In need of a second chance is a position many of us find ourselves in or have found ourselves in before. We’ve stepped forward in careers, dreams or relationships and failed. After failing we find ourselves with the chance to choose to accept failure, or learn from a mistake and make something better the next time around.

George Bernard Shaw puts it best when it comes to making mistakes. He says, “ A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” To sum that up it’s simply better to do something and fail then to never try anything at all. In making mistakes it’s important not to dwell on the mistake, but instead the leasson learned along the way.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

As a Christ Follower we can know that His mercies are new every morning, and each day is a day to spend living, and not quitting. Each day is a day to take a look at mistakes and learn from them and thank God for yet another day to “do over” things in our life.

Write down in a journal a past mistake and the lesson learned. Thank God for His grace and mercy. Focus on the lesson learned and determine how you’ll apply that to your life the next time around.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Lord, today I thank you that it’s a new day. You are a God who makes all things new and the old is passed away. Thank you for being the God of second chances and for Your unending love. I commit this day to You, and love You. In Jesus name, amen.

It seems like the one challenge people will always face is the desire of acceptance. It doesn't matter if you're a student, a mom or employee at a Fortune 500 company. No matter where we are at in life we are surrounded by people and as humans God has wired us with a natural desire for relationship. With that natural desire to be in community with others the challenge is how do we stand for something, yet stand together with others.

It's acceptable to be different, but when you actually embrace who you are and what you believe in that's admirable. I'd rather be admired than accepted, and this world is looking to Christians to finally be who they say they are. It's possible that you may be respected and liked by your peers, and not be popular or completely accepted. The point is to live your life in a way that people are drawn to you because of Christ's love in you, not because you do and say everything they do.

It's simple. Find what you believe in. Stand up for what you believe in and don't let anyone talk you out of it at the expense of being accepted. Be admired, not accepted.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, today I before you and ask you to forgive me if I've ever been ashamed of you. You stand for freedom, love and so much good. I will stand for truth and love and all that you represent. Let me be a light to my world, without having to become just like it. May the world admire Jesus in me and come to know the love I've found in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

The truth is when life happens it's hard to see God in it, but what I believe is so great about our God is that He has imprinted nature, our surroundings and our lives so greatly that it's impossible to deny Him. His redemptive power, saving grace and compassion are never changing. Even when stuff happens it can't take away what God has done, and what God wants to do in your life.

What God does in a persons live leaves an eternal imprint always to be remembered, and never stolen. Psalm 111:4 says, He has caused His wonders to be remembered. This scripture is followed by a description of grace and compassion. When the wonders of God are described it goes beyond the moon and the stars, or this earth we live on. The wonders of God are described with words like grace and compassion. It's not as tangible as a summer thunderstorm, the wind in the trees or a glorious sunset, but just as demonstrative is His grace and compassion in our lives.

God's grace and compassion have created and eternal imprint that no stuff in life can change. It's so easy to let the stuff of life keep us from seeing God, but let's not have blurred vision and in everything find a reason to thank Him. Remember His grace and compassion always and let it be as visible in your life as the wonders creation.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE

Seeing God isn't that hard, it's in the simple provisions of life we can find Him. Maybe that's a friendship that you''re thankful He's given you, the job He's given you, or the car you drive. Even if that job, car or relationship isn't perfect thank Him for giving you that in your life. Thank Him for always being faithful and start seeing Him in every little and big area of our lives.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, today I choose to remember your works and wonders by thanking you for all that I have in my life. I know are the giver of all thing and I thank you for always providing for me. Help me see you in the middle of life's stuff and help me always keep an attitude of gratitude for your grace and compassion. I am forever grateful for the eternal imprint you've put on my life. I give you this day. In Jesus name, amen.

I caught myself today on the phone with a friend and I pulled out the line " I'll be praying for your situation." Was I actually going to do that? No I was on my way into the gym about to focus on me. But instead of going into the gym I got back in my car and prayed for my friends situation. I knew if I didn't do it right then, I would probably not do it. Lets not be a people that just say the right things, let's do the right things and be there for others.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE

It's a simple challenge but do something for someone today, even if it's just praying for them. Show them love through authenticity and action.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, today I will be an agent of love to my friends, family and coworkers. I pray that you give me opportunities to do something for someone in my life today. Help me be a light and a witness to the world around me. Thank you for today, I commit it to you. I love you. In Jesus name, amen.

