Category - Devotionals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7/1              Galatians 3:1
Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross.

CROSS
The cross is repugnant to the world.  The world does things its way.  Reason reaches out to turn us aside from faith.  Why, is the condemning question, as though we could understand why if we were told.  Claim Jesus.  Claim His love for you.  When things turn bad you need to turn to Christ.

7/2              Galatians 3:2-3
Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ.  Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

JESUS
It is all about Jesus.  We are striving to grow in Christ and by faith we know that day by day we will.  There will be victories and failures but the bottom line is that we will continue growing into Christ likeness.  Remember, we are saved by Jesus, given life by Jesus and we will go to be with Him at death.

7/3              Galatians 3:4-5
You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?  I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the Law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

FAITH
Faith is hard for humans to get a handle on and is difficult to identify except by the Word of God.  The Lord said so I believe it.  This kind of faith equips us to face the attacks of the world and the world will attack our faith.  Faith is our connection with the Lord and is based on His commitment in His Word to us.

7/4              Galatians 3:6-8
In the same way, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.”   The real children of Abraham, then, are all those who put their faith in God.  What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would accept the Gentiles, too, on the basis of their faith. God promised this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.”

FAITH
God is trustworthy.  He willingly listens to our complaints.  The bottom line is that we have to choose whether we will trust Him with our lives or try to live our life on our own.

7/5              Galatians 3:9
And so it is: All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

CHOICE
When we choose to trust the Lord and have faith in His promises we are blessed.  We have His peace and His presence.  We can listen to Him as He speaks to us.  The examples of faith in the Bible are there so that we can know that when we live like that we will have the same kind of relationship that those heroes of the faith had.  The Lord doesn’t trick us, He loves us and is seeking for our best good.

7/6              Galatians 3:10
But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all these commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”

CHOICE
When we choose to go our own way and decide on our own how the Lord should deal with us we lose.  We lose because He has told us how He deals with us.  We lose because it is presumption.  We lose because the simple truth is that without faith it is impossible for us to believe Him.

7/7              Galatians 3:11
Consequently, it is clear that no one can ever be right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

FAITH
We are saved by faith.  Without faith there is no salvation.  Without faith we have no relationship.  Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.

7/8              Galatians 3:12
How different from this way of faith is the way of law, which says, “If you wish to find life by obeying the law, you must obey all of its commands.”

WEAK
One thing you will discover is that humans, including you are weak.  We cannot meet the demands of the law.  Jesus does for us what we cannot do for ourselves-He takes the punishment for our sin.  Praise the Lord for His wonderful plan of Salvation.

7/9              Galatians 3:13-14
But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”    Through the work of Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, and we Christians receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

SALVATION
We have access to the Father when we come to Christ.  He is Lord.  Jesus brings us into the family of God.  He gives us life and light.

7/10            Galatians 3:15-16
Dear brothers and sisters, here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case.  God gave the promise to Abraham and his child.  And notice that it doesn’t say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his child – and that, of course, means Christ.

GOOD NEWS
Christ has come.  He came for you and me.  He is alive today interceding for us as He sits at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus is Lord.

7/11            Galatians 3:17-18
This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise.  For if the inheritance could be received only by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God gave it to Abraham as a promise.

GIFT
Jesus came for us.  He came that we might have life.  In the midst of a perverse generation He comes to us as savior and friend.  He is Lord.

7/12            Galatians 3:19
Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the child to whom God’s promise was made. And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to give to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.

NEW DAY
We live in a new day.  We have Jesus who calls us, saves us, leads us and will be present when we leave this world for eternity.  He provides forgiveness for our sin and wisdom for living.  He is God’s everything.

7/13            Galatians 3:20
Now a mediator is needed if two people enter into an agreement, but God acted on his own when he made his promise to Abraham.

PROVISION
Christ has made provision for us.  He gives us the authority to receive salvation.  It is our choice.  He said call upon me and I will save you.  What a Savior.  From Him we receive grace upon grace and it never depletes His grace.

7/14            Galatians 3:21-22
Well then, is there a conflict between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could have given us new life, we could have been made right with God by obeying it.  But the Scriptures have declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so the only way to receive God’s promise is to believe in Jesus Christ.

FORGIVENESS
Jesus provides forgiveness for our sin.  He makes peace with the Father for us.  We become a member of God’s family.  He gives us new life.  He becomes a part of our daily life.  He is Lord.

7/15            Galatians 3:23-26
Until faith in Christ was shown to us as the way of becoming right with God, we were guarded by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until we could put our faith in the coming Savior.  Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came. So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God.  But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.  So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

WAY
Our way is sure in Christ.  He is our light and life.  As we read God’s Word, the Bible, Jesus will speak to us and tell us how we should live.  He is alive in us and brings His Word to life so that we might live like He would live.

7/16            Galatians 3:27
And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.

GROWTH
We will become more like Jesus day by day.  He would that we know His plan for our life and specifically what He would have us do.  As we get to know Him better He will change the way we act to the way He acts.

7/17            Galatians 3:28-29
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians – you are one in Christ Jesus.  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you.

PROMISES
There are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible written to us.  Search for those promises each day and claim them for your life.  He is alive and He is Lord.

7/18            Galatians 4:1-3
Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves great wealth for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.  They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set.  And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world.

FREEDOM
Whatever you are struggling with today, do not fear, Jesus has you on His heart.  In Christ you are free from the power of the world.  Rejoice because in Jesus you are free indeed.

7/19            Galatians 4:4
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

NOW
Now is the day of salvation.  Now is the time to take your problems to the Lord.  We are now in Christ and He is able to deal with the problems in our life.  We need to know Him better.  We need to spend enough time with Him so that we instantly take everything to Him.  Rejoice, now is the time of the Lord.

7/20            Galatians 4:5-7
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.  And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father.  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.  And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.

ONE
We are one in Christ.  In Jesus we are brought into the family of God.  We belong to Him.  He is our dear Father and we have the right to cry out for His help.  Christ has freed us and united us.

7/21            Galatians 4:8-11
Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.  And now that you have found God (or should I say, now that God has found you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual powers of this world?  You are trying to find favor with God by what you do or don’t do on certain days or months or seasons or years.  I fear for you. I am afraid that all my hard work for you was worth nothing.

FREE
We have freedom in Jesus.  He has set us free from fear, our past, and the world.  He has a plan for our life.  We are valuable.  We have real life in Jesus Christ.

7/22            Galatians 4:12
Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles were – free from the law.  You did not mistreat me when I first preached to you.

TRUST
We trust the Lord to do what He said He would do-we are alive in Christ and free from the slavery of sin.  Jesus is Lord and we are part of His family.

7/23            Galatians 4:13-16
Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News of Christ.  But even though my sickness was revolting to you, you did not reject me and turn me away. No, you took me in and cared for me as though I were an angel from God or even Christ Jesus himself.  Where is that joyful spirit we felt together then? In those days, I know you would gladly have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible.  Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

LOVE
God’s love towards us is an action.  The Lord loves us so much that even knowing all about us He paid the price for our sin.  His sacrifice paid a price I could not pay.  His act of love provided me the gift of eternal life.  Love is an action.  Who do you love?

