A brief and scripturally sound, “daily dose” of the Bible… to encourage you every day!
Sunday, December 9 – Something to keep in mind when talking with unbelievers…
1 Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB)
…the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.
Saturday, December 8 – Those who love God are in a great situation…
Romans 8:28 (HCSB)
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Friday, December 7 – A basic foundation for everything…
1 Peter 5:11 (HCSB)
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, December 6 – Just some basic encouragement …
Hebrews 13:20-21 (HCSB)
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Wednesday, December 5 – So often, I catch myself being concerned with tomorrow, when it is today (according to Jesus) that I should be concerned about…
Matthew 6:34 (HCSB)
“Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Tuesday, December 4 – When chaos or judgement comes, Christ will be our confidence…
Proverbs 3:25-26 (HCSB)
Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from a snare.
Monday, December 3 – Something I know that I always need to improve on…
Romans 12:10 (HCSB)
Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Sunday, December 2 – What an angel of the Lord told Joseph, regarding whom Mary was pregnant with…
Matthew 1:21a (HCSB)
“…He will save His people from their sins.”
Saturday, Dec 1 – Paul’s advice to Timothy (regarding the Gospel) removes any notion that sharing or exemplifying the good news is ever optional…
2 Timothy 4:2a (HCSB)
Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not…
Friday, Nov 30 – Some Old Covenant advice (which is also appropriate in the New Covenant)…
Hosea 12:6b (HCSB)
…Maintain love and justice,
and always put your hope in God.
Thursday, Nov 29 – How do we come to know love?
1 John 3:16a (HCSB)
This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us.
Wednesday, Nov 28 – What are the wages of sin?
Romans 6:23a (HCSB)
For the wages of sin is death…
Tuesday, Nov 27 – Where are the promises of God to be found?
2 Corinthians 1:20a (HCSB)
For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him.
Monday, Nov 26 – What was told to Israel, is also true today (for those who think over the message of the Gospel and then actually embrace it)…
Ezekiel 18:27-28 (HCSB)
…if a wicked person turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will preserve his life. He will certainly live because he thought it over and turned from all the transgressions he had committed; he will not die.
Sunday, Nov 25 – The answer to the world’s divisiveness…
Galatians 3:28-29 (HCSB)
There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
Saturday, Nov 24 – A most fundamental reminder…
2 Timothy 2:8a (ESV)
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead…
Friday, Nov 23 – Christ is the Creator…
John 1:3 (HCSB)
All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
Thursday, Nov 22 – What did the prophets and the Law do?
Matthew 11:13 (HCSB)
For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John…
Wednesday, Nov 21 – Where is Jesus now?
1 Peter 3:22 (HCSB)
…He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
Tuesday, Nov 20 – Matthew closes His Gospel with an incredibly assuring quote from our Lord…
Matthew 28:20b (HCSB)
“…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Monday, Nov 19 – There are those who claim to be “Christians,” who at the same time say that they are not “…One of those ‘born agains.’” If that is true, then there are those who claim to be “Christians” who cannot see the kingdom of God…
John 3:3 (HCSB)
Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Sunday, Nov 18 – Ever think of getting back at someone? Think again…
Romans 12:19 (HCSB)
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.
Saturday, Nov 17 – We must always keep in the forefront of our minds what we now have…
Colossians 1:13-14 (HCSB)
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
Friday, Nov 16 – What Jesus says to the church in Thyatira is quite sobering…
Revelation 2:23b (HCSB)
…I am the One who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
Thursday, Nov 15 – After Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist) could speak again, by the enabling of the Spirit, he prophesied about Jesus, ending his prophecy with this summation of our purpose…
Luke 1:79b (HCSB)
…to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Wednesday, Nov 14 – Paul’s description of God’s strength explains why He is qualified to strengthen us…
Ephesians 6:10 (HCSB)
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.
Tuesday, Nov 13 – Nothing in this world can draw the believer beyond their wherewithal to overcome its enticements, through the power of the Spirit…
1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
Monday, Nov 12 – The New Covenant glory, surpasses the Old Covenant glory…
2 Corinthians 3:10 (HCSB)
In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it.
Sunday, Nov 11 – This description of King Amaziah is not what ought to describe us as we live our lives for Christ…
2 Chronicles 25:2 (HCSB)
He did what was right in the Lord’s sight but not wholeheartedly.
Saturday, Nov 10 – Paul’s example should encourage us to also look for opportunities to persuade whoever we can…
Acts 18:4 (HCSB)
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
Friday, Nov 9 – Our joy correlates with the peace that we bring…
Proverbs 12:20 (HCSB)
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
Thursday, Nov 8 – How are we to respond to those who challenge the truth of scripture?
Proverbs 26:4-5 (HCSB)
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
Wednesday, Nov 7 – What is the greatest commandment?
