“Before I’d get
in the ring, I’d have already won or lost it on the road.
The real part is won or lost somewhere far away from
witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the
road, long before I dance under those lights.”
---Muhammed Ali
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Lord, I am reminded of
the apostle Paul, after his conversion and before his public
ministry, and how he said, ‘Then fourteen years later I went
back to Jerusalem again…’(Galatians 2:1) Fourteen years of
preparation. Lord, give me the determination today to
prepare---- in obscurity if need be—to be what you want me
to be so I can do what you want me to do when you want me to
do it..” Amen
September 2,
2006
“The secret of
our success is in our daily agenda.”
---John Maxwell, author, speaker
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “I think of the early
believers. ‘They worshiped together at the Temple each day,
met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals
with great joy and generosity.’ (Acts 2:46) I am reminded of
the importance of daily meeting with You in worship. Help me
be honest with myself today and evaluate my daily agenda.
Are my priorities the ones you desire, Lord? And let me
remember true success is finding your will and doing it.”
Amen
September 3,
2006
“When I played
with Michael Jordon on the Olympic team, there was a huge
gap between his ability and the ability of the other great
players on the team. But what impressed me was that he was
always the first one on the floor and the last one to
leave.”
---Steve Alford, Head Basketball Coach, University of Iowa
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Paul, as gifted as he was
said,’ I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet
it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.’(I Corinthians 15:10). In a spirit of humility we can
say, ‘thank you,’ for the talents you have given us
believers. Give us the determination to work hard to develop
them for you to use for your glory.” Amen
September 4,
2006
“The average
human being in any line of work could double his productive
capacity overnight if he began right now to do all the
things he knows he should do, and to stop dong all the
things he knows he should not do.”
---Elmer G. Leterman
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Work brings profit, but
mere talk leads to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23) “As I think of
the important things that I know to do, help me to be
disciplined to stay focused and do them.” Amen
September 5,
2006
“This is what
marriage really means: helping one another to reach the full
status of being persons, responsible and autonomous beings
who do not run away from life.”
---Paul Tournier (1898-1986), physician and counselor who
practiced in Geneva, Switzerland
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “May the Lord bless you
with the security of another marriage.”(Ruth 1:9) “Thank you
Lord for a Christian marriage that holds the exciting
possibility of making each person within the marriage more
like Christ.” Amen
September 6,
2006
“I have
offended God and mankind because my work didn’t reach the
quality it should have.”
---Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) scientist, inventor, artist
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “The Scripture says, ‘Work
hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people.’(Colossians
3:23) Let me do the best I can, knowing you are a God who
cares about the quality of work I do and the attitude in
which I do it. And let me remember that you are merciful
when I fall short.” Amen
September 7,
2006
“Do you
remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? How
did they work out? Didn’t you waste a lot of fruitless
energy on account of most of them? Didn’t most of them turn
out all right after all?”
---Dale Carnegie, (1888-1955), author and speaker
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Lord, I am reminded of
what you said, ‘Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for
today.’(Matthew 6:34) Help me take these words to heart and
release worry as I do what I can for this day.” Amen
September 8,
2006
“Just a little
more.”
John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), American industrialist,
philanthropist, in answer to the question, “How much money
does it take to make you happy?”
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “How easy it is to forget
the words of our Lord, ‘God blesses the poor in spirit, for
the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.’(Matthew 5:3) Let us
remember in this possessions-driven world in which we live
that the kingdom of heaven is promised to those who realize
their need of God. With that gift from God comes true
satisfaction in life.” Amen
September 9,
2006
“When I see a
barrier, I cry and I curse, and then I get a ladder and
climb over it.”
---John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony magazine
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Oh, Lord, my prayer is
like that of David when he prayed, ‘You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I
can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.’(Psalm
18:28-29) Give me courage this day to scale the walls in my
life.” Amen
September 10,
2006
“Attitude will
make or break a leader.”
---John Maxwell, author, speaker
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Let me follow you Lord,
and lead others to you. May my attitude ‘be the same
attitude as Christ.’ (Philippians 2:5).”
September 11,
2006
“Terrorists
attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings,
but they cannot touch the foundation of America.”
---President George W. Bush
“Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time
with futile plans?” Psalm 2:1: “In this unstable world, in
which we live, let my trust be in you. As I think of
9/11/01, let me count every day as a gift, even as I pray
for the families of the victims and for protection from the
forces of evil .”
September 12,
2006
“He that loves
little prays little; he that loves much prays much.”
---St. Augustine (340-430 A.D.) early church father
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “I reminded of I John
3:18, ‘Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us
show the truth by our actions.’ As I spent time in
fellowship with you, I know my love for you and others will
grow stronger and more evident in my life.” Amen
September 13,
2006
“Money is the
cause of good things to a good man, of evil things to a bad
man.”
---Philo, Jewish philosopher living in the time of Christ
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “You told us, O Lord, that
‘wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart
will also be.’ (Matthew 6:21) Let my heart be in the right
place, with you and your kingdom. Then everything else,
including finances, will be in the right place too.” Amen
September 14,
2006
“It has been
said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
but only empties today of its strength.”
---Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), English Baptist
preacher
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “What a wonderful thought,
Lord, that if you take care of the lilies of the field and
how they grow, you will certainly ‘care for us’ (Matthew
6:30). Let me remember that truth today and live in your
strength, without worry for these things you have promised
me.” Amen
September 15,
2006
“Spiritual
excellence is not about ascending the ladder of leadership
to greatness. It is about descending the ladder of humility
to servanthood.”
---Patrick Morley, author
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: Even the Son of man came
not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as
a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) “These words are easy to
read but difficult to emulate. Give me the humility to live
them and lead by serving.” Amen
September 16,
2006
“Recommend to
your children virtue; that alone can make them happy, not
gold.”
---Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827), composer
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “The proverb tells me that
‘an inheritance obtained early in life is not a blessing in
the end.’ (Proverbs 20:21). Let me live in such a way that
the inheritance or legacy I leave my children will be a good
name, one of virtue.”
September 17,
2006
“Someone hired
you because they believed you have more talent than anyone
else who applied for your position. Reward the confidence
they have placed in you. Think as highly of yourself as your
employer does. When problems arise, don’t complain. You were
hired to solve them.”
---Lou Holtz, former football coach and current sports
analyst
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Proverbs 13:4 says, ‘but
those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.’ Let our
work be diligent and let us be satisfied with the best we
can do.” Amen
September 18,
2006
“Fall seven
times, stand up eight.”
---Japanese proverb
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “I am encouraged by Psalm
37:24, ‘Though they (the godly) stumble, they will never
fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.’ Thank you Lord,
for holding me by the hand, even when I don’t deserve it.
You make my falls look like little stumbles from which I get
up and keep going.” Amen
September 19,
2006
“Obstacles
cannot crush me, every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He
who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.”
---Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) scientist, inventor, artist
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “I am resolved, O Lord, to
treat every obstacle as an opportunity to grow. I hold
Romans 8:28 close to my heart, ‘We know that God causes
everything to work together for the good of those who love
God and are called according to his purpose.’”
September 20,
2006
“Time spent
with your loved ones, no matter how meaningless it may seem
to you, may very well be an invaluable turning point to
those who receive your love. We may never know the
accumulative effect of those moments. It’s a ‘chance’ you
must take.”
David B. Whitlock, Ph.D.
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Sometimes I forget the
value of time with my family. But you remind me of the most
important things in life. The proverb says, ‘The godly walk
with integrity; blessed are their children after them.’
(Proverbs 20:7) Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of the
important things in life, like living and communicating by
that living, a life of integrity to those closest to me.”
Amen
September 21,
2006
“He is no fool
who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
---Jim Elliott (1927-1956) missionary to Ecuador, killed by
Huaorini Indians
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “There is still one thing
you haven’t done, he (Jesus) told him. ‘Go and sell all your
possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will
have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”(Mark 10:21)
“Lord give us a willing heart to attach ourselves to you
more than to riches.” Amen
September 22,
2006
“Christians
have within themselves all they need at any given moment to
become all that Jesus wants them to be and in so becoming,
overcome all the obstacles the world may place in their
way.”
---David B. Whitlock, Ph.D.
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Overwhelming victory is
ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) “Thank you
Lord for the assurance of this Scripture. Let me live this
day with the confident expectation that I can be what you
want me to be.” Amen
September 23,
2006
“Life affords
no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the
raising of the next generation.”
---C. Everett Koop. Former Surgeon General
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: May our sons flourish in
their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be
like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. (Psalm
144:12) “O Lord, may we raise our children in such a way as
to glorify you. Give us strength and wisdom for this most
important task.” Amen
September 24,
2006
“Because I am a
Christian.”
---Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Christian pastor,
theologian, who was hanged in a Nazi concentration camp. The
above quote was in answer to the question, “Why do you
meditate?”
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Remain in me, and I will
remain in you.” John 15:4 “Thank you, Lord, for reminding me
of the importance of following you daily in fellowship. That
includes meditating on you and your word.” Amen
September 25,
2006
“Continually
restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. The
destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but
holiness.”
---Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), Scottish minister and
teacher
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “You must be holy because
I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45) “Lord, you alone can make me
holy. Let me walk in purity today as I live to please you.
This is the goal of life.” Amen
September 26,
2006
“Find your own
picture, your own self in anything that goes bad. It's
awfully easy to mouth off at your staff or chew out players,
but if it's bad, and you’re the head coach, you're
responsible. If we have an intercepted pass, I threw it. I'm
the head coach. If we get a punt blocked, I caused it. A bad
practice, a bad game, it's up to the head coach to assume
his responsibility."
---Paul Bear Bryant (1913-1983), football coach
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “God has given me the
responsibility of serving his church.” (Colossians 1:25)
“Lord, let me this day take responsibility for what you have
called me to do. In humility let me have the courage not to
blame others where I have failed to do what you wanted me to
do. In love let me have a forgiving heart to others when
they fail, as well as to myself.” Amen
September 27,
2006
“Always dream
and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just
to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try
to be better than yourself.”
---William Faulkner, (1897-1962), Nobel Prize-winning
novelist
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “A life of moral
excellence leads to knowing God better.” II Peter 1:5 “Lord,
in my seeking to be the best I can be, let me remember the
purpose in all is to know you better.” Amen
September 28,
2006
“There is an
ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and
beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of
living, this
ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a
complete forgetfulness that one is alive.”
Jack London (1876-1916), American author, in The Call of the
Wild
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “I am come
that you might life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“Let me know life in you, and give me strength and courage
to live to the utmost every moment I know to be your will.”
Amen
September 29,
2006
“Difficulties
are just things to overcome, after all.”
---Sir Ernest Shakleton (1874-1922) explorer of Antarctica
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “Here on earth you will
have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Let me have the
confidence today that by your grace I can overcome the
difficulties that are a part of life on earth.” Amen
September 30,
2006
“Never talk
about defeat. This simply breeds defeat.”
---Adolph Rupp (1901-1977) basketball coach, University of
Kentucky
DR. DAVID’S SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER: “You surround me with
songs of victory.” Psalm 32:7 “Lord, let me listen to the
songs of victory you have for me. Let me visualize the
victorious life you have for me.” Amen
Please
look at my new blog,
"Life Matters". Special messages are added
every Thursday. I look forward to viewing your
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