"Practice what you preach!" "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day." "Put your life where your mouth is!" Those of us who speak out most openly about our faith in Jesus also need to make sure that we hold ourselves accountable to the same standard we are calling others to follow.

LORD God Almighty, please give me boldness, wisdom, and respect
as I seek to stand up for Jesus each day. May my words and my life
declare my allegiance to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. 

Everyone may be entitled to his own opinion but everyone is not
entitled to his own truth. Truth is but one.   -- Doug Groothius

A lot of people have their opinions about Jesus’ identity. The real issue, however, is what you believe about Jesus. What you decide about God’s Son means everything for you and for those you influence. So listen to Jesus' question to his disciples as if he is asking it of you: "Who do you say I am?" I pray that your answer is the same as Peter’s: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Just a little leaven and the whole lump is changed. A sinful person can have the same effect on a whole group of people committed to God. So let's be wise and reverence God by obeying him and his Word. Let's be insightful in the way we deal with sin and temptation in our lives. Also, let's be sure to remember that we are at war with the evil one. Then let’s praise God, because our Savior has already defeated our enemy and the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand up to Satan's attacks and resist his temptation.

In my experience, signs follow decisions. The way you overcome spiritual inertia and produce spiritual momentum is by making tough decisions. And the tougher the decision, the more potential momentum it will produce. The primary reason most of us don't see God moving is simply because we aren't moving. If you want to see God move, you need to make a move!

I learned this lesson in dramatic fashion. I believed our Women’s Ministry needed to reach out to the local public schools. I had asked several of the leadership about it, but nobody was willing to commit to the program. I took a step of faith and told the closest elementary school to the church that we would collect backpacks for them. Two weeks later, we delivered over 50 backpacks to that school. We made a big impact on those families and the school district.

During the last planning meeting for the Women’s Ministry we unanimously agreed to adopt a city-wide school supply program for next year. Two women stepped forward to take leadership and everyone is excited about the ministry.

I cannot promise that signs will follow your faith in three minutes or three hours or three days. But when you take a step of faith, signs will follow. God will sanctify your expectations, and you will begin to live your life with holy anticipation. You won't be able to wait to see what God is going to do next.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength. -- Charles H. Spurgeon

Holy Father, I thank you for your servants who share your message all over the world. Father, I want to especially thank you for Pastor Mike and I ask you that he will be blessed with good health, a faithful and loving family, and the proper support to do your work in a way worthy of your cause. Please use me to bless and encourage this minister of your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Every act of kindness and compassion done by any man
for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working
within him.   -- Julian of Norwich

Kindness is the noblest weapon to conquer with. -- Thomas Fuller

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.
Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole
one and asked Him to forgive me.
(unknown)

"Great art thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is thy power, and infinite is thy wisdom." And man desires to praise thee, for he is a part of thy creation; he bears his mortality about with him and carries the evidence of his sin and the proof that thou dost resist the proud. Still he desires to praise thee, this man who is only a small part of thy creation. Thou hast prompted him, that he should delight to praise thee, for thou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee. Grant me, O Lord, to know and understand whether first to invoke thee or to praise thee; whether first to know thee or call upon thee. But who can invoke thee, knowing thee not? For he who knows thee not may invoke thee as another than thou art. It may be that we should invoke thee in order that we may come to know thee. But "how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe without a preacher?" Now, "they shall praise the Lord who seek him," for "those who seek shall find him," and, finding him, shall praise him. I will seek thee, O Lord, and call upon thee. I call upon thee, O Lord, in my faith which thou hast given me, which thou hast inspired in me through the humanity of thy Son, and through the ministry of thy preacher.
―Augustine of Hippo, Confessions, Book I: Chapter 1

Let's ask God to help us view people through the eyes of Jesus so that we will see them as people in whom the work of God needs to be done. And just what is this work of God? Well, Jesus answered that question this way: To believe in the One He has sent! (John6:28-29)

Father, please help me see the people around me as Jesus does. I want to see your work done in their lives, so please give me patience with those who are rude, tenderness with those who are hurting, and boldness with those who are ready to hear the Good News of Jesus.

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. -- Psalm 9:1