Mistakes: the Gift of Beginning Again

 “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”-- Proverbs 24:16 (KJV)

How to Stay Focused in the Middle of Chaos

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)

Why Loving Relationships are Valuable Assets

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”—Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

How Small Steps Lead to Big Goals

“So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.”—Joshua 11:23 (KJV)

Keeping a Long-Term Perspective: 4 Examples

“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”—Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV)

Don't Settle for Less: Two Examples

 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”-- James 1:12 (KJV)

Looking Beyond Stress: Examples and Tips

 “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”—Psalm 94:19 (KJV)

Conquering Roadblocks to Unconditional Love

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;”—2 Corinthians 2: 3-4 (KJV)

Patience Brings its own Rewards: 3 Examples

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37: 4-6 (KJV)

Transformation: the Route to a New and Improved You

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”—1 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)

How God is Working Behind the Scenes

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

Retrain your Brain for Positivity: 5 Tips

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day the Lord will deliver thee into my hand…”—1 Samuel 17:28-29 (KJV)

How "Failure" Isn't Permanent

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” –Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)

Remembering Our Royal Heritage

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”.—Galatians 3:26-29 (KJV)

The Masterpiece Hidden Within the Brokenness

Why We're all Worthy of Respect

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. “ 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

Love: the Way to a Brighter Future

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;--Psalm 103: 1-4 (KJV)

Believing for a Brighter Future

“All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.”--Proverbs 15:15 (KJV)

From Obscurity to Trailblazer: 2 Examples

“Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place”—Psalm 66:12 (KJV)

Resurrection 101: Life-Changing Truths

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:--1 Peter 1: 3-6 (KJV)

Can we Praise in the Darkness?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

The Champion in You--3 Examples

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

2 Reasons to Believe in Yourself

“ It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.”—Psalm 18:32-33 (KJV)

Love and Grace: Twin Healers

Never say "Never!"--4 Reasons

“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.”—Psalm 37:24 (KJV)

How to Keep a "This, too, Shall Pass" Attitude

“But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 (KJV)

How We're all Gold Medalists

 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”-- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)

How Change Moves us Forward

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things”—I Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)

Victory Through Persistence, Part 2

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”—Daniel 3:28 (KJV)

Victory Through Persistence: 3 Examples

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”—Revelation 2:10 (KJV)

Is it possible for the little guy to win? Does the outnumbered giant ever succeed? Can a disrespected person ever move beyond his tormenters? Yes, yes, and yes. Let’s look at some cases:

A Biblical Example

The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee who converted to Christianity. I Corinthians 11:28-29 gives us the short list of what he endured:

• Violence
• Persecution
• Hunger and thirst
• Robbery
• Imprisonment
• Being shipwrecked

He didn’t let any of this stop him. Paul wrote one-half to two-thirds of the New Testament, depending on the source. We know that some of it was actually written during his imprisonment.

“Animals Gone Wild” (National Geographic Wild Channel)

The Grizzly Bear and the Wolves

Grizzlies are at the top of the predator chart. I’m sure most animals are unwilling to mess with them. However, a pack of five or six wolves took the job on. When a grizzly aggressively tried to join in their dinner of freshly killed meat, the animals snarled and chased him away. They also began nipping at him.

But, wait! The grizzly didn’t get the memo that “No” means “No”. The larger animal came back for more. This time, the wolves were so impressed by his persistence, they allowed him to peacefully share their meal.

The Millipede and the Blue Ants

Hundreds of hungry blue ants in Cambodia started attacking a six-inch long millipede. Talk about David and Goliath! For some time, the millipede was able to defend himself by curling up in a ball. That’s because the animal has an exoskeleton (an outer skeleton) that seems impenetrable.

Please keep in mind another defense mechanism: the ability to secrete chemical weapons (acids) from their exoskeletons. Some sources say the animals can even spray the chemicals. These chemicals can burn, and cause allergic reactions in, humans. I can’t imagine their effect on ants.That’s three strikes against the tiny animals:

• Small size
• Exoskeleton of the millipede
• Chemical weapons of the other animal

Who do you think won? The ants. One ant found a chink in the exoskeleton. He gave the animal a paralyzing sting. His friends entered the attack. The ants eventually carried the millipede back to their home for dinner.

“High Hopes”

Speaking of ants, Frank Sinatra made this cute, simple song famous decades ago. It tells the story of an ant that brings a rubber-tree plant down little by little. It also mentions a ram that batters a dam down.

My Conclusion

Are you an ant in a world of bigger, stronger animals? Are you a grizzly bear who’s seriously outnumbered? Are you undervalued and/or bullied? Join the club…I mean, never fear, persistence often wins the prize in the end.

In any case, it’s certain that giving up wins a person NO prizes.

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How do we Obtain Balance?

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

Balance: Why is it Necessary?

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.”—Philippians 4:11 (KJV)

How Acceptance Pushes us Forward: 3 Examples

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”—Romans 15:5-7 (KJV)

2 Christmas Hymns of Celebration

“O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”—Psalm 95:6 (KJV)

It's the Season for Hope

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—Galatians 5:22, 23 (KJV)

3 Ways Trials Train us for Success

“For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”—Deuteronomy 20:4 (KJV)

It's the Season for...Relaxing (?)

“Be still, and know that I am God…”—Psalm 46:10 (KJV)

“Be anxious for nothing…” Philippians 4:6

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you…” –John 14:27

Wants vs. Needs: Determining the Difference

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man will give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed.”--John 6:27 (KJV)

How Giving Thanks Leads to Powerful Prayer

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.”--Psalms 50:23

The Final Victory is Already Written!

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 (KJV)

Trust the Process: 4 Examples

“And he said whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?”

“It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the Earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the Earth.”

“But when it is sown, it groweth up and become greater than all the herbs, and shooteth up great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge in the shadows of it.”—Mark 4:30-32 (KJV)

A Legacy of Service: the #1 Goal in Life

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)

Nurturing Relationships: the #1 Goal in Life

 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”--Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Taking Steps Toward Progress: 2 Tips

“To everything there is a purpose, and a time to every season under the Heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (KJV)

Accessing the Power Within: 2 Examples

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”—Luke 10:19 (NIV)

How we Prophesy our Future With Words

How Trials are "Lessons Learned", not Setbacks

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is left behind and straining toward what is ahead.”—Philippians 3:13 (NIV)

How the Underdog CAN win, part 3

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”--Galatians 6:9 (NIV)