10/01/01 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.

Life is a risk. The world is a difficult and dangerous place. I don’t know the future. Each one of us lives by faith. When problems come if my faith is placed in the wrong person the end result will be failure. The Lord is faithful and promises to never forsake me or leave me out on a limb. I am victorious in Jesus.

10/02/01 2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord bring you into an ever-deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ.

I don’t have all the answers. I have experienced failure frequently. The Lord is always with me. He never leaves me. I can trust Him completely. His love for me encourages me and enables me to stand fast in the face of difficulty and failure.

10/03/01 1 Timothy 1:15
This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – and I was the worst of them all.

I am broken hearted over how often I have failed the Lord. It seems that no sooner do I begin a new campaign of faithful living that I find a new way to sin. Word and deed sins go hand in hand. Hateful thoughts are foundation stones to both. Lord help me to sort out my self-centered lifestyle and serve you.

10/04/01 1 Timothy 1:17
Glory and honor to God forever and ever. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

I am so overwhelmed and moved by God’s love. Praise the Lord. Thank you for your love. Bless the name of the Lord from whom all mercy and blessings flow.

10/05/01 1 Timothy 2:1
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks.

I can pray for you. Out of my devotion to Jesus I can develop a habit of praying for friends and foes. There is power in prayer and a great benefit for others when I pray for them.

10/06/01 Amos 7:8
And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”I answered, “A plumb line.”And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.

I am responsible for my sin. No one can stop my sinning but me. When I give Jesus the authority to take control of my life, He gives me power to deal with my life.

10/07/01 Psalm 141:3
Take control of what I say, O LORD, and keep my lips sealed.

Nobody needs a piece of my mind. They need my prayers, my help and my love. Jesus does not say go into to the world and tell them off. He says go into the world and tell them the Good News. Jesus is alive. He loves me. He has reunited me with the Father.

10/08/01 1 Tim 2:5
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.

Jesus can help me. No one else can deal with eternal matters. Only Jesus can bring me into a relationship with the Father. In Christ I am a valued child of God. In Christ I can be what the Father created me to be.

10/09/01 Ezekiel 33:3
When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people.

God’s Word calls me to tell you about Jesus. Without Jesus we are dead in trespasses and sin. Without Jesus we are at war with God and will not be with the Lord in eternity. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. There is no other way to the Father. You have been warned.

10/10/01 1 Tim 2:6
He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time.

Jesus died for me. His death gives me the privilege of coming into the Family of God. His sacrifice paid my debt. I am free in Jesus.

10/11/01 Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

I believe in God. Jesus forgave my sin. He is Lord. Jesus is Lord of my life. Nothing that can happen in this world will change that.

10/12/01 1 Tim 2:8
So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Prayer is powerful. I can intercede for family, friends, the sick, the lost and any one else. The catch is that I must pray. I must pray daily, and regularly. I want to know the Lord first hand. I want to develop an attitude of prayer and a habit of prayer. Both will stand me in good stead in the hour of trial.

10/13/01 Daniel 6:26-27
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

The world operates under the authority of the Lord. God is in control. We are not always in the know but the Lord is never caught by surprise.

10/14/01 Psalm 120:1
I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

I always have troubles and fears. My need for the Lord’s guidance and strength is immeasurable. Thank you Father for the wisdom, mercy, grace and peace that you give me day by day.

10/15/01 Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your petitions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you the sacrifice of praise.

I am in need of forgiveness. My humanity is always showing. So often I am not thinking about the things I need to and am busily weaving a life of forgetfulness and carelessness. The Lord is faithful to watch my path and encourage me in the right way.

10/16/01 1 Tim 3:16
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ appeared in the flesh and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and was announced to the nations. He was believed on in the world and was taken up into heaven.

Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of all. He revealed Himself to all of creation. I can choose Him. I can also refuse Him. I will reap the reward of my choice.

10/17/01 1 Tim 4:1
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.

The world is always in turmoil. The Lord is always at peace. I can survive with the Lord in control of my life.

10/18/01 Joel 2:13
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.

Religious ritual means nothing to the Lord. He does not need me to approve what He does. He wants my heart devotion. He encourages my love for Him. He expects my obedience. He is faithful.

10/19/01 1 Tim 4:7
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness.

I need to tell others about Jesus. The world is full of rumors and evil. My focus needs to be on Jesus. He cares for me.

10/20/01 1 Tim 4:10
We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

Jesus is alive. He is able to deal with my pain and heartache and failure. He will never leave me. His evaluation of me includes a love so deep that He died for me before I called Him Lord.

10/21/01 1 Tim 4:11-12
Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

What I do daily in my life is important. It is important because it is evidence of the Lord’s control of my heart.

10/22/01 1 Tim 6:6-7
Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn’t bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die.

Anything I cannot give away controls me. Jesus sets me free. If I don’t tithe I am cheating God. If I don’t care for the poor and helpless I am denying my responsibility. I am an agent of the Lord. I am to be totally under His control.

10/23/01 1 Tim 6:10
For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

I am not a slave. Money is not my goal. I am free in Christ.

10/24/01 1 Tim 6:12
Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

I am at war with the enemies of God. When I chose Christ the war began. When I die the war will cease and I will be face to face in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ for eternity.

10/25/01 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

I have discovered that people will always say something when you are serving the Lord. Persecution and public disdain will not be far away when the Gospel is publicly proclaimed. The Gospel message is that Jesus is alive, He is in my life and He can be in yours when you choose Him.

10/26/01 2 Timothy 1:8
So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.

Around the world thousands are being put to death for telling the Gospel story. Have you ever shared Christ with someone? It’s easy. Simply tell them what Jesus has done in your life. Tell them about His love for you; about the way He has changed you and how He has helped you develop a relationship with the Father. Jesus is Lord. Tell of His Lordship over your life.

10/27/01 2 Timothy 1:9
It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.

God loves us, chose us and sent Jesus to die for us. Jesus broke the power that death had to condemn us to an eternal hell. He is alive and will save us if we ask Him into our hearts.

10/28/01 2 Timothy 1:14
With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.

I have everything I need in Jesus. Whatever I am facing, however bad things get, Jesus is able to help me. I am complete in Christ.

10/29/01 2 Timothy 2:3
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

I will always struggle with the powers and principalities of the air. I will never have a day when I can face things by myself. As a Christian I must constantly stay in close contact with Jesus. This requires time and commitment on my part. I have a choice, spend time with Jesus or spend time struggling to survive.

10/30/01 2 Timothy 2:4
And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.

I will face trials and difficulties every day. I must learn to get with the Lord Jesus and get His direction to deal with life. He will give me the guidance, direction, encouragement and strength that I need. He will carry my load. Everything else may fail but Jesus never fails.

10/31/01 2 Timothy 2:5
Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.

I will not survive doing things my way. I must spend time with Jesus. I must let Him have control of my life. Obedience is the road to victory.

09/01/01    Colossians 3:25
But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites who can get away with evil.

I will reap what I sow. I must never forget that God loves me and Christ forgives me but the activity of my life creates a planted field. I will reap the rewards of the things that I have done. A life that continues with hate, ingratitude, self-centeredness, and stinginess will all bear fruit that will break my heart. It will also break the heart of those that love me.

09/02/01     John 2:5
But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

I read God’s Word regularly. I have a tendency to overlook those commands that I don’t like. When I find myself up the proverbial creek I always can trace it to my not obeying God’s Word. I do well when I do exactly what the Lord says.

09/03/01      James 4:17
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

I must stop letting myself off light when I sin. I have a habit of making excuses for my sin. I like to call it a weakness. The truth is that when I sin it is a sin. It’s a matter of the heart. Am I going to obey God or am I going to continue in sin?

09/04/01     Lamentations 3:22-23
The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.

I hear people talk about not bothering the Lord for the little things in their lives. I have learned that the more I talk with Him about the little things and experience His faithfulness day by day the better able I am to trust Him for the big things I need as I face tomorrow. Great is His faithfulness.

09/05/01     Ezekiel 12:1-2
Again a message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won’t listen because they are rebellious.

I cannot live my life based on what other people say. The Lord is my shepherd and He tells me in His Word how I should live. Ignore the world. Follow God.

09/06/01     Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

I need prayer and I need to pray. Life happens whether I am ready or not. When I pray for others I am intervening for the trouble and tribulation they will face. When others pray for me they are praying for my strength to stand in the hour of testing. Life is always willing to trip us up. I pray to the Father that life will not trip you up.

09/07/01     Colossians 4:5
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.

I meet lost people every day. When I see them the Lord reminds me of how much He loves them. The problem is they are dead in their trespasses and sin. Unless I can share the Gospel with them they will never know God loves them.

