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.

2/01            Psalm 139:1
O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

KNOWLEDGE
The Lord knows more about us than we know ourselves.  He is intimately involved in the details of our life.  When we are facing a challenge the Lord is already there willing to give us the wisdom and strength that we need.  Do not fear, the Lord is with us.

 

2/02            Psalm 139:2
You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.

CONFESSION
The Lord knows what is going on with us.  When we sin by commission or omission the confession of that sin is made to the Lord who knows what has happened before we tell Him.  Jesus is seeking to meet our needs and hear our confession at any time.  He is walking through life with us.  Jesus is here.

 

2/03            Psalm 139:3
You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.

GUIDE
The Lord is able and willing to guide our daily walk.  He is waiting for us to ask Him to help us with the direction we are to take today.  He will never forsake us nor will He ignore us.  In your daily quiet time as you begin your day ask Jesus what He would have you do.  Is there someone due an apology?  Is there a verse to be memorized that will help you to stand in the face of the unknown today?  Listen as the Lord speaks to you and obey Him.

 

2/04            Psalm 139:4-6
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

WONDER
We are special to Jesus.  We are on His agenda every day.  When we woke up He already wanted to help us.  We are beloved of God.  He loves us and seeks to equip us to have an abundant life.

 

2/05            Psalm 139:7-12
I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead,  you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.  I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night –but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.

BELOVED
We are beloved by Jesus.  We belong to Him and our life however out of control it may seem is never beyond His love.  The Lord holds on to us.  He knows where we are.  We belong to Him for eternity.

 

2/06            Psalm 139:13-14
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – and how well I know it.

UNIQUE
We are unique and original.  The Lord made us this way.  He knows us from before our beginning and will know us into eternity.  We are special and made especially according to His plan.  When we let Him have control of our life His plan will use us in His special way.

2/07            Psalm 139:15-16
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

CONTROL
Do not fear.  God is in control.  The world and your life may seem chaotic but the Lord is in control.  He never wastes a hurt.  Our life is never to the point that the Lord cannot use us.
2/08            John 14:1
“Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.

LORD
Jesus is Lord.  He is trustworthy.  We can trust Him with our life.  He is worthy of our praise and worship.  All that we have and are belong to Him.  Jesus is Lord.  In fact and faith we can live our lives in accordance with His guidance.  We can fully devote our life to Him.  Jesus is Lord.

2/09            John 14:2
There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.

PLACE
We have a place here and there.  We will never be strangers.  We are not alone.  The Lord is with us now and forever.  Think with me for just a moment-Jesus is here right now.  He is able to deal with what you are facing this moment.  Talk with Him and trust Him with your life.  You will never again be alone.

 

2/10             John 14:3-4
When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  And you know where I am going and how to get there.”

APPOINTMENT
We have an appointment with Jesus.  That appointment can be unto life.  On that day He will meet us and usher us into eternity and into the presence of the Father.  Turn your life over to Christ.  He will never disappoint you.  Jesus will never leave you.

 

2/11            John 14:5-7
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.  If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is.  From now on you know him and have seen him!”

REVEALS
Jesus reveals the Father to us.  He is Lord.  When we know Him we know the Father.  The Holy Spirit equips us to know Him and grow in Him.  We have everything we need in Jesus.

 

2/12            John 14:8-9
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”  Jesus replied, “Philip, don’t you even yet know who I am, even after all the time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him?

CONFIDENCE
We can have confidence in Jesus.  Our relationship with the Lord is complete in Jesus.  We have access to all of the resources of eternity in Christ.  He is able to save us and give us a life with value and purpose.  He has a plan for our life that perfectly fits our soul.

 

2/13            John 14:10
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.

POWER
The power of the Lord is in Jesus.  He is our Savior and partner.  He is our Lord and our leader.  We will never outgrow our need for Jesus nor His ability to meet our needs.  Jesus is the One.  He is the Way the Truth and the Life.

 

2/14            John 14:11
Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of what you have seen me do.

ACTIVE
Jesus is active in our world.  He is seeking the lost right now.  He would that no one be lost, that all might be saved.  He will reveal Himself to us.  If we are seeking an answer He will provide it.  He does not hide from us.  He is more interested than we are in the plan he has for our life.  Ask Him.  You will not be disappointed.

 

2/15            John 14:12-14
“The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father.  Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it!

PROMISE
When we are weak He is strong.  Ask Jesus for what you need.  This isn’t a trick.  It isn’t a promise just for certain people.  This is His promise made to you.  Ask Jesus for what you need and He will meet your need.

2/16            John 14:15-17

“If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

OBEDIENCE

Jesus says that if we will ask He will save us.  The results of His salvation is an obedient life.  When the Lord lives in us His image will be reflected by the way we live.  The Lord loves obedience more than sacrifice.

 

2/17            John 14:18-19
No, I will not abandon you as orphans – I will come to you.  In just a little while the world will not see me again, but you will. For I will live again, and you will, too.

JESUS
Jesus is alive.  He lives in us.  His life gives us life.  Eternal life is not something that humans can comprehend but even so we have eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Accept Jesus and live.

 

2/18            John 14:20
When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

RECOGNITION
His Spirit lives in us and prompts us to know that He is alive.  His Spirit speaks to us and guides us in the way in which we should go.  Remember that you are not alone.  Your life is valuable.  Your journey through life will be in partnership with Jesus.

 

2/19            John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.”

LOVE
Love is an action, a commitment.  Obedience is the evidence of the Lord in you and your submission to Him.  The Christian life is not passive.  It is filled with activity that is devoted to and submissive to the rule of Christ in our life.

 

2/20            John 14:22-23
Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”  Jesus replied, “All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and live with them.

MASTER
We come to Jesus because we recognize our need for Him.  Our relationship with Jesus is a one on one relationship.  There are no grandchildren in the family of God.  He is seeking us that we might know Him.  When I know Jesus I will know myself and be equipped to live a life of victory in Jesus.

 

2/21            John 14:24
Anyone who doesn’t love me will not do what I say. And remember, my words are not my own. This message is from the Father who sent me.

LORD
The Lord created all that we see and know.  His understanding of the times is complete and His love for us is total.  His Word to mankind is that we were created in love with a real purpose for our life.  The Lord is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  He loves us so much that He paid the price for our redemption because we couldn’t pay it ourselves.  Jesus is Lord.

 

2/22            John 14:25-26
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.  But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative – and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.

WISDOM
The Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom we need to live a life like Jesus.  The Lord resides in us and will not leave us.  He guides us in the way we should go and equips us to face the quandaries of life.  We are not alone.  We do not live our life in a vacuum.  The Lord is with us.

 

2/23            John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

PRESENCE
When Jesus is in control peace reigns and we will not be overrun by worry or anxiety.  Stop where you are and commit this moment to Jesus.  You will begin to experience the Lord’s peace.  His peace is a gift that we can claim.  Lord give us peace as we live by Your standards each day.

 

2/24            John 14:28
Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love me, you will be very happy for me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am.

JESUS
He died for me.  He died for you.  He came to pay the price for our sin.  He did it willingly.  He did it perfectly.  Now He offers us freedom from sin and shame as His gift to us so that we might have eternal life.  Jesus is the gift of God’s love for mankind.

 

2/25            John 14:29
I have told you these things before they happen so that you will believe when they do happen.

LISTEN
The Words Jesus spoke are just as real today as they were then.  He told all what He would do and then He did it.  His prophecy was truth.  His life was without sin and focused on our need and the Father’s assignment for Him.  He came that we might have life.

 

2/26            John 14:30-31
“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the prince of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

ACTION
His love was demonstrated by His action.  He cared and He gave.  Love is not a feeling.  Love comes with great responsibility.  Love involves suffering.  Love comes with pain.  He gave the ultimate sacrifice-His life.

 

2/27            Psalm 139:17
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

FOCUS
The Lord is focused on us.  He is interested that everyone get a chance to be saved.  He would that no one be left behind.  He chooses you and me to represent Him.  Everyone we speak to we speak as His agent.  The questions for each one of us is are we concerned about those around us?  Do we really care about others?  Is my life focused on me?  Or am I willing to serve the Lord?

 

2/28            Psalm 139:18
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!

THOUGHTS
What do you think about?  All of His thoughts are for us.  He is concerned for our well being.  He is committed to us having a victorious life.  He is available for us always.  What do you think about?

 

2/29            Psalm 139:19-24
O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers!  They blaspheme you; your enemies take your name in vain.  O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who resist you?  Yes, I hate them with complete hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

LIFE
We have a partner in real life-it is Jesus.  We can be ourselves and talk with Him about the things of life that disturb us or bless us.  We can be real with Jesus.  He knows all about us and loves us.  He is the consummate reality person.

Jan 1           Psalm 52:1-9
You call yourself a hero, do you? Why boast about this crime of yours, you who have disgraced God’s people?  All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.  You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. You love to say things that harm others, you liar!  But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and drag you from the land of the living.   The righteous will see it and be amazed. They will laugh and say,  “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”  But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.  I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.

CHALLENGE
We are constantly pulled to live and do the way the world does.  Today is the day of opportunity and success: Claim Jesus as Lord and live like it.

 

Jan 2           II Corinthians 1:1
This letter is from Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our dear brother Timothy.  We are writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all the Christians throughout Greece.   May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace.  All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

GRACE
Jesus will meet your needs.  When our needs are met we will be quick to help someone else.  As our needs are met and we face a challenge successfully in the Lord He will use us to help someone else that is struggling just like we did.  God is able to help us and He will use us to help others.

 

Jan 3          1John 2:7
Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment – to love one another – is the same message you heard before.

LOVE
Love is a requirement for those who are members of the Kingdom of God.  Think about this as our new year begins.  Think about this as you pray.  Let Jesus change the way that you interact with others.  Love one another.

 

Jan 4          2John 1:5
And now I want to urge you, dear lady, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we had from the beginning.

