Good Words for Today

God measures our spiritual progress not by huge battles won or lost but by a thousand daily skirmishes no one else knows about.

God is not confused. He knows what he is doing even when we don't have a clue.

Be kind. Everyone you know is having a hard time.

We need to pray for one another. As we pray for our brothers and sisters, God sends his angels to help those for whom we pray. Our words uttered in secret move the heart of God, and friends in the battle are made strong once again.

Plan for today: Keep my promises. Refuse to complain. Remember my blessings. I was going to make that list longer, but that’s a good place to start. If we do those things, it will be a good day!

Failure is not wasted if it teaches us to trust in God alone.

There is not enough money in all the world to forgive one sin, let alone all the thousands of sins that we commit. You don’t have enough money. There is not enough gold in Fort Knox to forgive even one sin. Down here on earth money talks. Up in heaven, blood talks. If you want to be accepted in heaven, you need the blood of Jesus Christ.

Start praying early in the morning—as soon as you wake up—before the pressure of the day wraps its arms around you. Start with prayer, and you’re likely to remain cool, calm and collected all day long.

Don't despair because of your weakness. God loves to show what he can do through broken people who trust in him.      

A friend told me about his struggles in yielding everything to God. He said that he envisions his life as a great ship with the Lord at the helm. But every so often he wants to tap God on the shoulder and say, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Rest easy, child of God.  There’s a steady hand at the helm, and he doesn’t need any help from you. But you’ll never know until you give him full control of your life.

We are to extend grace to others as God has extended grace to us. We who have been showered with God’s grace in Christ are to give to other undeserving sinners (who have sinned against us) the same outpouring of grace. From God to us to others. Grace to us, grace to others. This is God’s plan.

We all wonder how we would respond if our faith was put to the test. Would we have the courage of our convictions, or would we give in to save our life? For our brothers and sisters in China, India, and the Middle East, that question is not theoretical. We may face that in the West sooner than we think. Here’s the best way to be ready: Confess Christ every day right now!

Christians can face the future with optimism. The world looks at all the problems and says, “Is there any hope?” For those who know Jesus Christ, there is enormous hope. These are great days to be alive, the greatest days in all human history. We may be the generation privileged to see the return of Jesus Christ. There’s never been a better time to be a Christian. There’s never been a better time to tell someone else.

“Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge— Take it to the Lord in prayer.“

Ephesians 6:13 says we are to stand our ground, which speaks of hand-to-hand combat. No one said being a Christian is easy. Any representations to the contrary are false and dangerous. You’re in the army now.You signed up for front line duty in the Army of Jesus. He doesn’t have any desk jobs where you can stay far behind the lines and let others risk their lives. We’re all in this together as soldiers of Christ.

If we truly want to please the Lord, we will find a way to do it.

Sovereign Lord, you are the solid rock beneath our feet. We trust in you, and we will not be moved. When the kingdoms of this earth have crumbled to dust, your words will still be true. Amen.

We aren’t called to save the world. Only God can do that. But we are called to make a difference. We can’t do everything, but we can do something. What we can do, we ought to do. Let’s go knock some holes in the darkness this week.

God will let you go where you want to go, but he will bring you back to where he wants you to be.

"I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame; I’d rather be true to His holy name."

“Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

Lord, we do not pray for a lighter load, but we do ask for stronger shoulders. Deliver us from worry that strangles us, from the care that consumes us, and from anxiety that overwhelms us. Help us to cast our cares on you, and then leave them there. Give us happy hearts because we know you will carry our burdens so we don’t have to. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Worry and gratitude cannot coexist. Worry will drive out your gratitude, or gratitude will drive out your worry.

I don’t need to spend my life correcting everyone around me. I have enough trouble with the man in the mirror.

"O precious fountain that saves from sin      I am so glad I have entered in There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean     Glory to His name."

Lord Jesus, set us free from the spirit of competition. Give us grace to accept those who, though different from us, are truly your servants. Amen.

"Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there." Most of us don't have any problem taking our burdens to the Lord. But we keep pulling our burdens back, like a fisherman who throws the line into the water and then reels it back in again. May God give us "leaving grace" to cast our burdens on Jesus and leave them there.

An ungrateful heart is a cold heart, but thanksgiving melts the icebergs. Ingratitude destroys the joy of the Lord, but thanksgiving brings it back.

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is sit back and listen.

Never let the memory of past failure keep you from serving God today.

Never apologize for the Bible.

Don't expect God's blessing if you aren't willing to follow God's plan.

You always have enough time to do God’s will.

Lord Jesus, when I am discouraged, help me to remember that no deed done in your name is forgotten and no word spoken for you is wasted. Amen.

Pray about everything. There is no detail too small for the Lord because he reads the fine print of life. If it touches you, it touches him. What we consider trivial is not trivial to him.

Never make light of evil. Remember the cross. Sin is no joking matter.

Don’t wait for things to get better. Take your little cares to Jesus before they become big ones.