09/08/01     Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

I have a temper. It is a strength when the situation is impossible but most of the time it is a weakness. My worst embarrassments have been when I didn’t control my temper. Kindness and gentleness are strengths when I am witnessing to a lost person. When I let Christ have control of my emotions a lost person often is interested in how I am able to maintain control. They are never interested in Jesus when I try to control them.

09/09/01     1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am rejoicing with you in your relationship with the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Father. Thank you for your encouragement of me. Thank you for the joy that your life is bringing to Jesus.

09/10/01     1 Thessalonians 1:4
We know that God loves you, dear brothers and sisters, and that he chose you to be his own people.

Jesus loves me. He knows all about me and still loves me. I am grateful for being included in His family. I look forward to spending eternity with you.

09/11/01     1 Thessalonians 2:4
For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.

I am an agent for God. He has put a message of salvation in my heart. His call is for me to share with others what He has done in me. The key is I must let Him do a work in me.

09/12/01     1 Thessalonians 3:8
It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in the Lord.

Christianity grows stronger in groups. It spreads like wildfire amidst persecution. When I share my weaknesses and God’s solution it helps others see the activity of the Lord in their lives. The end result is that we encourage one another by sharing our lives.

09/13/01     2 Thessalonians 1:2
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

I like peace. Life is so chaotic and surprising that peace is a real blessing. I go to the Father with all my problems and he gives me peace. Thank you Lord for your blessed peace.

09/14/01     2 Thessalonians 1:3
Dear brothers and sisters, we always thank God for you, as is right, for we are thankful that your faith is flourishing and you are all growing in love for each other.

When I have a problem with a person I take it to the Lord. The older I get the more quickly I realize that my problems with others is an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. The outcome is that the Lord usually helps me to see them the way He sees them.

09/15/01     2 Thessalonians 1:11
And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.

I like to think of myself as kind. I am what I do. Unless I treat people in a kind manner I am not kind. Good intentions do not accomplish the work of the kingdom.

09/16/01     2 Thessalonians 2:1
And now, brothers and sisters let us tell you about the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered together to meet him.

Jesus is coming back. Make no mistake about it the Lord has a plan for the world. He is working His plan. I need to be ready.

09/17/01     2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.

I am learning to go to the Father immediately when things get tough. Instead of going to Jesus as a last resort I am developing a habit of going to Jesus first. He really is concerned about my life.

09/18/01     2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.

Prayer puts me on the front lines of kingdom building. The work of the kingdom must begin and end with prayer. I am the most useful in kingdom work when the immensity of the task has driven me to my knees before the Father.

09/19/01     2 Thessalonians 3:2
Pray, too, that we will be saved from wicked and evil people, for not everyone believes in the Lord.

Nonbelievers hate Jesus. They do everything in their power to stop the work of the kingdom. They bitterly criticize Christians and Christianity. Pray for others. The enemy is trying to destroy our work.

09/20/01 Psalm 77:1-3
I cry out to God without holding back. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I pray, with hands lifted toward heaven, pleading. There can be no joy for me until he acts. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.

Desperate and hurting I cry out to the Lord. These times when the pain and grief are more than I can bear I cast it on Jesus. Just as he carries my sin, He carries my heavy heart. Peace is a gift from the Father.

09/21/01 Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

Jesus, I desire to be with you so much that I organize my life to spend time with you. My Bible reading is a priority and I do it everyday. My quiet time is always a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of life. I want to be with you Lord.

09/22/01 Psalm 75:1-3
We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your mighty miracles. God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm.

In pain and failure I always turn to the Lord. He heals my pain. He fixes my failure. His miraculous intervention in my life is noted and remembered.

09/23/01 Psalm 75:9
But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Israel.

I must remember what God has done. I must share with my children, wife and friends what the Lord does. Telling what Jesus has done in my life helps me to remember His work so that I can sing His praises. Telling about His work in my life enables me to encourage fellow strugglers.

09/24/01 Psalm 76:10
Human opposition only enhances your glory, for you use it as a sword of judgment.

I am safe in the hands of God. My life may be in danger, my existence threatened but the Lord is faithful. Bless the name of the Lord for it is a strong tower.

09/25/01 Psalm 77:13
O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?

I rejoice in the strength of God. Jesus is my friend. With Jesus I can face any foe and survive any failure. The Lord is able and willing to save me from all of life’s difficulties.

09/26/01 Psalm 78:1-4
O my people, listen to my teaching. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and know, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did.

I cannot tell what I do not know. My relationship with the Lord must be personal. I must read His Word. I will need to claim His promises. Our God is not a 2nd hand acquaintance.

09/27/01 Psalm 79:8-9
Oh, do not hold us guilty for our former sins! Let your tenderhearted mercies quickly meet our needs, for we are brought low to the dust. Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the honor of your name. Oh, save us and forgive our sins for the sake of your name.

Lord thank you for forgiving my sin. I mess up so much and so often. Thank you for repairing my life. You have intervened and made me whole again for the thousandth time. Thank you Lord.

09/28/01 Psalm 84:10-11
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right.

Oh Lord there is peace with you. Life has meaning when you get involved. No longer is life an endless treadmill it has joy and excitement. My life counts. You make life valuable.

09/29/01 Psalm 117:1-2
Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Lord you never stop. I am glad you don’t. You see beyond the tears and fears of daily life. You see what I was made to do and guide me in that direction. Thank you Lord for loving me. Help me to care for others.

09/30/01 Psalm 73:28
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

The Lord is good and worthy to be praised. I can tell you first hand that He is a blessing in my life. He wants to be a blessing in your life too. Bless the Lord and praise His Holy name.

08/01/01            Col. 1:1-2
This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.  It is written to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

I believe in Jesus.  That makes me part of God’s holy people.  I am not qualified by my bank account, my skills, my lineage, my luck or my stature.  What qualifies me in the sight of God is the Lord Jesus Christ.

08/02/01 Isaiah 29:15
Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who try to keep him in the dark concerning what they do! “The LORD can’t see us,” you say to yourselves. “He doesn’t know what is going on!”

If I say that I love the Lord do I treat others with care and concern or am I constantly criticizing those that are different than me? The Lord saved me and made me a member of His family. As a family member of the Lord Jesus Christ, I represent Him here on earth. When my actions are on display whose child do I act like?

08/03/01 Isaiah 32:18
My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest.

When you are young, a good nights sleep is taken for granted. As I age I am reminded of how valuable a good nights sleep is. The Lord provides the opportunity for us to develop the kind of relationship that will enable us to live joyful, peaceful lives. His presence brings the safety that mankind yearns for.

08/04/01 Isaiah 38:1
About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”

Death is a distasteful subject. One out of one of us will die. None of us will escape death. Death brings tears of remorse and regret, so many unfinished projects, so many things unsaid. I am turning my attention to today. I will strive to remember that today is all I am promised.

08/05/01 Isaiah 43:1
But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: “Do not be afraid, I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

God knows my name. I am bought with a price. He has fully paid for me. I belong to him.

08/06/01 Isaiah 47:4
Our Redeemer, whose name is the Lord Almighty, is the Holy One of Israel.

God is able. I am confident that He is. He is able to meet every need of my life. He meets the needs of my life not because I am good and certainly not because I am worthy. He meets the needs of my life because He loves me.

08/07/01 Isaiah 53:6
All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.

I am a sinner. Unless I am willing to face my sinfulness I will continue to stumble and fall. When I deal honestly with my sin by admitting it to the Lord and walking away with Him from it I will never be free. If I control my life I will be a salve to my sin. If I let Jesus Christ control my life I will be free.

08/08/01 Isaiah 58:2
Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf.

I listen to folks talk about how things should be. They discuss fairness and equity and goodness. Interesting that these same people seldom use God’s Word except to support their specific view. God’s Word begins in Genesis 1:1 and ends in Revelation 22:21. It is complete, total and authoritative. It is not negotiable. It is a divine revelation.

08/09/01 Col. 1:9
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom.

I believe that the Lord wants me to pray for others. He wants me to pray that His will be done. He is pleased when I trust those that I am praying for to Him. My prayer for you is that the Lord blesses you and that His good purpose be accomplished in your life.

08/10/01 Col. 1:15
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.

Jesus is never surprised by my failure. When I am sitting on the sidelines moaning over a defeat, He reminds me of how excited He is about my life. The plan he laid out for me before the foundation of the world was an exciting plan. My life is valuable and worthwhile. Jesus is Lord.

08/11/01 Col. 1:28
So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

The Christian life is not a spectator event. I am charged with the responsibility of knowing God. To know the Lord I must spend time with Him, in His Word and in conversation. When I tell others about Jesus, I am simply telling what the Father has told me. It would be scary if I had nothing to tell.