LOVE
Too many Christians forget that love is a key element of the Christian life.  Hard feelings towards others, mistreating those who offend us are both the wrong way for us to live.  Pray for those who mistreat you.  Intercede for those who are suffering from hate.  Be sure you put aside hate and love one another.

 

Jan 5          Romans 8:23
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

NEW DAY
We are looking forward to that day with deep yearning and a hope that overcomes the ravages of this world.  Remember as you look forward to being with Jesus that you grow in your ability to love those you are still with.

 

Jan 6          2Corinthians 5:2
We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.

WEARY
We tire from failure, disease and so many other things.  We seek the Lord’s face so that He can comfort us in the midst of our weary lives.  That day of victory will be awesome.  Today we have that victory.  In Jesus we have everything we need especially those things that we need to live and walk in love.  Love one another.

 

Jan 7           II Corinthians 1:5-9
You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.  So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.  We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God’s comfort.  I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead.

POWER
The world strives for power.  People think that money is the key catalyst for power.  You and I know the real power and that is Jesus Christ.  He is Lord of all and He loves us.  We can have his power that equips us to love like He loves.  Just ask and He will give you the power to love.

 

Jan 8           II Corinthians 1:10-14
And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us.  He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people’s prayers for our safety have been answered.  We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own earthly wisdom. That is how we have acted toward everyone, and especially toward you.  My letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand.  I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t fully understand us now. Then on the day when our Lord Jesus comes back again, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

DELIVERANCE
What are you struggling with that you cannot overcome?  Give it to Jesus.  Ask Him to deliver you from this mortal danger that is constantly tripping you up.  Claim His deliverance and He will deliver you.

 

Jan 9           II Corinthians 1:15-20
Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing.  I wanted to stop and see you on my way to Macedonia and again on my return trip. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.  You may be asking why I changed my plan. Hadn’t I made up my mind yet? Or am I like people of the world who say yes when they really mean no?  As surely as God is true, I am not that sort of person. My yes means yes because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, never wavers between yes and no. He is the one whom Timothy, Silas, and I preached to you, and he is the divine Yes – God’s affirmation.  For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in him. That is why we say “Amen” when we give glory to God through Christ.

AFFIRMATION
We are often looking for affirmation from others when we complete a job.  In Christ we find affirmation all the time.  Jesus loves us and cares for us.  He loves us so much that He came into our world and died for us.  Jesus the Lord loves you and me.

 

Jan 10                  II Corinthians 1:21-24
It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.  Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke.  But that does not mean we want to tell you exactly how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy as you stand firm in your faith.

FAITH
Faith in Christ is the activity of living a Christian life.  It is not an empty thought or a thoughtless activity; it is focused on and following Jesus moment by moment.  When we believe in Jesus we live like it.

 

Jan 11        II Corinthians 2:1
So I said to myself, “No, I won’t do it. I won’t make them unhappy with another painful visit.”  For if I cause you pain and make you sad, who is going to make me glad?  That is why I wrote as I did in my last letter, so that when I do come, I will not be made sad by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you know that my happiness depends on your happiness.  How painful it was to write that letter! Heartbroken, I cried over it. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I wanted you to know how very much I love you.

GIVING
We give of our self to Christ.  I must willingly bend the knee to Jesus and listen to Him as He gives me wisdom and guidance for living.  When I give of myself to Jesus it becomes normal for me to give to others.  Christ loves each one of us.  We are His partners together in bringing the Good News to the World.

 

Jan 12        II Corinthians 2:5-11
I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt your entire church more than he hurt me.  He was punished enough when most of you were united in your judgment against him.  Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover. 8 Now show him that you still love him.  I wrote to you as I did to find out how far you would go in obeying me.  When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him (for whatever is to be forgiven), I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.

WORLD
Call it what you will, the world is against the cause of Christ.  Satan will do everything in his power to throw you off track.  Today the greatest problem for those in the ministry is discouragement.  We can do two things.  First, when we are discouraged, go to Jesus and ask Him to encourage us and to help us stand in the face of assault.  Second we can make sure that we are encouragers.

 

Jan 13        II Corinthians 2:12-14
Well, when I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord gave me tremendous opportunities.  But I couldn’t rest because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.  But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.  Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.

AROMA
We can be a force for good if we let Jesus lead us.  When we are filled with Jesus everything we do is different.  We talk differently.  Our attitude is different.  Our mind and heart are different.  We respond to the world as a child of Christ.

 

Jan 14        II Corinthians 2:15-17
Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing.  To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?  You see, we are not like those hucksters – and there are many of them – who preach just to make money. We preach God’s message with sincerity and with Christ’s authority. And we know that the God who sent us is watching us.

LIFE
We live our life in the presence of the Lord.  He is the audience.  What we do we do for Him.  This is a critical element in a daily Christian walk.  Not a works salvation but a salvation that equips us and enables us to serve.  Jesus is Lord and if we will surrender ourselves to Him He will be Lord of our life.

 

Jan 15        II Corinthians 3:1-2
Are we beginning again to tell you how good we are? Some people need to bring letters of recommendation with them or ask you to write letters of recommendation for them.  But the only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves! Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you.

LIFE
We do want to do good things and we do want to be recognized as valuable.  We must remember that our life is changed by our focus on Jesus and doing what He says.  Christ changes us.  Others know it and see it.  Jesus is the foundation and facilitator of our Christian life.

 

Jan 16        II Corinthians 3:3-4
Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts.  We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.

KNOWING
When we know Jesus we know the Father.  We have a new heart and a new life.  Change becomes part of our daily existence.  My life is no longer controlled by me but by Jesus.  I study His Word and let His Word grow in me so that I know Him better.

 

Jan 17        II Corinthians 3:5
It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.

JESUS
The Christian life is all about Jesus.  It isn’t about me and what I can do.  It is about Jesus and what He has done and is doing.  A surrendered life is a life of activity.  This activity is directed by the Lord in an atmosphere of peace and joy.  Jesus is Lord.

 

Jan 18        II Corinthians 3:6
He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life.

LIFE
Our new Life in Christ is given freely as a gift by the Father through the Holy Spirit.  We are new creatures in Christ.  The Holy Spirit resides in us equipping us with a spirit filled life.  Jesus is Lord and we can build by His strength a strong daily Christian walk.  Not because of what we do but because of what Jesus did and is now doing in us.

 

Jan 19        II Corinthians 3:7
That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.

WORKS
People understand works.  We can select the things we do and deny the things we disdain and still rate ourselves pretty good.  Look what I did is the human cry.  There is nothing in us that commends us to God.  Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sin because we couldn’t pay it ourselves.  Salvation is a gift-the free gift of God.  The ground at the cross is level; every one of us comes into the family of God the same way-through Jesus.

Jan 20        II Corinthians 3:8-11
Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life?  If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God!  In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant.  So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory.

JESUS
A life in Christ is forever.  It is beyond our ability to comprehend forever but that doesn’t change the fact that Jesus saves us for today, tomorrow and forever.  We can greet every problem with the fact that it will not last but we will.

 

Jan 21        II Corinthians 3:12-14
Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.  We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away.  But the people’s minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

JESUS
Jesus gives us wisdom, mercy and grace so that we can live each day with confidence.  Jesus takes away all of our sorrow and comforts us when we are overwhelmed by the world.

 

Jan 22        II Corinthians 3:15-18
Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.  But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away.  Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.  And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

JESUS
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.  We spend time with Him.  We let Him mold and shape us.  We study the Word to know Jesus better.  The result of spending time with Jesus is that we become like Him.  His likeness will show through us in the way we live and the things we do.

 

Jan 23        II Corinthians 4:1-2
And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.  We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.

WORLD
The world uses trickery.  We are called to open, honest and kind.  We don’t use half-truths or subterfuge to bilk others.  We represent Jesus.  When we deal with others we are to treat them as Jesus would treat them.  Jesus loves each one of us as if there were no other and expects us to do the same.

 

Jan 24        II Corinthians 4:3-4
If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing.  Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

TESTIMONY
We represent Jesus.  We represent Jesus to everyone we meet.  Not everyone will understand or listen to us.  We are not to judge, force or criticize others.  We are to be the light of Christ to the world.  This is hard sometimes.  Someone we really love may refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord or they may even criticize us.  We are still called to share Christ by word and deed.  Be about the business of the kingdom-sharing Christ with a lost world.

 

Jan 25        II Corinthians 4:5
We don’t go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.  For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

JESUS
We need to speak and live in such a way that we honor and glorify Jesus.  Remember that God is love.  Our love and faithfulness to Jesus will fill us with love for others so that we mirror Christ in all we do.  People count with Jesus and they must count with us.

 

Jan 26        II Corinthians 4:7
But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

GOSPEL
Jesus is strong when we are weak.  We focus our life on Christ and live as His servant before a watching world.  It is never do as I say but instead it is always how may I serve you?  We are servants and not overseers.

 

Jan 27        II Corinthians 4:8-9
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit.  We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

ETERNAL
We are eternal creatures in Christ.  We are sojourners in this world just passing through.  The world will abuse us but Jesus is always with us.  We may be at the end of our rope but Jesus will be holding on to us.  His power is perfected in our weakness.  Jesus never wastes hurt.  We are never out of His sight or out of His hand.

 

Jan 28        II Corinthians 4:10-11
Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.  Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies.

OVERCOME
We shall indeed overcome.  Nothing in this world can destroy us.  Jesus will be with us forever.  Our home is in heaven where we have a house not made with hands that is ready for us upon our arrival.  Our day of death will be a day of homecoming with the Lord.  Rejoice, whatever the world means for our harm will be overcome by Jesus.  He is alive and well and lives in those of us that claim Him as Lord and Savior.  He lives.

 

Jan 29        II Corinthians 4:12-13
So we live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you.  But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, and so I speak.”

