jesus’s death on the cross rescued us from sin.

Lord, please give me the strength and boldness to talk to others about You.

Speak of the matchless love of Christ to those who need to hear.

Lord, You are my friend when I feel alone. Thank you for being with me in the dark caves of life.

God is our friend in seasons of loneliness.

God, thank You for placing us in communities. Help me to look out for other’s needs and to show hospitality.

To whom do I need to be “God with skin” today?

Lord, we thank you for those who serve their communities as First Responders. We humbly ask You for their safety.

We honor the Creator when we honor the memory of His creatures.

Father, in the midst of troubles, help me to focus on Your promises.

Focus on God and regain perspective.

Abba, Father, thank You that I can come to You without fear of having to get my words just right. Help me to keep company with You today.

God’s love is beyond words.

Jesus, we again stand in awe at Your sacrifice. We kneel in Your presence and with gratitude acknowledge what You did for us on the cross. Thank You for making it possible to have fellowship with the Father forever.

The cross reveals God’s heart for the lost.

What we believe prepares the way for how we behave.

Remind us always, Lord to love children as You love them, even as we come to You with the trusting faith of a small child.

Our earthly families may fail us, but our heavenly Father never will.

God, sometimes my suffering seems too much to bear. Help me to trust You and continue to walk with You on this journey.

We can trust the Lord to be our strength in tough times.

Never forget in the light what you learn in the darkness.

Father, help those who are hurting today so they may see and know Your loving presence in their darkest hours.

Loving Creator of the universe, thank You for being mindful of us.

The greatness of God is evident in His awesome vastness and intimate nearness. 

Lord, thank You for teaching me not to discriminate among people. Help me to see people through Your eyes so that I may honor You.

Jesus breaks down the walls of discrimination.

We must recognize our weakness to experience God’s strength. 

Faithful Father, thank You for Your love that never changes! Help me to love You by serving You faithfully today.

In our changing world, we can always depend on our unchanging God.

Dear God, You know what’s on my mind today. Help me to experience the peace that comes from sharing my concerns with You.

Distractions don’t have to derail our prayers.

Heavenly Father, thank You for leading Your people in triumph and spreading the fragrance of Your truth through us.

Who smells like Christ to you?

Father, thank You for Your constant care for our souls.

Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. ~Edward Mote 

Father in heaven, thank You for calling us by name and surrounding us with Your love, today and forever.

God knows our names and He holds us fast in His love.

God, help me to use my time well and to fill my mind with what is pure.

What we let into our minds shapes the state of our souls.

Thank You, Father, for proving salvation through Your Son, Jesus.

Jesus’ name is also His mission – to seek and to save that which was lost.

Father, I long to know You more. Only You can satisfy my deepest desires.

Only God can satisfy our spiritual hunger.

God, thank You for leaving us Your inspired Word. Help us to read it carefully, interpret it correctly, and apply it enthusiastically in our lives.

God’s Word is the only sure foundation for life.

Jesus has made true love possible.

Jesus came to usher peace into our lives and our world.

To live forever we must let Jesus live in us now.

The Bible is the only Book whose Author is always present when it is read.

God’s love for us is revealed through Jesus.

Grace and forgiveness are unearned gifts.

Hearts in tune with God sing His praises.

The biggest work a Christian can do is to find his friend and introduce him to Jesus Christ.

The highest form of prayer comes from the depths of a humble heart.

Do what you can with what you have and leave the results to God.

Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator.

Jesus wants us to walk with Him.

God desires unity among believers.

We owed a debt we could not pay, but Jesus paid the debt He did not owe.

God delights to hear from us!

A life for Christ is the best inheritance we can leave our children.

Do everything for the glory of God.

What could be better than working to bring out the best in one another?

God comforts others as we share how He comforted us.

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.  Proverbs 29:7

There are no soloists in God’s orchestra.

No deed is small when done for Christ.

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.  ~C.S. Lewis

There is more power in a mother’s hand than in a king’s scepter.  ~Billy Graham

All the things that ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of Heaven. Tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear . . . If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world . . . Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.  ~C.S. Lewis

Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting on the rat to die.  ~Anne Lamott

When you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free . . . yourself!  ~ Greg Laurie

The words we take in determine the words we speak, live by, and pass on to those around us.

All creation bears God’s autograph.

It’s not the words we pray that matter; it’s the condition of our heart.

He is the potter; we are the clay.

We live out our faith through good deeds.

God has given the world extra time to respond to His offer of forgiveness.

Most things worth doing are difficult.

God can purge our hearts of the sin that destroys our intimacy with Him and others.

Living for Christ brings true freedom. 

In the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the loving hand of God.

God loved us first so we can love others.

We are good – and we please God - when our hope and faith are in Christ alone, not in our goodness.

In our faith and service, rest is as important as work.

Praise is the overflow of a joyful heart.

Sin will not ultimately be judged by the way we see it, but by the way God sees it.

The prayer of the feeblest … is a terror to Satan.

God is everywhere, is available every time, and listens always.

The God of the cosmos cares for us intimately.

We can speak to the Lord as a friend.

God uses present circumstances to prepare us for the future.

All Scripture helps us see our need of Jesus.

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like the Son.

God’s forgiveness defies our labels of failure or pride.

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

God gives us the seasons of our lives.

When others see us, may what they see speak well of the Savior.

God is with us in all our struggles.

The secret of true service is absolute faithfulness wherever God places you.

The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world.

As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

God delights in saving His children.

The Christian’s heart is the Holy Spirit’s home.

Monitor your heart daily to avoid wandering from God’s wisdom.

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.

God’s kingdom is alive and active in all generations.

Jesus offers new life.

Brokenness can lead to wholeness.

Jesus loved us by serving.

Jesus is our peace.

Faith-testing times can be faith-strengthening times.

Gracious words are always the right words.

Our intimate moments spent with God can change us and direct us to His love.

Following Jesus is the way to a rich and satisfying life.

Follow Jesus’ example: Reach out to others in need.

Caring for others honors Jesus’s love for us.

God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross.

To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.   ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Be grateful to God for even the smallest gift.

When faced with difficult circumstances we can trust God to be our strength.

Be an expression of the love of Jesus.

When fear causes hope to fade, flee to God, the refuge you can reach on your knees.

Fear can paralyze but faith propels us to follow God.

God promises His children a peaceful home in His kingdom.

Spiritual growth occurs when faith is cultivated.

One day our sorrow will be turned to joy!

Our surprising God often shows His presence when we least expect Him.

Each day we need to be still and listen to the Lord.

We can reap what others have sown.

When God forgives, our guilt is gone.

Serve God by serving others.

Pray your way past the urge to do wrong.

God seeks His beloved children.

Only a life given away for love’s sake is worth living.  ~Frederick Buechner

The fruit of the Spirit changes us so we can impact the lives of those around us.

The Lord makes us clean.

The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator.

Our troubles can fill our prayers with love and empathy for others.

Who can I encourage to persevere through difficulty today?

Sacrificial offerings motivated by our love for God will always be priceless expressions of worship.

Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.  ~Oswald Chambers

God is making all things new.

God is our greatest help in times of distress.

The ministry of mourning with others helps healing to our hearts.

God is lovingly working toward restoration and joy in and through the pain of our lives.

The clearer we see God, the clearer we see ourselves.

We are Christ’s letters.

God understands the struggles we face.

Our willingness to seek reconciliation with others shows God’s heart to them.

Linger in God’s Word and you’ll find stories of faith.

God gives us the power and the privilege to enjoy the rewards of doing things His way.

God is our Eternal Father.

Put out the fire of anger before it blazes out of control.

The gospel changes people and relationships.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus our Savior as He directs our lives.

When we are His, He is ours, forever. You have made us for yourself, Lord. Our hearts are restless until they can find rest in You.  ~Augustine of Hippo

We need each other to get where God wants us to go.

Daily prayers lessen daily worries.

God uses suffering to strengthen our faith.

Our obedience to God will guide us through the unknown and draw us closer to Him.

God gives us a solid foundation for our lives.

Though we’re far away from those we love, they are never far from God.

Jesus’s sacrifice pays for our spiritual debt.

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

God never leaves the voices of His children unheard.

God can change our doubts into bold statements of faith.

Only God can make us new.

I'm reading a short book by Charles Swindoll, "Finding GOD when the World's on Fire."  Here a few gold nuggets from the book:

 

David's refuge was in the Lord. A refuge is a place of hiding - a place of secure protection. The term "chasah" in the ancient Hebrew. A chasah is a protective enclosure that provides safety from that which would otherwise consume everything in its path. It's an impenetrable firewall of protection from danger and distress - from anxiety and fear. David makes it clear that the Lord is his chasah. He is our chasah too. Take time to read Ps. 11 and Ps. 46 today!

Words of truth spoken in love can guide us all toward maturity in Christ.

There’s no greater privilege than praying with Jesus.

Your next crisis is your next opportunity to trust our unfailing God.

Interruptions can be opportunities to serve.

Our God hovers over us with love.

Don’t despair because of evil; God will have the last word.

An offering given in faithful obedience is just right.

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

Spending time with Jesus is a joy!

Call out to God; He is wanting to hear from you.

The Good Shepherd cares for His sheep.

No one can steal your identity in Christ.

Like children, we can learn to rest in the love of God.

Care for creation honors the Creator.

By God’s grace, we can have our best witness in the worst of times.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit leads to right living.

Our sin is great – God’s grace is greater.

The Holy Spirit transforms us through His love and by His grace.

We were created to enjoy God forever.

God is a safe place in life’s storms.

Share Christ’s love with another.

Sibling rivalry is natural. God’s love is supernatural.

When we serve others, we serve Jesus.

Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy our thirst for God.

God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ exceeds all gifts.

Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.

When we follow God, He makes us to flourish.

God’s past faithfulness proves His everlasting dependability.

A commitment to read and follow God’s Word begins a journey of discovering His love and power.

Belonging to Christ is not rehabilitation; it’s re-creation.

Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.  ~Matthew 8:19

Always be humble before God and allow Him to be your all in all.

God can do the most with what we think is least.

Hope in the heart puts a smile on the face.

Work for justice; pray for mercy.

When we cannot see God’s hand at work, we can still trust His heart.

God gives us second chances.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  ~Proverbs 16:24

God promises His people a good end to the story.

Simple gestures can bring powerful comfort.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  ~Genesis 1:1

The most treasured gift we can give to God is our love.

Our generosity meets needs and glorifies Jesus.

How deep is the Father’s love for us!

God’s gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives is available to each of us today.

Every moment can be lived in God’s presence.

Receive love. Give love. Repeat.

God knows us completely … and loves us just as much.

God masterfully creates each person with uniqueness and purpose.

In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.

Jesus calls us to give our lives in serving Him.

Worship takes the focus off us and places it where it belongs – on God.

Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.

Beneath all our longings is a deep desire for God.

Humility is the result of knowing God and knowing yourself.

God sees everything we do for Him.

God gives us a new start.

God through His love created the world. Praise Him!

Jesus calls us to stand with others as if we were in their place.

You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.

Broken people are made whole by God’s love.

God is at work to make us who He intends us to be.

Reminding ourselves about God’s goodness can keep us filled with His peace.

True faith demands not only our words, but also our actions.

God’s Word is a valuable possession and a guide to life.

The gift of God’s love in us can bring light to any darkness.

The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way.  ~Oswald Chambers

We keep unity by being united in Spirit.

We can never praise Jesus too much!

Encouragement may be the greatest gift we give this Christmas.

A friend is one who can tell you the truth in love.

Great expectation on our part honors God.

Never confuse temptation with opportunity.

The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever received!

Choosing to love people well shows the world what God is like.

To see Jesus will be heaven’s greatest joy.

God’s discipline is designed to make us like His Son.

The only permanent covering for sin is the blood of Christ.

The identity of Jesus is the central question of eternity.

 Love conquers all.

Take the joy of Christmas with you every day.

Share the love of Christ.

The best Christmas gift is Jesus bringing peace and forgiveness to others.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him – give Him my heart.  ~Christina Rossetti

The joy of Christmas is Jesus.

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

God’s timing is always right – wait patiently for Him.

Go and make disciples of all nations.  ~Matthew 28:19

Christ’s death and resurrection are the measure of God’s love for me.

We are God’s heirs and ambassadors, sharing His love in the world.

