10/01/01 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.
Life is a risk. The world is a difficult and dangerous place. I don’t know the future. Each one of us lives by faith. When problems come if my faith is placed in the wrong person the end result will be failure. The Lord is faithful and promises to never forsake me or leave me out on a limb. I am victorious in Jesus.
10/02/01 2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord bring you into an ever-deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.
I don’t have all the answers. I have experienced failure frequently. The Lord is always with me. He never leaves me. I can trust Him completely. His love for me encourages me and enables me to stand fast in the face of difficulty and failure.
10/03/01 1 Timothy 1:15
This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – and I was the worst of them all.
I am broken hearted over how often I have failed the Lord. It seems that no sooner do I begin a new campaign of faithful living that I find a new way to sin. Word and deed sins go hand in hand. Hateful thoughts are foundation stones to both. Lord help me to sort out my self-centered lifestyle and serve you.
10/04/01 1 Timothy 1:17
Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
I am so overwhelmed and moved by God’s love. Praise the Lord. Thank you for your love. Bless the name of the Lord from whom all mercy and blessings flow.
10/05/01 1 Timothy 2:1
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks.
I can pray for you. Out of my devotion to Jesus I can develop a habit of praying for friends and foes. There is power in prayer and a great benefit for others when I pray for them.
10/06/01 Amos 7:8
And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”I answered, “A plumb line.”And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
I am responsible for my sin. No one can stop my sinning but me. When I give Jesus the authority to take control of my life, He gives me power to deal with my life.
10/07/01 Psalm 141:3
Take control of what I say, O LORD, and keep my lips sealed.
Nobody needs a piece of my mind. They need my prayers, my help and my love. Jesus does not say go into to the world and tell them off. He says go into the world and tell them the Good News. Jesus is alive. He loves me. He has reunited me with the Father.
10/08/01 1 Tim 2:5
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.
Jesus can help me. No one else can deal with eternal matters. Only Jesus can bring me into a relationship with the Father. In Christ I am a valued child of God. In Christ I can be what the Father created me to be.
10/09/01 Ezekiel 33:3
When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people.
God’s Word calls me to tell you about Jesus. Without Jesus we are dead in trespasses and sin. Without Jesus we are at war with God and will not be with the Lord in eternity. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. There is no other way to the Father. You have been warned.
10/10/01 1 Tim 2:6
He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time.
Jesus died for me. His death gives me the privilege of coming into the Family of God. His sacrifice paid my debt. I am free in Jesus.
10/11/01 Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
I believe in God. Jesus forgave my sin. He is Lord. Jesus is Lord of my life. Nothing that can happen in this world will change that.
10/12/01 1 Tim 2:8
So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
Prayer is powerful. I can intercede for family, friends, the sick, the lost and any one else. The catch is that I must pray. I must pray daily, and regularly. I want to know the Lord first hand. I want to develop an attitude of prayer and a habit of prayer. Both will stand me in good stead in the hour of trial.
10/13/01 Daniel 6:26-27
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
The world operates under the authority of the Lord. God is in control. We are not always in the know but the Lord is never caught by surprise.
10/14/01 Psalm 120:1
I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
I always have troubles and fears. My need for the Lord’s guidance and strength is immeasurable. Thank you Father for the wisdom, mercy, grace and peace that you give me day by day.
10/15/01 Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your petitions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you the sacrifice of praise.
I am in need of forgiveness. My humanity is always showing. So often I am not thinking about the things I need to and am busily weaving a life of forgetfulness and carelessness. The Lord is faithful to watch my path and encourage me in the right way.
10/16/01 1 Tim 3:16
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ appeared in the flesh and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and was announced to the nations. He was believed on in the world and was taken up into heaven.
Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of all. He revealed Himself to all of creation. I can choose Him. I can also refuse Him. I will reap the reward of my choice.
10/17/01 1 Tim 4:1
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.
The world is always in turmoil. The Lord is always at peace. I can survive with the Lord in control of my life.
10/18/01 Joel 2:13
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.
Religious ritual means nothing to the Lord. He does not need me to approve what He does. He wants my heart devotion. He encourages my love for Him. He expects my obedience. He is faithful.
10/19/01 1 Tim 4:7
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.
I need to tell others about Jesus. The world is full of rumors and evil. My focus needs to be on Jesus. He cares for me.
10/20/01 1 Tim 4:10
We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.
Jesus is alive. He is able to deal with my pain and heartache and failure. He will never leave me. His evaluation of me includes a love so deep that He died for me before I called Him Lord.
10/21/01 1 Tim 4:11-12
Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
What I do daily in my life is important. It is important because it is evidence of the Lord’s control of my heart.
10/22/01 1 Tim 6:6-7
Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn’t bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die.
Anything I cannot give away controls me. Jesus sets me free. If I don’t tithe I am cheating God. If I don’t care for the poor and helpless I am denying my responsibility. I am an agent of the Lord. I am to be totally under His control.
10/23/01 1 Tim 6:10
For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
I am not a slave. Money is not my goal. I am free in Christ.
10/24/01 1 Tim 6:12
Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.
I am at war with the enemies of God. When I chose Christ the war began. When I die the war will cease and I will be face to face in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ for eternity.
10/25/01 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
I have discovered that people will always say something when you are serving the Lord. Persecution and public disdain will not be far away when the Gospel is publicly proclaimed. The Gospel message is that Jesus is alive, He is in my life and He can be in yours when you choose Him.
10/26/01 2 Timothy 1:8
So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.
Around the world thousands are being put to death for telling the Gospel story. Have you ever shared Christ with someone? It’s easy. Simply tell them what Jesus has done in your life. Tell them about His love for you; about the way He has changed you and how He has helped you develop a relationship with the Father. Jesus is Lord. Tell of His Lordship over your life.
10/27/01 2 Timothy 1:9
It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.
God loves us, chose us and sent Jesus to die for us. Jesus broke the power that death had to condemn us to an eternal hell. He is alive and will save us if we ask Him into our hearts.
10/28/01 2 Timothy 1:14
With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.
I have everything I need in Jesus. Whatever I am facing, however bad things get, Jesus is able to help me. I am complete in Christ.
10/29/01 2 Timothy 2:3
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
I will always struggle with the powers and principalities of the air. I will never have a day when I can face things by myself. As a Christian I must constantly stay in close contact with Jesus. This requires time and commitment on my part. I have a choice, spend time with Jesus or spend time struggling to survive.
10/30/01 2 Timothy 2:4
And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.
I will face trials and difficulties every day. I must learn to get with the Lord Jesus and get His direction to deal with life. He will give me the guidance, direction, encouragement and strength that I need. He will carry my load. Everything else may fail but Jesus never fails.
10/31/01 2 Timothy 2:5
Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.
I will not survive doing things my way. I must spend time with Jesus. I must let Him have control of my life. Obedience is the road to victory.
