Dream big and dare to fail

Everyone in life has hopes and dreams, but too often we are scared to act on our hopes because we are worried we might fail. That's exactly the wrong attitude to take, and it's the point that American explorer and dogsled driver Norman Vaughan was making with today's quote:
"Dream big and dare to fail."

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand

Life can often be challenging and frustrating, but we should remember that God has promised to help us throughout all that we do and to help lead us to good things. This verse from Psalms 16:11 is a good example of this:

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

A lot of times in life we may think we are all alone or that we have been forgotten. We need to remember, though, that the Lord is there for us, as today's verse from Isaiah 30:18 says.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

If You Can't Accept Losing, You Can't Win

Vince Lombardi was a famous football coach who was known for being tough and for leading his teams to victory. While his words were meant to inspire athletes playing on the "Frozen Tundra" of Green Bay, we can find some wisdom in a few of his quotes, too. Today's quote is from Lombardi, and I think that it says a lot.
"If you can't accept losing, you can't win."

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

John 3:16 is one of the most famous Bible verses, and it is also one of the most powerful.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
This is an important verse to remember if you have trouble in your life or if you feel alone.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but we often look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us

When something comes to a close in your life, you'll want to remember this quote from Helen Keller:
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."
I have spent way too much time in my life looking back or worrying about when things would come to a close and be in my past. I know that many other people do the same, even though we would be much better off if we heeded the wise words of Helen Keller.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble

Today's verse from Psalm 9:9 is very clear, and I hope that it gives you some encouragement when life is getting you down.
"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Often it may seem like we are praying to God who is off somewhere in Heaven, and we are hoping that God will do things to help us in our lives.
We need to remember, though, that God is not far away reading our prayers on the internet or listening in on a cell phone, God is right here with us no matter what is going on in our lives.