Author - Clay Corvin

05/01          1 John 3:1
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

CHILDREN
We are children of God.  Think about how we respond to our children.  We listen to them and strive to meet their needs.  God really knows what all of our needs are and He loves us.  Our Father is willing to meet all of our needs and He knows what those needs are.

05/02          1 John 3:2
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

CHANGE
There is a great change that takes place when we become a member of God’s family.  On that day when we go to be with the Father we can only imagine the magnitude of the change that will take place in a fraction of a second.  We will see God.  We will know Him.  We will be like Him.  Wow what a day we are looking forward too.

05/03          1 John 3:3
And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

CHANGE
We have the spirit of God with us and are able to comprehend spiritual things.  This knowledge will lead us to become more like Jesus.  As we grow in knowledge of the Father we will become more aware of His holiness and purity.  This should cause us to strive to be more like Jesus.  This will encourage us to let the Lord have control of our life and lead us into a life like the Father’s, one of holiness and purity.

05/04          1 John 3:4-5
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.  And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.

SIN
We must be sensitive to our sin.  Too many people are sensitive to other peoples sin and excuse their own.  Do not excuse sin.  Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to your sin, confess it and turn from it.  Let Jesus cleanse you from your sin.

05/05          1 John 3:6
Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

SIN
We cannot stand in the presence of God and continue in sin.  Our sin is an obstacle between us and the Father.  Jesus died for our sin and He is the one who forgives our sin.  Christ is looking for us to rely on Him for everything we need in life and one of those key elements of a Christ like life is forgiveness.  Ask Jesus and He will forgive you.  We must get serious about dealing with sin in our life.

05/06          1 John 3:7-8
Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.  But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

SIN
We cannot destroy sin.  Try as we might, as hard as we might and we will not eradicate sin.  But when we turn to Jesus and let Him have control of us He will lead us in the way we should go.  Jesus will remove the stain of sin from us and give us the wisdom we need so that we will not sin.  His righteousness is given to us.  He forgives our sin.

05/07          1 John 3:9
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

SIN
If I am serious about Christ I will let Him have control of me.  I will let Him give me the strength to deal with sin in my life.  Jesus will change me from the inside out and all of those things that I did do I will no longer do.  Holiness comes from a position of humility under the tutelage of Jesus.

05/08          1 John 3:10
So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

OWNERSHIP
When we accept Jesus as Lord we are members of the family of God.  We have a new heart and have His righteousness.  Therefore we will deal with people like Jesus would deal with them.  Even though they mistreated Him He still loved them.

05/09          1 John 3:11
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

LOVE
Love is an action.  It isn’t a thought, a dream, something we will do one day, love is the way that we treat some one right now.  If I love you I will value you.  If I don’t love you I will mistreat you.  How we treat others tells us whether we love them or not.

05/10          1 John 3:12
We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

ACTIONS
Our actions tell us who we love and express the way we love.  If you do not love someone we will ignore them, treat them harshly or in a multitude of other ways communicate that we don’t think much of them.  This is wrong and when we do things this way we are wrong.  We are to confess our sin and He will be faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sin.

05/11          1 John 3:13
So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

WORLD
The world is in bondage to sin.  It will react against you in a negative way when you are committed to living for Jesus.  The world hates Jesus and will do whatever it costs to express that hate.  The world will let you talk about Supreme Being, Heavenly Father and on and on but the world hates Jesus.

05/12          1 John 3:14
If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.

CHANGE
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior it changes us.  We are no longer in bondage to sin.  Satan does not have a claim against us.  When we continue in bondage to sin we have not accepted Jesus.

05/13          1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

ACTIONS
Look at your life.  How are you living?  Is Jesus the center of your life?  Is God in control of you?  If you’re actions are unchanged then you have not given yourself to Jesus.  The Christian life is not a cafeteria line.  We serve God or the Evil One-our choice.

05/14          1 John 3:16
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

SACRIFICE
Jesus gave His life for us.  He died on the cross.  His example calls us to give Him our priorities.  Everything we do is subject to His direction.  Spend time with Jesus.  Ask Him what He would have you do.

05/15          1 John 3:17
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

LOVE
Love is a requirement when you are a member of God’s family.  We are called to love the unlovely.  His example is meant for us-He died on the cross for those who killed Him as though they were His friends.  He died for you and for me when we didn’t know Him.  His example for us is a call to live our life caring for the needy and being a friend to the friendless.

05/16          1 John 3:18-20
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.  Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.  Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

ACTIONS
In our society we are focused on talk.  We talk about what we do, what someone else will do or what we should do.  In fact we talk so much that we have forgotten that talk is simply that, talk.  Until we actually do it our talk is meaningless.  The road to perdition is paved with good intentions.

05/17          1 John 3:21-22
Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.  And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

BE
We are called to BE doers of the Word and not hearers only.  Do what the Lord tells you to do.  Do it with joy.  Do it now.  Do it to the best of your ability.  Then your conscience will be clear, your heart will be devoted and your reward in heaven will be great.

05/18          1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.

BELIEF
Our belief is in a man, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is not a trust we put in someone that has come along with a new idea.  Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to pay the price of our sin.  He died on the cross for us and was raised from the dead by the power of God.  He was with God and is God and He walked among us.  He knows our pain and sorrows.  He calls us to believe in Him and receive eternal life.

05/19          1 John 3:24
Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit of God indwells the heart and mind of those that name Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  He convicts us of our sin.  He guides us in the way we should go.  He quickens our mind when we face an obstacle so that we will know the right thing to do.

05/20          Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

JESUS
Jesus the Messiah has come to us so that we might have pardon for our sin and new life in the family of God.  Jesus is alive and He lives in us.  Jesus gives us right standing with the Father.  He has provided our pardon.

05/21          Isaiah 61:2
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

SALVATION
Salvation is available to anyone willing to ask Jesus to forgive them of their sin and believe that Jesus is Lord.  Whosoever will may come.  That is a promise from the Father to us.  There is new life in Jesus Christ and it is available to you.

05/22          Isaiah 61:3
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

VICTORY
Jesus has won the victory.  Whatever the circumstances of our life might be we are living in victory if we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.  The world, the flesh and the devil seek to trip us up but we belong to Him and in Him we are living in victory.  Jesus is Lord and He is alive and well in us.

05/23          Isaiah 61:4-5
They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago.  They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.  Foreigners will be your servants.  They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.

VICTORY
Do not fear.  Jesus Christ is Lord and He is Lord of all things.  If we call upon Him and let Him have our hearts we will have eternal life that begins right now and will never end.  Don’t let the world dissuade you for you are victors in Christ.  Jesus is God’s everything and He brings everything we need to live a victorious life.

05/24          Isaiah 61:6
You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God.  You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches.  Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor.  You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

VICTORY
Do not despair for Christ has won the fight.  Our life is blessed and protected by the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ is our king and we will participate with Him the victory He has won.  This present travail will soon be done and our reward received for the victory has already been won.

05/25          Isaiah 61:8-9
“For I, the Lord, love justice.  I hate robbery and wrongdoing.  I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.  Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations.  Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

BLESSED
We are blessed with every good thing from God in Jesus Christ.  He is our salvation and righteousness.  In Him we live a life free from fear and slavery.  Jesus is Lord of all things and He is our Lord.

05/26          Isaiah 61:10-11
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!  For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.  I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.  The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.  Everyone will praise him!  His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is everything to us.  He is our strength and salvation.  Our bright morning star that creates in us everything that is of beauty.  His light has come into our lives and we radiate His beauty, His perfection because He lives in us.  He is the Lord of everything including us.

05/27          Philippians 4:4
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!

REJOICE
The people of God rejoice.  The people of God can rejoice.  Do not let this world get you down.  Know that the end of this life is simply a beginning of real life for then we will stand face to face and see Jesus in all of His radiance and glory.  He will fill us to overflowing with His beauty.  We will see Him as He really is and we will know that every promise that He has given us is true and correct.  Rejoice in the Lord for He is indeed Lord of all things.

05/28          Philippians 4:5
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

RETURN
Live as if your life would end this very hour.  Keep short accounts for forgiveness for we do not know the day or the hour when we will go to be with the Lord and we want to be found faithful.  Jesus is coming back.

05/29          Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

WORRY
Worry will try to rob you of your joy.  Worry will seek to grab your freedom in Christ.  Develop and attitude of gratitude to Jesus and He will keep you in perfect peace.  Ask Him for His peace every time you sense worry rearing its head.  Lord forgive me for my unbelief and fill me with your peace.  His peace is the appropriate foundation for joy.  Rejoice in the Lord for He is our peace.

05/30          Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

FOCUS
Keep your eyes on Jesus.  Read His Word, spend time in prayer and get busy living a life that is totally controlled by Jesus.  When you sense obstacles arising against your focus, stop where you are, ask the Lord to deal with whatever it is that is troubling you and He will equip you to walk that very moment in His joy and peace.

05/31          Philippians 4:9
Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

COPY
Paul says to do what He is doing and you will be doing the things that the Lord is calling you to do.  Paul is a great role model for us.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and do what He calls you to do.  Do the next right thing and you will never go astray.

04/01          1 John 1:1
We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning,[a] whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

JESUS
Jesus always has been, always is and ever shall be.  He is the eternal Lord.  He is pre-existent.  Before anything was He was with God and is God.  We don’t make Him Lord because He is Lord.  We have the wonderful privilege of accepting Him as Lord of our life.  Jesus is Lord and Lord of all.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  There is no other way to the Father but thru Him.

04/02          1 John 1:2
This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

JESUS
If you know Him you trust Him.  Jesus is absolutely trustworthy.  We can put our life in His hands.  Talk with Him about your life.  Sit with Him and ask Him what He would have you do.  Then obey Him.  He will take care of you.

04/03          1 John 1:3
We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

FELLOWSHIP
We have fellowship with each other because of Jesus.  Spiritually we are brothers and sisters in Christ.  When we see people having problems we can go to them and help them because we are part of the Kingdom of God in Christ.  Jesus is our strength and our resource.  In Christ we can stand before the Father and talk with Him about our problems.  God is good and He loves us.

04/04          1 John 1:4
We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

JOY
We receive His joy and we can live with real joy no matter what we are facing.  Our joy is in Christ.  Our joy is in reading His Word.  Our joy is in seeing others come to Christ.  Jesus is God’s everything.  He is our elder brother.  He is our life and just as He loves us we love Him.

04/05          1 John 1:5
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

LIGHT
Our lives are often shrouded in confusion and misdirection.  We don’t know what is coming next.  Then we come to Jesus and He will comfort us, give us wisdom to deal with our situation, whatever it might be, and enable us to see because He is light.

04/06          1 John 1:6
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

CHANGED
Christians are different than the world.  They have changed the way they see things.  Christians see people as important.  They spend time with God and the Lord Jesus.  Their thinking and acting are in harmony for the Lord is in control of their life.  Christians are obedient to the Lord.  They care for His people.

04/07          1 John 1:7
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

LIGHT
God is light.  His light enables us to have fellowship with Him in Christ.  His light keeps us from stumbling into darkness, indeed it keeps us from walking in the dark.  God’s light is available for us through Jesus.  His light gives us the direction we need each moment of each hour so that we can fellowship with Him and love one another.  We don’t fix people.  Jesus fixes people.  We are called to love one another.

04/08          1 John 1:8
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

SIN
Sin is pervasive in this world.  All have sinned including you and me.  Our sin weighs us down.  Sin separates us from God.  Sin causes us to think wrongly and to do wrong things.  We take our burden of sin to Jesus everyday and He forgives us of our sin and removes its burden.

04/09          1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

FORGIVENESS
What are you struggling with in your heart of hearts?  Talk with Jesus about it.  Talk with Him about your sin-lying, pride, lust, hate, selfishness and many other things we might do regularly.  He will forgive you and give you the strength to get over your sinfulness.

04/10          1 John 1:10
If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

FORGIVENESS
We all need forgiveness.  No one is perfect.  No one is without sin.  We need help and we need it now.  His forgiveness will put us on the right path.  The tragedy is when we don’t see our sin.  If you don’t see your sin you need to talk with the Lord.  He will reveal your sin to you.

04/11          1 John 2:1-2
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

ACTIVITY
The way we live our life is important.  Do I spend the time each day I need to stay on track with the Lord?  We don’t have to worry about catching up.  Start today and stay current.  Read the Word of God and talk with the Son of God.  That will change your life.  The Lord is good and all that He does is good.

04/12          1 John 2:3-4
And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.  If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

ACTIONS
Actions speak louder than words.  Sometimes we may say things we aren’t doing.  Be sure that your actions are matching what you say.  As a Christian we have to do what we say we are doing.  The world is watching and it can spot a hypocrite.  Obedience is the activity of a faithful warrior for Christ.