7/24            Galatians 4:17-18
Those false teachers who are so anxious to win your favor are not doing it for your good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay more attention to them.  Now it’s wonderful if you are eager to do good, and especially when I am not with you.

TRUTH
Truth is measured by God’s Word.  As complex as the world is and as confusing as daily life can get the TRUTH is Jesus is Lord and we can put our trust in Him.  No one else is even on the scale.  Only Jesus is totally trustworthy.  When people are telling us things that seem to denigrate those that we know and love it would benefit us to withhold judgment as we seek the truth.

7/25            Galatians 4:19-20
But oh, my dear children! I feel as if I am going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.  How I wish I were there with you right now, so that I could be more gentle with you. But at this distance I frankly don’t know what else to do.

PEOPLE
People count with Jesus.  They count more than buildings or things.  Jesus died for us and we are people.  Remember that the people you know and deal with everyday are the people for whom Jesus died.

7/26            Galatians 4:21-23
Listen to me, you who want to live under the law. Do you know what the law really says?  The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave-wife and one from his freeborn wife.  The son of the slave-wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.

SELF
We will always get in trouble when we try to do spiritual things in the flesh.  We may be brilliant but our brilliance is but foolish before the Lord.  Our best efforts at seeing the future are but shots in the dark.  Are you facing a great problem?  Trust Jesus and obey Him.  His way is always the right way.  He loves you and me.

7/27            Galatians 4:24-25
Now these two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. Hagar, the slave-wife, represents Mount Sinai where people first became enslaved to the law.  And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery.

CHOICE
We have a choice; we can choose God’s way or our way.  Time with Jesus helps us to make good choices.  Knowing Him better helps us walk through this veil of tears.  Knowing Him better equips us to face the unknown.

7/28            Galatians 4:26-27
But Sarah, the free woman, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. And she is our mother.  That is what Isaiah meant when he prophesied, “Rejoice, O childless woman! Break forth into loud and joyful song, even though you never gave birth to a child. For the woman who could bear no children now has more than all the other women!”

REJOICE
Rejoice for the Lord loves you.  He has your best interest at heart.  Every thought He has towards you is a thought for good.  Claim His guidance and presence.  Spend time with Jesus because He loves you.

7/29            Galatians 4:28
And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac.

PROMISE
We are members of His household.  This world is just a brief interlude to eternity.  We are to run the race with the full realization that we belong to Him.  Jesus is Lord and wants to be Lord of our life.  If we yield to Him we will reign with Him.  If we seek our own way we will fail miserably.  Claim His promise of new life and light for living.

7/30            Galatians 4:29
And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want us to keep the law, just as Isaac, the child of promise, was persecuted by Ishmael, the son of the slave-wife.

DEMANDS
Everyone who is lost makes foolish demands of those who are the children of God.  You nor I can change the way things are.  Evil is rampant.  Lost people always act like lost people.  What we can do is grow to be more like Jesus.  We can pray for others especially the lost.  We can live with hope.  We can be loving and helpful.  Jesus loves you and wants to use you as His representative to the world.

7/31            Galatians 4:30-31
But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the family inheritance with the free woman’s son.”  So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, obligated to the law. We are children of the free woman, acceptable to God because of our faith.

FAITH
Faith takes real courage.  We cannot see but we believe.  We experience the woes and travail of the world and yet we have the confidence of one who sees beyond the veil of this life knowing that we are loved and the beloved of the Lord.  We belong to Him and are on mission for Him.  Jesus is our goal.  This world has no hold over us and we rejoice in Him by faith.

6/1              Galatians 1:1-3
This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group or by human authority. My call is from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.  All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending greetings to the churches of Galatia.  May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

PEACE
We need peace.  The peace Paul speaks of is the presence of the Lord in our life giving us an active freedom from being at war with the Him.  His peace nurtures us.  Life has joy and purpose when His peace is in control.  Ask Jesus for His peace

6/2              Galatians 1:4-5
He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.  That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen.

JESUS
Jesus is first and last, He is our all.  Jesus is worthy of all our praise.  He is our focus and the substance of our journey.  Begin each day with Jesus and you will not fall for the wiles of the world.

6/3              Galatians 1:6-7
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.

JESUS
Do not lose your focus.  Spend time with Jesus.  Get to know Jesus.  Keep your focus on Jesus.  When your focus is on Jesus you will not lose your perspective nor will you forget who you serve.  Jesus if Lord.

6/4              Galatians 1:8-9
Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed.  I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God’s curse fall upon that person.

JESUS
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is our cry.  He died for us.  He lives to give us value and worth and guide our every step in His plan for our life.  I am no longer at war with the Lord.  I am saved and free.  Jesus is Lord.

6/5              Galatians 1:10-11
Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.  Dear brothers and sisters, I solemnly assure you that the Good News of salvation which I preach is not based on mere human reasoning or logic.

JESUS
We live each day seeking to grow in our relationship with Jesus.  He is closer than a brother.  He is worthy of our every thought.  We can trust our all to Him.  The Good News has come.  We have accepted this free gift of life in Christ and now are members of the family of God.  Jesus is Lord.

6/6              Galatians 1:12-15
For my message came by a direct revelation from Jesus Christ himself. No one else taught me.  You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion – how I violently persecuted the Christians.  I did my best to get rid of them.  I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age, and I tried as hard as possible to follow all the old traditions of my religion.  But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!

JESUS
Jesus knows your name.  He knows where you came from and where you can go.  You choose if you will go there.  The journey begins with surrendering your life to Jesus.  It continues by your growing friendship with Him.  You choose.  Choose right.

6/7              Galatians 1:16-17
Then he revealed his Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When all this happened to me, I did not rush out to consult with anyone else; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. No, I went away into Arabia and later returned to the city of Damascus.

JESUS
We have direct access to the Lord.  We don’t need an intermediary.  We go to Him and get to know Him.  He will guide us in our growth.  He will not turn us away.  Jesus loves you and me and He is seeking for our best good.

6/8              Galatians 1:18-20
It was not until three years later that I finally went to Jerusalem for a visit with Peter and stayed there with him for fifteen days.  And the only other apostle I met at that time was James, our Lord’s brother.  You must believe what I am saying, for I declare before God that I am not lying.

PEOPLE
People count with Jesus.  Not just certain people but all people.  Christ died for each and every one of us.  He would that no one perishes.  Christ is looking for you.  Have you accepted His free gift?  Have you met with Him today?  Spend time with Jesus and He will spend time with you.

6/9              Galatians 1:21-24
Then after this visit, I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia.  And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally.  All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us now preaches the very faith he tried to destroy!”  And they gave glory to God because of me.

CHANGE
Paul had a total change experience in his life.  It took time for others to see that.  You can change.  It does take time.  It also takes time for others to see it.  The problem that everyone faces is that when the Lord changes us we have to change our habits and that can be tough.  It is real tough when we whine and moan.  It works when we recognize that Jesus will give us what we need to change and then get busy changing.  Jesus loves you.

