Sharp Saturday/Sunday

Sharp Saturday/Sunday--Daily Dose of Inspiration
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)


This weekend is "Sharp Saturday/Sunday". Let us be mindful that the Word of God is alive!!! We may be tempted to read God's word, hear God's word, and/or even speak God's word as though only certain parts are still relevant or active in our lives today. We are quickly ready to accept the prophecies of favor, blessings, and grace; however, are we open to the Sharp word of God that cuts back on us-judging our thoughts and hearts. This weekend let us do our best to line our thoughts and heart up with the Word of God. It is "alive and active". God's word will cut up what we need to rid ourselves of and sharpen that which is right. Come on...let's get the sword in our hands!!

Feet Friday

Feet Friday--Daily Dose of Inspiration 


"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights." -Habakkuk 3:19

Yes, you read it correctly. Today is FEET Friday! Too often we allow the depths, strength, and even heights of circumstances determine whether or not we will be victorious. On this FEET Friday, thank God for this word-God will give us feet like deer to tread upon even the highest of places. Don't quit just yet...your feet are ready even if you're not!

Try Thursday

Try Thursday---Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." -1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

Come on everyone...let's at least TRY!  I know sometimes people make it easier to start to seek revenge; however, on this "TRY THURSDAY," I urge us to give it a shot.  We should try to be kind!  Have you ever noticed that you are more worn out and tired after a rough day when you didn't get along with others.  I believe that our rest and sanity does not rely on how others are, but how we choose to be.  Yep, I'm talking to all of us *points finger towards the mirror*...let's TRY!

Wait Wednesday

Wait Wednesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." -Psalm 5:3

Today is "WAIT WEDNESDAY"!  The Psalmist affirms for us that we can go to God in the morning, and WAIT in expectation!  I urge us to wait on the Lord.  Whatever our requests are, we can wait in expectation.  There is no need to worry or wonder about whether or not God hears us.  He has heard, so now activate our faith...wait in expectation!

Tidings Tuesday

Tidings Tuesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" -Isaiah 52:7

On yesterday, there was good news (or tidings) in the air.  As we celebrated the birth of our Savior, we all had comfort and peace in our hearts over the fact that "[Our] God reigns!"  Therefore, let us live confidently in this season knowing that there is nothing too hard for our God!

Meaning Monday

Meaning Monday--Daily Dose of Inspiration
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). (Matthew 1:23 NIV)

Let us on this Meaning Monday be mindful of the meaning of this season-God is with us! This Christmas season should be filled with joy knowing that we are not alone. Blessings to you and yours!

Faith Friday

Faith Friday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" -Mark 4:40

We will all have storms in our lives.  Many of us are battling with the worst type of storm (one that happens in private...one that not even your closest friend knows about).  I would like to suggest that those storms are the most difficult and most scary because it seems like no one will understand.  On this Faith Friday, I want to remind us what Jesus said to His disciples in the midst of a storm "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?".  The reality is storms are not fun, and if we could...we would avoid them at all cost-I know I would!!!  However, we cannot!  Therefore, let us join together to at the very least declare that we will NOT be afraid!  Even if this storm does not end with a rainbow, we will be alright...have faith!

Thanksgiving Thursday

Thanksgiving Thursday--Daily Dose of Inspiration
"Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving." 

-Ephesians 5:4

During this "sweet lips fast," let us have a "Thanksgiving Thursday" on which we remind ourselves of the importance of what we speak. The scripture reminds us that obscene, silly, and vulgar talk is "out of place" for those of us who are followers of Christ. Instead, let's replace those conversations with THANKSGIVING! God's been just that good!!!!

Wonder Wednesday

Wonder Wednesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes." -Psalm 17:7

On this Wonder Wednesday, I encourage us to be mindful of the "wonder of [God's] great love"! It is so easy to get caught up in everything that is bad/wrong/slightly off/disappointing/etc that we miss the WONDER of God's love that shields us/protects us/heals us/forgives us/overshadows us/keep us...even when we are not even focused on what God desires for us.  Today, take a moment to thank God for showing us God's love!

Train Tuesday

Train Tuesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." 

-1 Timothy 4:7

We will go through training for everything!  Training for a marathon...training for a job...training for new parenthood...training for a healthier lifestyle...training for a slimmer/healthier body...BUT WHAT ABOUT GOD?!?!  On this "Train Tuesday," I challenge each of us to go into training for God.  Are we doing everything we can to present ourselves "FIT" in God's sight?

