Promise for Today - Choosing Up

He has planted eternity in the human heart. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

Heaven and hell are real. God wants you to understand this eternal reality, along with the realities of life that are found in His Word.

The first reality of life is that God made you so He could love you, and he wants you to learn to love him back. The Great Commandment says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 NIV).

The second reality of life is this: You were made to last forever. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has planted eternity in the human heart” (NLT). No matter how good things are on this planet, at some point in your life, you’ll think, “There’s got to be more than this.”

And there is! You’re going to spend far more time on the other side of death than on this side. This life is preparation for your life in eternity.

Because of that, you have the third reality of life: God has prepared two eternal places, heaven and hell.

God has been preparing heaven since the foundation of the world. Jesus says in Matthew 25:34, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world” (NLT). You don’t have to stay forever on a planet broken by sin. You can choose to go to a place of perfection and be in God’s presence forever.

But hell is also a real place. Jesus goes on to say, “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (Matthew 25:41 NLT). Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, who rebelled against God. But now it is a reality for anyone who chooses to rebel against God.

When I spend time talking about the reality of hell, it’s not because I want you to be scared and depressed. I want you to understand the truth about hell so that you can fully embrace the fourth reality of life: You get to choose where you’ll spend eternity.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God’s blessing and God’s curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life” (GNT).

God wants you to choose life and to spend eternity with him. He’s opened the door to heaven through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus promised, “Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 CEV).

When you choose to believe in Jesus, you’re guaranteed everlasting life with God in heaven. What a promise!

Talk It Over

Why do you think God gives you the choice of whether or not to love him?

How does understanding the reality of hell help you better understand God’s love?

In what ways is God preparing you now for eternity?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Everything we've experienced and everything we have learned has brought us to this place of choosing. We realize it's not as easy as the childhood question of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We now know it's about making a decisive choice to follow Jesus. We realize it means living with eternity in mind, aligning our actions with Your Truth, practicing forgiveness, and seeking Your guidance in all matters. Father, we need Your ever-present wisdom and guidance to know that eternal life choices are about making the conscious, ongoing. daily decision to follow in the footsteps of truth, to accept Your forgiveness, and to live in obedience — knowing that these choices have lasting consequences beyond this life. Father, we choose You and Your Way. Help us to walk uprightly in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Eternal Realities

Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 (CEV)

Everything you see around you is temporary. It’s what you can’t see that will last forever. And those eternal, spiritual realities are what truly matter.

The truth is, spiritual realities are just as real as physical realities. And you need to be sure to focus on the spiritual ones—because they are part of reality. Here are five spiritual realities you need to understand:

God made you to love you. 

Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (NIV). God created you to love you, and he wants you to learn to love him back. This is the most important reality of life.

You were made to last forever. 

The Bible says, “He has... set eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). The evangelist Billy Graham talked about death this way: “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” He is in the presence of God now.

God has prepared two eternal places. 

Both heaven and hell are real, literal places. They’re not just “states of being.”

You get to choose where you’ll spend eternity. 

You won’t accidentally find yourself in heaven or hell one day. You’ll be where you are because of a choice you made. If you choose to make Jesus the boss of your life, you’ll spend eternity with him in heaven. If you choose to reject him, you’ll spend forever in hell. There are no other options.

Once you die, you don't get a second chance to make your choice. 

You have your entire life to make the decision about where you’ll spend eternity, but you can’t change your mind after death.

What you do with these five truths will affect your eternal destiny and transform how you live on this side of eternity.

Life on earth is always uncertain, so if you haven’t already made the choice for Jesus, go ahead and do it today. 

Talk It Over

Why is it important to keep your mind focused on the things that cannot be seen?

What unseen spiritual realities has God helped you to be particularly aware of?

Why do you think God gives you your whole life to make a decision about Jesus, but he doesn’t give you a second chance to decide after death?

- by Pastor Rick

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If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

Dear Jesus, 

                 You have promised that if we believe in You, everything we’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven. We will learn the purpose You have for our life, and You will accept us into Your eternal home in heaven one day.
         We confess our sin, and we believe that You are God, our Savior. We receive You into our lives as our Lord. Today, we're turning over every part of our life to Your management. You have the right to call the shots in our life.
         Jesus, we want to relax in Your love. Thank You that we don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. You did it all for us already. We want to use the rest of our lives to serve You instead of serving ourselves. 

I humbly commit my life to You, and ask You to save me and accept me into Your family. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Wise Investments

Though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have because of your kindness. 

Philippians 4:17 (TLB)

Every time you’re generous, you invest in your eternal home.

Jesus called this principle “storing up treasure in heaven.” He actually used this phrase six times in the Bible! When Jesus says something six times, you'd better pay attention. If you don’t, you’re going to miss seeing the blessing.

In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal”.

Most people get less than 100 years on this planet. And when you leave, you leave all earthly treasure behind. But you will get to enjoy your heavenly treasure for eternity.

So how do you store up treasure in heaven? How do you send it on ahead? One of the best ways to do that is by investing in people. And I’m not talking about earning your salvation, because that’s already been secured by Jesus.

God wants you to invest in people because those investments have eternal effects and rewards. There are only two things that will last forever: the Word of God and people. People will spend eternity in either heaven or hell, and your investment in someone could make all the difference.