6/10            Galatians 2:1-2
Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too.  I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I talked privately with the leaders of the church. I wanted them to understand what I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure they did not disagree, or my ministry would have been useless.

PEOPLE
People count with Jesus.  We need to be aware of how we impact others.  People are important.  We want to make sure that what we are doing communicates in the best way possible.  I want you to know that Jesus loves you.  He has a free gift for you.  That gift is life.  That life is a new life that gives us membership in the house of the Lord for eternity.  The Lord is with us and He is seeking our best.

6/11            Galatians 2:3
And they did agree. They did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

FELLOWSHIP
You and I can have fellowship.  Not because of who be are but because of who Jesus is.  He is Lord of life and gives us life.  We can follow Him.  He is worthy of all of our focus and activity and seeks to have fellowship with us.  Therefore, we can have fellowship because we belong to Jesus.

6/12            Galatians 2:4
Even that question wouldn’t have come up except for some so-called Christians there – false ones, really – who came to spy on us and see our freedom in Christ Jesus. They wanted to force us, like slaves, to follow their Jewish regulations.

RULES
Jesus has given us His rule-love the Lord with all of our heart and love each like we love ourselves.  He is love.  He will give us direction for our life every step of the way.  Jesus is God’s everything.  We surrender to Him and He will lead us moment by moment all of our life.  We do not know the future but we do know the one who holds the future.

6/13            Galatians 2:5
But we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you.

TRUTH
You count with Jesus.  Your life is important to Him.  Your plan is valuable and useful in the kingdom.  Do not fear, in a world of fear and anger, Jesus has saved you.  Remember He wants to give you guidance.  Talk with Him.  He is waiting to hear from you this moment.

6/14            Galatians 2:6
And the leaders of the church who were there had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)

JOY
We can have joy.  We are unique and special in the eyes of the Lord.  We have not been shortchanged.  Every thought the Lord has for you is a thought for good.  One of the amazing things about life in Christ is that we are partners together with Christ in His creation.

6/15            Galatians 2:7-8
They saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the Good News to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews.  For the same God who worked through Peter for the benefit of the Jews worked through me for the benefit of the Gentiles.

JESUS
Be careful who you follow.  Spend time with Jesus.  Make sure that you are listening to what He says.  Let Him check your ego.  Give Him your time to review your sin.  Ask Jesus to correct and guide you.  Jesus is Lord and there is no other.

6/16            Galatians 2:9
In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.

PARTNERS
We all need partners.  It is noted that a particularly strong horse can pull maybe as much as eight tons.  Two strong horses together can pull thirty tons.  Together we can do much more than by ourselves.  We are ambassadors for Christ and are part of His body in the world.

6/17            Galatians 2:10
The only thing they suggested was that we remember to help the poor, and I have certainly been eager to do that.

RESPONSIBILITY
We are responsible for our gifts and our resources.  People need Jesus and they need us.  Community in the family is important.  All of those we meet are important.  Be mindful of those around you who are in need.  Let us commit ourselves to help others.

6/18            Galatians 2:11-12
But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong.  When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who don’t bother with circumcision. But afterward, when some Jewish friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore because he was afraid of what these legalists would say.

ATTITUDE
We are ambassadors of Christ.  We aren’t the ambassador, but we are servants.  Check your attitude.  Are you seeking to serve?  Or are you seeking to be served?

6/19            Galatians 2:13
Then the other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was influenced to join them in their hypocrisy.

JESUS
Note that even the apostles were off base.  Jesus must be the focus of our life for us to stay on the right path.  He will lead us in the right way and will not let us go astray.  The World’s way is never the right way.

6/20            Galatians 2:14-16
When I saw that they were not following the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you trying to make these Gentiles obey the Jewish laws you abandoned?  You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles.  And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ – and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.”

FAITH
Faith in Jesus Christ saves us.  It is a gift from the Father so that no one can boast.  Tradition and customs are comforting to hold but they have nothing to do with our relationship with Jesus.  It is a first generation relationship, there are no grandchildren in the family of God, and it is developed personally.

6/21            Galatians 2:17
But what if we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then find out that we are still sinners? Has Christ led us into sin? Of course not!

JESUS
Sanctification takes a lifetime.  We are saints in Christ.  His gift of eternal life is what makes us saints-the Father sees us through the saving work that Christ has done.  The process of sanctifying our life takes every day of our life one day at a time.  Life is a process of growth by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

6/22            Galatians 2:18
Rather, I make myself guilty if I rebuild the old system I already tore down.

MAN
There is no good thing that can recommend man to God.  We are saved by faith in Christ to live by faith in Christ.  Pray, study, grow, pray and do not stop.  You will discover that the life you have been given is worthy of your very best.  Be yourself.  That is who Christ died for.

6/23            Galatians 2:19-20
For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ.  I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

DAILY
Life in Christ is limited by time and space.  Life in Christ is every day.  Life in Christ is adequate for you to life a fulfilled and joyous life.  His work in you is wonderful.  His assignment for you is important.  Your life is valuable.  Live it.

6/24            Galatians 2:21
I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless. For if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no need for Christ to die.

GRACE

Grace is expensive.  Grace is complete.  The gift of salvation is a grace gift-that cost the life of Jesus Christ.  Straightforward, simple and complete-we are saved by His grace.  This should cause you to bend your knee in gratitude.  Jesus loves you.  Listen to His call and accept His grace gift of salvation now if you haven’t already.  If you have accepted His grace gift-let Him change the things you say and do.  His grace saves you.

6/25            Psalm 129:1-4
A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me – let Israel now say –  from my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never been able to finish me off.  My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.  But the LORD is good; he has cut the cords used by the ungodly to bind me.

FREEDOM
We are free in Christ.  We are no longer bound to our past, our prejudice, our failure, we are free.  Jesus died for you and me and His death and resurrections by the power of God offers us the opportunity to come into the Family of God.

6/26            Psalm 129:5-8
May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat.  May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown, ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder.  And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The LORD’s blessings be upon you; we bless you in the LORD’s name.”

BLESSING
Bless the name of the Lord for He has blessed us in Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our redeemer, guide, counselor, and friend and is many more glorious blessings from the Father.  I can rejoice in Jesus whatever my situation.  Jesus is alive and He lives in me.

6/27            Psalm 130:1-2
A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help.  Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

HEARS
The Lord hears you.  He hears us even when we don’t know what to say.  He knows the most intimate detail about us and our life.  We are His-we belong to Him.  When you pray, glorify Him for all that He is doing for you.  Our relationship with Jesus is a right now relationship.  Glory to God in the highest.

6/28            Psalm 130:3
LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

FORGIVENESS
Jesus deals with us thru forgiveness.  He offers forgiveness to us no matter what we do.  There are consequences of our sin that we will experience in the flesh but in the spiritual realm Jesus forgives us of all of our sin.

6/29            Psalm 130:4
But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

FEAR
His offer of forgiveness is so beyond anything we can think or comprehend it should cause us to repent and honor Him.  He should have our attention every moment of the day-Jesus forgives our sin.  His forgiveness is available if we are available.