When we draw near to God our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed!

There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family.

When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God.

The best gift we can give to God is ourselves.

Things are always better than they seem to be when we remember that God is by our side.

Love your neighbor as yourself. ~Jesus

When God calls, we need to answer.

When we find Christ we offer our worship.

Prayer is the voice of faith, trusting that God knows and cares.

Prayer is the place where burdens change shoulders.

Our Creator God makes everything new.

It’s never too soon to be kind.

The growth we gain from waiting on God is often greater than the answer or result we desire.

No part of our lives is hidden from God’s grace and power.

When we cannot see God’s hand, we can trust His heart.

God never sleeps.

Every loss leaves a space that can be filled with God’s presence.

God is the master of turning burdens into blessings.

Only Jesus can give us new life.

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Let others see your testimony as well as hear it.

Give thanks to God, our Creator, who gives us the breath of life.

There is no risk in abandoning ourselves to God.

God’s will done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

Our life and witness for Jesus Christ are not in vain.

Faith connects our weakness to God’s strength.

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.  ~C.S. Lewis

Unseen heroes are always seen by God.

The reason we exist is to be in fellowship with God.

Christ holds all things together.  ~Colossians 1:17

We cannot change the past, but God is changing us for the future.

Christ gave His life on the tree for our salvation.

We are never out of God’s sight and His loving care.

The Lord who made you wants you to make Him the center of your life.

To know that God sees us gives us comfort and confidence.

To know that God sees us gives us comfort and confidence.

By God’s grace we can be thankful in all things.

[God] is the beauty behind all beauty.  ~Steve Dewitt

A focus on the Lord is the beginning of joy.

A friend is the first person who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

The one who died as our substitute now lives as our advocate.

Jesus alone gives the rest we need.

Knowing God is what matters the most.

Jesus gave His all; He deserves our all.

Real doubt searches for the light; unbelief is content with the darkness.

We know how much God loves us because He sent His Son to save us.

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  ~Romans 8:1

Jesus is the restorer of life.

God sees the beginning to the end.

Jesus came to bring us hope in the darkest of circumstances.

We have been saved by grace. Now we enjoy the many blessings that come by grace.

Let’s remember in good times what we have learned in days of trouble.

There’s no better news than the gospel-spread the Word!

Jesus fulfilled the perfect requirements of the law so that we may enjoy the perfect peace of His grace.

Never call it quits in pursuing Jesus.

Our greatest hope comes from trusting God.

Commitment to Christ is a daily calling.

Because of the cross of Christ, we can become friends of God.

Sin’s darkness retreats when Christ’s light is revealed.

Christ has replaced the dark door of death with the shining gate of light.

“Who is Hannah Scott?” asked John. Hannah answers, “I am created by God. He designed me. So I’m not a mistake. His Son died for me just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be His own, so I’m chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me because He loves me. So, I don’t wonder anymore, Coach Harrison. I am a child of God. I just wanted you to know.” ~Overcomer Movie

It was one thing to believe God could forgive a sinner. It was another thing to believe that the sinner could live forgiven.

It is our privilege to give everything we have to the One who gave us everything on the cross.

No one understands like Jesus.

When we put our cares into His hands, He puts His peace into our hearts.

God looks past our words to our hearts.

When we practice hospitality, we share God’s goodness and gifts.

To show His love, Jesus died for us; to show our love, we live for Him.

God is great, we are small, and that is good.

Christ’s sacrifice of Himself motivates us to sacrifice ourselves for others.

The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness is to admit that we need it.

Hope means the most to those who have lived without it.

God hears our cries for help and leads us in His way.

There are no ordinary people – we were created to be unique.

When we help or hurt one another, Jesus takes it personally.

When worry walks in, strength runs out. But strength returns when we run to God.

If someone has left you a godly inheritance, invest it in others.

We can trust God to handle the things that overwhelm us.

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.  ~Jim Elliot

The best kind of friend is a praying friend.

What will our words be like today?

In our life of faith and service, rest is as important as work.

Though we may be unfaithful to God, He will never turn from us.

Faithfulness to God is true success.

God’s comfort soothes us perfectly.

Seeking the face of God can strengthen our faith.

God may conceal the purpose of His ways, but His ways are not without purpose.

Be slow to judge others but quick to judge yourself.

God’s deep love means we can be real with others.

God’s Spirit lives in His people, in order to work through them.

Trials and tests can draw us closer to Christ. 

The Lord will never abandon us, especially at the time of our death.

When we accept Jesus’s invitation to follow Him, our whole life changes direction.

God’s answers are wiser than our prayers.

God is always at work on behalf of His people.

Compassion is understanding the troubles of others.

The Spirit of God renews our minds when we meditate on the Word of God.

Dear children, keep yourself from idols. ~1 John 5:21

The One who holds the universe together will not let go of you.

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

God never abandons us.

Many books can inform, but only the Bible can transform.

God’s free gift cost Him dearly.

Even on the cross, Jesus forgave those who hurt Him.

Our worship is right when we are right with God.

Because of God’s love, we are never truly alone.

The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God’s love at its best.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice who died to give us life.

Jesus prepares a place for us to live forever.

He is not here; He has risen! Luke 24:6

Join God in taking delight in all that He has made.

We are the aroma of Christ to others.

God can be trusted to guide us.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Our God is big enough to hear the smallest voice.

Spiritual growth is a process.

Praise to God comes naturally when you count your blessings.

In prayer we call on God “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”  Ephesians 3:20

No one is too troubled or unclean to be touched by Jesus.

Before you tell others about Christ, let them see how much you care.

Be slow to anger.

Faith is the radar that sees through the fog.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

The true measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure. ~Bernard of Clairvaux

What could be better than getting answers to our why questions? Trusting a good and powerful God.

Prayer is an acknowledgment of our need for God.

God can use our deepest disappointments to nurture our faith in Him.

Forgiving others expresses our trust in God’s right to judge according to His perfection and goodness.

Praising God helps us recall His goodness that never ends.

We can face the reality of our own mortality because we trust in God.

The gospel is too good not to share.

God is with us even when we can’t see Him.

When God gives us a new beginning, we find a joy that’s never ending.

The Holy Spirit fills Jesus’s followers.

A God wise enough to create me and the world I live is wise enough to watch out for me. ~Philip Yancey

A big part of loving is listening.

Faithfulness to God inspires others.

Who can wash away my sin?  Jesus!

Though conversation and demonstration, help prepare children to follow the Lord on the road ahead.

God promises to help us when we are tempted.

God is God alone.

When you blink, remember to thank God for His protection.

The best way to defend Jesus is to live like Him.

Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.

The remedy for jealously is thankfulness to God.

God guides us through the rapids of change.

Drawing close to Christ helps us to live as He designed us.

Death is the last shadow before heaven’s dawn.

The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self.

When we realize the depth of our need for mercy, we can readily offer mercy to others.

Godly sorrow leads to joy.

Jesus’s kingdom is upside down.

When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time.

We wait for God’s promises, believing they will come true.

The good news of Jesus’s birth is a source of joy for all people.

Lord, thank You for reminding us You hear every prayer.

Calling on Jesus as our loving Savior and Lord is the right way to pray.

Thank You for those who shared Your love with me, Father. Please help me to point others to Your salvation today.

When we share our faith, we share the greatest treasure of all.

Lord God, how vast is Your love for me! You keep me ever before You. I know You’ll never leave me, and I’m grateful.

The Lord engraves us on the palms of His hand.

Father, You have permitted this season in my life. Help me to be content in the midst of it, and to recognize Your power and might are at work.

God brings beauty from all seasons.

I’m grateful, God, for the love You pour on me. Please bring me contentment in You and confidence in what You are doing in me.

Hope is the anchor of the soul.

Father in heaven, please help us to find courage in Your whisper – and in the ways of Your Son. Have mercy on us for not seeing beyond Your power to a love we’ve barely begun to know.

God won’t shout if we only need a whisper.

May we be eager to offer encouragement to help support others, especially as they face difficult circumstances.

The encouragement of a friend can make all the difference.

Father, we praise You for placing us in Your spiritual family. Help us to learn and grow through the wise words and godly behavior of mature believers.

Wisdom grows when we listen to the words of mature believers.

Father, You’ve promised to guide us through the ups and downs and decisions we face in life. Help us to trust and follow You, and to actively listen for Your guiding voice.

What is “the message of the cross”? Jesus, an innocent man, willingly suffered crucifixion for crimes He didn’t commit to pay the price for our sins – and then rose again. All who turn to Him in sorrow for their wrongdoings will live eternally with Him. That’s the “power of God!” ~Alyson Kieda

God patiently directs us as we trust Him and listen for His voice.

Dear Father, help me express my love to You in beautiful ways.

May our lives display the beauty of God.

Father, we tend to look at what others “deserve” forget we need Your love just as much. Help us live in Your love and to tell others about it.

Our love has limits; God’s love is limitless.

Dear God, thank You for the encouragement we receive from Your Word. Help us to persevere in doing good.

We can leave the results of our lives in God’s hands.

Teach me, O God, to put You first in everything I do. Show me how to take delight in You, that my heart will be transformed to be like Yours.

Do your decisions please God?

Jesus, You desire that no one would go hungry. Open our eyes to the ways we can help those in need. May we share Your love, for Your glory.

God cares for the vulnerable.

Thank You, Jesus, for the unity all believers can enjoy in You. Help us to serve together as equal members of Your body.

Unity in Christ breaks down barriers and builds the church.

Lord, thank You for showing us what it means to love. Help us to love like You.

When we love Christ, we love others.

Father, we give You our thanks for rescuing us and making us right with You. We humbly ask for Your Spirit’s guidance as we serve You today.

True freedom isn’t the right to do as one pleases, but the liberty to do as one should for God. We follow in Jesus’ footsteps when we use our freedom to choose building others up instead of serving ourselves. ~Poh Fang Chia

God rescues us because He loves us; then He equips us to share His love with others.

Lord, I am needy, I want to share my heart with You now. Help me to humbly receive the help of others also.

God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. ~1 Peter 5:5

What might a “courageous stand” involve? It may be working against injustice or intervening on behalf of someone you know who is vulnerable or victimized. Whatever form the conflict may take, we can have courage – our God has already provided what we need to stand for Him and against evil.  ~Bill Crowder

God enables us to stand for Him.

Lord, I’ve failed You again. Please forgive me again. Change me. Turn me around. Teach me to follow Your ways.

God has both an all-seeing eye and all-forgiving heart.

Dear God, may Your light shine out of the very cracks of our beings as we hold out the Word of life to others.

Jesus brings light into our life.

Lord, open our hearts to all people who enter our lives – showing them Christlike love and godly hospitality. Help us to make everyone we meet feel the warm welcome of Jesus’ love.

When we practice hospitality, we share God’s goodness.

Father, help us to embrace Your tender love and “hear” the songs You sing.

Our heavenly Father delights in His children like a parent singing to a newborn baby.

Thank You, Lord for understanding my language and innermost longings. When my prayers are weak and dry, bear me up through Your Spirit.

When we feel weak in our prayers, God’s Spirit helps us in ways we can’t imagine.

God, strengthen our faith in You so that when we face trials, or even approach death, we can sing with confidence about Your love.

How sweet is the sound of God’s amazing grace!

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky. ~F.M. Lehman

Let your life tell the story of Christ’s love and grace.

Father, in a world where we are sometimes threatened, we are comforted because of Your gracious care for us – in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heat makes all things to expand, and the warmth of love will always expand a man’s heart.  ~ Chrysostom

The good news is that God cares for us!

Lord, sometimes our guilt and shame can feel so heavy. Help us to release our past and its pain to You and experience Your peace, knowing You have carried it all and have set us free.

Jesus carried the burden of our sin so He could give us the blessing of life.

God’s world teaches us about Him.

Since God cares for birds (Matthew 6:26; 10:29), we can be assured He loves and cares for you and me, even when we don’t understand our circumstances. Look around and learn of Him. ~Alyson Kieda

Abba, Father, I praise You for carrying me through life. Please give me faith to trust that You are always with me.

God carries us to new places of grace as we trust in Him.

Healer and Redeemer, thank You for holding us and healing us with Your endless love. Help us find in Your love the courage to follow You and share Your love with those around us.

