Can You Spare A Minute Or So 4/17?

If you can’t find five minutes, can you spare one or two?

4/17–Can You Spare A Minute?

Let The Silence Settle 

Perspective–seasoned by experience, you begin to understand what not to worry about. So that you can put your efforts into that which is productive and not in that which will energize your enemies by focusing on them and what they are trying to do. 

If you start speaking to them you give life to them and make them bigger by focusing on them. You need to ignore what they are doing, and keep on doing what you are called to do. Because whatever you put your attention on you give life to. You make something or somebody important the moment you give it or them attention. 

Whatever you give attention to you make important. If you want to kill something, ignore it. A lot of time Jesus answered them not a word. Let the silence settle.

#A-Y-T-Shorts

Run Your Own Race And Stay In Your Own Lane

In a world that constantly measures success by comparison, it’s easy to fall into the trap of competing with others. We scroll through accomplishments, hear about promotions, and see others seemingly “ahead” of us—and before long, we begin to question our own progress.

But here’s a truth worth holding onto: your journey was never meant to be compared to someone else’s.

No two lives are the same. God has given each of us different gifts, different callings, and different paths. When we spend our time competing, we often lose sight of the unique purpose set before us. Instead of growing, we become distracted. Instead of being fulfilled, we become frustrated.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:4: “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” That means our focus should be on doing our best—not doing better than someone else.

Competition can breed envy, and envy quietly steals joy. It causes us to overlook our blessings and undervalue our progress. But when we shift our focus inward—on growth, faithfulness, and purpose—we find peace. We begin to celebrate others instead of comparing ourselves to them.

Remember, life is not a race against others—it’s a race toward becoming who God created you to be.

So today, take a step back from comparison. Appreciate how far you’ve come. Be thankful for what you have. And commit to improving yourself—not to outshine someone else, but to honor the calling on your life.

You don’t have to compete—you just have to be faithful.

✨ Start Your Day Off Right Challenge:
Encourage someone today instead of comparing yourself to them. Speak life, not rivalry. You’ll be surprised how much joy it brings—not only to them, but to you as well.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 4/16

https://youtube.com/shorts/z1IbGTvIO5s?si=GHcdm3Ak4n7WesGO

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

4/16–Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

4/16–Speak & Listen Correctly 

Story:

4/16–

During the gold rush, a man who had worked in the Colorado mine for several months quit his job, as he hadn’t hit the gold yet and the job was getting boring. He sold his equipment to another man who resumed mining where it left off. The new engineer was informed by his engineer that there was gold only three meters from where the first miner stopped digging.

The engineer was right, which means that the first miner was only a meter away from hitting the gold before he stopped.

Moral

When things start to get tough, try to persevere in adversity. Many people give up following their dreams because the job becomes too difficult, or boring, but you are often closer to the finish than you think, and if you push just a little harder, you will be successful.

Scripture:

Matthew 6:31-34

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Humor:

4/16–SPELLING ONE Board Chair:    Pastor, why did you fire your secretary?

Pastor:             She couldn’t spell. She kept asking me how to spell about every other word while she took dictation. Board Chair:    I suppose you couldn’t stand the interruptions. Pastor:             No, it wasn’t that. I just didn’t have time to look up all those words. Thank 

Can You Spare A Minute Or So 4/16?

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jy9JzuwZ1Lw?si=2VgkLhNPVVKaYsK1

If you can’t find five minutes, can you spare one or two?

4/16– Can You Spare A Minute?

Although you may have missed her, actress Kathy Bates played the vital roles of heiress Molly Brown in the recent movie TITANIC.

Bates, who is age 49, became known as the “mom” to the crew and became known as well as one who continually encouraged the crew and cast. Bates told a story in a recent interview to explain her perspective.

“There’s a great story I always remember when I think about crews and directors. There was a guest conductor who was rude to everyone in the symphony. Everyone hated him. Finally, at the packed dress rehearsal, he lifts his arms and nothing happens. Not a sound. He’s stunned. He draws himself up and gives the down beat again. No sound. 

Finally, the first-chair violinist stands up and says, ‘That’s just to show you that no sound comes out of that baton of yours.’ 

I always think about that when I am making a movie.” 

Everyone needs a bit of appreciation.

Br

Are you  dishing it out or just expecting it?