Philippians 4:17 says in The Living Bible paraphrase, “Though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me happiest is the well-earned reward you will have because of your kindness.”

Paul wrote to the Philippians to express his appreciation for their support. But he said what meant the most—what brought him the most joy—was knowing that their sacrifice and generosity gave them treasure in heaven. They invested in him, but they also invested in their eternal home.

You will be rewarded for everything you’ve given away. Are you giving away your time? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven. Are you giving away your energy? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven. Are you giving away your money? You’re going to be rewarded in heaven.

There are opportunities all around you to be generous with your love, time, energy, and money, and invest in your eternal home. Don’t miss them!

Talk It Over

In what ways are you using your time, energy, and money to invest in people?

Is it hardest for you to be generous with your time, with your energy, or with your money? Ask God for faith to be generous in that area so that you can experience his blessing.

How can you cultivate a lifestyle of storing treasure in heaven rather than here on earth?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for being selfish with our love, our time, energy, and our money. Help us to keep uppermost in our minds to be like You - indescribably, overwhelmingly generous to all and in all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Not Your Job

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 

Romans 8:32 NLT

Anytime I needed something when I was a kid, I’d talk to my dad. Sometimes what I needed was expensive, but not once did I worry about where my father was going to get the money for it. That wasn’t my job! It was my dad’s job to figure out where the money would come from. It was my job as a kid to simply ask.

In the same way, it’s not your job to figure out how God’s going to provide. It’s your job to ask.

When you worry instead of asking, you’re acting like an atheist, like someone who believes they don’t have a heavenly Father. Worry is practical atheism. It’s living your life like God doesn’t exist or can’t be trusted.

The Bible is clear: God wants you to come to him in prayer about everything. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (NIV).

Worry less and ask more. Instead of worrying, pray about everything.

As Philippians 4:6 says, “Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests”.

Did you catch that? God wants you to come to him in every situation. You can talk to him about everything—no matter how big or small it seems to you.

Romans 8:32 says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

God has solved your biggest problem—your sin—and everything else is small by comparison.

If God loved you enough to send Jesus to die for your sins, don’t you think he loves you enough to help you with your finances? Don’t you think he loves you enough to help you with your health? With your relationships? With career decisions? With your deadline?

God is interested in every single area of your life. In fact, he already knows what you need. But he still wants you to ask him for it.

Are you ready to reduce the stress in your life? God is waiting for you to come to him with your needs. Choose to worry about nothing—and pray about everything.

Talk It Over

If God already knows all your needs, why do you think he wants you to ask him to meet those needs?

What keeps you from asking God for the things that you need?

Think of a time that God clearly answered one of your prayers. How does that answered prayer encourage you to keep praying about other needs and others' needs?

 - by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         We know that the trials and stresses we're facing now are not meant to defeat us but will instead be used by You to strengthen and equip me. We have faith in Your plan above our own. So Lord, help us to consider it joy when things come our way. Let us not lose hope, but be encouraged that You’re working something out for us! 'We're sorry for carrying the stressors of life when we don't have to. We know Your Word says to lay all our worries and cares at Your feet. We acknowledge that it's not our job to worry. So we now surrender all of that to You in prayer. Holy Spirit, help us distinguish between what is urgent and what is not. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The "Uns" of Worry

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Work doesn’t keep you up at night. Worry does. In the Bible, God gives clear direction about the role of worry.

Why do you need to let go of your worry?

Worry is unreasonable. Here are a couple of reasons why that’s true. First, worry exaggerates the problem. Have you noticed that, if somebody says something bad about you, the more you think about it, the bigger it gets? Second, worry doesn’t work. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. And to worry about something you can change is a waste of time. Just go change it!

Worry is UNnatural. No one is a born worrier. You might think you are, but you’re not. Worry is something you learned. Since worry is unnatural, it’s also UNhealthy. Your body wasn’t designed to handle worry. When people say, “I’m worried sick,” they’re telling the truth. Doctors say that a lot of people could leave the hospital today if they knew how to get rid of guilt, resentment, and worry. And Proverbs 14:30 says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body” (NLT).

Worry is UNhelpful. Worry cannot change the past, and worry cannot control the future. All it does is mess up today. The only thing that worry changes is you. It makes you miserable! It’s never solved a problem.

Worry is UNnecessary. God made you, he created you, he saved you, and he put his Spirit in you. Don’t you think he’s going to take care of your needs? So then, there’s no need to worry.

Do you want to learn to better manage stress? A great first step is to refuse to worry about anything. Why? Because worry is unreasonable, unnatural, unhelpful, and unnecessary.

The Bible tells us to “Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 GNT).

God personally cares about you and for your needs. So what should you do with all those things you’re stressed, anxious, and worried about? Let them go. Give them to God.

Talk It Over

What does your current state of worry say about how much you trust God?

What are you worried about right now? What can you do to change the situation or to let the worry go?

