Happy Independence Day

[Judy Harder]

Contagious Faith
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 NIV

Are you genuinely excited about your faith? And do you make your enthusiasm known to those around you? Or are you a "silent ambassador" for Christ? God's preference is clear: He intends that you stand before others and proclaim your faith.

Genuine, heartfelt Christianity is contagious. If you enjoy a life-altering relationship with God, that relationship will have an impact on others—perhaps a profound impact.

Does Christ reign over your life? Then share your testimony and your excitement. The world needs both.

Your enthusiasm will be infectious, stimulating, and attractive to others. They will love you for it. They will go for you and with you. - Norman Vincent Peale, 100 Days of Prayer

Prayer must be aflame. Prayer without fervor is as a sun without light or heat, or as a flower without beauty or fragrance. A soul devoted to God is a fervent soul, and prayer is the creature of that flame. He only can truly pray who is all aglow for holiness, for God, and for heaven. - E. M. Bounds

Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn. - John Wesley

Don't take hold of a thing unless you want that thing to take hold of you. - E. Stanley Jones

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, I know that others are watching the way that I live my life. Help me to be an enthusiastic Christian with a faith that is contagious. Amen

[Judy Harder]

Daily New Life
     
An Intensely Bright Future: Yours
With God's power working in us, God can do much,
much more than anything we can ask or imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 NCV

It takes courage to dream big dreams. You will discover that courage when you do three things: accept the past, trust God to handle the future, and make the most of the time He has given you today.

Are you excited about the opportunities of today and thrilled by the possibilities of tomorrow? Do you confidently expect God to lead you to a place of abundance, peace, and joy? And, when your days on earth are over, do you expect to receive the priceless gift of eternal life? If you trust God's promises, and if you have welcomed God's Son into your heart, then you should believe that your future is intensely and eternally bright.

No dreams are too big for God—not even yours. So start living—and dreaming—accordingly.

You cannot out-dream God. - John Eldredge, 100 Days of Prayer

The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little. - Thomas Merton

Set goals so big that unless God helps you, you will be a miserable failure. - Bill Bright

The future lies all before us. Shall it only be a slight advance upon what we usually do? Ought it not to be a bound, a leap forward to altitudes of endeavor and success undreamed of before? - Annie Armstrong

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, my hope is in You. Give me the courage to face the future with certainty, and give me the wisdom to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, today and forever. Amen

[Judy Harder]

 Daily New Life
     
Christ's Abundance
I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV

The 10th chapter of John tells us that Christ came to earth so that our lives might be filled with abundance. But what, exactly, did Jesus mean when He promised "life . . . more abundantly"? Was He referring to material possessions or financial wealth? Hardly. Jesus offers a different kind of abundance: a spiritual richness that extends beyond the temporal boundaries of this world. This everlasting abundance is available to all who seek it and claim it. May we, as believers, claim the riches of Christ Jesus every day that we live, and may we share His blessings with all who cross our path.

The only way you can experience abundant life is to surrender your plans to Him. - Charles Stanley, 100 Days of Prayer

Jesus wants Life for us, Life with a capital L. - John Eldredge

The man who lives without Jesus is the poorest of the poor, whereas no one is so rich as the man who lives in His grace. - Thomas à Kempis

If you want purpose and meaning and satisfaction and fulfillment and peace and hope and joy and abundant life that lasts forever, look to Jesus. - Anne Graham Lotz

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, You have offered me the gift of abundance through Your Son. Thank You, Father, for the abundant life that is mine through Christ Jesus. Let me accept His gifts and use them always to glorify You. Amen

[Judy Harder]

Christ's Abundance
I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 NKJV

The 10th chapter of John tells us that Christ came to earth so that our lives might be filled with abundance.

But what, exactly, did Jesus mean when He promised "life . . . more abundantly"? Was He referring to material possessions or financial wealth? Hardly. Jesus offers a different kind of abundance: a spiritual richness that extends beyond the temporal boundaries of this world. This everlasting abundance is available to all who seek it and claim it. May we, as believers, claim the riches of Christ Jesus every day that we live, and may we share His blessings with all who cross our path.