Oppression is defined as the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety, ect.

Can you relate? For us to admit that we're oppressed feels a bit like admitting that we're weak. It doesn't feel like the overcomer we're taught to be as Christians, but the truth is this is something we all deal with. Being oppressed doesn't mean being defeated and overcome, it's simply us feeling like we've had enough. Oppression is a feeling not a fact.

Oppression is no respecter of age or gender either. For a young person it may be feeling oppressed by a situation with parents that aren't improving. It may be the battle of standing for what you know is right or caving to the desire of acceptance for all. In either case the weight of the situation begins to feel like a burden and wears on you mentally and physically.

As we move on in life these adverse conditions may remain but are now joined by new struggles found in jobs and relationships. We maybe wouldn't say that these things in our life are oppressing us, but we would be likely to classify it as stress. But when you look closely at the two words, are they any different?

Stress is defined as physical, mental or emotional strain or tension. Stress and oppression aren't that much different and the effects are often times the same causing damage to our lives in many ways. And worse than damaging ourselves is the damage we can cause others when we're stressed. Stress and oppression will cause you to act, think and respond different than you normally would. They say hurting people, hurt people. You could probably say, stressed people, hurt people. I believe that stress isn't something to take lightly or just accept, but instead let the Lord be the healer of all things in our life and our stronghold in times of stress or pain.

If you are dealing with oppression or stress, take your eyes off the problem and fix them on the Lord. Take some time to get alone and read your Bible, pray and just be quiet. Our remedy is usually simple and it's a matter of fixing our eyes on Him and not the problem. Another practical thing to do is to take time for a hobby in your life today. The last thing to do is trust. Give the problem to the Lord and just trust that He's in control and will give you the grace and mercy to overcome any situation.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord I don't to take the burden of this life upon me. I don't want to look to me as the source or stronghold in my life, but instead I fix my eyes on you. I will trust you with the hardest, deepest and most troubling situations in my life. I will put you before those situations and allow you to be the stronghold in my life and my safe place, my refuge. I commit to you this day, I love you. In Jesus name, amen.

Guarding your heart is a topic we will explore a bit the next few days. In the next few days I want to look at the importance of guarding your heart and 5 gatekeepers of your heart. I believe that these 5 things are needed in protecting our lives from things God never intended them to have. These 5 gatekeepers will help you make decisions that lead to life and blessings.

1. Your eyes
2. Your ears
3. Your thoughts
4. Your words
5. The Holy Spirit

Be careful what you see, hear, think and speak. And always be quick to obey the convictions of the Holy Spirit. I see a generation that allows anything they want into their lives. We'll watch whatever movie we want, listen to any song we want, think anything we want and speak anything we want. The worst one of all is ignoring the convictions of the Holy Spirit when He's showing us right and wrong.

TODAY'S CHALLENGE

There's more to come on this topic, but for now just think about what in your life you thought you'd never see, hear, think or speak, but now allowing that very thing in your life? Maybe it's the movies we watch, or the music we listen to. Make a list of things you know you shouldn't allow to sneak in so easy in your life and start closing the gate of your heart to unwanted things.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord make me more like you today. Help me live for what matters most. Give me the strength to not have to be like everyone else doing what everyone else does. Help me to set my self apart and live a life that is pleasing to you. I love you, in Jesus Name, amen.

Have you ever lost your keys or your wallet? When you lose something, what's the best thing you can do? The best thing to do is start from the beginning and retrace your steps -- back track to the point that you last remember having what it is that you've lost.

Finding what you've lost doesn't just apply to personal belongings like keys, wallets and phones. Sometimes the very thing we lose is our most important possession: our faith. Losing your faith happens for a lot of different reasons, but I believe one of the greatest causes is disappointment. The disappointment may be towards yourself or God, and sometimes both.