In what practical way can you leave all your worries with God (1 Peter 5:7)?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

        When our minds start going down the road of worry, guide us back to Your path of peace. Remind us that You are not bound by time. You have been in our past, You are in our present, and You’re already in our future. Whatever we have to walk through, You’re already there. You know it. You are sovereign over it. We have nothing to worry about.
         Help us to cast all our cares on You, because we know that You care about us. When our finances are tight, You provide our daily bread. When our hearts are heavy, You are our consolation. When our health is precarious, You are the strength of our hearts and our portion forever.
         Your Word is full of promises about how you sustain us, You lift us up, You provide. Help us to take You at Your Word. Your Word is Truth.
         Thank You for being a good Father. When we ask for bread, You do not give us a stone. You give us exactly what we need. When we turn to worry, remind us of Your faithfulness. Your steadfast love endures forever. We lay all our worries into Your capable hands. Help us not to reclaim them. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Regular Checkups

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be. 

Philippians 3:12-13 (TLB-The Living Bible)

Paul knew the importance of humbly growing and learning. When Paul wrote this, he was an older man in prison in Rome. He was at the end of his life. He was an incredibly mature person. Yet he said he hadn’t arrived. If anybody had the right to say, “I’ve arrived spiritually,” it would be the guy who wrote so much of the New Testament. But Paul said, “No, I haven’t arrived. I’m still growing, learning, and becoming more like Christ.”

The Bible says in The Message paraphrase, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith . . . Give yourselves regular checkups” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Do you give yourself regular checkups? Try this: Wake up every day and ask God, “What do I need to work on today?” This takes humility, but it’s a habit that will lead to happiness. Humble people are happy people. Why? Because they never stop growing and learning.

Pride is the trap that so often keeps Christians from following Paul’s example and continuing to grow in Christ. Why? Because when you think you’ve got it all together, it’s harder to make an effort to grow in spiritual maturity. Humility, on the other hand, leads to happiness because it makes you teachable.

Happiness and humility go together because you’re compelled to ask, “How can I be a better follower of Jesus? How can I be a better spouse? How can I be a better friend? How can I be a better boss? ” When you aren’t asking these questions, you’re missing out because you’ve stopped growing—and God made you to grow.

Take a step toward happiness today by humbly praying Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” 

Talk It Over

Who in your life do you consider a happy person? How do they also model humility?

How have you grown spiritually in the last year? What evidence of growth can others see in you?

Why is it important to have the support of a small group as you strive to grow spiritually?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us into all truth and show us things to come, according to Your Word (John 16:13). Help us to grow in You by taking Your Word into our hearts. We pray for spiritual growth according to the promises in Your written Word.

Ephesians 3:16, Strengthen us in our inner man.

Ephesians 3:17, That we may be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

Ephesians 3:18, Let us grasp God’s love – the breadth and length and height and depth of it.

Ephesians 3:19, That we might be filled through all our being with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19, That we might become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.

Philippians 3:10, That we may know You and the power of Your resurrection.

Ephesians 1:17, That You might grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Ephesians 1:18, That the eyes of our hearts be flooded with light.

Ephesians 1:19, That we might know the greatness of Your power in us.

Philippians 1:10, That we may learn to sense what is vital and of real value.

Philippians 1:11, That we may abound and be filled with the fruits of righteousness.

John 17:12, That You will keep and protect us from the evil one.

Colossians 1:9, That we may know Your will.

Colossians 1:11-12, That we may be strengthened with all power, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Invested

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. 

Philippians 3:10 (NLT)

Happiness is found in getting to know God more every day.

Another translation says that Paul became “thoroughly acquainted” (AMP) with God because he had a relationship with him and took the time to get to know him. He understood the difference between knowing ABOUT someone and actually knowing someone—and Paul wanted to really know Christ.

You don’t become thoroughly acquainted with God by accident. You don’t just wake up and accidentally fall into a relationship with Jesus. Paul says it’s a determined purpose. It’s something you have to do something about. You have to invest your time in it. You have to invest your heart in it. You have to invest your resources and your energy. Getting to know God requires the best of everything you have!

One trap that can keep you from getting to know God better is busyness. Just like busyness can destroy your relationships, it can also destroy your relationship with God.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (NIV).

To grow in your relationship with God, you need to make time for him and be still. Just a few minutes of focused time every day can make all the difference in the world. I’m not saying you have to spend an hour in prayer every day. You can start with 10 or 15 minutes each morning, reading the Bible and talking with God.

The most important thing is to make it a habit and commit to getting to know God. Only then will you, like Paul, begin understanding the wonders of God with greater clarity.

Make this your daily prayer: “Lord, if I don’t do anything else today, I want to get to know you a little bit better and I want to love you a little bit more.” As you pray and live this out, you’ll begin to experience greater happiness in your life.

Talk It Over

What are some things you do every day for at least 15 minutes? Do you do them because they’re essential or just because they’ve become habitual?

What distractions can keep you too busy to spend time with God?

How will you adjust your schedule so that you can spend more time with God?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for loving us every moment of every day since before we were born. Help us to keep our focus on what is the most important part of our lives - to love You back. To spend time with You. To learn Your ways and to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Love You Most

We Christians glory in what Christ Jesus has done for us and realize that we are helpless to save ourselves. 

Philippians 3:3 TLB

Realizing there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more is one of the most liberating feelings in the world—and it’s a key to happiness. He already loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Each time you forget this truth and think you’ve got to somehow earn God’s love, that’s legalism, and it robs you of happiness.

