What a slight change can do...

I saw this video shared on a blog that I frequent quite often, authored by Matt Tullos. You can check his blog here. This is performed by Young @ Heart Chorus....hope you enjoy the video as much as I did. It's more proof that if you change the presentation of song even just a little bit, the words can jump out that much more!!!

Am I hitting the mark???

Okay, I am still sulking a bit over the Sooners' loss last night in the BCS Championship. However, I am glad to see Florida's Tim Tebow get some of the spotlight, because of his steadfast walk and testimony for Christ. I found it quite amazing that announcers were touting his mission work and Christian walk last night during the game. So, hats off Gators for a great season!!!

Let's get things going today by looking at our week's memory verse found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

I look at the verse and then reflect upon what my life says in respect to following what it says. I fall so short in the grand scheme of things! Do I really think that I can pull off talking as if my walk is in perfect harmony with my calling? Am I truly striving to hit the mark daily? Not always...point blank!

But, does this mean that God loves me any less on the days I struggle? NO! The end of Hebrews 13:5 tells us plainly..."I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." It is in times that we struggle and are searching for "our" own answers that we should be practicing what Psalm 46:10 says..."Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

If I keep my eyes upon who He is, my life will be kept in the proper perspective...and pressing toward the high calling will be much less difficult, because my eyes are on Him and not me!

I came across a video at Sermonspice.com that shares the thought I am talking about in Psalm 46:10...check the video out here...

I pray that you have a great day...continue going over the memory verse for this week...ask for the chance to share it with someone else...pray that God will speak to you through it...feel free to share how this verse speaks to you by commenting below...

And, as always, please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Tonight's the night!!!

I know this isn't exactly the post you are used to if you have read this blog before. However, I am looking forward to this game with much anticipation and would like to see how many of you will venture a guess as to who will win the game? For those who don't follow college football, we are speaking of the BCS Championship between Oklahoma and Florida. Let your opinion be known. I will post comments made BEFORE and maybe a short time into the game. No trash talking, please. Just give your pick and a score if you'd like.

Are we accountable???

As I set off into the year 2009, my mind is staying on whether my outlook on the year is for personal gain, or if I am seeing the BIG picture of how God sees what is in store through me. I can sit back and dream of a new car, a PS3, XBox360, you name it...but those things are only gonna bring finite joys. The works that are done through the Lord will last forever and will provide "joy unspeakable and full of glory" as stated in 1 Peter 1:8.

Yes, it's easy to say that's what my mind is on, but everyday is a battle to keep focused. Here I am on the 6th of January, reminding myself to stay focused on God's call for the year...hmm, I would say that it will be an uphill climb to keep on track. But, one thing that helps is a sense of accountability. In the past, when failures came and went, the only concerns I had were on how I was affected. Now, there is a great number of people that I feel accountable to...some may say that adds an extra pressure, not me. Having an accountability keeps my eyes more focused on what I am doing, and why I am doing it.

Do you struggle with addictions, habits, or something that you feel you can't get away from? Wouldn't it be easier if you had someone to turn to when those tendencies come around? One of the things that can help an aching soul is having someone to share with. Maybe you feel uncomfortable sharing with a minister or deacon, elder, or whoever...maybe you can talk to your Sunday School teacher, or someone who has been through and survived what you're going through. The key is finding someone to be accountable to...someone who you can call when you need to. Maybe that can give each of us the victory to achieve what God has for us this year!!!

Let's take another look at our weekly memory verse, found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Keep repeating it to yourself...pray that God will use it to speak to you...and ask for the chance to share with someone...Challenge yourself!!!

Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

Press toward the mark!!!

Since I have taken a few days off from the posting, I have been thinking of a new verse and how to challenge each other for the year that is upon us. Thinking along those lines, I came to the following verse, which will be our first memorization challenge for 2009. The verse is found in Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

As I thought on those words, I was reminded of a video I found at BluefishTV that talks about how we always strive to be the best for ourselves, but why aren't we striving to be the best for HIM???



If you've never visited BluefishTV, click on the comments under the post "Know the scriptures???". There you will find a promo code to get a FREE video for use in your church or small group.

Before winding up this post, let's take another look at this week's memory verse from Philippians 3:14..."I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Take the challenge fresh and new this year...pray that God will speak to you...pray that He will use you to share His message with those you come in contact with TODAY...

And, please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!