Don’t Forget This Christmas To…

December 18th, 2023 Monday Motivator

As the aroma of sugar cookies fills my home and loved ones gather, I’m reminded to share a simple yet profound message this Christmas: cultivate a grateful heart.

Despite external challenges like the lack of gifts or financial constraints, I encourage you to shift your focus.

Don’t dwell on what you couldn’t provide or who’s not present. Instead, cherish the love and timeless memories that money can’t buy.

This Christmas, turn your gaze to Jesus—reflect on the hope, redemption, light, and love He brought into the world from a humble manger.

The mere thought of His impact stirs gratitude in my heart, a reminder that we are never truly alone.

For those facing a tough or unconventional Christmas, remember you’re not alone; Jesus understands your feelings. Take a moment to thank God for His constant presence, regardless of your circumstances.

Let this Christmas be a celebration of gratitude, recognizing its power to transform the atmosphere. Giving and extending invitations, smiles, joy, thankfulness, and hugs.

Merry Christmas!

What Does Christmas Mean to You?

December 11th, 2023 Monday Motivator

What is Christmas to you?

We all know Christmas can be a VERY busy season. Between the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, and planning, it can easily become overwhelming.

Amid the busyness, we forget to pause and reflect on what Christmas really is and why we do everything we do.

Christmas, to me, is more than gifts under the tree.

It’s more than stockings full of goodies. It’s more than cooking everyone’s favorite sides that you only cook once a year.

It’s more than sitting around with loved ones, drinking hot chocolate, and watching Christmas movies.

While all those things are great and fun traditions, Christmas means even more to me.

It’s about celebrating the one true gift that made way for every tangible gift we get to enjoy in our lives: Jesus.

It’s about looking around at the smiles on your children’s and grandchildren’s faces and saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for gifting me with this family.”

It’s about the laughs you share and the memories you make with friends and family that day, saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for the joy you give.”

It’s about noticing that even if you didn’t have one thing under the tree, you still have all you need to celebrate Christmas, and that’s Jesus.

It’s recognizing that one day, because of a moment that happened years ago in history, you can now spend eternity with the Father. When Jesus was born, He was the gift God the Father gave for all to receive and experience the God kind of life filled with joy, peace, freedom, and purpose.

Why is this question so important to ask yourself? Because If we forget the true meaning of Christmas, the season will quickly become burdensome with all its traditions. It will become restless instead of peaceful. Dreadful instead of joyful.

But if we keep our hearts and eyes on the true meaning of Christmas, we can’t help but be filled with joy and peace.

As we approach December 25th, 2023, ask yourself: What is Christmas to you? I challenge you to see where your heart is really at. Hopefully, it’s on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus.

The Importance of A Good Reputation

December 4th, 2023 Monday Motivator

Can you believe it’s December? Where has the time gone?

Before we know it, Christmas will be here.

This morning, I want to share with you something from my devotional time.

Starting with the bible verse Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Now I want to focus on that first part “A good name is more desirable than great riches.”

This is so big to me because after many years of ministry. A good name is something I’ve wanted to build and maintain in my life.

It’s something that every individual should desire, particularly as a Christian.

Why? Well, here are 5 ways having a good reputation contributes to our lives.

  1. Trustworthiness – A good name fosters trust, as people are more likely to rely on and believe in individuals or entities with a positive reputation.
  • Credibility – A good name enhances credibility, establishing a foundation of reliability and competence in personal and professional relationships.
  • Networking – A positive reputation opens doors and facilitates connections, as people are often drawn to those with a reputable and respected identity.
  • Opportunities – A good reputation attracts opportunities, as individuals or businesses with a solid reputation are more likely to be considered for collaborations, partnerships, or career advancements.
  • Legacy – A good name endures and contributes to a lasting legacy. It shapes how you are remembered and, the impact you leave on those around you.

Now knowing at least 5 ways having a good name can benefit us I hope it inspires you to desire that good reputation God calls us to have.

May the benefits that stem from it surpass the worldly riches offered in exchange for a good reputation.