08/12/01 Col 2:1-3
I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and the church at Laodicea, and for many other friends who have never known me personally. My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have full confidence because they have complete understanding of God’s secret plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I am to pray for others. I need to pray for their physical well being. More importantly I need to pray for their spiritual development. Spiritual warfare is real. It is a tough battle. It is waged on a battlefield that I can only access through prayer.

08/13/01 Isaiah 64:6
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.

I must never take my focus off of Jesus. Jesus deals with my sin. Jesus takes me to the Father. Without Jesus giving me guidance and direction every day I will flounder and fall.

08/14/01 Isaiah 65:17
“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth-so wonderful that no on will even think about the old ones anymore.”

Heaven will be a great place. When this life ends I will go to spend eternity with the Father. I must never forget that life will only improve. The dark tunnel that I often find myself in has an opening; it is Jesus Christ the Lord. He is God’s everything. Jesus brings me through this life into eternity with the Father.

08/15/01 Jeremiah 1:4
The Lord gave me a message. He said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”

God has a plan for my life. When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior that pre-existent plan for me came alive. God counted me successful, worthy and lovable. By His grace and my faith I accepted Jesus and got every good thing the Lord has for me.

08/16/01 Jeremiah 1:11-12
Then the Lord said to me, “Look Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will surely carry out my threats of punishment.”

I believe in the judgment of God. People who do not read the Old Testament forget that God’s Word begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. The wisdom of the world will become foolishness before the Word of God.

08/17/01 Jeremiah 10:1-3
Hear the word of the LORD, O Israel! This is what the LORD says: “Do not act like other nations who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them. Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree and carve an idol.

Jesus has promised that He will guide me. He knows my future. He will walk with me every step of the way. He wants me to grow in my relationship with Him and to serve Him. He will take care of the future.

08/18/01 Jeremiah 16:19
LORD, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble! Nations from around the world will come to you and say, “Our ancestors were foolish, for they worshiped worthless idols.”

I am going through a time when I feel particularly weak. The experience has been very good. I have had to rely totally on the Lord’s power. He has consistently met each one of my requests with renewed provision. He has calmed my anxiety, encouraged my soul and provided for my needs every time I have asked. This particular passage speaks from experience and the Lord has verified that experience in my heart.

08/19/01 Colossians 2:8
Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.

People are interesting. Some folks are extremely successful at a particular skill or have a phenomenal gift. It is hard for them to believe that they can’t reason their way to God. God’s Word clearly states that our relationship with the Father is based upon our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is God’s only resource for a lost world.

08/20/01 Colossians 2:9-10
For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.

When we come to Jesus we have come to the Father. Jesus is God’s everything, he alone holds the meaning to life because He is life.

08/21/01 Colossians 2:13-14
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.

It’s hard to read this with a dry eye. Jesus took my sin. I think about some of the things I do that so deeply hurt the Father, and me. Jesus reached out and accepted the pain and agony of my sin and died for me.

08/22/01 Colossians 2:20-21
You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.”

I grew up without training in the things of God. When I committed my life to Christ, being a Christian seemed like an impossible dream. But, as I let the Holy Spirit have control of the everyday things in my life my habits began to change. Jesus ministered to me. He changed me from the inside out.

08/23/01 Colossians 3:1-2
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

Today is always so real. I struggle with the surprises and disappointments. Often I get overwhelmed and forget that this is not the way it will always be. Eternity will be spent with Jesus. If I can trust Him with my eternal salvation surely I can trust him with my brief life.

08/24/01 Colossians 3:5
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.

I am called to stop the sinful things I do. The first step is my responsibility. The power to keep walking is from the Lord.

08/25/01 Colossians 3:11
In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

I have no excuse. Jesus loves me. He loves me because He created me. My value is not based on worldly things, like skill or wealth or intellect, my value is based on the Lord’s love for me. I am His and He is mine.

08/26/01 Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

I am the one that must change. When I survey the lives of those around me and notice all of their weaknesses and shortcomings, I am called to change. The only way that I can help others to grow is for them to see Jesus in me.

08/27/01 Colossians 3:13
You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

I am the one that can forgive you. You may be wrong, I may be right but the bottom line is that whatever the situation is I can forgive you. Why you might ask? I can forgive you of whatever you have done to me because Jesus has already forgiven me.

08/28/01 Colossians 3:14
And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

When I am down and out and feeling unloved I turn to God’s Word. As I read and pray I am reminded that love is a gift. If I will give love I will get love. Amazingly with that change of focus the emotion of feeling unloved disappears. There is real healing in the activity of caring for others.

08/29/01 Colossians 3:15
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

God is the author of peace. When I turn my life to Him one of the first benefits I receive is peace of mind and heart. As I accept His peace, my gratitude for His peace will increase the peace I have.

08/30/01 Colossians 3:16
Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

I thought I was smart. Christ has taught me wisdom. He has enabled me to take my knowledge and translate it into His language of the heart. My gifts and skills were given to me by Christ to minister to His children.

08/31/01 Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.

I am under orders. My opportunities for preaching and teaching are divine appointments. I think the Lord may want you to hear this. You are His child and agent. Be about His work.

07/01/01 John 7:37-38
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”

A convicted serial killer asked me about this passage once. My response to him was that heartache and pain are part of life. Everybody hurts. Jesus heals our hurt. Christ never fails. Jesus is real.

07/02/01 Psalm 96:1
Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!

I grew up under a dark shadow of pain and heartache. I was lost and scrambling everywhere I turned. The financial future was great but my soul was distressed. Christ found me. Now I have a new song. Christ in me, my hope of Glory.

07/03/01 Psalm 102:1-2
Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down your ear and answer me quickly when I call to you.

I feel this way when the world has turned upside down. My soul cries out for help. My heart aches for relief. In troubled times I’ve even gone to bed with this plea on my heart. God answered my prayer. I am not able to express in words the joy I’ve felt when the Lord answered my prayer. I am grateful Lord for your answers to my prayers.

07/04/01 Psalm 119:163
I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your law.

I am called to deny self and follow Jesus. Because I am human I often find myself criticizing other Christians. It is so easy for me to fall into the habit of condemning individuals to make myself feel better. I cannot hate the sinner but I must hate the sin. I love, God judges. I am to worship the one true God.

07/05/01 John 8:12
Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

I walked from the bedroom to the kitchen in the dark and hit my toe on a chair leg. It hurt. If I had turned on the light I would have seen the error of my travel. Jesus is the light that I need to deal with my daily life. If I will spend time with him I will get the light I need to keep from making an error in the way I deal with me life.

07/06/01 Psalm 127:1
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.

I face significant life threatening challenges everyday of my life. You do too. If I focused on all the bad that might happen I would be a basket case. People in America are suffering from the fear of what could happen in life or their subconscious is overwhelmed by the fear of helplessness. My relationship with Jesus enables me to come to grips with the unknown and to reconcile the known.

07/07/01 Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Our society faces spiritual warfare everyday. Satan is attacking us through our children. We have huge groups that are continuing to label children as unwanted liabilities. God’s Word says that children are an asset to be treasured.

07/08/01 John 9:1-3
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered.

I have a hard time dealing with some people. You know the kind that just get under your skin. One of my great disappointments is that I tend to rate people on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the kind of person that I best get along with and value the most. When a person approaches Jesus, he rates every single person as a 10.

07/09/01 Psalm 139:1
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

I remind myself on a regular basis to take everything to Jesus. He knows all about me. My openness with the Lord evidences my surrender to Him. My openness with the Lord bears testimony to my heart that He is in control.

07/10/01 Psalm 144:3-4
O Lord, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.

I am a child of God. His love chose me. I accepted His choice. I am saved by His grace, a free gift available to all mankind. I am his.

07/11/01 Proverbs 1:7
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Reverence for the Lord is a learned skill. The more I know Him the more awesome He is. The Holy Spirit convicts me when my approach to the Father is less than reverential. Life grinds me down and my responses to Him become human responses. His discipline helps me to regain my awe. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

07/12/01 Proverbs 12:1
To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

I want to be right. I hate to be wrong. My problem is that I am human and therefore often wrong. My prayer is that I will bend the knee to God’s discipline and learn from His correcting hand.

07/13/01 Proverbs 17:1
A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.

I grew up in a hostile environment. Peace was never present. My goal for my family was that we would have peace in our family. The way to have peace is for the Lord to be in control. He establishes control when I surrender all of my gifts and skills to Him. Peace is more than victory; sometimes peace is ushered in by defeat.

