Moving from Anger to Forgiveness

I can attest to the fact of the peace and freeing revelation of forgiveness. God has been so good to me mainly because he does not allow me to live in anger. I have so many things, MAJOR things that I could be angry about but have been freed from, praise God. I heard yesterday, forgiveness is not an easy thing, I disagree…It is a commitment to choice…Either you do or you don’t, once you make the choice either way you are consumed with that choice and for me, forgiving…letting go of a negative feeling, anger, stress (all of which are anchors), makes me feel lighter…I am a witness to the fact that turning a burden over to God, letting go truly frees you.


Scripture of the Day: Colossians 3:12-13
“12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience..13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”


Prayer for the Day:
Father thank you for the peace you have granted me, for the constant pursuit of joy, happiness, faith and love that you have graced me with. I praise you for a forgiving heart and thank you for a sound mind to keep me moving ever closer to you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.


Thought for the day:
“The ultimate choice for a man in as much as he is given to transcend himself, is to create or destroy, to love or to hate “– Eric Strom


Goal for the day:
Enjoy a Peaceful, Loving, Joyous Day, No MATTER WHAT!!!.


Discussion Topic: Refusing to Allow The Negative
How easy would it be for you to disallow anything negative into your sphere today?

Forgiveness Is For You As Much As it Is For Them

People do things that hurt or anger us, many times those who you have done much for or been there for. The more you love someone the more angry you are, the more upset you are… The act of forgiving someone is to cease to feel resentment against him/her. By releasing that anger you relieve yourself of the stress you are inhibiting. You feel better. One of the best words of advice I was given a long time ago was, when you do something with the best of intentions, in love and care or concern for someone else, own the blessing…If that person takes what you’ve done and misuses it or is not there for you when you need them, let them own their responsibility in that circumstance. Let go of that anger, learn the lesson of that circumstance, forgive and live!!!


Scripture of the Day: Matthew 18:21
“Then Peter said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you seventy-seven times.”


Prayer for the Day:
Father remove from me all resentment, all anger, all upset that my heart is light, caring and loving. I understand it is not for me to judge or avenge, so I give to you my burdens and release my circumstance to you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free “– Catherine Ponder

Goal for the day:
Forgive the person who hurt you. Disallow any negative thought regarding that person from this moment forward.

Discussion Topic: No Anger, No Link

Everyone has a circumstance that they have held on to. We may say “we forgive” but still anger to the thought of the situation. What would it take for you to let go?

Fully Commit & Stay Focused

As we move through our lives our commitments many times overlap. We are Christians, Leaders, Moms & Dads, Employees, Friends…human. The canvas of our evolution is gradual but ever changing as we grow, learn…live. Will we get it perfectly all the time, no, life has a way of interfering even with the best laid plan…what we can strive for is to remain focused on our commitments to our Faith, Self, Family/Friends & Career so even if you stray off course a bit, with a devout focus on our commitments, it’s strength remains in tact and will always guide you back.

Scripture of the Day: James 1:12

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

Prayer for the Day:

Father I thank and praise you today. Forgive me my shortfalls, grant me strength to always remain focused on you. Strengthen my continence that my commitments are upheld to the best of my ability and control. Remain my guide that the spirit of my commitment to you always funnels down to every aspect of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained..” – Marie Curie

Goal for the day:

Commit, Stay focused on your commitment – no matter what, Move forward.

Discussion Topic: I Will, I Do, I Promise

What are your commitments? How are you managing them? If your answer is “not well”, Can you recommit to them and what would you do differently?

If You Want Good Friends, Be One

What your heart desires, before you receive it, you must become yourself. I have a relative, no matter what, she can never keep a friend or close relationship, but, it is always someone else’s fault. She is a lovable person, but only hears the first couple of words of a sentence, then fires off without hearing the entire message many times having to apologize after an unnecessary scene. A committed friend is not just an advisor, but an excellent ear. Not just a shoulder to cry on, but one humble enough to seek your shoulder. Not one that solely relies on you, but cares and trusts enough to keep their promises as well. A true friend is a confidant, where guards aren’t necessary and come as you are is the norm & not an exception. To have a true friend, you must be a true friend.

Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 18:24
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Prayer for the Day:
Father, thank you for my friends. Those who no matter what, trust in our relationship and really know & love me, just as I am. I praise you for keeping me grounded that I am a reliable, trustworthy friend to them. Thank you for the blessing gifted me by their presence in my life and mine in theirs, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” – Unknown

Goal for the day:
Phone a friend, be of assistance or be an assistant...either way you keep in touch.

Discussion Topic: We Have Many Associates, Just a Few Good Friends.
What do you consider the “ideal” friend? Are you that person?

A Commitment to Family is A Promise of Love, Strength, Reflection & Protection

A commitment to our Parents is Love, Honor & Respect; to our spouses Love, Honor & Cherish, to our children Love, Nurture & Protect. By taking the experience of our time with our parents and using the lessons learned in each experience in love and understanding as our directive for our lives honors our parents and the memory of our lineage. To Honor our spouse is to love & care for him/her as much as we love & care for ourselves. To grow as one unit supportive, loving and caring of each other until death. To refuse division & temptation…to be an inseparable team. Commitment to our children is to raise them in reverence of our faith, respective of our lineage & better than our own upbringing that our decedents grow stronger than those who preceded them. Honor your commitments…strengthen your family…forward His kingdom.

