Reach out

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (NLT) ( Proverbs 17:17 ) 

It's almost expected for our friends to be loyal and our family to help but there is a precursor to this that we don't always think about. These relationships need to be nurtured. Have you reached out to a friend lately to offer some help or simply meet for lunch? Make an effort to engage in an activity together with a friend or family member. Building your relationships will not go unnoticed over time.

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Devote

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (NLT) ( Colossians 4:2 ) 

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.

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Judge

God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? (NLT) ( James 4:12 ) 

God is the perfect judge because He created the law. When we judge other people it is a sign we don't trust God will judge accordingly. Or it is a sign that our own authority is greater than God's.  Both of these ideas are far from the truth.  If you find yourself looking down on another person, try focusing on your love and appreciation for them.  Your love leaves a greater impact than your judgement.

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Discipline

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful!  But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (NLT) ( Hebrews 12:11 ) 

When you are training for a marathon, it's often helpful to have a coach guide and correct you.  Waking up early in the morning, practicing in the rain, and enduring through the cold elements challenge your discipline.  A coach keeps you accountable and ensures you stay on track.  Yet, there is no feeling quite like finishing a marathon.  When your Coach pushes your limits remember you are preparing for a marathon.  It may be painful, but you can push through.

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Control

Don't sin by letting anger control you.  Think about it overnight and remain silent. (NLT) ( Psalm 4:4 ) 

Your face gets flushed, your blood begins to get hot, and your head begins to throb.  These are physical signs that anger is beginning to control you in the moment.  When our anger gets out of control there is never a good result.  In such situations, the smartest thing is to remain silent and take some time to think overnight.  In the morning, after time has passed, it's easier to respond with a calmer stance.

I know God

If someone claims, "I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.  (NLT) ( 1 John 2:4 ) 

Having a relationship with Jesus will keep you grounded and leaning into a growing faith. A growing faith is a good sign. In a relationship, truth is spoken, conviction is felt, and confidence in God strengthens. Walk in the truth and obey God's commandments.  Was there a time in your life when you weren't living in the truth?  What were the circumstances?

Don't let

"Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me." (NLT)

 ( John 14:1 ) 

Heart troubles can be the worst.  Hurts happen.  Are you doing what you can to be troubled free?  If you don't take the time to deal with those hurts and root them out, they will prevent you from being a whole, healthy person.  How can you tell if your heart is troubled?  Look at your emotional reactions and figure out the reasons behind your reactions.  Then trust.

Self-control

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. (NLT) ( Proverbs 25:28 ) 

Hundreds of years ago, city walls were a source of protection from invading forces.  In the same way city walls protect a city, Solomon is also saying self-control protects a person from outside attacks.  A few areas people may struggle with balance is emotion, financial, verbal, food consumption, etc.  What areas do you struggle with self-control?

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Talents

"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (NLT) ( Matthew 25:29 ) 

Are you spending each day utilizing your God given talents? If not, think about doing things that take advantage of your special talents and then put a lot of muscle behind it. When we make wise choices and use our talents to the fullest extent, success follows.

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Young and old

Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever! (NLT) ( Psalm 89:1 ) 

Upon what conditions do you give your love?  Or is love a condition of good behavior?  When someone we love does things or makes decisions that we disagree with, that's not the time to use our love as a tool for manipulation.  Unconditional love is pure and everlasting regardless of behavior.  Is there anyone who doesn't deserve your unconditional love?  That's exactly the person you should focus on loving.

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Love

Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. (NLT) ( Romans 13:8 ) 

If you don't show your love for someone, it may appear to others that they are not loved.  Are you sidetracked by your busy day that you're forgetting the little things?  Those little things add up and become powerful enough to send the wrong message.  Overcome this and send a loving message.  What speaks to your loved one?  If it's confidence, encourage them.  If it's feeling pretty, compliment them.  If it's strength, support them.  Fulfilling this law will honor God.

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What foundation do you want?

I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. (NLT) ( Luke 6:47-48 ) 

Staying grounded in God's word is essential to a strong faith that withstands floodwaters. But it's also essential to apply what you have learned to your life. With a firm faith you can weather any storm when it comes your way in life. Are you laying the foundation for a solid faith?

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Be like Jesus

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (NLT) ( Psalm 145:8 ) 

Who better to model after than our Lord. While we tend to both break and mend our love for one another, God always loves us even when we do wrong. While we get angry and hurt others emotionally, God is slow to get angry. If you could be more like Christ, just imagine how peaceful you would be. Be patient, loving and understanding especially to your loved ones even if they deserve otherwise.

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Watch her tongue

Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (NLT) ( Proverbs 21:23 ) 

Sometimes emotions can get the best of us and cause us to say words we don't truly mean. Or we are charged with emotions and choose words with different implications than we intended. When you get in this state do your best to stabilize and then try to communicate emotions when you can better watch your tongue.

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God Said

Then God said, "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth." And that is what happened. (NLT) ( Genesis 1:14-15 ) 

It seems like we wake up everyday and go about our lives without pausing but rather rushing. Hit the pause button for a moment today and admire the surroundings that God has provided so graciously to us. Remember, God loves you so much that He lights candles for you in the sky every night!

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Are you sick

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. (NLT) ( James 5:14 ) 

With so much love from family surrounding us, it's a blessing to be alive. At times, our loved ones become ill and we get saddened from these difficult times. However, recovery arises from the power of prayer. If you have a family member who is ill, pray for them and ask others for their support and prayers. If you have a friend who is traveling down this path, remember to ask if you can pray for their loved one too.

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Eye of a needle

In fact, it is easer for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God! (NLT) ( Mark 10:25 ) 

No one ever really thinks of themselves as being rich and we often characterize our wants as needs. When you look around and see those who have less it's easy to let your heart harden over time and ignore them. We even go so far as to tell ourselves "I can't give to this hungry man, because I have to pay for my 'need.'" Don't allow your wants to be stumbling blocks to the Kingdom of God.

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Do not judge

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (NLT) ( Matthew 7:1 ) 

Whew, that's quite a challenge! When someone else makes judgments about ourselves, we fight it. Yet, we judge each other daily in all matters of life and make comparisons to see how we measure up. We, however, are not the perfect judge and in making our own judgments we overstep God's authority. What are some things you can do to stop yourself from judging others?

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Giving your life

O Lord, I give my life to you. (NLT) ( Psalm 25:1 ) 

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.

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Darkness

Their minds are full of darkness; they wandered far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. (NLT) ( Ephesians 4:18 ) 

Our heart becomes hardened when we choose to ignore that inner feeling inside which nudges us to do or say something. When this feeling is ignored too many times the heart becomes insensitive to conviction and it becomes hardened. It's important to realize the impact of our actions or inactions.  Have you declined your compassion to others with a hard heart?

The Lord is good

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. (NLT) ( Nahum 1:7 ) 

Our God provides us with a shelter to protect us from life’s troubles. The question is whether we accept his protection. When you run into a wall or trip over hurdles, it’s easy to feel defeated. If you travel through life with God, He will most definitely give you strength to overcome them and peace to enjoy it.  Have you talked to God lately about the troubles you are facing?

Matthew 20:28

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NLT) ( Matthew 20:28 )

Do you ever go through days that seem like something is missing? We work so hard to accomplish goals in our life so that we can provide a better life for ourselves and our families. But this can also focus our attention on the "things" we have and more importantly don't have. Where we direct our focus can lead us to that feeling of void. Instead of focusing on ourselves, direct your focus on someone in need. You may not see the immediate impact on your goals but in some way and at some time, God will honor you actions