The truth is, most people have or will experience a time when they let themselves down, or when God doesn't come through for them. Maybe you asked God for a new job, to restore a marriage or heal an ill family member and He didn't come through for you. The natural response will be to begin to doubt God's ability to be the healer or provider that you've come to believe Him to be. But, even though you may not have seen Him come through in this area it doesn't change that He is still a healer and your provider. You may lose your faith in that area, but don't just let it go. Back-track and go to where you started when you had faith in Him and begin to allow God to find that trust you once had.

It's going to take some time to find that trust again, but God understands and He longs to prove himself to you. Maybe you were believing for something really huge and God didn't come through. I can't, nor will I try to explain why He didn't, but I do know letting go of your faith isn't the answer. Instead of letting go completely, find little areas in your life that you want to see God move. Ask Him for those things and in your heart and learn to trust Him again. One of the keys to restoring your trust in Him is to think of the times that He has been good to you and thank Him for those.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Father I come to you today with a broken, hurt and even doubting heart. I love you so much and I long to see you be all that your word says you are. I purpose in my heart to try and trust you again. I give you all my cares and concerns and ask that you would show Yourself to me. Be my healer, restorer and provider. Thank you for this day. In Jesus name, amen.

We all have or will go through times when we get hurt. The hurt may be from a friend abandoning you, a job letting you go or God not giving you what you ask for. The hurts may vary, but sometimes the results are the same. We push ourselves away from that very thing or person we feel hurt by.

Pushing yourself away and creating distance from a person that has hurt you only seems natural. The last thing you want to do is be close to that person when they have let you down. We create the same distance when we feel like God has let us down. No matter what has happened I don't believe that we can get through that hurt without letting God help us and heal us. In fact, when we feel God has let us down and we are hurting, I believe we should run to Him.

To run to closer to the very one we've been hurt by goes against everything in us, but I believe it's essential in order to get through that situation and hurt. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The hardest part is going to be making yourself vulnerable and allowing Him to be close to you again. I do believe that what it says in Ephesians 1 is true where it says that He binds up the broken hearted, and heals their wounds.

I believe that Jesus is and always will be the healer. On this earth there will be many things that we won't be able to explain why or how God allowed them to happen, but it's important to keep him close even when you feel let down.

If you feel hurt by God, tell him. He longs for you to be honest with him. Tell Him why you feel hurt and then ask Him to be the healer of your broken heart. Ask Him to be your strength in times of trouble.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, even though I don't understand why I feel let down and hurt I want to trust you. I want to trust that you can be my healer and that you only have plans to prosper me and not to harm me. I ask that you would fill me with your presence and let me feel your peace in my life. I love you and commit this day to you. In Jesus name, amen.

One thing is certain for all of us, and that is we'll face situations and times in our lives when we don't understand why something is happening. There's times life doesn't seem fair. There are times when God seems far removed from situations in our lives, but Far removed is never God's position. His love is always present and always near.

His love is a love that never leaves you nor forsakes you, and the cares of this world were never meant to be yours. I Peter 5:7 says, Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Psalm 55:22 says, Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. Even when you don't understand what's going on His love will sustain you.

In order for you to experience the peace that He has designed to sustain you, it's important to cast your cares and anxiety to the Lord. God's just waiting for you to tell him that you give all your worries, hurts and fears to him. This doesn't change the fact that you still wonder why, but what it does do is acknowledge that you're in need of a saviour and His redeeming love in that area of your life.

If there's something in your life that you don't understand why it's happening, or how you'll get through it, then I want to challenge you today to just tell the Lord that you know that He is in control and loves you. Tell the Lord you are trusting Him and not leaning on your own understanding.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, you are my sustainer, my keeper and help. I cast all anxiety to You and know that You will carry me through every situation I ever face. I don't need to understand, and instead I trust you. Thank you for your peace that passes all understanding and for giving me joy and hope in my life. I love You. In Jesus name, amen.

When MIchael Jordan had the dream to be a basketball superstar he didn't quit ever. Jordan was cut his sophomore year from the varsity team, but continues working towards the goal and became one of basketball's greatest players ever. Even when he failed, he never lost sight of what he dreamed of becoming.