– adapted  DCaced1 n.khfrom USA TODAY, May 1998

#A-Y-T-Shorts

The Great Power Of Meekness

In a world that often celebrates loud voices, strong opinions, and forceful personalities, meekness can seem like weakness. But nothing could be further from the truth. Meekness is not weakness—it is strength under control.

Meekness is the quiet power that doesn’t have to prove itself. It’s the ability to remain calm when others are angry, to respond with grace when you could react with force, and to choose humility when pride is knocking at your door.

Jesus said in The Gospel of Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” That tells us something powerful—God honors meekness. Why? Because it reflects trust. Trust that He is in control. Trust that we don’t have to fight every battle ourselves.

A meek person is not someone who is easily pushed around. Rather, they are someone who has the strength to stand firm without becoming harsh. They have the discipline to hold their tongue when words could wound. They have the wisdom to walk away when others would escalate.

Think about it this way: a wild horse has strength, but no control. A trained horse has both strength and discipline—that’s meekness. It’s power guided by purpose.

In your daily life, meekness can transform your relationships. It softens conflicts, builds trust, and opens doors that force never could. When you choose meekness, you choose peace over chaos, wisdom over impulse, and love over ego.

Today, challenge yourself to practice meekness:

  • When someone speaks harshly, answer gently.
  • When you feel the urge to prove yourself, pause and reflect.
  • When pride rises, choose humility.

Remember, it takes far more strength to be meek than to be loud. Anyone can react—but it takes a strong person to respond with grace.

Closing Thought:
Meekness is not thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less and trusting God more.

Walk in quiet strength today. God sees it, and He will honor it.

Start Your Day Off Right Series 4/15

https://youtube.com/shorts/waC4tkcxIaI?si=NsrmNWI7LeCQWL9t

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

4/15–

Start Your Day Off Right Series 

Quote:

4/15–Pick Your Battles

Story:

Scripture:

Hebrews 4:1-2

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Humor:

4/15–A pastor was delivering a strong message on the evils of alcohol. Rather loudly he said, “If I had all the wine in the world, I’d dump it in the river.” Even louder he declared, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d dump it in the river.” Finally he pounded the pulpit and ended his sermon by exclaiming, “If I had all the whiskey in the world, I’d dump it in the river.” The music director rose for the final hymn and said with a crooked grin, “Please turn to hymn 108, ‘Shall We Gather at the River?’”

The Power Of A Good Positive Mind

Your mind is one of the most powerful tools God has given you. It can lift you up or weigh you down. It can fill your day with hope or cloud it with doubt. The difference often comes down to one simple choice: what you allow your mind to dwell on.

A positive mind is not about pretending life is perfect. It’s about choosing faith over fear, hope over despair, and truth over negativity—even when circumstances are difficult.

The Bible reminds us in Philippians 4:8:

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just… think on these things.”

What you think about matters.

When your mind is filled with negativity, everything feels heavier. Small problems seem bigger. Discouragement creeps in. But when you choose a positive mindset, something powerful happens—you begin to see possibilities instead of obstacles.

A positive mind will:

Strengthen your faith Improve your attitude Influence those around you Help you endure tough times Open your eyes to God’s blessings

Think about it this way: your life often follows the direction of your thoughts. If you constantly think “I can’t,” you’ll likely never try. But if you begin to say, “With God’s help, I can,” your outlook—and your outcome—will begin to change.

This doesn’t mean you won’t have hard days. You will. We all do. But even in those moments, you can choose to say:

“This is tough, but I’m not defeated.” “God is still with me.” “Better days are ahead.”

A positive mind is built daily. It comes from:

Reading God’s Word Guarding what you listen to and watch Speaking encouraging words Surrounding yourself with uplifting people Choosing gratitude over complaint

Start today by taking control of your thoughts. When negativity tries to enter, replace it with truth. When doubt whispers, answer it with faith.

Remember this:

You may not control everything that happens to you, but—with God’s help—you can control how you think about it.

And a positive mind, grounded in faith, can carry you farther than you ever imagined.

Today’s Challenge:

Catch yourself when a negative thought comes in—and replace it with a positive, faith-filled one. Do it all day long. Watch how your spirit begins to lift.

Closing Thought:

A positive mind doesn’t just change your day—it can change your life.