Mind Monday

Mind Monday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5, 6 NIV)

Let us come together to glorify God! Many times we intend to do this but we fall short because of our mind. Our scripture reminds us that the way we treat one another begins with our mind, and we should ask God for the strength to liken our mind with that of Christ Jesus. As we do so, it is more difficult to take things personal. It then becomes easier to live at peace with each other, and thus bring glory to God. So let's do it...ask God to give us the "same attitude of mind" that Jesus demonstrated for us.

Sufficient Saturday/Sunday

Sufficient Saturday/Sunday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

Ok, it's the weekend.  Many of us, if not all of us, have been beat up by this past week.  If not by the entire week, our Friday was rough with the news of such a horrific tragedy.  Many preachers and teachers are struggling with God right now...many Christians are wrestling with God at this moment.  We are not struggling or wrestling because of doubt, but simply out of weakness.  We are too weak to carry the burden of sorrow, sadness, and sympathy.  However, I believe Paul speaks to us this weekend and reminds us what God told him-God's "grace is sufficient" for us!  

So, on this SUFFICIENT Saturday and Sunday...thank God that in our weakness, God's power is made PERFECT!  Go ahead and exhale...God's grace has you!

Faith Friday

Faith Friday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

“Have faith in God,”  Jesus answered. (Mark 11:22 NIV)

On a day where there seems to be more questions than answers, I struggled to hear God for a dose of inspiration. However, Jesus himself spoke about times like these...when it seemed like the mountain was bigger than our prayer...Jesus put it simply "have faith in God". On this Faith Friday, do not allow the tragedy to triumph your faith in God. Even in these times, God can still move the mountain of despair and bring about comfort.  Have faith in God!

Tell Them Thursday

Tell Them Thursday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you'." -Mark 5:19

Too often we are keep silent after God blesses us.  We are afraid that people may think that we are bragging; however, I believe Jesus teaches us that it is necessary to TELL THEM!  If we are honest with ourselves, God has shown so much mercy on us.  There are blessings that God keeps showering upon us that we know we do not deserve.  We have lived among the tombs of life for some time, and in spite of our shortcomings, God calls us out and sets us free!  Now, instead of hiding or simply praising in secret...God tells us on this Thursday to TELL THEM!  Tell Them how good God has been, Tell Them how God has set you free, Tell Them the victories God has given you...whatever you do, just TELL THEM!

Womb Wednesday

Womb Wednesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you." 

(Psalm 71:6 NIV)



When we were born, we had no thought or concern about our needs. We just liv

ed! On this Womb Wednesday let us take a moment to revisit the womb. Since God has taken care of us since the womb, we should praise Him as long as we can on this earth. Let's forget about our concerns for just a moment and praise God who has and does care for us!

Time Tuesday

TIME Tuesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"I thank my God every time I remember you." -Philippians 1:3

On this time Tuesday, let us look to the example of Paul and Timothy as they spoke to God's people at Philippi.  Before they said anything else, they let the people know that every TIME they remembered or thought of them...they thanked God!  I know that there are a lot of things we could do when we think about some people who we knew, used to deal with, and even have relationships with now.  However, I want to challenge us today to use TIME to prompt us into THANKS!  The reality is there are some people who may cause us to speak through everything except "sweet lips" because of what they have said or done to us.  However, it is our responsibility as mature Christians to THANK GOD anyway.  Why?  We do this to remind ourselves that God is surely in control and God definitely knows best!  Many of us should thank God every TIME we remember some people because God has kept us from some more mess we could have gone through...THANK YA KINDLY, LORD!  

Mighty Monday

MIGHTY Monday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." 

-Psalm 145:4

Hasn't the Lord done some mighty acts in your life?  I am never able to fully grasp how good and merciful God has been...not just to me, but to others who I have come into contact with as well.  On this Mighty Monday, I challenge us to do exactly what the Psalmist says-tell someone else about the mighty works of God in your life.  I wholeheartedly believe that someone is waiting on the encouragement to keep doing until tomorrow.  Maybe this week started off rough, and they feel like it may finally be time to throw in the towel.  I am standing and waiting on others to testify to the generations that God's mighty works will deliver, set-free, conquer, encourage, rehabilitate, revive, triumph, swallow up, cough up, cut up, and dry up...God's mighty works are bigger than anything you are facing!  Come on...let others testify!

SLOW Saturday/Sunday

SLOW Saturday/Sunday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God d

esires." 