04/13          1 John 2:5-6
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

CHANGE
When we live for Christ we are in the process of change.  To live for Him is to live and become like Him.  Jesus loved people.  He came that all might know.  When we are becoming like Jesus we are doing the things that Jesus did.  Jesus glorified the Father and lived under His control.  Are you letting the Lord control your life?

04/14          1 John 2:7-8
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.  Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it.  For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

PEOPLE
People count with Jesus.  People count most of all.  Do you love people?  The command to us is love each other.  This is an action and not a thought.  Do we treat others as if they are valuable?  Do we do for others as we would have them do for us?  Pay attention to the people around you.  They need your love, respect and attention.

04/15          1 John 2:9
If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.

HATE
We disguise our hate.  We use justifications that are carefully crafted to salve our consciences.  The truth is that we sometimes hate others.  The Lord calls us to be forgiving.  This may be hard and even at times seem impossible.  We take our emotions and feelings to the Lord and ask Him to move us from our position of sin.  He will and we can.  Do not hate.

04/16          1 John 2:10
Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.

LOVE
Jesus calls us to live in the light.  His presence in our hearts is light.  We give Him control of our life and we will walk in the light.  When we are in the light of God we do not stumble and we do not cause others to stumble.  Stay close to Jesus and walk in His light.

04/17          1 John 2:11
But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

CHANGE
The only way we can stop hating is to change.  The only way we can truly change is to go to Jesus.  Lord help us to forgive.  Help us to become more like you.

04/18          1 John 2:12
I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

FORGIVEN
Jesus promised us that if we would ask Him He would forgive us of our sin and cleanse us of unrighteousness and make us a child of God.  Christ is our righteousness.  He is our Savior.  Jesus is Lord.  When we become a child of God we belong to Him and He is quick to forgive our sin.  Let us be quick to repent.

04/19          1 John 2:13
I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.  I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one.

CROSS
The ground is level at the Cross.  Each one has equal access to the Lord.  When Christ comes into our heart He comes to stay.  It is Jesus who gives us success in the life we now live.  So whether we are young, middle aged or senior members of the family we belong there because of Jesus.

04/20          1 John 2:14
I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father.  I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.  I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong.  God’s word lives in your hearts and you have won your battle with the evil one.

JESUS
Knowing Jesus is the key to dealing with the battles we each face in our life.  Until we begin to grow in knowing Him we are destined to living a life of defeat.  Read His Word, talk with Him and do what He says.  Life in Christ is for everyone that knows Him.

04/21          1 John 2:15-16
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

WORLD
Set aside the worlds pull.  Spend time with Jesus.  Let Christ fill you with eternal things and give you a mind that is focused on Him.  Do not let the world pull you away with its temporary beauty for it lasts only for a season and then is gone.  Give yourself to Christ and let Him build eternal things into your life.

04/22          1 John 2:17
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

ETERNAL
The things of Christ are eternal.  He will focus our life on things that count and last.  This world and all it contains is passing away.  The things of the Lord last.  Build your life on things that count and last.  Give your heart and your life to Jesus.  Jesus is the way, the Father’s way, and He will never lead you astray.

04/23          1 John 2:18-19
Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.  These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

OBEDIENCE
When we follow Jesus we are called to obedience.  Followers of Christ grow in Him and develop a pattern of obedience.  Those who are false believers cannot follow Jesus and obey Him for very long.  We must be careful not to judge others but we can let the Word of God and the Lord Himself deal with them.

04/24          1 John 2:20
But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.  So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

FAITHFUL
A person that spends time with the Word of God and in prayer with the Son of God and then puts that to practice in daily life will be faithful.  Obedience is the mark of a faithful follower of Jesus.  Look at your life.  Are you obeying Jesus?

04/25          1 John 2:22-23
And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.  Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.  Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

DENIAL
A Christian will not deny Jesus as Lord.  The world will always deny Christ.  Remember that when a person is without Christ they are dead in their trespasses and sin.  A person without Christ does not know Him nor will they respond kindly to spiritual things.  When we accept Jesus we become a member of the family of God and the Lord God is our Father.

04/26          1 John 2:24
So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.

FAITHFUL
Jesus is more interested in our obedience than He is in our success.  Our faithfulness is critical to our daily walk.  It is in our best interest to maintain an active, focused Christian walk.   Everyday we are called to be faithful in our time with the Lord.  Everyday we are expected to submit ourselves to Him so that He can guide us.  Be faithful to the Lord.

04/27          1 John 2:25
And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

ETERNAL LIFE
Eternal life is a very difficult concept for us to grasp.  It simply means life like Jesus.  When we are faithful we are in a growing relationship with the Lord.  As we grow in Christ we experience the life of Christ in us.  We submit ourselves to the authority of God.  As we live this experiential Christ like life we are enjoying eternal life.  Jesus is living in us.

04/28          1 John 2:26
I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.

WORLD
The world, the flesh and the devil will always try to pull you away from the Lord’s control.  The only way that you can combat this is to make sure that you are letting Jesus control you.  You and I must make sure that we maintain a methodical daily Bible reading.  We should have a specific time each day to meet with the Lord and pray.  Our prayers would include a time of adoration of the Lord.  He is beautiful and majestic and He loves us.  Additionally we will take time to confess our sin.  He knows what we have done but in confession we are identifying our sin and agreeing with Him that what we have done is indeed a sin.  Remember to the thankful.  An attitude of gratitude is so important for our growth.  When we aren’t grateful for the little things we will miss the blessing of big things.  Finally we need to pray for others and ourselves.  Others will be the majority of things we are praying about.  People count with Jesus.

04/29          1 John 2:27
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

TEACHABLE
The voice of the Holy Spirit will tell you about your sin.  It is of the utmost importance that you sit quietly before the Lord each day.  Listen and He will tell you about your sin.  His holiness will point out to you everything you have messed up today.  Be quick to agree and change.  Be a teachable student.  The Holy Spirit will not debate it with us.  Sin is sin.  Confess it and stop it.

04/30          1 John 2:28-29
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.  Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

ACTS
We are not saved by our good deeds.  God isn’t looking for a few good people.  The Lord is interested in our surrender to Him and having faith in Him that He has saved us.  Then we live like a child of God and always do the next right thing.  Our actions as a Christian are no longer controlled by the world.  The Lord Jesus tells us the way we should go.

03/01               Psalm 52:1-3
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”  Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?  Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?  All day long you plot destruction.  Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.  You love evil more than good and lies more than truth.

EVIL
Evil assumes that it is in the lead.  It never sees hell on the horizon.  Life seems to go on forever with nothing changed.  We are facing a hard time in our nation.  Could it be that too many have rejoiced over those things that are against God?  Are we experiencing a day of retribution?  Pray for peace in the world and that we will experience the peace and protection of the Lord.

03/02               Psalm 52:4-7
You love to destroy others with your words, you liar!  But God will strike you down once and for all.  He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living.  The righteous will see it and be amazed.  They will laugh and say, “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God.  They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

WEALTH
Wealth can disappear overnight.  Nine months ago our nation was twelve trillion dollars wealthier.  Do not trust in your wealth, trust in the Lord.  Do not forget that the Lord holds the fate of all in His hand.  Jesus is seeking the lost.  We are partners together with Him.  We should be seeking the lost.  Pray that the Lord would use us to further His Kingdom.

03/03               Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.  I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.  I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.  I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

STRENGTH
The olive tree is strong.  It is one of the strongest of all trees.  When we reside in the house of the Lord we too will be strong.  If the Lord is for us who can be against us?  In the midst of your struggle today, know that the Lord is with you and He will make you strong.

03/04               2 Peter 3:1
This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.

REMEMBER
Remember who you are and whose you are.  Consistently reading the Word of God will help you remember.  Memorizing Scripture will help.  Obedience to His commands will equip us to remember.  If the Lord Jesus is the focus of our life, remembering will become second nature and we will not forget that He is Lord.

03/05               2 Peter 3:2
I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

READ
Read the Bible everyday.  Read it methodically.  Keep a notebook near when you read so that things the Holy Spirit impresses on your heart can be noted so that you remember what He said.  We want to be useful and usable and a good knowledge of His Word will encourage us and strengthen us as we face the challenges of our life.  The Lord is good.

03/06               2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.  They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

QUESTIONS
Remember that unbelievers only have questions.  There is no faith.  They are dead in their trespasses and sin and cannot know God nor can they understand the things of God.  They will not hear us if we give the wrong impressions.  What we do is heard much more quickly than what we say.  We can have questions and when we do we take them to the Lord.  We understand that there will be many questions that will take time for us to understand the answer and sometimes we will not know the answer in this life.  But we believe.  A lost world will never believe.  That is why we are to proclaim Christ in all we do.  We are seeking the lost that they might come to know Him.

03/07               2 Peter 3:5-7
They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.  Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.  And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the Day of Judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

JUDGMENT
Judgment belongs to God.  We cannot judge others properly so we are called not to judge.  People don’t need us to judge them, they need us to love and forgive them.  Be careful in your dealings with the lost.  The temptation is to condemn them.  Don’t condemn instead pray for them.  Pray that they might know the Lord.  Pray that they might have real life in Christ.

03/08          2 Peter 3:8
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

DAY
God is different than we are.  He is concerned about us.  He came into our world as we are to save us from our stupidity and hard heartedness-our sin.  His wisdom comes from His Word.  Read it, understand it and live by it.  The Lord is in control and everything will happen according to His plan and we do not have to fret about that.  Gratitude is a high level of praise for the Lord.

03/09          2 Peter 3:9-10
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

TIMING
Rejoice in God’s timing.  It is always correct and always on time.  He loves you and me.  He is seeking our best interest.  Follow Him and let His love and guidance give you real life.  Jesus is Lord.

03/10          2 Peter 3:11-12
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

NOW
Now is the only time we ever have.  Do what you should now.  Ask forgiveness now this very hour.  Seek a growing relationship with Jesus now.  Live your life now under His protective guidance.  Thank the Lord now.  Be used of the Lord now.  Everything we do is done in the now.  Look forward but live now.

03/11          2 Peter 3:13
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

REJOICE
Rejoice for the Lord is good and He has come for you.  Jesus came that you might have life and that more abundantly.  He is here with us now.  As we live our life we can rejoice that He has assured us of the future.  But the great thing we can know with absolute assurance is that Jesus loves me.  We have a wonderful future ahead of us and we have a wonderful now as part of His family on earth, aliens enroute to heaven.

03/12          2 Peter 3:14
And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

QUALITY
We want our life to have a high level of quality living.  We value a sense of peace and well being.  Jesus gives that to us.  He will give us His peace and enable us to work His plan.  When we are where God wants us doing what He created us to do life is good.  Rejoice that you are able to know this and to work it out in your daily life.

03/13          2 Peter 3:15-16
And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

FOCUS
If we keep our focus on Jesus, letting Him be the center of our life, we will not wander away from the Lord.  His wisdom and love will guide us.  His presence will comfort us in times of trouble.  His love will refresh us day by day.  Jesus is Lord and we are not.  Surrender yourself to Jesus and He will give you what you need to accomplish God’s plan for your life.

03/14          2 Peter 3:17-18
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

JESUS
Keep the focus of your life on Jesus.  He will direct your path in the way you should go.  Christ will equip you to know and do right.  He will gently nudge you when you get off the proper path.  His sacrifice is sufficient to deal with our sin and His strength is adequate to fix our mistakes.

03/15          Psalm 53:1
Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

HEAR
Hear the Word of God.  It clearly identifies the way in which we should go.  The Lord is God and is worthy of all of our praise, adoration and faithfulness.  Do not be disappointed by the world for it will always disappoint you.  Rather put your heart and mind upon the things of God.  He will never disappoint you.

03/16          Psalm 53:2-3
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.  But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt.  No one does good, not a single one!

GRATITUDE
We are wise when we live with and attitude of gratitude towards God.  He came looking for us.  He provided salvation for us because we could not provide it for ourselves.  He knew our need and the depth of our sin.  He offered us salvation.  Praise God what a wonderful God we have.

03/17          Psalm 53:4
Will those who do evil never learn?  They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to God.

EVIL
Evil never changes.  Evil wants its own way.  Evil seeks to devour even those who name the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Learn from your relationship with Jesus.  Let Him have your attention.  Focus your life on the things of God and not the things of this world.

03/18          Psalm 53:5
Terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before.  God will scatter the bones of your enemies.  You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

LOST
The lost, those dead on their trespasses and sin are in need of our prayer.  We need to have a heart for the lost.  We must never forget that we were once lost and now we are part of the family of God.  We stand in His light and live by His wisdom.  The lost are not so, they have no reward, nor do they have a Savior, they are on their own.  Tell someone about Jesus today.