6/30            Psalm 130:5-8
I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.  I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.  O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love and an overflowing supply of salvation.  He himself will free Israel from every kind of sin.

TRUSTWORTHY
The Lord is trustworthy.  We can have confidence in His love.  We can build our faith in Him because He always does exactly what He says He will do.  Read His Word.  Build it into your life so that you will know what the Lord says.  Claim His promise and live by faith.

5/1              2 Corinthians 9:1-3
I really don’t need to write to you about this gift for the Christians in Jerusalem.   For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to our friends in Macedonia that you Christians in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of them to begin helping.  But I am sending these brothers just to be sure that you really are ready, as I told them you would be, with your money all collected. I don’t want it to turn out that I was wrong in my boasting about you.

GIVING
Unselfishness is difficult for many to deal with.  Even when we have been saved for a long time, we may still have to battle the sin of selfishness.  For many there is a drive to excel and a yearning to have enough.  Faith is a large part of giving.  We don’t know what tomorrow holds.  We may not know if we will get in enough to replace what we give away.  As we mature as Christians, part of that maturing process is to listen to the Father and give as He leads.

5/2              2 Corinthians 9:4-5
I would be humiliated – and so would you – if some Macedonian Christians came with me, only to find that you still weren’t ready after all I had told them!  So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given under pressure.

GIVING
Giving is a part of the normal Christian life.  The Lord owns everything and He will take care of us.  Our giving registers our faith in a way that is tangible, measureable and identifiable.  The key to our giving is to ask the Lord what He would have us do and then do it.

5/3              2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

GIVING
The value of our giving is measured.  It is not measured by how much we give but instead is measured by how much of what we have to give is given.  The widow giving the mite gave all that she had.  One person may be giving all they have by giving $20 where someone else may need to give $1,000.  Tithing is a critical part of our giving and so is our generous gifts beyond the tithe.

5/4              2 Corinthians 9:7
You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.

CHEERFUL
Give from you heart and give cheerfully.  Cheerful giving is an example of obedience and trust.  Giving frees us from the tyranny of fear that the world is under and moves us into the presence of the Lord.

5/5              2 Corinthians 9:8
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

OBEDIENCE
The rewards of an obedient life are consistent and persistent.  They are consistent because they put us in the position of an obedient servant.  By our own action we evidence our trust in the Lord.  They are persistent in that we are living by the direction of the Lord and He is moving us forward day by day.  Generous giving is a part of an obedient life.

5/6              2 Corinthians 9:9-10
As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.”   For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

DO
What we do matters.  You will find that a life committed to giving cheerfully and generously will be a life that is in partnership with the Lord in this world.  When we are faithful servants our master is actively involved in the ordinary events of our life. A life of humility and service is a life that the Lord uniquely blesses.

5/7              2 Corinthians 9:11-15
Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God.  So two good things will happen – the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God.  You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.  And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.  Thank God for his Son – a gift too wonderful for words!

LOVE
The best way to understand and express the love of Christ is to lead a life of aggressive obedience.  The Lord is for us.  He frees us to be for Him.  Good news living casts the light of Jesus on everyone.  The world is made up of two groups of people-those who live in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and those who need to know about Jesus.

5/8              Psalms 87:1
On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord.

REALITY
Don’t let the world drag you down.  Do not be blinded by the difficulties you face.  Remember that the Lord Himself loved you so much that He stepped into your world and provided a free gift for you.  That gift is salvation-a relationship with Him.  One day we will be with Jesus.  Right now He is in us.

5/9              Psalms 87:2
He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel.  O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!

PERSONAL
Jesus is personal.  He knows us.  He calls us to be personally involved in His work.  Jerusalem, the city of God is important to the Lord just as our church is important to Him.  The church belongs to Him, we belong to Him and He loves the church and us.

5/10            Psalms 87:4
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.  They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!

GIFT
The Lord is offering us the free gift of membership in His family.  Any one of us has the same opportunity for membership-accepting Jesus as our Lord.  We are brought into the family of God by this free gift.

5/11            Psalms 87:5-7
Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”  And the Most High will personally bless this city.  When the Lord registers the nations, he will say, “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.”  The people will play flutes and sing, “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

JOY
Note the joy and rejoicing.  We as members of the family of God have a good reason to rejoice no matter what our circumstance.  We belong.  We have a purpose.  We have value and worth.  We are beloved of God.  He is our father.

5/12            2 Corinthians 10: 1
Now I, Paul, plead with you. I plead with the gentleness and kindness that Christ himself would use, even though some of you say I am bold in my letters but timid in person.

PEOPLE
People are judgmental.  People seldom know the truth about someone else.  People will often misconstrue our motives.  You make sure that you take your situation to the Lord and let Him guide you.  Give the acrimony of others to Him and do not take it personal.  Follow Jesus.

5/13            2 Corinthians 10:2-4
I hope it won’t be necessary, but when I come I may have to be very bold with those who think we act from purely human motives.  We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods.  We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds.

WAR
Jesus fights our battles.  We keep our eyes on Jesus.  Strongholds come down by the power of God and not the schemes of man.  Take your struggles to Jesus.  Tell Him what you are facing and failing.  Listen to His instructions and do them.  Obedience in spiritual matters is required for bringing down the strongholds of the evil one.

5/14            2 Corinthians 10:5-7
With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.  And we will punish those who remained disobedient after the rest of you became loyal and obedient.
The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance.  You must recognize that we belong to Christ just as much as those who proudly declare that they belong to Christ.

CHANGE
Change comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Submission and obedience are critical elements in our daily life.  World change begins with us.  Let Jesus have you first.

5/15            2 Corinthians 10:8-11
I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down. And I will not be put to shame by having my work among you destroyed.  Now this is not just an attempt to frighten you by my letters.  For some say, “Don’t worry about Paul. His letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are really bad!”  The ones who say this must realize that we will be just as demanding and forceful in person as we are in our letters.

JESUS
Daily living requires that we seek guidance from the Lord for how we are to act and what we will do.  Confrontation is never comfortable.  The key for us is to make sure that our eyes and heart are firmly focused on Jesus.  Are we doing what the Lord has called us to do or have we let our egos lead?  Surrender and obedience lead us.  Ask Jesus what He has for you to do.

5/16            2 Corinthians 10:12
Oh, don’t worry; I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!

MEASURE
In our minds and our hearts where we know, really know ourselves we never measure up.  Others do not know us but Jesus knows us.  Kneel before Him and ask Him what he would have you to do.  Jesus will talk straight with us.  He will tell us what He expects and how He will help us to meet His demands.

5/17            2 Corinthians 10:13-14
But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you.  We are not going too far when we claim authority over you, for we were the first to travel all the way to you with the Good News of Christ.

PLAN
The Lord has a plan for your life.  It is unique and personal.  Jesus would first and foremost that you be yourself.  When you do what He says for you to do then He is the only one that can measure your success.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and the Lord will give you the resources that you need to accomplish His plan for your life.

