Empowered for a Life of Service
by Rick Warren

God has made us what  we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to
do good works, which God planned in  advance for us to live our lives
doing. (Ephesians 2:10 NCV)

There are three things you can do with your life: You can  waste it, you
can spend it, or you can invest it. The best use of your life is  to invest
it in something that will last longer than your time on earth.

The worst thing you can do is to live simply for today and  to live for
yourself. God did not put you on earth to live for yourself. He  created
you to be like Christ. 

We know that Christ came to earth to do two things,  according to Mark
10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,  but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many”(Mark 10:45 NIV). 

When we begin to follow Jesus, he empowers us for a life of  service.
The more we become like Jesus, the more we will serve others.

 Today I want you to take time to meditate on the following  verses about
God’s call to service in our lives. Pray over them and ask God to  reveal
new ways you can give yourself in service to those around you. 

“Give yourselves completely to God – every part of you … you  want to be
tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.”(Romans 6:13b
LB)

“My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work  assigned
me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the good news about 
God’s wonderful kindness and love.” (Acts 20:24 NLT)

“Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for  the sake of
the good news will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark  8:35
LB)

People Who Walk With Integrity Walk Securely
by Jon Walker

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9 NIV)

People with integrity live by fairness, even when fairness puts them at a disadvantage or causes them significant difficulty. They fight fair even when those around them do not.

People of integrity consider their word their bond, allowing their “yes” to mean “yes” and their “no” to mean “no.”

People of integrity are authentic and transparent; they act the same, no matter who is present. Their lives are “what you see is what you get.”

People of integrity are straightforward in their conduct. They don’t hide what they’re doing, and they don't say one thing and do another. They are people “in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:2 NIV).

People with integrity explain the facts in an even-handed manner, not in a way that makes them look better than the other person. They are respectful, helpful and gracious to everyone and anyone.

People of integrity go the extra mile with a smile. They do more than is required of them.

People of integrity are not afraid to ask for help. They’re not afraid to let God be their strength. They’re able to handle tough situations, knowing God is at work in them.

People of integrity focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,” anything at all that is excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Invest in the Future by Saving
by Rick Warren

Wise people live in wealth and luxury,  but stupid people
spend their money as fast as they get it. (Proverbs 21:20 TEV)

The Bible says a  lot about making financial investments. In fact, you
can see that Proverbs  21:20 is God's IQ test! Let's see how smart you are:
wise people save for the  future, but foolish people spend whatever they
get.

There is a  question you can ask yourself that will help you save more
money. It's really  simple. When you get ready to buy something, ask
yourself, “Do I really need  this?” And then be honest enough to tell
yourself. 

For instance, do  I really need a new car? Well, I know I'd  like
it. But do I really need a new car? Do I really need this upgrade? I know I'd
like it, but do I really need it?

A fundamental  financial principle is this: when you spend your money,
it's gone. Yet when you  save your money, it works for you. The problem
with most of us is that we work  for our money instead of letting our money
work for us. If you'll do it God's  way, you can get out of debt, and you
can be blessed.

How will you  need to adjust your finances so they line up with God’s
way?

Preparing for Promotion

God Sees the Very Best in You
There's nothing quite like that feeling you get when your boss, or maybe a
coach or someone who's important in your life says, "I believe in you, and
you're doing a fantastic job.  I see so much potential in you that I've got a
higher position for you."

The great news I have for you today is that God sees the very best in you. 
He wants to promote you!  He desires to take you to a new level of joy,
productiveness and fulfillment.

I want to help you prepare for promotion.  I want you to be successful in
your work … enjoy a satisfying, loving marriage … see your finances grow … build
meaningful relationships … and experience victory over any circumstance!  Here
are the key, biblical principles that will help you get ready for promotion:

Have faith that God can help you rise above any adversity.
When you're in a difficult situation and something is going on that you don't
like, very often this is simply a test of your faith.  If this is you, I hope
you will find some comfort in the fact that God has your best interest at heart. 
Regardless of your current circumstances, let me encourage you to follow Him
faithfully.  As you do, God will begin to turn things around for your good and
His glory.

Every day we receive hundreds of letters from friends who share with us how
God has used this ministry to encourage them and help them stay strong in their
faith during tough times.  One testimony came from Greg, who shared how God
honored his commitment to keep a positive, faith-filled attitude even after he
received crushing news that his boss had changed his mind about a raise he had
agreed to give Greg:

"His words were like a stranglehold on my throat.  I went home and prayed.  I
asked God to allow me to feel peace and not anger toward my boss.  The next
morning I was sharing with my wife how I needed to be more thankful, and the
phone rang.  It was my boss, saying my raise had been reinstated!  I was
speechless.  This is a new chapter in my walk with the Lord.  Thank you for your
words of hope and encouragement.  They've helped me more than you know!"

What a great reminder that when God is ready, no man can stop Him!  No
circumstance can keep you down!  When God says it's time, it's time.  "Because
of your faith it will happen" (Matthew 9:29, TLB).

Preparing for Promotion - Part 2

Live with a soft heart and teachable spirit.
If you're going to be ready for your promotion, it's so important that you
have a teachable spirit.  We should always be willing to learn.  Stay open to
new ideas and new ways of doing things.  If others are critical of you, don't
get defensive — take the opportunity to do a self-evaluation and use it to
motivate yourself to grow and improve.

A big part of being teachable is to be humble, especially with those God has
placed in authority over you.  Greg could have gotten mad at his boss for
canceling his raise.  But Greg humbly accepted the lesson God wanted him to
learn, and the situation turned around.

That's a soft heart and a teachable spirit!  When you say, "God, I don't
really understand this or agree with it, but I'm going to follow You anyway,"
you're passing the test and putting yourself in a position for God to promote
you.  "God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time" (1
Peter 5:6, The Message).

Get involved: Serve others and be a blessing.
One of the easiest things to do when you're facing trials is to turn inward
and become self-focused.  But every day we should look for opportunities to do
good and make a difference in other people's lives.

A good way to wake up each morning is to ask, "Where is there a need that I
can meet?  How can I bless someone today?"  If you take time for others, God
will look out for your needs.  Think of Jesus.  He came as the Lord of heaven
who could have demanded that everyone serve Him.  But Jesus said He did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).  Live a lifestyle of giving  -- God
promotes givers! 

If you live by biblical principles, your life will be transformed like those
of so many others who have already committed themselves to live above their
circumstances.

THE HOLY ALPHABET


Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee

Move out of "Camp Complaining"

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We'll run the race with gratitude

Xalting God most high

Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!


"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" 
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord 
can stand up to anything. 
Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.