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Bad to the Bone

July 15, 2013

“Badness—in other words, sin—doesn’t have to be that dramatic. It can be something on the sidelines: an unkind word, a whisper of gossip, a neglected request, an unrepentant attitude, an intentionally forgotten event.

Ouch.

It all boils down to a heart that’s hardened against God—however temporary the condition, however isolated the tough spot…
Here’s the good news: He loves us anyway.”

Excerpted from Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

Daily Reflection: How do you know God loves you in the midst of your “badness?"

Becoming like Him

July 12, 2013

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!…Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled.… Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’… Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Peter 1:13-16; Ephesians 5:3)

Paul understood our very human tendency to live in denial, closing our eyes to the things in our lives that may need to change. Change is hard work, and we would rather stay as we are. But this is not how God has called us to live. He wants to help us control our minds and our desires so [ … ]

Ordinary’s Dream

July 11, 2013

“Not long ago and not far away, a Nobody named Ordinary lived in the Land of Familiar.

Every day was pretty much the same for Ordinary. In the mornings he got up and went to his Usual Job. After work, he ate almost the same dinner he’d eaten the evening before. Then he sat in his recliner and watched the box that mesmerized most Nobodies on most nights…

Time passed. Then one morning Ordinary woke up with these words echoing in his mind: What you’re missing, you already have…

Could it be? Ordinary looked and looked. And then he discovered that in a small corner of his heart lay a Big Dream. The Big Dream told him that he, a Nobody, was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things…

Then he had a surprising idea. Could [ … ]

Doing Small Hard Things

July 10, 2013

“Doing hard things is how we exercise our bodies, our minds, and our faith. Small hard things are the individual repetitions— like a single push-up. They are seemingly insignificant by themselves but guaranteed to get results over time…

That’s where the ‘do hard things’ mentality comes in. It reminds us that sometimes the smallest things can be the hardest things and that the purpose of effort is to gain strength. Being faithful in the smallest things is the way to gain, maintain, and demonstrate the strength needed to accomplish something great.”

Excerpted from Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

Daily Reflection: What small things can you work at this week?

Celebrate Freedom and Discover Your Own

July 4, 2013

You should know that wherever you feel weakness, God is strong. He took me from disabled to enabled and instilled in me a passion for sharing my stories and my faith to help others cope with their own challenges.

I realized that my purpose was to turn my struggles into lessons that glorify God and inspire others. He blessed me as a blessing to others. Distribute your own blessings with enthusiasm, and know that whatever you do will be multiplied many times. In all things God works for the best for those who love Him.

Excerpted from Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

Daily Reflection: How can you live a life of freedom—one without limits—today?