Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.18

Ponder : The types of people we avoid and ignore are the ones Jesus was most interested in - the despised, the afflicted, neglected, oppressed, the sick, the poor, beggars, lepers, etc - people on the fringes of the society.

Consider : Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Ps 82: 3-4

Answer : Are you being invited to change your attitude towards the people you have been avoiding? What are you afraid of? What will be the positive outcome if you embrace this invitation of Christ? (Read Gal 1:10).

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to go beyond the comfort zone of my life and explore the people on the margins and see them as you see them.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.17

Ponder : Suffering is an inevitable part of life, (Jn 16:20 & 33), but it doesn't have to be meaningless. Suffering becomes a powerful prayer, if we don't become angry or disgruntled with it, but we surrender and offer it up to God as a prayer for ourselves, our family, friends, the world...

Consider : If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. 1Pet 2:20 (Read 1Pet 4:15-16; Rom 5:3-4).

Answer : Are you willing to accept suffering and make it a prayer, so as to be filled with a deep and abiding peace, and yield yourself to be transformed in unimaginable ways?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to embrace the mystery of unavoidable sufferings of life and help me to be ever mindful of others who suffer and "reach out to them in their distress."

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.16

Ponder : We need to take custody of our eyes and remain self-controlled to avoid being 'visually harassed'. Images are powerful to cause dents in our minds. You cannot 'unsee' things. Controlling the eyes is a sure path to spiritual growth and peace.

Consider : The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Mt 6:22-23 (Read Luke 11:34-36).

Answer : Is there a constant struggle to take custody of your eyes? Have you unceasingly prayed about it? Do you allow your eyes - God's incredible gift of sight - to feast on unhealthy movies or medias?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, purify my heart, my mind, my body. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Ps 51:10). Help me Lord to keep my ways pure by living according to your word. (Ps 119:9).

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.15

Ponder : The Gospels tell us of our serious and mandatory obligation to the poor - think of some poor relatives, others in your neighbourhood, etc... It's easy to say "I love God" or that "I am a Christian". But Jesus challenges us to prove it in action. Faith without works is dead! (James 2:14-17).

Consider : Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him - Prov 14:31.  Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse - Prov 28:27 (Read Mt 25:40; Micah 6:8).

Answer : How have you treated God's special friends, "the least of His brothers", the poor, the needy, the hungry, the lonely, the afflicted, the sick, the ignorant... ? Do your values align with those of Jesus?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, open the eyes of my heart so that I may see "the least of our brothers" around me, the sick, the afflicted, the suffering, those who need clothes, food, or with other needs. Help me to live like a Christian, by your grace.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.14

Ponder : Examine your conscience with the mini-Gospel in Mathew 22:37-39. We are often less willing to love and forgive ourselves and others, than God is willing to love and forgive us. Remember, God wants to raise you up.

Consider : Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1Pet 4:8-10 (Read Jn 13:34-35).

Answer : Are you loving God, others and yourself in the way God wants you to love?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, begin a revolution of radical love in my heart and teach me to love you, others and myself as you love with that divine forgiving love, so that all who cross my path will know that your Spirit is controlling me.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.13

Ponder : Jesus wants to teach you how to live an incredible life, by transforming the root of your heart. The more we place Jesus at the centre of our lives, the more life begins to make sense.

Consider : Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. Mathew 7:24.

Answer : Have you ever really considered Jesus to be your teacher? Have you applied any of His teachings to change your lifestyle? Which of His teachings do you find it most difficult to live? Why not strive to practise it?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to be an obedient student. Help me to act upon your teachings and apply them to change my lifestyle.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.12

Ponder : The Gospel liberates us from selfishness by inspiring us to be generous. Check your collections.. see the numerous clothes, shoes, beverages, etc. When was the last time you even used some of those? What about the food items wasted? Total up the cost.. Charity can flow if these areas are checked.

Consider : Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. Prov 11: 24-25. (Read 2Cor 9:11)

Answer : How is God inviting you to be more generous? With your time, talent, treasure (money) - *3-T*s; with your compassion, patience, praise, encouragement..??? Have you surprised or astonished people with your generosity?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, liberate me from being extravagant and wasteful with your gift of money and from my inclinations to be stingy and uncharitable. Help me to give and forgive.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.11

Ponder : Everybody NEEDS to forgive somebody. There can be no peace without forgiveness. Unforgiveness can prevent the flow of some healing into your body. When we don't forgive, we are telling God that we don't need His advice.