FAITH
Faith is a focus on Jesus and a life that exemplifies that focus.  We are not blown about by every wind of life but instead are steadied by the Creator of life.  Jesus is worthy of all of our attention.  Faith isn’t a thought nor is it something we summon up, it is an activity with Jesus as its source.

 

Jan 30        II Corinthians 4:14-15
We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you.  All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

FAITH
We believe in the resurrection because of the Spirit within us that testifies to the truth of the Word of God.  We live with faith in Jesus because we know Him.  His presence is a now presence.  We know Him now and His strength is for now.  Do not fear for we live in the presence of the Lord.

 

Jan 31        II Corinthians 4:16
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

ETERNITY
Day by day we trust Jesus for the moment.  Day by day we face the trials and tribulations of life.  Day by day we can know for sure that Jesus has made   provision for us for eternity because we know Him.  His Word bears testimony of His Lordship and the Spirit bears testimony in our spirit that this is true.  As we get to know Jesus this truth blossoms within our heart and we know Him better.  One day we will be with Jesus for eternity.

12/01          John 12:1-2
Six days before the Passover ceremonies began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus the man he had raised from the dead.  A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him.

MIRACLES
Miracles happen and then life goes on.  You and I are called to live our lives daily with the understanding that the Lord is in control and He has a plan for our life.  Sometimes things we cannot understand happen.  This we can know for sure Jesus loves each one of us and is seeking the best for our life.

 

12/02          John 12:3
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.

FOCUS
This is real focus.  The best that Mary had was focused on Jesus.  The question for you and me: are we focusing the best we have on Jesus?  Do we give Him our all?  Check the quality and quantity of your experience with Jesus.

 

12/03          John 12:4-8
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples the one who would betray him   said,  “That perfume was worth a small fortune.  It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”  Not that he cared for the poor he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.  Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but I will not be here with you much longer.”

TRUTH

We cannot fool Jesus.  We can fool ourselves.  Why are we doing what we are doing?  Are we following God’s plan or fooling ourselves?  Jesus is Lord.  We are called to give Him our life.  We are called to give Him our service.
12/04          John 12:9-11
When all the people  heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.  Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

MIRACLES

The Lord has worked in all of our lives.  He has worked miracles in our lives whether we are aware of them or not.  One of the things we can do that will help us as we serve Jesus is to keep a written prayer journal.  We can list in our prayer journal specific answers to prayers and anytime the Lord reveals to us a miracle in our life.  Later when times are tough that written record becomes a Lazarus that will impact our life.  God is at work in us even when we don’t realize it.

 

12/05          John 12:12-13
The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A huge crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God!  Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”

PRAISE
Jesus is worthy of all of our praise.  Jesus is present now and is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  When you meet Him in your morning devotional remember that you are meeting the Lord of glory and simply begin by praising Him.

 

12/06          John 12:14-15
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Israel.  Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

PROPHECY
Prophecy is foretelling the future.  This is a promise fulfilled.  Prophecy is also forth telling proclaiming the truth before our eyes.  Jesus is the truth, the way and the life.  He is our guide and our Lord.  Look your King is coming!

 

12/07          John 12:16
His disciples didn’t realize at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered that these Scriptures had come true before their eyes.

TIMES
We are living during one of the most exciting times in history.  Today we can see so many of the ancient Biblical prophecies fulfilled and in some cases begin fulfilled before our very eyes.  Rejoice in the day.  You count, Jesus is alive and we are partners together with Him in His plan for mankind.

 

12/08          John 12:17-18
Those in the crowd who had seen Jesus call Lazarus back to life were telling others all about it. That was the main reason so many went out to meet him because they had heard about this mighty miracle.

TELL
These folks were telling others about a miracle they had witnessed.  The witness we have for others is not what they should do but what we have done.  Dry and dying churches have removed the power of God from their midst.  Impotent Christian witness is simply a matter of not telling others what Jesus is doing in your life.  Let Him have control and He will use you.

 

12/09          John 12:19
Then the Pharisees said to each other, “We’ve lost. Look, the whole world has gone after him!”

WORLD
The world and everything that is clinging to this world is dead.  The world will never follow Jesus.  Don’t worry what the world will do.  Focus on what the Lord is doing in your life.  Submit every aspect of your life to Him and let Him give you direction for your life.  You are loved.

 

12/10          John 12:20-21
Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem to attend the Passover paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”

JESUS
We are called to be salt and light.  Our lives and our words should cause the world to want to know what is different about us.  Why do we live a peaceful life that isn’t falling apart like the rest of the world or when our life is falling apart why are we able to recover so quickly?  Jesus is the reason.  He lives in us to strengthen us and to partner with us in sharing the Good News with everyone we meet.

 

12/11          John 12:22-24
Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.  Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.  The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels a plentiful harvest of new lives.

LIFE
Jesus brings us life.  He enables us to live an abundant life right where we are.  We belong to Him and He belongs to us.  His life in us equips us to truly be ourselves and be glad about it.  We count and Jesus enables us to see that.

 

12/12          John 12:25
Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

SOJOURNERS
Sojourners know they are just passing through.  We have one life and one opportunity to live that life and then we go to be with the Father for eternity.  This world is not our home and the things of this world are not the things that equip us for eternity.  As children of God we are committed to eternal things.  Rejoice, Jesus is alive and lives in us.

 

12/13          John 12:26
All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.

SURRENDER
When we give our life to Jesus it is for life and into eternity.  Here on earth we spend time with Him to cultivate our spiritual surrender to the Father.  It takes time, lots of time for us to grow into Christ likeness.  It takes time with Jesus for us to deal with our daily life and our deep seated habits that separate us from spending time with the Lord.  Start now and joyously become His disciple.

 

12/14          John 12:27-28
Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from what lies ahead’? But that is the very reason why I came!  Father, bring glory to your name.”Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought it glory, and I will do it again.”

DEVOTION
Jesus was fully devoted to the Father.  His example is worthy of my attention.  I am to be devoted to the will of the Father.  I can only find that will in surrender.  God is not waiting on my okay, He is seeking my surrender.  Help me Lord to bend my knee daily to you and let you have control of me.

 

12/15          John 12:29-32
When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.  Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine.  The time of judgment for the world has come, when the prince of this world will be cast out.  And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself.”

FORTH-TELLING
Jesus tells us the truth.  He is what we need and who we need.  In Jesus my life has meaning and worth.  In Christ we are partners together with Him in telling the world the Good News-God loves you and has a plan for your life.

 

12/16          John 12:33-34
He said this to indicate how he was going to die.  “Die?” asked the crowd. “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. Why are you saying the Son of Man will die? Who is this Son of Man you are talking about?”

TRUTH
The world is invested in things that are perishing.  In Christ we are invested in things that are eternal.  Christ died for you and me and paid the price for our reconciliation with the Father.

 

12/17          John 12:35
Jesus replied, “My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. Walk in it while you can, so you will not stumble when the darkness falls. If you walk in the darkness, you cannot see where you are going.

SPIRITUAL
This world is not our home but it will gladly blind us.  The wisdom of this world will not get you through the next crisis or opportunity.  Spiritual wisdom comes from Jesus.  If we are interested in spiritual wisdom we will ask Him.  He will give us the wisdom we need to accomplish the plan the Lord has for our life for today.

 

12/18          John 12:36
Believe in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.

LIGHT
Today is the day of salvation.  Today is the only opportunity we have to proclaim the Good News.  Do not lose the opportunity to serve, rejoice, proclaim and claim Christ as Lord.

 

12/19          John 12:37-40
But despite all the miraculous signs he had done, most of the people did not believe in him.  This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “Lord, who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power?”  But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,  “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts so their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.”

LIGHT
Jesus is the light and He brings light to us.  Spiritual wisdom is critical for us to follow the Lord.  His light will bring spiritual wisdom to us if we will ask Him and believe that He will give us what we need.

 

12/20          John 12:41
Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he made this prediction, because he was given a vision of the Messiah’s glory.

FULFILLED
Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies about the Messiah in the Bible.  He is here and lives in each one of us that have asked Him to save us.  We live our lives with confidence because we know the Eternal One and He has given eternal life to us.  Rejoice and do not fear.  We are part of the family of God.

 

12/21          Luke 2:1-4
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own towns to register for 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.

CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a celebration of the worth and value that the Lord gives us.  He came to us in the flesh.  He came for us because we could not solve our sin problem.  The Romans were in charge of the world but the Lord is in charge of all things.  He is Lord.

 

12/22          Luke 2:5
He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

FACTS
This is a fact.  It is not a negative fact, just a fact.  But this fact is also a divine fact because it was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled by the will of God.  He is not at the mercy of the world.  The Father is in control, has a plan for our life and will use us if we will let Him.

 

12/23          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 room for them in the village inn.

BIRTH
The birth of Jesus was not a condemnation of the people of Bethlehem.  It is in fact a celebration of the coming of God to man in a way that we can understand.  Any one of us could have experienced this kind of birth.  Any one of us could be at what appears to be the mercy of the world.  The difference is that when we have Jesus we have everything we need.

 

12/24          Luke 2:8-14
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, 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 terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!  The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others the armies of heaven praising God:  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.”

FAVOR
We have favor with the Lord.  He is waiting to hear from us.  When you stop and pray you can have confidence that the Lord is listening.  Remember whenever it gets tough you have favor with God.

 

12/25          Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Come on, let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  Then 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 quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often.  The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

JESUS
Jesus came for each one of us.  This is our story-THE LORD HAS COME.

 

12/26          John 12:42-43
Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him. But they wouldn’t admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.  For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

COURAGE
Do not fear.  Jesus has changed everything.  He has brought us favor with the Lord and He brings us light and life for living.  We believe in Jesus and we do not fear men.

 

12/27          John 12:44
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me.

TRUST
Trust is a choice.  It is a choice that we make in the moment.  I can trust Jesus and every time I trust Him it is easier the next time to trust Him.  It is important that we know that trust is a like a staircase, we must start at the beginning to get to the top.  Trust Jesus in everything and you will succeed as you seek to live a life of trust.