Matthew 22:34-40 (HCSB)
When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind., This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself., All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Tuesday, Nov 6 – A message that we should never stop proclaiming…
Acts 2:38 (ESV)
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Monday, Nov 5 – How was God’s love revealed?
1 John 4:9 (HCSB)
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
Sunday, Nov 4 – Who enters the rest?
Hebrews 4:3a (HCSB)
…for we who have believed enter the rest…
Saturday, Nov 3 – How much did Jesus accomplish?
John 21:24-25 (HCSB)
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
Friday, Nov 2 – What is truth? Jesus reveals it as He prays to the Father directly…
John 17:17b (HCSB)
…Your word is truth.
Thursday, Nov 1 – How true were Abraham’s words to Issac, several thousand years ago…
Genesis 22:8 (HCSB)
Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide, the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.
Wednesday, Oct 31 – According to Jesus Himself, it is not by one’s own reason or intellect that one becomes a follower of Him…
Matthew 18:3 (HCSB)
“I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Tuesday, Oct 30 – How do people know that we are disciples of Christ?
John 13:34-35 (HCSB)
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Monday, Oct 29 – A priority of first importance in our walk…
1 Peter 4:8 (HCSB)
Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Sunday, Oct 28 – The difference between the wages of sin and the gift of God…
Romans 6:23 (HCSB)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Saturday, Oct 27 – When King Jehoshaphat prayed on behalf of Judah and Jerusalem (because they were surrounded by several nations who were about to attack), he ended with this final plea. A plea which we can glean from…
2 Chronicles 20:12b (HCSB)
…We do not know what to do, but we look to You.
Friday, Oct 26 – Powerful words from Paul…
1 Corinthians 16:22 (HCSB)
If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Maranatha that is, Lord, come!
Thursday, Oct 25 – Who are we to delight in? Only whom the Father delights in…
2 Peter 1:17 (HCSB)
For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, a voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory:
This is My beloved Son.
I take delight in Him!
Wednesday, Oct 24 – A great verse for evangelism…
Hebrews 11:6 (HCSB)
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.
Tuesday, Oct 23 – Who’s good are we to seek?
1 Corinthians 10:24 (HCSB)
No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.
Monday, Oct 22 – Just as the prophet Micaiah had made it clear in what he would advise King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel about what God had said, we must also only say what God has said (in His Word) whenever we are questioned about what He has proclaimed…
2 Chronicles 18:13 (HCSB)
But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, I will say whatever my God says.”
Sunday, Oct 21 – What is able to save you?
James 1:19-21 (HCSB)
My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.
Saturday, Oct 20 – What is the kingdom of heaven like?
Matthew 13:44 (HCSB)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.”
Friday, Oct 19 – Who is your life, and why will God’s wrath come?
Colossians 3:4-6 (HCSB)
When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient…
Thursday, Oct 18 – As we get up to go to work, we must keep in proper perspective how we view our vocation…
Psalms 49:16-20 (HCSB)
Do not be afraid when a man gets rich,
when the wealth of his house increases.
For when he dies, he will take nothing at all;
his wealth will not follow him down.
Though he praises himself during his lifetime —
and people praise you when you do well for yourself —
he will go to the generation of his fathers;
they will never see the light.
A man with valuable possessions
but without understanding
is like the animals that perish.
Wednesday, Oct 17 – We are without excuse…
Isaiah 48:16 (HCSB)
“Approach Me and listen to this.
From the beginning I have not spoken in secret;
from the time anything existed, I was there.”
Tuesday, Oct 16 – Our orders from our Lord are pretty simple…
1 John 3:23 (HCSB)
Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us.
Monday, Oct 15 – One of the easiest verses to memorize, is packed with incredible advice…
Jude 1:22 (HCSB)
Have mercy on those who doubt…
Sunday, Oct 14 – A great barometer of one’s walk…
1 John 3:14 (HCSB)
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
Saturday, Oct 13 – Could you ever even imagine what being at this meal was like, after watching Jesus die three days earlier?
Luke 24:36-45 (HCSB)
And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence. Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
Friday, Oct 12 – The scope of what our Lord has done is unimaginable…
John 21:25 (ESV)
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Thursday, Oct 11 – Luke… who was quoting Peter… who was quoting Moses… who had heard directly from God… about Jesus…
Acts 3:22-23 (HCSB)
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to Him in everything He will say to you. And everyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people.”
Wednesday, Oct 10 – The good news…
Romans 10:13 (HCSB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…
Tuesday, Oct 9 – An assurance from Christ…
John 6:47 (HCSB)
I assure you: Anyone who believes has eternal life.
Monday, Oct 8 – Are you counted amongst the astonished?
Matthew 7:28-29 (HCSB)
When Jesus had finished this sermon, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.
