Delmar answers, “come on in boys, the waters fine!"

Distinguish Yourself

Today's Scripture

But Daniel, brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice-regents and governors that the king decided to put him in charge of the whole kingdom. Daniel 6:3, MSG

Notice in today’s Scripture that it doesn’t say God distinguished Daniel and he got promoted. It says Daniel distinguished himself by completely outclassing the other leaders. That’s what happens when you honor God and have an excellent spirit as Daniel did. You don’t compromise. You don’t just go with the flow and do what everyone else is doing. When you have an excellent spirit, God will give you unprecedented favor, creativity, and ideas so that, as with Daniel, you will stand out in the crowd. In humility, you will outclass those who don’t honor God.

My question is, Are you distinguishing yourself and not waiting for God to do it? Are you doing more than you have to and improving your skills? Examine your life. We all have areas in which we can strive for excellence, whether it’s how we treat people, how we present ourselves, or how we develop our skills. You are called to be a cut above. You have excellence inside. It’s who you are. Now do your part and be disciplined to bring out your excellence.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that You didn’t make me to just go with the flow and do what everyone else is doing. Thank You that I can commit myself to striving for excellence in all I do. I believe that as I honor You with my choices, You will cause me to stand out and shine for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

COFA-Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America needs your help. COFA is looking for volunteers to help our growing ministry reach out to the unchurched outdoor enthusiast (locally and nationally). If you're retired or have extra time on your hands and can spare a few hours a week, we need you. Areas we need volunteers: Prayer team, Social media, church outreach, accounting, IT, National women's director, webpage design. If you have an interest in serving the Lord with your talents, we'd love to hear from you. You can email Leslie at lesliea@cofausa.org or call her at 303.909.3707 or Mike at mikeb@cofausa.org or call him at 303.880.9878

Mike Brooks is COFA's prayer coordinator. Please feel free to contact him anytime for prayer, and with your permission, pass it on to COFA's prayer team. You can contact Mike at 303.880.9878 or email him at mikeb@cofausa.org with your requests. Guidelines for all prayer requests, last names must be withheld due to privacy issues, no gossip, or slandering of people you want prayer for. If you have immediate prayer needs, you can call Mike at 303.880.9878

Take Time Every Day

Today's Scripture

By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. Psalm 41:11, ESV

Today, look back over your life at all those places where God has done unusual, uncommon things that showed He delights in you. Don’t take them for granted. They are a big deal. God gave you breath to breathe for today. He woke you up this morning. He’s the One who sustains you. He protects you from things you know nothing about. You’re still standing in spite of the disappointment, the loss. You’re still healthy, still blessed. If it had not been for the goodness of God, where would you be?

You may have been under attack in your health, but the enemy couldn’t finish you off. You may be up against some big obstacles, but God is saying, “Am I not the God who parted the Red Sea? Am I not the God who closed the mouths of lions? Am I not the God who has brought you this far, who has protected you, promoted you, favored you, and made ways where you didn’t see a way?” Take time every day to thank God for what He’s done.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for the history I have with You and for every time You have not allowed the enemy to triumph over me. Thank You for all the times when You’ve shown me that You have me in the palms of Your hands. By this I know that I will triumph today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

COFA-Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America needs your help. COFA is looking for volunteers to help our growing ministry reach out to the unchurched outdoor enthusiast (locally and nationally). If you're retired or have extra time on your hands and can spare a few hours a week, we need you. Areas we need volunteers: Prayer team, Social media, church outreach, accounting, IT, National women's director, webpage design. If you have an interest in serving the Lord with your talents, we'd love to hear from you. You can email Leslie at lesliea@cofausa.org or call her at 303.909.3707 or Mike at mikeb@cofausa.org or call him at 303.880.9878

Mike Brooks is COFA's prayer coordinator. Please feel free to contact him anytime for prayer, and with your permission, pass it on to COFA's prayer team. You can contact Mike at 303.880.9878 or email him at mikeb@cofausa.org with your requests. Guidelines for all prayer requests, last names must be withheld due to privacy issues, no gossip, or slandering of people you want prayer for. If you have immediate prayer needs, you can call Mike at 303.880.9878

