Author - Clay Corvin

2/1/04 Jude 1:24
And now, all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and who will bring you into his glorious presence innocent of sin and with great joy.

TRUST
Trust God.  Read His Word.  Get to know His voice.  Deceivers will be evident when we know the voice of the Living Lord Jesus.  Trust the Lord and He will not fail you.

2/2/04  3 John 1:4
I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth.

TRUTH
When we know Jesus we will know the truth.  The world is always trying to deceive.  The only way we can make wise decisions and not fall into deadly sin is to listen to the Lord Jesus and obey Him.

2/3/04  2 John 1:12
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.

TRUTH
There is a great deal of false teaching in the world.  You and I must grow in Christ and combat false teaching that can trap us to live ungodly lives.  If I will spend time with Jesus, false teaching will always be evident.  If I have a question about what I am doing or the way I am living I can ask the Lord and He will correct my life.  Our life must always square with the Word of God.  If it doesn’t we are living an ungodly life.

2/4/04  1 John 1:4
We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete.

TRUTH
Truth is the basis for our fellowship with the Lord and with each other.  If I know the truth of God and practice the truth then I can live in fellowship.  If I am ignorant of God’s truth or do not practice the truth then I am out of fellowship.  The truth is in the Word of God and is given to us by Jesus.

2/5/04  1 Peter 4:13
Instead, be very glad – because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.

TRIALS
When we suffer for Jesus, He will be with us.  Suffering prepares me for the next opportunity of service.  Suffering is always an opportunity for growth.  Suffering itself is not enjoyable but when I suffer for Jesus my life will be changed.  I will know Him better.  The end result is that I will be stronger and more useable.

2/6/04  1 Peter 1:8
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

JESUS
One of the common phrases of the day is “seeing is believing.”  We see Jesus.  We see Him as He works in our hearts.  We see Him as He ministers to our hurts and heartaches.  His hand is visible as He works in our lives directly and through others.  Jesus is alive.

2/7/04    1 Peter 1:6
So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.

SUFFERING
I don’t like to suffer.  But when I feel the hand of the oppression of evil and know that I have not been the cause of what I am going through I remind myself to take heart.  For the moment it is painful.  For a short time there will be dark clouds.  But the Lord will use this time of trouble to help me grow.  I will see His love, I will feel His encouragement and I will be better equipped to serve the Lord.

2/8/04  James 1:2
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.

SUFFERING
Evil is always seeking to destroy each one of us.  Don’t be surprised when trouble comes to you.  Instead, use this experience as an opportunity to speak with the Lord.  Talk with Him specifically about what you think.  Explain your reasoning even if it is through tears.  Then listen, trust and learn.  Once you see the Lord at work in your problems you will begin to see Him at work in your everyday life.  The more you recognize the activity of the Lord in your life the stronger you will become in serving Him.

2/9/04  Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.

SUFFERING
We are victorious in suffering when we trust the Lord.  The suffering and trouble may continue but our love for Jesus grows.  God loves me.  God is always good.  As this confidence grows in my heart my ability to express my love for Jesus and experience His love for me will grow.  Jesus loves me.

2/10/04            Hebrews 10:34
You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity.

SUFFERING
When your trouble is more than you can stand and your suffering is overwhelming ask the Lord to help you see just a little glimpse of heaven.  Heaven is where we will see Jesus face to face.  Heaven is where we will know the Lord without any limitation.  Just a little glimpse of heaven will help you to survive through your troubles and thrive.  We are just passing through and heaven is our home.

2/11/04            Hebrews 1:9
You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”

EVIL
I want to be able to hate evil.  I want to see evil for the vile and venomous thing that it is.  Never again do I want to cozy up to my secret sin.  No more will I set aside my time with Jesus for a little reveling in evil.  Evil looks good but it conceals death.  Help me Lord to always be focused on You.  The Lord Jesus is life and light and is worthy of all our attention.

2/12/04            Philemon 1:7
I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

ENCOURAGEMENT
People always need encouragement.  I can be an encourager.  I can affirm others value and worth by listening to them, showing them respect, asking their opinion, and in many other ways that clearly express my value of them.  Also, I can be kind.  Kindness is a habit.  It is a good habit.  It is inexpensive but valuable.  Kindness is simple and yet speaks to the complex depths of the human heart.  I am representing Jesus in all that I do.

2/13/04            2 Timothy 1:4
I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

FRIENDSHIP
Christ brings people together.  My Christian brothers and sisters will be with me in eternity with Jesus.  It is important for me to build friendships today that will be eternal relationships.  Jesus loves each one of us and you are a treasure in human form.  I want to value what Jesus values.  The Lord Jesus values friendships.

2/14/04            1 Thessalonians 3:9
How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God.

GRATITUDE
We have a choice.  We can ignore the people around us and miss many opportunities for growth.  Or we can choose to see those around us as blessings from the Lord and interact with them accordingly.  One of the most amazing experiences you will ever have is to see people respond positively to being treated positively.  We are always where we are.  Where we are is the place where we should be praying, serving and rejoicing.

2/15/04            1 Thessalonians 3:6
Now Timothy has just returned, bringing the good news that your faith and love are as strong as ever. He reports that you remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you.

SERVICE
I can serve the Lord where I am placed.  Those that I serve with will become closer than I could have ever imagined.  When they go elsewhere to serve it is a personal loss.  I should pray for them.  Any opportunity to visit with them will bring great joy.  God loves people most of all.

2/16/04            1 Thessalonians 2:20
For you are our pride and joy.

PEOPLE
People count with the Lord.  People are eternal.  We are here to serve people.  Our growth is focused on helping us build our relationship with the Lord and learning to serve the ones Jesus died for.  Jesus loves me.  I need to be constantly growing in my ability to love and serve people.

2/17/04            1 Thessalonians 2:19
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again.

PEOPLE
The focus of the Christian life is to become more like Jesus.  Jesus died for people.  He is the Creator and has chosen to use you and me to reach the lost and build the family of God.  I am a bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am responsible to care for His children.

2/18/04            1 Thessalonians 1:6
So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

SUFFERING
Suffering is a normal part of the Christian life.  I will suffer because I care for the lost.  I will suffer because I bring light into a dark world.  I am always striving to share the Gospel because I love people.  Lost people will often respond negatively to me, even when I struggle to serve them.  Saved people will sometimes respond negatively to me because they are human.  Suffering is real and it is normal.

2/19/04            Colossians 1:11
We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy,

HOLY SPIRIT
The Lord will be with you as you seek to grow.  The Holy Spirit will help you deal with the negative aspects of your life and the negative ways that people may choose to deal with you.  Jesus is Lord and He will equip you to lead an abundant life.

2/20/04            Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.

JESUS
On a tough day, during hard times, I turn to Jesus.  I spend time with Him.  I open the Word of God and let the Lord speak to my heart.  As I seek refuge in Christ I find joy which changes my emotions and refocuses my perspective.  I am reminded of whose I am and of where I am headed.  I am just a pilgrim representing the Lord here on earth.  Jesus is Lord.

2/21/04            Psalm 9:2
I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

JOY
Joy does not come from things or emotions.  It is the result of the activity of the Living Lord in our hearts.  When I spend time with the Lord and surrender my will to His the result is an abiding sense of the Father’s love and concern.  When I have the right perspective, Jesus as Lord, then I will have real joy in my life.

2/22/04            Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

JOY
I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sin and take control of my life.  When I did this I became a member of the family of God.  God loves me.  He will spend time with me.  I have a once and forever relationship with Jesus and will eternally be with Him.  That is real joy, knowing that the Lord loves me and holds me in the palm of His hand.

2/23/04            Psalm 19:8
The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life.

LIFE
My life belongs to Jesus.  All that I do and have belongs to Him.  I am valuable and my life is worthwhile because I belong to the Lord.  If I obey the Lord, live by His commandments and do the things that I can, I will have a successful life.  If I live my life focused on what I can’t do or don’t have, the evil one will always have control of me.  I will not have joy but instead will lead a life of desperation.  God loves me and obedience to the Lord will produce joy in my life.

2/24/04            Psalm 21:6
You have endowed him with eternal blessings. You have given him the joy of being in your presence.

JOY
Everything I have and all of my gifts and skills belong to the Lord.  What I don’t have and cannot do are not the things that control me.  My life belongs to Jesus.  Real life is disciplining what I can do and controlling what I have as a sacrifice to the Lord.  I can have the kind of relationship with the Lord that will enable me to have real joy in life.

2/25/04            Psalm 22:26
The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

JOY
Jesus brings joy to any person’s life.  His joy is found in everyday situations.  Christ’s joy is not lost or found in things but in our relationship with Him.  In Jesus we are complete.  In Christ we find fulfillment.  We can rejoice in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

2/26/04            Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

HELP
When I am in trouble I call on the Lord.  If I am sad or discouraged I call upon the Lord.  Jesus is never too busy to help me.  Jesus is Lord and He is Lord of my life.  I can take every aspect of my life to Jesus and have full confidence that the Lord will hear me and help me.

2/27/04            Psalm 30:5
His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning.

SIN
The Lord loves me and wants me to have an abundant life.  His activity in my life will sometimes cause me discomfort but the end result will be a closer walk with the Lord.  God hates sin but loves the sinner.  I must make sure that I am always confessed up and Christ focused.

2/28/04            Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

POWER
I go to the Lord with my troubles and woes.  I plead with Him to help me even when I have caused my own problems.  When I discover that Jesus has responded in a way that I can understand I rejoice.  Seeing the Lord in the everyday things of my life underscores His love for me and the natural result is great joy.  Rejoice in the Lord, He loves you.

2/29/04            Psalm 31:7
I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

CARE
Jesus cares for me.  He knows what I will face and how I will handle it and is always seeking to help me grow.  When I face defeat or commit the same sin the 1,000 time Jesus still listens to me as I confess my sin and seek His help.  What a Savior.  He really cares for me.  Jesus loves me.

