08/02          3 John 1:5-7 

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 

PEOPLE

People count with the Lord.  We are His servants and are about His work here on Earth.  Care for one another especially strangers.  Jesus is Lord.  

08/01          3 John 1:1-4 

This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 

TRUTH

The Word of God is truth.  We need to read it, remember it and follow what it says to do.  God’s Word isn’t a suggestion it is the truth.  

07/31          Psalm 40:14-17

May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. 15Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

NOW

We want everything now.  Time is too short.  But the Lord God is on our side and He will bring those things we must do and things we need at the exact right time in our life.  Do not fear.  God is here.  Our God is a mighty God and is able to do that which we need in our life.  Jesus is Lord.  

07/30          Psalm 40:11-13 

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.  12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 13 Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me. 

HELP

Our situation is difficult at best and without the Lord’s help we are on the outside looking in.  Everybody needs Jesus.  We cannot fix our sinful self and only Jesus can fix us.  Jesus is the way the truth and the life.  He is the only way to the Father.  IN Him we have forgiveness of our sin, healing for our lostness and restoration of our membership in the family of God.  Once we were lost now we are found.  Jesus is Lord.  Turn to Him. 

07/29          Psalm 40:9-10 

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know. 10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

SPEAK

Speak Lord and I will listen.  Everyone knows about your greatness.  I cannot hide your almighty power in my heart.  I will speak of all that you have told me Lord and all that I have seen and experienced.  Great are you Lord.  

07/28          Psalm 40:5-8 

O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. 6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” 

REJOICE

Relationship, trust, presence and I have just begun to talk about my Lord and my God Jesus Christ.  Wonderful, involved, and listening, my Lord is unlike any other God.  He is the glorious and mighty God and is greater than anything I can think.  Jesus is Lord.  Rejoice

07/27          Psalm 40:1-4

1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD . 4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. 

NEW

The Lord has saved me and you.  He has taken us from where we had no hope to real hope.  We trust Him and He is trustworthy.  Trust in the Lord and He will do it.  Jesus is Lord.  

07/26          Psalm 39:12-13

 Hear my prayer, O LORD ! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest— a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. 13 Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.

HELP

I need help to live a Godly life.  I need help every minute of every day.  Jesus is my help and I desperately need to stay close to Him.  Help me Lord Jesus, forgive me of my sin and bring me close again. 

07/25          Psalm 39:8-11 

Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. 9 I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. 10 But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. 11 When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude 

FATE

We are children of God, saved by grace and covered over by the mercies of God.  As His child when we sin it weighs heavily upon us.  We know our sin, our fate rests in Him and we willingly stand before our Father and take our punishment.  But, in Christ we are forgiven, once we repent and turn back to Him we can know the refreshing presence of the Holy Spirit as we walk in freedom.  Jesus is our forgiver and our healer and we are called to walk in Him.  

07/24          Psalm 39:4-7 

“ LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.  5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude 6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.  7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. 

HOPE

My hope is in Jesus.  My time on Earth is brief even if I live out a long life and Jesus is the One who brings me into the Family of God.  Nothing here on Earth is lasting but Jesus never fails.