The famous investor Warren Buffet is quoted saying, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”

Solomon was a couple thousand years ahead of him, writing in Proverbs 19:1-2, “Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.”

Without honesty and integrity being smart and enthusiastic will eventually lead us into trouble.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the wisdom of Solomon, and help us to have the courage to have integrity and honesty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

You have probably heard people use the expression when discussing something of great value to them, “..it is my pride and joy.”

Paul uses this expression in NLT translation of 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 when speaking about the congregation in Thessaloníca. He says, “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”

What a great way to think about those whose lives we have the opportunity to influence for their salvation, our children, siblings, parents, other relatives, and friends. They are our Pride and Joy.

Dear Lord, help us see the great importance and joy of influencing and supporting others in their faith journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

You have probably seen those crystal figurines in jewelry stores, one of the most famous brand is Swarovski. It is amazing how these sculptures sparkle and reflect the light. Although the crystal is just glass, it sparkles so much more than ordinary glass because it has a “secret” ingredient, lead, added to the sand that is melted to form the glass. It is the fact that the lead is in the glass that makes it different and more dazzling.

In a similar way, Paul writes about God’s mystery and secret in Colossians 1:27, “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you the assurance of sharing his glory.” It is this secret ingredient in Christians that makes them different, and which makes us look different to God. He does not see the ordinary person, he sees us with the “dazzle” of Christ in us.

Dear Lord Jesus, It is only by the “secret” of your grace changing our appearance that we can be seen as acceptable to God, and saved. What an assuring mystery this is for us. Help us embrace this secret and live our lives demonstrating Christ living in us. In His name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

James writes in James 2:20 that, “Faith without works is dead.” This passage is often discussed as an argument to protestant perspectives that Grace alone through faith is all we need for Salvation. Fortunately, my message today is not to discuss this issue, but to look at this passage a little differently.

Tony Robbins, the popular personal development author, speaker, and coach says in his book. “Never leave the scene of a decision without taking a specific action toward it’s accomplishment.”

You might ask what these two things have in common?

Jesus says in Matthew 17:20, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Similar to the Tony Robbins perspective on decisions, Having faith that God will take care of us, and answer our prayers, is great, but he expects us to take action that shows we expect he will do so. We could kind of think of it like a modified version of the Tony Robbins quote, “Never have Faith without taking action that demonstrates it.”

In every Christian’s success we see them putting their faith in God, then taking the step forward in that faith. Their success happens when they take that first step demonstrating their faith.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Key word, “actions.”

Dear Lord, we believe in our hearts that you care and are there for us. Help us to show our belief by taking actions that rely on your involvement in our lives. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box

How often do you face difficult situations where you cannot imagine a solution that will make things work out favorably for you? For example, you have a large bill due and no idea how to pay it, a big school project due and not enough time to get it done, or a big project at work at the same time as an important family activity.

Why don’t we ask for God to solve it for us? Often we think we have to know how the problem can be solved so we can explain to God how to solve it. Actually we don’t. In Matthew 17:27 Jesus and Peter were in a situation where they were required to pay a tax. Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish, open it’s mouth, and he would find the tax that was due in the fish’s mouth. Do you think Peter had any idea that Jesus would resolve the problem this way?

God can always find a way, even when we don’t see a way. We need to remember to just ask.

Dear Lord, help us remember to go to You when we are in need, and trust You to show us a solution. In your name we pray. Amen.

Click Here – to Receive These Messages Every Morning In Your Email Box