07/14/01 John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

I am called to account for the way that I treat others. Those that cannot command fair treatment are the ones that will convict me if I have treated others badly. Widows and orphans need my help. I am not exempt because I’ve had a bad day or others have mistreated me, people in need are my responsibility.

07/15/01 Isaiah 1:2
Hear O heavens! Listen O earth! This is what the Lord says: “The children I raised and cared for have turned against me.

An image missing in our society is that of God patiently tending to the needs of his children. I must be careful as life hustles me down the road that I not forget that the Lord is with me.

07/16/01 Isaiah 1:10
Listen to the Lord, you leaders of Israel! Listen to the law of our God, people of Israel. You act just like the rulers and people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Ezekiel said that Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty because of their pride, abundant food and laziness and that they would not help the poor and helpless. I see the poor everywhere. I know so many helpless people. Help me Lord to care for the poor. Put me in a position to help the helpless. Let me not close my eyes to my own need for sensitivity to the people around me.

07/17/01 Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us argue this out,” says the Lord. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”

There is no way to explain the goodness of God. I am totally overwhelmed by this passage. In spite of my self-centered, prideful ways the Lord made restitution for me. He saved me. He cleans me up every day. God is so good.

07/18/01 Isaiah 3:10
But all will be well for those who are godly. Tell them, “You will receive a wonderful reward!”

I treasure this promise. As I walk through difficult days and disappointing experiences, I am reminded that my Father says, “all will be well.” That is a promise worth memorizing.

07/19/01 John 20:19
That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace by with you,” he said.

A community of individuals attested to the resurrection of Jesus. To convey the devastation of death and the richness of life requires more than one individual. When I share with you the impact of the Word of God on my life and the experiences of my journey, the Holy Spirit bears testimony to His activity in your life. Christianity is not a Lone Ranger event. The Lord Jesus Christ birthed Christianity in community. It has survived in community. The church belongs to Jesus and we belong to him.

07/20/01 John 11:25
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.”

I worried for many years about my upbringing and all the things I wished I had or had not done. My skills or shortcomings don’t give or take away life. Jesus is life. If I make sure that I grow in Christ I experience life. If I have Jesus as my Lord and savior I have all the good that God planned for me.

07/21/01 Isaiah 6:1
In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Isaiah’s vision of God changed him into a servant. I sometimes have wanted a vision so that I could become important in the eyes of others. God’s Word is very clear. When we get close to the Lord we become a servant and stop looking to be served.

07/22/01 Isaiah 8:6-8
“The people of Judah have rejected my gentle care and are rejoicing over what will happen to King Rezin and King Pekah. Therefore, the Lord will overwhelm them with a mighty flood from the Euphrates River-the king of Assyria and all his mighty armies.

I am the only person that can make a commitment for myself to the Lord. I asked Him to save me and He did. His love in Christ provides the grace for my salvation. I must always remember that those that reject Jesus are accepting the wrath of God. Rather than rejoice at what happens to those that reject Jesus I must pray for them. It is a horrible tragedy for a human being to experience the wrath of God. Lord help me to tell everyone about Jesus.

07/23/01 Isaiah 10:1-2
Destruction is certain for the unjust judges, for those who issue unfair laws. They deprive the poor, the widows, and the orphans of justice. Yes, they rob widows and fatherless children.

I am accountable to God for everything that I do. The homeless, widows and hurting children are my responsibility. Those that are mistreated need my help. I will pray. I will use my money. I will invest my time. I must do what I can do for the helpless.

07/24/01 Isaiah 11:10
In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all.

Jesus is coming back. When he does, the helpless will be in charge. No longer will the strong rule, Christ will rule. He is God’s everything. Worthy is the lamb.

07/25/01 Isaiah 21:1
This message came to me concerning the land of Babylonia: Disaster is roaring down on you from the desert, like a whirlwind sweeping in from the Negev.

I find myself overwhelmed with remorse when I realize I have sinned. Before and during the sin I am often just casually going about life. But at the time of realization I always question why in the world didn’t I stop. The human condition is to always have a tendency to sin. The prophet of God warns me about my sin. The Word of God convicts me of my sin. Thank you Lord for taking care of me.

07/26/01 Isaiah 25:9
In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God. We trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”

I am a child of God, saved by grace. I wasn’t looking for the Lord when He found me. He changed my life dramatically. Now the plans I had are being realized. The things I do are important. My life has real, lasting value.

07/27/01 Isaiah 26:5-7
He humbles the proud and brings the arrogant city to the dust. Its walls come crashing down! The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot. But for those who are righteous, the path is not steep and rough. You are a God of justice, and you smooth out the road ahead of them.

I choose to live a righteous life. It’s not a perfect life. It’s not an easy life. But, when I choose to go God’s way, the Lord goes with me. Those He brings alongside evidence his presence. He sends family, friends, and mentors to help me along the way. When all else fails the Lord provides. I am special to the Lord.

07/28/01 Isaiah 30:10-11
They tell the prophets, “Shut up! We don’t want any more of your reports.” They say, “Don’t tell us the truth. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. We have heard more than enough about your ‘Holy One of Israel.’ We are tired of listening to what he has to say.”

The World hates God. It will not listen Him. The World will persecute those that follow the Lord. It despises the demands of the Lord. I have a choice. If I follow the World I will be at war with God. If I follow the Lord I will be persecuted by the World.

07/29/01 Isaiah 31:1
Destruction is certain for those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their cavalry and chariots instead of looking to the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

I am a planned event. God created me and set me on a course to achieve His goals. He has a personal plan for me. I am not evaluated by the things I can’t do or the things I don’t have. The Lord evaluates me based on what I have and what I can do.

07/30/01 Isaiah 35:8-10
And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along its course, and there will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will follow it. Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness.

God doesn’t call me to Himself and then point the way. He tells me the way to walk. He teaches me the way to walk. He walks with me along the way. He leads me to Himself as my life closes. He receives me into Heaven when this life ends.

07/31/01 John 12:44-45
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.”

Jesus is God. The Lord stepped into our world. If we want to know what God is like we can study the life and ministry of Jesus. God is like that. God is love.

06/01/01 Psalm 33:8-9
Let everyone in the world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.
God stood on nothing and created something. He did it according to his own council and power. I am a result of His creative act. He created me out of His love. He is wonderful and glorious. Awesome is my God. Love is His character.

06/02/01 Psalm 34:6
I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.
Fear is a crippling emotion. It haunts us because we cannot control the unknown. It is promoted by our failures, hurts, rejection and impotence. It is running rampant in our society. The only cure for fear is Jesus. Christ brings me into the family of God. He deals with the things that cause fear in me.

06/03/01 Psalm 36:1-2
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.
I have within my heart an oracle of evil. My wicked heart will promote selfish aims every chance it gets. My responsibility is to bring myself under the discipline and scrutiny of the Word of God every day. Without the Lord’s review I will twist blindly out of control. The end result is that I will find myself caught up in sin and not even realize it.

06/04/01 Psalm 37:34
Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along His path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
My patience runs short. My view of things is always measured in minutes and hours. The Lord is not limited or bound by time. He sees the end from the beginning and knows how things should work together. I am seeking to be a child of faith. For my faith to mature my patience must be under control.

06/05/01 John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Some people lead such difficult lives that the idea of eternal life does not appeal to them. Eternal life offered by Jesus is the kind of life that God lives. We receive this new life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This new life enables us to evaluate our lives by an eternal perspective.

06/06/01 John 3:27
John replied, “God in heaven appoints each person’s work.”
One of the great tragedies of our age is that so many people want to be somebody else. We can only be ourselves. Our lives are worthy and valuable. God’s plan is good. Evil is life spelled backwards. When I begin to seek my own way without God’s direction or guidance, I destroy life.

06/07/01 Psalm 42:1-2
As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him?
Our fathers in the faith saw the world as a battleground. To often I find myself thinking of the world as a playground. I can go there and accomplish things. I am able to promote the aims of Christ and the Kingdom of God there. Travel, fame, fortune all desirable and acquired under the flag of faith but the Word of God calls me to account. I am to seek the Lord.

06/08/01 John 4:10
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
My souls deepest desire can find fulfillment in a relationship with Jesus the Messiah. He brings me into the family of God and restores my relationship with my Creator. Jesus is the way, the only way and in Him I can find life.

06/09/01 Psalm 56:8
You keep track of all my sorrow. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
When the pain was so deep that that I could not feel anything else I discovered that God still cares. Jesus understood my sorrow. He knows the number of hairs on my nearly baldhead. He knows every problem I have and sees every tear I shed. Jesus walks with me as I struggle with faith and fear.