The path to becoming all that God has for you is going to have some ups and downs, but never lose sight of the goal. The dreams he's put in you may seem to big to accomplish, and the path to long but don't be afraid. Don't let fear or doubt keep you from tackling the giants in your life and keep you from doing something incredible.

It's simple today. DREAM BIG. Dream big and start to believe that with God on your side He can give you all that you need to accomplish it. Maybe it's an invention, a career... no matter what it is, DREAM BIG.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, I know that with you nothing is impossible. I am going to dream big for my relationships and my future. Fear will not keep me from pursuing all the desires in my heart. Surround me with the right people to help me accomplish the dreams in my life and give me courage, boldness and strength. Thank you for loving me and believing in me. In Jesus name, amen.

A David Psalm

1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.

Meditate on this chapter in the bible taken from The Message Bible. It's a chapter that most have heard, but today especially look at what it says and know that the Lord is always faithful, always true and always everything you need to get through any situation in life.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, thank you for loving me and being the faithful one. You are my strength, and joy through every situation in life. Thank you for making me feel secure even when things in life might not be. And thank you for chasing after me with your love every day of my life. I love you. In Jesus name, amen.

As you are challenging yourself to commit to better relationships with God, people and committing to your purpose, diligence is crucial in that quest. In most instances, a good idea just stays a good idea without diligence. When diligence is missing dreams remain dreams, but when we stick to the things we set out to do, and endure, there's no limit to what we can accomplish.

Another word for diligence is hard work and it's hard work that not only brings things to life, but keeps things going. The things we want to accomplish in our lives won't just happen, but instead, you have to work at making them happen. It takes a determination to not give up on the most important things in your life, and each day choose to work on it. The dictionary defines diligence as, "Careful and persistent work..." It's careful and persistent work that will pay off in the long run.

I like what the 10-time NCAA basketball coach John Wooden says, "Many athletes have tremendous God-given gifts, but they don't focus on the development of those gifts. Who are these individuals? You've never heard of them — and you never will. It's true in sports and it's true everywhere in life. Hard work is the difference. Very hard work."

Don't allow yourself to miss out on your dreams and healthy relationships because of a lack of diligence and hard work. When you don't see result right away, don't let that keep you from remaining diligent. Today, challenge yourself not let time or circumstances keep you from sticking it out in each area of your life, especially in those areas that you're believing to see God bring change to.

Also, think of areas in your life that you've stopped being diligent. Take time this week to begin to be more diligent. Work on your relationship with God and pray 5 minutes each day. Take time to work at fixing broken relationships by doing something nice for someone. Last, take time to pick up an old dream and work at making it a reality.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, I pray today that you give me the strength to stick to things in life and to work at all areas in my life. Lord I know that you bless those who work hard and are diligent and so I am going to be that in my life. I won't accept my life the way it is, instead with your grace and mercy I'll work at making it better. I love You and thank You for this day. In Jesus name, amen.

Yesterday, we talked about how you can stay committed by taking personal responsibility for putting your faith into action. Today, I want to talk about how using the right words will help you stay committed. Your actions are very important, but your words alone are as powerful.

We see the ultimate example of the power behind words in the very first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, when God spoke our very world into existence just using His words. With His words, God created, gave life, and commanded action to mankind. Our words also have the ability to create, to give life, and to command action - if we allow them to. As it says in the verse from Proverbs (written above), your words are as important as your actions in shaping who you become, what you experience, and what you do.

Of course, this isn't a magic wand: speak better = life better. But, what speaking life and faith-filled words will do is challenge your heart to believe for greater things. And once you start believing for greater things in your heart, the seeds of your words will begin to transform your actions and your life, and will cause you to be committed to seeing those greater things evolve in your life.

Your actions will always reflect what you say. If you say you're not strong enough, you'll never take the right steps to get stronger. If you say I'm a lousy child or a lousy spouse, then that is how you will act. That's why it's important to not settle for who you are in and of yourself, but instead to hang onto the promise that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and speak faith-filled words that will challenge you to be a better person. Doing so will birth the actions that move us closer to the abundant life God intends for us.

