Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.60

Ponder : This is the final challenge! As often as you can, find an empty church and sit with Jesus for an hour. Don't place great plans or expectations in that one hour. Just sit with Him as with someone who needs your company, for a full hour, in silence, and experience the "dunamis" energy of the Holy Spirit --  AN HOUR OF POWER!  You can learn more in an hour of silence with the Lord, than you can, in a year from books. (May be you can start with half an hour and increase to one).

Consider : Ps 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God! (Zechariah 2:13; Habakkuk 2:20).  Mt 26:40 - So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?

Answer : Will you draw back from the world for an hour, to be with the Lord, so that you can live more fully in the world? How many hours have you spent / will you be spending on the pleasures of the world? Is one hour too big a price for you to sit with the Lord, your provider, healer?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me Lord to pull away from the world and discard its pleasures, and be with you for one full hour. Fill me with your power and inspire me O Lord, to be an inspiration for others. Amen!

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.59

Ponder : Forget about all your yesterdays. You cannot change them. God is more interested in your future than He is in your past - but He is most interested in your  NOW! Starting right now, today, God wants you to begin "intentionally living" your best life of Gospel values.

Consider : Revelations 22: 11-12 - Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work.

Answer : Where will your adventures take you? Do you realise that your unshakeable faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ will be the "defining difference" and a "game changer" in your life?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to realise that there is a direct connection between my effort to live the Gospel and the inner joy in my soul. Guide me to give myself over wholeheartedly to the pursuit of Gospel life.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.58

Ponder : Consider the big question -  What if?  Yes, what if everything Jesus talks about in the Gospels is true? What if we really do need to give an account of the life we have lived? Life, death, heaven, hell, God, eternity, good and evil - What if it is all real? (and it is!). { Dare you to read Rom 2: 6-11; 14:12; 2Cor 5:10; Mt 25:31-46; Mk 9:43-48; Lk 16:19-31; Jn 5:28-29}.

Consider : Mt 16:27 - For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. (Try reading Mt 12:36).

Answer : What if it is all true? How would that change the way you approach life today and in all your tomorrows? How would it impact the choices you make and the goals you pursue?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, guide my words, thoughts and actions so that I can live my best life filled with Gospel values and help me realise that I have to give an account of the way I live.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.57

Ponder : Christians should be the ultimate "people of possibility". Our churches should be "palaces of possibility". Let us never be pessimistic. Pessimism and cynicism are twins and enemies of faith. Whenever and wherever the teachings of Jesus have been taken seriously, the results have been astounding.

Consider : Lk 1:37 - For nothing will be impossible with God..., Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Read Mt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27; Job 42:2; Jer 32:27).

Answer : Have you ever tried to live Christianity wholeheartedly? If not, will you make a beginning now?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to avoid pessimism and cynicism and see the possibilities around;  transform me from being a mere shadow of a Christian into a shining example of your real self by spreading joy, compassion and wisdom to others.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.57

Ponder : Christians should be the ultimate "people of possibility". Our churches should be "palaces of possibility". Let us never be pessimistic. Pessimism and cynicism are twins and enemies of faith. Whenever and wherever the teachings of Jesus have been taken seriously, the results have been astounding.

Consider : Lk 1:37 - For nothing will be impossible with God..., Phil 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Read Mt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 18:27; Job 42:2; Jer 32:27).

Answer : Have you ever tried to live Christianity wholeheartedly? If not, will you make a beginning now?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to avoid pessimism and cynicism and see the possibilities around;  transform me from being a mere shadow of a Christian into a shining example of your real self by spreading joy, compassion and wisdom to others.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.56

Ponder : You can't give what you don't have! Think about it. Can you teach piety to your children, if you are not pious? Can you teach Scripture, if you haven't learned it? Can you spend time with your children and spouse, if you haven't managed your time well?

Consider : Deut 6: 6-7 - Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. (Read Col 3:16).

Answer : Are you a Christian example to your children? Have you ever taught them the Scripture or the Gospel values to change their conduct and behaviour?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to be a chaste, humble, modest and well behaved Christian and thereby manifest your values as I live my life.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.55

Ponder : The family is called "the school of virtue". Parents show their children what "life in the Spirit" really looks like, and by their prayerful example show their kids what it means to be a Christian. Parents are to give their children more than just information - they are to teach them transformation.

Consider : Eph 6:4 -  And, fathers,... bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Titus 2:3-5, says, ...they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. (Read Prov 1:8-9; 22:6).

Answer : How have you fared? How is your school of virtue, "the domestic church"?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, teach me to be a good child, a good spouse with Gospel values and let me not convert the school of virtue into one of vices.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.54

Ponder : We need God's grace to create "holy moments" in our lives. But it is not that God's grace is lacking, but rather what is lacking is our willingness to cooperate with His grace. Some holy moments can be created by controlling our temper; by patiently coaching our children; by doing something out of the way for our spouse; etc.

Consider : Heb 12:14 - Pursue peace with everyone, and  the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Read 1Thes 4:7; 2Cor 7:1; Mt 5:48).

Answer :  Do you realise that you were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless? (Read Eph 1:4; 1Pet 2:9). Will you discharge your responsibility to be holy and remain set apart from others?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to know that opportunities to create "holy moments" are everywhere. Teach me to grab these opportunities one moment at a time and to receive a special dose of joy. Let me never forget that the holiness you desire from me is possible.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.53

Ponder : Holiness is possible and we can overcome the debilitating lie of the devil. To begin, take just one moment and make it a "holy moment". A holy moment is a moment when you are doing what pleases God. It is not confusing. You are just being the person God created you to be. From one moment, make it two moments and so on...