 

12/28          John12:45
For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.

GOD
Jesus is God.  He is God come to man so that we can understand His great love for us and that He is in this together with us.  We are not alone.  We belong to Jesus and He is here with us.

 

12/29          John 12:46
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness.

WALK
Walk in the light.  When you walk in the light of Jesus each day will be a day of discovery and growth.  The choices we make each moment and each day make the difference in the kind of life that we will live.  Claim Christ and serve Him.

 

12/30          John 12:47-48
If anyone hears me and doesn’t obey me, I am not his judge for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.  But all who reject me and my message will be judged at the Day of Judgment by the truth I have spoken.

JUDGMENT
Judgment is coming and it will come upon the ungodly.  Do not worry about those who are evil.  Do not worry about those that refuse to accept Christ.  All we must do is tell them and remember them.  Each person has to make up their own mind about Jesus.

 

12/31          John 12:49-50
I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say.  And I know his instructions lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say!”

TRUST
We go to the Lord and He hears us.  This is significant as we pray and fellowship with Jesus.  Our confidence grows day by day because we know He listens to us.  This is also true, if I ask Him for wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding He will give it to me.  Time with Jesus equips me to act like Jesus and to know how to respond like Jesus would respond.

11/01          John 11:1-4
A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.  This is the Mary who poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair.  Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.  So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, the one you love is very sick.”  But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this.”

GLORY
God’s glory is beautiful.  It is worthy of our commitment and is a significant part of our worship.  Jesus presents the consummate act of a loving God-life.  Jesus loves this family dearly.  Jesus has their best interest at heart and is wholly committed to serving the Father.  Jesus loves you and even when it looks otherwise to the human mind He always has our best interests at heart.

 

11/02          John 11:5-6
Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them.

TIME
God is always on time.  His love and protection of us is always timely.  Do not fear, your life is dear to Jesus.  Do not feel left out, the Lord has you on His heart this very moment.

 

11/03          John 11:7-10
Finally after two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”  But his disciples objected. “Teacher,” they said, “only a few days ago the Jewish leaders in Judea were trying to kill you. Are you going there again?”  Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. As long as it is light, people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.  Only at night is there danger of stumbling because there is no light.”

LIGHT
Jesus is the light of the world.  He brings to us the ability to see clearly where we are going and what we should do.  Jesus is Lord and He is Lord of life.  Give Him your life and He will give you back real life and light for living.

 

11/04          John 11:11-15
Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”  The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, that means he is getting better!”  They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was having a good night’s rest, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.  Then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.  And for your sake, I am glad I wasn’t there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me. Come, let’s go see him.”

LIFE
Think about your life.  What was it like before Jesus?  How many times I’ve praised the Lord for the life He has given me and tremendous change He has made in the way I see life now.  Before Jesus was in our heart we were dead in our trespasses.  When Jesus came into our heart we had real life in Christ.

 

11/05          John 11:16
Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too and die with Jesus.”

DEATH
Thomas was a disciple with a weak faith but even Thomas was ready to die with Jesus.  They thought that because of the extreme hatred for Jesus that surely they would stone Jesus and the disciples should go with Him and die with Him.  Yes, many of us would readily die for Christ, but few are willing to live for Him.  The great commandment, love the Lord with all your heart has a corollary that is love your neighbor as yourself.  If we are to live for Jesus we must learn to love one another.  Think about the person who is the most troubling in your life.  Love that person.

11/06          John 11:17-22
When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.  Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to pay their respects and console Martha and Mary on their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed at home.  Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

KNOWLEDGE
I do not have full knowledge.  Neither do you.  What happens in our lives is often a surprise.  Jesus is never surprised.  Jesus is preparing us each day to face the challenges and opportunities of that day.  Spend time with Jesus with the complete confidence that He is preparing you for the day.

 

11/07          John 11:23
Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

ETERNITY
We do not comprehend eternity.  It is impossible for the finite to understand the infinite.  It was beyond Martha’s ability to conceive of what Jesus was preparing to do but she did trust Jesus.  We don’t know what the future will bring but we do know that Jesus will be there with us.

 

11/08          John 11:24-25
“Yes,” Martha said, “when everyone else rises, on resurrection day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.

SOLUTION
Jesus is the solution to the obstacles you face this very moment.  Jesus is the abundant life.  He is the answer to life’s puzzle.  He is meaning and success.  We turn to Christ to deal with who we are and what we must do.  Our value and worth is in Him.

 

11/09           John 11:26-27
They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?”  “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

BELIEF
For a Christian, belief is not a noun.  Belief is an action, it is the way I live my life.  In Christ I can come to grips with any obstacle that I face.  Jesus is the answer to life’s problems and He is the solution.  I need a solution to the impossibilities I face.  Jesus is that solution.

 

11/10          John 11:28-29
Then she left him and returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.”  So Mary immediately went to him.

TROUBLE
When trouble comes my way I must turn to the Savior.  Jesus is the comforter.  He takes me by the hand and leads me from where I am to victory.  Jesus is the light and the life.  Know Him and spend time with Him and you will change.

 

11/11          John 11:30-31
Now Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him.  When the people who were at the house trying to console Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there.

SOLUTIONS
The crowd never brings a solution and they are always onlookers.  They have opinions but never the truth.  Jesus has the truth.  When we go to Him we are going to the only one who can reveal the truth to us.

 

11/12          John 11:32
When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell down at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

PAIN
Jesus loves you and me.  He would that we not be overwhelmed with pain and when we come to Him, believing in Him, we discover that He will deal with our pain.  Jesus holds us up and holds on to us.  Come to Him and He will lead you.

 

11/13          John 11:33
When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, he was moved with indignation and was deeply troubled.

LIGHT
The people did not believe in Jesus and it broke His heart at their hard hearts.  Darkness cannot bring light in fact it does not know the light.  Jesus is the light and in Him there is no darkness at all.  He knows the truth and wants us to know Him because He is the truth.  Their weeping and moaning was an indication of their inability to see the opportunity that Jesus offered.  To them He was just another teacher.  We know the truth and that truth is Jesus.  We are sojourners enroute to eternity.  Jesus equips us for that journey.

 

11/14          John 11:34-35
“Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.”  Then Jesus wept.

DEATH
Death is a disgusting reality.  All of us face that reality.  All of us participate in that reality as it claims our family and friends.  Jesus mourned with them but He also mourned for them.  They saw no reality but death when life itself was with them.  We are valuable to Jesus and He brings life to each one of us.  Claim life in Christ.

 

11/15          John 11:36-38
The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him.”  But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Why couldn’t he keep Lazarus from dying?”  And again Jesus was deeply troubled. Then they came to the grave. It was a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance.

UNBELIEF
What have you done for me lately is the cry of the world.  The world doesn’t believe and writhes in pain and agony all of its days.  We believe and bend the knee to Jesus knowing that He has our best interests at heart and will do what is best for us.  We writhe in pain and the balm of life that Jesus brings to each believer provides healing.
11/16          John 11:39
“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, said, “Lord, by now the smell will be terrible because he has been dead for four days.”

WISDOM
We just do not know what the future holds.  The idea that a person could rise from the dead, even though Jesus had already done this miracle before was foreign to Martha’s thinking.  Jesus is able to take the worst tragedy of our life and make it a blessing.  Do you believe that?  It is true and Jesus will do that for you.

 

11/17          John 11:40
Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?”

GLORY
Have you ever seen God’s glory?  His goodness is His glory.  Look at your life, at the impossible situations, at your need and when those were met you literally saw God’s glory at work in your life.  His glory is His work in our undeserving lives.  He loves us and it is His joy to shower His goodness upon us.

 

11/18          John 11:41-42
So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me.  You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me.”

MIRACLES
Miracles are misunderstood, ill-defined and generally don’t change peoples’ minds.  You and I understand a miracle as the work of God interacting in our otherwise normal lives.  The Lord is constantly at work in our lives so from that perspective we are a constant miracle.  But the world ignores God and for it a miracle is something big and booming grabbing the attention of the world, like raising the dead.  Jesus knew this and also knew that believers would get the significance of raising Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus also knew that it was a work that the Lord could and would do.  So He did it.

 

11/19          John 11:43-44
Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”  And Lazarus came out, bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

ARISE
One early scholar said that if Jesus hadn’t used Lazarus’ name everyone in the area that had been buried would have risen.  He did use Lazarus’ name and Lazarus did rise from the dead.  This is no less of a miracle than the miracle of salvation.  God’s gift to you is a free gift of life in Christ.  Arise and serve.

 

11/20          John 11:45
Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.

BELIEF
You can believe if you choose to believe.  We have a choice.  The world is trying to take that choice away from us but we still can choose to believe.  Do not let the whisper of the world, you are too bad, too poor, too rich, or any other too rob you of the opportunity to claim life in Christ or the victorious Christian life.  Our life is not made up of things it is composed entirely of Jesus.  He is life.

 

11/21          John 11:46
But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

CHOICES
We choose the kind of life we live.  It’s the little choices we make each day that make up where we wind up.  We can choose to lose by living like the world or we can choose to change and become more like Jesus.  Do the next right thing and you will choose to grow.

 

11/22          John 11:47-48
Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together to discuss the situation. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.  If we leave him alone, the whole nation will follow him, and then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”

KNOWLEDGE
Jesus didn’t live His life in a vacuum.  He adequately certified that He was the Son of God and the promised Messiah.  The people for whatever reason, greed, selfishness, arrogance and many other emotions, chose not to accept Him.  Instead they crucified Him on a cross.  His life and death was for me and you.  Today He has risen and is alive.  He is willing to accept us as part of His family.

 

11/23          John 11:49-52
And one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “How can you be so stupid?  Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people.”  This prophecy that Jesus should die for the entire nation came from Caiaphas in his position as high priest. He didn’t think of it himself; he was inspired to say it.  It was a prediction that Jesus’ death would be not for Israel only, but for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world.

SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to mankind.  Jesus willingly came and paid the price that we could not pay dying for our sin.  His death for our sin paid the price of our reconciliation with God, the Father.  This wondrous and miraculous gift is offered to you this very moment.  If you haven’t ever asked Jesus to forgive you of your sin ask Him now.  He will.  This is a great gift from God to mankind.

 

11/24          John 11:53-54
So from that time on the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.  As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

KNEW
Jesus knew He was going to die.  Jesus knew that it would be a horrible death that would deplete Him of everything and yet would give us all things.  Jesus knew the pain He would face and He willingly faced it for you and me.

 

11/25          John 11:55-56
It was now almost time for the celebration of Passover, and many people from the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the cleansing ceremony before the Passover began.  They wanted to see Jesus, and as they talked in the Temple, they asked each other, “What do you think? Will he come for the Passover?”

SAVIOR
No one saw what was about to happen.  Mankind is so lost, so blind in its trespasses and sin that we can never know what the Lord is about.  The world is not our home, our citizenship is in heaven.  We can trust the Lord and we can follow Him.  He knows what He is going to do and when He will do it.

 

11/26          John 11:57
Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly announced that anyone seeing Jesus must report him immediately so they could arrest him.

SIN
The world is always seeking to destroy Christ.  Nothing has changed.  Sin is still sin.  We believe in Jesus and we follow Him.  The world only wants to destroy Him because it is always doing the work of its father, Satan.  Destruction is the world’s goal.  Evil is its foundation.

 

11/27          Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

LISTEN
Jesus loves you.  You are the apple of His eye.  He gave His life for you and will live His life with you.  You and I need guidance and strength.  Jesus will give that to us and He will lead us through the darkness of life.  Jesus is our shepherd as we live our life moment by moment.

 

11/28          Psalm 23:2-3
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

LIFE
Jesus equips me and each one of His family members for life.  He equips us to live our life abundantly.  He will nurture us and heal us from the failures and foibles of life.  He seeks fellowship with us and would that we walk in His way and with Him.  When we seek to follow Him He leads and guides us.  He is the path of life and the light on the path of life.

 

11/29          Psalm 23:4
Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

TODAY
Life can be scary.  Evil will be persistent.  Whatever we face Jesus is with us.  Death in this life has no hold on us for we are His children and the Lord will protect and keep us.  Death and destruction can destroy the body but not the soul.  Jesus is Lord and He is alive in you and me.

 

11/30          Psalm 23:5-6
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

ABUNDANCE
Jesus is all we need.  He hung the curtains of eternity and He created you and me.  He is life and light and there is no darkness in Him.  His Imperial Majesty, the Lord Jesus Christ is our protector, sustainer, enabler and friend and He gives us everything we need for life.  He has saved us unto eternity and He will not leave us.  He belongs to us and we belong to Him.

10/01          John 10:1
“I assure you, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!

MY WAY
The struggle for you and for me is to do “it” God’s way.  The Lord has defined in the clearest way possible that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  His way is our way.  Today if you are struggling with your salvation, ask Jesus to save you.  He will and He promises us that if we will ask Him He will save us.  The world around us is always telling us that the way to the Father is through their way.  Jesus is the only way.

 

10/02          John 10:2
For a shepherd enters through the gate.

WICKEDNESS
Evil and wickedness are always working overtime seeking to fool those who are saved.  In addition the world is seeking to lead any and all astray as to how they can have a relationship with the Lord.  Asking a group of people on the street in a random survey you will always hear folks saying they hope, they don’t know or surely they will make it to heaven.  Jesus is the way and the only way.  Ask Him to save you and He will.  Surrender your life to Jesus.

 

10/03          John 10:3
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

JESUS
When you know Jesus you are not fooled by the world.  He is the real deal.  He lives in our heart and guides us in the way we should go.  Jesus will never leave us.  The more we know Him the more we love Him.  The more we love Him the better equipped we are to face the opportunities presented by the challenges we face each day.  Jesus is Lord.

 

10/04          John 10:4
After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.

JESUS
Jesus said that we are to know Him.  We grow by spending time with Jesus and by reading God’s Word the Bible.  The more we know Him the quicker we are to come to grips with the challenges of our life.  We don’t look to others to define what the normal Christian life is.  We look to Jesus.  We have been marked by God and we belong to Him and He belongs to us.

 

10/05          John 10:5
They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.”

ALERT
Satan is always seeking whom he might devour.  You and I are called to be on the alert to the schemes of the evil one.  Our spiritual leaders are to teach the Word and speak the truth.  Claim the promise of the Lord in being with us and spend time with Him.  He Holy Spirit will lead you in the paths of righteousness.

 

10/06          John 10:6-9
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,” he said.  “All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.

GATE
Jesus is the gate to life.  We come to Him and live in Him all of the days of our life and when we pass over from this life to the next we will stand before Him.  Know the Lord.  Know His love and watchcare.  Know Him for He is worthy of all of our devotion.  Listen only to Him for there is no other way.

10/07          John 10:9-10
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures.  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

PURPOSE
What is your purpose in life?  Jesus is succinct and direct.  His purpose is to bring fullness to our life.  Jesus is God’s everything.  When we have Jesus we have what we need for life.  Take your troubles, cares and woes to Jesus and He will give you wisdom, mercy, grace and strength.

 

10/08          John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

SHEEP
I act like a sheep.  So often I think I am doing so good and it is usually just before I plow off into a ditch.  Jesus gives us life and equips us to live a Holy life.  Focus your life on Him and give Him your all.  He will give back to you everything you need for an abundant life.

 

10/09          John 10:12-13
A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.  The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep.

FEAR
Fear dominates the life of many people but we can live without fear.  Jesus has sacrificed himself for us and lives in us to give us the strength to stand in the face of fear.  We may not know that someone we are dealing with doesn’t have our best interest at heart.  We do know Jesus.  Jesus always loves and cares for us.  We can trust Him.

 

10/10          John 10:14-16
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

ONE
There are no superstars in the family of God.  All of us come to the Lord the same we-through Jesus Christ.  My life counts.  I am valuable.  The plan the Lord has for my life is a good plan.  Joy comes from the Lord and He makes that joy available for me.

 

10/11          John 10:17
“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again.

JESUS
Jesus accepted the suffering and ignominy of the cross that we might have life.  He gave His life for me.  He knew my sin.  He knew my inclination to sin.  He knew my stiff-necked attitude to the spiritual life and still He gave Himself for me.  He did that for you too.  He had faith.  He lived a life of service to the Father so that you and me could become a member of the family of God.

 

10/12          John 10:18
No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command.”

JESUS
Jesus was a volunteer.  He was a part of the plan from before the beginning of anything that He would come and provide life for His creation-us.  God’s love is so amazing.  Christ came to show us the love of the Father in the flesh.  He walked among us to show us how to live.  He came to us to show us that He cares and that we are not at the mercy of the universe.  Jesus loves you and me.

 

10/13          John 10:19-21
When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him.   Some of them said, “He has a demon, or he’s crazy. Why listen to a man like that?”  Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

OPINION
God has an opinion of us.  He knows we are poor weak and blind yet He loves us.  Jesus knows that we cannot make it without Him yet He seeks us.  The Lord is here and is willing to accept the responsibility of guiding us every moment of every day.  Jesus is the only way.  Ask Jesus to lead, guide and direct your life today.

 

10/14          John 10:22-25
It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah. He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade.  The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”  Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is what I do in the name of my Father.

MESSIAH
Jesus is the Messiah and He has come.  He has come to us.  He has come to bring us into the family of God.  He is here.  He is available for you.  He will fix the problems that you are facing right now.

 

10/15          John 10:26-29
But you don’t believe me because you are not part of my flock.  My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.

ETERNAL
We are eternal creatures.  When we come into the family of God, Jesus holds on to us and He will not let us go.  Whatever you are struggling with, Jesus is struggling with it too.  He knows your need and wants to meet it.  Spend time with Him and let Him have all of you.  Spending time with Jesus takes time.  Read the Word of God.  Talk with the Lord.  Apply what you read and what the Lord says to you to your life.  Let Him lead you to live a Holy life.

 

10/16          John 10:30
The Father and I are one.”

JESUS
Jesus is Lord.  He is alive and powerful.  He resides in our heart.  Tragically too many people think they have been dealt a sub par life.  He gives us His power to deal with the life we have.  He equips us to be where we are.  Know the Lord.  Let Him have your heart and your focus and you will have what you need to live your abundant life.

 

10/17          John 10:31-33
Once again the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill him.  Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many things to help the people. For which one of these good deeds are you killing me?”  They replied, “Not for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, have made yourself God.”

UNBELIEF
It is easy not to believe Jesus.  We can’t see Him.  The world claims to know what to do and how to do it but the world is passing away.  Life is very short.  Life in this world is unfair.  But Jesus gives us the opportunity to claim a life that is extraordinary.  Life in Christ is life indeed.  In Christ we have a friend that is closer than a brother or sister.  He knows all about us and still loves us.  Surrender you life to Jesus and let Him give you real life in Christ.

 

10/18          John 10:34-36
Jesus replied, “It is written in your own law that God said to certain leaders of the people, ‘I say, you are gods!’   And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people, who received God’s message, were called ‘gods,’ why do you call it blasphemy when the Holy One who was sent into the world by the Father says, ‘I am the Son of God’?

WORD
The Word of God speaks to us.  It is alive and able to reveal the Lord Jesus to us.  When we have Jesus we have God.  The Lord is with us and He is seeking to give us life in the Father.  Claim the promises of God in His Word.  His promises come to us in Jesus.  More than 7,000 promises for the Lord to us in His Word and they are written to you and me so that we might know the Lord and how we should live.

 

10/19          John 10:37-42
Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work.  But if I do his work, believe in what I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will realize that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them.  He went beyond the Jordan River to stay near the place where John was first baptizing.  And many followed him. “John didn’t do miracles,” they remarked to one another, “but all his predictions about this man have come true.”  And many believed in him there.