1/1/04                       Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

LIFESTYLE
The way I live makes a difference. If I live like the world I will suffer the same way the world suffers. If I have accepted Jesus and have not changed I am not living a Christ like life. I will not grow. I will not have spiritual power. My life will be in endless chaos. When I follow Jesus I change. I become Christ like and God fearing. Jesus brings grace and peace into my life and the Lord will walk with me.

1/2/04                       Galatians 5:14
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

LOVE
Jesus loves me and has given me the privilege to love others. People need love. Everyday I can act like Jesus because I can choose to love.

1/3/04                       Galatians 5:15
But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

CONFLICT
Choices define our lives. We can choose to gripe and criticize everything others do or we can choose to be kind and understanding and accept people as they are. Our responsibility is not to be on a mission to change others. We are responsible to change from the way we act to the way Jesus would have us act. I must become more like Jesus.

1/4/04                       Galatians 5:22-23
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

HOLY SPIRIT
I am either acting like Jesus or acting like the world. I am called to change. The Holy Spirit will guide me to become more like Jesus.

1/5/04                       Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

LIFESTYLE
I cannot live like the world and become more like Jesus. A Christian life is a Christ like life. I study the Word to discover the truth. As Jesus speaks to me I listen and apply His Words to my life.

1/6/04                       Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

LIFESTYLE
People count with the Lord. Jesus died for us as individuals. He knows each person. When I become more Christ like I will care for people the way Christ does.

1/7/04                       Galatians 1:3
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

PEACE
Peace in our daily life is a blessing. Peace comes directly from the heart of God. When I am filled with peace I am Christ controlled.

1/8/04                       Galatians 1:4
He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

WORLD
The world is my adversary. I am at war with the evil that controls the world. I am called to be different. I am charged with the responsibility to be a light in the darkness.

1/9/04                       2 Corinthians 13:11
Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

JOY
Choices are important. I choose to spend time with God. I choose to let Jesus have control of me. I choose to do the things that Christ calls me to do. Joy is also a choice. When I see things through the eyes of Christ I will rejoice. Jesus brings joy into a committed life.

1/10/04                       2 Corinthians 1:2
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace.

GRACE
Grace is a blessing. It is the Lord Jesus giving us what we need and cannot earn. Life is always changing. But I can have absolute confidence that the Lord Jesus is always working for my good. God’s grace is a blessing.

1/11/04                       1Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches.

PEACE
I am to be an agent for peace. Peace is a gift from God. It is a gift that we can give others. Peace is important. I am to be vigilant to pray for peace and to be a peaceful person.

1/12/04                       Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

WORD
I must be careful as I live my life. I must be diligent in searching the Word of God for wisdom, mercy and grace. Only the wisdom of the Lord can outwit and defeat Satan. I must know what the Lord wants me to do. I discover the Lord’s directions and guidance as I spend time with Him and study His Word.

1/13/04                       Romans 15:13
So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

HOPE
Hope comes from the Lord. The Lord is at work in us changing us into His likeness. Each day we become a little more like Jesus. Our growing hope will spill out of us into the lives of others. Those around us will be encouraged as they see the Father pouring Himself into us.

1/14/04                       Romans 14:17 –
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

LIFESTYLE
Everything I do affects others. My life is always under inspection. Doing unto others as I would have done to me is a requirement. People are fragile and in need of special care. Jesus loves people.

1/15/04                       Romans 12:18
Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.

FORGIVENESS
People are human. They are often difficult to deal with and because they are human they will often do the wrong thing in dealing with me and you. I must learn to forgive and forget. Forgiveness is an essential element in Godly living.

1/16/04                        Romans 8:6
If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.

HOLY SPIRIT
God does not bargain with us. He knows the end from the beginning and has complete knowledge about our needs. Either I surrender control of my life to the Holy Spirit or I wallow in spiritual failure and sin. There is no fence sitting when it comes to a Christian lifestyle.

1/17/04                        Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

PEACE
As a child of God I can live my life based on fact and not emotion. The fact is that when Christ is in control of my life I have peace with God. This is not something I earn; it is a part of the gift of salvation. God gives us peace.

1/18/04                        Acts 16:36
So the jailer told Paul, “You and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

PEACE
Peace comes because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is in control of my life, He loves me and is always seeking for my best good. I can trust the Lord.

1/19/04                        Acts 10:36
I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel – that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

FAMILY
I am part of the family of God. I belong to the Lord. I represent the Lord and His kingdom here on earth. One day I will be with Jesus and see Him face to face. Right now I can walk with Him and talk with Him by faith. By faith I have peace with God and can live a peaceful life.

1/20/04                        Acts 9:31
The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

FEAR
Fear God is the first step of Godly wisdom. Once I realize who God is everything else will fall into place. God is so awesome, if I ever get a glimpse of His majesty I will serve Him with gladness.

1/21/04                        John 20:21
He spoke to them again and said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

PEACEMAKERS
You and I are peacemakers. We are to sacrifice our lives for the brethren. That includes our spouses, children, neighbors, friends and enemies. This is a hard saying for the lost. But for the children of God it is a part of their daily life. Our God is an awesome God.

1/22/04                        John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

HOME
The world is not our home. Our lives are hidden in Christ with God. Christ has won the victory over death and has given us life. An abundant life that is worthy and victorious. Pray today that the Lord will let you see the awesome victory in your life.

1/23/04                        John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

FEAR
Do not fear. Do not be troubled. Jesus is with you. He is the Lord. He loves you and is alive to give you wisdom, mercy and grace and to teach you to be victorious in daily living. He is alive.

1/24/04                        Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

PEACE
Peace is a natural state for God’s children. As the children of God live their lives before a troubled world the result is peace everywhere they go. The world is chaotic and lost. A child of God is at peace and knows that Jesus is in control and loves them.

1/25/04                        James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

WISDOM
Wisdom fills us with knowledge of God. We understand that Jesus is Lord and is in control. Wisdom guides us to spend time with Jesus, to read His Word and to let Christ guide us. Wisdom produces a life that values others and equips us to be servant of the Lord High God in this lost and dying world.

1/26/04                        James 3:15
For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil.

SIN
When we are close to Jesus; He will show us our sin. He will call us to account and guide us to seek forgiveness. His forgiveness will change us. I will give up my sinful thoughts or actions and replace them with Christ like actions. A Christian lifestyle involves constant change and growth.

1/27/04                        James 1:5
If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.

OBEDIENCE
God requires my obedience. If I ask Him what to do and have a spirit that is willing to do what God says, the Lord will give me spiritual wisdom. Jesus loves me and is always seeking my best good.

1/28/04                        2Timothy 3:15
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

SALVATION
God is seeking the lost. Jesus would that no one die lost. You and I are part of God’s plan to tell everyone about Jesus. We do the telling and Jesus does the saving. Today tell a lost person about Jesus.

1/29/04                        Galatians 5:13
For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.

FREEDOM
People count. I am loved. I can help those around me. I can be myself. I can have confidence that the Lord will listen to me and guide me in the way that I should go. I have freedom in Jesus.

1/30/04                        Colossians 1:28
So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

GOSPEL
The Gospel message is a message that every human being needs to hear. It is simply the story of our relationship with Jesus. It involves what we think and do and say. Our lives proclaim who controls us. If I am following Jesus it will be very easy for me to tell others about the Lord.

1/31/04                        Colossians 1:9
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.

PRAYER
Prayer is work. It is a work that is a worthy endeavor for every child of God. I need to be in constant prayer for the lost. I need to pray for my life. I need to be in prayer with the Father about every aspect of my life. A Christ like life includes much time in conversation with Jesus.

12/01/03                      Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my savior and my God!

HOPE
Jesus is always faithful. I can hope in Christ. When I face the impossible, the Lord is there. I may not see the solution but the Lord Jesus Christ always has a solution for me. God is good. I am His child. Jesus is with me.

12/02/03                      Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

HELP
I am not alone. In failure or defeat I can go to the Father and find strength. I pickup my Bible and begin my journey. I talk with Jesus. He listens to me. My heart cries out the truth as I see it and Jesus listens. I spend time with Jesus. I continue talking with Him. At some point the Lord will speak to me. The result will be that I will get what I need to move ahead. I may continue to suffer but I will be changed. I will not feel hopeless and I will not feel alone. The Lord is with me.

12/03/03                      Psalm 46:11
The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

HELP
The world is a tough place. I often feel like I am pushed around by life. The Lord is my fortress. He is the defense against a pointless life. Jesus has a plan for me and His plan is for good. I am important. I count. The Lord says so and proves it by His protection of me.

12/04/03                      Psalm 49:15
But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death.

HELP
Jesus died for me. Jesus was raised by the power of God from the dead. His power gives life to me. One day I will die but at the point of death Jesus will take me into the presence of the Lord. God loves me.

12/05/03                      Psalm 50:15
Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

TRUST
Trust in the Lord. When life is blue and I am too, I trust in the Lord. My life is bound up in Christ. I have no other advocate, I have no other source. Jesus is able to save me now, enable me now and will keep me safe for eternity. I belong to the Lord.

12/06/03                      Psalm 50:23
Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

SERVICE
I choose salvation. God came looking for me but I am presented with the opportunity to choose Him. When I choose Christ I am saved and I belong to Jesus. If I belong to Jesus I will follow Him. If I wander away from the Lord, Jesus brings me back. If I stumble and fall Jesus picks me up.

12/07/03                      Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

RENEWAL
I have troubled days. I have disappointing experiences. I am prone to sin. My daily devotional is the time that I must surrender to the Lord. If I will surrender my will to Jesus He will take control. If Jesus is in control I will change. My sadness will become gladness. My hopelessness will change to hope. Joy will be restored. Jesus will change me from rebellion to responsibility. I will experience renewal and my heart will willingly serve the Lord.

12/08/03                      Psalm 55: 17-19
Morning, noon and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He rescues me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, even though many still oppose me. God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them.