Take a few minutes and begin to see yourself not as you are, but as you desire to be. Think of areas where you speak negative words over your life. Exchange those negative thoughts and words for life-giving words. Start declaring that you already are what you hope to be. Know that what you desire to be, God has placed in you and is well able to equip you when you partner with Him through speaking words of life and faith.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord help me see in me the things you see. I want the words I speak to bring life and build my faith. I know you have a great plan for my life and I know that you can equip me for anything. Thank your for being my strength when I'm weak, my joy when I'm down and my love and my joy. In Jesus name, amen.

In the Christian world, a lot of times we are taught that we can simply speak our lives into a better existence. But, the truth is, talking the talk alone will not work without walking the walk. In other words, you can have faith and speak faith-filled words, but will that alone change the circumstances in your life? I don’t think so. I full-heartedly believe there is power in what you say— the Bible says the tongue has power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21), but words alone are not enough.

So, while you can’t simply talk yourself out of your problems, you can talk yourself into faith and into believing things can be better. Once you have the faith to believe for something better it's time to put action behind it. This is where your personal responsibility comes in. If you have faith to believe something can be different in your life, you alone are responsible to put action into those things, and it will take commitment to stick with it when things get hard or when things don’t seem to be changing.

This is true in all areas of your life. For example, if you want to be closer to God, don't just tell Him that or say that. Show Him! It is equally important to do something to grow closer to Him and to keep doing even when it doesn’t seem like He’s working in your life. In a marriage, you can't just talk about how your marriage is going to get better. Do something about it! Start treating your spouse better, forgive, make your marriage a priority, even when it is hard to do so.

I've heard it said that if you want to see something different, you've got to do something different. The problem isn't usually a lack of being able to say good things or to believe for a better life, it's a lack of staying committed to doing something to make it better. Taking personal responsibility for putting your faith into action will help you stay committed in this way.

Find areas in your life that you would like to see improve and take personal responsibility to see that situation change. If this involves relationships on the job, in school or at home, I want to challenge you to find something nice to do for that person. If you continue to do this more than just today I believe simple things such as this will begin to improve your life and help you experience God's fullness here on this earth. Let me know your thoughts on this.

TODAYS PRAYER

Lord, I don't want to just be a person who talks about being a better person or experiencing a better life. I want to take personal responsibility for putting my faith into action. I want to be a person who is committed in words and action to you, my friends and family and every area of my life. Thank you for giving me this day and building in me the power to put action to what I say and believe. In Jesus name, amen.

For some, today started with the thought of, "I don't feel like" ... going to school, going to work, being in this city, working on my marriage, getting along with the people in my life, etc. The list of things we don't feel like doing could go on and on. As we've challenged ourselves to grow closer to the most important things in our life, I'm sure there are going to be days when we don't "feel like it". The challenge is not to make decisions based on feelings, but instead connect to God, people and your purpose through commitment.

Feelings become the very thing we use to justify what we do and what we don't do. Feelings allow us to quit when we should keep going. Living your life guided by your feelings is what puts you in the wrong relationships, the wrong jobs and the wrong situations.

What happens to the brilliant new year's resolutions everyone comes up with? You set out and determine to start working out more, or at all, and it lasts for a couple weeks and maybe even a solid month, but it seems that it quickly comes to and end. Why? Because you don't feel like working out any more and you have no commitment to it to keep you going.

I believe that the more we live by feelings, the harder it becomes to live a spirit guided life. When you choose not to do what is right once and instead to do what you feel, it becomes easier the next time to not do it again. There is a compound effect and that's what happens with the most important areas in our life. Instead of acting on our feelings, if we would commit to something outside of our them, we would grow in character, integrity and discipline, and these are all virtues we need for success in our relationships and in our lives.

Today I want to challenge you to determine to make decisions based on what's right and not what you feel. When you don't feel like committing to the people, jobs or other things in your life make the choice to commit and not let your feelings determine your choices. Write down areas in your life you've once been committed to but now are not only because you didn't feel like it. Take a minute and tell me your thoughts on this in your life.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, today I want to commit to sticking with things in my life no matter how I feel. In my relationship with you and others I choose to not live a life based on feelings, but to live on purpose and commit to what's right no matter the cost. I love you and thank you for giving me the strength to do this. Thank you for your love and this day. In Jesus name, amen.