Sunday, Oct 7 – Why the world needs a Savior…
Hebrews 10:31 (HCSB)
It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
Saturday, Oct 6 – We must always keep in mind the closing quote given by our Lord (in Matthew’s Gospel), in order to be encouraged as we make disciples in a fallen world…
Matthew 28:20b (HCSB)
“…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Friday, Oct 5 – What does Biblical satisfaction look like?
Psalms 17:15 (ESV)
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
Thursday, Oct 4 – Streams of living water will flow from deep within those who believe in Christ…
John 7:38 (HCSB)
The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.
Wednesday, Oct 3 – The best version of John 3:16…
John 3:16 (HCSB)
For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Tuesday, Oct 2 – An eye-opening reality check…
James 1:20 (HCSB)
…for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
Monday, Oct 1 – Words from the newly converted Nebuchadnezzar (who knew a little something about authority), regarding God’s sovereign will…
Daniel 4:35 (HCSB)
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing,
and He does what He wants with the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can hold back His hand
or say to Him, “What have You done?”
Sunday, Sept 30 – Have you ever heard this nonsensical critique? “The Bible was written by men.” Don’t waste your time debating, just look to what scripture says about its origin…
2 Peter 1:21 (HCSB)
…no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, Sept 29 – Are you part of such a generation?
Psalms 145:4 (HCSB)
One generation will declare Your works to the next
and will proclaim Your mighty acts.
Friday, Sept 28 – What is the “kingdom of God”?
Romans 14:17 (HCSB)
…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Thursday, Sept 27 – What do you seek first?
Matthew 6:33-34 (HCSB)
…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Wednesday, Sept 26 – Why did John write his Gospel?
John 20:30-31 (HCSB)
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.
Tuesday, Sept 25 – It was not sufficient for God to leave out the Gentiles from His plan…
Isaiah 49:6 (HCSB)
He says,
“It is not enough for you to be My Servant
raising up the tribes of Jacob
and restoring the protected ones of Israel.
I will also make you a light for the nations,
to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Monday, Sept 24 – Why was the Bible written?
Romans 15:4 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Sunday, Sept 23 – Advice for a common temptation…
Proverbs 23:4 (HCSB)
Don’t wear yourself out to get rich;
stop giving your attention to it.
Saturday, Sept 22 – Our Lord’s marching orders…
Matthew 28:18-20 (HCSB)
Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Friday, Sept 21 – Do you follow Paul’s model?
Acts 24:16 (HCSB)
I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.
Thursday, Sept 20 – The embracing of the good news makes one a co-heir with the Son of God, just as it does for Jews…
Ephesians 3:6 (HCSB)
The Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Wednesday, Sept 19 – Why Jesus became a servant to the Jews…
Romans 15:8-9a (HCSB)
For I say that the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, and so that Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy.
Tuesday, Sept 18 – We can learn so much about what to pray for from these verses…
Ephesians 1:18-19 (HCSB)
I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
Monday, Sept 17 – Do you (just as God the Father does) take delight in Christ?
Luke 3:22 (HCSB)
…and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:
You are My beloved Son.
I take delight in You!
Sunday, Sept 16 – How are we to respond to those who ignore or deny what the Bible says about reality?
Proverbs 26:4-5 (HCSB)
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
*For examples of how to use or apply the wisdom offered in these two verses, just click here.
Saturday, Sept 15 – Pretty straight forward…
Psalms 14:1a, 53:1a (HCSB)
The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
Friday, Sept 14 – Let us be reminded of where we’ve come from and where we now are in Christ…
Colossians 1:21-23a (HCSB)
Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him — if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard.
Thursday, Sept 13 – Part of Solomon’s prayer at the opening of the newly constructed temple, reminds us of God’s exclusive knowledge about our thoughts. Such ought to encourage us to have a healthy fear of Him…
2 Chronicles 6:30b-31 (HCSB)
…You alone know the human heart, so that they may fear You
and walk in Your ways
all the days they live on the land
You gave our ancestors.
Wednesday, Sept 12 – Paul writes Philemon about his prayers for him, that he thanks God for him and mentions him. Why? Because, he has heard about the love he has expressed for the brethren, through Christ, resulting in their refreshment. May we (Christians) also love one another, through the power of Christ’s Spirit, so that we also might refresh each other, bringing us all joy and encouragement; and most all, bringing our Lord glory…
Philemon 1:4-7 (HCSB)
I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Tuesday, Sept 11 – When King Hiram responded in the affirmative to King Solomon’s request in providing for the construction of the temple, he included this praise of God, acknowledging that the Lord God of Israel, is the Creator. An amazing admittance from a gentile. May we also continually praise our Lord in the same manner…
2 Chronicles 2:12a (HCSB)
Hiram also said:
May the Lord God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth, be praised!
Monday, Sept 10 – Something to think about as we start our commute to work…
Proverbs 10:4 (HCSB)
Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.