LIFE
I am not very wise. It is hard for my ego to admit this but the truth is I am not very wise. I cannot see into the future. I cannot see the spiritual forces of evil arrayed against me. I cannot act against unseen germs. Jesus sees all of these things and knows what I will do even before I do it. I can become wise by trusting Jesus. If I talk with Christ about everything and know that He already knows what I don’t know then I will become wise. Wisdom results in obedience to the Lord. When I obey Jesus I am acting wisely.

12/09/03          Psalm 56: 3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?  What can mere mortals do to me?

COURAGE
Fear seeks to hide in us.  It prods us to excuses.  It wasn’t my fault.  I’m not responsible.  I don’t care.  The truth is fear stops us from doing the right thing.  I am responsible for me.  I am the only one that can make right choices for my life.  When I spend time with Jesus on a daily basis, Christ will give me the courage I need to live a Holy life.

12/10/03          Psalm 57:1
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!  I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past.

MERCY
God is rich in mercy.  He sees us intentionally do the wrong thing and He continues to forgive us.  Jesus is with us and even in our foolishness does not ignore us.  So many bad things in my life have been caused by lack of vigilance or just outright sinfulness.  Yet the Lord Jesus loves me.  Thank you Lord for your mercy.

12/11/03          Psalm 58:11
There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.

PRESENT
God is here with us.  We often do not pay attention and seldom do we really believe that the Lord is actively involved in the minute events in our lives.  But the Lord is here.  Nothing escapes the attention of the Lord.  My hurts and losses are His hurts and losses.  The Lord loves me and will enable and equip me to face the reality of my life and become more like Jesus.

12/12/03          Psalm 61: 1-3
O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

HELP
God will help me.  He has never let me down.  The evidence of my many years is that the Lord is faithful and trustworthy.  God is good and is seeking my good.  When I surrender to Christ and let Him lead me good is always the result.

12/13/03                      Matthew 2:3-6
Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law. “Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born?” he asked them.
“In Bethlehem,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you, who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

KING
God loves me and wants to help me live a Godly life but I must never forget that Jesus is the King.  Each one of us has the opportunity for a personal relationship with Jesus.  This relationship with the Lord will equip us to live Godly lives and to proclaim the love of Christ to all.  And in addition it will instill in my heart a longing to see the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Jesus is coming back.

12/14/03                      Luke 1:26-28
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

SOVEREIGNTY
God is at work in our world.  The Lord Jesus has me and you on His heart.  We are always on the mind of the Lord.  The birth of Christ, his death on the cross and his resurrection from the grave were not afterthoughts.  God has a plan for my life and your life.  God is love.

12/15/03                      Luke 1:30-33
“Don’t be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her, “for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!”

KINGDOM
Kings and kingdoms come and go but Jesus will never disappear.  He is here now for me and you so that we can live an abundant life and be involved in His work in the world.  This world will pass away.  One day Jesus will come back for all of His children.  Hurry and tell everyone you know that Jesus loves them.  Christ is coming back.

12/16/03                      Luke 1:46-49
And Mary responded: “Oh, how I praise the Lord.  How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call be blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy and he has done great things for me.”

OBEDIENCE
God loves obedience more than sacrifice.  Obedience requires daily time with Jesus in prayer and in His Word.  Forgiveness is a critical element in a Christ like life.  If I don’t practice the  basic elements of my Christian faith I will not grow.  The power of God in my life is my choice.  Will I let the Lord Jesus have control of me or will I control myself.

12/17/03                     Matthew 1:18-21
Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance’, being a just man, decided to break off the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said,” do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

BIRTH
The birth of Jesus was planned before time began. God knew that we needed help and He always planned to provide it. At the right time Jesus was born. He lived a perfect life. From birth to death my need was on the heart of Jesus. He died for me that I might be free.

12/18/03                      Luke 1:68-70
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.

SALVATION
God provided my salvation. I need it and cannot earn it. It is a grace gift. Jesus loves me and is always seeking my best good.

12/19/03                      Luke 1:76-79
And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.

SIN
You and I must deal with sin in our lives. The testimony of the Word of God is that sin is a pervasive, serious issue for all of mankind. When I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, it does not put me in a position of priority. It places me in a position of responsibility. All I have to do is tell about what Jesus has done for me. Jesus is the light of the world and all need Him.

12/20/03                      Luke 2:1-5
NOW in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

BIRTH
I have days when I feel alone and helpless. We are never alone and we are never beyond the ability of the Lord to help us. He will not forsake you. Jesus knows exactly where you are and what you need. Ask Him for it. Trust in the Lord.

12/21/03                      Luke2:1-7
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. All returned to their own towns to register for the 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 fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time.
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 room for them in the village inn.

BIRTH
Jesus came into our world. He lived His life with the same resources available to each one of us. The Lord is powerful and able to save. The Lord will enable us and equip us to lead worthwhile lives and serve a valuable purpose. Your life counts with Jesus.

12/22/03                      Luke 2:8-11
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside of the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the City of David!”

FEAR
Do not be afraid. Your life is important. You count with the Lord. You may not understand what is going on and you may have feel like running but stand firm. The Lord is with you. Here is the good news. Jesus loves you and created you for a good purpose. Bless you today.

12/23/03                      Luke 2:11-14
“The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the City of David. And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”

LIFESTYLE
Jesus wants me to spend time with Him. When I spend time with Jesus I get to know Him. The more I know Jesus the better equipped I am to live my life. Jesus is life and in Him I can find everything I need for an abundant life.

12/24/03                      Luke 2:16-19
The shepherds ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a manger. Then the shepherd 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 quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.

GOOD NEWS
God has come to be with us. I am not at the mercy of the world the Lord is here. My life counts because Jesus has given me life. His life provides the light that I need to live a worthwhile and rewarding life. Hallelujah.

12/25/03                      Isaiah 9:6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!

KING
Jesus is here. He came for me so that I would have real life. I belong to Jesus. I spend time with Jesus. He is the king. He is Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

12/26/03                      Luke 2:28-32
Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying: “ Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel.”

PROMISES
God never forsakes His child. The Bible has 7,000 plus promises that the Lord has made to His children. Read the Word. Find His promises. Claim them for your life and see what the Lord will do. God is faithful.

12/27/03                      Isaiah 11: 1-5
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new branch bearing the fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of his mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth.

PROMISE
Christ fulfilled this promise from God. He has come to us. He knows us. In Jesus we have righteousness. This gives us access to the Father. When we pray we are literally entering the inner chambers of the Lord. God will hear us and will answer us. The Lord is here and I belong to Him.

12/28/03                      Psalm 63:7-8
I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

LIFESTYLE
So many people live quiet lives of desperation. At the edge of their mind is a nagging sense that nothing is going to work out right. Jesus fixes lives. When I ask Christ into my heart, Jesus gives me a new heart. The Lord will guide me to grow and encourage me to service.

12/29/03                      Psalm 64: 10
The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.

LIFESTYLE
I am a child of God. The Lord is active in my life. Everything I say and do comes under His scrutiny. The Holy Spirit will guide my heart and hands. I will live a life that is precious to the Lord Jesus Christ. I will look to Jesus to deal with the issues I face each day and ask Him for wisdom, mercy, and grace.

12/30/03                      Psalm 66: 8-9
Let the whole world bless our God and sing aloud his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.

WISDOM
Quiet time with the Lord is where I will find the wisdom I need to live my life in the real world. The world is always troubled. Everyday someone in the arena of public life is claiming that they know what to do. If I am not led by the Holy Spirit of God I will not know what to do.

12/31/03                      Ps 31:7
I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

LOVE
Jesus knows everything about me and still loves me. He calls me to obedience because He loves me. He knows what is best. Every day I must deal with my feelings. My emotions are constantly changing. One day I am happy and another day I am sad. I must learn to live my life in the light of the Lord’s love. Joy is a promise I can claim. Not because only good things happen but because the Lord loves me and is on my side. The Lord is good, all the time.

11/1/03 1John 3:17
But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help – how can God’s love be in that person?

GIVING
Stinginess is evil and not acceptable in a Christian lifestyle. Each time we see someone come to the Lord the first thing they do is give. When we belong to Jesus we stop looking at our wealth as something to hoard and begin to see it as belonging to Jesus. If I am accountable for the resources that the Lord has let me use I will use those resources for His children.

11/2/03 Psalm 26:3
For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.

LOVE
God’s love nurtures me in my Christian lifestyle. His love will pull me away from sin. I will quickly confess my sin and seek forgiveness. His love provides for that forgiveness. The love of God is my constant companion. It enables me to be myself and still be in close relationship with the Lord. Jesus is God’s love and He lives in my heart.

11/3/03 Matthew 10:37
If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

FIRST
God is first and only. There is no competition for Him. He is the Lord and there is no other. As I review my life and evaluate my options putting God first makes everything else fall into its proper place. A life focused on Jesus is a life that will be well lived.

11/4/03 2Peter 2:13
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 revel in deceitfulness while they feast with you.

EVIL
Lost people always act like lost people. They may be powerful, beautiful and kind but if they are lost they are dead in their trespasses and sin. I must never accept the world’s declaration of what is right and what is wrong. I must obey the law but only Jesus can guide me in spiritual truth.

11/5/03 1John 3:18
Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.

ACTIONS
People count with God. My actions speak louder than my words. If I love someone I will help them. I will respect them. I will show them courtesy and respect. There is no place in the Christian faith for road rage or selfish indignation. If I love the Lord I will love people.

11/6/03 Psalm 33:5
He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.

JESUS
Jesus is God. If I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I will do what He says. When I obey Jesus and live my life under His control I will please God.

11/7/03 Matthew 19:19
Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

OBEDIENCE
If I have not surrendered my life to Jesus I am lost. I do not have a relationship with the Father and am dead in my trespasses and sin. I need Jesus. Christ has paid the price for my failure which is called sin. If I love Jesus and have turned my life over to Him I will have a relationship with the Lord.