5/18            2 Corinthians 10:15-18
Nor do we claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged.  Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places that are far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question about being in someone else’s territory.  As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.”  When people boast about themselves, it doesn’t count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that’s different!

GOOD JOB
We live at the pleasure of the Lord.  He is our focus, He is the master we are the servant.  As I work the life plan He has for me I am looking to Him for guidance and evaluation.  Jesus will speak with us about what we are or are not doing.  One day we will go to be with Him and then He will give us His evaluation of our work.  I’m looking for a “good job” from Him.

5/19            2 Corinthians 11: 1-4
I hope you will be patient with me as I keep on talking like a fool. Please bear with me.  I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ.  But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.  You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

GROW
Grow is a personal admonition for each one of us.  We have to spend time with Jesus to grow.  We do that by reading His Word, memorizing Scripture, and thinking about Scripture, praying, and meditating.  Stop and let Him control your life.  When you have no time you are spending too much time letting the world control you.

5/20            2 Corinthians 11:5-6
But I don’t think I am inferior to these “super apostles.”  I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about. I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again.

YOU
You are who you are.  You will never be anyone but who you are.  Jesus made you special and He wants you to give who you are to be His.  You have nothing to prove and everything to give.

5/21            2 Corinthians 11:7-15
Did I do wrong when I humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without expecting anything in return?  I “robbed” other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.  And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not ask you to help me. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me another gift. I have never yet asked you for any support, and I never will.   As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, I will never stop boasting about this all over Greece.  Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do.  But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours.  These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.  So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

LIFE
Life belongs to Jesus.  We don’t know the future nor do we know how we will respond in the future.  What we do know is what we can do right now to prepare ourselves for the future-spend time with Jesus.  Do not be overwhelmed by the moment or sidetracked by future fears.  Let the Lord have you-all of you-and He will be faithful.

5/22            2 Corinthians 11:16-21
Once again, don’t think that I have lost my wits to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little.  Such bragging is not something the Lord wants, but I am acting like a fool.  And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.  After all, you, who think you are so wise, enjoy listening to fools!  You put up with it when they make you their slaves, take everything you have, take advantage of you, put on airs, and slap you in the face.  I’m ashamed to say that we were not strong enough to do that!  But whatever they dare to boast about – I’m talking like a fool again – I can boast about it, too.

YOU
You are special to Jesus.  What you do is important to Him.  He sees the things you do and say and knows your heart.  Let Christ have control of you.  Talk with Him.  He will listen.

5/23            2 Corinthians 11:22-30
They say they are Hebrews, do they? So am I. And they say they are Israelites? So am I. And they are descendants of Abraham? So am I.  They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.  Five different times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.  I have traveled many weary miles. I have faced danger from flooded rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the stormy seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be Christians but are not.  I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food. Often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.  Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along.  Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?  If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

WEAKNESS
We are weak creatures.  Life can change so quickly.  The future becomes the past, the moment passes, what we intended gets confused and life passes by.  We are weak creatures.  But in our weakness we can proclaim the honor and glory of the Lord.  When I am weak He is strong.  He is for me who can be against me?  Go with God.

5/24            2 Corinthians 11:31-33
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows I tell the truth.  When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me.  But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall, and that’s how I got away!

PROVIDENCE
God’s plan for your life includes His providence for you.  When we are following Him we do not need to worry because Jesus will take care of everything we need.  The Lord is always on His throne.  The world never surprises Him.  Be strong in the Lord and He will handle the needs of your life.

5/25            2 Corinthians 12:1-6
This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord.  I   was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago.  Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don’t know; only God knows.  But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told.  That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses.  I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it. I don’t want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message,

EGO
Our need to be important will get us into trouble.  Ego must go.  Our importance in Jesus is a fact.  He died for you and for me.  His death was a community event but it was also a personal event.  My sin was known to Him.  He knew my personal need and died for me.  Do not let the world get you down.  Do not forget who you are and whose you are.  Jesus is Lord and He loves you.

5/26            2 Corinthians 12:7-10
even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.  Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.  Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

SHINE
When Jesus is in our heart and our ego is set aside others can see our light.  We talk about Him and tell everyone about Him but unless He is in me and in control of me all others will hear are words.  Remember we must let Jesus shine from inside of us-from our heart and soul.

5/27            2 Corinthians 12:11-12
You have made me act like a fool – boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.  When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

EVIDENCE
The evidence of His presence in us is what we do for others.  We are measured by our generosity, our submission, our forgiving nature.  Every proof of Christ in our life is when we do for others as He has done for us.  Give.

5/28            2 Corinthians 12:13-14
The only thing I didn’t do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!  Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have; I want you. And anyway, little children don’t pay for their parents’ food. It’s the other way around; parents supply food for their children.

GENEROSITY
Amazing but true, the more we give the more we have to give.  I cannot out give the Lord.  The depth of my ability to give is directly related to the act of giving.  When I give I am more able to give.  The more I give the greater ability I have to give.

5/29            2 Corinthians 12:15-17
I will gladly spend myself and all I have for your spiritual good, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.  Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But they still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.  But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you?

DOUBT
The world will always doubt you.  Get your eyes off the world and focus on Jesus.  Let Him have your full attention.  Be about His business and let Him have your worries about what others think.

5/30            2 Corinthians 12:18-20
When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No, of course not! For we both have the same Spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way.  Perhaps you think we are saying all this just to defend ourselves. That isn’t it at all. We tell you this as Christ’s servants, and we know that God is listening. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit.  For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won’t like what I find, and then you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior.

LIFESTYLE
The world does as it pleases.  We do as the Lord pleases.  We set aside our prerogatives and claim the goals that the Lord defines.  Step one in daily living is praising the Lord.  We are His and He has our best interests at heart.

5/31            2 Corinthians 12:21
Yes, I am afraid that when I come, God will humble me again because of you. And I will have to grieve because many of you who sinned earlier have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.

PRAYER
Prayer is our lifeline.  Prayer brings us a more exact understanding of who we are and who Jesus is.  Our prayer helps us to connect with others.  Prayer changes us.  Pray.

04/01                    2 Corinthians 7:1
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.

PROMISES
The promises of God span the ages unto eternity.  We cannot comprehend this idea and yet it is truth.  How fearful our Lord is because He made all things that are.  How wonderful is this glorious Lord and how much we should fear Him.  Thanks be unto God that even in our fear we can claim relationship through His wonderful gift of life in Christ.

04/02                    2 Corinthians 7:2-4
Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone. We have not led anyone astray. We have not taken advantage of anyone.  I’m not saying this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts forever. We live or die together with you.  I have the highest confidence in you, and my pride in you is great. You have greatly encouraged me; you have made me happy despite all our troubles.

REALITY
The Christian life is not without its challenges.  Even the great Apostle Paul faced difficult days with the Church at Corinth.  As we should Paul deals with the issues with honesty and openness.  When you face problems remember to face them with honesty and truthfulness.

04/03                    2 Corinthians 7:5-7
When we arrived in Macedonia there was no rest for us. Outside there was conflict from every direction, and inside there was fear.  But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.  His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told me how much you were looking forward to my visit, and how sorry you were about what had happened, and how loyal your love is for me, I was filled with joy!