Sunday, Sept 9 – What were we (Christians) created for?
Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
Saturday, Sept 8 – Important advice from Jude…
Jude 1:20-23 (HCSB)
…dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Friday, Sept 7 – Another reason to immediately cling to Christ…
Psalms 90:10 (HCSB)
Our lives last seventy years
or, if we are strong, eighty years.
Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow;
indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away.
Thursday, Sept 6 – Everything is about Christ. Exalt Him…
Colossians 1:15-18 (HCSB)
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities —
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.
Wednesday, Sept 5 – A truth which must be made known…
Romans 10:13 (HCSB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Tuesday , Sept 4 – Our mindset reveals whether we live according to the flesh or whether we live according to the Spirit…
Romans 8:5-7 (HCSB)
For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.
Monday, Sept 3 – We (Christians) must also learn, just as Paul did, to be content in Christ, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves…
Philippians 4:11b (HCSB)
…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Sunday, Sept 2 – Are you captivated by what Jesus says… or do you want to destroy Him?
Luke 19:47-48 (HCSB)
Every day He was teaching in the temple complex. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to destroy Him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.
Saturday, Sept 1 – We must NOW walk in a manner which reflects who we are in Christ…
Romans 13:10-14 (HCSB)
Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.
Friday, August 31 – An important truth which we must also grasp, along with Peter…
Acts 10:34-35 (HCSB)
Then Peter began to speak: “Now I really understand that God doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.”
Thursday, August 30 – Man has been crying out for relief from his toil since the eighth generation from Adam, dreaming that relief might be on the horizon. That relief came many generations later… 2,000 years ago on a cross in Palestine, by the work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…
Genesis 5:28-29 (HCSB)
Lamech was 182 years old when he fathered a son. And he named him Noah, saying, “This one will bring us relief from the agonizing labor of our hands, caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.”
Wednesday, August 29 – Who is Jesus?
Romans 9:5b (ESV)
…the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Tuesday, August 28 – Are you doing well?
James 2:8 (HCSB)
Indeed, if you keep the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.
Monday, August 27 – God is in the business of changing hearts…
Daniel 4:28-37 (HCSB)
All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of 12 months, as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built by my vast power to be a royal residence and to display my majestic glory?”
While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over the kingdom of men, and He gives it to anyone He wants.”
At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was executed. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with dew from the sky, until his hair grew like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity returned to me. Then I praised the Most High and honored and glorified Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and His kingdom is from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing,
and He does what He wants with the army of heaven
and the inhabitants of the earth.
There is no one who can hold back His hand
or say to Him, “What have You done?”
At that time my sanity returned to me, and my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and my nobles sought me out, I was reestablished over my kingdom, and even more greatness came to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, because all His works are true and His ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Sunday, August 26 – Some important points to contemplate as we gather corporately with the saints today, regarding our need to be seperate from the world…
2 Corinthians 6:16b-7:1 (HCSB)
For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell among them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be My people.
Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.
I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to Me,
says the Lord Almighty.
Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God.
Saturday, August 25 – Sobering…
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (HCSB)
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Friday, August 24 – There is a lot to be gleaned regarding evangelism, in this brief example…
Acts 24:24-25a (HCSB)
After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid…
Thursday, August 23 – Love is a priority…
Romans 13:8-10
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments:
Do not commit adultery;
do not murder;
do not steal;
do not covet;
and whatever other commandment — all are summed up by this: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.
Wednesday, August 22 – Why was Bible written?
Romans 15:4-6 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.
Tuesday, August 21 – It is God’s will that by the breaking of Christ’s body, we are made holy…
Hebrews 10:10 (HCSB)
By this will of God, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
Monday, August 20 – What is the purpose of the book of Romans? The opening and closing sentences of the letter tell us…
Romans 1:5 & 16:26 (ESV)
…to bring about the obedience of faith…
*To read more on this click here.
Sunday, August 19 – What is love?
2 John 1:6a (HCSB)
And this is love: that we walk according to His commands.
Saturday, August 18 – When is the day of salvation?
2 Corinthians 6:2b (HCSB)
Look, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.
Friday, August 17 – What is the purpose of preaching and teaching?
Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV)
They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
Thursday, August 16 – What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB)
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Wednesday, August 15 – What is baptism?
1 Peter 3:18-21 (HCSB)
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared. In it a few — that is, eight people — were saved through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
*Baptism is “not a removal of the filth of the flesh.” It is something else. It is “the pledge of a good conscience toward God.” In other words, one who is brought under the water and then out of the water is then proclaiming (through the baptism) that they no longer have any qualms regarding their standing with God, due to Christ bringing them to God (sparing them judgement due to their sin) by His work on the cross. It “corresponds” to the salvific, protection experience that the eight went through who were on the ark; who were spared the waters of judgement in the flood. Another way to say it is, baptism illustrates the fact that the individual being baptized now has a changed heart and is demonstrating a “pledge of good conscience toward God” when they are baptized. Only the made new individual who has repented and has put their trust in Christ ought to be baptized, because such is what is being proclaimed by them in baptism.
