JANUARY 6

We will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9 NIV

Perseverance is a trait that can be cultivated, and the initial step to cultivating it is to eliminate two of its greatest enemies. These are:

(1) A lifestyle of giving up. A little boy was promised an ice cream cone if he was good while accompanying his grandfather on some errands. The longer they were gone the more difficult the boy was finding it to be good. “How much longer will it be?” he asked. “Not too long,” replied the grandfather, “we’ve just got one more stop.” “I don’t know if I can make it, Grandpa,” the little boy said. “I can be good. I just can’t be good enough long enough,” As children we can get away with that, but not as mature people, and certainly not if we expect to succeed in what God’s called us to do.

(2) A wrong belief that life should be easy. Paul told Timothy he must “endure hardness, as a good soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3). Having the right expectations is half the battle. Clinical psychologist John C. Norcross found the great characteristic that distinguishes those who reach their goals from those who don’t–expectation! Both types of people experience the same amount of failure during the first month they strive for their goals. But members of the successful group don’t expect to succeed right away; they view their failures as a reason to recommit and refocus on their goals with more determination. Norcross says, “Those who were unsuccessful say a relapse is evidence they can’t do it. They are the ones who have a wrong belief that life should be easy.” Bottom line: “We count them blessed who endure” (James 5:11 NKJV).

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY

In the early pioneer days of Pennsylvania, a family was spending their last night in their old log cabin before they headed west to better farm land.

As the mother listened at the bedroom door she heard her little girl pray:

“Well, goodbye God, we’re going to Ohio.”

What Musical Instrument is found in the bathroom?

A tuba Toothpaste

What’s Red and smells like Blue Paint?

Red Paint

JANUARY 3

We will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9 NIV

Observe two more things about perseverance:

(a) Perseverance means stopping not because you’re tired, but because the task is done. Diplomat Robert Strauss quipped, “Success is like wrestling a 1,000-pound gorilla. You don’t quit when you are tired-you quit when the gorilla is tired.” When you’re fresh, excited and energetic you work at a task with vigor. Only when you become weary do you need perseverance. The Apostle Paul recognized this: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Fatigue and discouragement are not reasons to quit, they’re reasons to draw closer to God, rely on our character and keep going. We underestimate what it takes to succeed. When we haven’t counted the cost we approach challenges with mere interest; what’s required is total commitment!

(2) Perseverance doesn’t demand more than we have, but all that we have. Author Frank Tyger observed, “In every triumph, there is a lot of try.” But perseverance means more than just trying or working hard. Perseverance is an investment. It’s a willingness to bind yourself emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually to an idea, purpose or task until it has been completed. Perseverance demands a lot, but here’s the good news: everything you give is an investment in yourself. Each time you do the right thing-seek God, work hard, treat others with respect, learn and grow-you invest in yourself. To do these things every day takes perseverance, but if you do them your success is guaranteed.

Taken from the Best of the Word for You Today.

In 2020, may your neighbors respect you, troubles neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you.

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year resolutions.

Dear God, my prayer for 2019 is a FAT bank account and a THIN body. Please don’t mix it up like you did this year.

Remember you can reset your resolutions on January 14th (Orthodox New Year) and January 25th (Chinese New Year). After that, even I can’t help you.

New Years Resolutions You Have No Chance At Keeping

When I hear a funny joke I will not reply, “LOL!”

Start using Facebook for something other than Farmville and stupid quizzes

I will try to figure out why I “really” need 5 facebook accounts.

JANUARY 2

We will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9 NIV

It’s said that Walt Disney’s request for a loan was rejected  by 301 banks before he finally got a “yes.” Yet he built the world’s most famous theme park. So, this year remember:

(1) Perseverance is needed to win the prize. At a sales convention the manager said to 2,000 of his firm’s sales force, “Did the Wright brothers quit?” “No!” they responded. “Did Charles Lindbergh quit?” “No!” they shouted. “Did Lance Armstrong quit?” “No!” they bellowed. “Did Thorndike McKester quit?”

There was a long, confused silence. Then a salesperson shouted, “Who in the world is Thorndike McKester? Nobody’s ever heard of him.” The sales manager snapped back, “Of course you haven’t-that’s because he quit!” Quitters never win, and winners never quit.

(2) Perseverance turns adversity into advancement. Paul writes, “Everything that has happened to

me here has helped to spread the Good News” (Php 1:12 NIT). Paul didn’t give up-he rose up! How did he do it? He found the benefit to him personally that comes from every trial. One Christian author writes: “Today we’re obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar 01′ an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation and release us from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving.” Growth is

gradual. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters … and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TM).

Taken from the Best of the Word for You Today

Happy New Year! If 2019 was a person, I’d sue him for pain and suffering and lost wages.

This New Year’s I resolve to be less awesome since that is really the only thing I do in excess.

I’ll remember 2019 like it was yesterday

I raised my left leg before the ball dropped so I could start the New Year off on the right foot.