Legalism is trusting in what you can do for God instead of trusting in what Jesus has already done for you. Legalism is following a list of rules and regulations to try to prove yourself worthy, and it’s a trap that keeps you from relaxing in God’s grace.

Paul knew how to relax in God’s grace. He said in Philippians 3:9, “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ” (NLT). In other words, the way you earn the love of God is this: You don’t earn it. It’s not about your performance; it’s about his pardon.

How do you know when you’re being legalistic? When you realize you’re often judgmental of other people. That’s because it’s easier to be critical of others when you don’t feel accepted and loved yourself. Why would you want other people to feel good about themselves when you don’t feel good about yourself?

On the other hand, how do you know when you’re living by grace? When you’re living by grace, you’re gracious to others. You find it easier to forgive because you recognize that God continues to forgive you. And since you’re not trying to earn your way to heaven, you can relax.

Every morning, remind yourself of God’s grace by praying, “Lord, today I’m thankful that I am completely forgiven. There’s nothing I can do to make you love me more. And there’s nothing I could do that would make you love me less!”

The more you live by grace, the more joy you’ll have.

Let's talk about this. Have you trusted Jesus with your life?
The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to confess your sins and trust Jesus with your life, start with this prayer:

Dear God,
You have promised that if I believe in Jesus, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. I believe Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and then rose from the grave. And through His death and resurrection, my sins are forgiven, and I can have a relationship and a forever home with You. I confess the ways I’ve sinned against you and lived for myself, and I submit to Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Jesus, I want to follow you and serve you. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

From Pastor Rick:
If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

Promise for Today - Grateful Prayer

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

In Philippians 4:6-7, you’ll find one of the most difficult teachings to obey in the entire Bible. It’s not easy to stop worrying about the often-scary, everyday parts of your life, but God tells you how. He says you should pray about everything and thank him for all he has done. Grateful prayer brings peace. God says that when you start to worry, you should pray.

Parents understand the power of being grateful. Most parents wouldn’t appreciate their children always making requests and never saying “thank you” for the things they’ve received. God sees it the same way. He is waiting for you to ask him for what you need and want. More than 20 times in the New Testament, you’re told to “ask” him. But he wants you to ask with gratefulness. [Vs 7 says THEN you will experience God's peace. When we remind ourselves of all that God has done for us as we thank Him for it, we can be at peace knowing the Father has - and will always - care for us, giving us what we need.]  The more thankful you are, the easier it is to see God at work in your life. The Bible says that God inhabits the praise of his people. He uses your thanksgiving as an instrument of power in your life.

The Bible urges you to be specific in your requests—and in your praises. Instead of a simple “thank you for everything,” God wants you to tell him what you’re grateful for.

When I say to my wife, “I’m so grateful for you,” she tells me to be specific. She likes to hear what I appreciate about her and what makes me grateful for her. God does, too. So when you pray, tell God what you’re thankful for, and be specific.

Something that can require an even bigger step of faith is when you thank God in advance. When you have the faith to thank God ahead of time—before you can see how he’s working—miracles happen.

So, take a moment now, and tell God what you’re grateful for. Then keep going, moment by moment, practicing gratitude for who God is, what he has done, and all that you believe he will do. [according to His Word}

Talk It Over

How does gratitude draw you closer to Jesus and help you reflect his character?

Have you ever tried journaling your prayers and your gratitude? What difference do you think it would make?

What are some ways you believe God will bless you in the future? Thank God for those things, even before they happen.

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for bearing our burdens and carrying us day by day. Thank You for loading us with blessings and giving us our daily bread. You are a great God. Of Your goodness and kindness, there is no end. Lord, teach us to offer You a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all our daily experiences. Change our outlook and attitude into joyful contentment. We trust You and thank You for Your peace in all of it, which goes beyond our understanding. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for us. We never want to be complacent about Your saving grace and the redeeming Blood of Jesus. Thank You for spiritual growth in Christ and help us to keep walking in You by faith all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

          

Promise for Today - His Will for Us

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV (emphasis mine)

In many cultures around the world, people set aside certain days or seasons for giving thanks. But God wants you to be intentional about your thankfulness every day. He wants you to develop this spiritual habit, one that is reflected in the life of a faithful follower of Jesus. Because the closer you get to Jesus, the more deeply you understand God’s love, and the more grateful you’re going to be.

What does it mean to be radically grateful?

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV). In every circumstance, give thanks—that’s radical gratitude.

How can you be thankful even IN difficult circumstances? You can thank God IN every circumstance because he is in control. He can bring good out of evil. He can turn around the worst mistakes you’ve made. No matter what happens, God isn’t going to stop loving you.

You can find a hundred things to be thankful for IN any circumstance, even when the circumstance stinks.

Radical gratitude—being thankful IN all circumstances—is God’s will because it creates fellowship. What do I mean by that? Gratitude always builds deeper relationships between you and other people and between you and God.

If you want to get closer to someone, start expressing gratitude to that person. Maybe you’re feeling distant from your spouse. You’ve lost that spark because you stopped doing the things that created the spark early on—and now you take each other for granted. Start doing what you did when you were dating: Express gratitude. Write little notes of kindness and encouragement. Call or text during the day, just to tell your spouse that you’re thankful for them.