11/8/03 Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

LOVE
Love is a positive response. I am to do all that I can to love and serve Jesus. I can trust God with all that I cannot do. By loving the Lord and living the way Jesus says I will become more like Christ. Life happens but a Christian lifestyle must be planned. Jesus will guide me to live the right way.

11/9/03 Mark 10:21
Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

POSSESSIONS
This passage is not praising poverty it is requiring that we put God first. What does your money mean to you? Is your money a barrier to serving the Lord? Is your money your servant or your master? Whatever stands between you and the Lord must be removed. God is first and there is no other.

11/10/03 Psalm 31:16
Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, save me.

LOVE
I need love. I need love that holds me accountable but cleans me up when I stray. I need love that calls me back to the right way when I purposely walk the wrong way. God’s love is eternal and powerful and able to keep me in His family. I am grateful for the love that Jesus has birthed in my heart and developed in my life.

11/11/03 1 Peter 2:20
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

ENDURANCE
The trials of the moment are difficult to endure. If I will remember who I am serving and what the Lord is trying to accomplish with me I will be able to endure. Endurance is the classroom where I build my love and confidence in the Lord.

11/12/03 Psalm 25:7
Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.

SIN
Sin is a constant struggle. I will never outgrow my need for Jesus to deal with and forgive my sin. When I find myself feeling smug and self-righteous I know it is time to get back on my knees before the Lord. I am a great sinner. The closer I get to Jesus the more clearly I see my sin.

11/13/03 Matthew 23:6
And how they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the most prominent seats in the synagogue!

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Evil has a way of deceiving even good people. Evil suggests that God is sometimes in error or forgetful or weak or many other things. Evil slowly but surely if left unchecked encourages me to step up to the next spiritual level influencing me to stand in judgment over God’s people. Evil fools me into thinking that I am good and worthy of adulation and respect. It births a pride in me that blinds me to my own foolishness and sin. Jesus forgives sin and gives wisdom to the foolish.

11/14/03 Mark 12:30-31
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

LOVE
God is love. Everything about God radiates His love. I must love God. When I love God, I will love His creation. I cannot see God. I can see my brother. My love for God is expressed by the way I treat His creation.

11/15/03 Psalm 25:10
The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

LOVE
Christ’s love will not cease. Through all of the days of my life and into eternity Jesus loves me. His love will enable and equip me to live my life. Christ will deal with my sinfulness, loneliness, failure, success and any other aspect of my life. I can count on the Lord.

11/16/03 Psalm 32:10
Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

LOVE
I will never live outside of the love of Jesus. I asked Him into my heart and I belong to Him. Jesus is aggressively active in my life seeking my best good. I sense and see His interest and concern for me many times each day.

11/17/03 1John 2:15
Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.

ACTIONS
I am a traveler just passing through. This world is not my home. I am on a journey to the Master’s throne. I am responsible for the things that I take on this journey. I am responsible for what I plan and practice as I journey towards a face to face meeting with Jesus. The Lord is my father and I am going to see Him.

11/18/03 Luke 6:35
“Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked.

LOVE
Love is an action. It is what I do with and for people. I cannot fall into the habit of dividing people into groups that I like and groups that I dislike. This is a sin. I am wrong when I do this. My action must be to ask the Lord to change me so that I can see people the way the He sees them.

11/19/03 Mark 12:33
And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbors as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

OBEDIENCE
God loves obedience. When I am obedient I grow in my relationship with the Lord. Christ directs, equips, enables and empowers me to become more obedient. I become obedient by spending time with Jesus and doing what He says.

11/20/03 1John 2:5
But those who obey God’s word really do love him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in him.

LIFESTYLE
The Christian life is simple. If I spend time with Jesus and do what He says I am living a Christian life. If I devote all my time to worldly pursuits, no matter how good, I will obey and follow the world. This is not complicated. Christians act like Christ.

11/21/03 Psalm 40:11
LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness.

LIFESTYLE
It is okay for me to talk with Jesus about everything happening in my life. I don’t do this to manipulate the Lord. I talk with Jesus about everything so that I am open to hearing from Him about anything. The more time I spend with Jesus the more I will act like Christ.

11/22/03 Psalm 31:23
Love the LORD, all you faithful ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant.

LIFESTYLE
Trust is an action. When I trust the Lord I will change the way I act. In the midst of chaos I will have peace. At the point of failure I will see victory. My life will belong to the Lord and my ego will be placed in His hands. Trust in the Lord shapes me so that I will live like Jesus.

11/23/03 1John 3:14
If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead.

LOVE
Christianity is a commitment of the heart. It is not just an outward compliance to a set of dos and don’ts. My faith creates selflessness and sensitivity to the needs of those around us. The way I feel towards people is the evidence of my faith.

11/24/03 Psalm 26:8
I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines.

CONFIDENCE
Praise, worship and fellowship are critical for my spiritual growth. The church is where I will learn to pray with the family of God express my closeness to the Father by loving the brethren. Jesus inhabits His church and uses the church to minister to the needs of individual Christians and organize the body of Christ to take the Gospel to the world. It is important for me to be an active church member.

11/25/03 1John 2:7
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment – to love one another – is the same message you heard before.

LOVE
My love is expressed by self sacrifice, giving and service. You are important. I recognize your importance by service. I facilitate your growth and learning experience by my giving and self sacrifice. When everyone in a church does this the church of the Lord will prosper and grow. Love is the unifying mark of the Christian community.

11/26/03 1John 3:11
This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

LOVE
When I meticulously obey the Word of God as I read it and demand that you do the same thing I am simply a modern day Pharisee. God is love. Love is basic to the character of God. When I develop a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ I will become like Jesus. If I become like Jesus I will love you. My faith will change the way I act.

11/27/03 1John 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.

JESUS
Jesus is God’s everything. Christ is the only way to the Father and I am the only one that can accept Christ for me. There are no grandchildren in God’s family. People count with God. The way I treat people reflects the relationship I have with Jesus.

11/28/03 Psalm 59:16
But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress.

POWER
God is so good. God is always good. When the world is treating me bad I can go to the Father and He will treat me good. This world is not a reflection of my relationship with the Father. The Word of God tells me that God is always good.

11/29/03 Psalm 57:3
He will send help from heaven to save me, rescuing me from those who are out to get me. My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

HELP
Jesus is always with me. Every breath I take every move I make includes the living presence of Jesus. I grow in grace and maintain joy when I am constantly aware of the presence of Christ.

11/30/03 1John 3:16
We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.

LOVE
Real love is an action. It includes significant personal sacrifice. Love is not negotiating my best good. Love is surrendering my interests for your best good. Love involves sacrifice.

10/01/03 Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

RESULTS
What I think each day matters. The actions I take as a result of what I think are critical. My entire life is made up of individual choices. Today I must choose to do the right thing. Jesus is returning soon.

10/02/03 Galatians 5: 19-22
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not *inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

FRUIT
Christ must be in control of everything I do. I must spend enough time with Jesus so that I am prepared for every thing that will happen to me each day. The fruit of the Spirit is the result of a Christ centered life.

10/03/03 1 John 3:16-18
We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

SACRIFICE
Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned for their selfishness. If I hold on tightly to what the Lord has given me then I am acting selfish. Who I am and what I have is all from God. My life is to be a life of trust. I trust the Lord for what I need and God trusts me with what He gives me. I am my brother’s keeper.

10/04/03 Luke 6:35
Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

PEOPLE COUNT
People count. Jesus died for me and He died for each one of us. There are no specially favored children in the family of God. We are all the objects of God’s love.

10/05/03 John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that one *lay down his life for his friends.

SACRIFICE
Sacrifice involves giving. It will cost me. It will honor God. The world will call it ridiculous and will not understand. I will be blessed by every single sacrifice I make for Jesus. I will see a lost person saved, a friend encouraged, or maybe even a dismal situation brightened. When I sacrifice is when I am most like Jesus.

10/06/03 John 15:9-11
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

OBEDIENCE
The Lord calls me to obey him so that I might enjoy His presence and peace. Jesus knows the future and He knows what is best for me. The Lord loves me and you.

10/07/03 John 16:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy

JOY
The Lord loves me. This is for eternity. Whatever happens, whatever difficulty comes my way Jesus will not desert me. I belong to the Lord. I can share in His joy because the victory over death has been won.

10/08/03 Hebrews 12:2
[Let us fix] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

JESUS
If I make Jesus the focus of my life I will never be caught short. I will experience real life and be equipped daily to face life with courage and strength. When Jesus is in control the peace of God is present.

10/09/03 John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

COURAGE
Truth is the foundation of courage. If I know Jesus and understand His love for me I will have courage. I may not know the answer to the problems I face but I belong to the One who does know the answer. Jesus loves me and He will never leave me. I can count on that.

10/10/03 Hebrews 12:14-15
Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.

HOLINESS
The end result of time spent with Jesus will be my understanding of life and how Jesus would have me live it. When I live my life the way Jesus directs I will act like Jesus. Holiness is being like Jesus.

10/11/03 Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

ANXIETY
The Lord is good. Every thought that the Lord Jesus has toward me is a thought for good. Jesus brings peace. When I trust Jesus and have his peace my life will become peaceful.

10/12/03 Ephesians 4:1-2
THEREFORE I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.

DAILY WALK
I am called to base my life on Jesus and not my circumstances. Circumstances change but Jesus never changes. The Lord is alive and lives in my heart.

10/13/03 Colossians 1:9
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.

PRAYER
We need to pray for each other. Our lives are fast paced and often full of obstacles. Prayer equips us for real life.

10/ 14/03 2Ti 1:13
Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

LIFE
Life is a blessing from the Lord. Every breath I take every moment I live is another opportunity for me to be a blessing to someone. Life in Christ is a journey of opportunity.

10/ 15/03 2Ti 2:22
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

WISDOM
When I run away from evil I am listening to the Lord. Evil actions stimulate us through curiosity first. When we experience the evil we find ourselves seduced by its attraction. Run from evil or you may be overrun by evil.