-James 1:19-20

As we journey together towards having sweeter lips, we must realize that our relationship with God is bound to improve. We are attempting to draw closer to God and to dwell in God's righteousness. In order to do so, allow this weekend to be SLOW! We must slow down with our mouths and emotions and speed up our hearing. Remember, what we say may not be spoken in anger but it can cause others to become angry. Our relationship with God isn't a self-centered one; however, it is other-centered. Once I start walking with Christ it is my job to encourage others to do the same. We cannot and will not do so with QUICK talking, but we must SLOW down! Let's be quick to listen and SLOW to speak! This is when God can get the most glory out of our lives.

Free Me Friday

Free ME Friday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge." -Psalm 31:4

Do we realize that there are traps set for us?  Too often we get so busy in our lives and in trying to walk in the lane that God called us that we forget to be human.  In forgetting to be human, we set traps for others.  We set unrealistic expectations of others or even become judgmental when others seem to enjoy watching, listening to, or even going places that we do not choose for ourselves.  Let us be careful not to set traps for each other and cause others to doubt someone else's walk because of our immaturity.  Live your life, and allow others to live their life!  There are enough challenges and trials that each of us will have to face in our lifetime.  Let's not create more for each other.  Instead of judging, ask God "FREE ME" from the desire to find fault in others actions (especially when it has nothing to do with me).  Instead of talking about your friends, family, leaders, or co-workers, ask God "FREE ME" from the need to criticize others.  When I ask God to "FREE ME," then I make room for God to grow me!  I don't know about you, but I cannot spend this life studying other people...instead, I want God to FREE ME!  So the next time we are tempted to judge, critique, or question others...let's look back at ourselves-FREE ME!

TREE THURSDAY

Tree Thursday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:18 NIV)
What kind of fruit are we bearing? On this TREE Thursday, I invite us to look around us...that's right

-go ahead. Stop reading and look! What is around you? Positive people? Happy people? Love? Negativity? Gossip? Hate? Motivated people or discouraged people? The reality is if we look around our sacred space, then we will discover what type of tree we really are. Jesus says that if we are "good," then we will bear good fruit. However, if we are "bad," then we will bear that type of fruit. So if we want BETTER around us then we must be BETTER within us! Let's be good TREES and we will bear GOOD FRUIT!

WIN WEDNESDAY

WIN Wednesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 NIV)

Who is the most important in your life-people or God? On this WIN Wednesday we should check our priorities to make sure that God is at the top (before the spouse...the significant other...the children...the co-workers...the friends...the neighbors, etc). It is not about winning people over! We should strive to WIN God's approval. Therefor, stop saying what 'they think' you should say...say what God says or don't speak at all! Stop doing what 'they think' you should do...do what God says do or don't do anything at all! Yep, it's time to look ourselves in the mirror and decide if we are on the true winning side. Let's find out and the correct ourselves where needed...we can do this! #sweeteverything

Teach Tuesday

Teach Tuesday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." -Exodus 4:12

On this Teach Tuesday, we must be mindful of our excuses for not doing or going where God told us to. It is so easy to

come up with valid reasons that may be true, but they become excuses when God has already given us instruction. For Moses, he stuttered. So, we all would think that's a good reason not to want to speak in front of people. However, it became an excuse because God called him to do it. Much like Moses, each of us have some type of impediment that would validate our desire to avoid doing something. On this TEACH TUESDAY, know that God is saying to us-NOW GO! The reason is not valid, because God is with us and will TEACH us what to say when "Sweet Lips" seem impossible and where to go when "the right way" seems lonely. Don't quit...stop with the excuses...NOW GO!!!

MORE Monday

MORE Monday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." -Psalm 71:14

On this MORE Monday and throughout this "Sweet Lips Fast," people around you may say and do things that you know are not pleasing to the Lord.  As a child, it was easy to fall short because the people around you were falling short.  However, the very desire to read this demonstrates your maturity.  Therefore, people around us doing wrong or saying wrong is not an excuse for our doing so.  Get a "But as for me" in your spirit and declare that instead of saying any old thing...you will praise God (in everything that you say) MORE AND MORE!

Shield Saturday/Sunday

Shield Saturday/Sunday--Daily Dose of Inspiration

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." (Psalm 119:114 NIV)

This first Sunday in the season of Advent is about hope. We can place and will misplace our hope in so many different people and things. However, on this Shield Saturday/Sunday, we must recognize that our hope should be in God's word! If our hope was resting on our own ability or our friend or family, then I would understand having fear...doubt...and even disbelief! But God...is our refuge and our SHIELD. There is nothing that can get near us that He cannot protect us from or carry us through. Be strong, and hope on! It will not disappoint you.