Do you want to build better connections in your small group? Don’t just go to your gathering. During the week, contact the people in your group. Say, “I’m grateful for you, and here’s why.” You’ll find that the more grateful you are for your group, the more your group will bond—and the more you’ll grow in radical gratitude.

Let us “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5 NIV).

Talk It Over

In what circumstance is it difficult for you to give thanks right now? What’s one thing you can give thanks for in that circumstance?

What are some simple, specific ways you can express your gratitude to your spouse, a friend, or a small group member?


As you develop an attitude of gratitude, what changes do you think you will see in yourself and your relationships?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Help us to clearly see the difference between IN all circumstances and FOR all circumstances when cultivating radical gratitude. Holy Spirit, lead us into Your Truth and remind us to encourage those around us to look for Your goodness and mercy and grace IN all circumstances. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Teamwork of Happiness

I feel that I must send Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier—back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need.

Philippians 2:25 GW

The church in Philippi sent a man named Epaphroditus to help Paul while he was in prison in Rome. By calling Epaphroditus his brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, Paul was using three relational metaphors that represent teamwork. Life together is a family, a fellowship, and a fight. Epaphroditus didn’t shut himself off from the world and become a lone ranger. He chose to be a team member in these three ways.

To live a happier life, you need to learn how to work well with others. I call this the skill of collaboration. It’s an important skill not often taught in schools, but when learned, it can exponentially increase a person’s happiness. Happiness isn’t a matter of luck. It’s a matter of learning! 

What do you need to learn in order to work well with other people?

First, learn to cooperate with others. As believers, we are in the same fight together against satan, so we need to cooperate with one another—no matter how different we are. The best place to learn how to do that is in the church.

Second, learn to be considerate. Paul mentioned Epaphroditus again in Philippians 2:26: “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick”. Notice how Paul used two examples of consideration: Paul was considerate of his coworker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus was considerate of the Philippians’ concern.

When you learn to be considerate of other people’s needs, fears, and doubts, you’ll be a happier person. For instance, if you are considerate of your spouse, you’ll have a happy marriage. But if you’re not thoughtful with your words and actions, you’ll have an unhappy marriage.

The Bible says in The Message paraphrase, “You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Cultivating a life with a common goal of Christ-likeness takes work. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, you’ll see how your effort bears the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.

Talk It Over

Why is it sometimes hardest to get along with or work well with people with whom you minister in the church?

What new practices can you adopt to foster cooperation and consideration within your small group or among coworkers?

In what specific ways will you show more consideration for your family this week, and how can you make it a habit?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          John reminds us in Your Word to "continue to love one another, for love comes from You." And that the world will know we are Christ followers by our love. Forgive us when we allow petty annoyances to distract us and make us forget the Good News of the Gospel and our roles as Your ambassadors. Holy Spirit, please convict us when we overreact to the shortcomings of others. Remind us that it is written, we are to be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Please strengthen and equip us to love others as You have loved us.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - What God Gives

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 

Philippians 2:13 NLT

God is working in you. The word “working” in Greek is the word "energos", from which we get our word “energy.” God is the energy driver in your life. You’re not just going on willpower. You’re not just going on your own power. God says he will give you the power you need, no matter what you’re facing.

Not only is he working in you, but he is also with you. The Bible says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. . . . On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:18, 20 NIV). That’s quite a promise! The Bible says that Christ is in you, that you’re sheltered with him, and that you’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. That means that, for the devil to get to you, he’s got to get through the Trinity. That’s pretty good protection and a great relief from fear.

Not only is God with you and in you, but God is also for you. Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (ESV).

When a shepherd leads the sheep, guard dogs are always at the back, keeping watch and making sure the sheep move in the right direction. The Bible says that the guard dogs in your life are God’s goodness and mercy. God’s goodness and mercy are always at work in your life. God gives you the things you don’t deserve—that’s his goodness. And he doesn’t give you the punishment you deserve for your sins—that’s his mercy.

His goodness includes the blessings you experience now but also the gift of your salvation: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

No matter what you’re going to face today, this week, or next year, you won’t face it alone. God is with you, he’s working in you, and he is for you. That’s good news! It helps you let go of fear about what you’re facing and replace it with happiness.

Talk It Over

What does it look like when you switch from living in your own power to living in God’s power?

When do you doubt God’s presence the most? Ask God for faith to see him at work in this specific area of your life.

How does your perspective of a difficult situation change when you know God is for you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You that You’re going to be with us today, that You’re going to be working in us today, and that You are for us today and every day. We cannot do this life without You. Manifest Your Word in us today, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - When and Then

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18(NIV)

Fretting and fighting over the small stuff will always cause you to lose your happiness.

This is a hard habit to break because people are negative by nature and conditioned by culture. Ever since Adam and Eve, we have been going around excusing and accusing. We excuse ourselves for the mistakes we make, and we also accuse everybody else for our mistakes.

We tell ourselves things like, 'If I just had a different spouse, then I’d be happy.' 'If I had just never gotten married, then I’d be happy.' 'If I just had children, then I’d be happy.' 'If my children would leave home, then I would be happy.'

That is “when and then” thinking—when this happens, then I’ll be happy. But you are as happy as you choose to be! You can’t blame anybody else for your unhappiness because happiness is a choice. You have to stop excusing and accusing; you have to stop fretting and fighting over the small stuff.