Consider : Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mk 11:25

Answer : Whom is God inviting you to forgive? Have you stood praying without forgiving? Have you ever prayed for your enemies and those who hurt you? (Mt 5: 44). How seriously do you take Jesus' invitation to forgive?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, thank you for forgiving me even though You and I know that I am going to trespass again. Teach me to be generous with my forgiveness so that I can remain healthy by liberating myself from anger and resentment.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.10

Ponder : The challenge before us is to surrender to God and allow Him to put our lives in order. It's called divine ordering . The fruit of this ordering is the peace and joy that we all desire.

Consider : Jesus prayed.. "..not my will but yours be done." Luke 22:42;;  Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Answer : Have you relied on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation? Have you ever let go and let God work, being convinced that you don't have to always be in charge.

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to surrender myself and all the events in my life into your hands and allow your will to be done in my life.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.9

Ponder : To Jesus you are infinitely valuable. Anytime you don't believe that, you are living in a state of deception, disconnected from the deepest, truest reality. No matter what happens, God loves you.

Consider : You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you... Isaiah 43: 4;  Deut 14: 2 says, For you are a people holy to the LORD your God; it is YOU the LORD has chosen out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession. (Read 1Pet 1:18-19).

Answer : Do you value yourself anywhere near as much as Jesus values you? Do you realise that your identity is inextricably tied to Jesus?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, thank you for valuing me. Lord reveal yourself to me. Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you Lord for loving me even more than I love myself.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.8

Ponder : Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. It is simply impossible to make sense of life without the clarity that comes from placing Jesus at the Center of your life.

Consider : Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. 1John 2: 3 (See the great truth in John 17:3)

Answer : Do you have a reason NOT to take Jesus at His Word and place Him at the center of your life and know Him better? What efforts are you taking to know Him ? (not know about Him)

Implore : O Jesus, my Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Teach me to grow out of my doubts and unbelief and know you personally.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.7

Ponder : Jesus is speaking directly to you in the Gospels. You need mercy and forgiveness from Him more than physical healing (Mt 9: 2-b)

Consider : I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Answer : What is holding you back from totally trusting in Jesus? (Ref Prov 3:5-8; Jer 9: 23-24).

Implore : Jesus, my Lord, I trust in you. Guard my heart today by the power of the Holy Spirit and help me trust in you completely.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.6

Ponder : There is one question that we all have to answer eventually... it's called the Jesus question. Some fill their lives with noise and busyness to avoid this question. For some a tragedy drops this question on the doorstep.

Consider : I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. John 18: 37

Answer : "But who do YOU say that I am?" (Mt 16:15) - this is the Jesus question! This is the inescapable question about the unavoidable Jesus. Have you ever really explored this Jesus question?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to know you better and seek you in every relationship, place and situation.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.5

Ponder : People are weary from the dysfunction of their own lives. The complexity is crying out for simplicity. It's time to STOP everything, pause a little and consider God's invitation.

Consider : Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mathew 11:28

Answer : What area of your life and family will benefit most from accepting God's invitation to give you rest?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me not to despise your invitation for rest or squander the opportunities to rediscover you.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.4

Ponder : When we remove ourselves from the dynamic relationship of Jesus, we become immune to the life-changing message of the Gospel and become slaves to the materialism of the world.

Consider : I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Jn 15:5

Answer : How well do you really know Jesus? Have you spoken about Jesus to someone who knows nothing about Him?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, open my heart and my mind so that I can get to know you as you really are.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.3

Ponder : Without freedom there is no love... Freedom comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit... We can only love to the extent that we are free - free from selfishness and self-centeredness.

Consider : There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (1Jn 4: 18). Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (Prov 10:12)(1Pet 4:8). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2Cor 3: 17).

Answer : Are you so self-centered as to deny others the love and freedom they need? Will you take steps to demonstrate the love that casts out fear and covers all offenses?

Implore : O Jesus, my Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit to pour out your love towards others to remove their fear and grant them freedom. Set me also free, O Lord, from self-centeredness.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.2

Ponder : Jesus wants you to carry on His work and He is the amazing friend who is going to help you.

Consider : Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Mathew 6: 33

Answer : How much is the sheer busyness of your life preventing you from living the life God is calling you to live?

Implore : O Jesus, my Lord, give me courage and determination to come out of my busyness and seek you FIRST.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.1

Ponder : It is never too late for a fresh start. God loves new beginnings.