03/19          Psalm 53:6
Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?  When God restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

HEAVEN
Heaven is a great place.  We can rejoice with certain knowledge that we are indeed enroute to our home in heaven.  Jesus is our Savior and He saves us completely and eternally.

03/20          2 John 1-2
This letter is from John the Elder.  It is written to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth, as does everyone else who knows God’s truth the truth that lives in us and will be in our hearts forever.

JESUS
Jesus is the truth.  He is God in the flesh come to us.  He came looking for us and we accepted His offer of family membership.  He saved us from our sin and we were born into His family.

03/21          2 John 3-5
May grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God our Father and from Jesus Christ his Son, be with us who live in truth and love.  How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.  And now I want to urge you, dear lady, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we had from the beginning.

LOVE
Love one another.  If we love Jesus we will love His children.  The call is for us to love one another.  Do not get sidetracked in life.  Remember the need for love.  Jesus equips us to be loved and to love.  Come to Christ and seek His wisdom, mercy and grace so that you life can be a life that truly loves.

03/22          2 John 6-8
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.  Many deceivers have gone out into the world. They do not believe that Jesus Christ came to earth in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out, so that you do not lose the prize for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward.

FAITH
We have real faith when we do what Jesus told us to do.  Love one another.  Be careful to keep your life focused on Jesus.  He is God’s everything.  You don’t have to go outside of Jesus to get anything from God.  Christ is able to help you.  If you ask Him He will help.

03/23          2 John 9-11
For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will not have fellowship with God. But if you continue in the teaching of Christ, you will have fellowship with both the Father and the Son.  If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite him into your house or encourage him in any way.  Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work.

JESUS
Test everything thing that some one says by what Jesus says.  If anyone in any way says that here is this thing that will help you grow or whatever and it isn’t focused on Jesus, turn away.  Christ is all and in all, He is God’s everything.

03/24          2 John 12
Well, I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to say it in a letter. For I hope to visit you soon and to talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.  Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.

JOY
Jesus Christ is our joy.  In Him we have everything we need.  What do you need today?  Take it to Jesus.  He is able to do what it takes to grow you in His kingdom.

03/25          3 John 1-3
This letter is from John the Elder.  It is written to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.  Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is.  Some of the brothers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living in the truth.

LIFE
A life well lived is a life worthy of commendation.  We are to live so closely to Jesus that at any point the Lord is able to say “Well done.”  We want to be like Jesus.  We want to serve Jesus.  This is commendable.  Strive that you will live a life spiritually strong in Jesus.

03/26          3 John 4
I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth.

VALUE
It is of great value for us to lead a Godly life.  Emulating Jesus will bear good results in our life and the life of those that are around us.  Following Jesus will put us in a position that our heavenly Father will be able to say of us, “well done.”

03/27          3 John 5
Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God when you take care of the traveling teachers  who are passing through, even though they are strangers to you.  They have told the church here of your friendship and your loving deeds. You do well to send them on their way in a manner that pleases God.

WITNESS
Everything we do is a witness to the amount of control Jesus has over our life.  Worry and anxiety are good indicators of the depth of our surrender to Jesus.  When we can’t forget it our give it over we are not letting Jesus have control of our life.  Let Jesus have it whatever that thing is that is badgering you.

03/28          3 John 7
For they are traveling for the Lord and accept nothing from those who are not Christians.  So we ourselves should support them so that we may become partners with them for the truth.

MISSIONS
We are called to be generous.  The work of the kingdom is important and the kingdom worker is worthy of our investment.  Take every opportunity to be involved in kingdom work by supporting your church and your church workers.

03/29          3 John 9-11
I sent a brief letter to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, does not acknowledge our authority. When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the wicked things he is saying about us. He not only refuses to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.  Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

FOLLOW
Jesus is our example.  We love Him and we know Him.  As we live our lives we follow Him.  We are His hands and feet in this world.  We are called to care for those around us and to be kind and helpful to all that we meet.  We are also responsible for the way the think about others and the way that we respond to the needs of the helpless.

03/30          3 John 12
But everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, even truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

ACTIONS
Our actions define who we are.  The world looks at the things we do.  We know that we are saved by grace but the world determines who we are by what we do.  It is important what we say but even more important are the things we do.  When we care for the helpless and help the needy the world will listen to what we say.  Be about the Lord’s work today.  Everyone needs you.

03/31          3 John 13-15
I have much to tell you, but I don’t want to do it in a letter.  For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face.  May God’s peace be with you.  Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

PEACE
Only the Lord can give us peace.  We have this peace when we are His child.  Know that you can ask for His peace and in confidence experience His peace because He gives it freely to His children.

2/01            Psalm 125:1-2
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.  Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

TRUST
You are living in the midst of God’s watchcare and concern.  Trust Him with all your heart.  When we trust the Lord we live differently.  Today, think about your relationship with Him and purpose to trust Him in your daily life.

2/02            Psalm 125:3
The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

TRUST
Trust the Lord with all of your heart.  Take Him your problems and your triumphs.  Let Him have control of you.  Be careful when you are walking in high places.  Pride rises quickly and dissipates slowly.  The Lord is with you.

2/03            Psalm 125:4
O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you.  But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.  Take them away with those who do evil.  May Israel have peace!

PEACE
Peace is a gift from God.  He knows what we are doing at all times.  Surrender your thought life, surrender your actions and know that the Lord is on your side.  Stop doing evil.  Doing good is a choice.  His peace will go with us if we will let Him have control of us.  Walk in the Lord and do what He says.

02/04          Psalm 126:1-2
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.  When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!  We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.  And the other nations said,  “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

TRUST
Trust the Lord.  He will do amazing things in your life.  Trust the Lord for He is worthy of all of our devotion and trust.  Trust the Lord for when you do others will look at you and declare “what amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

02/05          Psalm 126:3-6
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!  Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

ACTIONS
When we trust the Lord we will do things His way.  Some times what we are doing will seem to be a burden.  Trust the Lord and know that what He calls us to do will bring joy.  When we follow the Lord and trust in Him we can have confidence that the end result will be joy.  Do the next right thing.  Trust the Lord.

02/06          2 Peter 3:1
This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.

FOCUS
Think about the Lord.  Read His Word.  Sing Christian songs and hymns.  Pray aloud in your prayer closet.  Talk with Jesus.  This will cleanse your mind and heart and will refresh your thinking.  In all things give praise to Jesus.

02/07          2 Peter 3:2
I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

REMEMBER
Memorization is important.  If you have a hard time memorizing Scripture write it on a 3 by 5 card and carry it with you.  Read it several times during the day and meditate on the Scripture.  This will help you to renew your mind and will equip you to grow in the Word.

02/08          2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.  They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

TRUTH
Truth is timeless.  God is not limited by time.  His timing will be perfect and on-time.  Give this kind of argument to the Father and He will show you the truth.  You can’t argue belief with unbelievers.

02/09          2 Peter 3:5
They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water.

TRUTH
Jesus is the Creator of all things.  Give yourself to His rule and guidance.  Do not doubt the Word.  Do not fear the world.  These two truths will stand you in good stead as you seek to grow in Christ.  Read His Word, apply its truths and you will grow.

02/10          2 Peter 3:6-7
Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood.  And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the Day of Judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

RETURN
There will be a day of return.  Christ is coming back.  When He comes back it will be in judgment.  His return can happen at any time.  We are encouraged to live our lives as if He were coming back today.  Be prepared.  Today is the day of salvation.

02/11          2 Peter 3:8
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

SOON
God is not limited by time.  We count minutes, days, and years-time.  God is focused on His plan which He developed before there was anything.  His plan unfolds not with the passing of time but with the accomplishment of His will.  Be prepared.

02/12          2 Peter 3:9
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

TIME
Time fools us.  It makes us function fast or slow.  It compels us to do foolish things at time and at other times ignore obvious things we should do.  God isn’t fooled by time.  He is always on time.  The universe functions at His pleasure.  Don’t be fooled by time, God is always on time.

02/13          2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

END
The Lord has decreed and it will happen, one day the end will come.  The message of Scripture is that it will come soon.  That message to us is an encouragement to keep our life focused on Jesus.  Jesus is Lord.  Live your life that way.

02/14          2 Peter 3:11-12
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

HARSH
This Word is a harsh word to the world.  This world is passing away.  We are passing through.  It is important that we live focused lives.  Pray for the lost.  Pray that Christ would come and come soon.  Be ready.  Live your life.  There is real joy in the journey.

02/15          2 Peter 3:13
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

HOME
There will be a day that we will leave this world and go home.  Christ is there waiting for us.  He will meet us at the divide and take us home.  This world is not our home as much as we might love where we are and what we do it is not our home.  Heaven is going to be a great place.  It is our home and we can rejoice in each day that we will soon one day be at home with the Lord.

02/16          2 Peter 3:14
And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

NOW
Now is the time that we permit Jesus to have control of our life.  Now is when we change.  Now is the only time that we have.  Do what you must do now to be what the Lord is calling you to be.  Today is the day that we will serve Jesus.

02/17          2 Peter 3:15-16
And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

TRUTH
Truth comes from the Word of God.  Jesus and the Holy Spirit guide us in understanding that Word.  Those that incorrectly interpret the Word using the world as their guideline are wrong.  They will suffer destruction.  They have chosen their own way.  We surrender to Jesus and to the truth of His Word doing those things that He calls us to do.  He is Lord and we serve Him.

02/18          2 Peter 3:17-18
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

DAILY
We grow in Christ daily.  We pray, spend time with Him and apply the truth He teaches us to our life.  We grow in Christ in the midst of our life.  Learning to live under His tutelage is critical for our growth.  His grace equips us to apply the knowledge He gives us.  Strive each day to live for Jesus.

02/19          2 John 1:1-2
This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to the chosen lady and to her children, whom I love in the truth—as does everyone else who knows the truth because the truth lives in us and will be with us forever.

TRUTH
God is in charge.  I’m not.  Everything is going to work out in the end.  That is the truth.  For those that name the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior, there is no condemnation nor is there anything that can conquer them.  We are God’s property.  God is good, all the time.

02/20          2 John 1:3
Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.

DAILY
His mercies, grace and peace are ample to cover our life each day.  He is able to make our life a pleasing aroma unto Himself.  His plan for our life is available if we will ask Him for it.  Ask and listen, the Lord will speak to you.

02/21          2 John 1:4
How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded.

OBEDIENCE
Obedience isn’t an optional part of the Christian lifestyle, it is the Christian lifestyle.  Jesus said that if we love Him we will obey Him.  Surrender your life to Christ.  Focus on Him and He will walk with you.  The Christian lifestyle is the act of living our life like Jesus.

02/22          2 John 1:5
I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning.

LOVE
Love issues out of obedience.  If we obey Him we will act like Him.  If we act like Him we will love one another.  If we love one another we are obeying Him.  The Christian life is simple.  We either walk with Jesus or walk away from Jesus.  Your choice.

02/23          2 John 1:6
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

COMMAND
His command is simple.  Love one another.  No options.  No details.  Do it.  We never complete the task of following Jesus this side of heaven.  Then that day we will see Him face to face and we will be like Him.  Choose today to become more like Jesus.

02/24          2 John 1:7
I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.

TRUTH
Truth never masquerades itself as something else.  The truth is as the Word of God says that Jesus came as fully God and fully man.  On the other hand a half-truth, Christ really came as a only a divine being only seeming to have a body, takes away the power of the Word of God unto us.  It strips us of our power source, the truth-Jesus is Lord and He is Lord of all-here and now and eternity.  Speak the truth and let it have its way with your life.

02/25          2 John 1:8
Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.

REWARD
I’m sure that I don’t fully understand this idea of reward in heaven.  I cannot grasp it.  What I can grasp is that I want everything Jesus wants for me.  I want it all.  I want it so that I will know Him fully and please Him with my life.  Lord help me to be useful and usable.  Strengthen me that I might live a life that is focused on You and not me.

02/26          2 John 1:9
Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.

CHOICE
We cannot control our world.  We can control our self.  We surrender to Christ.  We give Him authority over us.  He wants what is best for us.  In surrender we find control.  Christ is Lord and He will lead, guide and direct us in the way we should go.  That is the only sure way for us to control our life.

02/27          2 John 1:10-11
If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.

CAREFUL
We are called to be careful the way we live.  If we walk with Jesus He will make clear to us the truth of a person’s life.  We dare not put our self in harm’s way.  It is so easy for us to get off the right track.  Sickness, life, misfortune and every other way will try its best to sidetrack our life.  Keep you focus on Jesus.  Make sure that those you are following are of the Lord.