Scripture of the Day: Exodus 20:12, Mark 10:8-9, Ephesians 6:4

“Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Mark 10:8-9: ⁸and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. ⁹Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Ephesians 6:4: ⁴Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Prayer for the Day:

Father keep the lessons of our youth, guided by your hand in remembrance of our ancestors. Humble our hearts to love, care & understanding that we, in our walk with our spouse be inseparable in any circumstance in preservation of our family unit. Grant us balance in the rearing of our children that we bring them up focused on you, in love, care & respect of themselves and others, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:

“The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family. ” – Lee Iacocca

Goal for the day:

Take the focus off the problems & refocus on the family.

Discussion Topic: Family, Like Fine Wine, Strengthens as it Ages.

What lesson of your youth can you pass on?

I Commit to Love Myself as Unconditionally as God Loves Me

Yesterday we defined commitment to God & faith. The second most important is self commitment. With our faith as a foundation we are guided. We are also purposed. When we commit to ourselves we take the best care of ourselves so we are stable, foundational pieces to any relationship we are a part of…family, friends…career. By knowing who you are & who’s you are allows you not just knowledge of how to properly care for yourself but how to properly care for others as well. God loves us unconditionally as we should love ourselves. Never stop striving to improve who you are!

Scripture of the Day: Romans 12:1-2
“.1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Prayer for the Day:
Father today we pray for balance. That our focus is on you, that our mind is working on proper care of ourselves, that our bodies are a reflection of that care and our souls renewed by your unconditional love for us, that we may be pivotal, good examples in all of our relationships, in Jesus name, Amen.

Thought for the day:
“Not caring enough about oneself is not caring about anyone else around you…(deficient). Caring too much about yourself leaves no room to care for others (deficient). Two ends of a sheet will never meet unless both ends are joined in the middle, equally folded” – K. Kriet

Goal for the day:
Identify what you love most about you & celebrate it.

Discussion Topic: How Do I Love Me…Let Me Count The Ways.
What is it that you can do to improve YOU?

Where Your Heart is, There is Your Commitment

The textbook definition of commitment is: something pledged, the state of an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled. What you commit to good or bad is what you choose to do daily/ regularly, be it, your job, your family, your choice to do nothing…either way you fully commit to what you choose as the routine you fall into everyday. The more responsibility you have the more commitments you’ve made. The determining factor of the direction of our lives is our focus on our commitments and the care and balance of those things. “As a living sacrifice our lives belong to God, and the reward becomes ours. Those who are truly committed to God have the full joy of knowing that they do not have to journey this life alone. Fully committed Christians benefit in a daily walk with a God who is fully committed in His endless love demonstrated in His plan of salvation” – B. Whitaker (WOC Study Bible).

Scripture of the Day: Mark 8:34

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me“.

Prayer for the Day:

Father I commit my life to you. I pray that my every step be made with the thought of you first. That what I do and what I say is in line with the path purposed for me. Regardless of what I face, my focus remains on you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:

“My great home is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the live in return” – Maya Angelou

Goal for the day:

Review your commitments. Keep those that move you forward, remove those that hold you back.

Discussion Topic: Your Order of Importance.

What are you committed to daily? Of those commitments, in what order have you placed them…not as you would like them to be, but as they are?

Be Assured, The Battle is Already Won

I’ve seen many things this week but the most prevalent was so many of us allow our problems, whatever they are to live “rent free” in our mind and take over. You choose your course. I understand things happen and if it occurs on 1 day, why 1 month later are you allowing it to be your first, last and in-between thought. That is giving that single action the permission to take you over & ultimately take you out. Our father gifts you daily with a sunrise that erases the day before. Provides you with a new 24 hour period to make anew. If you wake to the gift of another morning REFUSE to MISUSE that opportunity. Your battle is already won, all you have to do is have faith & believe it is so. Cast that burden onto God & make your way to His path. You are given only one life, live it to it’s fullest & remember a sunrise is guaranteed, not individually promised.

Scripture of the Day: I Chronicles 16:31-32
“31Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say amount the nations. “The LORD reigns!” 32Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!.

Prayer for the Day:
Father I praise you!!! Through all I encounter I leap for joy knowing in my low points you held me, in my high points you lifted me, in my insecurity you guided me, in my rebelliousness you redirected me and in all you loved me and I thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:
“When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness…all the good things” – Maya Angelou

Goal for the day:
Despite what’s going on, be joyous and spread it around.

Discussion Topic: A Rent Free Inhabitance.
What is living “rent free” in your mind today? Is it lifting you higher or is it bringing you down?

Faith and Confidence in Battle Equals Strength of Victory

Carry on in joy, peace, patience & confidence knowing victory is eminent. The ability to enjoy life and succeed in one’s pursuits is a gift from God. When we are brought into a right relationship with Him and are submissive to Him, He then gives us joy and confidence in what we do. One’s confidence in oneself must be based on a solid foundation, which is God. He Promises to do great things for those who wait for Him. Look to Him and persevere in hope, confidence and patience. WOC Study Bible

Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 64:4

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him and waiteth for him.

Prayer for the Day:

Father, I faithfully & confidently move forward in obedience, awe and praise of you. My eyes window my heart at the beauty you’ve shown me this day and every day. Who am I that I am deserving of all that you’ve provided me. I stand tall & strong on your sound foundation. I grow each day by the power & guidance of your word and I won’t stop until the greatness of you in me is the unquestionable, undeniable representation of all you purposed for my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought for the day:

A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her – David Brinkley

Goal for the day:

Refuse to walk on eggshells…Take every step knowing your foundation is UNBREAKABLE!!!