Sowers of Discord

Today's Scripture

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Romans 16:17, NIV

Be careful of people who try to stir you up. It should be a red flag when someone comes and starts pointing out everything that’s wrong. You have to consider the source. They are constant alarmists, always blowing things out of proportion, knocking your boss, telling you what’s wrong with your spouse, pointing out problems in your church. Don’t take that bait. They’re sowing discord. They’re trying to poison your spirit. Most of the time, they don’t even know all the facts. The Scripture tells us to be peacemakers, not troublemakers. That’s someone who wants you to get bent out of shape, and then they’re quick to give you advice about it. They always have the answers.

If you keep listening to them, you’re going to live wrought up, stressed out, on edge. If you dwell on what they’re saying, thinking of all the negatives, you’ll end up sour, frustrated, and angry. Do yourself a favor. Tune them out. Quit letting them control you. “What if they get upset?” They’re already upset. Let them be upset by themselves.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You for such a clear word of warning to be careful about the people I allow to influence me. Help me to honestly evaluate my relationships and make changes where there’s discord. I will not allow them to control me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

COFA-Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America needs your help. COFA is looking for volunteers to help our growing ministry reach out to the unchurched outdoor enthusiast (locally and nationally). If you're retired or have extra time on your hands and can spare a few hours a week, we need you. Areas we need volunteers: Prayer team, Social media, church outreach, accounting, IT, National women's director, webpage design. If you have an interest in serving the Lord with your talents, we'd love to hear from you. You can email Leslie at lesliea@cofausa.org or call her at 303.909.3707 or Mike at mikeb@cofausa.org or call him at 303.880.9878

Mike Brooks is COFA's prayer coordinator. Please feel free to contact him anytime for prayer, and with your permission, pass it on to COFA's prayer team. You can contact Mike at 303.880.9878 or email him at mikeb@cofausa.org with your requests. Guidelines for all prayer requests, last names must be withheld due to privacy issues, no gossip, or slandering of people you want prayer for. If you have immediate prayer needs, you can call Mike at 303.880.9878

Develop Your Character

Today's Scripture

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3, NLT

Too often we put conditions on God and on our prayers. “God, I’ll be happy if my boss moves to the backside of Mars. When you get him out of my life, I’ll have a good attitude.” Have you ever thought that God is using that person to grow you up, to develop your character, to teach you to love those who are not so lovable? Instead of saying, “God, get me out of this situation,” I’m asking you to pray, “God, come into this situation. Help me to have a good attitude. Help me to do the right thing when the wrong thing is happening.” It’s very powerful when you can say, “God, if this person or situation never changes, thank You that You’ve given me the strength to overcome, the power to be happy in the midst of difficulties. I’m not going to let this person, this sickness, or this injustice to take my joy.” Now you’re growing and coming up higher. Sometimes God is waiting for you to pass the test, then He’s going to bring you out.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that You are worthy of my unconditional trust. There are things in my life that I don’t understand, situations I want to see changed, people who I’d like to get away from, but even if they never happen, I’m still going to trust You. I gladly leave these matters in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

COFA-Christian Outdoor Fellowship of America needs your help. COFA is looking for volunteers to help our growing ministry reach out to the unchurched outdoor enthusiast (locally and nationally). If you're retired or have extra time on your hands and can spare a few hours a week, we need you. Areas we need volunteers: Prayer team, Social media, church outreach, accounting, IT, National women's director, webpage design. If you have an interest in serving the Lord with your talents, we'd love to hear from you. You can email Leslie at lesliea@cofausa.org or call her at 303.909.3707 or Mike at mikeb@cofausa.org or call him at 303.880.9878

Mike Brooks is COFA's prayer coordinator. Please feel free to contact him anytime for prayer, and with your permission, pass it on to COFA's prayer team. You can contact Mike at 303.880.9878 or email him at mikeb@cofausa.org with your requests. Guidelines for all prayer requests, last names must be withheld due to privacy issues, no gossip, or slandering of people you want prayer for. If you have immediate prayer needs, you can call Mike at 303.880.9878