02/28          2 John 1:12-13
I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.  Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.

ONE DAY
One day you will go to be with Jesus.  You don’t know when that day is.  Prepare now for that day.  Know Him better each day.  Spend time with Jesus.  Ask Him to teach you.  Seek His grace, mercy and peace.  Live as Jesus did.  Care for those around you.

01/01               Isaiah 53:1-3
Who has believed our message?  To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.  There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.  We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.  He was despised, and we did not care.

SAVIOR
He is coming Isaiah predicts and indeed He did come.  He came for me and He came for you.  Jesus made a journey because of man’s sin.  There was no other way for us.  So Christ stepped down off His throne in Glory and came into this world like us, at the mercy of everything.  Yet by His complete submission to the will of His Father, Christ lived a perfect life and died on the cross taking our sin upon himself.  Then by the power of God He arose from the grace and is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us right now.  Jesus is Lord.

01/02               Isaiah 53:4
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

SIN
Our sin exacted a terrible price from Jesus.  He suffered as we do and lived a perfect life.  Then He died on the cross for us.  His sacrifice paid the price for our sin.  It was for my sin that He died.  It was for your sin that He died.

01/03               Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.

JESUS
Jesus is God’s everything.  He took the punishment we deserved.  He did it willingly knowing full well the suffering He would bear.  His punishment paid the price for our reconciliation with God.  Christ has reunited us with the Father.  We are now His children.  We have our righteousness in Jesus Christ.  He is our salvation.

01/04               Isaiah 53:6
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

SIN
Everyone but Jesus has sinned.  Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.  He was without blemish.  He died to save us from our sin.  His sacrifice paid the price for every sin, then and now.  Jesus came looking for us even when we were unconcerned with Him.  Has He found you?

01/05               Isaiah 53:7-9
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Unjustly condemned, he was led away.  No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.  But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.

He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.  But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.

CHRIST
The Messiah’s death is clearly prophesied here by Isaiah.  Jesus is that Messiah and He came that you and I would have a chance for reconciliation with God.  He brings us life eternal, real life, life Like His.  The Lord Jesus is alive and He lives in us.  We are His partners in telling the world about Him.  He came that all might know the Father that every person would have the chance to come to know Him.  His salvation is a gift-it isn’t cheap but it is free.  If you have not asked Jesus to save you do it now.  His Word tells us that if we will ask Him He will save us.

01/06               Isaiah 53:10
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief.  Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants.  He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

SACRIFICE
We know little about sacrifice.  We endure for a day and it is overwhelming.  Christ endured for thirty-three years and walked straight to the cross for you and me.  He never complained.  His aim was to do the Father’s will and work.  The Gospel accounts of the life of Christ present a Savior who lives and acts much differently than leaders in the American church.  You and I are called to live out daily the things that we say we believe.  The Christian life is much more of an action than it is a thought.

01/07               Isaiah 53:11
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.  And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.

COMPLETE
When Christ came to his final breath He said it is finished.  His life on earth was finished.  His struggle was finished.  His perfection was finished but more than that His sacrifice for us was finished.  The victory over sin was complete.  His journey was complete and we were forgiven.

01/08               Isaiah 53:12
I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.  He was counted among the rebels.  He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

SINNERS
Christ came to die for sinners.  Among whom I was chief.  Our life didn’t call for a Savior, He came willing of His freewill because of our great need.  Jesus died for us as if there were no other of us and His sacrifice paid the price for each one of us and all of us.

01/09               2 Peter 1:1
This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.  I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

GIFT
God has given us a great gift in Jesus Christ.  He has paid a price we couldn’t pay.  He paid a price for us when we were totally unworthy of the sacrifice but it was what we needed and Jesus did it.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

01/10               2 Peter 1:2
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

GRACE AND PEACE
God gives us what we need and cannot earn, pouring out His grace upon us so that we will be able to live a Christ like life.  He also gifts us with His peace.  We don’t earn it or deserve it but we need it and He freely gives it to us.  Ask Him for His peace.  We are no longer at war but at peace for Jesus has saved us from our sin.

01/11               2 Peter 1:3
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

POWER
We have His power for living our daily life.  We spend time with Him daily so that we can let Him give us the power we need each day.  We never know what the day will hold.  Our time with Jesus prepares us to face whatever happens.  The Lord gives us everything we need to live a Godly life.  When I look at the obstacle I face it is always overwhelming.  When I look to Jesus I don’t see the obstacle.

01/12               2 Peter 1:4
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

PROMISES
God’s promises in the His Word are made to us.  They are general and specific at the same time.  They are for us.  They were spoken by God knowing that we would have need of them on a certain day.  God is able if we will ask.  Look for His promises to you in His Word.  Accept them and live a Christian life.

01/13               2 Peter 1:5-7
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

GROWTH
Growing in Christ is what we do day by day in a personal relationship in Jesus.  Do the next right thing is a significant part of this growth process.  We choose how much we will grow.  The Lord is willing for us to grow but will not force us to grow.  I cannot grow without Jesus.  I will not grow if I don’t spend time with Him.  Growth is a daily process of spending time with Jesus and doing what He says.

01/14               2 Peter 1:8-9
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

FORGIVENESS
When we come to Jesus He forgives our sin.  Some forget that His forgiveness is a gift.  We don’t work for this it is a gift from the Father.  It is important for our growth as children of God to understand that we are forgiven.  If we don’t come to grips with this, the enemy is constantly bombarding us with the idea that we are second class Christians.  Our Christianity is based on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of the Father of forgiveness for those that ask Christ to come into their hearts.  Believe in Christ and live.  He is Lord of all.

01/15               2 Peter 1:10-11
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.  Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

SALVATION
Salvation is a gift from God.  Anyone can come into the Family of God if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, our usefulness and growth is a matter of choice.  Will I spend time with Jesus and do what He says?  If I do I will grow.  If I don’t I won’t.

01/16               2 Peter 1:12
Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught.

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge is important for us to grow but if we don’t put that knowledge to daily use by obeying Jesus we will not grow.  Christianity is not a spectator sport.  If we do the things we know we will know the right things to do.

01/17               2 Peter 1:13-15
And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.  For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

JESUS
Jesus is committed to us.  He loves us and came to save us.  He is God’s everything and His involvement in our life will create constant growth.  We must always remember that we can do nothing without Jesus.  Go to Jesus for daily living.  Spend time with Him so that you will be equipped to face the challenges of life.

01/18               2 Peter 1:16-18
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”  We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

EYEWITNESS
The Biblical account is an eyewitness account.  The people writing the Words saw what happened.  You can trust the Word of God.  When we go to the Lord each day we need to read the SCRIPTURE, OBSERVE what the Lord is telling us, APPLY His Word for that day to our life and PRAY.  When we do this the Biblical account equips us to see the activity of God in our life and will open up our life for the Lord God to lead us.

01/19               2 Peter 1:19
Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

CHANGE
The presence of the Lord in the life of the Apostles changed them.  Walking with the Risen Lord called them to constantly trust the Lord for guidance.  Prayer equipped the Apostles to follow Him and do what He said.  If you are following Jesus your confidence will grow and you will become more like Christ.  That is our goal to glorify Jesus and become more like Him.

01/20               2 Peter 1:20
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

WORD
The Word of God, the Bible, came from God.  The Holy Spirit moved the writers of the Biblical narrative so that the things they wrote were the things God spoke.  They were led by the Spirit of God in everything they wrote so that God’s Word comes directly from the Lord.  It is trustworthy and true and we can live our lives based upon it.  Trust the Lord for He is trustworthy.

01/21               2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.  In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

CAREFUL
We must make sure that it is Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord that we are preaching.  We live and exist in Christ.  He is God’s everything.  Any teaching that denies the centrality of Christ in Christianity is wrong.  Jesus is the reason we are in the family of God.  He is the only way to the Father.  He and the Father are one.  Follow Jesus.

01/22          2 Peter 2:4-5
For God did not spare even the angels who sinned.  He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.  And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

RIGHTEOUSNESS
There is no one righteous.  Our righteousness is in Christ.  He is righteous and His death, burial and resurrection paid the price for our sin.  We can rejoice in Christ and be thankful for what the Lord has done for us.  Thank you Jesus.

01/23          2 Peter 2:6-8
Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people.  But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.  Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.

JESUS
The Lord has intervened in our lives.  He came to die for us so that we might have life.  Christ did what we could not do and that is pay the price for our sin.  Spend time with Jesus today.  Get to know Him better.  We want to become more like Christ.  We want to pattern our life after His.  Jesus is Lord.

01/24          2 Peter 2:9-10
So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.  He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.  These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.

ARROGANCE
We live in a society of arrogance.  People make plans and refuse to recognize the Lord.  We must guard ourselves from becoming arrogant like our society.  Be careful how you deal with others.  Recognize that you are sent of Christ to minister to the needs of the world and not to tell the world what to do.  The only thing we can tell the world is about Jesus Christ and Him crucified, dead and raised from the dead by the power of God.

01/25          2 Peter 2:11-13
But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.  These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed.  Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals.

CAREFUL
We are not to run in fear of supernatural beings and worldly powers.  We simply go to Jesus for our protection.  We will not be destroyed as long as we are standing in Christ.  We are to be careful how we live and when we confront the enemy we are to rebuke him in the name of Jesus.  Christ is our strength and in Him we stand.

01/26          2 Peter 2:14-16
They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse.  They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.  But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.

SIN
Sin is such a pervasive stain on our human existence.  Live with true humility recognizing that the Lord has cleansed us from sin and is walking with us to help us lead the right kind of life.  We are to grow in our likeness to Jesus.  That will help us to focus our life on Christ.

01/27          2 Peter 2:17
These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.

EVIL
Evil walks a willful path.  It is never satisfied until it has you sidetracked.  Be careful who you choose as friends.  Spend time with Jesus.  Don’t let this world get you down.  When it gets tough, draw aside and sing hymns, read Scripture aloud and make sure you are faithful to your church.

01/28          2 Peter 2:18
They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.

ARROGANCE
People approach daily life with an unbelievable arrogance.  They can’t stop the common cold and yet they make life and death decisions with little or no guidance.  The Lord is my shepherd and He will guide me.  Today ask for His guidance.

01/29          2 Peter 2:19-20
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.  And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.

CHOICE
Choose Jesus.  Ask Him to save you.  If you do this He will.  Choose life.  In Christ is life.  We cannot make our own way.  We don’t know what we will face tomorrow or even today.  The future belongs to Jesus.  Give Him your life and He will guard and guide you.

01/30           2 Peter 2:21
It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.

PEOPLE
Many people congregate around Christians.  Others on the fringe but not a follower grew up in Christian homes.  They think for some vague unknown reason that they can be a Christian because their family is, their friends are or because they go to church.  A Christian has given their life to Jesus.  They have bent the knee to Christ and asked Him to come into their life.  By faith through grace is the only way we can come to Christ and Christ is the only way to the Father.  If you haven’t asked Christ into your life do it right now.  Jesus is faithful and righteous and He will save you.

01/31          2 Peter 2:22
They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

FRINGE
People of the fringe of Christianity will not survive when testing comes.  The evil one will challenge them at every opportunity and they will fail.  When they fail, they slough off their feeling of goodness and go back to what they were doing before.  Generally their comment is “I didn’t think it would work for me.”  It only works for His children.  God has no grandchildren.

12/01               Ephesians 5:1-2
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

EXAMPLE
We are an example.  When we claim the name of Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we testify to the world what kind of Savior we have by the way the live.  We can live a victorious life because our Lord is victorious.

12/02               Ephesians 5:3-5
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

ATTITUDE
Let your attitude be gratitude.  Remember what He has done for you.  Remember the wonderful miracles He has worked in your life.  Remember and be grateful for to Him belongs all glory and honor and praise.  Praise ye the Lord.

12/03               Ephesians 5:6-9
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.  Don’t participate in the things these people do.  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!  For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

LIGHT
Christ has come in our life.  No longer are we to be caught up in worldly things.  Set aside those former times of self-pity and doubt.  Live a victorious life because Jesus lives in you.  Let Him know your needs then go and walk in the truth.  In His time He is always faithful.  Remember that and live the life.  Jesus is Lord.

12/04          Ephesians 5:10-12
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.  Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.  It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.

RESPONSIBILITY
It is our responsibility to conduct ourselves in a Godly fashion.  It takes time to understand the Word of God and put it to work in our daily lives.  Today take time to consider what the Lord would have you to do.