06/10/01 Psalm 58:11
Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Decision-making is never easy. When I make decisions I must learn to take into account the eternal consequences of my decision. Will this decision glorify God or will it salve my ego? This helps me to work through my emotions as I look at the issue. I want to make sure that I don’t make a decision based on short-term values.

06/11/01 Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
I am not at the mercy of my weaknesses. Ancient evil or current strife will not destroy me. Jesus is my foundation. He is actively seeking my best good. In Him I will be victorious.

06/12/01 John 4:10
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
Jesus is God. He is the creator and sustainer. When I ask Him into my life, surrendering myself to Him I am reborn. The giver of life, the Messiah, is my King.

06/13/01 John 4:34
Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing His work.”
I want to be valuable. For so long I thought that only those that accomplished great things were valuable. I have discovered that my creator valued me enough to die on the cross for my sin. When I turn to the Father and seek to live by His guidance and direction I discover how valuable I really am.

6/14/01 John 4:25-26
The woman said, “I know the Messiah will come-the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
Jesus is God. He knows everything about me. My heartaches are his heartaches. My victories are his victories. All that I am and have is a result of his creation of me. The Lord is God and there is no other.

6/15/01 John 5:2-6
Inside the city near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people-blind, lame or paralyzed-lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew how long he had been ill, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”
I have habits that have been with me for more than thirty-eight years. I still struggle with them. Every time one of my bad habits kicks into leadership in my life, I hear Jesus asking me if I would like to be healed. Lord I believe you can heal me, help my unbelief.

6/16/01 Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
Loneliness is never far away. It can happen in a crowd or when by oneself. Sometimes I am lonely because I am reliving some childhood grief or failure. Other times I experience loneliness because of the active aggression of the enemy. I am seeking to conquer loneliness in my life in two ways. Step one involves an aggressive Biblical reading program. I lose myself in the Word of God. Step two occurs as I actively seek to help someone else.

6/17/01 Psalm 65:1
What mighty praise, O God belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you.
I asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of my life. My responsibility is to make sure every day that I permit Him to control my life. Oh it looks so easy, running one’s life. But, I can testify without any equivocation that only God can make my life work right.

6/18/01 Psalm 69:1
Save me, O God, for the flood waters are up to my neck.
I didn’t do a thing to cause the flood of difficulty in my life. I can’t even see around the corner of a building. But my Lord Jesus knows all things and when the world is at my door He stands there with me.

06/19/01 Psalm 71:1-2
O Lord, you are my refuge; never let me be disgraced. Rescue me! Save me from my enemies, for you are just. Turn your ear to listen and set me free.
I thought that as I got older faith would become an easy skill. I have learned as I have aged that life is willing to challenge me to the very limits of my strength every day. One of my prayers is “Lord don’t let me mess up now.”

06/20/01 John 6:19-20
They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
I spend too much time wondering if God will act. The truth is that when I am living by faith I expect God to act. When my mind is set on Jesus, the waves of life never overwhelm me.

06/21/01 John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
I want to know the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord reveals truth to me. The in-residence Holy Spirit guides me where the Lord would have me to go. Renewal comes by His leading. My response is enabled by His strength. Jesus provides everything I need and makes it available through the Holy Spirit.

06/22/01 Psalm 75:1
We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your mighty miracles.
It took me a long time to begin telling others about the great things the Lord had done in my life. The miracles of His activity were carefully hidden away. One day I was overwhelmed by what the Lord had done in a friend’s life. In my quiet time the Lord reminded me that He had done the same thing in my life. What a joy it is to tell of what the Lord has done for me. It blesses me and encourages you.

06/23/01 Psalm 78:1
O my people, listen to my teaching. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past.
God speaks to me about my lifestyle and daily walk as I read His Word. The experiences of the Biblical characters give me real guidance on how I should live. The activities detail what will happen to me if I do or don’t do them. The warnings and blessings reach out into my future to give me the wisdom I need to deal with my life right now. God’s Word is available and ready for building a Holy life.

06/24/01 John 6:59
He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
He was here. He was here for me. He left a record so that I could read it over and over. Jesus came that I might have life.

06/25/01 John 7:14-15
Then midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. The Jewish leaders were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t studied everything we’ve studied?” they asked.
My life is in need of constant direction. When I spend time with Jesus, searching diligently through his Word, I find the wisdom I need to face all that life can throw at me.

06/26/01 Psalm 84:1-2
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
My church is the grandest of all places on the earth. Every time I go there the Lord meets me at the door. He fills our temple with the most beautiful of sounds and speaks with great joy and candor to my heart. The Lord is God and there is no other. What a joy to meet with him in the presence of His saints in His temple.

06/27/01 Psalm 86:3
Be merciful, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
The Lord listens to me mercifully in the midst of the awful way I treat him. He listens intently and gently working with me to help me change and grow. I am charged with the responsibility of being merciful. As I deal with those around me I need to be sure that I am treating them the same way I want to be treated.
06/28/01 Psalm 86:11
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart that I may honor you.
I can easily say that I love the Lord. In a very human, fragile sense I can mean it from the depths of my heart. But, unless I am willing to begin a personal spiritual journey, seeking to be like Him, I am only talking. If I purpose to follow Him, it will cost me my life and give me real life.

06/29/01 Psalm 91:2
This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
I have learned something about trust. I never do it until there is no other option. If I am serious about my relationship with the Lord, He will get serious about the experiences I need to develop that relationship. I only trust God when God is the only thing I can trust.

06/30/01 John 7:31
Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”
The demons believe and tremble. This crowd put Jesus to death. Signs don’t save us. The demons believe and tremble. This crowd put Jesus to death. Signs don’t save us. Salvation is personal. Salvation comes when a person believes that Jesus is Lord. When we believe that Jesus is Lord and ask him into our life we become a child of God. That is Biblical salvation.

05/01/01    Psalm 13:1 and 5
O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
When my heart is breaking I go to Jesus. I pour out my feelings to Him. I am able to talk through my problems with him. The end result is that Jesus comforts me in my distress. He encourages me. He helps me to get the right perspective. He gives me peace.

05/02/01    Psalm 14:2-3
The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one.
I am careful to remember that I am saved by grace. The temptation for me is as I minister to pat myself on the back and exclaim what a good boy am I. The truth is that Christ died for me a sinner. His death cost the Father. I am valuable to God because He has chosen to make me valuable. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

05/03/01    Psalm 15:1-2
Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives, and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
My lifestyle must come from God’s Word. The world worships itself. The world always wants the easy way. If I live my life based on the Word of God I will enjoy consistent fellowship with Jesus.

05/04/01    Romans 1:2
This Good News was promised long ago by God through His prophets in the holy Scriptures.
I am no longer at war with God. The rest of the Good News is that He is no longer at war with me. Jesus Christ paid the price for my sin. I am a child of God and grafted into the family of God.

05/05/01    I Corinthians 15:1
Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful massage.
Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for my sin and was resurrected from the dead by the power of God. I asked him to forgive me of my sin and He did. He lives in my new heart and guides me in the right way. Jesus is God.

05/06/01    Psalm 16:1
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.
My thoughts turn to the Lord quickly in troubled times. I want to be the kind of person that is always thinking about Jesus. I sing songs of praise to soften my heart. I read the Word of God to make me aware of how great God is. I thank Him at all hours of the day. I find that the more my activities include Him, the easier it is to keep my heart focused on Jesus.

05/07/01    Psalm 16:2
I said to the Lord, “You are my master! All the good things I have are from you.”
Tithing is the only way I can prove to myself that I really believe all I have comes from the Lord. When I give Jesus more control of the things I hold, He is able to give me all the things He controls. God is good, all the time.

05/08/01    1 Corinthians 15:3-4
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me-that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scripture said. He was buried and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures say.
God did it for me. He provided all the proof that I need to know that He cares for me. He sent His son to die for me. He let Him suffer for me. He raised Him from the dead so that He could reconcile me to His presence. Jesus is Lord and is able. I am His younger brother and am enabled. Christ in me, my hope of glory.

05/09/01    1 Corinthians 15:20
But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again.
Satan always attacks the Word of God first. He is always suggesting that God isn’t interested in me. The truth is that God has said in His Word that Jesus was raised from the dead by His power. That same power is available for me to live my life in this world and in the world to come.

05/10/01    Psalm 16:5-6
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance!
My soul cries out to God, I want Him. I want communion and fellowship with Him over silver or gold. I am willing to be who I am and not what I want to be as long as I have Jesus. The Lord is my happiness therefore I can rejoice in who he is and not in what I have.

05/11/01     Psalm 17:6
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
I know that God hears me and Jesus is always concerned for my well-being. There are times when things are tough that I remind the Lord that I know He is there and would he please listen closely. Then I pour out my heart.