The Bible says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure” (Philippians 2:14-15 NIV).

That may be one of the most difficult verses in the Bible. But the scariest verse in the Bible to me is Matthew 12:36, where Jesus says, “And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said” (NCV).

That ought to send shivers up your spine. How many times have you complained, grumbled, or argued about something when you shouldn’t have been sweating the small stuff? The first law of life is this: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Law number two is this: It’s almost all small stuff!

Study after study has shown that gratitude is the healthiest attitude.

What do you have to be thankful for? Remember, no matter what is going on in your life, God is always with you, God is always in you, and God is always for you.

That’s cause for gratitude, not grumbling.

Talk It Over

Do you think you will have to give an account to God for the “small” things you’ve complained about? Why or why not?

According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, what is God’s will for your life?

What are some practical ways you can practice gratitude throughout the day?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

        We want to be like Jesus who obeyed You without complaint. We want to embrace the chains of humanity as Jesus did when He walked this earth. Convict us whenever we complain or compare ourselves with others. Give us an attitude of humility and thankful acceptance. We want to be like the Apostle Paul who learned contentment in every circumstance. We choose to continually offer You the sacrifice of praise, according to Your Word. Teach us the rhythm and power of a thankful heart. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The True Pursuit of Happiness

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2 NLT

How do you meditate? Well, if you know how to worry, then you already know how to meditate. Worry is when you take a negative thought and think on it over and over and over. On the other hand, when you take a passage of Scripture and think on it over and over and over, that’s also meditation. It just means to think about it, mull it over, talk about it with your family and or friends. 

If your only contact with the Bible is when you hear it at church, you’ll have a weak grip on God’s Word, and it can easily be pulled out of your mind. But if you hear God’s Word and you also read it every day, then you’ll start to get a better grip. Then, if you hear it and read it and study it, you’ll get an even better grip. And then, if you hear it and read it and study it and start memorizing and meditating on it, you’ll have a solid grip on the Word of God.

Psalm 119:16 says, “Your laws make me happy. I never forget your word” (GW). Do you want to be happy? Following God’s principles will produce happiness. You remember those principles by hearing them, reading them, studying them, memorizing them, meditating on them, and then applying them to your life.

The Bible says in Psalm 119:35 NLT, “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found”.  If you’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places, then turn around. God says happiness is found in the path of his commands.

Talk It Over

What distractions keep you from meditating on God’s Word?

Who in your life can help you as you memorize Scripture? How can you help each other develop this healthy habit?

You find happiness when you obey God’s commands. What does that truth tell you about God?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for its ready accessibility to us. We are so thankful that Your Word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path. We declare as David did, "Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight." Give us wisdom and Your strength to keep Your decrees to the very end. We want to keep Your Word hidden in our hearts so that we don't sin against You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - A Clear Conscience

...Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:15 (NLT).

Have you noticed that a jeweler will always put diamonds on black velvet when showing them to a customer? That’s because they shine brighter against a black backdrop. In the same way, as cultures crumble and the world becomes darker and darker, Christians can shine brighter and brighter. You’re made to live with such integrity and authenticity that when people look at you, they see a difference. They see a joy that comes from having a clear conscience.

You might say, “I’d like to be happy, but how do I keep my conscience clear when it’s not clear right now?” The Living Bible paraphrase gives the answer: “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Happiness, joy, and relief are three things everybody’s looking for in life. We all want to be happy. We all want to enjoy life. We all want relief from our pain. The Bible says we get those things through purity, and purity comes from forgiveness through God’s grace.

So how do we keep a pure, clear conscience?

At the beginning and the end of every day, do a spiritual inventory. Talk to God about anything that is standing between you and him—and then deal with the junk from your day. Ask forgiveness. The Bible tells us when we confess our sins, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Feeling guilty or ashamed can cause you to lose your happiness. So if you want to be happy, you’ve got to get rid of guilt and maintain a clear conscience—because you can’t feel guilty and be happy at the same time.

Talk It Over

What do you need to talk to God about today so that you can clear your conscience?

How can you restructure your life to make time each day for a spiritual inventory?

How are you living as a “bright light” in the world for Jesus Christ? What does your happiness in Christ say to the rest of the world?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Cleanse our hearts from all impurity, selfishness, deceit, and pride that may have taken root. Help us to delight in truth and to love others with a pure heart. Transform our minds to focus on what is good, and let our lives reflect Your love and grace. Let Your light so shine through us to those around us that they may see the good works and glorify You, according to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Promise for Today - A Shift in Focus

[Paul speaking] If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Philippians 2:1-4 (MSG)

If you truly want to be happy in life, you’ve got to care about the needs of those around you and move the focus away from yourself. Why? Because life is not all about you! When you understand this, it’s the starting point for all happiness.

Paul looked to Timothy as an example of someone who genuinely cares about others. Philippians 2:20-21 says, “There is no one like Timothy for having a real interest in you; everyone else seems to be worrying about his own plans and not those of Jesus Christ” (TLB).

Most people don’t get up in the morning and give their first thought to how someone else is doing. They’re often only concerned about their own problems. And that’s why so many people are unhappy with their lives. Thinking only about yourself eventually leads to misery.

Do you want to be one of those rare, unselfish, happy people? Then you need to change your focus.

