Memory Verse Challenge: Week 17

Sometimes we find it hard to "do good" or to do the right thing.  It can be easier to sit back and do nothing (to become couch potato Christians).  Doing good can also wear us out mentally, physically and even emotionally.

This week's verse encourages us to continue on with doing good and reminds us that the reward is great.  Sometimes the reward is immediate like a giant smile and a warm hug.  Other times we won't see much of an earthly reward but our reward in heaven far outweighs anything we could get on earth.  Keep your eye on the prize.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Sunday Blogvotional: Go Forth In Courage & Faith

Have you ever felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to do something?  Have you ever felt that what you were being asked to do was completely and utterly out of your comfort zone and your capabilities?

Chances are you have.  God has a tendency to use people who aren't quite comfortable or particularly skilled in certain areas to accomplish something great.  It's through our inabilities that His glory is made known.  But even when we understand that He will be glorified, it doesn't necessarily make it easier for us to go forward with the task - to take that step in faith.

The task may be hard and the full scope of the task may be unclear.  But remember this: God will always give us the strength and the ability to do what He's asking us to do.  He will never ask us to do something and then sit back and watch us muddle through in vain on our own.  He doesn't play games with us.  That role is left to the "great deceiver".  God is purposeful, has a plan, and when He calls us to do something - He will see us through it to the end. 

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

Encouragement for the week:  Ask God for a task today (someone to share your faith with, someone to minister to, someone to forgive, or maybe a struggle or fear to let go of, etc).  Show Him you are willing and see Him give you the strength to do it.

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 16

This week's verse reminds us that we see obstacles so differently than God sees them.  We are human and in our world things must follow certain patterns and laws of nature.  But God is not bound by any of those rules or laws.  In fact, they are bound to Him.  They wouldn't exist if it weren't for Him.

No problem or obstacle is too great or complicated for God to overcome.  In truth, I think He likes it when we encounter the "impossible".  What better way for Him to show His glory than surprising us with an "impossibility".

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.

Sunday Blogvotional: Jesus Stands The Test of Time

“Therefore in the present case I (Gamaliel) advise you: Leave these men (the apostles) alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity (preaching Christianity) is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”  Acts 5: 38,39

Some 2,000 years later after Jesus’ ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection the gospel is still being preached. Rest assured, there is a God and His son Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. If it were not so, we would not even know who Jesus was. The message of Christianity would have faded out long ago.

The passage above is very logical and very supportive. Jesus has stood the test of time. That's because Jesus was present long before our earth was even created. He is Creator, Savior, Everything! He will be alive and well and reigning over His kingdom long after this world passes.

Jesus is someone to believe in and hold onto. If we believe in Jesus - that He is who He says He is, that He died for our sins and that He conquered death and rose again - we too can be alive and well and live with Him long after this world passes away. 

Encouragement for the week:  Truth is truth and His story endures.  It's our responsibility to share it with others.  Trust in the story of Jesus and share it with one person this week.  It is after all "the greatest story ever told".

Memory Verse Challenge: Week 15

Good Monday morning to you - I hope and pray you will have a blessed week.

This week's verse is from Psalm and it reminds us that God is close to us in our troubles and in our pain.  He is not some distant being removed from us by space and feeling.  He hurts when we hurt and He will pull us through our pain and deliver us.  Remember - in week 8 we learned that God is the Father of compassion.

See more about the Memory Verse Challenge here.
See the complete list of Challenge verses here.