05/12/01    Psalm 17:14
Save me by your mighty hand, O Lord, from those whose only concern is earthly gain.
People don’t always do things the way I think they should. Rather than give them a piece of my mind, the Lord encourages me to give my anger and pain to Him. He will know how to deal with it. He also knows who is evil and who isn’t. He is teaching me that dealing with evil is His job. Dealing with me is my job.

05/13/01 Psalm 18:1-3
I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for He saves me from my enemies.
Sometimes when life gets thick and nothing seems to go right, the Lord acts. He clears away my yesterdays and shines on my tomorrows. That is the time when I just want to hug God. Oh Lord you are my everything. Thank you for taking care of me.

05/14/01 Psalm 18:28-29
Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
Victory is mine. This is not something I have done. Jesus did it. Jesus has made my life victorious. He is my strength. Without Him I can do nothing.

05/15/01 Psalm 19:1-2
The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
Life has a way of slipping by. It closes in without my realization. Things happen and cause me pain. I respond in foolish ways. But then I step out in the night to clear my head. There before my eyes is the glory of the Lord. Twinkling, shining, pointing at me, it declares His majesty. He is in control, great and powerful. Jesus my Lord, and King, thank you for reminding me of your majesty.

05/16/01 Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
God’s Word directs my path. When I am wrong it reaches deep inside of me and challenges my direction. As a child of God I can be confident that the Word of God will give me the advice I need to stay close to the Lord.

05/17/01 Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
The Devil has no happy old men. I have determined that for all the days of my life, when I am unhappy I am going to the shepherd. I am a sheep. Sheep are foolish, to put it bluntly stupid, and in need of direction, guidance and care. The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me all of those things. If I live to be old I will die a happy man.

05/18/01 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.
I am a child of God. I know my redeemer lives. I can be confident that when I stray, He will bring me back. Sometimes He will chasten me. Sometimes He will protect me. But He will always be there. He is carefully watching over me.

05/19/01 Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
I lay claim to so much. This is my car. This is my house. These children belong to me. Everything on earth belongs to the Lord. He died for me that I would have a chance to claim Him. I claim Jesus as Lord. Now He belongs to me. I am His and He is mine.

05/20/01 Psalm 28:1
O Lord, you are my rock of safety. Please help me; don’t refuse to answer me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die.
Everything around me changes, but not the Lord. The Lord seeks my best good. He is there for me. He is working out the events of my life according to His pattern. Praise the Lord who is in control of my chaotic life.

05/21/01 Psalm 30:10
Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.
I cannot move forward without the mercy of God accompanying me. In His mercy and by His grace He saved me. In His mercy and by His forgiveness he reconciles me to Himself every time I bend the knee and repent. In His mercy and by His power He keeps me by His side. O Lord thank you for your merciful kindness.

05/22/01 Psalm 31:1
O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you always do what is right.
I can live a Christian life. It is not complex. I do not have to be scanning the future and wringing my hands worrying about whether or not I got it right. I must simply commit myself each day to do the next right thing.

05/23/01 Psalm 32:1
Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
Satan is always alert to how I feel and especially when life throws me a curve ball. It is those times that the accuser comes and reminds of what a worthless Christian I am. My response is just like David’s, oh what joy that I am forgiven. Jesus won the victory and has forgiven me of all my sin. The Lord rebuke you Satan. He has forgiven me.

05/24/01 Ephesians 1:3
How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
In Christ, I have the power to do God’s will. I can do the right thing. I can change. It doesn’t mean that it will be easy but it does mean that I can. When I submit to Jesus I am under the authority of the all-powerful Savior, Christ the Lord.

05/25/01 Ephesians 1:6
So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved son.
God has chosen to love me. He has graced me by adopting me into his family. Christ my Savior has brought me from death to life. I am alive in Christ. I belong to the Lord.

05/26/01 Psalm 33:4
For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust.
Today moral constraints have been thrown away and every man does what is right in his sight. I cannot live that way. I bent the knee to the Lord and asked Him to take control of my life. His Word gives me the direction that I need for living a Godly life. God’s Word is trustworthy.

05/27/01 Psalm 33:20-21
We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name.
Circumstances may frown upon us but God never takes his eye off of me. I may not see the end of the tunnel but the Lord is there. The day may be dark but He is the light. He holds the future parallel with the present. Nothing takes him by surprise and he never forgets about me.

05/28/01 Psalm 34:1-2
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart.
I lead a life that is filled with the unknown. Some days are good. Some days are bad. There are no bad days when I am with the Lord. There are no bad situations when I am with the Lord. Everything that happens comes under His scrutiny. Nothing catches Him by surprise. I am complete in Christ and I can praise Him in all things. Victory is mine.

05/29/01 John 3:3
Jesus replied, “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.”
I have established a personal relationship with the Lord. Being born again births me into the Kingdom of God. I am the only one that can make that choice for me. Have you made that choice for you? If you haven’t you will not see the Kingdom of God. Remember, God sets the standard. You and I choose whether or not we will bend the knee to the Lord.

05/30/01 John 3:18
There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.
Judgment day is a reality. Jesus said it was coming. He also said that no one would escape responsibility for his or her choice. For me it is a call to ministry. I must tell everyone I come into contact with about Jesus. I need to make sure that they know I love the Lord and care for them. There are some that will speak ill of me because I do this. I need to come to grips with the suffering that talking about Jesus will bring. The fact remains that I am still responsible for telling my story. Ministry is my responsibility. I may not be a pastor. I may not even be a good speaker but I still have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus.

05/31/01            Psalm 33:1
Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise him.
Jesus has me on his heart.  His love for me is unstoppable.  Therefore whatever condition I find myself in I can praise Him.  The Lord is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Jesus is the King.

04/01/01    Psalm 1:3
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither and in all they do they prosper.
Life sure has a lot of ups and downs. It attacks us like a storm. I have found that the Lord will protect me in the storm. He has me in His grip. My responsibility is to remember that He is in control and to ask Him to meet my needs. Jesus is everything to me.

04/02/01    Mt. 8:1-3
Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before him, worshipping. “Lord,” the said, “if you want to, you can make me well again.” Jesus touched him, “I want to,” he said. “Be healed.” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
Leprosy was an incurable disease ending in death. The leper was desperate and came to the Lord in desperation. Every-time I feel that way, I cry out Lord, help. And he does. Jesus responds to our desperation.

04/03/01    Psalm 2:1
Why do the nations rage? Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?
I am bought with a price. God created me and has a plan for my life. I can live, work, play and flourish amidst the activities of life with full confidence that the Lord is in control. I am not alone. I am important to Jesus.

4/04/01    Psalm 3:1-2
O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
Sin is my enemy. It overruns me on a regular basis. What I say I won’t do I turn right around and do. But there is forgiveness with the Lord. Jesus understands my weakness. The Lord is intensely interested in my growth and my victory. He rescues me every day.

04/05/01    Mt. 8:8
Then the officer said, “Lord I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed!
Ever feel like the Lord was far away? Carelessness in our devotional life can cause that. At other times our sin causes us to feel that God is far away. Remember, the Lord Jesus is never far from us. He is always close by. When we feel He is far away, that is when Jesus is close at hand. Cry out, help, and He will respond.
04/06/01    Psalm 3:3
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high.
I felt the pressure of potential failure. It made me irritable and sullen. When I realized my emotions I asked Jesus to change my heart. He stopped the pressure. He fixed my heart.

04/07/01    Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call, O God who declares me innocent. Take away my distress. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
My faith grows by the way I respond to everyday life. It’s like athletic training. If I want to be able to handle the big challenges of life I must be faithful in the everyday challenges.

04/08/01    Psalm 4:4
Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
Set a guard over my mouth Lord. Help me to hold my tongue. Equip me to keep my mouth shut until my brain has had time to understand the situation. Remind me O Lord that I never have to apologize for what I don’t say.

04/09/01    Psalm 5:1
O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning, listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you.
I struggle with past misdeeds, and make outrageous promises for the future. Unless I am willing to harness my heart and deal properly with things as they happen I will never mature as a child of God. God does not continue to punish me when I have confessed past misdeeds and asked for forgiveness. He is not impressed with future promises. Jesus wants me to depend on him and change the way I live my life.

04/10/01    Psalm 5:7
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deepest awe I will worship at your temple.
Christ died so that I might have forgiveness for my sin. God cleans me up so that I can worship Him. He is a loving Lord who seeks fellowship with His child, me.

04/11/01    Mt. 27:27-29
Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, “Hail! King of the Jews.”
I am always reminded when I read these verses, I was there with the soldiers. My sin is personal with God. It pains him to see me suffer by choice over and over again. He aches with me as I make bad decisions. His heart is broken when I live a careless life. Lord please forgive me, a sinner.