(This excerpt is from a blog that I wrote entitled “What is Baptism?” You can find it by clicking here.)
Tuesday, August 14 – What is the Gospel?
Romans 1:16-17a (HCSB)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed…
*God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, took His wrath upon Himself for those who recognize that they deserve that wrath. Why did God do this? Because God has both compassion and love for such people; people who not only recognize that they deserve that wrath due to their sin against Him, but also because they trust that Jesus Christ, their Lord and Savior, accomplished the appeasement of God’s wrath for them when He died on the cross and then rose again three days later (2,000 years ago in Palestine). Jesus is qualified for this because He is not only the Son of God… but He is God.
(This is an excerpt from a Gospel tract that I designed.)
Monday, August 13 – A rebuke which Jesus gave to an unbelieving crowd is helpful for our walk…
John 7:24 (HCSB)
“Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment.”
Sunday, August 12 – Something to ponder…
John 6:28-29 (HCSB)
“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked. Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the One He has sent.”
Saturday, August 11 – According to Jesus, Moses wrote about Him. Do you see Jesus when you read Moses?
John 5:46b (HCSB)
For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.
Friday, August 10 – Hey Paul, what is the message of His grace able to do?
Acts 20:32 (HCSB)
“…the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.”
Thursday, August 9 – The endgame of why anything exists…
Revelation 22:21 (HCSB)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
Wednesday, August 8 – Why anything exists…
Genesis 1:1 (HCSB)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Tuesday, August 7 – Blunt, but helpful…
Proverbs 12:1 (HCSB)
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.
Monday, August 6 – Our moral bar as Christians is higher than any other standard ever envisioned by man…
1 Peter 1:15 (HCSB)
…as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct…
Sunday, August 5 – How do we avoid becoming useless and unfruitful?
2 Peter 1:5-8 (HCSB)
…make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, August 4 – Though Paul was speaking to a particular group of people, the overall point is universal and it could not be anymore clear…
1 Corinthians 15:34a (HCSB)
Come to your senses and stop sinning…
Friday, August 3 – Jesus explains the will of the Father…
John 6:40 (HCSB)
“For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Thursday, August 2 – I just love how the NASB renders this verse, saying that God predestined us to adoption as sons in love, according to His kind intention…
Ephesians 1:4b-5 (NASB)
In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will…
Wednesday, August 1 – Are you teachable, or are you set in your ways?
Proverbs 1:5 (HCSB)
…a wise man will listen and increase his learning,
and a discerning man will obtain guidance…
Tuesday, July 31 – The result of Christ’s first coming…
Titus 3:4-5a (HCSB)
…when the goodness of God and His love
for mankind appeared,
He saved us…
Monday, July 30 – Monday’s can sometimes be the most stressful day of the week. Let’s remind ourselves about how important it is to participate in contributing to making things free from disturbance. Such is an indicator as to where we are with God…
Hebrews 12:14 (HCSB)
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord.
Sunday, July 29 – The knowing of the Lord God is the means by which grace and peace are given…
2 Peter 1:2 (HCSB)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Saturday, July 28 – Through Christ, we have all we need to live as we should…
2 Peter 1:3 (HCSB)
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Friday, July 27 – Is there any other advice regarding our life’s focus which is better?
2 Timothy 2:8a (HCSB)
Keep your attention on Jesus Christ…
Thursday, July 26 – A saying worth committing to memory…
1 Timothy 1:15a (HCSB)
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”
Wednesday, July 25 – What man’s unrighteousness says about God…
Romans 3:5a (HCSB)
…our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God…
Tuesday, July 24 – In what manner shall we live our life?
Philippians 1:27a (HCSB)
Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Monday, July 23 – What an incredible moment…
Luke 4:17-21 (HCSB)
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me
to proclaim freedom to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”
Sunday, July 22 – Possibly, one of the hardest concepts to embrace…
Romans 12:21 (HCSB)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Saturday, July 21 – Our children are affected by us more than we realize…
Colossians 3:21 (HCSB)
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.
Friday, July 20 – We must look to God to cause us to understand what He has said in His Word…
Psalms 119:18 (HCSB)
Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wonderful things from Your instruction.
Thursday, July 19 – How do we avoid sin?
Psalms 119:11 (HCSB)
I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.
Wednesday, July 18 – A great reminder for the start of each day…
Ephesians 6:6 (HCSB)
Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.
Tuesday, July 17 – Who are the children of God?