12/05          Ephesians 5:13-14
But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

ACTIONS
Our actions will have consequences.  Even the mighty will be properly judged.  The thing for us to remember is that what we are doing is known by God.  He is with us and walking with us every moment of every day.  The Lord is active in His creation and we are the recipients of His love.

12/06          Ephesians 5:15-16
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

WISDOM
Wisdom comes from God.  As we spend time with Him we discover anew how much He loves us.  He will give us what we need.  We need wisdom for living an abundant, joyous life.  Ask the Lord for wisdom and He will give it to you.

12/07          Ephesians 5:17-19
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

ACTIONS
Pay attention to what you are doing.  When you are down seek the Lord.  Read the Word out loud.  Sing some Psalms.  Pray with the full knowledge that the Lord is standing with you and will hear you.  You are not alone.  Pay attention to what you are doing.

12/08          Ephesians 5:20
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ATTITUDE
The Lord will change you if you will let Him.  He will open our eyes so that we can see the wonderful and complete resource we have in Jesus.  He is God’s everything.  When He becomes our everything it will help us to maintain a positive attitude and will equip us to give thanks for what we have.  Jesus is the reason that our life is abundant.

12/09          Ephesians 5:21-30
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.  As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.  For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.  He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.  In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.  No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.  And we are members of his body.

SACRIFICE
The significant teaching is that the Christian life involves sacrifice.  We are not on our own.  We will face serious opposition in living a Christian life.  Jesus will equip us to face it and live victoriously.

12/10          Ephesians 5:31-33
As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”   This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.  So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

LOVE
Christ loves the church.  He gave us the church so that we would be better equipped to face life.  When we marry the two become one and together are better equipped to face the daily trials of life.  An abundant life is possible if we will model our self after Christ’s example.  Die to self.

12/11          Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord,[a] for this is the right thing to do.

RIGHT
Obedience is something that is important in our Christian walk.  The Lord loves obedience more than sacrifice.  Obedience is critical because it equips us to properly deal with our egotism.  Think about what you are doing and do the next right thing.

12/12          Ephesians 6:2-3
“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:  If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

HONOR
It is easy to honor those who love us and have our best good at heart.  Today when so many homes are broken and parents are acting like children we think that we can get away with dishonoring them.  This isn’t an optional verse.  There is no if.  Think carefully about how you treat your parents and what it does to you.  Do the next right thing.

12/13          Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

EASY
Today our society is often self-centered.  What I want is most important. Parents too often deal with their children by expediency.  They either don’t discipline their children or deal with them harshly.  Children take time and they deserve our time.  Carefully discipline your children under the leadership of the Lord.  Gentleness and consistency is always important.

12/14          Ephesians 6:5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.

SERVICE
The quality of our service is the key to a growing relationship with Jesus.  Are we listening to Christ?  Am I living the way that I say I am living?  If I am trying to squeak by on subpar performance, I will be the only one that I am fooling.  I must do what I do to the best of my ability.  The quality of my life is a spiritual issue.

12/15          Ephesians 6:6-8
Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

CARING
I want the Lord to care about me and what I do.  Do I care about those I serve?  Am I concerned about whether or not I am doing my best?  If I am I will do everything I do to the best of my ability.  If I don’t then I will simply be getting over on myself.  Poor service hurts me most of all.

12/16          Ephesians 6:9
Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

LEVEL
The ground at the cross is level.  Salvation is a grace gift.  The only way that any one will experience new life is in Jesus Christ and He is no respecter of persons.  All of us have the same Father.  All of us struggle and strive to grow in Christ.  All of us have the same access to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Lord and He is God’s everything.

12/17          Ephesians 6:10
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

STRENGTH
We will need to learn to surrender our will to His will to experience His strength.  In our weakness He is strong.  We come to Jesus with our time and talents and give them to Him for His use and we will find real strength.  Christ is King.  He is Lord.  In Him we find the wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding that we need for real kingdom service.

12/18          Ephesians 6:11
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

STAND
The Lord is able to equip us for service.  He will see us through all of the evil schemes of the devil.  We cannot stand in our own power.  Equip yourself for living.  Only by the power of the Lord Jesus can we stand in the face of evil.

12/19          Luke 2:1-2
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

REALITY
We live in a real world.  Our world is just like the world in the time of Christ.  We can only stand by the power of Christ.  Only Jesus can overcome the sin that entangles everyone’s life.  Today is the day that you need Jesus.  Now is the time that you need Jesus.  Ask Him and He will help you.

12/20          Luke 2:3-5
All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

TRUTH
The world creates myths to tell their story of a relationship with the creator.  Our creator is our Lord and Savior.  This is truth told by real people at a specific time in a specific location.  There were many who could verify the facts of this story.  The Bible presents the facts and the people and the situation.  This is how it happened.  Jesus is Lord.

12/21          Luke 2:6-7
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

BIRTH
Jesus was born in a cattle trough in as rough a situation as we could experience.  The Lord chose to come as the least of us so that He could provide salvation for each one of us.  His mother provided for Him as best she could.  The Lord has come to earth to save us.

12/22          Luke 2:8-10
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

FEAR
All of us have things that cause us to be afraid.  Fear is debilitating.  Fear destroys us.  The angel said to the shepherds and to you and me-DO NOT BE AFRAID.  The Good News is that Jesus did come and He came for you and for me.  He died for us and arose from the dead by the power of God and is alive for us now.  Do not be afraid because Jesus lives.

12/23          Luke 2:11-14
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

CALVARY ROAD
Christ’s journey begins here in a cave in Bethlehem smoky, stinky, lots of germs and not very warm.  The King of Glory was born in an animal feeding trough.  This road leads directly to the cross and His sacrifice.  His whole life was a sacrifice.  Christ lived and died for us.  Can we do any less?  God loves people most of all.

12/24          Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,  but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.   The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

WITNESSING
Telling about Jesus is a natural thing for us to do.  Witnessing is just that, telling folks about Jesus, what He has done for us and the difference He has made in our life.  When you are walking with Jesus it is easy to share what He is doing in your life with everyone you meet.

12/25          Matthew 2:1-11
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”   King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.  He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:  ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”  Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.  Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”  After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!  They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

BIRTH
Jesus is alive and He lives in you and me.  What a joyous time to live.  We have the opportunity to share the life of Christ in us with others.  Remember what Jesus has done for you.  Be faithful in living a Christ like life.

12/26          Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

ENEMY
We face a real, powerful enemy but Jesus is Lord of all.  He is able to stand with us.  He is able to defeat any enemy that we face.  Surrender your life to Jesus and He will give you real life.  He has already won the victory when you are asking Him to intercede.

12/27          Ephesians 6:13-15
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.   Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

STAND
We are required to stand.  To stand takes faith.  The more I know Jesus the stronger my faith grows.  Spend time with Jesus.  It is a spiritual circle.  Spend time with Jesus, grow, stand, spend time with Jesus, grow, stand and on and on it goes until that day we stand face to face with Christ.  Our journey is long and short, strong and weak and the Lord is all we need.

12/28          Ephesians 6:16-17
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

WORD
The Word of God is alive.  It is written in His Bible and we let Him write it on our hearts.  When it is written on our hearts it lives in us to give us life.  Jesus is Lord of all and in all things He is victorious.

12/29          Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

PRAY
Prayer is hard work.  We are called to pray at all times.  Be on the alert.  Pray every day and in every way.  Spend time with Him and pray.  As you work hard pray.  When you are at ease pray and in all things pray.  If we will be faithful to pray we will change the world.  Jesus is Lord.

12/30          Ephesians 6:19-20
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.  I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

PRAY
Pray for one another.  Pray for our pastors and other Christian workers.  Pray for our leaders.  Pray for wisdom, mercy and grace.  Pray for revival.  Pray that all might be saved.

12/31          Ephesians 6:21-24
To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work.  I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.  Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness.  May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRACE
Grace is the Lord giving us what we need and cannot earn.  We need His grace every day.  We need to learn how to give grace to others just as our heavenly Father gives grace to us.  Pray that not only will you receive grace but that you will learn how to be a grace giving person.  Love your enemies and pray for those that hate you.  Jesus is Lord.

11/1            Ephesians 3:1-2
I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ Jesus because of my preaching to you Gentiles.  As you already know, God has given me this special ministry of announcing his favor to you Gentiles.

INCLUDED
We are included in the Lord’s favor.  Jesus loves you and me.  Jesus is focused on our salvation and growth.  Today is the day of victory.  Your life is important in His work and the success of your work is directly proportionate to your willingness to care for others.  When you are injured forgive quickly.  When you harm someone seek forgiveness at once.  We are doing the Master’s work.  Go.

11/2            Ephesians 3:3
As I briefly mentioned earlier in this letter, God himself revealed his secret plan to me.

PLAN
God’s plan is that you are beloved.  You are important.  Each one of us count and the Lord Himself has made a way for each and everyone of us to be included in His family.  No one has to be left behind.  Each and everyone can choose Jesus.  It is tragic that so many don’t choose Jesus.  It is important that you do choose Jesus.  Make sure you have and then share with everyone what the Lord is doing in your life.

11/3            Ephesians 3:4
As you read what I have written, you will understand what I know about this plan regarding Christ.

KNOW
Know Him.  You and I are required to individually know Jesus.  Don’t depend on a friend, a family member, or someone you think is religious.  Knowing Jesus requires that you bend the knee before Him and ask Him to give you the gift of life.  Jesus forgive me of my sin and come into my heart and save me.  It’s that simple but it has eternal consequences.

11/4            Ephesians 3:5-6
God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now he has revealed it by the Holy Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets.  And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God’s children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus.

BLESSED
We are blessed in Christ.  When Jesus is in your life no matter what else has happened we are blessed.  Count your blessings today.  Eternity with God is a part of your life.  You have eternal rewards.  But you also have current rewards.  The Lord Jesus resides in your heart.  The Holy Spirit is seeking to guide you in the way you should go.  Rejoice and praise the Lord.  Jesus is alive and He lives in you.

11/5            Ephesians 3:7
By God’s special favor and mighty power, I have been given the wonderful privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

EVANGELISM
When you love Jesus, evangelism is simply telling others what is happening in your life.  A warm, growing relationship with Jesus cannot be hidden.  Growing in Christ will create a glowing heart.

11/6            Ephesians 3:8
Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ.

JOY
For me to have joy I must be filled with Jesus.  I can’t create joy nor can I purchase joy but Jesus freely gives each one of us joy.  Fear destroys us.  Jesus rebuilds us.  Ask Christ for joy today and accept His joy when He gives it to you.  Another result of living a life of joy is the forth telling about Christ to everyone we meet.  We share our joy by the way we look, what we say, how we say it and give it to everyone.

11/7            Ephesians 3:9
I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

PLAN
God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ was designed just for you.  His plan is eternal and is a plan for abundant living.  Jesus loves you.  Accept His love and give it to everyone you meet.  Abundant living, life in Christ, is the way that all of us can live if we let Jesus have control of us.

11/8            Ephesians 3:10-11
God’s purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church.  This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

UNITY
People talk about unity.  They seek to create unity by demanding uniformity.  Our unity is in Christ.  He has brought us into the family of God.  We are one in Christ.  He creates unity and we rejoice in it.

11/9            Ephesians 3:12
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.

WELCOME
We are welcome in God’s house.  His council chamber is open to us.  We can approach His throne.  Christ did this for us.  His blood was shed for me and you and paid the price of our sin.  Because we are cleansed by Jesus we can worship the Lord and experience Him as our Father.  We have a relationship with God.

11/10          Ephesians 3:13
So please don’t despair because of what they are doing to me here. It is for you that I am suffering, so you should feel honored and encouraged.

SUFFERING
We will suffer for our choice of Christ as our Lord and Savior but Christ will see us through it in this life and take us into eternity with Him when our date comes.  We have the privilege of suffering for others as Jesus suffers for us.  This is a choice that we have to make; it will not be pushed on us.  Think carefully about suffering and grow in Christ.  At the right time you will be privileged to suffer for others.

11/11          Ephesians 3:14-15
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

GOD
We speak to the Lord and He listens to us.  That alone is a majestic thought.  Some people spend their entire life trying to know important people.  We know THE ONE who is Lord and Savior and HE really loves us.

11/12          Ephesians 3:16
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

ASK
Ask the Lord for what you need.  Especially ask Him for peace and joy.  The Holy Spirit will build in you what you need to be and do all that the Lord has called you to do.  Pray for the hurting, the lonely, and the poor.  Pray for our leaders.  Pray that you will accept the strength that the Lord has available for you.

11/13          Ephesians 3:17
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

GREAT
God’s love is great.  It is bigger than we can imagine and even more than that.  It is immeasurable, infinite and big.  Take your problems to the Lord.  Put them on Him.  He will help you.  He will deal with your problems.  He loves you.