10/ 16/03 Mt 22:39
A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

LIFE
When I love someone I treat them with respect and honor. When things go wrong I give them the benefit of the doubt. I look out for those I love and I do for them. If I love my neighbor I will treat them like someone that counts. I count with God. My neighbor should count with me.

10/ 17/03 Lu 6:27
“But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.

LOVE
Love involves sacrifice and service. I must struggle with this statement; do good to those that by their actions do not deserve good. I serve those that the Lord loves. God loves people and people count. I will strive to pray for, be kind to and value even those that hate me. Lord help me to do this.

10/ 18/03 1Jo 4:7
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

LOVE
Love is a natural response by God for man. I am to love those I come into contact with. I am to do them good and to care for them just like the Lord cares for me. I must focus my heart and my life on Jesus to do this.

10/ 19/03 1Jo 4:8
But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.

LOVE
I cannot hate someone and love God. Hate and love are mutually exclusive. When I find myself feeling hate or acrimony towards someone I am wrong. It doesn’t matter why I have these feelings, I am just wrong. At that time I must immediately get before the Lord and confess my feelings and ask Jesus to change those feelings. Then I must be willing to change. God does not make deals so that I can stay in sin and serve Him.

10/ 20/03 1Th 5:8
But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

SALVATION
Whatever else may happen to me, this I know, Jesus has saved me. The Lord said ask and He would save me. I asked and He did save me. I will sin and I will make mistakes but I can live the rest of my life with this confidence, Jesus loves me and has saved me forever.

10/ 21/03 1Thessalonians 5:12-13
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your whole-hearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.

HONOR
Our Christian leaders are not perfect but they are striving to serve us and the Lord. Appreciate your pastor and encourage him. Be a blessing to those that labor before the Lord for you.

10/ 22/03 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

SELF-DISCIPLINE
I need the Lord. If I am to grow in the Lord I must spend time with Him. I can organize my life to make the Lord first. I can do this because the Lord will give me the wisdom, and self-discipline to accomplish this. I can do all things through Christ.

10/ 23/03 2 Timothy 1:9
It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.

SALVATION
God cared for me. He saw my need and came looking for me. Christ is the source and substance of my salvation. I am saved by the grace of God and by His grace I will be with Him for eternity.

10/ 24/03 2 Timothy 3:2
For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

EVIL
Evil is always evil. There is no middle ground. When we start the process of bargaining with evil we have lost the fight to stand for right. Evil questions God and destroys us. There is nothing about evil that you or I can accept. Jesus forgives our sin but we are the ones that decide to do the right thing.

10/ 25/03 Titus 3:4
But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.

LOVE
God loves me. He knows all about me and still loves me. Christ came that I might have life. Jesus moved me from a life that is full of sin to a life that is led by the Holy Spirit. That life begins right now and continues into eternity. Jesus is Lord.

10/ 26/03 James 1:12
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

TESTING
Life is serious and passes too quickly. I know the Word of God; I know the requirements necessary for me to live a Godly life. Jesus will equip me to face the daily difficulties of life. If I will accept His power and put it to work in my life I will stand. If I purpose to go my own way and live by my own power I will fail. Love is an action. If I love the Lord I will do what He says.

10/27/03 1Timothy 1:14
Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was! He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.

ADEQUACY
I do not feel adequate to properly love and serve the Lord. God has made provision for this. Salvation is not by works. God has graced us in Jesus Christ so that we might be totally adequate to build a relationship with Him. It is because of Jesus that I can declare that I love the Lord and He loves me.

10/28/03 1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

HAPPINESS
Man’s way is always the wrong way. If I focus my life on external circumstances I will never succeed in the Christian life. God has all of the resources that I need to accomplish His plan for my life. If I measure everything by dollars and cents I will never be happy. If I measure everything by Jesus Christ I will have real joy.

10/29/03 1 Timothy 6:11
But you, Timothy, belong to God; so run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

OBEDIENCE
Run from evil. Actively fight the battle of faith. Be obedient to Jesus. Spend time with the Lord. Ignore the world and its constant clamor for things and position. Jesus is God’s everything and He is everything I need.

10/30/03 Ps 33:18
But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.

OBEDIENCE
God loves obedience more than sacrifice. The Lord is not seeking to barter with me for the least that I can do to accomplish His will and work. God knows all things and He knows me. I can trust the Lord.

10/31/03 Ps 57:10
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

FAITHFULNESS
God is faithful. Jesus will never leave me. His commitment to me is greater than I can think, see or comprehend. The Lord is faithful to me. He guarantees that His faithfulness will extend forever and ever and ever. God is faithful.

9/01/03      John 1: 1-5
In the beginning, the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

LIGHT
Christ gave me life. This new life gives me light for living. I am no longer in bondage to sin and foolishness. I can serve the Lord and live a Christ-like life.

9/02/03      John 1:10-13
But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all, who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.

NEW BIRTH
I am a new creature in Christ. Old things have passed away. I am alive in Jesus. I have value and worth and the Lord has a plan for my life.

9/03/03 John 1:14
So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.

JESUS
Jesus is with me. He is with me when I am good and when I am bad. He is interested in everything I do. He wants me to learn how to mature into a Christ-like person. I cannot do this without His power, mercy and grace. I can do all things through Christ.

9/04/03 John 1:16-17
We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

RESOURCES
I have everything I need in Jesus. He will meet my every need. I am called to obedience and trust. My life is to be surrendered to Him and focused upon Him.

9/05/03 John 1:18
No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who himself is God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about him.

JESUS
Jesus is God’s everything. I can trust the Lord Jesus with my life, my needs and my future. The more I know Him now the more I will know Him in eternity.

9/06/03 Hebrews 1:1-2
Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it.

JESUS
Jesus died for my sin. He knows everything about me and still loves me. He is always with me. Jesus is not a doting grandparent and at times must discipline me but He still has my best interest in mind. Jesus is my elder brother and takes me into the throne room of the Lord God.

9/07/03 Hebrews 1:3
The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.

GOD’S SON
He died for me the worst of sinners. He paid my price on Calvary. Jesus reveals to me the love of the Father. He is a great and mighty Lord and a gentle, faithful, loving friend. What a Savior. Thank you Lord.

9/08/03 Colossians 1: 15-17
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

CREATOR
Jesus is the Creator of all things. Majestic and mighty Christ has always been and will always be. There was never a time when Jesus wasn’t Lord. I don’t make Him Lord, I accept Him as my Lord. Christ is my King.

9/09/03 John 14:6
Jesus told him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one can come to the Father except through Me.”

WAY
Jesus is the way. There is no other way except through Him. Many question it and many doubt it but it is still the truth. It has nothing to do with man’s limited abilities. I cannot question or even second guess God. Jesus is the only way to the Father.

9/10/03 Deuteronomy 18:15
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like [Moses] from among you, and you must listen to that prophet.

PROPHET
The Lord foretold His coming. Now He is here. He lives in me. He guides my life. One day very soon He will come back. Come Lord Jesus.

9/11/03 Isaiah 7:14
All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and call him name “Immanuel”—“God is with us.”

WITH ME
Each of us has many tough days. Christ is always with us. Failure may rear its ugly head but Christ is still with us. He will not leave us nor will He forget us. Jesus is with us.

9/12/03 Galatians 4:4-5
But when the right time came, God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

FREEDOM
I am free in Christ. Free from all of the deceit and misdirection that the enemy can throw my way. Free from sifting by the Evil One. I am free to live and free to serve. I am a child of God set free.

9/13/03 Matthew 11:28
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

REST
Life is difficult. When the process of dealing with the difficulty of life becomes more than I can bear I must return to Jesus and let Him help me. Christ will carry my load and give me rest. Even when I have gotten off course and ignored Him, He will not ignore me.

9/14/03 John 16:33
(Jesus said), “I have told you all of this so that you might have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

PEACE
I am not alone. Christ is with me. He is my peace. If I will seek Him and serve Him I will find the peace that is so elusive in the lives of people. Peace is the result of Jesus ruling my life.

9/15/03 Matthew 24:4-6, 13-14
Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I am the Messiah.” They will lead many astray. And wars will break out near and far, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won’t follow immediately…. Those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.”

RETURN
Jesus is coming back. He is coming back soon. I am to be constantly alert to His return. If I live with this realization it will change the way that I live my life. Come Lord Jesus.

9/16/03 Matthew 24: 44
You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected.

SECOND COMING
Time with the Lord everyday is critical for my spiritual health. If I don’t spend time with Jesus I will not know what He wants me to do nor will I know the things I need to change. My goal is to be ready every minute of every hour of every day to meet the Lord.

9/17/03 Psalm 30:1
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

VICTORY
I can live my life in victory. The circumstances of my situation do not determine the reality of God’s love and presence. I belong to Jesus. He will not let me go.

9/18/03 Psalm 31:1
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you always do what is right.

COURAGE
Courage is a choice. When I trust God and live under the rule of His Word and the encouragement of His promises I will develop a Christian lifestyle. I will become more like Jesus in everything I do. Jesus is the reason that I can claim an abundant life.

9/19/03 Psalm 32:1-2
Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

JOY
Joy is always based on perspective and never a result of my circumstances. From a Roman prison Paul the Apostle declared “rejoice, again I say rejoice.” Jesus is alive and I can have joy. God is in control. My life is important. I count. Jesus will never leave me. At death Jesus will personally escort me into the presence of God.

9/20/03 Psalm 33:4-5
For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.

TRUST
Every thought the Lord Jesus has towards me is a thought for good. I can trust Jesus. I can trust Him with my future, He is faithful right now and Christ has forgiven me of my sin. His blood was shed for me. What a Savior. What a friend I have in Jesus.

9/21/03 Psalm 34: 4-5
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

HEARS
God hears me when I pray. He knows my needs and He will help me. My Lord Jesus is trustworthy and true. He will equip, facilitate, encourage and enable my life. The Lord is good all the time.

9/22/03 Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

WATCHFUL
Life will make us wonder if the Lord is here. So many times I am surprised by things that happen. The Lord Jesus is never surprised by anything and is always seeking to help us prepare. Life is every day. I am called to focus on Jesus so that He can prepare me for each day.

