It doesn’t matter where you are in life today, you can move forward because life itself declares that potential always exists. God always loves you and believes in you, so love yourself! Believe in yourself and get started!

Jesus was born in a manger, but He did not stay there. You might have been born in a poor family in a poor neighborhood, with poor neighbors and a poor education, but you do not have to stay there! There is no one limiting you. You are not a prisoner of your past, your neighborhood, your status or lack of education.

When Christ comes to live in you there is a new power in operation. You no longer live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud: A new power is in operation!

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Even though you might be starting off in an obscure place, there is a place in the sun waiting for you! They said of Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” The answer is, Yes, the Savior of the world! A good thing is coming out of your city – YOU – because you and Jesus are a dynamic duo that can’t be defeated!

Scripture: Romans 8:2 (NKJV)

Who is your neighbor? Who are you required to help in this world? Should you be involved in the business of rescuing others, or is it just better to sit by and watch people suffer?

A religious leader asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story about a man who was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes and beat him, leaving him almost dead.

A priest saw the injured man and quickly passed on the opposite side of the road. So did a second priest! Then a Samaritan man, considered lowlier than a dog but evidently having some wealth, took pity on the stranger, bandaged his wounds, put him in an inn and cared for him.

Jesus then posed this question, “Which of these three men was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hand of the robbers?” The religious leader responded, “The one who had mercy on him.”

In every human soul, there is a void—an emptiness, waiting to be filled. What will you pursue to fill that void? Success? Family? Prosperity? Education? Or are you willing to step out and set a different standard for your life? A standard that can make a difference?

When Jesus comes into a life He brings the world with Him. Suddenly, a person with limited motivation, expectation and imagination starts to dream of doing the impossible!  Dare to think limitless in some area of your life. Understand that there is more to you than meets the eye. Jesus sees the real person you are to become. He puts a vision in your heart that is bigger than what you can do without Him.

Scripture gives us an expectation of this new life that will ignite our passion for the adventures God is calling us to. Years ago, as we got out of a boat into the water off Bahol Island in the Philippines, the moonlight hit the water at just the right angle to reveal thousands of snakes in the water beneath us. We survived, and you will too, as you get out of the boat and take the risk of walking on water!

God will never give up on you. Never forget that. And that’s not all…as we throw open our doors to God, we discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us!

In the modern song entitled, “I Am a Friend of God”, the writer asks the question of God, “Who am I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me, when I call? Is it true that you are thinking of me?”

Mother Theresa said, “Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” You never have to be alone! The writer of “I am a Friend of God” concludes his song by stating of God, “You, God, call me, ‘friend’!”

Today I want you to know that you have a friend in God. For He said in His holy scriptures, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So go ahead and take His hand…He’s there, right now.  http://bit.ly/1E6nEg2

In his book, “The Message that Works,” Dr. TL Osborn includes a chapter about Friendship With God, in which he states that God declares, “You can trust Me, I will trust you!”

Have you ever considered that God trusts you? And therefore you can trust yourself? I believe this is the essence of God’s heart toward you today.

You and I were created for fellowship with God, for friendship with God. Our rightful place is at His side—not under His feet or under His thumb. He doesn’t carry a hammer or a whip, commanding obedience…no, our rightful place is standing arm-in-arm with the living, loving God.

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. What does a true friend offer? Unconditional Acceptance, Unwavering Commitment, Unswerving Loyalty.  And today, what does Jesus offer YOU? Uncompromising, unwavering Support when you don’t know where to turn.

If you would like to know more about friendship with God, contact us today. We are here to help you! http://bit.ly/1gmsroF

In the midst of his captivity, Patrick discovered a life-changing truth – a discovery that I am praying you will also make. YOU HAVE A FRIEND WITH GOD. A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.

Six years after Patrick’s kidnapping he had a dream.  In his sleep, he heard a voice say “Your hungers are rewarded: you are going home.” He sat up, startled, and the voice continued, “Look, your ship is ready.” So Patrick got up and began walking. 200 miles later, he arrived at the coast and saw a ship.

Now, no ship would ever give passage to a fugitive slave, and the captain told the young man to move on. But knowing this was his ship, Patrick spent some time in prayer. Before he had finished, a sailor approached him with the message that he could sail with them.