JESUS
Jesus is involved in our everyday activities.  He is not detached or unapproachable.  Talk with Him to get the wisdom you need to deal with complex and difficult issues.  We are not alone.

04/04                    2 Corinthians 7:8-10
I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while.  Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.  For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death.

REPENTANCE
People lead self-centered lives.  It is also very easy for us to forget that we can be thinking wrongly about an issue.  Step one in inter-personal relationships is to make certain that you have confessed your sin to the Lord and then lay your issues before the Him.  Let Christ guide you in the way you should go.  We are a part of the kingdom and not the ruler of the kingdom.

04/05                    2 Corinthians 7:11
Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right.

BLINDNESS
Sometimes we have personal blindness because of our own sinfulness.  When we get before the Lord with a willingness to confess our sin, letting the Lord remove the covers of sin from our eyes and then change, we will see the right way to go.  For all of us, changing from the way we are to the way that Christ is requires spiritual growth and humility.  It’s hard for people to recognize their sin because of the pride of life.  Bend the knee and let Jesus change you.

04/06                    2 Corinthians 7:12-16
My purpose was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could show how much you really do care for us.  We have been encouraged by this.  In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was at the way you welcomed him and set his mind at ease.  I had told him how proud I was of you – and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true!  Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way you listened to him and welcomed him with such respect and deep concern.  I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

VALUE
People, all people have real value.  Salvation in Christ sets us free to recognize others value and to live our lives as value givers.  Change is required to be this kind of person.  Christ calls us to be world changers, to be different than the world and to impact the world one person at a time.  Pray for a heart that is pure and a life-style that values each person you meet.

04/07          2 Corinthians 8:1
Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia.

POWER
God’s power is available for you.  He will intervene in times of trouble.  The Lord will see you through difficult times.  You are important to Him and He will give you the wisdom, mercy and grace to accomplish the task He has placed before you.  Jesus is able and He will make you strong.

04/08          2 Corinthians 8:2
Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity.

GENEROSITY
The Lord encourages us to give.  Our giving is an evidence of our confidence in Him.  Our giving enables His work to move forward.  Our giving strengthens our faith and enlarges our vision.  Giving enriches our joy.  Be a joyful, faithful giver and grow.

04/09          2 Corinthians 8:3-5
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem.  Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them.

DEDICATE
Dedicate yourself to the Lord.  This calls for time and focus.  We will need singleness of heart and mind to focus on spiritual things.  Jesus will guide us but the world will seek to distract us.  Stop right now and try to pray for ten minutes without thinking of anything but the Lord and what He wants you to do.  The world will pull you away.  Focusing on the things of God are difficult.  But you can do it in Christ.  Spend time with Jesus and the Word and let Him guide you in spiritual things.

04/10          2 Corinthians 8:6
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving.

PARTNERS
We are partners together with the Lord when we give.  We have a share of what the Lord has called someone else to do.  Giving is part of changing the world for Christ.  We give what we have not what we plan to have.  We give now not later.  What we give makes a difference.

04/11          2 Corinthians 8: 7
Since you excel in so many ways – you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us– now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving.

MINISTRY
Some of us have a hard time seeing ourselves as ministers.  Giving is a ministry.  As we give we are ministering to the body of Christ.  What we give is important for those that receive the gift and important for us as we give.

04/12          2 Corinthians 8:8
I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.  You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

RICH
We are rich, wealthy in Jesus Christ.  He has forgiven our sin, and brought us into a relationship with the Father.  We are members of God’s household.  We have been grafted into the family of God and we are rulers together with Jesus.  Think about that.  He died so that we might live.  He is the first of many brothers and sisters.  Our life is to be modeled after Him.

04/13          2 Corinthians 8:10-12
I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have.  If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have.

GIVE
The key to giving is to give.  Give generously and joyously.  Give more than you think you can and in so doing recognize that the Lord is calling you to give all you can.

04/14          2 Corinthians 8:13-14
Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality.  Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.

GIVE
Give regularly, consistently out of the resources that you have.  Talk with Jesus and ask Him what you should give.  He will tell you.  Do not live selfish lives focused on just your needs instead think about those around you and ask what the Lord would have you do.  The gift benefits the giver as much as and sometimes more than the gifted.  Do what you can.

04/15          2 Corinthians 8:15
Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

SATISFACTION
The Christian life is a life that is “satisfaction guaranteed.”  Try Jesus.  Let Him talk with you about your needs and your resources.  Think carefully with Him about your attitude of gratitude to the people around you.  You have one life and one opportunity so live it.

04/16          2 Corinthians 8:16
I am thankful to God that he has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have.

ENTHUSIASM
We are members of God’s family.  When we come together we are to develop love for one another.  There is to be a sense of value and focus in our meetings.  People count with Jesus and they should count with us.  Worship is a privilege that the Lord gives us and when we get together we can have real fellowship with one another.

04/17          2 Corinthians 8:17-19
He welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was eager to go and see you.  We are also sending another brother with Titus. He is highly praised in all the churches as a preacher of the Good News.  He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem – a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

HELP
Help one another.  Help one another in the ordinary things of life.  People need help with their children, with their work, with maintaining their home and many other things.  Find out what the people in your life need and help them.  One thing we can all do is to be an encourager.

04/18          2 Corinthians 8:20
By traveling together we will guard against any suspicion, for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this generous gift.

APPEARANCES
We should recognize the responsibility we have as Christians to live above reproach and do nothing that would be an appearance of evil.  We can’t stop people from gossiping but we can live carefully.  The appearance of evil can sometimes cause a great many problems.  We don’t want to be a stumbling block for another Christian.

04/19          2 Corinthians 8:21-24
We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable.  And we are also sending with them another brother who has been thoroughly tested and has shown how earnest he is on many occasions. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his increased confidence in you.  If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And these brothers are representatives of the churches. They are splendid examples of those who bring glory to Christ.  So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

VALUE
We bring value to life.  We are sojourners in this world and we know that those we partner together with for the Gospel are people we will get to know for eternity.  Additionally, those that we proclaim the Gospel to are worthy of our best.  They may not accept the Lord as their Savior but they are valuable to Him.  Let us glorify God by the way we live each day of our life.

4/20 Psalm 89:1-2
I will sing of the tender mercies of the LORD forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

TESTIMONY/WITNESS
Closeness with God is a testimony we share. We know Him by our awareness of who He is. The Lord is love. He is faithful. His faithfulness never ends. We are blessed by His love and faithfulness.
4/21 Psalm 89:3-4
The LORD said, “I have made a solemn agreement with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.'”

VIEW
The Lord gives us an inside view of what He is thinking. He reveals Himself to us. He prophecies the future, eternity to us. He is speaking to David and to us. His Word never changes, it is His testimony to us of His nature and intentions. The Lord is always good. When we are wrong He is right. When we lose hope He gives us His hope. When we sin He offers us forgiveness.
4/22 Psalm 89:5-7
All heaven will praise your miracles, LORD; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. For who in all of heaven can compare with the LORD? What mightiest angel is anything like the LORD? The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than those who surround his throne.