9/23/03 Psalm 35: 9-10
Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me. I will praise him from the bottom of my heart: “Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them?

JOY
I can have joy. I can celebrate each day. What a wonderful God I serve. Not an idol that I can appease or manipulate. My Lord Jesus is able to do more than I can think or imagine and He loves me.

9/24/03 Psalm 36: 7-9
How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your rivers of delight. For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.

LOVE
God’s love is precious. It enables me to live. His love equips me to deal with my life. I am precious to Jesus. He cares for me far more than I care for myself. Christ died for me and now lives in me so that I can live a righteous life.

9/25/03 Psalm 37:3-4
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

TRUST
Every person I meet is valuable to Jesus. When I value the people I meet I am declaring my own value and worth. When I do good I am always receiving good. Life works that way. Jesus is Lord.

9/26/03 Psalm 37: 18-19
Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever. They will survive through hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

SURVIVAL
Jesus cares for me. My life is important to the Lord. He will stand with me in hard times and see me through. I can celebrate now because the Lord will never desert me. I will survive.

9/27/03 Psalm 39: 6-7
We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. And so, O Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

HOPE
Wealth can be squandered. Good health will end. God’s love for me is eternal. I can put all of my hope and trust in the Lord because He will be with me throughout eternity. Now I see Him by faith but one day soon I will stand before the Lord and see Him face to face.

9/28/03 Psalm 40: 1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.

TRUST
God’s timing is always perfect. He hears me and He will always help me. I have joy this moment because the Lord loves me. I can trust Jesus.

9/29/03 Psalm 42:8
Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

LOVE
Love is of God. It comes to me from the Lord Jesus because He has chosen to love me. It is a gift and it is eternal. My life is in Christ, and He is the light of my life. All the things I do come under the scrutiny of Jesus. I can trust Him. Jesus loves me.

9/30/03 Psalm 28:1
O Lord, you are my rock of safety. Please help me; don’t refuse to answer me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die.

TRUST
I can live my life with this assumption, Jesus loves me. I can trust the Lord because He is faithful. His love is relentless and eternal. The Lord is my strength and I can trust Him.

8/01/03 Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

SALVATION
Jesus saves.  When I come to Jesus, repent of my sin, and ask Christ to save me, He is faithful and righteous to give me new life.  He is the only way that I can be saved.

8/02/03 Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “`I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’

EVERYONE
Everyone needs Jesus.  Each person in the world needs Jesus.  I will never be wrong when I share Christ.  My responsibility is to share what Jesus has done for me.  I am not responsible to make someone decide what they will do with this gift from God.

8/03/03 Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

GOSPEL
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a powerful word.  When I heard that God loved me it changed my outlook on life.  When I asked Christ to forgive me of my sin and save me it gave me new life.  One day I will stand face to face with the Lord and hear Him say that I will be with Him throughout eternity.  The Gospel is a great message from the heart of God to His creation.

8/04/03 Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

TIME
Time is a fierce foe.  If we are in a hurry there is never enough time.  If we are starting a new work there seems to be more than enough time.  The truth is that the only time I have is right now.  Now is when I must share Jesus.  Now is when I can be a witness.

8/05/03 2 Corinthians 1:6
If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

ACTIONS
What I do for Jesus counts.  It tells those around me that I am serious about what I believe.  I follow Jesus and my life is different.  I may never know the impact of the way I live on someone else.

8/06/03 2 Corinthians 6:2
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

SALVATION
The activity of the Holy Spirit in my heart urges me to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.  If I act on that decision I have salvation.  If I only think about salvation and do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior I am not saved.  Putting off accepting Christ is a deadly trap that many otherwise good people fall into.  Now is the time to accept Jesus.

8/07/03 2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

BEHAVIOR
Jesus changes me.  If I am a follower of Christ I will try to live and act like Jesus.  The way I know this is that the Holy Spirit will keep me from getting way off-base.  When I do wrong things, the Lord will prompt me to correct my actions.

8/08/03 Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

TRUTH
God in Christ died for my sin and for the sin of every single person.  Each one of us is valuable to the Lord.  Accountability demands that the cost of my sin be paid and Christ paid that price.  Whatever the world may say this is the truth.

8/09/03 Philippians 1:19
For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance.

PRAYER
I am not at the mercy of the world.  I can intercede in prayer for you and whatever you are facing.  I can ask you to pray with me.  Prayer changes me and faithful prayer of righteous people changes the world.

8/10/03 1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

OWNERSHIP
I belong to the Lord.  I am not at the mercy of circumstances, or my own inadequacies.  I am a child of God.  I am at peace with the Lord and have access to Him.  Jesus is Lord of my life.

8/11/03 1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

FINISH
I can trust God as I grow old.  Death is a reality that all of us will face one day.  The race that I have run, my life, will not be discredited by the activity of age.  The Lord will see me through.

8/12/03 2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

SALVATION
People count.  Jesus died for people.  I can do all within my power to share the Gospel with everyone.  The Lord uses people for evangelism and every person is worthy of hearing the Gospel.  I can persevere but I must remember that it is my responsibility to tell about Jesus and it is God’s responsibility to save individuals from their sin

8/13/03           Hebrews 2:3
What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak,

ONE WAY
Jesus died for my sin. Christ rose from the dead by the power of God. His death and resurrection paid the price for my sin. It is a gift from God. If I ignore the gift of Jesus I will be called upon to stand in judgment by myself.

8/14/03         Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins again. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him.

SECOND COMING
Jesus is coming back. He will come back in glory, and power and honor. All things will come to a halt. All of creation will be judged. Everything will change. This is an encouragement and a warning. Jesus is Lord.

8/15/03         1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

MATURITY
People are dead in their trespasses and sin. When Christ comes in He forgives our sin and gives us life. Life begins at that point. We are not robots and therefore have to grow in spiritual things. Spiritual growth takes time and attention. If I study God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit lead me everyday I will grow.

8/16/03        Revelation 7:10
And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

SALVATION
Salvation is priceless and plentiful. Christ is able to save anyone that turns to Him. We cannot explain salvation to a lost world, we can only proclaim it. When a person comes to Christ and accepts salvation everything changes. They realize what a great blessing and wonderful joy it is to be a child of God.

8/17/03       Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

END THINGS
Satan has lost. You and I are living in the victory Christ has won. Our responsibility is to see through the dark glass by faith and live in confidence that our Father loves us.

8/18/03 Job 11:18
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

HOPE
My trust in the Father is grounded in His work in Christ. The power of God in me makes the difference in the life I live. I spend time with Jesus to get direction and guidance on dealing with my life. Christ gives me hope for the future.

8/18/03      Job 11:18
You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

HOPE
My trust in the Father is grounded in His work in Christ. The power of God in me makes the difference in the life I live. I spend time with Jesus to get direction and guidance on dealing with my life. Christ gives me hope for the future.

8/19/03      Psalm 9:18
But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

HELP
I am called to help the helpless. I am to be the willing servant of the Lord in this world. When I help the helpless I am doing the work of Christ in a needy world. Jesus wants to use me.

8/20/03      Psalm 25:3
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

HOPE
I am to focus my life on Jesus. Everything I do must be under the guidance and control of the Lord. I am so limited in my understanding of the world that I cannot survive without His guidance. Jesus expects me to have a willing heart.

8/21/03      Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

HOPE
I can choose to give God control of my life. I can refuse to let emotions control me. I am responsible for my life and Jesus will equip me to live it. I can do all things through Christ.

8/22/03      Psalm 25:21
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

HOPE
All of my confidence for today and for the future is in Christ. There is nothing I do that is beyond the reach of Jesus. The Lord will see me through failure and through success. The Lord is near and I trust Him.

8/23/03      Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

STRENGTH
When failure and difficulty strike I can respond with confidence. Jesus will stand with me and give me the courage, wisdom, mercy and grace that I need to survive. I do not have to fear. The Lord is with me.

8/24/03      Psalm 33:18
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

WISDOM
The enemy will always try to get my eyes off of the Lord. Many times my adversary will succeed. It is a real blessing for me to realize that the Lord will not take His eyes off of me. I am the focus of His attention and the beloved of His heart. The Lord is with me.

8/25/03      Ecclesiastes 9:4
Anyone who is among the living has hope –even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

CHOICE
We will die one day. Until that day I can choose to follow the Lord and live under the Lord’s watchful eye. If I fail to choose the Lord before I die I will not get another chance. Death ends choice.

8/26/03      Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

LIFE
Life is to be lived with an understanding of the resources of God. The Lord will not desert me. His love and concern will not be dissipated. The Lord will not leave me behind nor will He permit the evil one to have control of me. I belong to the Lord.

8/27/03      Psalm 33:20
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

ETERNITY
I am a child of God. I am to live my life with an awareness of heaven and the life to come. He uses me to care for the hopeless and helpless. The Lord cares for me because I belong to Him. I am able to live in victory because Jesus saved me.

8/28/03      Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

HELP
The Lord will not desert me. Jesus will meet my needs. He has made provision for me that perfectly fits my life. The Lord’s plan for me is perfect. I have value and worth and my life is important to the Father.

8/29/03      Psalm 40:4
Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud, or in those who worship idols.

JOY
Joy is not based on my circumstances. It is not dependent on my abilities or good luck. Joy comes from the Father. It is the inescapable confidence that God loves me. Jesus saved me and I have a growing, maturing relationship with the Father. I can trust the Lord.

8/30/03      Psalm 40:6
You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand – you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

OBEDIENCE
God loves obedience. My relationship with the Father is not based on clever insight or careful choice. I am called to listen to the Lord and do what He says. God knows me and He knows what I need. He will not overlook me or be stingy with the things that I need. The Lord is a loving Father and He loves me.

8/31/03      Psalm 40:10
I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

FAITHFUL
God is faithful. He is always on time. I can live my life with the utmost confidence in His care for me and His provision for me. I can live an abundant life.

