Stand up for the Lord

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His father with the holy angels." Mark 8:35-38    Words from Jesus

Do it Today:  Stand up for the Lord today.  Don't be ashamed to let others know you  are a christian.  Christianity has become unpopular these days and is laughed upon my many; please don't exchange your soul for popularity.

Delight Yourself in the Lord

Wild Cranberries

"Trust in the Lord, and do good, dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness.  Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:4

I find it's not easy to trust in the Lord when I am caught up in worry and trying to figure everything out for myself.  God calls upon me to trust him and do good.  His faithfulness is all around me.  Just how do I delight myself in the Lord?  I communicate with him by pray and I listen to him by reading his word.   I do good by obeying him. When I trust and obey Him, I can rejoice and find delight in my everyday living.  How do I dwell in the land and feed on his faithfulness? Observe God's creation and be thankful. He gives us our food, clothing and shelter.  If we ask and believe, He gives us what we need.  God is faithful and promises never to forsake us.

Do it today:  Meditate on the verse above. Thank God today for his blessings, ask him for forgiveness, and put your trust in him. Go out and do good. God wants to give us the desires of our heart.

Observe God's Creation

Moon Jellies

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised."  Psalms 48:1a

I took this picture on one of my walks along the Seward Coastal Trail. It's amazing what I see when I really start looking around you.  God's creation is all around us.

Do it today:  Look around you and then focus on one of God's creations. Really take in the details.  This simple act each day can help us focus on the wonders of God!

Put on Christ in Baptism

Kenai Lake

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  Galations 3:26, 27

To be a child of God, you have to be in Christ.

To put on Christ, you must be baptized into Christ.

How do you get into Christ?  You are baptized into Christ.

Do it today:  Look up these scriptures on baptism:  I Pet. 3:21, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:41

Remember the Poor & Those in Need

Oriental Chicken Salad

"They desire only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do."  Gal. 2:10

There are those who lack food, clothing and shelter, but there are also spiritual needs all around us.  Observe...does someone need your help?  

Do it today:   Help someone in need. Do one thing to help someone in need.  "It is more blessed to give than to receive." By blessing others, we'll be blessed.

Examples:
*Listen to a troubled soul (If we are honest most of us have been in a position where we needed a fellow christian to lend an ear, pray for us, and be our friend.  God did not intend for us to isolate ourselves.)
*Fix a dish for someone sick or laid up.
*Give to a mission that feeds the hungry, provides clothing and/or shelter.

Encourage others by posting a comment of how you helped someone in need today.


                          Oriental Chicken Salad Dish
Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, torn
• 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
• 1 cup salted cashews
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 (6 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
• 1 (3 ounce) can chow mein noodles
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 small can of tangerines (optional)

Directions: In a small saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool. In a large salad bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; add dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately.  Preparation Time:  20 minutes