04/12/01    Mt. 27:31
When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Sin always takes us further than we meant to go. The journey back is much more difficult than we thought that it would be. Just remember, God forgives our sin, but the people around us take a long time to forget.

04/13/01    Mt. 27:35-37
After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
It took the blood of Christ to forgive my sin. It took the blood of martyrs to conquer the Roman Empire. What has Christ called you to do? It will take personal sacrifice and surrender to beat back the enemy.

04/14/01    Mt. 27:54
The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “Truly, this was the son of God!”
Maybe it took an “earthquake” for the Lord to get your attention. It did for me. One of the things I committed to do, as a parent was to make sure that my children heard about Jesus. I have tried to share with them in a way that is real. I have depicted my own conversion experience as honestly as I can. My prayer has always been that they make the right choice and not waste their life in darkness.

04/15/01    Mt. 28:1
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb.
I am saved by grace. A weak sinner who was focused on my own wants and needs. I wasn’t looking for God He came looking for me. I praise Him that He did. Thank you Lord for saving me.

04/16/01    Psalm 6:1
O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
I am good at taking my eyes off the Lord. I am grateful for His lavish mercy when has to discipline me. His gentleness is astounding. His love is deep and comforting even in the midst of his discipline.

04/17/01    Psalm 7:1
I come to you for protection, O Lord my God. Save me from my persecutors- rescue me!
When someone mistreats me, I immediately want revenge. Why the very idea of them mistreating me! The great tragedy is that revenge is a consuming emotion. It often hurts me more than the object of my anger. Christ will stand for me. Christ will comfort me. Revenge is best left to the Lord.

4/18/01    John 20:19-20
That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord!
I’ve walked down dark alleys. The fear would be so heavy on my heart that I could barely breathe. When I got to the light it was as if the world had been lifted off my shoulders. Jesus’ presence lifted the excruciating weight of the future off the disciples shoulder. Now they knew, He was alive.

4/19/01    John 20:21
He spoke to them again and said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
The Father is my authority for the proclamation of the Gospel. The Lord Jesus empowers me speak. I proclaim freedom to the captives and life to the dead. I have Jesus in my heart. The world needs Christ.

4/20/01    Psalm 9:1
I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
When I praise God I discover more about Him. He is worth of all my praise. His nature is praiseworthy. My praise blesses me with an expanding awareness of who God is. He is King of kings, and Lord of Lords forever in control of me. Bless the name of the Lord.

4/21/01    Psalm 9:7
But the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. This reminds me of who I am and who God is. I experience myopia on a regular basis. I elevate myself to God’s position and seek to control my life. This is a mistake because I always mess up. I am then called to account. This helps me to refocus my lifestyle and let God be God.

4/22/01    Psalm 9:13
Lord have mercy on me. See how I suffer at the hands of those who hate me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death.
Do the next right thing. I can do this because I know that my Lord lives. He lives to give me direction. He lives that I might have life. He is faithful in enabling me to live a Godly life. He lives in me.

4/23/01    Acts 3:15
You killed the author of life, but God raised him to life. And we are witnesses of this fact!
Jesus is alive. Sometimes I forget that. His activity in my life quickly reminds me that He is alive. As I face the ups and downs of life I am not alone. He is alive.

4/24/01    Psalm 10:17
Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.
I learned about helplessness first hand when facing a personal crisis. Why I can’t even defeat the common cold. But the Lord stood by me and helped me survive. He will do that for you if you will ask him. Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within in me praise His holy name.

4/25/01    Psalm 11:1
I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly to the mountains for safety.”
All around me are voices giving directions. Do this and do that but they never have the authority of the Word of God. His Word gives me the wisdom and guidance I need to make right decisions about life.

4/26/01    Psalm 11:4
But the Lord is in His holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everything closely, examining everyone on earth.
I sometimes think that the unseen things I do have no effect on anyone but me. I am wrong about that. The Father sees them and often times my actions break His heart. He cares for me. He is intimately involved in everything I do. God loves me and He has a plan for my life.

4/27/01    Matthew 9:2
Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart son! Your sins are forgiven.”
I need courage and forgiveness. Courage enables me to deal with all those dark yesterdays that claw at my today’s. Courage equips me to accept the forgiveness of my sin. Forgiveness outfits me for a relationship with the Father and service to my fellow man. I call on Jesus as I live each day of my life.

4/28/01    Matthew 9:6
“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.”
Jesus healed my heart. It was so desperately wicked. Jesus healed it. Today he healed my hurt, hurt that was caused by my own selfishness and ego. He is faithful in His healing. He meets the exact needs that I have in my life. What a Savior.

4/29/01    Psalm 12:6
The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace purified seven times over.
I do not see the big picture in life. Because of my humanity I often make decisions based on limited knowledge. The Lord is faithful to guide me in those decisions. My faith in Him enables me to make right decisions. His love for me equips me to trust Him.

4/30/01    Matthew 20:16
“And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then.”
My Jesus encourages me. He tells me of His love. He reminds me of His activity. He never leaves me alone. Then one day, He says, I will stand before Him and He will declare for all to hear about my relationship with Him. Jesus is everything to me.

03/01/01    1 Kings 12:8
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.
The advice we seek is the advice we take. I must constantly remind myself that the Lord will give me the wisdom I need to make good decisions. That includes helping me to know the right people to listen to.

03/02/01    1 Kings 17:24
Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”
Elijah’s actions confirmed his claim. I can only act like Jesus when He is in control. I act like me when I am in control. Check how you are acting and you will know who is in control.

03/03/01    1 Kings 19:1-2
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel what Elijah had done and that he had slaughtered the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods also kill me if by this time tomorrow I have failed to take your life like those whom you killed.”
Spiritual battles often come after victories. Satan is always seeking whom he can devour. When we have spiritual success we are placed on Satan’s most wanted list. Be careful in victory, failure comes when we think we can stand in our own strength.

03/04/01    1 Kings 19:9
…the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
My needs are met in Jesus. In His presence I learn wisdom for living. He personally gives me power to change. Christ makes me whole.

03/05/01    2 Kings 2:6
Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together.
If you want to do what the Lord says, hold on. Time is our enemy. Forget the time and hold on to the Lord. What you must do may take more time than you thought but victory will be worth more than you can imagine.

03/06/01    2 Kings 5:14
So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child’s, and he was healed.
Do you feel defeated and ineffective? God can use you. God’s power is gloriously strong through our weakness. You are a super star called of God to do a super work. No one else is assigned your task. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

03/07/01    2 Kings 6:16-17
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened his servant’s eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
Are you backed into a corner? Can you not see a way that things will work out? I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and that you will see the angels of victory that our great God has sent to you. Be encouraged, the Lord is on your side.

03/08/01    2 Kings 13:1-2
Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel in the twenty-third year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria seventeen years. But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight…
Jesus forgave my sin. This enables me to have a relationship with God the Father. God pours out His grace upon me in limitless quantities. There will never be a day when my need exceeds God’s grace.

03/09/01     2 Kings 19:1
When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the Temple of the Lord to pray.
Sometimes life has driven me to my knees. Right now I am fine. I am rejoicing in Zion. But the times when bad things happened I made a beeline to the presence of God and cried out, Lord please help me? And He has every time.

03/10/01    1 Chronicles 2:12
Boaz was the father of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse.
Chronicles helps us to see the family relationships of the people that we read about in the Bible. The daily problems I face are the same problems that the people in the Bible faced. Sin is everywhere. I must choose to be a child of God. God is able to take care of me. I am important, not for what I do but because of who my Father is.

03/11/01    1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
What has God done in your life? Who have you told about it? The Gospel message is simply telling others how the Lord has saved us. Folks that have a hard time talking about the Lord may not have anything to say.

03/12/01    1 Chronicles 16:15
He always stands by his covenant, the commitment he made to a thousand generations.
I can trust the Lord. I can trust his Word. I can trust his actions. In every way and at all times I can trust the Lord.

03/13/01    1 Chronicles 17:20
O Lord, there is no one like you; there is no other God. We have never even heard of another god like you.
Our struggle is not with flesh and blood. We struggle against the unseen enemies of God. I am discovering that the battle is the Lord’s. My responsibility is to praise God and recognize who He is. God will take care of the enemy.

03/14/01    2 Chronicles 6:40
O my God, be attentive to all the prayers made to you in this place.
I am a new creature in Christ, the temple of the living God. God is concerned about everything that happens in my life. He listens attentively to me. He wants me to talk with Him. I am seeking to make the Lord Jesus the focus of my life.

