Character

"Character provides the opportunity for longevity in any career, any relationship, and any worthwhile goal... What a man is, survives him, and that -- makes a lasting difference!"

("The Word for You Today, Spring 2008, pg. 35)

Overload

"When life gets overwhelming remember:
1. God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem...
2. Don't think about quitting. Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting, or persevering through to victory...
3. If it doesn't have your name on it, don't pick it up! Stress comes from micr0-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren't yours. Establish healthy boundaries...
4. Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough... So keep going -- by God's grace you'll make it!"

("The Word for You Today", Spring 2008, pg. 35)

Just Do It!

"Understand this: you don't have to do anything to earn God's love, but you must obey Him in order to walk in His blessings. So, what has God told you to do? If you want victory in your battles and success in your endeavors, start doing it!"

("The Word for You Today", Spring 2008, pg. 33)

Hanging in There

"If what you're doing doesn't produce resistance, it's not worth doing. The winners in your Bible are described this way: 'Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle.' What turns weakness into strength? Faith that refuses to back up, back down, or settle for less than what God has promised."

("The Word for You Today", Spring 2008, pg. 32)

Patience

"God allows certain things to take place in our lives to teach us important principles like: (a) developing new skills and ways of thinking; (b) showing grace and controlling our responses; (c) maintaining our faith when times get tough. Paul writes: Patience...is the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper (Col.3:12 AMP); Be glad for all God is planning...Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always (Ro 12:12 TLB). When you spend time in God's waiting room, He's developing qualities in you that simply can't be developed any other way. When He's finished you'll come out stronger and wiser. And you'll have the maturity to handle what He has in mind for you. So don't let the enemy rattle you or engineer circumstances that put you into overdrive. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:7)"

("The Word for You Today, Spring 2008, pg. 32)

2 Corinthians 4:1-5:10 (various)

God in his mercy has given us this work to do, and so we do not become discouraged. We put aside all secret and shameful deeds; we do not act with deceit, nor do we falsify the word of God. In the full light of truth we live in God's sight and try to commend ourselves to everyone's good conscience. For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world...

Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies...

The scripture says, 'I spoke because I believed.' In the same spirit of faith we also speak because we believe. We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence...

For we know that when this tent we live in--our body here on earth--is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever...

So we are always full of courage. We know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord's home. For our life is a matter of faith, not of sight. We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord. More than anything else, however, we want to please him, whether in our home here or there. For all of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. Each one will receive what he deserves, according to everything he has done, good or bad, in his bodily life.

Forgive Yourself

"When guilt and condemnation tell you your sins are too big for God's forgiveness, remember what Paul said: "Jesus...came...to save sinners. I'm proof -- Public Sinner Number One...someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy...evidence of his endless patience." Before his conversion Paul persecuted the church, killing and torturing believers. It's how he made his living! And if he could learn to forgive himself, you can to! In fact, when you don't you're implying that your transgressions are beyond the scope of God's grace to forgive and Jesus' blood to cleanse. And that's a bigger sin - pride! Pride and a judgmental attitude feed off each other the way humility feeds off forgiveness. God said, "I am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake. And I will not remember your sins." (Isa 43:25) When you adopt a humble attitude and work on forgiving yourself the way God has, it is a lot easier to overlook other people's mistakes. Give it a try; you'll be amazed!"

("The Word for You Today", Spring 2008,pg. 31)