God’s love and beauty make us brave.

Father, Your Holy Spirit reminds us to pray first. Today, we commit to doing so as Your Spirit prompts us.

Make prayer a first priority, instead of a last resort.

JOY defined – the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s situation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God.  ~ Angela Thomas

As a husband, you have to be the frame. The wife is the art. ~Mark Ballas

I want my beliefs to shape how I live instead of letting how I live shape what I believe. ~Candace Cameron Bure

The painting “Consider the Lillies” by Makoto Fujimura as a simple, monochromatic painting featuring a lily seemingly hiding in the background. However, the painting came alive when I learned it was actually painted with more than eighty layers of finely crushed minerals in a style of Japanese art know as Nihonga, a style Fujimura calls “slow art.” Looking closely reveals layers of complexity and beauty. Fujimura explains that he sees the gospel echoed in the technique of making “beauty through brokenness,” just as Jesus’ suffering brought the world wholeness and hope. God loves to take aspects of our lives where we’ve been crushed and broken and create something new and beautiful. ~Lisa M. Samra

There are two kinds of debts in life. There is the debt that one incurs with credit cards, mortgages, and loans. It is a debt that will eventually be paid off over time; it’s a personal responsibility to make good on your word and return the money you borrowed. The other kind of debt is one of gratitude. It is a gratefulness and recognition that allows you to thank someone who has done something selfless to help you. Gratitude is that appreciation and acknowledgement that you show anyone for something that they have done to help you. This is the kind of debt that is not repayable over time. It is not a liability; there is no balance due or money owed; you can only chip away at a debt of gratitude over your lifetime. Even when that person is gone, you can still pay it forward by helping others. ~David A. Bossert

Instead of fitting Jesus’ purpose into my life; I should be pursuing His purpose for my life. ~Candace Cameron Bure

Getting honest with ourselves does not make us unacceptable to God. It does not distance us from God but draws us to Him – as nothing else can – and opens us anew to the flow of grace. While Jesus calls each of us to a more perfect life, we cannot achieve it on our own. To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace. It is only through grace that any of us could dare to hope that we could become more like Christ. ~Brennan Manning

Dumbledore says, “Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. . . . To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin.” Isn’t that beautiful? Love changes those we extend our love to. Love matters, always.  ~Kara Tippetts

End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. ~J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Return of the King”

Showing up isn’t easy at times. But maybe that’s why there’s such value to be found in it. I’ve learned real beauty lies in the good that comes out of the hard. While walking through suffering with a friend or loved one can hurt in the bigger ways, it also brings the greatest blessings. It changes people. Showing up can be the greatest gift ever given or received. It’s not about you! ~Jill Lynn Buteyn

We might not feel qualified to show up. I know I never have and probably never will. But God uses those of us who aren’t qualified so that He’s glorified. ~Jill Lynn Buteyn

When we bring the focus back to God, He once again makes this journey about Him and not us, and we’re blessed in the process. ~Jill Lynn Buteyn

I feel too young to be in this battle, but maybe I’m not in a battle at all. Maybe I’m on a journey, and the journey is more beautiful than any of us can comprehend. And if we did understand, we would hold very loosely to one another because I’m going to be with Jesus. There is grace that will seep into all the cracks and pained places when we don’t understand. In the places we don’t understand we get to seek. And how lovely is one seeking truth. Stunning.  ~Kara Tippetts

Father, I can’t imagine the pain Your Son endured to wash away my sin. Thank you for sending Him for me, to be pierced for my sins that I might have a relationship with You.

Jesus allowed Himself to be pierced – by a sword, by nails, by a crown of thorns – to bring us spiritual peace with God.

Lord, all that I have is from You. Help me to always use what You’ve given me to help others.

God provides for His people through His people.

Father, thank You for loving me as I am, and for making me perfect through Your Son’s sacrifice. Teach me to submit to Your daily renewal.

Christians are not perfect, but we’re loved.

Lord, thanks for eliminating our shame and insecurities as You use us to serve You, no matter what our life looked like before You saved us.

God accepts us as we are, and changes us as we serve Him in love.

Dear Father, thank You for putting Your truth into my heart and life. Help me to bear up under the challenges I face with Your power. May others see Your work in my life and come to know You too.

God’s power is at work within us.

Lord, as we go through this day, give us eyes to see the narrow road that leads to life and the courage to follow it.

Choose to walk the road of life with Jesus.

Dear Jesus, Your victory over death gives me hope! I praise You as the resurrected One who died so that I could have eternal life.

The grip of the grave is no match for the power of God.

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. ~C.S. Lewis

Whether we live in a combat zone or dwell in a serene neighborhood with nary a whisper of war, Christ invites us into His peace.  ~Tim Gustafson

Father, Your Son has impacted Your world like nothing else. I’m grateful He has come for my rescue and will come again to restore Your world.

Celebrate the gift of Jesus!

Dear Father, You created us in Your image, and we rejoice that we can share Your love and life. Help us to see the opportunities to give to others today.

We’ve been created to share God’s love through giving His gifts.

I want to be “all in” for You, Father. I trust in Your unfailing love and give myself to You as Your servant today.

God always deserves our commitment and praise.

Grateful praise satisfies us and pleases God.

Trusting God’s goodness and faithfulness can help us get a good grip on gratitude. Today we can thank Him for the countless ways He cares for us. ~Xochitl Dixon

Father, please enable us to be patient and kind with those who don’t agree with us about anything or everything.

We can agree to disagree – in love.

Lord, fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that things will turn out right in Your way, in Your time.

The world hopes for the best, but the Lord offers the best hope. ~John Wesley

Our world suffers not only from physical needs but also from spiritual brokenness. Jesus came to meet that need and challenged His followers to join Him in this work. He prayed that the Father would raise up workers to respond to the needs all around us – people who struggle with loneliness, sin, and illness. May the Father give us a heart for others that mirrors His heart. In the strength of His Spirit, we can express His compassionate concern to those who are suffering. ~Bill Crowder

In a world filled with heartache, we can model the compassion of Jesus. 

Lord God, You are powerful and You are good. Please protect my relationship with You, keeping out anything that would take my eyes off You.

God can guard our relationship with Him.

Father in heaven, please open our eyes to people and hearts who are more like us than we are inclined to believe. Help us to see our own need of You.

Everyone everywhere is more like us than less like us.

Lord, with the psalmist we pray for the honor of Your Name. Show yourself strong and compassionate. Rise up and defend Your cause.

God will defend His name.

I worship You God, as the true source of wisdom. Please show me how to make choices that bring honor to Your name.

Need wisdom? Seek it from the Source who alone can provide it – God.

Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your beloved Son to save us, even though it must have broken Your heart to do so. In our times of joy or pain, thank You for Your Spirit holding and carrying us.

Our loving heavenly Father promises He is always present with us, even in our darkest moments.

Dear Father, thank You for forgiving us when we come to You in sorrow over our sins. Help us to receive Your forgiveness and to extend it to others.

Christ sets us free to forgive.

Father, thank You for forgiving me and allowing me to experience a restored relationship with You. Help me to seek reconciliation in my broken relationships and deeper connections with others close to me even as I await the healing that will come in Your presence.

In God’s power and love, draw closer to others while there’s time.

We can model Christ’s love by doing what we can to serve others.  

As believers in Jesus, it’s our privilege to show love and demonstrate concern for others through acts of kindness. Even if we don’t think we have much to offer, we can adopt the attitude of servanthood. We can actively seek opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives by simply doing what we can.  ~Xochitl  Dixon

When the journey seems long and dreary, dear Lord, help me to remember the You are traveling with me.

There’s no need to fear where you’re going when Jesus is going with you.

Make of me, Father, a willing servant in times of weakness and times of strength.

Sacrifices offered to God are opportunities to showcase His love.

Loving Lord, thank You for the grace You give us to obey You, and the peace You give us as we stay near.

What God requires He also inspires.

Members of God’s flock are in need of tender care and direction. How blessed we are to have a Shepherd who is always leading us to green pastures!  ~Amy Peterson

Am I listening for the voice of my Shepherd?

Jesus, thank You for the hope You offer. Thank You for never discouraging us. Help us imitate You by encouraging each other today.

Encouragement is water to the soul.

The body of Christ can both reflect and project God’s love, the love we so desperately need, to both each other and to our world. May both efforts, empowered by His Spirit, be a part of cutting through the distractions that hinder us from seeing the wonder of God’s love in Jesus.  ~Bill Crowder

To a world living in the fog of distraction, we bring the light of the good news of Jesus.

Thank You, dear God, for being who You are – the Almighty God who loves us and welcomes our love in return. Thank You for everything that makes You magnificent. We stand in awe of You as we praise You with word and song.

There are countless reasons to thank God, including who He is!

Lord Jesus, thank You for the personal way You reached out to care for hurting people. Help me to follow Your example and extend compassion in my actions.

Caring for others may include a compassionate touch.

As we seek to follow God, wherever He places us, we may face opposition along the way. That’s when we need to keep following Him. He will guide us and carry us through.  ~Leslie Koh

Remain strong, for God’s eye is on you.

Dear God, please help me know when to lovingly confront others.

Sometimes following God means difficult conversations.

Lord, sometimes we feel as though we’re on the wrong side of a particular situation. We know You are everywhere. Help us see You.

God is at work in the mess. That’s the message of the Bible. ~ Matt Chandler

Has God put someone on your heart and mind for whom you can pray? Then do it!

God hears the prayers of His people.

Lord, help me see what You’ve given me, even if it doesn’t seem like much by the world’s standards. Help me to give generously.

God loves wholehearted giving of any measure.

Lord, thank You for the assurance that we’re always under Your watchful care.

God didn't remove the Red Sea. He parted it. God doesn't always remove your problems, but He will always make a way to get through them.

Our heavenly Father is ever near.

Dear God, thank You for the ongoing support available through the Holy Spirit. Help me to rely on Your Spirit when I need help.

When it is a question of God’s almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.”

Are you facing something that exceeds your own strength and ability? You can depend on the Spirit’s constant help. God’s Spirit working in you will bring Him the glory He deserves.  ~Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Father, help me to live in such a way that Your name will be honored wherever I go. 

Our lives speak louder than our words.

Our everyday lives at home, in our work environment, or at school make an impact on others when we let God work in us. We’re surrounded by people who are watching the way we speak and behave. Let’s depend on God and have Him rule our actions and thoughts. Then we’ll influence those who don’t believe, and this may lead some of them to turn in faith to Jesus.  ~Keila Ochoa

When we acknowledge God, we remember His presence in both the successes and sorrows, whether big or small, of our lives.  ~Lisa Samra 

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times I am prone to forget You. Help me to acknowledge Your presence in my life.

God is always present and at work.

Father, we celebrate Your gracious and lavish forgiveness. Thank You for the peace and freedom it brings us as we enjoy a family relationship with You.

Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and nothing I can do to make God love me less.  ~Philip Yancey

No one is in hell because God sends them there, but rather hell is locked from the inside. C.S. Lewis writes in his book, The Great Divide, “There are only two kinds of people in the end, those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, Thy will be done.’”  Hell exists not because of some divine desire for torment but because of God’s insistence on free will.  ~John Lindell

Faith always looks beyond the problem to the promise, and beyond the promise to the person. ~John Lindell

What a privilege to be sons and daughters of the King!

God, help us to hear and obey the words of Jesus!

What are you building your life around?

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my life. Help me to be Your faithful servant.

Our lives are better off in God’s hands than in our own.

When we listen to the words of Jesus and obey them, we're building our lives on a steady, rock-solid foundation. Maybe our lives can look a little like Fallingwater, beautiful and built to last on the Rock. ~Amy Peterson

We don’t know what even the next second brings, but God is graciously able to use any situation for good. May God give us grace to walk with Him expectantly into His appointments for us today. ~James Banks

My gratitude to God is great to Him.

“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now!” ~Elisabeth Elliot

There are three ways to ultimate success:

The first way is to be kind.

The second way is to be kind.