Have you ever asked the question, “How do I pray?” In Patrick’s 6 years of solitude, he found the answer: prayer is talking with God, your friend. It’s just a conversation between friends!

So, what’s holding you back today? The scripture says seek Me and you will find Me. You can seek Him right now!  How? Just ask Him to come into your heart and into your thoughts. Prayer is opening your heart to God’s thoughts and ways—He desires to open His heart to you, and He will answer you.

Out of young Patrick’s friendship with God grew one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. Today Patrick is known as St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland.  And today – God offers you friendship!

If you have just opened your heart and your life to God and would like to know more about receiving God’s love, contact us today. We have resources to help you!   http://bit.ly/1h5jTCD 

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13

What does “friendship” mean to you? Unconditional acceptance, Unwavering Commitment, Unswerving Loyalty? The Holy Scripture states, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”

Many centuries ago, a young man named Patrick discovered this friend. In the year 401, a village on the coast of Britain was attacked by slave traders and a 16 year old boy was taken. Stripped of the comforts of his home life as well the future of an education and career, he was made a shepherd-slave to a distant clan. For Patrick, life was miserable. In a land of unknown languages, he experienced severe hunger as well as months of isolation on bitterly cold mountainsides.

These severe circumstances drove Patrick to God. Turning to his family’s faith, he spent his bitter days in constant prayer. As he did, a deep love of God and a profound sense of God’s Spirit was at work within him.  Scripture says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Can you imagine what Patrick endured?  God knew. And just as He knew what Patrick endured, He knows what you are going through today. Scripture tells us God has felt our very weaknesses. Perhaps you are being held in captivity to your own thoughts. In captivity to a terrible family situation or a life destroying habit. Regardless of where you find yourself, I want you to know that Jesus said, “I don’t call you servants, you are not a slave…I call you friends.”

If you have a need and would like someone to pray with you, contact us today at http://bit.ly/1KzCS1T

Scriptures: James 4:8, John 15:15

You and I were created to walk and fellowship with the source of dignity – GOD! A famous author said: “Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace.” This source of our dignity is greater than a human dignity built solely upon our actions.

A life lived with dignity is a life where we don’t measure ourselves by the standard of others, but we measure ourselves according to the values that we have set for ourselves. Ask yourself this question: “What standard or values have I set for my own life?”

When you stop comparing yourself to others you can rise above average and become truly exceptional! Remember, comparison limits your expression to what you have seen in others. Identifying YOUR uniqueness will allow you to shine with ease.

Right now, consider your own unique qualities. Have you considered how unique you are? I encourage you right now to jot down one of your unique qualities! Your uniqueness can be as simple as the thing you love to do! No one is just like you! And no one is truly an enemy to your future except you!

What is Dignity? Is it missing from your life? Is dignity the preservation of the family name at any cost? Is it the justification of any action regardless of cost? History shows us that national dignity is the motivation for wars, genocide and other atrocities. Yet true dignity comes at the moment you realize that God has great plans for you!

David the Psalmist said, ‘Who is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings?and crowned him with glory and honor. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God has a name, He is called The Great “I Am”. Scripture says He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We find true dignity in trusting in the One who calls us a king and a lord—regardless of our station in life! This King of kings and Lord of lords offers to you today a new view on life, a new opportunity to discover Him. Let’s pray together. “Lord Jesus, I want to know you. Come into my heart and reveal yourself to me today. Come into my heart and lift me up today.”

Scripture: Psalm 8:4-6,9 ESV

On our many travels to Australia our friends would tell us about the “tall poppy syndrome.” It was explained to us this way: anytime anyone raises their head higher than others, they are cut down. Essentially, the purpose is to keep everyone running at the same pace.

Perhaps you feel cut down—as if life has passed you by. Perhaps when facing great challenge, you have not acted with dignity – whether in business, sports, family or education.

God does not see you as a tall poppy; He sees you as a crown of splendor. The Psalmist David said God is “the lifter of my head.”  Regardless of the missed or failed opportunities, we can take courage and recognize that if God lifts your head no one can put it down!  Jesus said, if I be lifted up I will draw all people UP to Me.

Today allow God to be the lifter of your head. Reach out and receive the true dignity He offers to those who call upon His name!

Scriptures: Psalm 3:3 (ESV), John 12:32 (paraphrased, emphasis mine)