PRAISE
The Lord is always being praised. Man cannot control Him. We can praise Him. But whether we do or not He is always praised. Our praise of Him puts us in a position to learn about Him. Praise ye the Lord as you come into His presence and learn of Him. The Lord is awesome and worthy of all praise and honor and glory.

4/23 Psalm 89:8-10
O LORD God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, LORD? Faithfulness is your very character. You are the one who rules the oceans. When their waves rise in fearful storms, you subdue them. You are the one who crushed the great sea monster. You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

CONTROL
God is in control. We can trust Him with our lives. He knows what is going on and will not lose touch with us. He is holding us in the palm of His hand and will not drop us or let us go too far astray. The Lord is God and He is our God and we belong to Him.
4/24 Psalm 89:11-14
The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours – you created it all. You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name. Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Your throne is founded on two strong pillars – righteousness and justice. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

LOVE
The Lord created us out of love. His word to you is that He loves you. Disregard the physical situation you find yourself in, Jesus loves you. Do not let your circumstances detract from your awareness of your value and worth to the Lord, Jesus loves you. God is love and He loves you.

4/25 Psalm 89:15-18
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. Our power is based on your favor. Yes, our protection comes from the LORD, and he, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.

WORSHIP
Worship the Lord by the way you live and things you do. Worship the Lord in truth and joy. Honor and glorify Him. Sing His praises. Think about Him and His love for you. Know the Lord and worship Him. Christ is all and in all. We can do nothing without Him. Worship the Lord. Give the Lord all honor, praise and glory, for He is good and worthy of our praise. Worship the Lord now, this very moment. Praise the Lord.

4/26 Psalm 89:19-21
You once spoke in a vision to your prophet and said, “I have given help to a warrior. I have selected him from the common people to be king. I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my holy oil. I will steady him, and I will make him strong.

WARRIOR
The Lord will fight for you. Take stock of His love for you. What is His plan for your life? The Lord loves you and would that you accomplish the plan He has for your life. People count with Jesus and His plan for us always involves our service to others. Get busy and serve the Lord and He will equip and enable your service. The Lord will fight for you. He has ordained this plan as your plan, be about the Lord’s business.
4/27 Psalm 89:22-24
His enemies will not get the best of him, nor will the wicked overpower him. I will beat down his adversaries before him and destroy those who hate him. My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him, and he will rise to power because of me.

SERVICE
We serve, Jesus conquers. The world looks at service with disdain. We look at service as opportunity. The victory has already been won. We live in victory. Because of this we are never on the losing side. Bend the knee in service and you will find real victory.
4/28 Psalm 89:25-33
I will extend his rule from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the east. And he will say to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth. I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end. I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven. But if his sons forsake my law and fail to walk in my ways, if they do not obey my decrees and fail to keep my commands, then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him, nor let my promise to him fail.

VICTORY
When you look at you life what do you see? Did you know that the Lord looks at our surrendered life and sees victory? In Jesus we have everything we need for a victorious life. The world cannot defeat us. Circumstances cannot deter the hand of God. Service, service, service is the path to victory in Christ. We are walking in His triumph. Jesus is Lord and we belong to Him.
4/29 Mark 8:4
“How are we supposed to find enough food for them here in the wilderness?” his disciples asked.

JOY
What do you hold in your hand, a life of failure and disappointment? When you think about your life do you ever feel that you have been shortchanged? If you do that is simply the world and Satan trying to make you feel second class. Don’t look at another Christian and think if only. You have everything you need in Jesus. No man can feed five thousand with just five loaves and two fishes but Jesus and a boy did it. You can do and be what the Lord called you to as long as you remember it is always all of Jesus and surrender from you.
4/30 John 8:31
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings.

BELIEF
Belief works. It is a thought and an action. When I believe it changes the way I see myself and others. We are beneficiaries of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. If I believe this I live like it. My time with the Lord takes on new meaning. He is the author and finisher of my faith. The things I do are directed by Him and I live under His control. I spend time in Bible study and prayer. My quiet time becomes a special joy because I know He is speaking to me. I am His disciple.

03/01          2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down – when we die and leave these bodies – we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

HOME
We are addicted to this life.  We struggle to take our circumstances and place them in their proper perspective.  We have a home in heaven.  This home is waiting on our arrival.  No matter how dismal the situation may seem or how unimportant we may feel, we count with Jesus.  Those who have died in Christ and have preceded us to be with the Father are awaiting our arrival.  They know the joy that awaits us.

03/02          2 Corinthians 5:2-3
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies.

LIFE
Those of us in Christ are now living an eternal life.  When we stand before Jesus we will be clothed differently than now-we will have a heavenly body.  I don’t know what that means but I do know it will be beautiful and joyous.  Jesus tells us that.  Paul tells us that.  The Holy Spirit testifying in our heart tells us that.  We will be just like Jesus.

03/03          2 Corinthians 5:4-6
Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life.  God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.  So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.

STRANGERS

We are strangers just passing through this life.  Be careful what roots you put down.  Be extra careful where you place your trust and in what you place your trust.  Everything around us except people is passing away.

03/04          2 Corinthians 5:7-8
That is why we live by believing and not by seeing.  Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

TODAY
Today we deal with problems and struggles.  They are opportunities for growth but they also give us pause to think about that day when we will stand before the Lord.  Then we will be home with Him.  For now we continue as aliens and strangers serving Him.  We are addicted to this body but in our hearts we know that we want to be with Him.  Accept His peace and continue serving.

03/05          2 Corinthians 5:9
So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body.

SERVE
We aim to please.  We live to serve.  We know that He is in us and we are in Him.  We also know that whatever difficulty we face the Lord will go thru it with us and indeed deliver us.  Our life is joy because we have Him.  Christ in us is our strength.  Christ in us is our reason for living committed to Him and serving Him.

03/06          2 Corinthians 5:10
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.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Encouragement comes from Jesus.  He encourages us to be busy at work.  We serve because He loved us and now we love Him.  As we live and serve we need to be aware that this is not all there is.  He will reward us.  But for now that reward is simply a reminder of what is to come.  We serve Him because He loves us and we love Him.

03/07          2 Corinthians 5:11
It is because we know this solemn fear of the Lord that we work so hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.

RESPECT
We have a deep abiding respect for the Lord.  This respect reaches to the depth of our being.  He is the Holy One.  He is the creator of the universe.  We are in His family as a gift of love.  Our love for Him is always with an awareness that He is God and greatly to be feared and yet He loves us.

03/08          2 Corinthians 5:12
Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart before God.

SINCERE
A sincere heart is open and humble before the Lord.  Awareness that we are the created and He is the creator is of utmost importance.  We cannot get ahead of God.  He does what we He chooses to do.  We choose to follow Him.

03/09          2 Corinthians 5:13-14
If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.  Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us.  Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live.

SURRENDER
We surrender our plans to Him.  We live under His instruction.  We do as He bids.  We are the one that us under orders.  Jesus is Lord and we are servants.  My only source of strength is Christ.