11/14          Ephesians 3:19
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

LOVE
Love unleashes the power that the Lord has for us.  He is able to give us all that we need and cannot earn and this great gift flourishes in us.  We are equipped to love because we are so loved.  When we love people we grow.  As we grow the fullness of life and power explode within us empowering us to be exactly the person God created us to be.

11/15          Ephesians 3:20-21
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

FULL
Our life can be full to overflowing with Christ.  Christ in us is the key to dealing with everything we face in life.  When you are overwhelmed or defeated; feeling victorious or superior that is the time to get closer to Jesus.  Let Jesus have your attention.  He will direct you in the path you should go.

11/16          Ephesians 4:1
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

HUMILITY
We must choose to be humble.  Look at other people with love and appreciation.  Begin to see them as special to the Lord.  Choose to honor others and to be genuine with them.  Give them the same courtesy you would give yourself.  When you do you will find that you are living a life worthy of your calling.

11/17          Ephesians 4:3
Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.

UNITY
Unity is achieved by valuing people and working together with them.  We cannot do the work the Lord has called us to by ourselves.  We need people.  Jesus died for people.  We honor Him by honoring others.  The result is unity in the Holy Spirit. Unity is easy when we live a life that is focused on Jesus.

11/18          Ephesians 4:4
We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.

GOAL
Jesus glorified is our goal.  He is our creator.  In Him all things exist.  We are with Him now.  Think about Him.  Now take Him your problems.

11/19          Ephesians 4:5-6
There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.

ONE
In Christ we are in the Family of God.  We pray to Jesus.  We walk with Jesus.  We grow in Christ.  We do all of these things and we are indeed dealing with God.  Jesus is Lord.  He is Lord of all things including our world.  He is personal.  He is interested in us and will deal with us individually.  He knows us, our name, our actions, our hurts, our sin and He still loves us.

11/20          Ephesians 4:7-9
However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.  That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”  Notice that it says “he ascended.” This means that Christ first came down to the lowly world in which we live.

YOU
Jesus came for you.  He stepped down into this world knowing that you needed Him.  He came looking for you.  Has He found you?  If He has rejoice today but if you are still wandering on your own ask Jesus to come into your life.

11/21          Ephesians 4:10
The same one who came down is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that his rule might fill the entire universe.

RULER
Jesus is the ruler over all things.  But He loves you and me.  He cares for every part of our life.  If we are troubled He listens to us.  When we fail He will comfort us.  Jesus is alive and He is willing to guide our life if we will let Him.  Today you can talk with Him about your life.  Remember those in need around you.  Believe in Him and He will change your life.

11/22          Ephesians 4:11-14
He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.  Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.

ROCK
Jesus is our Rock.  He gives us strength to face the challenges of life.  His Word is always true.  His place is always with us.  He will not forsake us.  He knows all about us.  He is our friend and Lord.  He is worthy of all of our devotion and He will never leave us.

11/23          Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

FOCUS
When we focus our heart and mind on Jesus we will know the truth.  We will not be disappointed.  He will guide us in the right way.  We will be useful and we will do the right things.  As we live a focused life we will grow in Christ likeness and we will love one another.

11/24          Ephesians 4:16
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

COMPLETE
We are complete in Jesus.  There is nothing we need for our spiritual life but Jesus.  He is God’s everything.  We start with Jesus, we grow with Jesus and one day we will go home to be with Jesus.  He is Lord and worthy to be Lord of our life.

11/25          Ephesians 4:17-19
With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused.  Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.  They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.

GODLY
The Godly are becoming like Jesus.  Jesus suffered and died for the lost giving His life for them.  Can we do any less?  We are called to a life of caring and service.  We are to reach out to those around us not because they are easy to love but because Jesus first loved us.  His love redeemed us from sin.  He has put us into a right relationship with God.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  Therefore we are to love and care for the lost.

11/26          Ephesians 4:20-22
But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ.  Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.

PRACTICAL
Practical sanctification is the process of our working out in our daily life what the Lord is putting into us, where we walk, what we say and who we live life together with.  We were saved by grace, positional sanctification, and we will never have to worry about our salvation.  But we are called to become more like Jesus every day.  This is an act of the will.  Am I going to let Jesus have control of me?  I choose every minute of every day how much I will let the Lord Jesus have of me.  He wants all of me.

11/27          Ephesians 4:23-25
Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness ? righteous, holy, and true.  So put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth”  because we belong to each other.

ATTITUDE
We celebrate Thanksgiving in America today.  We are truly thankful for so many things, chief of which is the Lord Jesus.  An attitude of gratitude goes a long way in becoming more like Jesus.  It will help us each day to deal with the deceitfulness of the enemy.  We have everything we need in Jesus.

11/28          Ephesians 4:26-29
And “don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.”  Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.  If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

PRACTICAL
Practical sanctification is simply bringing everything I say and do under the control of the Lord Jesus.  Will I do it His way?  Will I go at His pace?  Do I really believe that what I am doing is important?  There are many more questions dealing with our practical sanctification.  Ask them and change.  Let Jesus have control of you.

11/29          Ephesians 4:30-31
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.

JOY
Bring joy and you will have joy.  An interesting thought, be a friend to have a friend.  Live like Jesus calls us to live.  Throwing ourselves into His care is the only way we will succeed.  This old world is a wicked place and the world will do you in unless you let Jesus have control of your life.

11/30          Ephesians 4:32
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

HUMILITY
People are self-centered.  They evaluate relationships based on how a person helps or facilitates them.  Jesus calls us to love one another including those who do not like us.  We can learn to be forgiving.  Ask the Lord to give you a forgiving heart.

10/1            Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba as a ransom for your freedom.

DIFFICULT
Our lives are difficult at best.  We become desensitized to the spiritual world.  We forget the lessons of our Biblical faith easily.  Remember His promises.  Remember that you belong to the Lord.  Return to Him and He will comfort you.  Our relationship with Him is where real freedom is found.

10/2            Isaiah 43:4-7
Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.  “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth.  All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”

PRICE
The price for spiritual freedom is a costly price.  It has been prepaid for us by Jesus.  We think we can do anything but we are weak and foolish.  Only Jesus can pay the price that will give us life.  Jesus is Lord.

10/3            Isaiah 43:8-11
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.  Gather the nations together! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Can any of them predict something even a single day in advance? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth?  “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD. “And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be.  I am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.

CHOOSE
Choose the Lord.  Choose Him as your Lord.  He is the only God.  He is the only one who is alive.  He is the only one who can save you.  Choose the Lord.

10/4            Isaiah 43:12-18
First I predicted your deliverance; I declared what I would do, and then I did it ? I saved you. No foreign god has ever done this before. You are witnesses that I am the only God,” says the LORD.  “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions.”  The LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: “For your sakes I will send an invading army against Babylon. And the Babylonians will be forced to flee in those ships they are so proud of.  I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King.  I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.  I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.  “But forget all that ? it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

SALVATION
There is salvation in Jesus and in no one else.  He is Lord.  He has paid the price for our redemption.  Only Jesus can give us a relationship with the Father.  Jesus is Lord and He gives us everything we need to lead a Godly life.  When we walk with Jesus we are walking in the true path.  He is the way.

10/5            Isaiah 43:19.
For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!

LIFE
Jesus is the water of life.  In Him we find all the we need for a victorious Christian life.  He is Lord and He is able to save us.  We seek Him daily.  We let Him have control of us.  He will mold us and make us into what the Father intended us to be-like Jesus.  Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all your ways.

10/6            Isaiah 43:20-24
The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and ostriches, too, for giving them water in the wilderness. Yes, I will make springs in the desert, so that my chosen people can be refreshed.  I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.  “But, my dear people, you refuse to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me!  You have not brought me lambs for burnt offerings. You have not honored me with sacrifices, though I have not burdened and wearied you with my requests for grain offerings and incense.  You have not brought me fragrant incense or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your faults.

STAY
Stay with Jesus and focus on Him.  Too many want to move on to the next thing-a miracle, a gift, another person.  Do not move on-Stay with Jesus and He will stay with you.  He is alive and able to give us new life.  He will give us light for living.  In Him we have access to the Father.  Trust in the Lord Jesus.

10/7            Isaiah 43:25-28
“I yes, I alone am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.  Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case if you have one.  From the very beginning, your ancestors sinned against me?  All your leaders broke my laws.  That is why I have disgraced your priests and assigned Israel a future of complete destruction and shame.

OBEDIENCE
The Lord expects us to obey Him.  He loves people.  With Him people are first.  He never overlooks the person.  Religion elevates tradition over people.  Our leaders assume a position of authority that is reserved for the Lord and Him alone.  He is interested that we love Him and love one another.

10/8            Psalm 66:1-2
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!  Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.

GLORIOUS
Glorious is our Lord.  He made us in His image glory to His name.  He cares about us and would that all of us might be saved.  Praise the Lord for He is indeed glorious.  He provides us with light for living and life eternal.  Praise be the name of the Lord for He is a glorious and praiseworthy Lord.

10/9            Psalm 66:3.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.

AWESOME
God is awesome.  He is beyond our ability to describe.  He is greater than great, kinder than kind and bigger than big.  We cannot see Him but we know Him in Jesus.  He loves us more than we can imagine and is more involved in our personal daily life than we see.  God is awesome.  When I think of this and contemplate this it lifts my spirits to know that my God who is awesome cares for me.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  My God is awesome.

10/10          Psalm 66:4.
Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.”

WHEN
One day everything will worship the Lord.  On that day no one will have any doubt that there is a Lord overall.  He is Lord and He is able to rule.  His rule is not questionable but we can choose to reject Him.  That choice of rejection will one day be finalized by our death or His return.  It is unchangeable and final then.  Think about your life and your choice.  Choose the Lord.  Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sin if you haven’t already and accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life.

10/11          Psalm 66:5-7
Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people!  He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. Come, let us rejoice in who he is.  For by his great power he rules forever. He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance.

MIRACLES
Are you able to remember the miracles the Lord has done in your life?  Did you write them down, date them and now do you review them from time to time?  This is important for us to recognize the Lord’s activity in our life.  We don’t want to let the world rob us of the joy of His activity in our life.  The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy.  The Lord is for us and would that we lead an abundant life.  Rejoice in His activity in your life.

10/12          Psalm 66:8.
Let the whole world bless our God and sing aloud his praises.

PRAISE
Praise for God is good and is something we can do anytime of the day or night.  We can praise Him in good times and in bad times.  We are aliens passing through the veil of tears and one day will stand before Him face to face.  Praise God for life and His presence.  Praise God for loving you.  Praise Him for His forgiveness.  Praise God for waking you up today.  All praise, honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for He is worthy of all of our praise.

10/13          Psalm 66:9.
Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

ACTIVE
The Lord is active in the life of each one of His children.  Recognize it, remember it and recite it.  There is power and confidence in being able to see His activity.  Claim His promises and don’t back up.  The Lord is for you.

10/14          Psalm 66:10-15
You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver melted in a crucible.  You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs.  You sent troops to ride across our broken bodies. We went through fire and flood. But you brought us to a place of great abundance.  Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you, yes, the sacred vows you heard me make when I was in deep trouble.  That is why I am sacrificing burnt offerings to you the best of my rams as a pleasing aroma. And I will sacrifice bulls and goats.

CONTROL
The Lord is in control.  He will never leave you.  Do not fear when troubles come.  Every thought that the Lord has towards you is a thought for good.

10/15          Psalm 66:16.
Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.

RESPECT
The Lord is good.  He is long suffering.  He forgives our sin.  He comforts us in time of trouble.  He is real.  He is involved in our daily life.  He has done great things for us.  Think for a moment of all that the Lord has done for you.

10/16          Psalm 66:17
For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.

PRAISE
We sometimes forget the importance of praise.  The Lord is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.  His presence is often strongly sensed when we are praising Him.  Its not that He needs us to praise Him, rather it is we need to praise Him so that our attitude for listening is in the proper position.  Our pride and stiff neck is such an obstacle to fellowship with the Lord.  Praise Him with your heart and soul and listen as you praise.  The Lord will be there.

10/17          Psalm 66:18
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.

CLEANSING
Confession is required for us to hear the Lord.  It must be from you heart and you must follow through with a change in your life-confession is agreeing with God and changing your direction.  A clean heart oh Lord create in me.

10/18          Psalm 66:19
But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.

THANK YOU
Rejoice and be grateful when the Lord listens to you.  Thank Him profusely for His attention and most of all for letting you know His action.  The Lord is good and He hears our prayers and when we know it, it is time for rejoicing.  His presence lifts me up.  His attention is overwhelming.  Thank you Lord for loving me.