What do you cows celebrate on December 31st?

Moo Years Eve.

What do farmers give their wives at Midnight on New Years Eve?

Hogs and kisses!

JANUARY 1 – New Year’s Day

We will reap a harvest if we do not give up. GALATIANS 6:9 NIV

Perseverance means:

1 Succeeding because you’re determined to, not because you’re entitled to. Achievers don’t sit back and wait for success because they think the world “owes them.” No, if you’re wise you’ll ask God for direction, stand firm on the Word He has given you, go forward and refuse to quit. You must adopt the attitude of the man who said, “We are determined to win. We’ll fight them until hell freezes over, and if we have to, we’ll fight them on ice.” Recalling the trials, he’d faced, Paul said: “I started, and I’m going to finish. I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door … And that’s not the half of it” (2Co 11:23-28 TM). One word describes Paul – relentless.

2 Recognizing that life is not one long race, but many short ones in succession. Each task has its own challenges and each day its own events. You have to get out of bed the next morning and run again, but it’s never exactly the same race. To be successful you must keep plugging away. It’s said that Columbus faced incredible difficulties while sailing west in search of a passage to Asia. He encountered storms, experienced hunger, deprivation and extreme discouragement. The crews of his three ships were near mutiny. But his account of the journey says the same thing over and over: “Today, we sailed on.” And his perseverance paid off. He didn’t discover a fast route to the spice-rich Indies; instead he found a new continent. The scriptural key to success is-running the race each day (See Heb 12:1-2). So, this year-persevere.

Taken from the Best of the Word for You Today

New Years Eve One Liners

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.

My New Year’s resolution is to stop hanging out with people who ask me about my New Year’s resolutions.

To rediscover the difference between wants and needs. May I have all I need and want all I have.

What do you tell someone you didn’t see at New Year’s Eve?

I haven’t seen you for a year!

DECEMBER 31

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me, I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live. (Matthew 11:28-29TM)

Why do we continue preaching a God who cannot be approached to people who have spent most of their lives hiding from Him? Their concept of God is already distorted. Some have said to me, “God’s too holy; I can’t measure up.” Listen, your acceptance is not based on His holiness; it’s based on His love. God thinks you’re worth saving, so He redeems you by His love. His standards never change, but neither does His compassion, Listen: “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning” (Lamentations

3:22-23). Without that none of us have hope!

The basis of any worthwhile relationship must be trust. We can talk to anyone about our successes, but we need someone we can talk to about our failures. We have to know for sure that they understand the worst about us and still believe the best. If you want someone to love you completely, then they must know you completely, because only then will their love satisfy you. That’s why Jesus said, “Come to Me.”

You have nothing to fear when you tell it to Jesus, for you’re not telling Him anything He doesn’t already know. Even before you approach Him today, He has already made up His mind about you.

YOU’RE LOVED. YOU’RE SECURE. YOU’RE HIs. WHAT MORE D0 YOU NEED?

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY

New Year’s is just a holiday created by calendar companies who don’t want you reusing last year’s calendar.

Tonight the Mayor is dropping the ball in New York while Congress is dropping the ball in Washington.

New Year Resolutions

I will no longer waste my time relieving the past, instead I will spend it worrying about the future.

Stop buying worthless junk on Ebay, because QVC has better specials

Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.

Stop repeating myself again, and again, and again.

I will stop tagging pictures of myself in pictures even when I’m not in them

Knock Knock!

Whos there?

Mary and Abby!

Mary and Abby who?

Mary Christmas and a Abby new year.

DECEMBER 30

The Lord is the strength of my life. (Psalm 27:1)

What are you addicted to? Think before you answer! What controls you? What is it that you just can’t live without? What is it that you constantly turn to, to relieve your pain, your loneliness, or your frustration?

Addictive behavior is usually just an attempt to hide from reality, or to put off dealing with areas where we’re hurt, or angry, or afraid.

A well-known Christian author writes: “Except for cigarettes, most of my addictions did not fall under the heading of substance abuse. I was addicted to reasoning … worry … judgment … compliments .,. self-pity … pouting … controls … and work. When I realized I was addicted to these things, I determined that in God’s strength, I was going to be free and live a disciplined and productive life.

“Everything was great-until the pain started. If I had not had the inner strength to withstand it, I’d have given in, which would have temporarily relieved the pain but started the cycle all over again. “Today God does not just want to give you strength-He wants to be your strength. Think about that! Through His indwelling power, He wants you to know that you can break every addiction in your life!”

WHEN YOU BECOME ADDICTED TO JESUS AND HIS PRECEPTS-YOU’LL WATCH YOUR

OTHER ADDICTIONS VANISH!

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY.

New Year Resolutions

Every year I make a resolution to change myself……. this year making a resolution to be myself!

I’m planning on finding new and interesting things to hate about my job in 2020.

My New Years Resolution is to break my New Years Resolutions….That way I succeed at something!

I will spend less than five hour a day on the Internet.

I will read the manual… just as soon as I can find it.