Consider : Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  Mathew 7: 7

Answer : In what area of your life is God inviting you to change your lifestyle and experience a new beginning? Will you accept His invitation?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to believe that a new beginning is possible.

God wants to transform you AND the way you live your life! SURRENDER!

THANKING GOD - XVI

Psalm 79:13 - Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Sit down sometime and write out a list of all the things that we should thank God for. Then, pray and give Him thanks for all the things that He has done for you. It is His will for YOU.

When we fail to give thanks, we are failing to acknowledge what God has done for us. This is taking God’s kindness toward us for granted.

Living life in gratitude is living in a continuous state of blessing.

THANKING GOD - XV

Phil 4:6 - Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

To the general word "prayer" is subjoined the distinction of the two great elements of worship, “supplication WITH thanksgiving.” The very expression, however, shows that, though distinct, they are inseparable.
If one realises that whatever he has, he has received from the hands of divine love, thanksgiving becomes appropriate in any situation... and armed with thanksgiving for God's tender care & mercy, we can smile at the poisoned darts of anxiety which would otherwise fester in our hearts and, perhaps, kill.

Gratitude is the seed for joy and you glorify God when you express your gratitude⁠⁠⁠⁠.

THANKING GOD - XIV

Col 3: 17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We are to engage in every duty, not only in the name of Christ, but with thankfulness so that we may honor him; and with a grateful remembrance of the mercy of God that gave us such a Saviour as Christ to be an example and guide.

The person who goes to work with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God for his mercies, is sure to do his work well. As a Christian, all our actions are to be accompanied with thanksgiving.

Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian virtues; ingratitude, one of the most vicious sins.

THANKING GOD - XIII

1Chronicles 16:34 - O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

If there is in us any deep, real, abiding, life-shaping thankfulness for the gift of Jesus Christ, it is impossible that our tongues should cleave to the roofs of our mouths, and that we should be contented to live in silence.

Loving hearts WILL speak. What would you think of a mother who never found it needful to unpack her heart of its tenderness, even in perhaps the inarticulate crooning over the little child that she pressed to her heart?

Earth produces nothing worse than an ungrateful person and ingratitude is the mother of pride.

THANKING GOD - XII

Psalm 118:21 - I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

Good health is a great blessing, but it could be gone tomorrow. Our tables may be loaded with food today, but we could be out of work tomorrow and wondering about our next meal.

How about taking a new approach to giving thanks today? Instead of focusing on the traditional areas of our work, food, family, friends, etc... let’s thank God for what we cannot lose - the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Read Rom 8: 35-39).

More Miracles occur from Gratitude and Forgiveness than anything else.

THANKING GOD - XI

Psalm 69:30 - I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

To "magnify" is to make great; but God cannot be greater than he is. He is greater than all... But he is magnified when his greatness is realized and declared, and that is ascribed unto him; and particularly when "thanks" are given to him for favors.

Reflect on and serve those less fortunate than you. This will remind you of how gracious God has been to you, how far he has brought you, and how much he has blessed you—which will in turn motivate you to be grateful to God.

Living life in gratitude is living in a continuous state of blessing.

THANKING GOD - X

Psalm 92: 1-2 - It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.

It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, & draw up a shopping list. But there is another list we often overlook - a prayer list of all things for which we are to be thankful.

Thanklessness promotes depression and feelings of hopelessness because we become focused on our problems rather than on the Lord. Being thankful is an easy way to focus on the Lord.

Gratitude is not a feeling that dictates your choices; it is a choice that affects your feelings.

THANKING GOD - IX

Ephesians 5:4 - Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.

Human beings are social in their nature; and if they do not assemble for good purposes, they will for bad ones, for  jesting, idle, petty, and impolite conversation, low wit, etc..., which is the way of the world. (Read Rom 12:2).

It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God in thanksgiving, than to sing secular songs; to pray than to jest; and to devote the time to a contemplation of the Word, than to trifles and nonsense.

The impurity in outward expression reveals the impurity of the inward soul.

THANKING GOD - VIII

Deut 8: 17-18 - Do not say to yourself, "My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth." But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth..

We are warned against the danger of ungratefully forgetting God, which follows so easily from the pride of wealth. Gratitude is a discipline, a habit that must be consciously developed and deliberately cultivated. Prioritize thanksgiving in your prayer life.

Material affluence promotes ingratitude!