JESUS
Everything that the Word of God says about Jesus is true.  He loves us and is willing to save us.  Ask Him to give you life.  Ask Him to prepare you to live a Holy life.  The Lord is alive and He is able to give you and me life.

 

10/20          Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

ETERNAL
The Lord speaks truth to us.  His truth is eternal.  His tells us that He has come to give us eternal life.  This is truth.  No longer are we in chains and bondage to this world we belong to Jesus.  We are secure and we live a victorious life.  If you have Jesus you have victory.  Claim your victory right now.  Jesus is Lord.

 

10/21          Psalm 125:2
Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever.

PROTECTION
Do not live in fear.  Take any fear and every fear that you have to the Lord.  Ask Him to deliver you from that fear.  He will heal you.  Today you will live in victory.  The world cannot punish you because Jesus is Lord.  He is alive and victorious.

 

10/22          Psalm 125:3
The wicked will not rule the godly, for then the godly might be forced to do wrong.

WICKED
The wicked look like they have everything in life.  Be careful and do not envy the wicked.  The Lord is in control and the fate of the wicked is in His hands.  Our fate is in His hands.  We are bought with a price and are precious to the Lord.

We belong to Him and He will never leave us.

 

10/23          Psalm 125:4-5
O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you.  But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil. And let Israel have quietness and peace.

PEACE
Peace is a gift from the Lord.  We value peace and can have peace.  Ask the Lord for peace and He will give it to you.  His peace equips us to live in victory.  His peace enables us to see victory.  His peace is an integral part of an abundant life.

 

10/24          Psalm 126:1-2
When the LORD restored his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!  We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.”

VICTORY
Victory is available for each one of us.  We can have victory over the things that trip us up.  We can have victory over our messy life.  Victory is a promise that we can claim.  The Lord is here.  Life in Christ is victory.  You are not alone.  You are valuable and a valuable member of the family.  We are simply passing through this world and we can pass through in victory.  Give Jesus your life.  Give Jesus your obedience.  Jesus will give you His victory.

 

10/25          Psalm 126:3
Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy!

LIFE
We are blessed.  We know Jesus the creator of life.  We are part of the family of God.  The Lord is intimately aware of every single problem we face.  Thank you Lord for your many actions of grace in my life and thank you for your intervention in correcting the foolish things I do.

 

10/26          Psalm 126:4-6
Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert.  Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.  They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

LIFE
Maturity is a sought after quality.  The problem is that many people do not realize that maturity is developed by the testing of our character.  When we are put under pressure by various difficulties, we experience the activity of the Lord in our life as He changes this present difficulty to an outcome for good in our life.  As we bear up under pressure His intervention creates in us maturity of faith which in turn results in our lives being renewed and blessed.  Blessed be the Lord.

 

10/27          Psalm 127:1-2
Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.  It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

LIFE
Our life is not our own.  We have a mission and ministry fashioned by the hand of God.  We are called to live for Him and as Him in this world.  He is our example and He is our resolution.  Spend time with Jesus not worry.  Spend time appropriating God’s resources and not bemoaning your lack.  We have everything we need in Jesus.

 

10/28          Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.  Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hands.  How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

GIFT
You may or may not have children.  Your Father, God, is a gift giver.  It makes the Lord happy to give gifts.  The Lord is seeking to give you gifts this very moment.  It may be the gift of life in Christ if you have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.  It may be a gift of joy, or peace, or comfort or any one of a multitude of gifts that the Lord gives us so that we can live an abundant life.  What gift does the Father have for your today?

 

10/29          Psalm 128:1
How happy are those who fear the LORD all who follow his ways!

FEAR
In this particular instance, fear of the Lord literally means to respect, recognize, be aware of and to treat with seriousness.  If we take the Lord seriously we will follow His ways.  If we indeed fear Him we will serve Him.  The result of a close relationship is that we will appropriate an abundant life.  Fearing God will give us the strength that will enable us stand firm in the face of catastrophe and to not fear mankind.

 

10/30          Psalm 128:2-3
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life! Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, flourishing within your home. And look at all those children! There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees.

REJOICE
Our fear of God, service as His child, will create in us a joy and peace that is beyond our ability to produce.  We will recognize our value.  We will appropriate His strength.  Our hope will be renewed and life will be exciting and profitable.  We will be able to help others and encourage them.

 

10/31          Psalm 128:4-6
That is the LORD’s reward for those who fear him.  May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.  May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. And may Israel have quietness and peace.

ABUNDANCE
Abundance is never created by money.  Abundance is created by a close relationship with the Lord.  Abundance equips us to function as His children and stand in the face of any and all adversity.  When we walk with the Lord we are able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death without fear or failure.

09/01          Psalm 64:1-6
O God, listen to my complaint. Do not let my enemies’ threats overwhelm me.  Protect me from the plots of the wicked, from the scheming of those who do evil.  Sharp tongues are the swords they wield; bitter words are the arrows they aim.  They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly.  They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps. “Who will ever notice?” they ask.  As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

EVIL
We live in a world overrun with evil and wickedness.  God is not surprised nor is He at a loss for how to handle evil and wickedness.  Be encouraged for the Lord has you on His heart this very moment.

 

09/02          Psalm 64:7-10
But God himself will shoot them down. Suddenly, his arrows will pierce them.  Their own words will be turned against them, destroying them. All who see it happening will shake their heads in scorn.  Then everyone will stand in awe, proclaiming the mighty acts of God, realizing all the amazing things he does.  The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.

JUSTICE
We do not have to worry about the world.  Our job is to magnify Jesus.  He is Lord and we live under His Lordship.  This momentary suffering will soon pass and we will be standing before the Lord and see Him face to face.  Eternity will eclipse any suffering or difficulty we have faced.  Hope in the Lord for He is able.

 

09/03 Mark 4:26-29
Jesus also said, “Here is another illustration of what the Kingdom of God is like: A farmer planted seeds in a field, and then he went on with his other activities. As the days went by, the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer’s help, because the earth produces crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle.”

PARTNERS
We are partners with Jesus. He is the Creator and Lord. We are share with others what He has done for us. Some listen and hear and there is new life. Others ignore our message. We are only the message bearers. It is the Holy Spirit that gives life. Share your message today.
09/04 Mark 4:30-32
Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”

LISTEN
All around us is the message of the Jesus. Without Him nothing would exist. In Him all things exist. Do not fret over your life but instead get busy and make your life a monument to Him. Glory to God, Jesus is Lord.
09/05 Mark 4:33-34
He used many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were able to understand. In fact, in his public teaching he taught only with parables, but afterward when he was alone with his disciples, he explained the meaning to them.

GROWTH
You want to grow? Spend time with Jesus. He is the only one who can give us the spiritual nourishment we need for the normal Christian life. Have a question? Ask Jesus. Need help? Ask Jesus. He is our personal tutor for living.
09/06 Mark 4:35-38
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are going to drown?”

SPIRITUALITY
Learning the facts of spiritual growth takes real life experiences. Pay attention to your daily opportunities for growth. What lesson is Jesus trying to teach you? Prayer, faith, forgiveness or is something you are asking Him to equip you to do? Pay attention because the storm you are in may have a significant truth for you to learn.

09/07          Mark 4:39
When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Quiet down!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

MASTER
Jesus is the master of creation yet mankind can refuse to acknowledge His Lordship.  Today confess His Lordship over you.  Bend your knee and give Jesus control of your life and commit to serving Him.  Our death to sin brings resurrection to life.  Claim real life.

 

09/08          Mark 4:40-41
And he asked them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?”  And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, “Who is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?”

FEAR
All around us are things to fear.  The future looms fearfully ahead.  Claim Jesus as your Lord and give Him your fear.  He will give you confidence, peace and joy.  Life is to be lived.  Jesus will give you real life and a real life to live.

 

09/09          Mark 5:1-6
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the land of the Gerasenes.  Just as Jesus was climbing from the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit ran out from a cemetery to meet him.  This man lived among the tombs and could not be restrained, even with a chain.  Whenever he was put into chains and shackles as he often was he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to control him.  All day long and throughout the night, he would wander among the tombs and in the hills, screaming and hitting himself with stones.  When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him. He ran to meet Jesus and fell down before him.

WISDOM
Even demons were required to bow down and worship Jesus.  Mankind in his foolishness ignores Christ but these demons cannot.  Bend your knee and worship Jesus.  Get to know Him for He is Lord and Lord of all.

 

09/10          Mark 5:7
He gave a terrible scream, shrieking, “Why are you bothering me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? For God’s sake, don’t torture me!”

STRENGTH
The demons had no power before Jesus.  The demons seek to steal, kill and destroy.  Jesus came to heal and give life.  We are seeking life with abundance and joy.  When we submit to Jesus moment by moment, day by day we acquire the strength to claim life in all of its fullness.  Darkness has no hold over us for we are held by Jesus.

 

09/11          Mark 5:8
For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

HOLY SPIRIT
When the demons come out the Holy Spirit comes in.  When we give our life to Jesus the Holy Spirit resides in us.  We are called saints and we are because the Lord has cleansed us and the Holy Spirit resides in us.  You are strong in Jesus.

 

09/12          Mark 5:9
Then Jesus asked, “What is your name?” And the spirit replied, “Legion, because there are many of us here inside this man.”

CONTROL
The Lord is in control of all things.  The demons were in His control.  Jesus called them out and they had to go.  We can surrender control of our life to Jesus.  When we do He gives us a new heart and life.  The Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us the ability to have an eternal relationship with Jesus.  In Christ we know God.  Jesus gives us access to the Father.  No longer do we just read or hear about Jesus we know Him.

 

09/13          Mark 5:10-13
Then the spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.   There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby.  “Send us into those pigs,” the evil spirits begged.  Jesus gave them permission. So the evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of two thousand pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake, where they drowned.

