 Your house is on the verge of foreclosure. Your employer told you today the company will start doing some layoffs starting next month, and unfortunately you’re one of them. Your car is still in the shop, and you have a strong feeling that the mechanic is doing more harm than good. You just now remembered you forgot to feed the dog before you left the house. And on top of all that, it’s raining outside.
Yeah.
I know we all go through times like this in life, and they can be really hard. How are you going to deal with all this stress?! What’s all out there? Who are you going to listen to? Some people might recommend eating more food – lots more. Others may suggest to try smoking. The guy down the street may tell you to throw your hands up and file bankruptcy. There are so many influences out there – who should we really be listening to?
None other than God, of course!
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
- Exodus 33:14
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
- Psalm 9:9-10
Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
- Psalm 37:3-5, 7a
It’s important to tune into God’s Word. In times of high stress and trouble, listen to Him, and only Him – be careful of negative influences out there, because there are many. Keep your eyes on God, and He won’t steer you wrong!
written by Josh
\\ tags: control, Exodus, God, Jesus, life, Psalm, stress, trust
 When we truly have Jesus in our hearts and at the center of our lives, it only becomes natural for us to want to share Him with others. And He wants us to do just that – to spread the Word – and to do it however we can.
We each have individual talents that God has blessed us with. For some, it is writing. For others, editing video is their specialty. Some have been blessed with the ability to paint and draw beautiful works of art. Others are brilliant musicians.
The list in infinite, and ultimately here’s the point: use what God gave you to do his work. And naturally, if we do, in fact, have Jesus at the center of our lives, we can’t help but want to get the Word out and tell others about Him. And what better way to do that than what you do best?
written by Josh
\\ tags: God, Jesus, witnessing
 Do you have a dream? Something that makes you smile when you think about ‘Hey – maybe, someday, I can pursue that?’ Maybe you’d like to sing. Maybe you’d like to travel. Maybe you’d like to paint. I know one of my biggest dreams is to direct a movie that gets a theatrical release. There are so many things we think about trying, but never really do, because we think that ‘Oh, that’s really farfetched.’
Sometimes our dreams can seem downright silly to us, but one of the coolest things about living the life that God has called you to live is that he doesn’t think they’re silly. He totally believes in you, and he, in fact, GAVE you those desires and dreams so that one day, you can fulfill them and give him the glory so that others might come to know him, too.
Ephesians 3:20 says
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
INFINITELY MORE then we might ask or even think! Wow, isn’t that something? Whatever your wildest dream is, God is prepared to give you MORE than that! So long as you give the glory and honor to him, he’s ready to put you on the fast track to accomplishing whatever you set out to do.
So start writing that novel! Get to work on that video! Make that website! Start a band! God will bless you in ways you can’t even imagine – he promised he would, and God’s promises are never broken.
written by Matt
\\ tags: Calling, Dream, God, life
 I apologize for the lack of posting recently. We have been quite busy between our personal lives and working on the next big thing here for Christ Daily. More information on that in the near future!
I started reading John chapter 8 last night, and paid particular attention to the first story in it. Here’s how it goes:
1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
- John 8:1-11
I’m sure we’ve all heard this story at one point or another, and it is indeed a good one. The leaders who brought this woman to Jesus were trying to put him in a trap: The law required the woman (and her partner) to be stoned, and if Jesus told them not to stone her, he would be violating the law. If he urged them to execute her, he’d have been reported. Instead, Jesus upheld the punishment, but said only those who have not sinned could punish her. Jesus did not condemn this adulterous woman; instead, he forgave her, and told her to leave her life of sin and straighten herself out.
How many times do you automatically condemn someone when they sin? Even if it’s not out loud – even if it’s in your head – don’t you realize that you, too, have sinned? I have sinned with you. We all have sinned. It’s not our job to judge others – that’s ultimately God’s. Our job is to love and forgive each other.
Thanks for reading!
- Josh
written by Josh
\\ tags: condemning, Forgiveness, God, grace, Jesus, John, judging
 I know, especially nowadays, how it feels to have things. To have money. To have clothes, a car, a nice house. To have… just stuff. So many people obsess over their stuff, they tend to forget about others in need.
“The good person is generous and lends lavishly…” -Psalm 112:5
I bet you know what I’m talking about – someone that has only their best interest in mind. Someone that hoards money. Someone whose life revolves around their stuff. Someone who would rather have extra then have just what he needs. Who rolls in his money. Who is obsessed over what he has. That would rather help himself then others.
We see, from the bible, that’s just wrong! Being generous and giving is an act of love. If we are to love completely, we should love like Jesus Christ did, and not only be willing to put down a few bucks to give a brother a meal, but we should be willing to DIE for a brother, because love is the foundation of Christian Living.
So, think about a way you can be generous today – and do it with a smile!
written by Matt
\\ tags: Attitude, Bible, Generosity, Giving, God, Jesus, Love, Psalms, Who God Is
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