Mean what you say

'…Let your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No,' no…' James 5:12 NIVNIV

Saying what you mean is just the beginning. Meaning what you say is the next step. Don't say one thing, then walk away and do the opposite. When you say 'that's the last time', make sure it is! Start with the small things (like how much time you'll spend on the games console or starting your assignment before the last minute), and you may well find it filters into some of the bigger decisions and actions too. If you're not planning on doing something, don't say you will. And stick to your guns too; if you tell your friend you're not going to let him borrow your bus pass anymore, don't let him. Saying 'Oh ok, just this once', makes him think it's ok to keep coming back and before you know it he'll be walking all over you again. Have you ever heard a mum screaming at a kid, 'If you don't stop that right now you'll have to go to your room'? The kid doesn't stop, so the mum says, 'This is your last warning'. Still the kid doesn't stop—but still the mum doesn't take action. The 'final warnings' just keep on coming. What does the kid do? Whatever they want to, of course. Why? Because empty words have no meaning. If you want people to listen to what you say, respect you, and value your words—then make sure you place value on them too, and follow through on what you say.

Friday, 26 February 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201002252062/Mean-what-you-say.html

Five don'ts that make a difference

Five don'ts that make a difference

'…Get understanding.' Proverbs 4:7 NKJ

Today, five lessons about life that make all the difference:

(1) Don't worry, just do your best. God accepts no less, but He demands no more. 'Trust in the Lord, and do good…and He shall give you the desires of your heart.' (Psalm 37:3-4 NKJ)

(2) Don't rush it, do it right. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.' (Proverbs 21:5 NLT)

(3) Don't believe something is impossible without trying it. When you are in God's will, doing things God's way, sensitive to His timing and willing to stick at it, your problems are just a platform for Him to work on your behalf '…we must wait patiently and confidently.' (Romans 8:25 NLT)

(4) Don't waste your time. Put first things first and ask yourself, 'What is it that only I can do, or do best?' Only when you've answered that question will you know what you should do. Despite what you're thinking right now, it's probably not got a whole lot to do with Guitar Hero!

(5) Don't just talk about it…do it. Lots of people have good intentions but those intentions have to become actions. Get specific about your diet and your devotions, your finances and your family. 'If it's to be, it's up to me.' Write those words on a card and read them regularly. James writes: '…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.' (James 2:17 NKJ)

Monday, 15 February 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201002142050/Five-don-ts-that-make-a-difference.html

Get to know God better

'Can you discover the depths of God?...' Job 11:7 NAS

It's not what you know but who you know. If you know the band, you get backstage passes. Or if your sister has a job at a pizza store, you know when to come in for a special. The Bible also says there are things we can have just because we know God. (1) Blessing. The more you know God and obey His will, the more you'll experience His blessings. 'If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children…' (Deuteronomy 4:40 NLT) (2) Peace. 'Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God…' (2 Peter 1:2 NAS) The more you know God, the more you'll be at peace. Sure, tough stuff happens, but facing that stuff with God makes a massive difference. (3) Wisdom. Paul prayed that God would give the Ephesians '…a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.' (Ephesians 1:17 NAS) Wisdom is seeing things the right way. Revelation is when God opens your mind and shows you things you otherwise wouldn't know. (4) Freedom. '…when you did not know God, you were slaves...' (Galatians 4:8 NAS) Without the confidence that comes from knowing God, you become a slave to circumstances, emotions, or other people's opinions. Refuse to live that way. Instead, get to know God better.

Saturday, 13 February 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201002122048/Get-to-know-God-better.html

Christ must be at the center of your relationships...

Christ must be at the center of your relationships because He provides a stable, fixed point of reference; otherwise, your relationships will be frail and fragile.

Every relationship is based or founded on something. For example, some relationships are based on the fact that both people work for the same company, attend the same school, or sharing a similar interest in a hobby or sport.

With all of relationships, once a common bond is no longer present, the relationship will tend to deteriorate. For example, once a child graduates from high school and moves off to college, he or she will probably lose most of the relationships formed with classmates, because school is no longer a common bond and thus there is nothing holding the relationship together.

However, if your relationships are formed around a common belief in Christ, then no matter what else happens in life, as long as that common bond is still present those relationships will last.

Thus, it is clear why 2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs believers not to marry unbelievers: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

If you want to maintain lasting, stable relationships, they must be Christ-centered.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of February 8, 2010
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2010-02-08

You can handle it!

'You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!'

Isaiah 26: 3 NLT

Have you been having a tough time recently? Whether you have or not, you'll know what it feels like, right? Because one thing is guaranteed-at some point you will have tough times! The Bible guarantees it! 'We must suffer...' (Romans 8: 17 NCV) So the question to ask is not, 'How do I avoid having a hard time?' instead we should ask, 'What do I do when things get tough?' Our answer would probably be, 'If life is difficult, then we can't possibly enjoy ourselves. We just have to moan and complain and look miserable, until it's over.' But God answers our question with a promise, 'I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me.' What a great promise! We just need to do our best and let God do the rest as we look to Him for help. We don't have to worry or panic, we can feel calm and relaxed, because God will fill us with His peace. This way God has the last word. No more running around like a headless chook or getting caught up in your emotions or reacting to what people are saying. You'll know God's in control, you won't even have to look miserable, you could even smile. Imagine that! When things go wrong-and they will-do what God asks of you and then chill. Sit back and watch Him work on your behalf!

Thursday, 28 January 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201001271993/You-can-handle-it.html

Stick with it

'...the testing of your faith produces patience.'

James 1: 3 NKJV

Once upon a time a farmer's donkey fell into a dry well. When the farmer heard the donkey's braying and realised what had happened, he decided that neither the donkey nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. So he went and asked his neighbours to come and help him bury his donkey in the well and put it out of its misery. Initially, the donkey was very upset. You would be too, if you were in a deep hole and people started throwing muck on top of you! But as the dirt rained down on his back, the old donkey had a thought. He decided that every time a shovel of dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up. And that's what he did. As the dirt cascaded down the well, the old donkey kept shaking it off and stepping up. Hours later, the exhausted donkey finally stepped over the wall of the well. What was meant to bury him actually helped him!

When troubles come, don't give up; like the donkey, have patience and persevere, then you too will discover that what you thought was hindering you is actually helping you. '...These troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and have everything you need.' (James 1: 3-5 NCV)

Sunday, 24 January 2010
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201001231989/Stick-with-it.html

Do your relationships control you, or does Christ control your relationships?

God wants to be the most important thing in your life. Sadly, many Christians let the opinions of other people control their own decisions, altering what they consider to be important.

Proverbs 29:25 says, Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Your relationships with the people you're around could be a snare to you if let them control you. However, if Christ is more important to you than any relationship, then he will control your relationships, guiding you into right, godly ones. Make Christ first place in your heart, and he will control and direct your relationships.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of December 28, 2009
http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2009-12-28