The third way is to be kind.  ~Fred Rogers

It’s You I Like: It’s not the things you wear or the way you do your hair/But it’s you I like/The way you are right now, the way down deep inside you/Not the things that hide you.  ~Fred Rogers

You don’t set out to be rich and famous; you set out to be helpful. ~Fred Rogers

Human kindness will always make life better. ~Maxwell King

It always helps to have people we love beside us when we have to do difficult things in life. ~Fred Rogers

Nothing can replace the influence of unconditional love in the life of a child . . . Children love to belong, they long to belong. ~Fred Rogers

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what essential is invisible to the eye. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have, but what we do with our blessings. Some people have many blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away. ~Fred Rogers

A study of more than twelve thousand adults in the United States and Germany revealed that the character strengths of love, hope, curiosity, zest, and (particularly) gratitude were linked to high life satisfaction.  ~ Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

West point cadets are taught to choose “the harder right” over “the easier wrong.” For Bidger and his fellow POWs, moral courage – standing up for what is right even when it may cause you harm – enabled them to persevere and endure. These values came from their upbringing, the spiritual beliefs, and from values of honor and integrity inculcated in them from their military training and culture. There focus was on others, not themselves. It is difficult to imagine the resolve it took to sustain this focus for the long months and years of captivity.  ~ Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Daily, moral courage makes a tremendous impact on the quality of our lives. The actions of the student who stands up against bullies in school may not make the headlines or the history books, but is essential nonetheless, as the foundation of a civil society. ~ Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

My hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.  ~Mike Krzyzewski

Attitudes aren’t taught, they’re caught. If the teacher has an attitude of enthusiasm for the subject, the student catches that whether the student is in second grade or is in graduate school. If you show them what you love, they’ll get it and they’ll want to get it.  ~Margaret McFarland  

All our lives, we rework the things from our childhood, like feeling good about ourselves, managing our angry feelings, being able to say good-bye to people we love. ~Fred Rogers

You’ve made this day a special day, by just you being you. There’s no person in the whole world like you, and I like you, just the way you are. ~Fred Rogers

What do you do with the mad that you feel/When you feel so mad you could bite/When the whole wide world seems of so wrong, and nothing you do seems very right/What do you do/Do you punch a bag/Do you pound some clay or some dough/Do you round up friends for a game of tag or see how fast you can go/It’s great to be able to stop when you’ve planned the thing that’s wrong/And be able to do something else instead – and think this song/ I can stop, when I want to/Can stop when I wish/ Can stop, stop, stop anytime/And what a good feeling to feel like this/And know that the feeling is really mine/Know that there’s something deep inside that helps us become what we can/For a girl can be someday a lady, and a boy can be someday a man.  ~Fred Rogers

There is a poem he [Fred Rogers] liked called “Be the Best of What You Are.” If you’re a janitor, be the best janitor – or whoever you are. Whatever you do, do it the best way you know how.  ~Maxwell King

Hedda Sharapan recalls the seminal program in the week about Mistakes: “Daniel sings to Betty (Lady Aberlin), ‘Sometimes I wonder if I’m a mistake. I’m not supposed to be scared, am I. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I shake, wondering, isn’t it true that the strong never break? I’m not like anyone else I know.’ We wept in the studio and the whole place broke out into applause.”  ~Maxwell King

You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are.  ~Fred Rogers

Our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is – that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside which is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness, and to provide ways of developing its expression.  ~Fred Rogers

People long to be in touch with honesty. ~Fred Rogers

I think of discipline as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline.  ~Fred Rogers

Arsenio Hall ask Fred Rogers how to cope with the violence some kids experience in LA neighborhoods. Fred Rogers quoted his mother, Nancy McFeely Rogers, with advice he would repeat on several occasions on national trauma: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”  ~Maxwell King

Naww, I’m afraid it don’t work that way. You can’t let a young’un decide for himself. He’ll grab at the first flashy thing with shiny ribbons on it. Then when he finds out there’s a hook on it, it’s too late. Wrong ideas come packaged with so much glitter, it’s hard to convince ‘em that other things might be better in the long run. All a parent can do is say. “Wait, trust me.” And try to keep temptation away. ~Andy Taylor

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking promotes profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.  ~Lao-Tzu

From years of leadership experience, we assert that trust is the most important element of effective leadership.  ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Three factors central to trust in their leaders are the three C’s of trust: competence, character, and caring. ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Another factor critical to trust is communication – it may be thought of as the fourth C. Effective communication is a prerequisite for building and sustaining trust. And it is not one-directional. Lasting and rewarding relationships of all types depend on regular and honest communication.  ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Culture does not change because we desire to change it. Culture changes when the organization is transformed; the culture reflects the realities of people working together every day. ~ Frances Hesselbein, Former CEO of the Girls Scouts of the USA

A true measure of character is not that the crisis appeared, but how the leader and the organization react to it. ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

High-character organizations promote and sustain positive individual character. ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Nothing is more important than not compromising your integrity to the people who trust and depend on you.  ~Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson

Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character. ~Heracleitus

That which does not kill us only makes us stronger.  ~Friedrich Nietzsche

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  ~Benjamin Franklin

Competing at the highest level is not about winning. It’s about preparation, courage, understanding and nurturing people, and heart. Winning is the result.  ~ Joe Torre 

Strengths of the heart make life worth living. You can be the grittest person and most courageous person in your organization, but without kindness and the capacity to love, you will not meet your full potential. Strengths of the heart give you an edge in the workplace, but even more important, they allow you to have fulfilling and meaningful relationships with family members, coworkers, and friends. ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the everyday things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon.  ~Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

Fred Rogers weight and part of his email address was 143 and it was a reference to the . . . letters it took to say I love you. One, I. Four, love. Three, you.  ~Maxwell King

Fred saw the basic human values: integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness, and compassion, and of course his signature value, kindness.  ~Maxwell King

When I was a boy, I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power; but the longer I live the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen. Real strength has to do with helping others.  ~Fred Rogers

The white spaces between words are more important than the text, because they give you time to think about what you’ve read. ~Fred Rogers

All his [Fred Rogers] career, he emphasized the importance of listening; he felt that silence is a gift, as is what he called “graceful receiving.” ~Maxwell King

One of the major goals of education must be to help students discover a greater awareness of their own unique selves, in order to increase their feeling of personal worth, responsibility, and freedom.  ~Fred Rogers

You know, it may be that our planet, Earth, is the only spot in the entire Universe which can sustain human life. Of all the worlds, we may be the only one where there has ever been – or ever will be – people! That’s sort of like someone saying to you that there is only one square inch of soil on this Earth that can grow anything – and that square inch happens to be in your own back yard. You look at that soil of yours with infinitely greater appreciation when you become aware how rare and valuable it is.  ~Fred Roger

Shared joy is doubled and sorrow shared is halved. Sharing has a healing impact.  ~An old proverb

Here is my secret. It’s quite simple: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery, “The Little Prince”

The words “thank you” are probably the greatest words in any language. ~ Fred Rogers

There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story. ~Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, director, Monasteries of the Heart

Demonstrating and communicating with empathy is the healthy relational glue that helps us stick together and cooperative relationships. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong with the fearful, the true mixed in with the façade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way. ~Fred Rogers

It’s not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls; it is the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of our lives, from which we make our choices, is very good stuff. There is a neighborhood song that is meant for the in each of us. “It’s You I Like.”  ~Fred Rogers 

It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself
It's you.
It's you I like.  ~Fred Rogers

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you!
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor? ~Fred Rogers

People are just as wonderful as sunsets if I can let them be. . . . When I look at a sunset, as I did the other evening, I don’t find myself saying, “Soften the orange a bit on the right-hand corner. . . .” I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds. ~Carl Rogers

We typically don’t accept influence from people who don’t accept us. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

Love is at the root of everything. All learning. All parenting. All relationships. Love or the lack of it. ~Fred Rogers

Self-acceptance is a prerequisite for other-acceptance. We must start there. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

Gratitude is incredibly good for our health and relationships. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression. ~Fred Rogers

Like bodies of water change the lands they run through over time, we are shaped and impacted by those who love us.  ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

What is most significant in your interpersonal history is not the events but how you talk about them. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

Many have said, “We need a Mr. Rogers in our world today.” I believe that if you can’t find a Mr. Rogers, you can certainly be one. Internalize his message and be a healing, calming presence. I fail miserably, but  I’m trying.  ~comment on YouTube video “Remembering Mr. Rogers,” a video with Charlie Rose, televised in 1994

7 Secrets to bring out the best in yourself and others from America’s Beloved Neighbor (Mr. Rogers) ~”The Mr. Rogers Effect” by Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley:

Secret 1: Listen First – Listen with more than your ears!
Secret 2: Validate Feelings – Feelings are mentionable and manageable!
Secret 3: Pause and Think – Take time to discover what is inside!
Secret 4: Show Gratitude – Be kind and be thankful!
Secret 5: Develop Empathy – Be with people where they are!
Secret 6: Practice Acceptance – Who you are right now is acceptable!
Secret 7: Establish Security – People need to know they are cared for!

It helps to be loved in order to work in this life. ~Fred Rogers

We speak with more than our mouths. We listen with more than our ears. ~Fred Rogers

Being heard feels so similar to being loved that for many people the distinction goes unnoticed. ~ Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

People have said, “Don’t cry” to other people for years and years, and all it has ever meant is “I’m too uncomfortable when you show your feelings: Don’t cry.” I’d rather have them say, “Go ahead and cry. I’m here to be with you.” ~Fred Rogers

If we make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health. ~Dr. Anita Knight Kuhnley

He [Fred Rogers] pointed to a photo on the wall, showing Roger’s favorite sign at Rollins College, “Life is for Service” . . . ~Maxwell King

Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right thing. You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous. For the truth's sake, to hazard reputation and affection is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow right manfully in your Mater's steps, for He has traversed this rough way before you. ~Charles Spurgeon

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily,
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver’s hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.  ~Anonymous

Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know, by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown. ~Corrie Ten Boom

What I spent, I had; what I saved, I lost; what I gave, I have.  ~ Henry Ward Beecher

. . . the deepest darkness is outshone by the light of Jesus.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

God does not fill with His Holy Spirit those who believe in the fullness of the Spirit, or those who desire Him, but those who obey Him.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Down in the human heart, crush’d by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.  ~Franny J. Crosby

Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Someone once asked my opinion of the missionaries in a certain country. My answer was, “They have given all, but they have not taken all. They have given homeland, time, money, luxury, and more; but they have not taken all of the boundless resources of God’s promises.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Our fight is not against a physical army, a political party, an atheistic organization – or anything like that. Our fight is against organizations and powers that are spiritual. ~Corrie Ten Boom

You see, you never touch so much the ocean of God’s love as when you love your enemies.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

O love of God, how deep and great, Far deeper than man’s deepest hate. ~Corrie Ten Boom

I would much rather be the trusting child of a rich Father, than a beggar at the door of worldly men. ~Corrie Ten Boom

The valley of the shadow of death holds no darkness for the child of God. There must be light, else there could be no shadow. Jesus is the Light. He has overcome death.  ~Dwight Moody

To travel through the desert with others, to suffer thirst, to find a spring, to drink of it, and not tell the others that they may be spared is exactly the same as enjoying Christ and not telling others about Him.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Then I picked up my Bible and said, “It is the same with this Book. If you try to analyze it as a book of science or even a book of theology, you cannot be nourished by it. Like chocolate, it is to be eaten and enjoyed, not picked apart bit by bit.” ~Corrie Ten Boom

“When I was a little girl,” I said, “I want to my father and said, “Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.” “Tell me,” Father said, “when you take a train trip from Haarlem to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? “That is right,” my father said, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our wise Father in heaven knows when you are going to need things too. Today you do not need the strength to be a martyr; but as soon as you are called upon for the honor of facing death for Jesus, He will supply the strength you need – just in time.”  ~Corrie Ten Boom

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar.
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore,
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.  ~Sanford Fillmore Bennett

“You are not called to convince anyone,” he said. “You are simply called to be an open channel for the Spirit of God to flow through. You can never be anything else, even though you may think so at times. Follow the pathway of obedience, let the Word of God do its own work, and you will be used by God far beyond your own powers.”  ~Corrie Ten Boom

Happiness is not dependent on happenings, but on relationship in the happenings.  ~Corrie Ten Boom

God does not take away from us. He might ask us to turn our backs on something, or someone, we should not have. God never takes away, however; God gives. If I reach out and take someone for myself and the Lord steps in between, that does not mean God takes. Rather it means He is protecting us from someone we should not have because He has a far greater purpose for our lives. ~Corrie Ten Boom

When she enters the beautiful city
And the saved all around her appear,
Many people around will tell her:
It was you that invited me here.  ~Author Unknown

For some reason, Americans seemed to have a need to surround themselves with noise all the time. [Isn’t this true? Even during prayer time in our churches often we have background music playing.]  ~ KP Yohannan

They [western churches] usually took an offering and presented me with a check for what seemed like a great amount of money. Then with their usual hospitality, they invited me to eat with the leaders following the meeting. To my horror, the food and “fellowship” frequently cost more money than the money they had just given to missions. And I was amazed to find that American families routinely eat enough meat at one meal to feed an Asian family for a week. No one ever seemed to notice this but me, and slowly I realized they just had not heard the meaning of my message. They were simply incapable of understanding the enormous needs overseas.  ~ KP Yohannan

The $74 million spent on one new building in the United States could build nearly 7,000 average-sized churches in India. The same $74 million would be enough to guarantee that the Good News of Jesus Christ could be proclaimed to a whole Indian state – or even some of the smaller countries of Asia.  ~ KP Yohannan

There is such an emphasis on church buildings in the United States that we sometimes forget that the Church is the people – not the place where people meet.

