Won't It Be Grand!

Do everything you do well.  Don't skimp on the small stuff.  Do it all as unto God.  Don't wait until you're assigned some grand task.  Make every task grand and glorious in God's eyes.  Then when you go to bed at night, your spirit will be satisfied, at peace and overjoyed.  Then God will say, "Well Done!"

The Man in the Mirror

The problem you perceive in others is often a reflection of the very same problem that exists in you.  If you notice that someone is arrogant, check your own nose to make sure it's not in the air.  If you get tired of your friend being negative all the time, pay attention to your attitude.  If you can't get along with a coworker because he or she just doesn't seem to like you, do some self examination.  Do you like him or her?  God isn't going to show you other people's issues before he shows you your own.  Your issues are the only ones you can fix.

Be Blessed Now

You don't have to wait for the right person to give the love of God.  You don't have to wait for the right moment to be the best of who you are.  You don't have to wait for the right place to enjoy your surroundings.  The person is whoever you are with (even if it's you).  The moment is now.  The place is where you are.  Be blessed now.

What Joy! What Peace!

Oh what joy there is when you learn to revel in the blessings you have.  What peace, when you figure out that focusing on and whining over what you don't have is a waist of time.  You already have everything you need.  And many times, if you think about it, when you get those things you whine about, you find you didn't even really want it.  So don't just settle for what you have.  Enjoy it!

Work For It While You Wait For It

Whatever you have asked for, be prepared when it comes.  Don't wait until it comes to start preparing.  It is guaranteed to come, so work for it as you wait for it.  If it's a job, start reading up on the requirements and gain more knowledge and experience in the field.  If it's a spouse, set up your house so your soul mate can move in seamlessly.  Faith without work is dead.  Exercise your faith.

Don't Let the Devil Ride

Anger is not your friend.  So when it knocks on your door, send it on its way.  If you don't, it will make a good case for itself.  Next you will welcome it in to sit for a while with you.  Then you'll be mulling things over with it, how they did you wrong.  Anger will become your closest confidant.  You'll go to bed with it.  You'll wake up with it.  Before you know it, it will have taken control.  It will influence all your decision-making.  So if you don't want anger taking over your house, stop it at the door.  Like my grandma says, "Don't let the devil ride.  If you let him ride, he'll wanna drive."

Courage or Foolishness

Don't put more emphasis on going against the grain than you put on walking in the will of God.  Sometimes what you think is a courageous stance is just foolish obstinance.  Let go and let God move you positively forward.  Don't focus so much on proving you're your own boss that you lose sight of your objective.  Then nothing will get done.  Use your physical and mental energy not to stand against the world but to stand for what is righteous.  Sometimes you can be so busy not doing wrong that you forget to do what's right.  Instead, be too busy doing what is right to even have time for doing wrong. Refocus and reposition.

Keep It Moving

Don't use your failings as an excuse for failure. Keep your eyes on the prize. And if you fall, get up, correct yourself and keep moving forward. There is no excuse to quit. Even when you fall, the finish line is still there waiting. Failure does not negate the promise. It's still promised.

Seek Only God's Truth

God sent His word. He formed it into a walking, talking, breathing, unconquerable example so that we could walk, talk, breathe and remain unconquered. There is no greater truth. There is no greater comforter. Don't settle for anything less. Not chemical substances. Not material things. Not man. All else will pass away. The Word will stand.

Let Them Go

Allow people to be who they are. Don't get upset or frustrated over people's behaviors and beliefs. This only causes you senseless anxiety, anger, sleepless nights, bitterness and pain. Freeing others will free you. Let them go and let them move on so that you can move on to where you need to go. If you're holding on to them, you're both stuck. Release the hold on others and enjoy your own life.

This Joy I Have

Stop searching for happiness and find it where you are. You don't need to win the lottery to laugh. It doesn't cost one penny to sing a happy tune. You don't need a lot of friends to be friendly. You don't need designer shoes to jump and shout. Take off your shoes, because where you stand is Holy. God is good!