Putting your focus on others doesn’t come naturally. Most people don’t walk into a room and think, “Who in here needs my help today?” Instead, you think, “How do I look? Am I put together just right? What are people going to think of me?” So you have to intentionally train yourself to do the opposite of what you normally do—to shift the focus away from yourself.

I have to admit that it saddens me how many times I’ve missed the needs of people around me—even the needs of people I love—because I wasn’t paying attention. I wasn’t taking an interest in them. I hadn’t shifted my focus off myself. And because I wasn’t looking out for their needs, I missed the chance to help.

Philippians 2:4 says in The Message paraphrase, “Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

Instead of dwelling on yourself or grieving missed opportunities, spend your energy thinking about how others are doing. That’s where you’ll find happiness - serving God through serving others.

Talk It Over

What distractions keep you from focusing on the needs of others?

What does it mean to “forget yourself”?

What needs have you missed in someone’s life because you were too busy or focused on your own problems? What can you do today to shift your focus toward helping that person?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Forgive us for the times we were naval-gazing and missed the clues and cues around us. Cause us to be way more attentive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Give us Your eyes to see and Your provision to meet the needs of those You have placed within our sphere of influence. Give us clean hands and pure hearts in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - We Live to Serve

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being... He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)

Happiness comes from harmony, and harmony comes from humility. And if you want to be humble, you have to learn to ask yourself this question: “What would Jesus do?”

What would Jesus do in this problem? What would Jesus do for that person who’s hurting? What would Jesus do at the office? On the golf course? In your marriage? Ask this question, and you’ll always come up with a humble answer that builds harmony and happiness rather than difficulty, defeat, bitterness, and resentment.

So what does it look like to act like Jesus? Philippians 2 gives three examples:

First:

Don’t demand what you think you deserve. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (Philippians 2:6 NLT).

Do you realize how countercultural it is to give up your right to something? Yes, you have rights, but there’s a better way to have your needs met than by demanding your rights. You can be tender without surrender, and you can be understanding without demanding.

Second:

Look for ways that you can serve. “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7 NLT).

If you want to be like Jesus, you’re going to have to learn to serve. Serving is a habit you can develop. And it starts not in the big things in life, but in the little things. God tests your humility every day in the little things, and then it’s shown in the big things. Character is revealed in the great crises of life, but it’s built in the little day-to-day things, like returning the grocery cart to the cart corral.

Third:

Do what’s right, even when it’s painful. “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8 NLT).

This is what it means to act like Jesus. What did Jesus do, even when he was in pain? He was understanding, not demanding of what he deserved. He looked for ways to serve. And he was a servant in every situation.

Jesus is the ultimate model of humility, and God gave him the greatest honor in the universe. God honors your humility, too, when you follow Jesus’ example.

Talk It Over

What are some ways you can be “tender without surrender” or “understanding without demanding” in a relationship?

How have you seen God honor humility in your life or in someone else’s?

How can you serve someone today without being asked?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer: (excerpts from Crosscards)

Father,

          Soften our hearts to be tender toward You and toward those around us. Prepare our hearts and minds to be willing to serve, ready and available to help others even when it is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly to ourselves.
         Open our eyes to see the needs of those around us —family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers. Help us not to get so wrapped up in our own lives that we miss opportunities to serve. Teach us to be Your hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
          Give us a generous heart, that we might share what we have, acting with compassion rather than seeking praise. When we serve, fill us with a joyful spirit and help us to put others before ourselves.
Father, we cannot do this in our own strength. Empower us with Your Spirit to love, to be gentle, and to be a servant to all. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Controlled Response

If by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing; but for your sake it is much more important that I remain alive. I am sure of this, and so I know that I will stay. I will stay on with you all, to add to your progress and joy in the faith. 

Philippians 1:22-25 (GNT)

Paul was an old man when he was in prison in Rome. He was a long way from home. He was awaiting execution. Everything had been taken from him—his friends, his freedom, his ministry, and even his privacy, with a guard chained to him throughout the day. It wasn’t exactly a happy time for Paul.

But there was one thing they could not take away from Paul: his purpose. Paul made the choice to stay focused on his purpose, even when he had lost everything else. What was his purpose? Serving God by serving others.

I’ll never forget reading Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps in Germany. Most of his family and friends were gassed and murdered. He writes in his book about the day he stood in front of the Gestapo. Everything was taken from him—his home, his clothes, and even his wedding ring. As he stood there with nothing at all, he suddenly realized there was one thing the Nazis could not take away from him: his freedom to choose how he would respond.

You cannot totally control what other people do to you. You cannot control what other people do around you. But you can control how you respond. When you stay focused on your purpose instead of your problem, you can have joy, even when life seems to be falling apart.

Choose to serve others, even when you are hurting. Choose to forgive. Choose to focus on God’s promises and not your circumstances. Those are the kind of choices that lead to greater faith. And then your faith will produce greater joy.

Talk It Over

What do you believe is your purpose in life?

Why does God want you to think about others and serve them, even when you are going through difficult circumstances?

How does your choice to focus on your problem or your purpose reflect what you believe about God?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          We humbly ask that You shine Your light of Truth anew on Your plan and purpose for our lives. Help us to realize that the only thing we can control - and must control - is our response to You and to the world around us. Give us Your strength to choose to walk according to Your Word: with integrity and justice, with fairness and integrity, showing kindness and compassion, living in daily dependence on You, and walking in humility before You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - The Choice to Rejoice

I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. 