FRENZY
When we are left to our own designs without Jesus the same thing can happen to us.  People without Christ do terrible things.  Stop the frenzy in your life.  Claim Jesus as Lord and begin today to grow in Jesus.  Growth takes time in prayer and application of what we learn to what we do.  Begin your journey now.

 

09/14          Mark 5:14
The herdsmen fled to the nearby city and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. Everyone rushed out to see for themselves.

RESPONSE
A miraculous work will astound the multitudes.  They did not come to see Jesus but instead came to see the miracle.  People are too often curious about the miraculous but cling to their self centeredness and refuse to acknowledge their need.  A miracle doesn’t save a person, only Jesus can save.  We must know Jesus as Lord to have salvation.  When we ask Christ to forgive our sin and save us that is Biblical Salvation.

 

09/15          Mark 5:15
A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, but they were frightened when they saw the man who had been demon possessed, for he was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane.

FEAR
People fear what they do not understand.  These people did not understand how the one who was so evil and bad could be in his right mind.  They did no worship Jesus.  They did not look beyond the man.  They just could not believe what had been for the demoniac.  We will never understand God’s love for us.  His love is something we accept.  God is thinking about you this very moment.  Let His love have control of you.

 

09/16          Mark 5:16-17
Those who had seen what happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

REALITY
The reality is that people love the world more than they love Jesus.  They can see and feel things.  People want to be in control and yet the very demand for control is the thing that creates the unease and fear that people live with all their lives.  Give up your demand for control and give control of your life to Jesus.  He will give you His confidence and direction for every moment of your life.

 

09/17          Mark 5:18-19
When Jesus got back into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go, too.  But Jesus said, “No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

PROCLAMATION
We are to tell everyone about what Jesus has done for us.  Jesus is Lord and we are to proclaim it everywhere we go.  Our life is to reflect His Lordship.  Our minds and our hearts are to be focused on Him.  When we are under the control of Jesus we will act like Him.

 

09/18          Mark 5:20
So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to tell everyone about the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

PROCLAMATION
When we tell others what Jesus has done for us it will amaze them.  Some will believe what we say and be saved.  Many will not accept what we say and not believe.  We do not have to make them believe we only have to tell them.  Our life is the proof.

 

09/19          Mark 5:21-23
When Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.  A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him, pleading with him to heal his little daughter. “She is about to die,” he said in desperation. “Please come and place your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

HUMILITY
A leader came to Jesus and in all humility bowed down to Jesus and begged Him to come and heal His daughter.  How do we claim a miracle?  We claim a miracle by approaching Christ directly, desperately and with determination.  Jesus today I need your work in my life.  I remove the distractions of life from my life and focus on Jesus.

 

09/20          Mark 5:24-26
Jesus went with him, and the crowd thronged behind.  And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal from many doctors through the years and had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she was worse.

DETERMINATION
This woman was determined that Jesus could heal her problem.  She knew that if she could just get Jesus she could find what she had been searching for all these years.  We know what we are looking for and need to take it to Jesus.  Jesus will listen to our great need and will meet us where we are to take us to where we need to go.

 

09/21          Mark 5:27-28
She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe.  For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed.”

FAITH
The woman claimed Jesus.  What are you struggling with today?  What great problem have you carried in your heart all of your life?  Jesus is alive and He is able to deal with the real difficulties and problems that we face in life.   Take that problem to Jesus and He will heal you.

 

09/22          Mark 5:29-30
Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel that she had been healed!  Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

QUESTION
This miraculous healing by Jesus was a joy for Him and issued forth from His fullness.  He was desirous of knowing who had claimed this miracle so that they might fully know Him.  We never deplete the resources of Jesus.  We may come a thousand times to Him and yet His power is as effective the thousandth time as it was the first time.  You can reach out and touch Christ in prayer and Bible study and through obedience.  Claim His control of your life.

 

09/23          Mark 5:31-34
His disciples said to him, “All this crowd is pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?'”  But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.  Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him what she had done.  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.”

DECLARATION
Jesus came to save people.  He came that you and I might have life.  His declaration as we claim Him is love.  Jesus loves us.  Jesus is seeking our best good.  He has a plan for our life and that plan is good.  Claim your peace and joy this moment.  God loves you.

 

09/24          Mark 5:35
While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from Jairus’s home with the message, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

WORLD
The world is always destructive.  The world only believes what it can control.  The world cannot control the spirit.  As much as it seeks to it just cannot control the spiritual realm.  Even when Jesus was performing miracles before their eyes they still didn’t believe.  You and I are a miracle.  Jesus has given us new life.  We have life in Christ.  This is the greatest miracle, His love for us.  I thank you Jesus for saving us and giving us new life.

 

09/25          Mark 5:36-37
But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.”  Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter and James and John.

EXPERTS
Jesus is the only “expert” on your life.  We are urged to read the Bible and spend time with Jesus because that is the only thing that will let us know what the Lord wants us to do.  Jesus is thinking about you this moment.  His concern is that you have an abundant life.  It takes faith, surrender and obedience for us to appropriate the abundant life that Jesus has for us.

 

09/26           Mark 5:38-39
When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the weeping and wailing.  He went inside and spoke to the people. “Why all this weeping and commotion?” he asked. “The child isn’t dead; she is only asleep.”

MIRACLES
I not an expert on miracles but I do know that Jesus can do anything and He is committed to us.  His life, death, burial, and resurrection bear testimony to the Lord Jesus.  He is totally committed to you and me and will do whatever it takes for us to accomplish the plan He has for our life.

 

09/27          Mark 5:40-43
The crowd laughed at him, but he told them all to go outside. Then he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.  Holding her hand, he said to her, “Get up, little girl!”  And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! Her parents were absolutely overwhelmed.  Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened, and he told them to give her something to eat.

MIRACLES
Miracles happen and they happen a lot more than we realize.  The intervention of the Lord in the world offering us eternal life in Christ is the greatest of all miracles.  I am often puzzled at “why me” when good things happen.  The answer is because Jesus loves us.  He would that each one of us know Him and be equipped to live the life that the Father created us to live.

 

09/28          1 Chronicles 4:10
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

PRAY
We are to pray.  We are to pray about our life as to what the Lord would have us do.  We are to pray as the Lord leads and with boldness as we seek His face.  Opportunity is all around us and we are to seize the moment and pray.

 

09/29          Psalm 25:18
Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.

SIN
Sin is a serious subject.  It separates us from the Lord.  It causes us to do foolish and harmful things.  Ask the Lord to reveal your sin to you.  Ask forgiveness and strength to change.  Live life to the fullest and sin not.

 

09/30          Psalm 69:29
I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

PAIN
Pain comes in physical and mental forms.  We need deliverance from both.  Be bold in praying for His way with you.  Be bold in declaring your need.  Remember those around you that need help but never forget that the Father loves you.  He will help you to deal with the pain in your life.  One reminder, sometimes pain is our friend because it causes us to change.  Take your pain to Jesus.

08/01                    Psalm 51:1
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

SIN
Sin stains our hearts and our soul.  Jesus cleanses us where it counts.  He returns us into the presence of the Father.  We are called to bend the knee in obedience and live our daily life changed.  Lord thank you for forgiving my sin.

 

08/02                    Psalm 51:2-3
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my shameful deeds they haunt me day and night.

PEACE
Peace comes from Jesus.  His forgiveness of our sin gives us peace with God.  Our sin can no longer haunt us for grace has changed us.  Today is your day.  Rejoice in His grace.

 

08/03                    Psalm 51:4-5
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.  For I was born a sinner yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

REPENTANCE
We need to make sure that we recognize our sin and that we are quick to confess our sin.  Lord make me sensitive to my sin and faithful and quick to confess my sin and change.  Give me strength to change.

 

08/04                    Psalm 51:6
But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.

WISDOM
Knowing that the Lord has my best interest at heart and is always right is wisdom.  I know my sin because the Lord is faithful to point out what is separating me from Him.  Lord teach us to be wise and live in wisdom.

 

08/05                    Psalm 51:7-9
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me now let me rejoice.  Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

NEED
We need Jesus.  We need Him every moment of our life.  We need Him to cleanse us for on our own we become so independent and unclean.  Sin is so pervasive and deceitful and we need Jesus to show us our sin.  Sin is relentless and we need Jesus to give us strength to stand in the hour of testing.  We need Jesus.

 

08/06                    Psalm 51:10-11
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.  Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

NEW
When we come to Jesus we are recreated afresh and anew.  We still have that memory of sin and we still fail but we are fresh and new.  We have a new heart, a new mind and a new power that we did not have before Jesus came into our life.  We are new creatures in Christ therefore we can proclaim thank you Lord for putting your Spirit in me.

 

08/07                    Psalm 51:12-13
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.  Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you.

JOY
We want joy and need it.  Joy is a gift from the Lord.  Joy is a gift that we can seek each day.  Remember as you are praying for others and for yourself ask the Lord give you His joy.  His joy will equip you to face the world’s acrimony.

 

08/08                    Mark 2:1-5
Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town.  Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them.  Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.  They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

REAL
Jesus is real.  He deals with the things in us that separate us from fellowship with the Father.  Too often we see a physical problem as the greatest handicap when in fact our spiritual problem is the greatest problem.  Jesus heals spiritual problems right now.  Ask Him.

 

08/09                    Mark 2:6-9
But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves,  “What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!”  Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, “Why do you think this is blasphemy?  Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

GOD
Jesus is God.  This idea is so difficult for us to understand.  I don’t understand electricity but that doesn’t change the fact that when I turn on a light electricity makes the light work.  Jesus is God.  He is able to deal with us, His creation.  He knows everything about us and knows what we need.  Let Jesus have your mind, body and spirit.  He is God.

 

08/10                    Mark 2:10-12
I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said,  “Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!”  The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” they exclaimed.