The only way you can experience abundant life is to surrender your plans to Him. - Charles Stanley, 100 Days of Prayer

Jesus wants Life for us, Life with a capital L. - John Eldredge

The man who lives without Jesus is the poorest of the poor, whereas no one is so rich as the man who lives in His grace. - Thomas à Kempis

If you want purpose and meaning and satisfaction and fulfillment and peace and hope and joy and abundant life that lasts forever, look to Jesus. - Anne Graham Lotz

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, You have offered me the gift of abundance through Your Son. Thank You, Father, for the abundant life that is mine through Christ Jesus. Let me accept His gifts and use them always to glorify You. Amen

 

[Judy Harder]

Daily New Life
     
In Times of Adversity
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:4 NKJV

When we face the inevitable difficulties of life-hereon-earth, God stands ready to protect us. All of us face times of adversity. On occasion, we all must endure the disappointments and tragedies that befall believers and nonbelievers alike. The reassuring words of 1 John 5:4 remind us that when we accept God's grace, we overcome the passing hardships of this world by relying upon His strength, His love, and His promise of eternal life.

When we call upon God in heartfelt prayer, He will answer— in His own time and according to His own plan—and He will heal us. And while we are waiting for God's plans to unfold and for His healing touch to restore us, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even if we cannot. Let us take God at His word, and let us trust Him today . . . and every day.

God will make obstacles serve His purpose. - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, 100 Days of Prayer

Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed. It is an intruder and a thief, and yet in the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which His supernatural power is demonstrated. - Charles Stanley

Tribulation is a gift from God—one that He especially gives His special friends. - St. Thomas More

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty. - Peter Marshall

Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, when I am troubled, You heal me.When I am afraid, You protect me. When I am discouraged, You lift me up. In times of adversity, let me trust Your plan and Your will for my life. And whatever my circumstances, Lord, let me always give the thanks and the glory to You. Amen

 

[Judy Harder]

 Daily New Life
     
Seeking God and Finding Happiness
But happy are those . . .
whose hope is in the LORD their God.
Psalm 146:5 NLT

Do you sincerely want to be a happy Christian? Then set your mind and your heart upon God's love and His grace.

Happiness depends less upon our circumstances than upon our thoughts. When we turn our thoughts to God, to His gifts, and to His glorious creation, we experience the joy that God intends for His children. But, when we focus on the negative aspects of life, we suffer needlessly.

The fullness of life in Christ is available to all who seek it and claim it. Count yourself among that number. Seek first the salvation that is available through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and then claim the joy, the peace, and the spiritual abundance that the Shepherd offers His sheep.

Happiness is not to be found in things, only in the secret places of the soul. - St. Thérèse of Lisieux, 100 Days of Prayer

God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him. - A. W. Tozer

True happiness consists only in the enjoyment of God. His favor is life, and his loving-kindness is better than life. - Arthur W. Pink

Christ is the secret, the source, the substance, the center, and the circumference of all true and lasting gladness. - Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, I am thankful for all the blessings You have given me. Let me be a happy Christian, Father, as I share Your joy with friends, with family, and with the world. Amen

[Judy Harder]

September 26, 2011     Daily New Life
     
God's Guidebook
You will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,
constantly nourished on the words of the faith
and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
1 Timothy 4:6

God has given us a guidebook for righteous living called the Holy Bible. It contains thorough instructions which, if followed, lead to fulfillment, righteousness, and salvation. But, if we choose to ignore God's commandments, the results are as predictable as they are tragic.

God has given us the Bible for the purpose of knowing His promises, His power, His commandments, His wisdom, His love, and His Son. As we study God's teachings and apply them to our lives, we live by the Word that shall never pass away. Today, let us follow God's commandments, and let us conduct our lives in such a way that we might be shining examples to our friends, to our families, and, most importantly, to those who have not yet found Christ.