7/1/03            Matthew 20:17-20
As Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “When we get to Jerusalem,” he said, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, whipped, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

SACRIFICE
Jesus died for me. His power is alive in me. Because of His death and resurrection I have an eternal relationship with the Lord.

7/2/03            Matthew 26:39
39(Jesus) went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”

SERVICE
I want to do what Jesus says. This will cost me. My prayer is that I will always remember that Jesus paid the price and will enable me to serve Him. I am not alone.

7/3/03            Matthew 27:50-54
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead after Jesus’ resurrection. They left the cemetery, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

LORD
Jesus is God. When I come to Jesus He gives me total and complete access to the Father.

7/4/03              Matthew 28: 5-6
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”

NEW LIFE
I have new life in Jesus.  When I come to Christ I get life.  Life is real.  New life changes me.  New life destroys the old fears, the old failures and leads me into a new relationship.

7/5/03              Philippians 3:9-11
I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God’s law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

TRUST
I can change.  I can have a good life.  I can be free.  Today may be overwhelming and I may be facing catastrophe.  But in Christ I can survive because Jesus lives in me.

7/6/03              1 Corinthians 15: 22-23
Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised first; then when Christ comes back, all his people will be raised.

NEW LIFE
Sin destroys.  It destroys me and everyone around me.  New life in Christ rebuilds.  It rebuilds me.  It gives others a chance to see what God has done in me and gives them an opportunity to have what I have.  People count with God.

7/7/03              1 Corinthians 15:24-26
After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having put down all enemies of every kind.  For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

DEATH
All of mankind faces death.  Death does not have a hold on me.  Jesus destroys death.  I can live my life with full confidence that when my life is over Christ will stand with me.  I will pass from this life to a life with God.  This is a joyous thought.

7/8/03              1 Corinthians 15:42-43
Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.

HEALTH
The things of this world are passing away.  I am a new creature in Christ and as a result of this have eternal life.  I will not pass away.  When I face physical death I will be transformed in a split second from the physical world to the spiritual world.  My heavenly body will be a perfect body.

7/9/03              1 Corinthians 15:55-57
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!

VICTORY
There is victory in Jesus.  He has conquered all things and delivers to me His power, guidance, love and joy.  When I turn to Jesus I am victorious.  Jesus is Lord.

7/10/03            Romans 6: 7-10
For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also share his new life.  We are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him.  He died once to defeat sin, and now he lives for the glory of God.

CHOICE
I can choose the power of Jesus to live my life.  Sin does not have a hold on me but it can defeat me.  When I look to self for wisdom, joy or peace I will always lose.  When I turn to Jesus and let Him have control of me and trust Christ to have the right timing, I will always win.

7/11/03 Romans 8:1-2
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.

LIFE
I am struggling but I have life. My life is safe in the hands of Jesus. It may get bad and it may be disappointing at times but the victory has been won. I am not fighting a losing battle. I am serving the resurrected Savior Jesus Christ.

7/12/03 1 Corinthians 3:11-13
For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value.

WORK
It is easier for people to evaluate their Christian lives based on the good deeds or bad deeds they do. The Bible tells us that we were dead in our trespasses and sin and Jesus gave us new life. He did. What I do now is the result of Jesus saving me. I am a new creature in Christ. I am saved to serve.

7/13/03 1 Corinthians 3: 14-15
If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

SALVATION
Salvation depends completely on Jesus. My good works will be rewarded. Your circumstances or situation are not an indicator of your favor or disfavor with God. God does not play favorites. You are the beloved of the Lord. Jesus saves.

7/14/03 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.

PROBATION
My probation ends with death. No longer will I wonder what will be I will know. I will know Jesus face to face. I will know eternity with a real sense of surety. Time will not plague me. I will make no more mistakes, have no more tears, and have no more fears. This encourages me to be busy at the master’s work today. All are called but few respond. I want to be a responder.

7/15/03 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

TROUBLE
My life will be plagued with many trials and tribulations and so will yours. But I have an eternal relationship with Jesus. I have a sure standing with God. Christ will stand with me in all my suffering and deliver me one day whole and perfect to the Father. Eternity will be great. Today is great because of the bright future ahead and my relationship with Jesus now.

7/16/03 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

TIME
I must not let time fool me. It is oppressive and demanding. It tells me I will never win. And yet in the Word of God every promise of God is yes. Yes God loves me. Yes God has saved me. Yes God will be with me no matter what happens. All of my relationship with the Lord is YES!

7/17/03 Philippians 3:20-21
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.

CITIZENSHIP
This earth is not my home. I am just passing through. My citizenship and my home is in heaven with Christ. I am a new creature in Christ. I have access to the Father in Christ. I can serve by the power of Christ. Jesus is my everything.

7/18/03 1 John 3:2
Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

GOD’S CHILD
I know what it is like to grow up in a broken home. Now that I have come to Jesus I know what it is like to be in a good home. Christ will listen to me and help me to live a Godly life. Jesus will not turn His back on me and He will not desert me.

7/19/03 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

PRIZE
I live for Jesus. I am learning to evaluate myself in light of what Jesus thinks. I am striving to encourage myself with an intense awareness of my standing in Christ. I belong to God. What I do I do for the Lord.

7/20/03 2 Timothy 4:8
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.

PRIZE
I can rejoice whether I am in poverty, pain, sickness, or the agonies of death. I can rejoice because Christ paid the price for me to have eternal life. But I can also rejoice because Christ will stand with me in whatever circumstance life delivers. I am precious to God. I am the beloved of the Creator of all things. Jesus is indeed Lord.

7/21/03 1 Peter 5:2-4
Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.

VALUE
I am a steward of God. I am responsible for the way I live. I have a responsibility to you. God loves you. If I love God I will love you and treat you with respect and kindness. Each one of us has real value and worth.

7/22/03 Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do.

LOVE
We live in a day when people think of themselves first. It is me, me me, with little consideration of the needs of others. People need love. God has chosen to love mankind. He uses you and me as His hands and feet. If I love God I will love the brethren and willingly put my personal wants second. This kind of lifestyle will revolutionize a family and a community.

7/23/03 Matthew 6:1
“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”

SERVICE
My service is a part of my worship. As I spend time with Jesus I become better equipped to serve those I am with. As I serve I am reminded by the Lord that I am serving Him by helping people.

7/24/03 Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing.  Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

GIVING
If I am living under the Lordship of Jesus I will give. I will make sure I tithe. I will make sure that I give beyond the tithe. I will give of my money, time and other resources. The Word of God says that if I am not a giver I am missing a blessing. Giving is part of a Christian lifestyle.

7/25/03 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.

WITNESS
Everyone I meet has value. I am investing in eternal things when I spend time with people. If I look at a person with the realization that they have value the differences between me and them disappear. Jesus loves people most of all.

7/26/03 Psalm 37:16-17
It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly.

WEALTH
Real wealth is elusive. I must guard against being enamored with the world and the things of this world. If I have Jesus I have everything. If I don’t have Christ in my life I am simply waiting to die.

7/27/03 Psalm 40:17
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the LORD is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do no delay, O my God.

HELP
I always need help. There is never a time when I can get it right without the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am ahead of the game when I recognize my great need. The powers and principalities of the air always have me on their hit list. The Lord always has me on His mind. I always need help.

7/28/03 Psalm 41:1
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor. The Lord rescues them in times of trouble.

KINDNESS
People need the Lord. But for the grace of God there go I. I am a product of the Lord. Everything I have belongs to the Lord. Jesus expects me to be His hands and feet in this world. I am most like Jesus when I am helping those in need.

7/29/03 Psalm 51: 16-17
You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.

SACRAFICE
God is looking for me to depend upon Him. I am sinful and wicked and in need of forgiveness, guidance and direction every day. If I ignore Christ I will fail. When I turn to the Lord I see myself as I really am and discover what I need to succeed that day.

7/30/03 Psalm 62:1-2
I wait patiently before God, for my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

TRUST
I can trust the Lord. I can trust Him to be on-time, and adequate to deal with whatever problem I have. Oh yes I have problems and only the Lord can solve them.

7/31/03 John 1:1
In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

JESUS
Jesus has always been God. There was never a time when Christ wasn’t God. I can serve the Lord because Jesus died for my sin. In Christ I have everything I need for this life and the life to come.

6/01/03            Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.

God is at work in my life seeking for my best good.  I can trust the Lord and can trust Him with my life.  As I talk with the Lord He will speak to me.

6/02/03            2 Peter 1:5
So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.

There are 7,000 plus promises in the Word of God that were written to me.  God’s Word will guide me.  His promises will give me the wisdom I need to face the challenges of the world.

6/03/03            2 Peter 1:1
This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you who share the same precious faith we have, faith given to us by Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, who makes us right with God.

I have a relationship with God.  The depth of that relationship is based upon my willingness to spend time with Jesus.  God is waiting on me to come and visit with Him.

6/04/03            1 Peter 5:9
Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Suffering is universal.  I must remember that everyone seeking to serve Jesus is suffering.  If I will remember this I will be better equipped to help them tell the Good News.

6/05/03            1 Peter 1:21
Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God.

Trusting God is not a password to the garden of my desires.  My trust will get me to where the Lord would have me go.  When I put myself at the middle of the equation of life I am heading for a fall.  The Lord is God and there is no other.

6/06/03            1 Peter 1:7
These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

I am not a prisoner of the events of this world.  I am a resident of eternity.  Therefore I can and will live my life like a child of the ruler of the universe.

6/07/03            James 2:26
Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds.

When my heart is right my life will be right.  The unique commitment of a child of God is to do the next right thing.

6/08/03            James 1:3
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Tumbled castles and faded dreams control the minds and hearts of most people.  I am not waiting for the world to put its stamp of approval on my life.  My life has value and worth.  God has a plan for me.  In Christ I am victorious.

6/09/03            Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

The world is at war with me.  In this world I will have trouble.  Dealing with my sin will never be easy.  If Jesus has my heart and my attention He will teach me to deal with my sin.

