Oct 15

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Giving it all for Christ
    "6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus... Read more »

Oct 14

Oct 13

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Be ready!
    "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:44 Thought: We must always be ready for Christ's return. Application: I must live each day as if Christ was returning! I must make the most out of each day! Read more »

Oct 1

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Practice what you preach!
    "But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." Matthew 23:3b Thought: Jesus is talking about the Pharisees here. He is rebuking them for not practicing what they preach. Application: It is too easy at times to say one thing and do another. I want my words to be backed up by my actions. Read more »

Sep 30

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Love God and love others
    "Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:27-39 Thought: We are called to love God and to love others. This is what the Christian life is ALL about. Application: I must make loving God my number one priority and... Read more »

Sep 29

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Trapped or free?
    "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25 Thought: When we are afraid of what people may think of us or say about us we are trapped. We can't move forward BUT when we put our full trust in God we will be set free. Application: Don't allow the "fear of man" to influence my decisions! Read more »

Sep 28

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Don't keep secrets!
    "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13 Thought: We must NOT keep secrets. We must bring them into the light. When we do we find incredible freedom. Application: Don't keep secrets. Have the courage to confess when I have done something wrong. Read more »

Sep 24

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Who's strength are you relying on?
    "If you falter in times of trouble,how small is your strength!" Proverbs 24:10 Thought: It comes down to: who's strength are you relying on? Application: I falter when I rely on my own strength. I must always rely on God's strength and God's strength alone! Read more »

Sep 23

Sep 22

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Apply what you learn
    "Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips." Proverbs 22:17-18 Thought: Pay attention to wisdom and apply what you learn. Application: I must always be putting into action what God is teaching me. Read more »

Sep 21

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Guard your mouth
    "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." Proverbs 21:23 Thought: Once again, the importance of guarding our mouth is emphasized. We need to be constantly watching what comes out of our mouths. Application: I need to continue to "guard" my mouth from saying things I shouldn't be saying. I need to make sure that I am speaking words of life instead of words of death. Read more »

Sep 17

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Laughter IS the best medicine
    "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 Thought: Having fun is a good thing. Enjoying what God has given us and being able to laugh are important to our overall well-being. Application: I am thankful that God has a sense of humour. It is good to laugh and I know that a good laugh sometimes is all that I need. :) Read more »

Sep 16

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Motives are important.
    "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord." Thought: Our motives are important. If our motives are wrong then our actions will be wrong. Application: I need to always be examining my motives for what I am doing. I want my motives to be honouring to God. Read more »

Sep 15

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution The power of our words
    "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Thought: Our words can have a powerful effect on people. We need to respond in gentleness instead of harshness. Application: I have to fight the urge to respond harshly in a heated conversation. Or for that matter, not to use harsh words at all. My words need to gentle - especially to those whom I love the most! Read more »

Sep 11

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Learning contentment
    "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Thought: Paul LEARNED to be content whatever the circumstances. It wasn't something that he automatically received when he accepted Christ. This is encouraging to me! Application: I need to continue to LEARN contentment in all circumstances. I know that this will only take place through experience... Read more »

Sep 10

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Character
    "Let your gentleness be evident to all." Thought: Gentleness should characterize the life of the believer. Gentleness (as it is used here) is not treating people they way that they "deserve" to be treated. Instead of lashing out at someone who lashes out at you, you restrain yourself and you treat them with gentleness. Application: When I feel "justified" in my responses to people and the way... Read more »

Sep 9

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Think about such things
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Thought: I must focus my thoughts on these things. Application: I know that my thoughts affect my emotions, and my emotions affect my actions. I need to be thinking/focusing on the right things. Read more »

Sep 8

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution God is my provider
    "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Thought: God will meet all our needs (physical, emotional, spiritual). Application: I need to trust God to meet ALL my needs. I need not turn to other things to meet my needs. Read more »

Sep 3

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution Rejoice in the Lord!
    "Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Thought: Paul tells the Philippians to "Rejoice in the Lord." Application: I have so much to be joyful for and yet I allow so many little things to still my joy. I need to spend my days rejoicing in the Lord instead of focusing on all the little things that... Read more »

Sep 2

  • islandpastor
    islandpastor added a text contribution What do we focus on?
    18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ ... Thought: Those who are enemies of the cross are... Read more »

Sep 1

Aug 31