10/19          Psalm 66:20
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.

PRAISE
We have so many things for which we can be thankful.  Praise the Lord for waking us up today.  Praise Him for the complexity and magnificence of the human body.  Praise Him for life itself and the way He has blessed us with salvation.  Praise the Lord for His watchcare and His activity in our lives.  Praise the Lord with every breath you have.  Praise the Lord.

10/20          Ephesians 2:1-2
Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins.  You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

GUILTY
We are all guilty.  We are each guilty.  Corporately and individually we have sinned and come under condemnation.  We have nothing we can offer to Him that could induce Him to forgive us.  All around us is the spirit of evil and separation.  We are dead in our trespasses and sin and wobbling our own way.  We weren’t looking for God we just wanted our own way.  But that was then and this is now, now we are saved by His wonderful grace.  Praise the Lord.

10/21          Ephesians 2:3-5
All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.  But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!)

SALVATION
What a gift.  What a savior.  He loved us while we were still dead in our sin and still He died for us.  What a savior.  What a privilege.  What a great blessing we have in Jesus.  Thank the Lord, praise Him for the wonderful gift of salvation in Jesus our Lord.

10/22          Ephesians 2:6-7
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms all because we are one with Christ Jesus.  And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

GRATITUDE
Father we are so blessed to know you.  How can we thank you for the wonderful gift of salvation.  I know, we can love and cherish you.  We can praise you.  We can obey you.  Obedience is a worthy gift we can give to the Lord everyday.

10/23          Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

FREE
Jesus came looking for you and me.  We were going our own way, dead in our trespasses and sin and Jesus came looking for us.  He offered us family membership: forgiveness and life as a free gift.  Thank you Lord that you opened our eyes. We are so grateful to receive this glorious gift of salvation.

10/24          Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

LIFE
Our life is important.  We are valuable and each one of us has a unique plan that the Lord is working out in our daily life.  What joy we can find by obeying His plan.  We simply ask Him where He wants us and what He wants us to do and He will tell us.  He will tell us in a way we can understand.  In my own life I have wasted so many hours running after activities that I didn’t ask about.  Like many others my initial reaction is to go and get directions later.  How joyous for us when we stop and ask Him for direction and then go.  Our lives count when we follow Jesus.

10/25          Ephesians 2:11-12
Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called “the uncircumcised ones” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.  In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God’s people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

DARKNESS
Life with Jesus is real darkness.  How sad the world is.  How overrun with evil and mistreatment.  People are dying and going to hell every second of every day.  They need Jesus.  Pray that the Lord will use you to tell His story.

10/26          Ephesians 2:13-14
But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.  For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.

NEAR
We are near the Lord.  We are near because He brought us near.  We are all near.  Each one of us is beloved of God and special to Him.  Our value and worth is so much more than we will ever know.  But we can learn most about value in the way we treat others.  To make someone feel important and love multiplies our sense of importance and worth.  Be a friend and you will have a friend.  Give value and worth to others and you will be valuable.

10/27          Ephesians 2:15
By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups.

ONE
We are one in Christ.  Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves us.  He loves you.  We are one in Christ.

10/28          Ephesians 2:16
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

GIFT
The Father’s gift was life.  In Christ we have real life, life right now and life forever.  His life is in us.  When we accept the gift of life in Christ it gives us the right to have access to the Father.  Jesus paid the price for our sin and is the One who provides forgiveness and cleansing for us moment by moment.  Real life is precious.  We have joy and peace.  Our joy equips us to face the day no matter what.  Our peace is a declaration by God that we are no longer at war with Him and are now members of His family.

10/29          Ephesians 2:17-18
He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near.  Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

ONE
We are one in Christ.  We belong to Him and He belongs to us.  The ground at the foot of the Cross is level.  We all have the same access to life, Jesus.  Jesus is Lord and our elder brother.  In Christ we become more than conquerors and are equipped to live an abundant life.

10/30 Ephesians 2:19
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

MEMBERSHIP
People love to have membership in clubs, the military, a country and many other organizations.  We are members of a family, a race and so on.  When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sin and accept the free gift of life we automatically have membership in the family of God.  In this world that may not appear to be important.  In truth its importance is significant because it gives us access to all of the promises of God.  We belong to Him and He has made us a part of His family.  Praise the Lord for He is worthy of all of our praise.

10/31          Ephesians 2:20-22
We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.  We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.  Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

BELIEVER
A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has many benefits.  We have membership in the family of God and we become a member of His church here in this world.  Christ lives in us.  He is part of us.  He is Lord and gives us everything we need for real life.

09/01          Romans 3: 1-2
Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the Jewish ceremony of circumcision?  Yes, being a Jew has many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

ADVANTAGE
They had the Law and they didn’t change.  You can change because you have Jesus.  He lives in you and brings you life and light for living.

09/02          Romans 3: 3-4
True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises?  Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say, “He will be proved right in what he says, and he will win his case in court.”

TRUE
God is always truthful.  His Word is right and just.  He will never break His promises.  He has promised eternal life to you and me.  This is a true statement, one we can count on and trust.  Jesus is alive and a light for us to follow.

09/03          Romans 3: 5-6
“But,” some say, “our sins serve a good purpose, for people will see God’s goodness when he declares us sinners to be innocent. Isn’t it unfair, then, for God to punish us?” (That is actually the way some people talk.)  Of course not! If God is not just, how is he qualified to judge the world?

FOOLISH
People are foolish.  They always think that God would think like they do.  Our thinking is so very shallow and so limited by our lack of knowledge.  The future is as clear to God as the past.  He knows all things and out of His perfect knowledge He is able to deal with us appropriately.  We can trust the Lord.

09/04          Romans 3: 7-8
“But,” some might still argue, “how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?”  If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!

TRUTH
Our unbelief does not stymie the Lord.  All He does is right.  His wisdom is beyond anything we can think.  Our sin only besmirches our life.  Every person is individually responsible for their life to God.

09/05          Romans 3: 9
Well then, are we Jews better than others?  No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.

SIN
Sin is more powerful than people ever realize.  It is able to destroy us eternally.  Only Jesus can overcome our sin.  Only Christ can forgive us of our sin and renew a right relationship between us and God.  Jesus is Lord of all.

09/06          Romans 3: 10-12
As the Scriptures say, “No one is good – not even one.  No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God.  All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one.”

LIFE
People are dead in their trespasses and sin.  They cannot overcome the power of sin.  They are enslaved to sin and it is their master.  But, Jesus breaks the power of sin.  We must turn to Him and give our life to Him.  In surrender He gives us power over that which enslaves us, our sin.

09/07          Romans 3: 13-18
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their speech is filled with lies.” “The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips.”   “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”   “They are quick to commit murder.  Wherever they go, destruction and misery follow them.  They do not know what true peace is.”   “They have no fear of God to restrain them.”

EVIL
Evil is always at work.  It seeks to disguise itself.  It would have us think that it is gone.  It always rears its ugly persona when people least expect.  Evil is always evil.  It cannot be bartered with.  Its price is always ones soul.  Only Jesus can deal with evil.  Only Jesus can save us from our sin.

09/08          Romans 3: 19
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God.

LAW
The Law is right and just.  It is complete and exact.  We cannot live up to the Law because it is harsh and complete.  Only when we bend the knee to Jesus do we have any way of dealing with the Law.  Jesus is our Savior and Lord.

09/09          Romans 3: 20
For no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it.

DISOBEDIENCE
Disobedience is mankind’s stock in trade.  Everyone is disobedient.  We are constantly breaking God’s Law.  We cannot live up to it.  We cannot save ourselves.  Only Jesus can save us.  Only the Lord Jesus can give us what we need and cannot earn-His precious gift of salvation.

09/10          Romans 3: 21
But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight – not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago.

GRACE
God’s way has always been the same.  Our relationship is based upon His grace and mercy.  The Lord Jesus, our anointed Savior has always been and always will be Lord.  In Christ we live and move and breathe.  He is Lord and He will be Lord of our life if we ask Him.

09/11          Romans 3: 22
We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

GIFT
Our salvation is a gift from God.  We can accept that gift but we cannot earn it.  When we accept His grace gift of family membership we also receive the power to live a Godly life.  A Godly life is a life that is in change.  We change from the way we feel or the way we want to the way God calls us to be.  God in Christ calls us to be in opposition to the world.  This world is not our home.

09/12          Romans 3: 23
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

GIFT
The free gift of salvation isn’t a cheap gift.  It cost Jesus His life.  Sin is real and it is an evil taskmaster.  We are alive in Christ and no longer dead in our trespasses and sin.  In Christ we have fellowship with the Father and are no longer unable to do anything about the sin that enslaves us.  Because of Christ we have power to lead a Godly life.

09/13          Romans 3: 24
Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.

RIGHTEOUSNESS
Our righteousness is based upon the work the Jesus did on the cross.  He is Lord and He provides for me right standing with God by His free gift of forgiveness.  His declaration is a gift.  It is a gift that covers yesterday, today and tomorrow.

09/14          Romans 3: 25
For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times.

BELIEF
Our belief is a key element in our relationship with the Lord.  If we believe He is faithful and righteous to save us.  Do you believe in Jesus?  Look at the way you live and how you act.  Are you different now than you were before you asked Jesus into your heart?  The difference begins in your heart.  Yes I believe.  Then it changes the way we think and the things we do.

09/15          Romans 3: 26
And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus.

OPTION
Everyone has the option to accept or refuse Jesus.  The Lord enables all of us to choose.  Christ makes the sacrifice.  We have the opportunity to claim this free gift of life in Christ.  If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and ask Him into your life then you are saved.  This is simple and direct.  You choose.

09/16          Romans 3: 27
Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith.

FAITH
Faith is the central element in my relationship with Jesus.  I read His Word to get to know Him.  I spend time with Him in prayer so that He can change me.  I do what He says.  Faith is the result of a life lived under His control.

09/17          Romans 3: 28
So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

FAITH
When I live in faith I become like Jesus.  I let Him have control of the elements and activities of my life.  It does not mean that my life will be easier or that I will always be on top.  It does mean that I will always walk with Him.  My life will be under His control.

09/18          Romans 3: 29-30
After all, God is not the God of the Jews only, is he? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is.  There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

SALVATION
There is only one way to be saved and that is by accepting Jesus as Lord and asking Him to save you.  This is God’s way.  He did not consult with us when He decided on this.  The truth is that He has revealed His way to us and people would rather do things their own way.

09/19          Romans 3: 31
Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

FAITH
Faith in Jesus completes us.  It enables us to come into the family of God and be a part of His family.  He is Lord and He is seeking to have fellowship with us.  Jesus enables us to have this fellowship with the Father.  It is His righteousness that we have faith in.

09/20          Romans 4:1-3
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith?  Was it because of his good deeds that God accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from God’s point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride.  For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.”

GRACE
Grace is God giving us what we need and cannot earn.  The Lord calls us.  He is seeking each one of us.  We listen and accept.  Our acceptance enables His grace to instantaneously change us.  This gift of grace changes everything about us.  We are now free to serve the Lord.  Our service is a moment by moment, day by day choice.  The longer I walk with the Lord the better equipped I become to serve.  The more I serve the better I serve.

09/21          Romans 4:4-5
When people work, their wages are not a gift. Workers earn what they receive. But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.

FAITH
I cannot see Jesus but I know Him.  I know Him because He is in my heart and has given me a new heart and light for living.  The choices that I make are made because I have faith that He has given me life.  My faith enables me to grow.  I believe He has saved me, I change by faith that He is at work in me and I live knowing that it is Jesus that is guiding me.  I am free in Christ and as I get to know Him better my freedom enables me to serve Him.  As I serve Him I get to know Him better.

09/22          Romans 4:6-8
King David spoke of this, describing the happiness of an undeserving sinner who is declared to be righteous:  “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.  Yes, what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord.”

JOY
Joy is a gift from God.  It is part of our grace gift of salvation.  All good gifts come from the Lord.  I have joy because the Lord gifts me with His joy.  Things do not bring joy because things cannot fulfill me.  Only the Lord can bring fulfillment and His presence gives me joy.

09/23          Romans 4:9-10
Now then, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it for Gentiles, too? Well, what about Abraham? We have been saying he was declared righteous by God because of his faith.  But how did his faith help him? Was he declared righteous only after he had been circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? The answer is that God accepted him first, and then he was circumcised later!

FAMILY
We are family.  Not because of our blood line but because He shed His blood.  Christ is our righteousness.  He is why we are in the family of God.  We are no longer bound in slavery to sin.  We are saved by grace through faith.  Jesus is Lord.

