A brief and scripturally sound, daily dose of the Bible… to encourage you every day!
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.