Religion, I discovered, is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Entering churches, I was astonished at the carpeting, furnishings, air-conditioning and ornamentation. Many churches have gymnasiums and fellowships that cater to a busy schedule of activities having little or nothing to do with Christ. The orchestras, choirs, “special” music – and sometimes even the preaching – seemed to me more like entertainment than worship.  ~ KP Yohannan

Social concern is a natural fruit of the Gospel. But to put it first is to put the cart before the horse; and from experience, we have seen it fail in India for more than 200 years. It was an attempt to exclusively concentrate on people’s obvious needs.  ~ KP Yohannan

God changes the heart and spirit, the physical changes also. If you want to meet the needs of the poor in this world, there is no better place to start than by preaching the Gospel. If has done more to lift up the downtrodden, the hungry and the needy than all the social programs ever imagined by secular humanists.  ~ KP Yohannan

 However, this does not mean that we must not be involved in compassion-type ministries that reach out to the poor, needy and hurting people all around us.  ~ KP Yohannan

In Matthew 22:38-40, Jesus clearly marked the Christian’s social responsibility when He said that loving God is the first and greatest commandment and “the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” All the Law and Prophets are summed up in both – loving God and loving others. It was not one or the other – but again both, for the glory of God.  ~ KP Yohannan

C.S. Lewis, that great British defender of the faith, wrote, “There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this [hell]. I would pay any price to be able to say truthfully, ‘All will be saved.’” But Lewis, like us, realized that was neither truthful nor within his power to change.  ~ KP Yohannan

"But Joseph came to realize that God is able to use even offensive and intentionally evil acts to accomplish His purpose. Why would Joseph seek revenge or maintain animosity toward tools that God used to bring about good? With this awareness, he was free to forgive his brothers. When Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), He recognized that behind those wicked hands was the hand of God, accomplishing the most glorious event in history (Acts 2:23-24). Walking in righteousness keeps us alert to the fact that God is at work in everything, even the things we tend to find offensive. This then enables us to forgive those who hurt and offend us. God will deal with those people. In the meantime, He will use their negative actions to produce His best through us". ~Joseph Stowell

"Comfort and steadiness is what we crave, but overstaying our welcome in one place can rob us of the work God intends to do in us at the next one. In His wise and sovereign way, He often includes seasons of unsettledness where He transfers us out of the comfort and complacency of familiarity and moves us into a new place and position. It's a necessary part of His process". God says, "I deposited you into one season, with its own unique set of joys, challenges, people, and problems, and I'm going to let you sit there a while....pressing you, sifting you, purifying you. Then at the right time, when the work that needs to happen there is done, I'll unsettle you - sometimes in a way that feels forcible, sudden, and very painful. I'll strategically pour you into a new place and space - with new people, with new circumstances, with new life dynamics - knowing this new environment will be the most suitable for whatever I want to reshape in you next". ~Priscilla Shirer

He’s an “I don’t care how far you have run, just come home” kind of God!

If God didn’t forgive sinners, heaven would be empty.

A true legacy . . . is conceived in wisdom, nurtured by principle, and sustained by character. ~ David Green

The questions we ask at the end of life are the ones we should begin with. ~ David Green

Generosity and legacy happen only when we return everything to the rightful owner [God]. ~ David Green

Wealth can be a hindrance if it’s seen as something you own rather than steward. ~ David Green

I sensed God saying to me, “This company [Hobby Lobby] belongs to me. Don’t you touch it. It’s mine.” ~ David Green

I knew who controlled my fate no matter what those justices decided. And peace reigned. (This was when his company was being judge by The Supreme Court over the health issue). ~ David Green

Choose the eternal in the everyday mundane. ~ David Green

Honoring the people in your life, respecting them, doing what’s right, acting with integrity. This is true virtue, and it begins with people. ~ David Green

Valuing the eternal means putting people first. ~ David Green

The first thing that will help your children is to show them a marriage they want to emulate. ~ David Green

Whether it is in your marriage, your parenting, or your work ethic, integrity always wins. ~ David Green

The greatest blessings are the ones that can never be lost. ~ David Green

Having money does not equal being blessed. Money can actually be a curse if it is not handled the right way. ~ David Green

Blessing carries a purpose that goes beyond ourselves, and even beyond this lifetime. ~ David Green

Beyond Christ, everything else is just frosting. ~ David Green

Every journey requires a destination. ~ David Green

Generosity can start ever so small, but eventually have massive impact for God’s kingdom. ~ David Green

To invest in eternal things is the most important thing we can do with our lives, our energies, and our resources. ~ David Green

If we don’t use Hobby Lobby’s earnings to touch people for the Lord, I really don’t see the reason for me to be in business at all. ~ David Green

Through giving, we join God in His divine work. ~ David Green

Those who plan to give, do. ~ David Green

Let your mind play a bit, and see whether God ignites your heart with the fire of generosity. ~ David Green

Ask, “Is this going to matter a thousand years from now?” If not, it might be a good thing, but it’s not a great thing. ~ David Green

Don’t underestimate the power of making a plan and writing it down. ~ David Green

What you know, you can change. What you don’t know controls you. ~ David Green

One of the great needs in families is to talk with one another about money and the responsibility it brings. ~ David Green

You can spend your life either on the eternal or on things that aren’t going to matter. ~ David Green

Work is not a curse. It is our calling. ~ David Green

We simply must raise kids and grandkids to be independent. Otherwise, we make cripples out of them. ~ David Green

No family member, of whatever generation, must ever view Hobby Lobby as his or her source of well-being for all of life. God is our source! ~ David Green

Give even when it seems impossible. ~ David Green

You won’t know whether you can out-give God until you try. ~ David Green

It settled permanently inside of me that God had a purpose for a businessman. He had called me. ~ David Green

The more this business gives, the more God blesses us to keep giving. ~ David Green

When to give? I humbly suggest always. ~ David Green

Passing on wealth means passing on all forms of wealth. ~ David Green

It doesn’t matter if you’re a wealthy business owner, a rookie entrepreneur, or a couple planning their family and the next five years – breaking up your family’s vision is never a good thing. ~ David Green

We want [Hobby Lobby] to continue for decades, perhaps even centuries, as an ongoing source of financial fuel for God’s work around the world. ~ David Green

Stockpile treasure in Heaven! ~ David Green

Legacy is not just what we leave behind, but what we send ahead. ~ David Green

Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or – worse! – stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being” (Matthew 6:19-21). ~ David Green

I want to be remembered more for the size of my soul than for the size of my bank account. ~ David Green

You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. ~Epicurus

All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. . . . You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. ~Walt Disney, who went bankrupt and had his first cartoon character stolen from him before he went on to create Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, and Disney World

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. ~Billy Graham

Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. ~Oprah Winfrey

Most of the verses written about praise in God’s Word were voiced by people who were faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations. ~Joni Eareckson Tada

The question for believers is never, "Will God provide?" but "How is He going to do it?" God provides in His own way and in His own timing, but He is always faithful to His role as Provider. If you need transportation to get to work, God may provide a car to you free of charge as a gift from someone. Or He may provide the money to buy the car. Or a way to earn the money to buy the car. Or send you a bicycle. Or change your job so you can walk or even work from home. But you can rest assured that He is on it and in the end will deliver what you need so you can get food on the table. And in the meantime, you need to walk by faith and stay busy asking, seeking, and knocking until He reveals what He has provided. But He will; you can rest on it. ~ The Kendrick Brothers

And you must show mercy to those who faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames. ~Jude 1:22-23 NLT

There’s something about the human heart, that when the heat is on, it softens toward things of the Lord. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining on us. ~Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in life. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:14

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. ~How Firm A Fountain

If our foundations are in place, then nothing else really matters. ~ Charles R. Swindoll

The righteous – people whose lives are rightly related to God by faith in Jesus Christ – stand on a firm foundation. ~ Charles R. Swindoll

Now, should the foundation of a life be destroyed, that life crumbles. But if the foundation remains secure, no amount of stress, no brutal attack, or painful backstabbing – would cause life to fracture or ultimately crumble. ~ Charles R. Swindoll

A refuge is a place of hiding – a place of secure protection. The term is chasah in the ancient Hebrew. A chasah is a protective enclosure that provides safety from that which would otherwise consume everything in its past. It’s an impenetrable firewall of protection from danger and distress – from anxiety and fear. ~Charles R. Swindoll

The old country preacher was right when he said, “I may tremble on the rock, but the rock don’t tremble under me.” ~Charles R. Swindoll

Faith is our solid foundation too. A foundation of faith, not fear, is our refuge; it enables us to stand firm against the advancing threats of terror. ~Charles R. Swindoll

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1 NIV

He is a very present help in those tight places of fear and uncertainty. ~Charles R. Swindoll

He is fully in control, absolutely sovereign, not almost sovereign. ~Charles R. Swindoll

In biblical days, the word selah probably indicated a pause. A breather, a moment to reflect. “Pause and let that sink in.”  ~Charles R. Swindoll

In place of worry and anxiety, pause . . . The Lord is our refuge. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Don’t run ahead; pause.
Don’t panic; pause.
Don’t fret and fear; pause. ~Charles R. Swindoll

In place of worry and anxiety, pause. The foundation stands firm. The Lord is our refuge. He is our very present help in tight places. Even when the flames seem more like a blast furnace. ~Charles R. Swindoll

We will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. ~Psalm 46:2

Our God is in sovereign control of all the events of this earth. ~Charles R. Swindoll

We do not fear because the Lord our God is our chasah – our refuge, our hiding place He is our strength. He Himself is the rock. All such catastrophes surprise and shock us, but nothing surprises or shocks Him. Our God is in sovereign control of all the events of this earth. They occur exactly as He has planned or permitted them. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Nothing surprises God. However, He does permit events that often puzzle us, and His reasons are too profound for us to grasp. They are put together in the counsel of His own will, and they fit perfectly into His plan for His glory and for His purposes. As His servant, I say in response, “I will not fear. Though I don’t understand it, I will not fear. Though You, Lord, take something that’s deeply significant to me, though You allow catastrophe to strike, I will not fear. I will not blame you, I will not doubt Your goodness, and I will not question Your intentions. ~Charles R. Swindoll

And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us! ~Martin Luther

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul. ~Psalm 94:19

Cease striving and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10

God’s Word became the ammunition to weaken the enemy’s position and strengthen the Christians’.  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Verse 10 of Psalm 46 announces: We will not worry. The psalmist writes, “Cease striving.” The Hebrew uses a single term in that command that means, literally, “stop!” What a great directive. Stop! ~Charles R. Swindoll

You can almost imagine the Lord of heaven thundering this command to His people as they shrink in fear: “Stop. Stop it. Stop worrying about the future! Have you forgotten that I am your very present help in tight places? Your worry and fear imply that I am no longer here or that I have become impotent and out of touch. But I am not indifferent. Nothing has escaped My panoramic gaze and powerful control. I’m not like the swallows that flutter away in the winter, to return only when the weather clears.” ~Charles R. Swindoll

Because God is our refuge, we will not fear. ~Charles R. Swindoll

If the foundations are in place, if the Lord our God is your refuge and strength, then you can cease striving and know that He is God. He is not moved. He is not distant or disinterested. Those who trust in Him stop worrying, as fear is sent packing. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:8 NIV

We can resist the enemy even battle him and be victorious. ~Charles R. Swindoll

We are facing hardships, conflicts, terror, and worldwide disruptions like none of us would have ever imagined, because we are encountering our adversary on his turf. Everything God’s people love, he hates. For instance, he hates your lifelong commitment to your marriage. Chances are good that more marriages are in conflict in these fearful days than in times past. Chances are you’ve got more troubles than usual in your family, troubles rooted in anxiety and its kissing cousin, fear. ~Charles R. Swindoll

We should expect enemy attacks in any number of areas. While we ought not to live in fear of them, we’re not to be ignorant of them either.  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Ready for some good news? It’s found in Scripture. We can resist the enemy – even battle him – and be victorious!  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Look closely and read carefully the opening line of 1 Peter 5:9: “But resist him, firm in your faith.”