John 1:12-13 (HCSB)
But to all who did receive Him,
He gave them the right to be children of God,
to those who believe in His name,
who were born,
not of blood,
or of the will of the flesh,
or of the will of man,
but of God.
Monday, July 16 – It is tempting to take matters of wrath into our own hands, but we must avoid all such thought, trusting that God will handle it in His time…
Romans 12:19 (HCSB)
Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.
Sunday, July 15 – Where does our life and breath and all things come from?
Acts 17:25b (HCSB)
…He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.
Saturday, July 14 – It is important to understand the details that our Lord is in control of…
Proverbs 16:4 (HCSB)
The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose —
even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Friday, July 13 – According to scripture you matter, because you bear God’s image…
Genesis 1:27 (HCSB)
So God created man in His own image;
He created him in the image of God;
He created them male and female.
Thursday, July 12 – Every encounter with another person is an opportunity to do the right thing…
Romans 12:17-18 (HCSB)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Wednesday, July 11 – An example of the mindset that we must always have…
Galatians 2:20b (HCSB)
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Tuesday, July 10 – Have you ever committed sin?
James 2:9a (HCSB)
…if you show favoritism, you commit sin…
Monday, July 9 – We must call on the Lord in order to give us the ability to comprehend what He has told us through His Word…
Psalms 119:18 (HCSB)
Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wonderful things from Your instruction.
Sunday, July 8 – Are you in Christ? Then, come to terms with who you now are and live accordingly, knowing that the past is over…
2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB)
…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
Saturday, July 7 – What do you focus on in the midst of discomfort?
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Friday, July 6 – There is no room for indifference in the Christian life…
1 Corinthians 16:14 (HCSB)
Your every action must be done with love.
Thursday, July 5 – Christ is our sustenance…
John 6:35-40 (HCSB)
“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again. But as I told you, you’ve seen Me, and yet you do not believe. Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Wednesday, July 4 – The enemies of the cross of Christ have a different focus than we ought to have…
Philippians 3:19b-20 (HCSB)
They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 3 – Ever felt chastened by God? It’s not a bad thing…
Hebrews 12:7b-8 (HCSB)
…God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline — which all receive — then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Monday, July 2 – Only through Christ, can the thief become an honest worker who gives…
Ephesians 4:28 (HCSB)
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Sunday, July 1 – Security of our state of mind and heart can only be found in one place…
Proverbs 30:5 (HCSB)
Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Saturday, June 30 – A basic tenet of how we ought to conduct every aspect of our life…
1 Corinthians 10:31 (HCSB)
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.
Friday, June 29 – For those who love the church, an encouraging reminder…
1 John 3:13-14a (HCSB)
Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers.
Thursday, June 28 – Where did sin and death come from?
Romans 5:12 (HCSB)
…just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Wednesday, June 27 – The condition of our heart is the litmus test of who we are…
Proverbs 27:19 (HCSB)
As water reflects the face,
so the heart reflects the person.
Tuesday, June 26 – The final words of sacred writ offer blessings which exceed all blessings…
Revelation 22:21 (HCSB)
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
Monday, June 25 – Where the Bible starts is where we ought to start as well…
Genesis 1:1 (HCSB)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Sunday, June 24 – A brief reminder of what our Lord’s two advents are all about…
Hebrews 9:26b-28 (HCSB)
…He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
Saturday, June 23 – We must always be cautious regarding what we choose to say…
James 3:10 (HCSB)
Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.
Friday, June 22 – So Paul, what’s the point of all this?
1 Timothy 1:5 (HCSB)
Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Thursday, June 21 – Such is always to be our mantra…
Romans 13:13a (HCSB)
Let us walk with decency…
Wednesday, June 20 – “Ranting and raving” (a Biblical term) is a foolish habit that gets you nowhere…
Proverbs 29:9 (HCSB)
If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
Tuesday, June 19 – A pretty straight forward statement from our Lord…
John 8:24b (HCSB)
“For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Monday, June 18 – Which mindset do you have?
Romans 8:6 (HCSB)
For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
Sunday, June 17 – Do you make life more or less difficult for those God has assigned to shepherd you?
Hebrews 13:17 (HCSB)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Saturday, June 16 – In the New Covenant, we do not go to the temple to offer sacrifices so that we then can enter into the presence of God. We enter by belief, Hebrews 4:3a. (This was actually true in the Old Covenant as well.) There are many things that are true now, that were true then. Another is that we must likewise be careful to approach God with a humble compliance…
Ecclesiastes 5:1 (HCSB)
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong.
Friday, June 15 – The pinnacle example of how God has demonstrated His love…
1 John 4:9 (HCSB)
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
Thursday, June 14 – The question is not, “Am I God’s son?” The question that one should ask oneself is… “Do I live according to His Spirit?”