Consider : Leviticus 20:26 - You shall be holy to me; for I the LORD am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine. (Read 1Pet 1:15-16)

Answer : Do you now realise that you have to be different and holy, because, as a Christian, God has  separated you from other peoples, as His own?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, forgive me for living a life in the culture of the world. Help me to understand that holiness is achievable and immensely practical. Teach me to reproduce more "holy moments."

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.52

Ponder : The world culture and all its distractions can prevent us from living a holy life. It is astounding that just one lie can neutralise the Christians and turn them into mere spectators. This becomes satan's biggest triumph as he makes us repeat the lie that holiness is not possible. Remember, Holiness is possible.

Consider : Eph 5:6-7 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. (Read Prov 13:5).

Answer : Do you realise that you have the responsbility to be holy and not just enojy the privileges of being Christian?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, remind me of my great destiny and help me to let go of the world culture and surrender myself to live a consecrated holy life that you desire.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.51

Ponder : The world culture and all its distractions can prevent us from living a holy life. It is astounding that just one lie can neutralise the Christians and turn them into mere spectators. This becomes satan's biggest triumph as he makes us repeat the lie that holiness is not possible. Remember, Holiness is possible.

Consider : Eph 5:6-7 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. (Read Prov 13:5).

Answer : Do you realise that you have the responsbility to be holy and not just enojy the privileges of being Christian?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, remind me of my great destiny and help me to let go of the world culture and surrender myself to live a consecrated holy life that you desire.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.51

Ponder : The lies of the world destroy our joy. These lies sow doubts in our hearts and minds and erode our faith. But one lie has a satanic impact on Christians. It is the biggest lie and that is -  "Holiness is not possible". Many think that it is possible only for some grandmothers or some medieval saint.

Consider : Col 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. (Read Jer 7:8).

Answer : Didn't you think that holiness was not possible for you? Do you realise that you cannot live a holy life, if you accept the lies of the world?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, protect me from all the lies swirling around me and in my mind that prevent me from living a life of holiness that you desire. Grant me the grace to live a worthy life pleasing to you.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.50

Ponder : God wants you to have "complete"  joy and only God can give you that joy. The Gospel is an invitation and a blueprint for that complete joy and it has a long track record of leading people to that joy. The truth is that you can test it yourself by "intentionally" living the Gospel and getting instant proof as your stress and anxiety vanish.

Consider : Isaiah 35:10 - And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Read Jn 15:11).

Answer : Is your joy complete? What is standing in the way of that complete joy? Are you willing to give up those things which offend God? Are you so stubborn as to deny God from giving you that joy?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to give up those things which stand in the way of the complete joy that you desire to give me. Help me to come out of the "alternate paths of joy" that I have taken and teach me to intentionally live a Gospel life.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.49

Ponder : God considers gluttony and greed, a character trait of an evil person to be avoided (Prov 23:20). Our self-discipline is tested every time we see an advertisement for any product or food, exhausting us of perseverance for good and draining us of resistance to evil.

Consider : Phil 3: 18-19 - For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ... Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. (Add  James 1:14-16).

Answer : Do you control your desires or do the desires control you when you enter a kind of "all-you-can-eat" function or restaurant? Do you realise that it's a disgrace and you dishonour God by your greed? (Lk 12:15; Ps 10:3).

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, transform me and remove greed and gluttony from my system. Fill me with self-control and teach me to deny myself, and thus be a good witness.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.48

Ponder :  Life is not about getting what we want. We are confused with our many "disordered desires", which scream so loud, that we cannot hear God's voice. "Wisdom is the realisation that it is insane to want something other than what God wants for us."

Consider : Phil 2:21 - All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Read Phil 3:19; Mt 16:23).

Answer : Does getting what you want, bring you lasting happiness? Have you ever probed what God wants for you?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to begin the daily quest to seek your will in my life. Teach me the discipline of reflection, unending persistence and ever-increasing self-awareness, so that your joy may be in me and my joy may be complete. (Jn 15:11).

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.47

Ponder : The ability to deny yourself some comfort or pleasure is an essential life skill. Each time you deny yourself, it becomes a spiritual exercise, a spiritual push-up that strengthens the soul and contributes to a  successful marriage, parenting, career, etc.

Consider : 1Pet 2:11 - Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. (Read 2Tim 2:22; 1Cor 9: 24-27).

Answer : Will you consciously practice the Gospel habit of denying yourself? Being a Christian, have you ever considered the exhortation in Mt 16:24?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, thank you for all the comforts you have given me and let me not to be addicted to these. Teach me to discern that daily denial of self, allows me to open up to the grace I need to overcome my sinfulness.

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

Becoming the-best-version-of-yourself! V.46

Ponder : One of the greatest temptations in life is to get comfortable. It is so easy to make comfort a priority in our lives. This leads to "comfort addiction" and then even the slightest discomfort makes us irritable, restless and discontent, making us burst into an angry rage over the tiniest thing.

Consider : Rom 5:3-4 - we boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope...

Answer : When was the last time you denied yourself some comfort? What efforts will you take to deny yourself some pleasure and comfort, in order to serve others?

Implore : O Jesus my Lord, help me to come out of my "comfort addiction" and be able to bear up some inconvenience and discomfort. Teach me Lord to serve the less fortunate who have no comfort whatsoever.

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