HEALING
Jesus will heal us physically.  His healing is permanent healing.  Don’t be afraid to ask Jesus to heal you physically.  Ask Jesus to deal with your physical needs.  Once we ask and believe He will answer, He will.  He has a plan for your life.  Surrender your life to His plan and He will deal with your needs.

 

08/11                    Mark 2:13-14
Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that gathered around him.  As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax-collection booth. “Come, be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship is a change.  When we become a disciple of Jesus we begin that moment to live in obedience to Him.  Following Jesus requires surrender.  Following Jesus requires faith.  Being a disciple is not for the faint of heart.  Discipleship is the process of giving up what I do and do what Jesus says.

 

08/12                    Mark 2:15-17
That night Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners. (There were many people of this kind among the crowds that followed Jesus.)  But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees  saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”  When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor sick people do. I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.”

SIN
Sin blinds us to our “out of fellowship” condition.  We need forgiveness.  We need it every day.  Ask Jesus to make you sensitive to your sin so that you can confess your sin and regain your spiritual sight.

 

08/13                    Mark 2:18-22
John’s disciples and the Pharisees sometimes fasted. One day some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”  Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while they are with the groom.  But someday he will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.  And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth? For the new patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger hole than before.  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine needs new wineskins.”

WORLD
We are often tempted to try to live in the world and serve Jesus.  That old deceiver tells us our sin is just a minor infraction then later the deceiver reminds us of what a real sinner we are.  All the while the deceiver is seeking to put us in a position of hopelessness.  We repeat to ourselves that Jesus can’t use us.  He can use us right now but we have to stop playing games and change.  Obedience is essential.  Do what Jesus says.

 

08/14                    Mark 2:23-24
One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grain fields, his disciples began breaking off heads of wheat.  But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “They shouldn’t be doing that! It’s against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”

TRADITION
We love tradition.  It gives us a sense of belonging and orderliness.  We have a hard time feeling spiritual and our spiritual traditions give us a way to codify our spirituality.  See I’m spiritual because I went to church or said this or did this on this day.  Christianity is based on the living Lord Jesus.  We are spiritual because Jesus cleansed us from our sin and gave us righteousness.  We are part of His family.  We are challenged to see our life and ourselves as part of God’s family.  We count.  God has an important plan for our life.  Surrender to His plan for your life and claim your relationship with Him moment by moment.

 

08/15                    Mark 2:25-28
But Jesus replied, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions were hungry?  He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest), ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then gave some to his companions. That was breaking the law, too.”   Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath.  And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!”

WHO DO YOU LOVE?
Do you love Jesus?  Tell Him you do and obey Him.  People count with Jesus.  We are a part of His family.  It is our responsibility as job one to make people count.  Today I will take my eyes off of my problems and focus on the needs of those around me.  Who can I encourage and help today Lord?

 

08/16                    Mark 3:1-3
Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.  Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man’s hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him.  Jesus said to the man, “Come and stand in front of everyone.”

WATCH
Look at your situation.  Are you in need of healing?  Ask Jesus.  Look at those around you.  Who is hurting?  Do they need help?  Give it to them.  Do what you can and what your situation permits you to do.  Forget about your qualifications and skills.  Each one of us can be a helper.  Get help for yourself first then go and help someone.

 

08/17                    Mark 3:4-5
Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.  He looked around at them angrily, because he was deeply disturbed by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Reach out your hand.” The man reached out his hand, and it became normal again!

RELIGION
Religion seeks to function to the hurt of others.  Its formality or lack of formality and its demand for tradition often does so without dealing with the pain or hurt it can do.  People count.  We are to pray, serve and give.  We are to encourage others and to be inclusive and not exclusive.  Make sure that your traditions are not pushing the needy away.  Deal with others in the same gentle way that Jesus deals with your.  Be quick to forgive and forget and let the Lord deal with judgment.

 

08/18                    Mark 3:6
At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to discuss plans for killing Jesus.

RIGHTEOUSNESS
There is a righteousness that the world cultivates.  It abuses the helpless and lifts up the wealthy.  Be careful as your live your life to cultivate a real value and appreciation for those around you.  Jesus died for the lost.  Can we do any less?

 

08/19                    Mark 3:7-9
Jesus and his disciples went out to the lake, followed by a huge crowd from all over Galilee, Judea,  Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far away as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him for themselves.  Jesus instructed his disciples to bring around a boat and to have it ready in case he was crowded off the beach.

MIRACLES
Jesus used miracles to display the activity of God among men and to reveal God’s work in Him.  Miracles are still available for us.  As we live our lives magnifying Jesus we will often see God at work equipping us to serve others in a miraculous way.  Some of the things the Lord will do we might call miracles but the truth is it is just our Father at work using us as His servant to minister to the needs of dead and dying world.

 

08/20                    Mark 3:10-12
There had been many healings that day. As a result, many sick people were crowding around him, trying to touch him.  And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, they would fall down in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!”  But Jesus strictly warned them not to say who he was.

PEARLS
People must know that we care before they care about us.  Our actions will verify our obedience to the Lord.  Once people accept us as one who cares they are much more open to accept the one we serve—Jesus Christ.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you magnify Jesus today by bending your heart in service to each person that you meet.

 

08/21                    Mark 3:13-19
Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.  Then he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions, calling them apostles.   He sent them out to preach, and he gave them authority to cast out demons.  These are the names of the twelve he chose: Simon (he renamed him Peter),  James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

CHOSEN
Jesus chose twelve apostles as partners in His earthly ministry.  He has chosen me and you as partners in His ministry on this side of the cross.  “Whosoever will may come” was His declaration.  When we come to Jesus we become a partner together with Him in our service to mankind.

 

08/22                    Mark 3:20-21
When Jesus returned to the house where he was staying, the crowds began to gather again, and soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.  When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him home with them. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

TIRELESS
Jesus worked tirelessly for us.  He was walking to the cross to save us and He knew that His time was short.  Magnifying Jesus is a full-time job.  We don’t know how much time we have.  We don’t know how much time those we come into contact with have.  Say and do those things that Jesus would do.  We represent Him so let’s get busy.

 

08/23                    Mark 3:22-27
But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”  Jesus called them over and said to them by way of illustration, “How can Satan cast out Satan?  A kingdom at war with itself will collapse.  A home divided against itself is doomed.  And if Satan is fighting against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.  Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed!

STRENGTH
Our strength and power is in Jesus.  We are to cultivate our relationship with Him by spending time with Jesus each day—all day.  The focus of our heart, our body and our spirit is Jesus Christ.  We live in Him.  We serve in Him.  Our victory comes from Him.  Remember when you are feeling low or defeated, that is the exact time to get back to Jesus and let Him have you.  Don’t focus on the good fight, focus on Jesus.

 

08/24                    Mark 3:28-30
“I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin.”  He told them this because they were saying he had an evil spirit.

HOLY SPIRIT
We live by Holy Spirit power.  The Holy Spirit is the enabling strength in our growth in Jesus.  Holy Spirit please minister to us and through us.  Magnify Jesus in me and through me.  Today I will live Holy Spirit empowered.  Jesus will not forsake us.  Claim His promise of power today.

 

08/25                    Mark 3:31-35
Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived at the house where he was teaching. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.  There was a crowd around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.”  Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”  Then he looked at those around him and said, “These are my mother and brothers.  Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

WHO
Who do you love?  Choose this day who you love.  Look at your life.  What do you spend time doing?  That’s what you love.  Lord help us to spend time with You.  Help us Lord to choose You for our relationship, fellowship and joy.  I love Jesus and my life reflects His love.

 

08/26          Mark 4:1
Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. There was such a large crowd along the shore that he got into a boat and sat down and spoke from there.

JESUS
Do you need help?  Ask Jesus.  Do you want to grow?  Ask Jesus.  He will come to you and will teach you everything you need to know.  He is no respecter of person.  Your circumstances are not an indictment of your value.  You are valuable to Jesus.  Lord Jesus help each one of us to know You better this day.

 

08/27          Mark 4:2-9
He began to teach the people by telling many stories such as this one:  “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed.  As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.  Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly, but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil.  Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain.  Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” Then he said, “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!”

LISTEN
Listening to Jesus begins in the heart.  When we come into the Family of God we are given a new heart.  Listen to Jesus and ask Him to give you wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding.  Claim His promise and believe and you will know.

 

08/28          Mark 4:10-12
Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him, “What do your stories mean?”  He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret about the Kingdom of God. But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘They see what I do, but they don’t perceive its meaning. They hear my words, but they don’t understand. So they will not turn from their sins and be forgiven.’

INSIDER
Disciples are insiders in the kingdom.  The requirements to be a disciple include surrender to Jesus, time with Jesus, obedience to Jesus and letting Jesus have control of our life.  A discipleship is not a part time vocation.  Do you want to understand Scripture?  Become a disciple of Jesus.

 

08/29          Mark 4:13-20
“But if you can’t understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell?  The farmer I talked about is the one who brings God’s message to others.  The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then Satan comes at once and takes it away from them.  The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy.  But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word.  The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.  But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”

SUFFERING
Growth in Christ may involve significant suffering.  The deeper our roots the greater the suffering we can endure.  I don’t like suffering but I do want to be deeply rooted in my relationship with Jesus.  It takes time, sacrifice and obedience for us to become deeply rooted in the Lord.

 

08/30          Mark 4:21-24
Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed to shut out the light? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.  “Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!  And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand and even more, besides.

EIGHTEEN INCHES
The distance from our mind to our heart is about eighteen inches.  The difference between a faith of form and a faith of substance is that difference.  Our faith of substance is not based on what we know it is based on what we know and how it changes us.  Is our faith in our heart?  Does our faith guide us?  If it does we will be a lamp that reflects the love of Jesus in the heart at all times.

 

08/31          Mark 4:25
To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.”

CULTURAL
There is no such thing as cultural Christianity.  Try as people might they cannot claim Christ in a flippant, passing way.  Jesus is Lord.  Either He is Lord of our life or we are Lord of our life.  The choice is ours.