He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Luke 16: 9 – 11

Wow, what a powerful Word from the Lord.

Often, I turn to the Word looking for some comfort. But of course, I’m more likely to find the hard truth.

Here I am, Lord – desperately wanting to wallow in the misery of life, but you won’t have it. You are calling me to be more.

Life presents so many seemingly overwhelming challenges that I want to throw in the towel and lose my faith. My heart wants to give into the bitterness.

It is so easy to praise God when things are going well. But can you praise Him, when things are going bad? Yes Lord, I will.

In the pursuit of happiness, success, etc., we sometimes think that the only way to get to the top is to “claw our way” - stepping on anyone and anything that gets in your way. However, Jesus tells us that this is not the way. He is calling all of us to stay true, no matter the circumstance. We must not resort to deception because we think no one is looking or “hey it doesn’t matter.” Everything matters. More importantly, we must realize that we won’t somehow change our deceptive ways when things get better. The behaviors we practice in the dark will be displayed in the light.

We must be NOW who we want to be in the FUTURE.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the strength to do your will,
Alone, I am weak - full of sadness and defeat.
But by your grace, I can be more than I am.
I am placing myself blindly in your hands.

On Dec. 18, 2001, the United States Congress passed Resolution H.R. Res. 308 acknowledging January 2nd as National Motivation & Inspiration Day. The intent of the day is to bring motivation and inspiration “top of mind” with the American public and eventually establish a curriculum for high school and college students that will focus on the importance of goal-setting, personal performance and achievement.

Bacause people establish “New Year’s Resolutions” and most fail to successfully attain those goals, National Motivation & Inspiration Day was established on January 2nd, the day after New Year’s Day.

The text of the resolution is as follows:

Whereas motivation and inspiration have played important roles in the greatest achievements of civilized society and are characteristics common to all great leaders;

Whereas both children and adults need motivation and inspiration in order to achieve success and happiness in their lives;

Whereas the inspiration to define goals at school, home, and work and the motivation to achieve those goals is critical to achieving success and happiness;

Whereas all children and young adults need mentors to inspire them to achieve their goals and to motivate them to direct their energies toward positive and constructive activities and goals;

Whereas adults who mentor children and young adults become inspired and motivated themselves;

Whereas a renewed focus on motivation and inspiration is particularly important in the wake of the tragedies of September 11, 2001;

Whereas the beginning of the year is often a time of reflection, planning, and goal setting;

Whereas the establishment of a National Motivation and Inspiration Day would provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to focus on the importance of maintaining motivation and inspiration in their lives; source

The American Thanksgiving holiday is a great reminder to be grateful for our many blessings. It is so easy to become disappointed with the disparity between what you think you deserve and the reality of what you have. We can’t change those around us but we can work on our own behavior and thoughts. Think of one thing to be grateful about and build your mood around your gratitude.

No one deserves anything. Everything is a gift. Cherish life.

Here is the content of a “chain” email message that I received. While I can definitely appreciate the value of the first sentence, the rest troubles me:

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the “ONE” that I can, and the wisdom to know it’s “ME”. Someone will always be prettier. Someone will always be smarter. Someone’s house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go …. and love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her life and no true peace. And the most highly favored woman at your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know - (she’s got the car, the house, the clothes) –might be lonely and not have true love in her life.
So, again, love yourself. Love who you are right now and let God be your barometer. Mirror Him. Look in the mirror in the morning and see how much of God you see. He’s the only standard and even when you come up short; he will not leave you or forsake you. Smile and may God continue to bless you.

Maybe everything in your life isn’t the way you want it to be, but for yourself count the good things. Those good things are called blessings! Count your blessings. Have you started counting yet? Start counting and keep on counting every day.

God sends you flowers every Spring - now who else is going to send you that many flowers?

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won’t survive the week.

“The one who kneels to God can stand up to anything.”

I would take this a step further and say that you shouldn’t be grateful simply because someone else is suffering and you’re not. Jealousy is a very powerful demon that needs to be fought on a constant basis. Instead of looking for what might be wrong in someone else’s life, find joy in their joy and sorrow in their sorrow. Don’t build yourself up because the “beauty queen” has a cheating husband or “ms. perfect” has gained 50 lbs. We shouldn’t have to build ourselves up by looking down or finding fault with others. Further, we should find the joy, however, small in our own lives. Let it out. Share it.

Simply be grateful for your life — whatever it is. Learn to accept yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin. We only have a short time here on earth. Make each moment count. You may be poor, you may be sick, you may be alone, but you can still smile. You have the power to make the ultimate choice of how you are going to live.

Be happy not because your life is better than someone else’s but because it’s yours and it’s a very precious gift from God.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.