Determination— Keep Going No Matter What

There’s something powerful about waking up each day with determination in your heart. Determination is what keeps you moving when progress feels slow, when doors close, and when life throws unexpected challenges your way. It’s the quiet voice inside you that says, “Try one more time.”

February is often when New Year excitement fades and reality sets in. Goals feel harder. Motivation isn’t as fresh. That’s exactly where determination steps in. Determination isn’t about how you feel — it’s about what you decide.

Determination says:

I will keep showing up. I will keep believing. I will keep working toward what God placed in my heart.

Many people quit not because they failed, but because they got tired. But determination reminds us that success often belongs to the ones who simply refused to quit.

Think about this: Seeds don’t grow overnight. They push through dark soil before they ever see sunlight. If seeds gave up underground, we’d never see the harvest. Your hard season may be your growing season.

Scripture for Today

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

That verse is determination in action. Keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing. Your “due season” is real.

Determination is also built in small daily choices:

Choosing hope when worry shows up.

Choosing effort when you feel tired.

Choosing faith when you can’t see the whole path.

You don’t have to move fast — you just have to keep moving forward.

And here’s some good news: Determination grows stronger every time you use it. Like a muscle, it builds through resistance. Every challenge you push through today is preparing you for tomorrow’s victory.

A Little Humor for the Day

I told my treadmill I was determined to run today…

It started running first and now we’re not speaking.

Today’s Challenge – February 6

Pick one thing you’ve been tempted to give up on — and take one step forward today. Just one. Determination isn’t about giant leaps. It’s about faithful steps.

Remember:

You are stronger than you feel.

You are closer than you think.

And with determination — and faith — quitting is not part of your story.

Make February 6 the day you decide:

I will keep going.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 2/5

https://youtube.com/shorts/oHTrfJxnPg4?si=lL4VTvTj6d780eqw

2/5–Start Your Day Off Right Series

Quote: You are what you share!

Story:

A young boy who had misbehaved was ordered by his mother to stand in the corner for a few moments of “time out” and contemplate the nature of his behavior. After arguing for a few moments, the young lad partially relented and said, “OK, I will go, but my body will be there and my heart won’t!”

How true, how true. For some of us, our bodies are in the church, yet our hearts are no where in sight. Put your heart in it—the rest of you will follow.

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Humor:

Fred and Mabel were both patients in a mental hospital. One day as they both walked beside the swimming pool, Mabel jumped into the deep end and sank to the bottom. Without a thought for his own safety, Fred jumped in after her, brought her to the surface, hauled her out, gave her the kiss of life and saved her.

The next day happened to be Fred’s annual review. He was brought before the hospital board, where the director told him, “Fred, I have some good news and some bad news: the good news is that in light of your heroic act yesterday we consider that you are sane and can be released from this home back into society. The bad news is, I’m afraid, that Mabel, the patient you saved, shortly afterwards hung herself in the bathroom with the belt from her bathrobe. I’m sorry but she’s dead.”

“She didn’t hang herself,” Fred replied, “I put her there to dry.”

Praise And Compliment Others Every Chance You Have

One evening my mother made dinner after a hard day’s work. 

She put a plate of eggs, salad and burnt toast in front of my father …

I immediately noticed, the burnt toast …. And, I was waiting to see if he was going to complain about it, but my father started to eat them, smiling and asked me how I spent my day at school …

My mom apologized to my dad for the burnt toast. I will never forget his response to her: “Honey, I love burnt toast!”

Later when I went to bed and my dad came over to kiss me goodnight, I asked him if he really liked the burnt toast?

He hugged me and said, “Your mother has had a difficult day and she is really tired. She went out of her way to prepare this meal for us, why blame her and hurt her.

Burnt toast never hurt anyone; but words can be very painful! “

We have to know how to appreciate what others do for us, even if it’s not perfect, because it’s the intention to do well that counts, and no one is perfect …

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Start Your Day Off Right Series 2/4

https://youtu.be/uvYmAUnFjv4?si=qAl3TgEGAmHA1dq5

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

2/4– Start Your Day Off Right Series

2/4–Quote:

In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double, don’t worry be happy!

Story:

And then it occurred to me, Hey, this isn’t just the game of Monopoly that has caught my attention; this is the game of life. You sweat and strain to get ahead, but then one day, after a little chest pain or a wrong change of lanes on the freeway, the game ends. It all goes back in the box. You leave this world just as naked as the day you came into it. 

I once saw a bumper sticker that proclaimed, He who dies with the most toys wins. That’s wrong. It should say, He who dies with the most toys dies anyway.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:6-10

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Humor:

2/4–An award should go to the United Airlines gate agent in Denver for being smart and funny, and making he point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo. During the final days at Denver’s old Stapleton airport, a crowded United flight was cancelled.

A single agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, “I have to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS.” The agent replied, “I’m sorry sir. I’ll be happy to try to help you, but I’ve got to help those folks first, and I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, “Do you have nay idea who I am?” Without hesitating, the gate agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone.

“May I have your attention please?” She began, her voice bellowing throughout the terminal. “We have a passenger here at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the gate.”

Good question! Who are we? In Christ we are new creations!

The Quiet Strength Of Humbleness

In a world that often rewards the loudest voice, the biggest title, or the flashiest success, humbleness can feel almost… forgotten. Yet humbleness is one of the strongest qualities a person can carry. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t demand attention. But it leaves a deep and lasting impact everywhere it goes.

Humbleness is not weakness. It is strength under control.

A humble person knows who they are—but doesn’t feel the need to prove it. They can celebrate their accomplishments without standing on someone else’s shoulders. They can admit mistakes without losing dignity. They can listen just as well as they speak. That kind of confidence is rare, and it’s powerful.

Humbleness keeps us teachable. The moment we think we’ve learned it all is the moment we stop growing. A humble heart says, “I still have something to learn.” It opens the door for wisdom, correction, and growth—things pride quietly locks out.

Humbleness also keeps us connected to others. Pride builds walls; humbleness builds bridges. People are drawn to those who make room for others, who don’t dominate the conversation, who don’t always have to be right. A humble spirit creates safety—people feel seen, heard, and valued.

One of the greatest examples of humbleness is found in service. When we serve without needing recognition, we reflect the highest form of character. True greatness is not found in how many people serve us, but in how willingly we serve others.

Scripture reminds us of this truth:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Notice the order—humble yourselves first. Lifting comes later. When we rush to exalt ourselves, we often stumble. But when we walk humbly, elevation comes at the right time, in the right way.

Humbleness doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself—it means thinking of yourself less. It means using what you’ve been given to help, encourage, and uplift those around you.

So today, walk humbly. Speak kindly. Listen carefully. Serve quietly. Trust that what is done with humility never goes unnoticed—even when it feels unseen.

In the end, humbleness doesn’t shrink you.

It strengthens you.