Why our church recognizes Juneteenth. (1) Emancipation was already provided, but slaves in Texas hadn't heard yet. Juneteenth commemorates the day the news was delivered. (2) We will always celebrate when people are set free from bondage. That's the Christian story too. (3) We celebrate physical freedom with our black brothers and sisters who have slavery in their history, because we've been given spiritual freedom. Freedom is what it's about!
A few ideas to help make prayer a lifestyle. (1) Drive in silence. Use that time to talk to God. (2) Any time you're about to change rooms, ask God to guide you in the next space. (3) Pray as you brush your teeth. (4) In social situations, instead of grabbing your phone during an awkward silence, ask God to direct your conversations.
Verses to remember when you're feeling sad. (1) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. - Deuteronomy 31:8 (2) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11 (3) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28 (4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 (5) The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18
What to do when you feel exhausted with life. (1) Evaluate all you're doing. Something needs to give. (2) Give yourself some margin by stopping one of those things. (at least for a season). (3) Ask God to show you how to trust Him better. (4) Let him order your schedule. (5) Tell someone what you're going through. Don't go it alone!
Strategies to start reading the Bible. (1) Don't start at the beginning. Start with Mark. People often get lost in the genealogies or detailed laws. (2) Get a plan that splits up the Bible into different parts for each day. (3) Read in the morning instead of the evening to make sure you get it done. (4) Add it to your daily to-do list so you remember. (5) Don't feel shame if you miss a day.
Want to read the whole Christmas story? Here's where to find it: John 1:1-5, 14 (Eternal Word made flesh) Luke 1:5-25 (Zechariah’s vision) Luke 1:26-56 (Mary’s vision and trip) Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph’s first dream) Luke 2:1-20 (Bethlehem & Shepherds) Matthew 2:1-12 (Magi) Matthew 2:13-23 (To Egypt and Nazareth)
How to respond when you feel angry. (1) Ask God to direct your anger toward righteous purposes. (2) Make sure any truth you speak is based in love. (3) Ask God what he would have you to about the wrong. (4) Generally, we stick up for others and forgive those who offend us. (5) Regardless, give all your anger to God. He's the only one who can get righteous vengeance.
How to get more enjoyment from your job. (Even if it's a boring job.) 1. Realize you work for God first and foremost. 2. Seek to be the coworker you wish you had. 3. Pray each day for God to show someone you can minister to at work. 4. Work to make your boss a success. (They'll notice.) 5. Bookmark and share this post.
How to deal with your anger in a healthy way. (1) First, realize it's okay to be angry. The feeling is okay, it's the response that's important. (2) Don't let it turn into sin. In your anger, do not sin. Ephesians 4:24 (3) Ask God to search your heart and show you why you are mad. See if there is any offensive way in me... Psalm 139:24 (4) Get rid of it. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice... Colossians 3:8
Here's how we get humility wrong. (1) We think humility is being quiet or shy or pretending we don't have strengths. (2) It's possible to be bold AND humble. (3) Humility simply focuses and values others more highly than ourselves. (4) Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.
9 things God says about money. (1) The borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 (2) Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:12 (3) Whoever loves money never has enough. Ecclesiastes 5:10 (4) Dishonest money dwindles away. Proverbs 13:11 (5) You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 (6) Diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 (7)Honor the LORD with your wealth. Proverbs 3:9 (8) Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord. Proverbs 19:17 (9) God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