This Little Light of Mine

If the world around you is dark, you are not shining. If you walk into a dark room, wouldn't it be foolish to sit and complain that you can't see or blame the darkness? No, you would simply turn on the light. If you flipped the switch and nothing happened, you'd check the bulb. You are the light of the world. If nothing happens when walk into the room, check yourself.

What's Hot Today Might Burn You Tomorrow

Be careful that fashions and trends don't dictate your decisions. Do what you do because it is right with your heart and right with God. If you stand on that, you will always stand. If you jump on the latest trend, you will constantly change. What's hot today is not tomorrow. Men change their philosophies, styles of dress, mores and doctrines, musical tastes, etc. God never changes. God knows where He stands. Stand with Him.

Don't Let Yesterday's Sins Block Today's Blessings

Don't let the sins of yesterday bind you today. If the Son has set you free, you are free. No matter what you did. Whether it happened yesterday, last month, last year or when you were a child. Put it away and move on. You are free from the shame, guilt and bitterness of what happened before. You are free today. There is no excuse for failing to live right now.

Healthier, Wealthier & Wiser

Giving to others is an investment in yourself. You will reap the benefits of joy, peace and love. You will be healthier, wealthier and wiser. Don't hold on to it. Give it, knowing that it is unto God. And God will replenish all plus interest.

Happy Valentine's Day: Love Never Dies

Show your love today. Take advantage of every interaction with your loved ones, acquaintances and even people you just met. Don't take it for granted. Be honest. Be kind. Be compassionate. Be yourself. Take the time to set a spell. Don't rush off. Laugh with them. Compliment them. Let them know how much you appreciate the moment you're sharing with them. Life passes so quickly. Love is all that lasts forever.

Let It Shine

Each and every day is a blessing, an opportunity to love with all your heart, give of yourself, use your gifts, and let your light shine. We make the mistake of thinking most days are just ordinary. But everyday can be extraordinary if you make it special. Don't wait for the chance to make an impact. Your chance is now.

The Sins That Kill

Salvation is not just about abstinence from physical acts of sin. It's more than what you do in your body with or against some other body. It is also about salvation from the filth people can't see, bitterness, secrets, lies you tell yourself, self loathing, envy and hatred. These sins are sometimes more dangerous because they can be easily hidden. These are the sins you commit against your own body, mind and spirit. They block your blessings and keep you from reaching the level of peace, love, joy and prosperity God intends for you. If ignored, they lead to a slow and painful mental, spiritual, and even physical death. However, when you open up and allow God to clean you out, there is no limit to where you will go.

Let God Deal With You So You Can Deal With Others

Let God attend to your needs first. Pray, read the word and seek God's guidance in all things. Obey His commands in relation to your mind, body and soul. Then you will be fit to interact with others. Your relationships and contacts with people will be satisfying and fruitful. You'll be free to give of yourself genuinely and selflessly when you know God is taking care of you.

Standing on Holy Ground

Take off your shoes, because where you stand is holy. God put you in this place, in this time, among these people for a reason. You are perfectly placed, so stop complaining, stop fidgeting, stop worrying. Let it go, and live your life. Embrace the gift that is now. Hug your loved ones tighter. Laugh at what you think is funny. Whistle while you work. Take the scenic route, and enjoy the view. Smile at strangers. Everything you need is right where you are. So stop looking down the road. Take a look at the ground where you stand. You'll see it.

Get to Work

The most foolish and unnecessary way to shorten your life is to stress over other people's affairs, opinions and problems. You have absolutely no control over these things. So why add them to your agenda? You have enough to deal with attending to your everyday concerns and responsibilities. If you spend time and energy trying to handle theirs, yours will be left undone (so will theirs), and nothing will get done. Many times, we waste our time on gossip and rumors about others so that we can get a mini vacation from our own duties. Sometimes when we are not enjoying our own lives, we try to get gratification from other people's lives. When you're done talking about them and analyzing their issues, your issues remain. So do yourself a favor and just deal with your issues. Eliminate the unnecessary clutter of other people's business and work diligently on your own.