The enemy’s attacks may be directed toward the vulnerable part of your life, but the shield of faith will protect you from them like a firewall. Trust the scriptural promise. You can resist him. ~Charles R. Swindoll

The shield of faith will protect you  . . . like a firewall. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time ~1 Peter 5:6 NIV

The Lord’s direction for us in these perilous times is “humble yourselves.” ~Charles R. Swindoll

We need to understand – this isn’t human strategy based on human strength that requires human giftedness to lead to human accomplishments. This is altogether contrary to what any of us would imagine. The Lord’s direction for us in these perilous times is “Humble yourselves.” Peter paints a picture of falling on your face before God in submission and trust. Trace “humble yourself” back as far as possible, and you will find people literally on their faces before God.   ~Charles R. Swindoll

God commands us to humble ourselves under His hand. This means you and I don’t get our own way. It isn’t about getting what we want. When you humble yourself under the Master’s hand, you humble yourself to the Master. It’s about doing what He wishes. It’s what He plans that matters. You hardly need to be told that everything in our culture works against that simple, clear direction. No matter. The command stands: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Peter 5:6).  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Keep in mind that God has shaped a plan that will lead to victory, hope, peace, and joy. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  ~1 Corinthians 16:13

Be alert! Stand alone! Grow up! Get tough! ~Charles R. Swindoll

In the end, God wins. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Allow the Lord to transform those long-held negative attitudes that do nothing to advance His cause. ~Charles R. Swindoll

If you’re a preacher or otherwise engaged in communicating biblical truth, you proclaim what needs to be proclaimed, not what others want you to proclaim. You stand tough even if they don’t want to hear it and even if they run you off. Being tough, you stand like a steer in a blizzard. ~Charles R. Swindoll

The times in which we live are tough, so they require tough-minded maturity. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Now is the time for a courage transfusion. We must remain alert against the enemy. We must stand alone against the evil, even if others choose not to do so. We must grow up as people with convictions – stand tall, act like mature men and women. And we must be strong – not mean, not paying back evil for evil – but strong in character and stout in convictions. Meet the challenge. Face the flames with faith, not fear.  ~Charles R. Swindoll

Let all that you do be done in love. ~1 Corinthians 16:14

It is love that compels us into the flame. ~Charles R. Swindoll

There’s a final command in 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.”

We are compelled to love everyone – even our enemies. Yes, our enemies. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Love is the ultimate offense. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Let me tell you who needs your love the most – those who are out of touch with God. ~Charles R. Swindoll

The lost need the Savior’s redeeming love to touch them deeply and to hold them close and to draw them to Himself, to change them from within. ~Charles R. Swindoll

“Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? ~Romans 2:4 NIV 

If it was God’s wonderful kindness that brought us to repentance, then that same kindness ought to be our ultimate strategy. ~Charles R. Swindoll

It is remarkable how potent a weapon love is against the enemy’s fierce and relentless tactics. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Lost people are not the enemy. They are victims of the enemy. ~Howard G. Hendricks

Remember the wholesome fruit that comes from Him? Love (there’s our word), joy, peace, patience, kindness (there it is again), goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). And here is the kicker: against such things there is no defense! We render the enemy virtually powerless when we move toward lost people with these qualities – which, by the way, cannot be mustered from the flesh. ~Charles R. Swindoll

One person, one family at a time, as they encounter in us and in our families the irresistible kindness of Christ. His love initially shocks them, then ultimately, it transforms them. ~Charles R. Swindoll

It’s Christ’s all-conquering love that wins the ultimate battle – not anger or hate or retaliation. ~Charles R. Swindoll

Let us pause in the calm for prayer. ~Charles R. Swindoll

There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know. ~Harry S. Truman

The buck stops here. ~Harry S. Truman

I never played high school football, but if it were me, I would get there early, keep my mouth shut, and do what I was told. ~Jim Stovall

It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow’s viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences. ~Harry S. Truman

In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves . . . self-discipline with all of them came first. ~Harry S. Truman

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. ~Harry S. Truman

If you can read this, thank a teacher. ~Harry S. Truman

I come to the office each morning and stay for long hours doing what has to be done to the best of my ability. When you’ve done the best you can, you can’t do any better. ~Harry S. Truman

I shall continue to do what I think is right, whether anybody likes it or not. ~Harry S. Truman

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities, and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. ~Harry S. Truman

There are a lot of things we cannot control, but two things we can always control are our effort and our attitude. ~Jim Stovall

If you do anything less than your best, you not only let the guy next to you down, but you make it easier to be mediocre again next time. ~Jim Stovall

Different people are put on this earth for different reasons. For some individuals, there is no higher calling than being a parent, a carpenter, a banker, a pilot, or an accountant. Each of those professions require dedication and devotion. There are certain poignant moments in every human endeavor that epitomize who we are and why we’re on this earth. ~Jim Stovall

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. ~Harry S. Truman

Tact is the ability to step on a man’s toes without messing up the shine on his shoes. ~Harry S. Truman

I hope you can understand that there are times, if you’re going to be who you need to be, you have to learn what you don’t know. ~Jim Stovall

I hate times in life when lying seems more comfortable and convenient than telling the truth. It’s like my grandfather used to tell me about fishing lures. The brightest, shiniest ones have the sharpest hooks. ~Jim Stovall

Sometimes, if you’ll give away what you lack, you’ll get what you need. ~Jim Stovall

It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job. It’s a depression when you lose yours. ~Harry S. Truman

When even one American who has done nothing wrong is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth, then all Americans are in peril. ~Harry S. Truman

Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. ~Harry S. Truman

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. ~Harry S. Truman

Actions are the seeds of fate. Deeds grow into destiny. ~Harry S. Truman

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. ~Harry S. Truman

We must have strong minds, ready to accept facts as they are. ~Harry S. Truman

Human life is something that comes to us from beyond this world. The purpose of our society is to cherish it and to enable the individual to attain the highest achievement of which he is capable. ~Harry S. Truman

In a free society, the rules are the servants, and the people are their superiors and their sovereigns; and, therefore, for the former to return to the latter was not to degrade them but was to promote them. ~Benjamin Franklin

Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer you today may curse you tomorrow, and only one thing endures – character. ~Harry S. Truman

Successful leaders balance pride with humility: your absolute pride in performance; total humility before the magnitude of the task. ~James Kerr

The challenge is to always improve, to always get better, even when you're the best. Especially when you're the best. ~James Kerr

A collection of talented individuals without personal discipline will ultimately and inevitably fail. Character triumphs over talent. ~James Kerr

Only by knowing yourself can you become an effective leader. ~Vince Lombardi

From self-knowledge, Lombardi believed, we develop character and integrity. And from character and integrity comes leadership.

What is my job on the planet? What is it that needs doing, that I know something about, that probably won't happen unless I take responsibility for it? ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

Winning takes talent, John Wooden would say. To repeat it takes character.

You get nowhere without character. Character is essential to individuals, and their cumulative character is the backbone of your winning team. ~Bill Walsh

The challenge of every team is to build a feeling of oneness, of dependence on one another. ~Vince Lombardi

Because the question is usually not how well each person performs, but how well they work together. ~Vince Lombardi

Collective character is vital to success. Focus on getting the culture right; The results will follow. ~ James Kerr

Performance = capability + behavior. ~ James Kerr

Vision without action is a dream. ~James Kerr

Our values decide our character. Our character decides our value. ~James Kerr

A culture of asking and re- asking fundamental questions cuts away unhelpful beliefs in order to achieve clarity of execution. Humility allows us to ask a simple question: how can we do this better? ~James Kerr

Humility does not mean weakness, but its opposite. Leaders should understand the strength of humility. It allows them to connect with their deepest values and the wider world. ~James Kerr

Sweep the sheds. Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done. ~James Kerr

A winning organization is an environment of personal and professional development, in which each individual takes responsibility and shares ownership. ~James Kerr

Leaders create leaders. ~James Kerr

Organizational decline is inevitable unless leaders prepare for change - even when standing at the pinnacle of success. ~James Kerr

It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. ~Charles Darwin

Go for the Gap. When you're on top of your game, change your game. ~James Kerr

Play with purpose. Ask why? ~James Kerr

The person with a narrow vision sees a narrow horizon, the person with a wide vision sees a wide horizon. ~James Kerr

Leaders connect personal meaning to a higher purpose to create belief in a sense of direction. ~James Kerr

Humans, by their nature, seek purpose- a cause greater and more enduring than themselves. The most convincing arguments for his theories are the simplest to understand: we leave well paying jobs for purpose driven ones, we volunteer, We have children.  ~Daniel Pink

The idea that emotional reward is more important than material compensation. That intrinsic rather than extrinsic motivation rules the world. ~Hawthorne Effect

Victor Frankel, who, in his book, Man's Search for Meaning, cites research from John Hopkins University: Asked what they considered very important to them now, 16% checked making a lot of money; 78% said their first goal was finding a meaning and purpose to my life.

“What man actually needs”, argues Frankel, “is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task.”

People don't buy what you do they buy why you do it. ~Simon Sinek

Inspired leaders, organizations and teams find their deepest purpose- their why? -and attract followers through shared values, vision, and beliefs. ~James Kerr

Leaders create leaders by passing on responsibility, creating ownership, accountability, and trust. ~James Kerr

Shared responsibility means shared ownership. A sense of inclusion means individuals are more willing to give themselves to a common cause. ~James Kerr

Leaders don't create followers they create more leaders. ~Tom Peters ~James Kerr

Instill in your team members a sense of great self-worth - that each, at any given time, can be the most important on the battlefield. ~General David Petraeus

The mission command model requires the leader to provide 1.) A clear defined goal, 2.) the resources 3.) the time-frame. ~James Kerr

By arming staff with intention, leaders can enable their people to respond appropriately to changing context, without losing sight of the tactical imperative. ~James Kerr

Leaders create leaders. They armed their subordinates with intent. And then step out of the way. ~James Kerr

Look for a leader who can bring people together. ~James Kerr

Leaders are teachers. ~James Kerr

In Drive, Daniel Pink lists the three factors that he believes creates motivation in a human being: mastery, autonomy, and purpose. ~James Kerr

“The best sports people in the world practice more than they play,” Sean Fitzpatrick, states in, New Zealand Management Magazine.  “Businesspeople should practice too. They should go home at night and analyze their day's performance. They don't and they need to. To be good at something takes practice, and lots of it.”

“Excellent firms don't believe in excellence,” wrote Tom Peters in Thriving on Chaos, only in constant improvement and constant change. He argues that success is result of a long-term commitment to improving excellence - the small steps leading to a mighty leap.