03/10          2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.

COMPLETE
We are complete in Jesus.  He has done it all.  We have everything we need in Him.  He gives us strength, wisdom, guidance and value.  In Him we can do all things.  Without Him we can do nothing.

03/11          2 Corinthians 5:16
So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being. How differently I think about him now!

COMPLETE
Jesus is all and in all.  He is the One that we follow.  Without Him our ministry our work will not succeed.  We cannot life a Christian life without His control.  Jesus is God’s everything and He is everything to us.

03/12          2 Corinthians 5:17
What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

NEW
We are new creatures in Christ.  He gives us a new heart.  He gives us the Holy Spirit who will lead us in all things spiritual.  We do not have to depend on our old ways our old wisdom.  Jesus gives us access to His ways and His wisdom.  In Christ we are able to overcome old limitations.

03/13          2 Corinthians 5:18
All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.

TASK
We are coworkers in Christ.  He is Lord and Lord of us.  Our new heart will willingly partner with Jesus in doing this new work that He has given us.  Now we are about the Lord’s business.  The task of sharing the Good News, Christ has saved us from our sin and given us the free gift of a new life in Him, is our new task.

03/14          2 Corinthians 5:19
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.

GOSPEL
The Good News is that God loves you and has done something about it.  Jesus died on the Cross and was raised from the dead.  His atoning death does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  We cannot save ourselves and the Father’s free gift is forgiveness of our sin and new life in Christ.

03/15          2 Corinthians 5:20
We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!”

PARTNERS
We are joint heirs and partners together with the Lord Jesus.  He lives in us and equips us to live a new life in Him.  This new life enables us to serve the Father and promote His work here on Earth.  He would that no one is lost and that we tell everyone about this saving work that Jesus has done.

03/16          2 Corinthians 5:21
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

GIFT
This gift that we are offered is right standing with the Father.  Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves.  The Lord Himself has come seeking us.  He loves us and died for us so that we might have new life in Him.  Jesus unites us with the Father bringing us into the family of God.  Once we were lost now we are saved.

03/17          2 Corinthians 6:1-2
As God’s partners, we beg you not to reject this marvelous message of God’s great kindness.  For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, God is ready to help you right now. Today is the day of salvation.

NOW
Now we hear His voice, be saved.  Now we have opened ourselves to Him, be saved.  This may be the only time that we are willing to hear, the only time that we are open.  Every time we close our ears it is just a little bit harder for us to hear.  Now is the acceptable time of salvation.  Ask Him to save you now and He will.

03/18          2 Corinthians 6:3
We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way we act, and so no one can find fault with our ministry.

OBSTACLE
What must I do to be an encourager?  What must I do so that I will not be an obstacle blocking your sight of Jesus?  It is important for us to remember that we are the conduit through which the Lord Jesus works.  Lord help me to always   point the way to you clearly.

03/19          2 Corinthians 6:4-5
In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.  We have been beaten, been put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

ENDURE
The watchword for you and me is that we are to endure.  We live like Jesus and for Jesus so that He may be lifted up by what we say and do.  The Victory is our endurance.  He will work through us if we will let Him.  He Word and work are conquering as we endure.  Keep on.  Do not give up.  Jesus is Lord.

03/20          2 Corinthians 6:6-7
We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We have faithfully preached the truth. God’s power has been working in us. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves.

JESUS
A life led by Jesus is a surrendered life.  We cannot achieve spiritual goals by earthly means.  Listen to the Lord.  Obey His voice.  Do what He says.  It is easy to live a Christ filled life because Jesus loves you.

03/21          2 Corinthians 6:8-10
We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.  We are well known, but we are treated as unknown. We live close to death, but here we are, still alive. We have been beaten within an inch of our lives.  Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

SERVICE
A servant serves.  We serve the Lord of the Universe and He has called us to love one another.  We give our love to others and forgive them of their wrongs against us.  It is never a nose for a nose in personal relationships.  Our love considers our enemies and seeks them out to do them good.

03/22          2 Corinthians 6:11-12
Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you. Our hearts are open to you.  If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us.

LOVE
Christians are required to love each other.  We do not have the luxury of being petty or selfish-obedience to our Lord’s command to love one another is our call and it means us.

03/23          2 Corinthians 6:13-14
I am talking now as I would to my own children. Open your hearts to us!  Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

NOW
Now is the time we are to love.  Now is when we change.  Now is when we love our enemies and do good to them.  Right now is our charge.

03/24          2 Corinthians 6:15-16
What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?  And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

ONE-WAY
The Christian Life is a committed life.  We cannot live in the world and be a lukewarm Christian-there is no such thing.  We live for Jesus or we live for the Devil.  What we do and say, the friends we choose, the decisions we make all matter.  The Christian life is a one-way life totally committed to Jesus.

03/25          2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.  And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

HOLINESS
When we give our heart to Jesus He gives us His Holiness.  What makes us Holy is our separation from the world unto Jesus.  We read God’s Word so that we will know how to live.  We spend time with Jesus so that we will know Him better and be able to deal with ourselves.

03/26          Psalm 145:1-3
I will praise you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  I will bless you every day, and I will praise you forever.  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!

PRAISE
We praise the Lord from our heart.  He knows what we think and what we mean-no matter what our words say.  When we spend time with Jesus the more that we know Him the greater our praise will be of the Father.  To know Him is to praise Him.  Jesus is worthy of all of our praise.

03/27          Psalm 145:4-5
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts.  I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.

TELL
Too often we do not tell our children of His mighty acts.  Some of His greatest acts is how He changes us.  Once I was blind and now I see.  Relate to your family God’s mighty acts in your life.  The best story of the Lord’s activity is a changed life.

03/28          Psalm 145:6-9
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.  Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.  The LORD is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.  The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.

INCLUDED
You and I are included in His love.  It says everyone and that includes me.  Think about your life, how unique it is and how involved the Lord has been in your life.  The Lord is concerned about you and He brings inestimable value and worth to your life.  Praise the Lord for His meticulous care for each one of us.

03/29          Psalm 145:10-12
All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will bless you.  They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power.  They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

FELLOWSHIP
Together we can stand.  Together we can grow.  Together we worship.  There are no lone rangers in the Lord’s Kingdom.  We do things together, helping one another, encouraging and urging one another as we serve the Lord.  He made us and He tells us that He made us for fellowship.

03/30          Psalm 145:13-16
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule generation after generation. The LORD is faithful in all he says; he is gracious in all he does.   The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.  All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it.  When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

UNCHANGING
The Lord doesn’t change.  You and I change.  Sometimes we change from morning to night.  We have certainly changed from that little child we once were.  We change but Jesus never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

03/31          Psalm 145:17-21
The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.  The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.  The LORD protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.  I will praise the LORD, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever.

RIGHTEOUS
The Lord is righteous in all He does.  Our view is tiny.  Ages have been forgotten and much has eluded our purview.  The actions of the Lord are always for our best interest because He is kind.  His righteousness is beyond our ability to comprehend.  We can trust the Lord because He is always good and kind.