Your Life, Your Choice

Attitude really is everything. Glass is half empty to one person, half full to another. Something carelessly discarded as trash by one is picked up and cherished as a much-needed treasure by another. Trouble in one person's way is an exciting opportunity to show God's omnipotence to another. Life is one situation after another. And one choice after another. You can choose to be positive, grateful and optimistic, and life will be enjoyable. You can choose to be negative, whiny and pessimistic, and life will be a chore. Either way, it's your life. It's your choice.

Follow Your Joy

Enjoy yourself. Life is too short not to. God gave us hands so that we could do the work, feet so that we could go to the places, voices so that we could speak the words that give us joy. Joy is more than a good feeling or mood. Joy comes from God. Joy is a piece of heaven in your soul. It's a touch of God so that you know that He is with you, protecting you, guiding you, providing for you eternally. Experiencing life according to God's plan can only give you joy. Spend your time, energy and talent doing those things that bring pure joy. Don't stop for anything or anyone. Even if no one else gets it, keep doing it. Even if no one else appreciates it, keep doing it. God gave you the right to enjoy yourself. He created you and planned your life in just such a way that only you could enjoy. If you deviate from your plan to follow someone else's, you forfeit your right to divine joy. Don't do anything for any other reason than derivation of joy. If you're doing things that don't give you joy, you are being fake. You're not really living. If you're being true to your heart, you're experiencing life as God intended.

Speak Your Heart Instead of Your Mind

Love means taking other people's feelings, needs, desires and concerns into account, sometimes even putting theirs before your own. Love means considering how what you say and do affects others before you speak or act. Just because it's true doesn't mean you should blurt it out. Just because it's the right thing to do doesn't mean you should do it right now. Speaking your mind isn't always best. Take your time to hear and understand what God is speaking in your heart. Then speak that. Do that. You will do no harm. Your words will heal. Your actions will be effective.

Letting Go of the God Complex

You are not in control of your surroundings, your future, your loved ones, your enemies or even yourself. So stop. Loosen your grip. Ungrit your teeth. Untense your muscles. Let go. Let God handle His business. When you let go of your God complex, you'll find your peace. When you surrender yourself to God and obey Him, you'll see your joy unfold. It's just waiting on you.

Give to People, Expect Your Blessing From God

Look to God for your blessings. Your work is done on earth, but your reward comes from a place far greater. Don't do things for others, expecting a blessing from them. When you do something, do it for God. His blessings are not tit for tat. His blessings are exponential. So don't settle for the tiny reward you think is comparable to what you've done. You really don't deserve anything. God has given it all. Give, and you will receive over and above.

Have You Lost Faith in People? Good.

Do all things things to make God happy. God created you. God loves you all the time. Others will sometimes hesitate to love. So don't depend on others. Don't work to gain their love and appreciation. God's love is unfailing and unwavering. Stand on it. Focus on it. When you begin to drift, go back to the word. Do what it says. Realize it now that no human being is capable of fully providing for you. People get tired, angry, sad, confused, scared,and so on and so on. Once you realize this, you won't get so disappointed in and frustrated with your brothers and sisters who are on this journey with you. People (all people)will sometimes fail. God will never fail. People (all people) have limitations. God is limitless. Give everything to Him. He gave everything to you.

ALL Things Will Work for Your Good

Don't let your circumstances determine your attitude. Circumstances are sure to change. Your attitude should be established in the word of God. Rejoice in all things. Because all things are good for you when you love God.

God is ALWAYS On Time

God is always on time. That phrase has become a cliche. We repeat it so much that the depth of it goes over our heads. Take the time to rehearse it in your heart, not only with your lips. When you get antsy, still yourself and say it to yourself. When everything was due yesterday, tell the Lord thank you for today. When it looks like you're getting left behind, stop to see the beauty of right here, right now.