09/24          Romans 4:11
The circumcision ceremony was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous – even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are made right with God by faith.

JESUS
We have everything we need for a relationship with God in Jesus Christ.  Christ is our everything.  It is important that we focus our relationship and life upon Jesus.  He is seeking to build a relationship with us so that we can follow Him in the way we should go.

09/25          Romans 4:12-13
And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.  It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not based on obedience to God’s law, but on the new relationship with God that comes by faith.

RELATIONSHIP
Jesus is our friend.  He is seeking our best good.  Our time here is only a prelude to eternity.  Our relationship with Him is to equip us to live a life that is pleasing to God.  We are on a journey into eternity that begins right now.  Our friendship with Him will enable us to live an abundant life.  The chaos and indignity of this world will not swamp us nor will we be misplaced.  He knows where we are and what we need and He will help us deal with our life.

09/26          Romans 4:14-15
So if you claim that God’s promise is for those who obey God’s law and think they are “good enough” in God’s sight, then you are saying that faith is useless. And in that case, the promise is also meaningless.  But the law brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

LAW
The LAW is something that we cannot fulfill.  It is impossible for mankind to be obedient to the LAW.  What mankind cannot do the Lord can.  Jesus saves us from our sin.  He gives us life.  His love for us was before we were saved and guided us to and through the salvation experience.  His gift to us is eternal life, life like His, and an eternal relationship.  We cannot fulfill the LAW but Jesus has interceded for us.  Praise His name.  Jesus is Lord.

09/27          Romans 4:16-17
So that’s why faith is the key! God’s promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it, whether or not we follow Jewish customs, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”  This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn’t exist before.

JOY
You can have joy, this moment, this day and every day.  You can have joy because Jesus is Lord and He loves you.  Think about your life.  Whatever it has been and whatever you have done, Jesus still loves you.  You are precious to Him and worthy of His devotion and love because Jesus has chosen to love you.  It is His gift that you can receive.  Jesus loves you.

09/28          Romans 4:18-19
When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars,” even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children.

BELIEVE
Do you believe what Jesus has said?  He said that if you asked Him to save you He would.  If you believe that He will and if you have asked Him too and believe that He has then you are His child.  You inherit all of the promises that He makes to us in His Word the Bible.  This will change your life.  No longer are you at the mercy of the world.  You are a child of God.

09/29          Romans 4:20-22
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.  He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised.  And because of Abraham’s faith, God declared him to be righteous.

BELIEVE
If you believe in Jesus and believe that He created you, saved you and loves you then you are on your way to living an abundant life.  Remember that the things of this world are irrelevant in looking at our value and worth.  Value and worth are based on eternal things.  Your character is more important than the things you have.

09/30          Romans 4:23-25
Now this wonderful truth – that God declared him to be righteous – wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit.  It was for us, too, assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead.  He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.

RIGHTEOUS
Jesus makes us righteous.  When we have Jesus we have everything we need from the Father to live a valuable, worthwhile life.  Jesus in you changes everything.  Rejoice, He is alive.  Jesus is Lord.

08/01          Romans 1:1-2
This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.  This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

CHANGE
A change has come.  Jesus has changed everything.  He is our salvation, providing a new relationship with the Father.  This is Good News.  Fear not for the Lord is with us.

08/02          Romans 1:3-4
It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line.  And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.

ALIVE
Jesus is alive today.  He is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for all of those who name His name as Lord and Savior.  He is our Lord and He has saved us into the family of God.

08/03          Romans 1:5
Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

TELL
We are called to tell everyone about what the Lord has done for us.  The problem today is too many are trying to tell about a Savior that they don’t know.  The Gospel is a personal message about a personal relationship with Jesus.  If one doesn’t have a personal relationship there is nothing to tell.

08/04          Romans 1:6-7
You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.  May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

GRACE
Go to Jesus for what you need.  His grace (God giving us what we need and cannot earn) is sufficient to meet our need.  Jesus is able.  He is able because He is Lord.  Jesus is God’s everything.  Go to Him.

08/05          Romans 1:8
Let me say first of all that your faith in God is becoming known throughout the world. How I thank God through Jesus Christ for each one of you.

FAITH
Faith is the key in our relationship with Jesus.  By faith we come to Him and confess our sin.  By faith we believe that He saves us.  By faith we see beyond the physical limitations of our life to the 7,000 plus promises in God’s Word and claim them and live by that very same faith in Christ.

08/06          Romans 1:9
God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about his Son.

CONCERN
We define our circle of friends by who we are concerned about.  Jesus was concerned about the poor and the disenfranchised.  Today, find someone to pray for and comment about them in your daily prayer journal.  Add them to your prayer list and pray earnestly for them each day for a month.  At the end of the month write about them again and compare your comments from the beginning.

08/07          Romans 1:10-12
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.  For I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord.  I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.

PRAYER
Pray for your friends.  We often don’t know what to pray about and someone praying for you may be just the thing you need.  Pray for one another as if for yourself.  Pray for a blessing on your friends.  Pray for the Lord’s will in their life.  When we get our eyes off ourselves and pray for others we wind up blessing ourselves.
08/08          Romans 1:13
I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see good results, just as I have done among other Gentiles.

MINISTRY
Learn to minister to others.  Think about what the Lord would have you do.  Take every opportunity to encourage a others.  Your word of encouragement may make the difference in someone’s life.

08/09          Romans 1:14-15
For I have a great sense of obligation to people in our culture and to people in other cultures, to the educated and uneducated alike.  So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach God’s Good News.

DEBT
We owe a debt of kindness and ministry to others.  Remember that everyone you meet has the same kind of needs that you have.  People need people.

08/10          Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – Jews first and also Gentiles.

SALVATION
People need Jesus.  Without Jesus there is no reconciliation with the Father.  Christ is God’s only way for saving mankind.  We can trust this and believe it.  When we believe it we share it.  Sharing Christ is the normal Christian life.

08/11          Romans 1:17
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

FAITH
Jesus shed his blood for me and you.  His shed blood paid a price we couldn’t pay-He paid for our sin.  When I believe this and ask Him to forgive me of my sin I am saved.  His forgiveness gives me life.  By faith in the work that Jesus has done in saving me I have new life.

08/12          Romans 1:18
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.

LOST
Mankind is dead in their sin.  They do not have a relationship with God.  This is tragic and yet true.  It is a condition that Jesus said we should be willing to pay any price to change.  It is truly sad when someone dies without Jesus.  Yet salvation is a free gift from Jesus to mankind.  Anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and believes that Jesus has saved them may be saved.  Ask and you shall be saved.

08/13          Romans 1:19-21
For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.  God has put this knowledge in their hearts.  From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.  Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

EXCUSES
Any excuse is as good as another.  The truth is that mankind is without excuse.  Jesus is the only way that a person can be saved.  We have a call to acceptance-ask Jesus to forgive your sin and save you.  We have a call to worship-Jesus is Lord.

08/14          Romans 1:22-23
Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.

DEAD
Lost people are dead in their trespasses and sin.  They are living in darkness and naturally fight against the things of God.  Without Christ the world is lost.  Without salvation there is no life.  Jesus saves.  That is the truth.

08/15          Romans 1:24-25
So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

WORLD
The world always acts like the world.  Read the paper.  Listen to television.  That is the world.  It is alone, chaotic, and lost.  The philosophy of the world is life and hard and then it all ends.  Belief in Christ gives you hope for tomorrow.  Following Jesus has you heading for the light every day.

08/16          Romans 1:26-27
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

LOST
Lost people always behave like lost people.  You and I cannot waste our time trying to make lost people act like Christians.  Our call is to spend our time caring for a lost world.  We need to pray for the lost.  We need to learn to love the lost as Jesus did.

08/17          Romans 1:28-30
When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.

LOOK
Look around you.  This passage was written nearly 2,000 years ago and yet it is as though it is a newspaper headline today.  Sin is always rampant in the world.  We are called to grow in Christ.  We are to be in the world but not of the world.  Care for the lost.  Suffer for Christ.  Get to know Him better.  When we know Jesus we will change the world.

08/18          Romans 1:31-32
They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

RESPECT
We know Jesus and have the utmost admiration and respect for the Father.  The world doesn’t know Jesus therefore it has little or no respect for the Father.  Lost people act like lost people.  Pray with me for the lost.  Pray that the Lord will send many more of His children to seek the lost.

08/19          Romans 2:1
You may be saying, “What terrible people you have been talking about!” But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things.

SIN
Sin is pervasive and evil.  It taints everything it comes into contact with even the children of light.  Yes we know Jesus and we are seeking to grow in Christ but the truth is we still struggle with sin.  Sin is real, destructive and it impacts all of us.  Don’t deny your sin, take it to Jesus.  Ask Him to identify the sin in your life and help you get rid of it.  Now is the time.

08/20          Romans 2:2-3
And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too?

PUNISHMENT
We choose our punishment.  The rules have been set in place by the Lord.  When we violate rules we suffer the consequences.  Choose the Lord and His way.  Turn from going your on way and follow Jesus.

08/21          Romans 2:4-6
Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?  But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done.

TIME
Time seems to run on forever and at the same time passes so quickly.  Right now is the time for us to repent and turn from our sin.  Now is the only time we have.  If you have not asked Christ into your heart do it now.  If you have strayed from fellowship with Jesus ask Him to forgive you.  Turn from your own way and follow Christ.  Do it now.

08/22          Romans 2:7-8
He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.  But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.

UNDERSTANDING
We do not think with spiritual minds.  We need wisdom from God to function in the spiritual realm.  Paul is seeking to communicate to us the way the spiritual works.  God has defined the rules for life.  When we violate those rules we incur a penalty.  It is not a choice the Lord makes but is in fact a choice we make.  Will we follow His rules or do we choose to follow our own rules.  When we follow our own way we are in violation of His rules.  Anger and wrath is something we choose to experience.  The Lord would that we receive His love.  Jesus loves you.  Choose His love.

08/23          Romans 2:9-12
There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning – for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.  But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good – for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.  For God does not show favoritism.  God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they never had God’s written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law.

WORLD
Everyone has troubles and difficulties.  All sin.  We need to change.  Let Jesus have control of your life.  He will help you change and stand fast in the face of troubles and difficulties.

08/24          Romans 2:13-14
For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God’s approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God’s sight.  Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.

KNOWLEDGE
People cannot work out their own way to be saved.  We can choose our own way but the end of that is destruction.   God has declared that there is one way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Lord.

08/25          Romans 2:15-16
They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.  The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.

JUDGMENT
Judgment is certain.  Life is available.  Choose this day whom you shall follow.  Remember it is your right to choose.  Choose Jesus.

08/26          Romans 2:17-18
If you are a Jew, you are relying on God’s law for your special relationship with him. You boast that all is well between yourself and God.  Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong because you have been taught his law.

LAW
We cannot live up to the requirements of the Law.  Jesus has fulfilled those requirements for us.  We can accept His free gift of salvation.  Jesus is the only way.  Ask Him to forgive you of your sins.  Accept Him as Lord of your life.

08/27          Romans 2:19-21
You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God.  You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that in God’s law you have complete knowledge and truth.  Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?

REVIEW
Take stock of your life.  How do you treat yourself?  Are you prayed up?  Is your focus on Jesus?  Be careful how you give advice especially if you aren’t following it.

08/28          Romans 2:22
You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you do it? You condemn idolatry, but do you steal from pagan temples?

TRANSPARENT
Be transparent.  When you aren’t others know it.  People need to be encouraged.  People need a good example.  Forget the railing speeches of condemnation.  Pray for others.  Care for others.  Be a people person.  People count with Jesus.

08/29          Romans 2:23-24
You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.  No wonder the Scriptures say, “The world blasphemes the name of God because of you.”

HOLY
God is holy and always acts the same way.  Jesus died for a lost world.  He seeks the lost.  He brings healing to the hurting.  He cares about people.  Day by day we are to grow in our ability to care about and for people.

08/30          Romans 2:25-27
The Jewish ceremony of circumcision is worth something only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.  And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God give them all the rights and honors of being his own people?  In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will be much better off than you Jews who are circumcised and know so much about God’s law but don’t obey it.

RELIGION
Be sure you are following Jesus.  If all we have is religion and all we follow is religious tradition we are not following Jesus.  Jesus loves people.  Jesus cares for me and you.  Jesus is the way and the truth.  Who are you following?

08/31          Romans 2:28-29
For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.  No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.

SALVATION
Salvation is a change.  We accept God’s free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.  Then our life is changed forever.  We have a new heart and a new life.  Christ is the center of our life.  When we accept Christ we change our life.