Spend less than $1000 for coffee at Starbucks this year.

Lose weight by inventing an anti-gravity machine

I will do less laundry and use more deodorant.

I will become a vegan for a day and subsequently learn that it was a missed steak.

DECEMBER 27

I am bringing all of my energies to bear on forgetting the past and looking forward            .

(Philippians 3:13 TLB)

Are you old enough to remember television’s The Burns and Alllen Show? At the end of each episode, George Burns would look at Gracie Allen and simply say, “Good night, Gracie.” When those words were spoken, the show was over-finished!

And sometimes that’s all it takes: a simple “good night.” You lay it

to rest, and you move on.

I’ve spent endless hours counseling people who’ve lost precious time constantly struggling with issues that should have been put to bed a long time ago. How much happier and more productive they could have been if they’d just faced them, and simply said “Good night, Gracie.” ‘

More things are forgotten than are ever solved so take stock of your life today and determine what’s holding you back. Recognize your losses, and have the courage to write them off That’s what Paul did listen: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Until you get over the past, you’ll keep sacrificing your future. Don’t live that way another day!             .               .

If you’re still obsessing over past failures, listen to this promise: “I’ve blotted out your sins; they are gone … return to me for I have paid the price to set you free” (Isaiah 44:22 TLB).

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY.

What’s every elf’s favorite type of music?

Wrap.

What do you call a scary looking reindeer?

A cariboo.

What’s the absolute best Christmas present?

A broken drum—you can’t beat it!

What do you call Santa’s little helpers?

Subordinate clauses.

DECEMBER 26

Shamgar … killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad, thereby saving Israel. (Judges 3:31 TLB)

The Philistines had been running roughshod through the land, bullying God’s people, and Shamgar wasn’t taking anymore. Maybe like we do, he had been waiting for God to do something about it. But God was waiting for him, because all He needs is someone He can use.

Shamgar discovered he had rights. The right to own. The right to defend. The right to win. Do you know your rights. today? Listen: “Keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep his statutes … that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest” (1 Kings 2:3). You have the right to succeed! Look at who your Father is!

You also have the right to defend what God has given you. Don’t surrender your family to the world. Remember, God keeps His promises: “All thy children shall be taught of the LORD and great shall be the peace of thy children” (Isaiah 54:13). Shamgar wasn’t talented; he was simply determined! And God honored that determination. He not only slew six hundred Philistines; he delivered an entire nation.

TODAY. IT’S TIME TO TELL THE ENEMY, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'”

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY.

What nationality is Santa Claus?

North Polish.

What do you call a blind reindeer?

I have no eye deer.

What do you call an obnoxious reindeer?

Rude-olph.

How is Christmas exactly like your job?

You do all the work and some fat guy in a suit gets all the credit.

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. (1 Timothy 3:16)

In his book, The Reason Why, Robert Laidlaw tells of two friends who attended law school. One became a judge, while the other squandered his life, broke the law, and one day finished up in court. Sitting on the judge’s bench was his old friend, and everyone wondered what kind of sentence he would pass. To their surprise, he demanded the full penalty of the law. No sooner had he passed sentence, however, than he stepped from the seat of judgment, took off his robes, and walked over to the dock where his old friend stood. He put his arm around him and gently said, “Let it be recorded today that not only have I passed sentence upon him, but I will stand chargeable with all his debts.”  In that moment, his judge became his redeemer.

Christmas is the story of the day God took off the robes of deity and put on the garments of humanity. He left a palace to come to a stable because He loved you. Listen to the poet: The Maker of the universe, As man for man was made a curse. The claims of law that he had made, Unto the uttermost He paid.

Did you hear that? He paid! Had you been the only sinner who ever lived. He would have come. He would have died, and He would have paid the price just for you!

GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS!

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY

DECEMBER 24

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. (Isaiah 44:3)

Listen: I took a piece of ‘living clay, and gently formed it day by day; And molded ‘with my power and art, a young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years were gone, it was a man I looked upon; He still that early impress bore, and I could change it nevermore.

Nothing so totally changes your life as children. They’ll keep you on your toes most of the time, and on your knees the rest of it. If you think having a baby will solve your problems, think again! If you think life will be easier when they reach their teens, you’re dreaming! ‘The first time they take the family car or go on a date, you’ll pray that the values you taught them will guide them and bring them home safe.

If you were raised without words of love, make sure your children aren’t! Tell them often that you love them-it’s the basis of their self- worth. Plant the Word deep in their hearts. Give them an anchor,

because life will give them lots of storms. Cover them with prayer daily. Expect God to bless them, for He promised, “I will pour out my spirit upon thy seed.”

THAT’S THE WORD FOR TODAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Taken from THE BEST OF THE WORD FOR YOU TODAY.

How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?

Nothing. It was on the house!

How do you help someone who’s lost their Christmas spirit?

Nurse them back to elf.

What do you call an elf wearing ear muffs?

Anything you want. He can’t hear you!