Romans 8:14 (HCSB)
All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
Wednesday, June 13 – Whether we are converted or not, we all know what is expected of us…
Micah 6:8 (HCSB)
Mankind, He has told you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Tuesday, June 12 – Some basic advice this day…
Proverbs 1:10 (HCSB)
My son, if sinners entice you,
don’t be persuaded.
Monday, June 11 – Why would God bother to take upon Himself His own wrath, which should be placed upon us?
Romans 8:3b-4 (HCSB)
He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Sunday, June 10 – We who now live because of Christ, should now live for Christ…
2 Corinthians 5:15 (HCSB)
…He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.
Saturday, June 9 – What is the purpose of the Bible?
Romans 15:4 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Friday, June 8 – A great reminder of how to interact with the dubiously minded in our lives…
Jude 1:22 (HCSB)
Have mercy on those who doubt…
Thursday, June 7 – The conclusive statement by Jesus, after describing how we ought to love our enemies…
Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Wednesday, June 6 – Love and prayer for people (especially enemies) defines us as “sons” of our Father in heaven…
Matthew 5:44-45a (HCSB)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Tuesday, June 5 – Grace and peace are wonderful things, but they must come by knowing the Lord…
2 Peter 1:2 (HCSB)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Monday, June 4 – Want a real simple way to sum up how we ought to live?
Philippians 1:27a (HCSB)
Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Sunday, June 3 – God…
Romans 4:17b (HCSB)
…gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.
Saturday, June 2 – Why is the promise to Abraham and his descendants by faith alone?
Romans 4:16-17 (HCSB)
This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants — not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham’s faith. He is the father of us all in God’s sight. As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations. He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.
Friday, June 1 – An important conclusion regarding the moments we have with those who God has put into our lives…
Galatians 6:10 (HCSB)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
Thursday, May 31 – Assurance from our Lord…
John 6:47 (HCSB)
“I assure you: Anyone who believes has eternal life.”
Wednesday, May 30 – Something to keep in mind regarding skeptics who always want proof…
Luke 16:31 (HCSB)
“But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
Tuesday, May 29 – Our sole obligation to our fellow man…
Romans 13:8 (HCSB)
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Monday, May 28 – What is the goal of what we are taught through scripture?
1 Timothy 1:5 (HCSB)
Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Sunday, May 27 – How do we (Christians) live according to the Spirit? Exude these qualities…
Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Saturday, May 26 – It is God’s will that everyone who was given to Christ by the Father will look to Him and believe, and as a result they will never be lost; rising to eternal life on the last day…
John 6:39-40 (HCSB)
This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Friday, May 25 – Abraham was the first to embrace the notion that not only restoration was possible for God to implement, but even resurrection was possible as well; and we (Christians) follow that same pattern of faith…
Hebrews 11:19a (HCSB)
He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead…
Thursday, May 24 – The Christian has no other option…
Acts 5:29 (HCSB)
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Wednesday, May 23 – Without love, all the law and the prophets mean nothing…
Matthew 22:34-40 (HCSB)
When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Tuesday, May 22 – A constant theme in scripture is that the promise of Christ is what sustains His people…
2 Kings 8:19 (HCSB)
The Lord was unwilling to destroy Judah because of His servant David, since He had promised to give a lamp to David and his sons forever.
Monday, May 21 – Aside from Christ, this is the reality for everyone who has ever lived…
Proverbs 20:9 (HCSB)
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
Sunday, May 20 – Those who are in Christ have everything they need…
Ephesians 1:3 (HCSB)
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
Saturday, May 19 – The world is antithetical to the Christian life, it comes with the territory. So, cling to the Gospel…
2 Timothy 3:12-14a (HCSB)
In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.
Friday, May 18 – The Christian, yes, is free from the yoke of Old Covenant Law! However, that freedom does not mean that responsibility is not part of the New Covenant life…
Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)
For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Thursday, May 17 – Do you want to be pure like the Lord?
1 John 3:3 (HCSB)
…everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.
Wednesday , May 16 – The law is affirmed when we trust in Christ…
Romans 3:31 (HCSB)
Do we then cancel the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Tuesday, May 15 – It is vital that the Christian continually remind oneself about what Christ has accomplished, as to not deviate off course from His leading…
Hebrews 2:1 (HCSB)
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
Monday, May 14 – If you are found to be in Christ, then you are bound for glory…
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (HCSB)
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Sunday, May 13 – Because of what Christ has done, the Christian can now approach God directly, without apprehension…
Ephesians 3:12 (HCSB)
In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
Saturday, May 12 – Which one do you eat?
Proverbs 18:21 (HCSB)
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Friday, May 11 – Let us always be mindful of everything we do and think…
Ecclesiastes 12:14 (HCSB)
For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Thursday, May 10 – Can it be any simpler?
Romans 10:13 (HCSB)
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Wednesday, May 9 – What an encouraging assurance…
2 Corinthians 1:22 (HCSB)
He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.