Excellence is a process of evolution, of cumulative learning, of incremental improvement. ~James Kerr

Enlightened leadership promotes a structured system for the development of the team, combined with a tailored map for the development of the individual. ~James Kerr

A map of daily self-improvement acts as a powerful tool to develop teams and organizations; this living document provides fresh goals and develops new skills so people push themselves harder, become more capable and achieve more for the team. ~James Kerr

Leaders or learners. ~James Kerr

You find out that life is just a game of inches. So is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small . . . On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch . . . Cause we know when we add all those inches that's going to make the difference between winning and losing. ~Al Pacino character in Any Given Sunday

Marginal gains: 100 things done 1% better to deliver cumulative competitive advantage. ~James Kerr

Computer programmers have a phrase: garbage in/ garbage out. If we apply the analogy, this means:

·       the verbal, visual, and gestural language that will allow to take up residence in our heads;

·       the toxins like alcohol, drugs, or sugar that will allow to take up residence in our bodies parentheses and mines);

·       the people will allow to take up space in our lives. ~James Kerr

Sometimes it only takes one encounter - one teacher - to change their life, and many lives after that. ~James Kerr

Successful leaders look beyond their own field to discover new approaches, learned best practices, and push the margins. Then they pass on what they have learned. ~James Kerr

The first stage of learning is silence, the second stage is listening. ~James Kerr

Fly information. Follow the spearhead. This is the being of team and the essence of successful organization. ~James Kerr

For the Strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack. ~Rudyard Kipling

The being of team begins from inside. High standards must come from within. Leadership works best when your team takes the lead. ~James Kerr

No one is bigger than the team and individual brilliance does not automatically lead to outstanding results. One selfish mindset will affect a collective culture. ~James Kerr

It's better to have 1000 enemies outside the tent than one inside the tent. ~An old Arab proverb

A little water seeping through a small hole may swamp a canoe. ~Maori saying

Success can be traced back to the connections between members of the team and their collective character, something true of all winning organizations. Great leaders ruthlessly protect their people, encouraging connection, collaboration, and collective ownership, nurturing a safe environment of trust, respect, and family ~James Kerr

Let us be united, not pulling against one another. ~James Kerr

EMBRACE EXPECTATIONS: Aim for the highest cloud. ~James Kerr

Successful leaders have high internal benchmarks. They set their expectations high and try to exceed them. ~James Kerr

We learned best - and change - from hearing stories that strike a chord with us . . . those in leadership positions who fail to grasp or use the power of stories risk failure for their companies or for themselves. ~John Kotter

Aim for the highest cloud, so that if you miss it, you will hit a lofty mountain. ~James Kerr

The way the sapling is shaped determines how the tree grows. ~James Kerr

TRAIN TO WIN: Practice under pressure. ~James Kerr

Intensity of preparation Who- training to win - conditions the brain and body to perform under pressure. It lets peak performance become automatic. It develops the mindset to win. ~James Kerr

In business, training is often seen as a soft option and is limited to the occasional away-day. However, effective training is intense, regular, and repetitious. For world-class results, it should be central to the culture. ~James Kerr People

Training with intensity accelerates personal growth. ~James Kerr 

“Most people have the will to win,” says basketball coach Bobby Knight, “few have the will to prepare to win.”

A Person who is taught at home will stand with confidence in the community. ~James Kerr

KEEP A BLUE HEAD: Control your attention.
(RED HEAD means tight, inhibited, results-oriented, anxious, aggressive, over- compensating, desperate.) (BLUE HEAD means loose, expressive, in the moment, calm, clear, accurate, on task.) ~James Kerr

Bad decisions are not made through a lack of skill or innate judgment: they are made because of an inability to handle pressure at the pivotal moment. ~James Kerr

Mantras are the way in which we can tell our story to ourselves; they are tools for effective thinking, a mental road map in times of pressure. ~James Kerr

From listening comes knowledge; from knowledge comes understanding; from understanding comes wisdom; from wisdom comes well-being. ~James Kerr

The best leaders remain true to their deepest values. They lead their own life and others follow. ~James Kerr

The key to strong peer-to-peer interaction is a high level of trust. This is trust in the sense of safe vulnerability. The leaders need to create an environment where individuals get to know each other as people and gather insight into their personal story and working style. This needs to be supported by the leader’s role-modelling behavior around admission of mistakes and weaknesses and fears . . . this is essential by safe conflict and safe confrontation, where the most important interactions often occur. ~Owen Eastwood

High-performing teams promote a culture of honesty, authenticity, and safe conflict. ~James Kerr

Integrity means that our thoughts and words and deeds are as one, a chiropractic alignment in which our core values, purposes, beliefs, and behaviors all flow in the same direction. It's useful to think of integrity not as morality, as many people do, but workability. It's not about being pure or noble - it's about getting stuff done. Though the end result is trust, belief, and respect, these are merely the by-products of the fact that when we say something will happen it actually does happen. This means that others can count on us to deliver. And, most importantly, that we can count on ourselves. ~James Kerr

Integrity in our model is honoring your word. As such, integrity is a purely positive phenomenon. It has nothing to do with good versus bad, right versus wrong behavior. Like the law of gravity, the law of integrity just is, and if you violate the law of integrity . . . you get hurt just as if you try to violate the law of gravity with no safety device. The personal and organizational benefits of honoring one's word are huge - both for individuals and for organizations - and generally unappreciated. ~“Integrity: Where Leadership Begins”

To the degree that integrity is diminished, the opportunity for it is diminished. ~Jansen

If integrity is a central leadership tool and everyone in a team does exactly what they say they will do, clarity, certainty, productivity, and momentum are the results. ~James Kerr

Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet - thinking, saying, and doing the same thing consistently. This builds trust, and followers love leaders they can trust. ~ Lance Secretan

Honesty = integrity = authenticity = resilience = performance. ~James Kerr

CHAMPIONS DO EXTRA: find something you would die for and give your life to it. ~James Kerr

Companies that maintain their core values are those that stand alone, stand apart, and stand for something. ~James Kerr

First we shape our values; Then our values shape us. ~James Kerr

Based on strong resonant values, using a common language that employs mantras, mottos, and metaphors, storytelling helps leaders connect their people’s personal meaning to their vision of the future. ~James Kerr

What is the food of a leader? It is knowledge. It is communication. ~James Kerr

RITUALIZE TO ACTUALIZE: Create a culture. ~James Kerr

Inspiring leaders establish rituals to connect their team to its core narrative, using them to reflect, remind, reinforce, and reignite their collective identity and purpose. ~James Kerr

Rituals tell your story, involve your people, create a legacy. Rituals make the intangible real. ~James Kerr

You are but a speck in the moment of time situated between two eternities, the past and the future. ~James Kerr

BE A GOOD ANCESTOR; plant trees you'll never see. ~James Kerr

True leaders are stewards of the future. They take responsibility for adding to the legacy. ~James Kerr

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they will never see. ~ An old Greek proverb

What is my job on the planet? What is this that needs doing, that I know something about, that probably won't happen unless I take responsibility for it?  ~Albert Schweitzer

The word “character” comes from the ancient Greek, kharakter, meaning the mark that is left on a coin during its manufacture. Character is also the mark left on you by life, and the mark we leave on life. It's the impact you make when you're here, the trace you leave once you're gone. Character rises out of our values, our purpose, the standards we set for ourselves, our sacrifice, and commitment, and to the decisions we make under pressure, but is primarily defined by the contribution we make, the responsibility we take, the leadership we show. ~James Kerr

They're more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. ~John Wooden

Character is forged by the way we respond to the challenges of life and business, by the way we lead our life in teams. If we value life, life values us. If we devalue it, we dishonor ourselves and our one chance at living. ~James Kerr

This is our time. Leadership is surely the example we said the way we lead our own life is what makes us a leader. It is what gives us mana. ~James Kerr

Our time is limited. Understanding the fragility of life is the first step in understanding our role and responsibility as a leader. Our greatest responsibility is to honor those who came before us and those who will come after, to leave the jersey in a better place. We are the stewards of our organizations, the caretakers of our own lineage. Our action today will echo beyond our time. They are our legacy. Care for the land, Care for the people, Go forward. ~James Kerr

Grow and branch forth for the days of your world. ~James Kerr

To be significant, all you have to do is make a difference with others wherever you are, with whatever you have, day by day. ~ John C Maxwell

When you intentionally use your everyday life to bring about positive change in the lives of others, you begin to live a life that matters. ~ John C Maxwell

If your story isn't as meaningful or significant or compelling as you want it to be, you can change it. ~ John C Maxwell

To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Be the change you want to see in the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. . . . Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. ~ Steve Jobs

If you want to live a life that matters, don't start when you get good; start now so you can become good. ~ John C Maxwell

What is the number one catalyst for change? It's action. ~ John C Maxwell

In life, it is not what we get that makes us valuable. Is what we become in the process that brings value to our lives. Action is what converts human dreams into significance. It brings personal value that we can gain from no other source. ~ John C Maxwell

A butterfly cannot go back to being a caterpillar. When you start living the significant story, you get a taste for making a difference and you won't go back. ~ John C Maxwell

When I die, I cannot take with me what I have, but I can live in others by what I gave. ~ John C Maxwell

Having a heart to help people and add value to them make sure a better person. But if you don't act on it in an intentional way it won't make a difference. ~ John C Maxwell

If you're going to grow, you have to be intentional. ~ Curt Kampmeier

You need to put details to your dreams and attach deadlines to them. You need to examine yourself and where you are. You need to look at your strengths and weaknesses. You need to identify your goals every week. ~ John C Maxwell

An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional leaving always has an idea. Unintentional living always has an excuse. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentionally living fixes the situation. Unintentionally living fixes the blame. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living makes it happen. Unintentional living wonders what happened. ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living says, “Here's something I can do.” Unintentional living says, “Why doesn't someone else do something?” ~ John C Maxwell

Intentional living turns the doubt-filled question “Can I?” Into the invigorating, possibility-inducing “How can I?” ~ John C Maxwell

When you know what you want and can't find what you need, you must create what you need, so you can get what you want! ~ John C Maxwell

Most people don't aim too high and miss. They aim too low in hit. ~Bob Moawad

If you will first help others get what they want, they will help you get what you want. ~ Zig Ziglar

Make every day your masterpiece. ~ John Wooden

Nobody finishes well by accident. ~ John C Maxwell

Once you find your why, you will be able to find your way. Why is your purpose. Way is your path. ~ John C Maxwell

If the why comes before the way, your ability to make a difference will come more quickly and immediately be more effective. ~ John C Maxwell

Humans were made to have a meaning. Without purpose, life is meaningless. A meaningless life is a life without hope or significance. ~ Rick Warren

The sooner you know your why, the sooner you can shift your focus from yourself to others. ~ John C Maxwell

Purpose is the rudder of your boat. It gives you direction and keeps you going in the right direction when the wind is blowing and the waves are crashing against you. It provides calm and confidence in the midst of the storm. ~ John C Maxwell

Purpose is like a snowball rolling downhill-it builds over time. ~ John C Maxwell

Having a life that matters comes from the ability to add value to others. ~ John C Maxwell

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our souls are not hungry for fame, comfort, wealth, power. These rewards create almost as many problems as they solve. Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little different for our having passed through it. ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

People who matter most are aware that everyone else does, too. ~ Malcolm Forbes

Self-centeredness is the root of virtually every problem-both personally and globally. And whether we want to admit it or not, it's a problem all of us have. ~ John C Maxwell

Self-centeredness and fulfillment cannot peacefully coexist. They're incompatible. ~ John C Maxwell

People need to have found themselves, achieved something, and made themselves valuable before they have something to give to others. ~ John C Maxwell

Significance is always about others, serving them intentionally. ~ John C Maxwell

When you change your thinking from “What am I going to receive?” to “What am I going to give?” your entire life begins to turn around. ~ John C Maxwell

There isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story. ~ Fred Rogers

As you start your day, are you wondering what you will reap, or are you wondering what you will sow? ~ John C Maxwell

John Wooden described an unselfish player as one who “showed an eagerness to lose himself to the group for the goal of the team.”