The Bible is the treasure map that leads us to God's highest treasure: eternal life. - Max Lucado, 100 Days of Prayer

The Bible is a Christian's guidebook, and I believe the knowledge it sheds on pain and suffering is the great antidote to fear for suffering people. Knowledge can dissolve fear as light destroys darkness. - Philip Yancey

The Bible is not a guidebook to a theological museum. It is a road map showing us the way into neglected or even forgotten glories of the living God. - Raymond Ortlund

The balance of affirmation and discipline, freedom and restraint, encouragement and warning is different for each child and season and generation, yet the absolutes of God's Word are necessary and trustworthy no matter how mercuric the time. - Gloria Gaither

Today's Prayer
Lord, You've given me instructions for life here on earth and for life eternal. I will use the Bible as my guide. I will study it and meditate upon it as I trust You, Lord, to speak to me through Your Holy Word. Amen

[Judy Harder]

Daily New Life
     
Too Busy?
Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
Proverbs 21:5 MSG

Has the hectic pace of life robbed you of the peace that might otherwise be yours through Jesus Christ? Are you one of those people who is simply too busy for your own good? If so, you're doing a disservice to yourself and your family.

Through His Son Jesus, God offers you a peace that passes human understanding, but He won't force His peace upon you; in order to experience it, you must slow down long enough to sense His presence and His love.

Today, as a gift to yourself, to your family, and to the world, be still and claim the inner peace that is your spiritual birthright— the peace of Jesus Christ. It is offered freely; it has been paid for in full; it is yours for the asking. So ask. And then share.

Often our lives are strangled by things that don't ultimately matter. - Grady Nutt, 100 Days of Prayer

In our tense, uptight society where folks are rushing to make appointments they have already missed, a good laugh can be a refreshing as a cup of cold water in the desert. - Barbara Johnson

Being busy, in and of itself, is not a sin. But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside—that cannot be pleasing to God. - Max Lucado

We often become mentally and spiritually barren because we're so busy. - Franklin Graham

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, when the quickening pace of life leaves me with little time for worship or for praise, help me to reorder my priorities, and let me turn to Jesus for the peace that only He can give. Amen

[Judy Harder]

 Daily New Life
     
Always with Us
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
And the government will rest on his shoulders.
These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Are you facing difficult circumstances or unwelcome changes? If so, please remember that God is far bigger than any problem you may face. So, instead of worrying about life's inevitable challenges, put your faith in the Father and His only begotten Son: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV). And remember: it is precisely because your Savior does not change that you can face your challenges with courage for today and hope for tomorrow. Life is often challenging, but as Christians, we should not be afraid. God loves us, and He will protect us. In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of change, He will guide our steps. When we are troubled or weak or sorrowful, God is always with us. We must build our lives on the rock that cannot be moved . . . we must trust in God. Always.

In a world kept chaotic by change, you will eventually discover, as I have, that this is one of the most precious qualities of the God we are looking for: He doesn't change. - Bill Hybels

The Holy Spirit can reveal to you why you are stuck, and he can empower you to change (although he won't usually do all the work without your involvement). - Patsy Clairmont

The secret of contentment in the midst of change is found in

having roots in the changeless Christ—the same yesterday, today and forever. - Ed Young

Today's Prayer
Dear Lord, our world is constantly changing. When I face the inevitable transitions of life, I will turn to You for strength and assurance. Thank You, Father, for love that is unchanging and everlasting. Amen

[Judy Harder]

Daily New Life
     
Relying upon Him
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NASB

Do the demands of this day threaten to overwhelm you? If so, you must rely not only upon your own resources but also upon the promises of your Father in heaven. God is a never-ending source of support and courage for those of us who call upon Him. When we are weary, He gives us strength. When we see no hope, God reminds us of His promises. When we grieve, God wipes away our tears. God will hold your hand and walk with you every day of your life if you let Him. So even if your circumstances are difficult, trust the Father. His love is eternal, and His goodness endures forever.

Faith is not merely you holding on to God—it is God holding on to you. - E. Stanley Jones, 100 Days of Prayer

When you have no helpers, see all your helpers in God. When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers. When you have nothing but God, see all in God; when you have everything, see God in everything. Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord. - C. H. Spurgeon

The more you give your mental burdens to the Lord, the more exciting it becomes to see how God will handle things that are impossible for you to do anything about. - Charles Swindoll

God uses our most stumbling, faltering faith-steps as the open door to His doing for us "more than we ask or think." - Catherine Marshall

Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, You never leave or forsake me. You are always with me, protecting me and encouraging me. Whatever this day may bring, I thank You for Your love and Your strength. Amen