Philippians 1:18-19 (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out yourself. Let God put the pieces back together. In this one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. If you’re facing a problem, you’ve got two options: You can worship, or you can worry. That’s it! This is what I call the faith factor.

First, you have to keep God’s perspective about your problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective, which helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing you have the support of other believers is like having wind filling your sails. It keeps you from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in you and helping you persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God will do his good work, no matter what you decide. But he also wants to see you growing in faith and showing him that you believe he can do it.

Because Paul has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, he chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

Talk It Over

What does it look like to worship God in the midst of a struggle?

Who do you rely on for prayer support? Who can you count on to faithfully pray for your spiritual growth?

Think of a problem you’re experiencing right now. How have you seen God work in the midst of your pain? What do you expect God to do in and through you because of this experience?

 - by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          It is written in the book of James that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change..." It is also written, "So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." Come what may, we choose to make the choice to rejoice for You are the source of all good things, remaining consistent, loving, and unchanging. You are our Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides; our Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. You are Immanuel - God with us! The everlasting God! We give You all praise with grateful hearts, In Jesus' Name. Amen

Promise for Today - Bring On the Joy

It does not matter! I am happy about it—just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.

 Philippians 1:18 (GNT)

In Philippians 1:15-17, Paul talks about different kinds of people who are affecting his ministry while he’s a prisoner in Rome. There are some he considers comrades who encourage him in his ministry. Others are criticizing, competing with, or conspiring against his ministry.

“Some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine goodwill. These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison” (Philippians 1:15-17 GNT).

Few things steal your happiness faster than being criticized or feeling like others are working against you. It’s easy to let other people control your attitude. Why? Because we all want to be loved. We all want approval. We all want people to like us.

You don’t need other people’s approval to be happy. You’re as happy as you choose to be! If others are unhappy with you, that’s their choice. If you haven’t earned someone’s approval by now, you’re probably not going to get it—and you’re going to be miserable if you try to live for the approval of everybody else. Your joy comes from God! But if you want to be truly happy, you need to remember that Jesus is the source of your joy.

Paul explains later in the same chapter why you can be happy no matter what: “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it” (Philippians 1:29-30 NLT).

Paul says it’s a privilege to suffer when you’re doing the right thing, because that’s when you’re most like Jesus. Don’t let what other people say or do control your happiness. Your joy comes from the Lord!

Talk It Over

Whose approval have you been working to obtain? Why do you think you need that person’s approval?

Why is there more freedom in God’s approval than in another person’s approval?

When you feel attacked or criticized, how might God be working in you and through you?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We pray, above all, according to Your Word, that we continue to live as citizens of heaven, conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. That we will continue to stand together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. We choose to keep our eyes, hearts, and minds focused on You. We lift Habakkuk's "Hymn of Faith" in praise to You. "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls - Yet [we] will rejoice in the Lord, [we] will joy in the God of our salvation. Bring on Your Joy, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - It's All In How You Look at It

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 

Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

No matter what’s going on in your life—the good, the bad, and the ugly—God is working out a plan. Paul knew this. When you don’t see things from God’s point of view, you get discouraged, frustrated, and unhappy. If you want to be happy, you need to look at every problem from God’s perspective. Happy people have a larger perspective. They see the big picture, like God does. 

After Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus, he had one great dream: He wanted to preach in Rome, the center of power in the known world at the time. His dream was to preach the gospel in the most important city in the world. But God had a different plan. Instead of sending Paul to Rome to preach crusades, God allowed him to become a royal prisoner of Nero. Nero was Caesar at that time—and a wicked and corrupt leader.

As a prisoner, Paul was chained to a rotation of royal guards every day for two years. That means Paul had the opportunity to witness to thousands of guards. Who was the real prisoner here? Who had the captive audience?  This wasn’t Paul’s plan, but it was God’s plan all along, and it produced amazing effects. There were two results that we know for sure.

First, Philippians tells us that the gospel became known throughout the whole palace guard, and that even some of Caesar’s own household had become believers because of Paul’s witness in Rome.

Second, it was kind of hard to get a guy like Paul to stop moving. In prison, he was forced to be still, and, as a result, he wrote much of the New Testament, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These books have revealed Jesus to countless people over the years.

Paul realized that God had a bigger plan. Because he trusted what God was doing through his problems, Paul could be happy.

Any time you have a problem that’s starting to get you down, you need to do what Paul did: Learn to see it from God’s point of view. Ask, “What is God doing here? What’s the bigger picture? What’s the bigger perspective?” Then you’ll be able to face the problem in faith.

Talk It Over

Think of a problem that is discouraging you. How does your discouragement change when you look at the problem with God’s bigger perspective?

Why do you think God is allowing you to struggle through a hard time?

How have you seen God work in the midst of a difficult situation in your past?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,
            We pray according to Your Word. You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. When we feel overwhelmed, we will take heart, knowing that You have overcome the world. Help us to stand firm and move forward, believing that we are more than conquerors - we are overcomers through You. We believe and proclaim Your Truth that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. In Jesus'Name we pray. Amen