If you want to be significant and live a life that matters, you must add value to others. ~ John C Maxwell

You know you truly value yourself when each day you silently affirm that you are the type of person with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life. ~ John C Maxwell

If you want to connect with people you must make the conscious decision to embrace the following seven qualities and practices:
Availability-I will choose to spend time with others.
Listening-I will listen my way to common ground.
Questions-I will be interested enough in others to ask questions.
Thoughtfulness-I will think of others and how to connect with them.
Openness-I will let people into my life.
Likability-I will care about people.
Humility-I will think of myself less so I can think of others more. ~ John C Maxwell

If you have the heart to make a difference, there is always an answer, but if you have a heart of indifference, there is never an answer. ~ John C Maxwell

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in your life. ~ John C Maxwell

Fear is the most prevalent reason why people stop. Faith is what makes people start. ~ John C Maxwell

Faith does not make things easy, but it makes things possible because it puts everything, including fear, into the right perspective. ~ John C Maxwell

My dream allows me to continue and discourage, for where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present. ~ John C Maxwell

Dreams often come one size too big so that we can grow into them. ~ John C Maxwell

Life isn't made by what you can accomplish. It's made by what you can accomplish with others. ~ John C Maxwell

Most people miss opportunities in life, not because the opportunity wasn't there, but because they didn't have a clue what it looked like when it arrived. ~ John C Maxwell

I cannot do what you can do. You cannot do what I can do. Together we can do great things. ~ Mother Teresa

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African Proverb

A strong partnership divides the effort and multiplies the effect. ~ John C Maxwell

You can't take action if you're spending too much of your time trying to get on the front lines. You need to be on the front lines. ~ John C Maxwell

Anticipation is a wonderful proactive and intentional word for seeking out significance. ~ John C Maxwell

When you live with intentionality, you know and understand that every day is your time to make a difference . ~ John C Maxwell

You don't really know if you're going to be afraid of death until you've been close enough to touch it, taste it, and smell it. ~ John C Maxwell

The difference between the assuming and numbering your days is huge. ~ John C Maxwell

Most hockey players follow the puck on the ice. I never skate to where the puck is. I skate to where it's going. ~ Wayne Gretzky

You anticipate that you can and will make a difference, you prepared differently. ~ John C Maxwell

There is not one door of opportunity. There's not one door to significance. There is a series of doors. ~ John C Maxwell

The compounding potential and return of working with others makes my sense of anticipation soar. ~ John C Maxwell

A transformational leader intentionally engages people to think and act in such a way that it makes a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of others. ~ John C Maxwell

Where you are in the process doesn't matter. As long as you're engaged in it and anticipate positive results, you're on your way. ~ John C Maxwell

There are those that look at things as they are and asked, “Why?” I dream of things that never were and asked, “Why not?” ~John F Kennedy

Every generation gets an opportunity to make a difference, but the people of that generation have to seize that opportunity. ~ John C Maxwell

Opportunities do not multiply because they are seen. . . . They multiply because they are seized. ~ John C Maxwell 

The people who most often make the biggest difference are the people who are first to step up and help at a time when it makes a difference. ~ John C Maxwell

People most often regret the chances they failed to take, not the chances they took that failed. ~ John C Maxwell

The classroom is the molder of the opinion of the lives of people. I came back because if I can change a 19 year old's life, that is much more significant than what I was doing because I get them on the front end. ~ Condoleezza Rice

Unless Someone Like You cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better period it's not. ~Doctor Seuss

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. ~Doctor Seuss

You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting! So get on your way! ~Doctor Seuss

Maddie, John Maxwell’s granddaughter, list the following ideas she has learned from her dad or granddad:
Attitude is a choice.
Maturity is seeing things from another person's point of view and being flexible.
Always plan ahead. You're either prepared or repaired.
You are what you do every day.
Failure is inevitable, but learning is optional.

Once you taste significance, success will never satisfy you again. ~ John C Maxwell

Significance is not a destination thing-it's a daily thing. ~ John C Maxwell

I don’t promise you it will be easy. I do promise you it will be worthwhile. ~Art Williams

If you desire to fulfill a bold vision or do something great, you have to let go of a microwave mindset for leadership. ~John C. Maxwell

People too often overvalue their dream and undervalue their team. . . . A  big dream with a bad team is a nightmare. ~John C. Maxwell

For a leader who develops leaders, there's something scarier and much more important than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability. ~John C. Maxwell

I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down. ~Abraham Lincoln

Great leaders help people have a larger vision of themselves. ~ Mark Sanborn

We will do everything in our power to measure up to the spoken belief we have received. ~John C. Maxwell

Encouragement is oxygen to the soul for the leader, and if you're a leader who wants to develop other leaders, you need to encourage them and help them breathe. ~John C. Maxwell

Attitude is a choice, and at the heart of a good attitude is willing willingness -willingness to learn, to improve, to serve, to think of others, to add value, to do the right thing, to make sacrifices for the team. Leadership skill may come from the head, but leadership attitude comes from the heart. ~John C. Maxwell

Good leaders want more for the people they lead then they want from them. ~John C. Maxwell

At Delta, we hire for attitude but train for aptitude. Always start with attitude. Bring people on the team that the other members will enjoy working with. ~Ed Bastian

The formation of our character creates predictability to our leadership. Predictability, dependability, and consistency: these three qualities ensure that our leadership is reliable and motivates people to place their confidence in us. Our effectiveness as leaders is built on trust. ~Gayle Beebe

Character is about managing your life well, so you can lead others well. ~John C. Maxwell

Talent is always conscious of its own abundance and does not object to sharing. ~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The vision gap is the space between what we are doing and what we could do. Builders are impatient to close that gap. ~John C. Maxwell

People often say, “I'll know it when I see it.” That's not a good strategy. I say, “know it and you'll see it!” ~John C. Maxwell

A company’s culture is the expression of the values of the people within the organization. It is the sum of the behavior of the people, not a reflection of what you wanted to be. People do what people see - and they keep doing it. What people do on an ongoing, habitual basis creates culture. ~John C. Maxwell

Knowledge isn't the key to success. Applying knowledge is. ~John C. Maxwell

Leadership is more caught than taught. ~John C. Maxwell

If someone is always at the head of the class, he or she is in the wrong class. ~John C. Maxwell

The only way for any person to learn leadership is to lead. Leading isn't a theoretical exercise. ~John C. Maxwell

Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand. ~John C. Maxwell

Good leadership requires a perspective shift from it's all about me to it's all about others. ~John C. Maxwell

If you will sweat with your people, they can handle the heat. ~John C. Maxwell

Ten ways to make connections with people:

·  Most people are insecure. Give them confidence.

·       Most people want to feel special. Compliment them.
·       Most people want a bright future. Give them hope.
·       Most people need to be understood. Listen to them.
·       Most people want direction. Walk with them.
·       Most people are selfish. Speak to their needs first.
·       Most people get emotionally low. Encourage them.
·       Most people want to be included. Ask their opinion.
·       Most people want success. Help them win.
·       Most people want to be appreciated. Give them credit. ~John C. Maxwell

Always ask questions. Here's what questions do:

·       Create a space for open conversation
·       Place value on others and their opinions
·       Help people know one another better
·       Invite everyone to participate
·       Clear up assumptions
·       Causes people to think
·       Gather conversation ~John C. Maxwell

Leadership isn't control - it's influence . ~John C. Maxwell

You do not want to control people's responses. You want to influence their thinking and actions. ~John C. Maxwell

Front-end questions set the agenda, while back-end questions maximize the agenda. Front-end questions encourage preparation, while back-end questions encourage reflection. ~John C. Maxwell

What others have to say to you really must remain more important than what you have to say to them. Why? Because the higher leaders rise, the farther they get from the front lines, and the more they have to depend on what others tell them to know what's really going on. Listening is still the best way to gather information, to learn, to understand people, and to connect with them. ~John C. Maxwell

A suffering person does not need a lecture; he needs a listener. ~Billy Graham

Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable. ~David Augsburger

Listening draws people to you, which works much better than trying to push your leadership on them. Empathy builds trust. ~John C. Maxwell

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily. ~Zig Ziglar

Good leaders inspire others only to the extent that they inspire themselves. ~John C. Maxwell

THE SEVEN MOTIVATIONS OF LEADERS:

1.      Purpose - Leaders Want To Do What They Were Created To Do.
2.      Autonomy - Leaders Want The Freedom To Control Their Lives.
3.      Relationships - Leaders Want To Do Things With Other People.
4.      Progress - Leaders Want To Experience Personal And Professional Growth.
5.      Mastery - Leaders Want To Excel At Their Work.
6.      Recognition - Leaders Want Others To Appreciate Their Accomplishments.
7.      Money - Leaders Want To Be Financially Secure. ~John C. Maxwell

The partnership principal: working together increases the odds of winning together. ~John C. Maxwell

Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. ~Pat Riley

People don't determine their future. They determined their habits, which determined their future. ~John C. Maxwell 

The best way to set your people up for success is:

Believe in them.

Encourage them.

Show them.

Train them.  ~John C. Maxwell

Survival of the fittest is not the same as survival of the best. Leaving leadership development up to chance is foolish. ~ Morgan McCall

The function of leadership isn't together more followers. It’s to produce more leaders. ~John C. Maxwell

Five-step plan for equipping:

·       I model.

         I mentor.

·       I monitor.

·       I motivate.

·       I multiply. ~John C. Maxwell

Next level equipping:

·       I'll do it.

·       I do it and you are with me.

·       You do it and I am with you.

·       You do it.

·       You do it and someone else is with you.  ~John C. Maxwell

Being An Example Others Want To Follow. Here's what you need to be asking yourself:

Learning:“What am I learning?”

Experiencing: “What am I experiencing?”

Applying: “What am I applying?”

Developing: “Who am I developing?”  ~John C. Maxwell

Telling others to do what you haven't done yourself isn't equipping. It's bossing. ~John C. Maxwell

The position doesn't make the leader; the leader makes the position. ~John C. Maxwell

It's very difficult for people to rise up if their leader refuses to put the wind of empowerment under their wings. ~John C. Maxwell

Only secure leaders give power to others. ~John C. Maxwell

The greatest leaders aren't necessarily the ones who do the greatest things. They are the ones who empower others to do great things. ~John C. Maxwell

If we start with the attitude that different viewpoints are additive rather than competitive, we become more effective because our ideas or decisions or honed and tempered by that discourse . ~ Ed Catmull

Leadership is like swimming. It can't be learned by reading about it. Leaders become leaders by practicing. ~John C. Maxwell

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. ~George S Patton

The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated. ~William James

Advice from John Wooden's father:

1.      Be true to yourself.

2.      Help others.

3.      Make every day your masterpiece.

4.      Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.

5.      Make friendship a fine art.

6.      Build a shelter against a rainy day.

Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.

In talking to the top executive coaches who worked for the John Maxwell company, they've told me that poor self-awareness is the number one problem they see in leaders. ~John C. Maxwell

A dream is a compelling vision you see in your heart that is too big to accomplish without the help of others. ~Chris Hodges

Area	“We” Needs	“Me” Needs
Purpose	I am really enthusiastic about the mission of my company.	At work, I clearly understand what is expected of me.
Excellence	In my team, I am surrounded by people who share my values.	I have a chance to use my strengths every day at work.
Support	My teammates have my back.	I know I will be recognized for excellent work.
Future	I have great confidence in my company's future.	in my work, I'm always challenged to grow.

 

If you have a dream and no team - the dream is impossible.

If you have a dream and a bad team - the dream is a nightmare.

If you have a dream and are building a team - the dream is possible.

If you have a dream and a good leadership team- the dream is inevitable. ~John C. Maxwell

Members of trusting teams:

·       Admit weaknesses and mistakes

·       Ask for help

·       Accept questions and input about their areas of responsibility

·       Give one another the benefit of the doubt before arriving at a negative conclusion

·       Take risk and offering feedback and assistance

·       Appreciate and tap into one another’s skills and experiences

·       Focus time and energy on important issues, not politics

·       Offer and accept apologies without hesitation

·       Look forward to meetings and other opportunities to work as a group ~ Pat Lencioni

 

Growth plans for members of my leadership team:

Give them a growth environment.

Recognize each person's growth needs.

Open up opportunities for them to grow.

Walk with them in challenging times.

Teach them to learn from every experience.

Help them add value to their teammates. ~John C. Maxwell

In teamwork, silence isn't golden, it's deadly. ~Mark Sanborn

When people get to weigh in on their development, they more readily buy into owning their personal growth progress. ~John C. Maxwell

I think if you truly understand the meaning of mentoring, you understand it as important as parenting; in fact, it is just like parenting. As my father often said, “there is nothing you know that you haven't learned from someone else.” Everything in the world has been passed down. Every piece of knowledge is something that has already been shared by someone else. If you understand it as I do, mentoring becomes your true legacy. It is the greatest inheritance you can give to others. It is why you get up every day- to teach and be taught. ~John Wooden

Quotes and what John Maxwell learned from people throughout his life:

Having a great attitude is a choice. He taught me that attitude is the difference maker. ~Melvin Maxwell (John Maxwell’s father – Consistency)

There's power in proximity. He taught me to get close to the people who can make you better. ~Elmer Towns (Faithfulness)