Knocked down, but not out
Some days, everything feels like a challenge. You may imagine you don’t have any fight left in you. Life has overwhelmed you and nothing about it seems easy. So what do you do?
Take a note from Joshua 14:10–11 and get back in the ring. Prepare for the bell to sound, and fight with all you’ve got.
Don’t do it just for yourself. You already know you can’t fight any battle alone. Do it for God.
Let Him know you are still there, still ready to suit up and go into the arena of life where you’ve been called to do His will.
The comforting fact is that God sees you right where you are. He’s willing to give you the strength you need. All you have to do is give Him the courage of your convictions. He will build you up and renew your spirit and lead you to victory. Just let Him know you’re still there.
You’re willing to serve and ready to keep moving forward.
You can trust the God of all that’s possible to guide you toward your heart’s desires.
That’s your mission!
Author Karen Moore
karenmooreauthor.com
Let’s face it — most Americans have extra resources. … When the extra comes to us, we either store it or we spend it. But rarely do we ask God what does He want to do with the extra. Rarely do we say, “God you have blessed me. You have done so much for me. I have more than I need. What do You want me to do with the extra?” When’s the last time you prayed that prayer?
Pastor Louie Heard
Second Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, Ark.
When we display the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23, it is a reflection of Jesus more than a reflection of us or our ability to follow rules. He produces fruit. We abide in Him. “Against such things there is no law” (v. 23).
Pastor Brooks Cail
First Baptist Church of the Islands, Savannah, Ga.
“I’m not everything I want to be … but I’m not what I used to be.” —Pastor Bruce Chesser. How many of us can say the same thing?
First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tenn. via Facebook
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
Colossians 4:6
God has a purpose for you. Above and beyond the mundane everyday life. It isn’t that God wants you to leave your job or where you live. He wants to use you right there. Exactly where you are. Intentionally. Your spiritual life isn’t separate from your regular life.
Brian Hatcher
Discipleship pastor
Clearview Baptist Church, Franklin, Tenn.
Wisdom is the ability to take the truth of God and apply it to your life. … It involves application, perspective and experience.
Todd Strain, Associate Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, La.
“[Fasting] is not about the food, it’s about the Word.” —Pastor Jarrod Roberts. How do we connect with Him during a fast? Get in God’s word. Read it as much as you can, as often as you can.
Psalm 119:105
Joshua 1:8
Matthew 4:4
Hebrews 4:12
1 Peter 2:2
Psalm 119:9–11
Psalm 1:2
West Rome Baptist Church, Rome, Ga. via Twitter
Two things you can do for foster families:
- Learn how you can join a foster care community group in your area to support families who are fostering, or learn how you can foster.
- Donate restaurant gift cards for foster families in your community.
Adapted from a Facebook post
First Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C.
Jesus radically changes every life He touches. He changes attitudes, habits, relationships, emotions and destinies. And His changes are always for the good!
Facebook post
Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Dependability is an admirable quality.
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
From the Twitterverse
@timkellernyc
Salvation lies not in an escape … but in the transformation of this world. … You will not find hope for the world in any of the religious systems or philosophies of humankind. … No faith holds out a promise of eternal salvation for the world — the ordinary world …
(V. Ramachandra)
@ricklance
We can and we should learn from the past, but we must not take up residence there. As Christians, we are to be good stewards of the present and the future.
@JonathanLeeman
“It was when I was happiest that I longed most. It was on happy days when we were up there on the hills … with the wind and sunshine. … And because it was so beautiful, it set me longing. Always longing. Somewhere else there must be more of it.” —C.S. Lewis, “Till We Have Faces”
@brocraigc
“Satan never brushes the feathers of his birds the wrong way; he generally deals with us according to our tastes and likings. He flavours his bait to his fish.” —[Charles] Spurgeon
@MattSmethurst
One of the marks of a Christian is a winsome and friendly spirit that delights in peace and harmony, not arguments and division. —@DrTomSchreiner
@trillianewbell
A thought (for Christians): If the loudest voice in our heads is our own, it will do us well to pause before speaking. It’s also one of a thousand reasons to meditate on the Scriptures. If His voice is even a little louder, it could be a blessing to all around us.
@pjanrn_c
When you know that God is for you, that His Spirit lives within you and that His favor and presence are upon you, you are no longer consumed with insecurity about the odds that may be stacked against you. #ElijahBibleStudy
@MichaelCatt
One reason we aren’t living in #revival is we’ve defined sin as “what you do, that I don’t do, that I don’t approve of.” That’s self righteousness 101. Sin is what God says it is.
@kswhitfield
A foundational and non-negotiable pillar for biblical justice is a rigorous commitment to truth-telling.
