JESUS LIFTS UP THE HUNBLE

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. [Matthew 23:12]

All of us are guilty at times of exalting ourselves and putting others down, of hogging the spotlight and making others feel bad about themselves. Jesus honors humility and reserves exaltation for the humble. When we put others above ourselves and acknowledge that we need God’s grace and strength---then we place ourselves in a position to experience God’s best.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,…….[Romans 12:3]

…….God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. [James 4:6]

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

An everything----whatever you ask in prayer, believing----you will receive. [Matt.21:22]

The quality of our spiritual life will be in direct proportion to the quality of our prayer life. Prayer changes things, and it changes you. It is important that you and I understand that instead of trying to work things out according to our own will that we turn our problems over to God in prayer. Instead of worrying about your next decision, ask God to lead the way. Pray constantly, He is listening and wants to hear from you. You and I most certainly need to hear from Him.

Prayer shouldn’t be casual or sporadic, dictated only by the needs of the moment. Prayer should be as much a part of our lives as breathing. [Billy Graham]

God wants to remind us that nothing on earth or in hell can ultimately stand against the man or the woman who calls on the name of the Lord! [Jim Cymbala]

PUTTING GOD FIRST

But seek  first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you [Matt.6:33].
In the book of Exodus God warns that we should place no other gods before us. All too often we worship the gods of pride, greed, power, or lust. If you sincerely want to build your character and your life on an unshakable foundation, you must put your Creator in first place. No exceptions.

THE RESURRECTION

No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. [Josh McDowell]

The resurrection blasts apart the finality of death, providing an alternative to the stifling, settling dust of death and opens the way to new life. [Billy Graham]

RANDOM THOUGHTS

1.    Commit to God, know His ways, do His work, it’s all about Him.
2.    Responsible to obey God and dependent on the Holy Spirit to enable.
3.    Loved, forgiven, chosen and sealed.
4.    Find value, worth, significance, hope and identity in Christ alone.
5.    Never doubt in the dark what God has taught you in the light.
6.    If you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart.
7.    God’s grace is radical, real, redemptive and reliable.
8.    It’s hard being critical without being self-righteous.
9.    It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.
10.You reap what you sow, more than you sow and later than you sow.

WALK WITH THE WISE

He who walks with wise men will be wise [Proverbs 13:20]. Friend, God wants you to be wise (James 1:5), and one way He trains you to become wise, is through godly and wise people. So chose your friends carefully. The right influences will grow you in wisdom.

SPIRITUAL SERVICE

Spiritual service is not our gift to God, but rather His gift to us… A person walking in grace doesn’t get up each day with resolve to serve the Lord. He simply chooses to abide in Christ, moves forward through his day, and when he sees an opportunity to serve God, he rejoices that the omnipotent God of the universe allows him to participate in what God is doing in the world.