Tuesday, May 8 – Universally sound advice…
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (HCSB)
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity.
Monday, May 7 – God’s evidence…
Acts 17:31 (HCSB)
“…He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
Sunday, May 6 – Why Paul wrote…
1 Timothy 3:15b (HCSB)
…I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Saturday, May 5 – Why did Jesus come into the world?
1 Timothy 1:15a – 2:5-6 (HCSB)
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”…
For there is one God
and one mediator between God and humanity,
Christ Jesus, Himself human,
who gave Himself — a ransom for all,
a testimony at the proper time.
Friday, May 4 – Never even consider suppressing love, because…
1 Corinthians 13:8a (HCSB)
Love never ends.
Thursday, May 3 – Are you (Christian) always remaining mindful of what Christ has done?
Hebrews 2:1 (HCSB)
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.
Wednesday, May 2 – Some things to avoid…
Titus 3:9 ( HCSB)
But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Tuesday, May 1 – The world always wants us (Christians) to compromise what God has said. However, we must always stand firm according to what scripture says…
1 Kings 22:13-14 (HCSB)
The messenger who went to call Micaiah instructed him, “Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, I will say whatever the Lord says to me.”
Monday, April 30 – Sometimes we ought to forgo what is permissible, for the sake of others…
Galatians 5:13 (HCSB)
For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Sunday, April 29 – A most important reminder for the Christian…
Colossians 1:14 (HCSB)
We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
Saturday, April 28 – Can’t think of anything to pray? Meditate on this verse…
Psalms 5:11 (HCSB)
But let all who take refuge in You rejoice;
let them shout for joy forever.
May You shelter them,
and may those who love Your name boast about You.
Friday, April 27 – Are you concerned about “self-esteem,” like the world is? It says something about your worship…
Romans 1:25 (HCSB)
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
Thursday, April 26 – Elijah challenged Israel with what we all must face: hesitation between two opinions… follow God or follow something else. Is the second option really viable in anyway?
1 Kings 18:21a (HCSB)
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him…”
Wednesday, April 25 – Because of Christ, the Christian no longer lives as this women described below does, under the ever-present black cloud that her sins are not covered…
1 Kings 17:17-18 (HCSB)
After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness became very severe until no breath remained in him. She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do we have in common? Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to kill my son?”
Tuesday, April 24 – Redemption is only possible for people through repentance (an unadulterated recognition of their sin and sinful condition) and dependence upon (trust in) Jesus Christ for resolution, by His life lived and His work on the cross, authenticated by His resurrection, which only Christ (who is God) could accomplish…
Mark 10:26-27 (HCSB)
So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?”
Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”
Monday, April 23 – The reference below was said about the Israel of the Old Covenant. But, what about the Israel of the New Covenant, where all its members know Him? Christian, be diligent to not live as though you do not know the One who paid for you…
Isaiah 1:3 (HCSB)
The ox knows its owner,
and the donkey its master’s feeding trough,
but Israel does not know;
My people do not understand.
Sunday, April 22 – A correction to the Pharisees helps us (Christians) to learn that liberty is realized when we provide from the heart and not outer acts of a pretentious nature…
Luke 11:41 (HCSB)
But give from what is within to the poor, and then everything is clean for you.
Saturday, April 21 – We (Christians) have a responsibility to keep ourselves in check by making sure that we are continually learning how to be like Christ, while proactively avoiding the nonsense which is counter to it…
1 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB)
…have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness…
Friday, April 20 – Taxes! Why must I pay taxes?…
Romans 13:4-7 (HCSB)
For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
Thursday, April 19 – Are you (Christian) enticed by anything that you should avoid? Well be encouraged! You now have the power to walk away…
1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
Wednesday, April 18 – We (Christians) have a responsibility to proactively act in harmony with the character of our Lord…
Ephesians 4:24 (HCSB)
…you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Tuesday, April 17 – It is vital for the Christian to understand that happiness comes by constantly reflecting on God’s Word…
Psalms 1:1-2 (HCSB)
How happy is the man
who does not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path of sinners
or join a group of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
Monday, April 16 – Is there a direction that you are going, that you know that you ought not go? Change course while you still can…
1 Kings 12:24b (HCSB)
…So they listened to what the Lord said and went back as He had told them.
Sunday, April 15 – Prejudice is not a part of God’s character…
Isaiah 2:2 (HCSB)
In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established
at the top of the mountains
and will be raised above the hills.
All nations will stream to it…
Saturday, April 14 – Not only is the world not worthy of Christ, but the world is not even worthy of those who are in Christ…
Hebrews 11:38a (HCSB)
The world was not worthy of them.
Friday, April 13 – Because of Christ, the Christian must always be mindful of the forgiveness they now enjoy…
Colossians 1:14 (HCSB)
We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.
