Tame Your Tongue
Our tongues can get the better of us if we let them. But it doesn’t have to be that way if we work on improving control over our tongue. When our tongue goes uncontrolled it allows others to connect the things we say to what we profess to believe. Let’s not let our uncontrolled tongues negate all that we stand for and who we believe in. Put your effort in holding back your tongue as an effort to improve your self-control.
Thankful Heart
When you focus on the things you don’t have you begin to undervalue the blessings God has given you. Then feelings of resentment and shortchanged start to build up. It can happen in our prayers when we only make requests. Take a moment and think through the ways you are blessed and thank God for them. When you truly realize the amount of blessings in your life you truly feel loved by God.
Considerate In All
This verse isn’t asking us to put on a show and make it obvious for everyone to see that we are considerate. Instead it is saying our consideration should be so well thought out it becomes obvious to the amount of thought involved. What does consideration look like? Anticipate others’ needs, have empathy, tolerate personality differences, use basic manners or even being punctual. Focus on one area of consideration you can work on improving today.
Miracles Do Happen
Much of the work Jesus did on earth was miracles he performed. However, in present day we discount the credibility of miracles because we rely heavily on reason and logic but a large portion of believing in miracles is having faith in God. Is there an area in your life where a miracle is needed? Maybe it’s in your relationships, finances or in your heart. Don’t give up on believing. Miracles can and do happen but only through your faith in God.
Life To You
Giving your life to God can be a hard decision to make. We may resist because we think we are giving away everything, including free will. Instead, we gain everything. It’s about trusting that God has our best interests in mind, and knowing that He is better at leading us than we could ever be. After all, God has a greater perspective and sees the bigger picture.
Persevering in Prayer
In our flesh we hate waiting. Waiting and persisting in the Lord’s strength is both a sacrifice (of the fleshly nature) and a testing of our faith in a very important and extremely effective way. It is in the active “waiting process” that we can very rapidly grow in our faith, but that is only if we, with frequent prayer, keep trusting the Lord in spite of it looking at times like we might even be going backwards. Christians are often at their most admirable when they persist at seeking justice without malice and have a determined resolve and trust in the Lord in the face of repeated adversity.
Wherever You Go
There are times in life that we feel alone, and that no one else can relate. Trials come our way and sometimes there is nothing anyone can do to help the situation. Read this part again: do not be afraid or discouraged. God brings seasons in life to sharpen you for your own good. God walks WITH you THROUGH this hardship. He is with you; gain your strength from Him.
A Tiny Spark
What a powerful tool each of us is blessed with: communication! Depending upon its delivery and timing, something as simple as a laugh has the power to make a jovial comedian radiate or cut a person to their core. Use your tongue for God’s purposes by building up loved ones, teaching others about Jesus’ love, or praying in difficult situations.
I Can Do Everything
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (NLT) ( Philippians 4:13 )
While learning from your failures can be beneficial, have you ever thought about learning from your successes? If you build upon your past successes, you gain more confidence and knowledge from your previous works. It’s more important to take small steps in the right direction. Remember that God is blessing you with each successful step, and He rewards your patience along the way.
Halfbaked Cake
If you’re a believer, you know that non-believers surround us all the time. Instead of being influenced by others to do ungodly things, be a light to others by demonstrating godly behavior. We all have a nemesis, or perhaps a not-so-favorite person. Instead of avoiding them or being short with them, give them a compliment or simply say something nice. In other words, be a light!