Talking about how we should desire such a good name reminds me of the One who has the greatest Name, Jesus, the Name above all names. Whatever you may be facing this week whether bills, doubt, or health issues, just know there is a Name greater than all those names and it is Jesus. Speak His name over your situations this week.

5 Things to Develop in Order To Be Prepared in Life

November 27th, 2023 Monday Motivator

I hope you guys had more than a wonderful Thanksgiving. One that created good memories with loved ones, friends, and even those you just welcomed to your home and showed hospitality.

Thirty family memories filled my home this year. What a blessing to me, as I am a big family person.

My wife’s preparation for everyone to come over inspired today’s Monday Motivator. The time she spent preparing is what made for a successful Thanksgiving.

That led me to consider, “What if we prepared for life this diligently?” Leading me to ask you, are you prepared for life?

A saying I love and want to share with you today is, “Your homework will show whether you have prepared for every given situation.”

The Word of God gives us many things to help us be overcomers in this life, and today, I want to share 5 with you.

Starting with:

1. Seek Wisdom –

Proverbs 4:7 advises, “The beginning of wisdom is this.”

Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Embrace a lifelong journey of learning and gaining insight.

        2. Practice Compassion –

Matthew 22:39 encourages, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Cultivate empathy and kindness towards others, recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity.

        3. Develop Integrity – 

Proverbs 10:9 emphasizes, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely.” Build a foundation of honesty, sincerity, and moral uprightness in all areas of your life.

        4. Cultivate Perseverance –

James 1:12 reminds us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.”

Life is filled with challenges; develop resilience and endurance to overcome obstacles.

        5. Prioritize Your Faith –  

Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Cultivate a strong faith, recognizing a higher purpose and source of guidance in your journey.

How do you cultivate a strong faith? By feeding your faith and starving your fear.

I challenge you to begin developing and growing these five things I shared with you today. Even yet, take a deeper study into them. They were strong characteristics found in people from the bible who successfully overcame and ran their races. 

Gratitude for God’s Divine Protection

November 20th, 2023 Monday Motivator

After arriving back from an incredible trip to Uzbekistan, I returned home last Tuesday, now fueled and geared up for Thanksgiving.

Your prayers for angelic protection while traveling have been a source of gratitude for me.

I cannot recount numerous instances of God’s divine protection throughout the years.

I’m genuinely thankful that daily, God stations angels around us, ensuring our safety.

Today, I’d like to share five ways God provides us with angelic assistance:

1. Guardianship: As Psalm 91:11-12 says, God commands angels to guard us in all our ways.

2. Deliverance: In Daniel 6:22, an angel intervenes to protect Daniel in the lions’ den.

3. Guidance and Encouragement: Exodus 23:20 promises an angel to guide the Israelites in times of need.

4. Warrior Angels: Revelation 12:7-9 portrays angels as powerful warriors in a heavenly battle against spiritual forces.

5. Divine Assistance: In 2 Kings 6:16, Elisha’s prayer reveals the angelic army protecting them.

Let’s raise a praise of thanksgiving to God this week for His 24/7 protection over us and our loved ones.

God’s divine protection provides us a reason to face any situation without fear, knowing that the heavenly hosts on our side outnumber dark principalities on this earth.

Gratitude For Our Life Partners

November 13th, 2023 Monday Motivator

Thanksgiving is just a week away, and as this year races by, I find myself pausing to appreciate the blessings in life.

Reflecting on the year deepens my gratitude, especially for my wonderful wife, Marsha.

I thank God not just for blessings but for the woman He has given me as a life partner to share those blessings with.

She stands with me through life’s challenges and blessings.

In Genesis, God created Eve from Adam’s rib to be his helper, emphasizing companionship.

I heard someone mention that God, when creating Eve, could have chosen any part of Adam, but He specifically chose his rib—a vital bone from his side. Painting the picture of marriage: doing life together, side by side.

Marsha and I have embraced this concept, doing life together for many years.

Expressing gratitude for your spouse goes beyond words; it involves kind actions and gestures.

Marriage is a blessing, and serving your spouse is a meaningful way to show love and honor.

As Craig Groeschel puts it, serving and honoring our spouses demonstrates the sacrificial love of Christ.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.Ephesians 5:21-28