6/10/03            Hebrews 11:6
So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Following God is a choice.  I must learn to manage my time.  I must take the time to build a relationship with the Lord.  Time with God is an important part of building my faith.

6/11/03            Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

I do a lot of things everyday that I don’t understand or know about fully.  As I develop my relationship with Jesus there will always be a lot of things I don’t understand.  For example the fact that Jesus loves me.  It is hard to understand.

6/12/03            Mark 1:1
Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

The best news I have ever heard is the news that Jesus loves me.  It totally revolutionizes my life.  Jesus is Lord.

6/13/03            Mark 1:2-3
In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God said, “Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way.  He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!’

I have a message from God.  That message is Jesus has changed my life.  Christ will change yours if you will let Him.

6/14/03            Mark 1:9
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

God wants my obedience more than my success.  Success as I define it is short-lived.  Obedience connects me with the will of God.  Do the next right thing.

6/15/03            Mark 1:12
Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness.

Service involves suffering.  If I am going to serve the Lord, I will suffer.

6/16/03 Acts 4:12
There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.

Jesus is the only way to the Father.  No one else can save us.  No one else can give us life.  In Jesus we have eternal life.  Without Christ we have eternal separation from the Father.

6/17/03 Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves justice, and He will never abandon the godly.  He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will perish.

Time really is an enemy.  Time challenges my faith and my will.  Time is always telling me how badly things are going.  The truth is that I have everything I need in Christ.

6/18/03 Psalm 86:16
Look down and have mercy on me.  Give strength to your servant; yes save me, for I am your servant.

I can trust the Lord.  He will not forget me.  He will give me the things I need.

6/19/03 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.

I cannot stand against the evil one.  I need the Lord.  In Christ I have the strength that I need to deal with my life.

6/20/03            Philippians 3:3
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.

My life is good.  The plan God has for my life is good.  I can care for others because the Father cares for me.  When I care for someone I am acting like Jesus.

6/21/03            Philippians 3:5-7
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.  Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.  He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.

I can serve the Lord.  My example is Jesus as He served the Father.  I can risk all things, suffer all things, do all things in Christ.

6/22/03            Philippians 3:8
And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

I can rejoice.  The Lord loves me and has provided for me.  Jesus wants me to tell you about my relationship with Him.  Whatever it costs Jesus will equip and enable me to share the Gospel.

6/23/03            Philippians 3:13
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

Failure is not an indication of a poor relationship with Jesus.  Failing to obey and serve is evidence of a poor relationship with Jesus.  If I spend time with Jesus I will obey Him and have the strength to serve Him.

6/24/03 Philippians 3:14
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing,

A rebellious spirit always complains and argues.  I cannot bend the knee to Jesus with a rebellious spirit.

6/25/03 Philippians 4:4
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!

Joy is not a forced emotion.  When I spend time with Jesus joy is the result.  I cannot step into the presence of the Living Lord without experiencing His grace and love and peace.

6/26/03            2 Timothy 1:13
Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

The focus of my life must be Jesus.  Not my gifts or skills or opportunities.  Jesus is Lord and wants me to surrender to Him.

6/27/03            Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have strong faith and be filled with love and patience.

Self-control is a key element in leadership.  Weak people are difficult to deal with.  Many people are weak.  If I am under control Christ will be able to use me to help people.

6/28/03            Hebrews 6:1
So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Stop doing evil.  Get help, change, spend time with Jesus and stop doing evil.  If you will not stop doing evil you will not grow in Jesus.

6/29/03            Hebrews 10:38
And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

I must always be turning back to Jesus.  Everyday my goal must be to become more like Christ.  Whatever it takes Lord change me.

6/30/03            Hebrews 10:39
But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.

I asked Jesus to save me.  He did.  I can live my life with the absolute confidence that the Lord did exactly what He said He would.  I am not what I will be but I am totally saved.

5/01/03                        Job 6:10
At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

I am called to live a life of faith.  I must not get in the habit of evaluating my faith or my usefulness based upon my current circumstances.  Life is tough and it really happens.

5/02/03                        Job 14:22
They are absorbed in their own pain and grief.”

Now is the time to decide about Jesus.  A decision to accept Christ now is a decision that will reap abundant rewards.  A relationship with Jesus will extend from the present into eternity.  A decision to accept Jesus that is deferred until the final moments of life is a decision that may be overlooked.  Jesus is Lord.

5/03/03                        Proverbs 4:7
Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment.

I am responsible for my life.  I can go to God to help me grow and mature.  If I make the right choice of spending time with Jesus I will become wise.  If I fail to grow in Christ I will not have good judgment.

5/04/03                        Job 30:17
My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones.

I live in a frail body that carries within it the seeds of destruction.  Pain, heartache and disappointment are often a part of life.  My relationship with Jesus is based upon His gift and not my circumstances or situation.

5/05/03                        Psalm 25:18
Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.

Jesus is alive.  He knows my pain and sees my suffering.  He has not forgotten me.  Christ is not ignoring me.  In Jesus I have access to all the riches of the Lord.  I am not alone.

5/06/03                        Psalm 38:6
I am bent over and racked with pain. My days are filled with grief.

In this world I will have trouble.  Trouble is not permanent.  Trouble does not indicate a lack of value or worth.  Jesus is with me and will always be with me in good times and bad.  I belong to Him.

5/07/03                        Psalm 41:3
The LORD nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.

Jesus is real.  He is concerned about me and the things I am going through.  Christ will help me deal with my life right now.

5/08/03                        Psalm 69:29
I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

The power of God is absolute.  His power is active in my life now and into eternity.  Anxiety, heartache, pain and fear can be given to Jesus.  I am not at the mercy of the world.  I belong to the Lord.

5/09/03                        Psalm 109:22
For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.

The human condition is full of trouble.  You and I have both been at the point of heartbreak.  When I turn to the Lord I can go with full assurance that He knows my situation and will comfort me.    Jesus mends broken hearts.

5/10/03                        1 Chronicles 16:32
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy!

I can celebrate my relationship with Jesus with great joy and delight for He has given me great blessings each day.  The Lord is good and is good to me.

5/11/03                        1 Chronicles 29:9
The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King David was filled with joy.

Salvation saves ones heart and pocketbook. My willingness to give is birthed out of my gratitude for what Jesus has done for me.  Giving is a reflection of my relationship with the Lord.

5/12/03                        Nehemiah 8:10
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

The blessings of God will always inspire in me the willingness to be a blessing.  All that the Lord Jesus gives me is to be passed on.  The miracle is that when I learn to bless my blessings multiply.

5/13/03                        Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.

The world may be in turmoil.  The details of my life may be out of control.  In Christ I am whole.  Eternity is ahead and I will survive.  I can find real joy with Jesus.

5/14/03                        Psalm 9:2
I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Jesus is alive.  He is building His love and strength in me.  I am grateful and elated that Jesus loves me.

5/15/03                        Acts 13:52
And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the life giver.  He equips me for living my life today.  I have joy because Jesus is in my heart.

5/16/03                        Acts 2:28
You have shown me the way of life, and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.’

The Lord is building a relationship with me.  My job is to surrender my time and attention.  His job is giving me life and that in abundance.  I have joy in Jesus.

5/17/03                        Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

People are afraid.  They are afraid about a lot of things most notably the future.  Jesus has come.  Jesus destroys fear.  Jesus loves me.

5/18/03                        Matthew 28:8
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel’s message.

Do you feel helpless?  Jesus will help you.  We can find strength and encouragement in Jesus.  He will not let us down.

5/19/03                        Luke 1:14
You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice with you at his birth,

A 2,000 year old event that is current and powerful today.  God came in the form of a man so that man could find God.  Jesus takes us to the Father.  He is the only way.

5/20/03                        Luke 15:10
In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

I am important to Jesus.  Every detail of my life concerns Him.  My life is valuable.  I count with Jesus.

5/21/03                        Luke 19:6
Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

Encouragement is a powerful blessing.  I am called to be an encourager.  It promotes healing in hurting lives.

5/22/03                        Luke 24:52
They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.

Jesus is alive.  He is alive and lives in my heart.  His life gives me joy.  I am not alone.  I have value and worth.  My life is victorious.

5/23/03                        John 15:11
I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

A word from Jesus is a healing tonic.  It breaks up the clouds of despair.  It ensures the future.  Christ is King and I am part of His kingdom.

5/24/03                        John 16:22
You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.

Joy is not an emotion.  Joy does not depend on my station in life or even in good things happening.  Joy is rooted in eternity and is a fact.  I belong to Jesus therefore I have joy.

5/25/03                        John 16:24
You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

I can ask in Jesus name and know that the Father hears me.  Even though I may be mired deep in sin I can cry out and be heard.  This brings great joy.  I belong to Jesus.  He loves me.

5/26/03                        John 20:20
As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord!

Jesus cares for me.  He died that I might live and lives that I might not perish under the weight of the world.  There is great joy in the presence of Jesus.

5/27/03                        Ecclesiastes 11:10
So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.

Jesus brings meaning to life.  I am a co-laborer together with Jesus in the Garden of God.  What I do counts.  The plan for my life is a good plan and it requires me.

5/28/03                        Hebrews 13:3
Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.

Prison is a hard place.  No one has it easy there.  I can pray for those in prison.  I can pray for their salvation, safety and opportunity for service.  I am partnering with Jesus when I care for those in prison.

5/29/03                        1 Peter 4:1
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning.

I must learn to control my ego.  My whole life involves careening from one want to the other.  Setting aside my wants will cause my flesh to react indignantly and with great force.  Sin wants to have a hold on me.  Only Jesus can heal my selfish heart and equip me to live for Him.

5/30/03                        Revelation 21:4
He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.”

If I will walk with Jesus He will meet all my needs.  Heaven will be a great place.

5/31/03                        Jude 1:22
Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.

There will be a day when I will need your help.  It will come.  Help me with kindness and understanding when I face that day.  You to will have a day of need.