03/15/01    2 Chronicles 20-21
Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to God in heaven. And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers.
God is not controlled by the world. The world is under His control. Take your world and submit it to the Lord. He will bring order to the chaos.

03/16/01    Ezra 1:2
This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem in the land of Judah.
God created you for good. He has given you at least one spiritual gift and assigned you a project. Don’t give up. God will see you through.

03/17/01    Ezra 8:22
For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God protects all those who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.”
I believe the Lord. Sometimes when I believe there is a nervous trembling in my soul. God is faithful. That encourages me to move forward. Prayer and action are vital for our spiritual growth.

03/18/01    Nehemiah 1:1
These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In late autumn of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes reign, I was at the fortress of Susa.
The three most important points to remember in real estate are location, location and location. In our relationship with the Lord, the three most important points to remember are surrender, surrender, and surrender.

03/19/01    Nehemiah 4:14
Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious, and fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!”
Satan is our enemy. People sometimes forget that it takes spiritual warfare to conquer our enemy.

03/20/01    Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you.
I want to know you Lord. I want to fellowship with you. I want to constantly praise you for who you are. You are glorious and worthy of all praise.

03/21/01    Esther 4:13-14
Mordecai sent back this reply to Esther; “Don’t think for a moment that you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?”
Get the message. God has a plan for your life. You are special to Him.

03/22/01    Job 1:1
There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
When Job saw evil he turned the other way. When evil entered Job’s mind he changed his thoughts. When confronted by evil actions Job immediately did the right thing. Avoiding evil requires immediate action.

03/23/01    Job 1:17
While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
Bad things happen to good people. Please remember, when catastrophe hits the Lord Jesus Christ is still there. Jesus stands with us as we go through the destructiveness of life.

03/24/01    Job 2:10
But Job replied, “You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Job mourned his situation but did not blame God. Too often I find myself condemning my current situation and accusing God. My failure is sin. Thanks be unto Jesus forgives my sin.

03/25/01    Job 3:25-26
What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come to be. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; instead only trouble comes.”
Dark days are going to come. Jesus brings light to dark days. He reveals his love and concern in a very real and encouraging way. If you are going through a difficult time, ask the Lord Jesus to help. When you ask He will respond.

03/26/01    Job 6:8
“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my hope.”
God answers prayer. Faith gets me to the answer. Time is our enemy and it never encourages me to wait. Sometimes the answers aren’t the ones I want but His answers are always what I need.

03/27/01    Job 6:17
“What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us?”
God has his eye on me. He created me for a unique purpose. His concern for me is not increased or decreased by my success or failure. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for me. His victory gives me victory. He cares for me.

03/28/01    Job 14:1-2
“How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble! Like a flower, we blossom for a moment and then wither. Like the shadow of a passing cloud, we quickly disappear.”
I want my life to count. I want to be used of God to equip and serve my fellow man. I must never forget that the day passes quickly. What I seek to do I must do today. There may be no tomorrow.

03/29/01    Job 19:25
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last.”
When I believe that Jesus lives, my life is different. I have an anchor that steadies my soul. Fierce storms may come but I will survive. Life may get out of hand but I never will. I know that Jesus lives. He lives in my heart.

03/30/01    Job 42:1-3
Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You ask, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I and I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me.”
I was saved by the wonderful intervention of Jesus Christ into my life. His forgiveness saved me. My surrender enabled a relationship. The natural man cannot accept God’s way. I cannot refuse it, to whom would I go?

03/31/01    Psalm 1:1
Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.
I see folks on street corners a lot. Some are self-proclaimed authorities on religion. They are the wrong people to stand with. The church is the bride of Christ. That is where I need to be.

2/01/01    Ex. 34:14
You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.
God really wants to spend time with me. He is passionate about how He feels about me. God is interested in how I feel and in what I am doing. I am important to Him.

2/02/01    Ex. 34:29
When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the Lord face to face.
If I spend time with God it shows. When I spend time with the Lord, I operate under His direction. The only way that I can grow and mature is to be with the Lord. People know when I have been with the Lord.

2/03/01    Ex. 40:34-35
Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the Lord.
Moses worship of God was overshadowed by God’s presence. God presented Himself in His glory and it totally ejected Moses from the Tabernacle. When was the last time that your worship was stopped by the presence of God? Maybe the Lord is waiting on you. Glory, praise and honor to God in the highest, from whom all blessings flow. Come Lord Jesus.

2/04/01    Lev. 8:34
What has been done today was commanded by the Lord in order to make atonement for you.
The death of Jesus was commanded before time began. The cross was not an afterthought. It was God’s thought of you. When Jesus died on the cross, his blood cleansed you from all your unrighteousness. God cares for you.

2/05/01    Lev. 18:1-3
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say this to your people, the Israelites: I, the Lord, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life.”
Pagans act like pagans. Christians act like Christians. Who do you act like?

2/06/01    Num. 3:1
This is the family line of Aaron and Moses as it was recorded when the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai:”
Moses and Aaron were real people. You and I are real people. Tell me today who you will follow, the world or the Lord? You are the only person that can choose Jesus as Lord of your life.

2/7/01        Num. 6:24-26
‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Age has a way of catching up with us. My body is beginning to fail but my Father never fails. His peace is very real. I need it to face tomorrow. That peace bears testimony in my spirit about eternity. Heaven is a real place. I’ll be there one day not too long from now.

2/8/01        Num. 12:3
Now Moses was more humble than any other person on earth.
Humility has never been my strong suit. Born poor, I have had to fight and scrap for each and every success. When I look back I see the hand of God effectively working in my life. The Father’s love is undeserved. Yet his care and concern cause me to bend my knee humbly before Him in praise and adoration. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

2/9/01        Num. 13:30-31
But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him answered, “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”
Fear destroys our fellowship with Jesus. When I trust Him He dispels fear. I can trust His actions even when I can’t see His activity. Jesus loves me and has a plan for my life. His love is powerful. His plan is good.

2/10/01    Num. 20:12
…the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
This is a haunting passage. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience. Lord, help me to wake up and obey you. I want to be useful and useable. Forgive me when I fail.

2/11/01    Deut. 1:29
“But I said to you, ‘Don’t be afraid! The Lord your God is going before you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.”
Life can be scary. A midnight phone call can strike terror in one’s heart. The confidence that we have from the Father is that when life happens, the Lord stands with us.

2/12/01    Deut. 4:1
‘And now, Israel, listen carefully to the laws and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live…’
Every step I take is a journey somewhere. The caution in God’s Word is a call to obedience. Obedience equips me to live a Godly life.

2/13/01    Deut. 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today.”
My humanity separates me from God. Sin blinds my soul. It destroys my ability to function in the spiritual realm. I can never do enough or be good enough to deserve a relationship with the Lord. Jesus forgives my sin. He provides for the relationship I need with the Father.

2/14/01    Deut. 14:2
You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you to be his own special treasure from all the nations of the earth.
Failure reminds me of my inadequacy. It causes me to see myself in a negative light. The Word of God reminds me that God treasures me. He is carefully watching over the course of my life. When I fail, the Father hurts with me.

2/15/01    Deut. 32:3-4
I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is.
I can trust the Lord. When everything else fails, God never fails. Even when things look bleak, the Lord is still on His throne. I belong to him.

2/16/01      Joshua 1:1
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant.
My God lives. He is Lord of life. In him I can find the light that I need to negotiate each day. He gives me the strength that I need to keep on keeping on. He is alive and He gives me life.

2/17/01    Joshua 4:8
So the men did as Joshua told them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe just as the Lord had commanded Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.
Do you keep a spiritual journal? You should. The journal becomes our touchstone with the miracles that the Lord works in our lives. Oh yes, there have been miracles. Do you remember them? If you do, it will help you to stand in the time of testing.

2/18/01    Joshua 6:22
Then Joshua said to the two spies, “Keep your promise. Go to Rahab the prostitute’s house and bring her out, along with all her family.”
Matthew 1:5 reminds us that Rahab was the mother of Boaz in the line of King David. God’s glory is best expressed through my weakness. The tragedy is that too often I think that I can help God out by doing things my way or on my schedule. God’s way in God’s time is the only way that things work out well for everyone involved.

2/19/01    Judges 3:9
But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz.
There will be a day in each one of our lives that we will find ourselves in real trouble. It will be caused by oversight, getting too busy or some other form of sin but be assured it will happen. When that day comes cry out to the Lord. He will respond.

2/20/01    Judges 7:4
But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will sort out who will go with you and who will not.”
There is nothing that is too hard for God. If the Lord has called you to do it He will make it happen. What is hard for us is to believe that the Lord can work through our limitations and weaknesses to accomplish the task he has set before us. He can. Just believe.

2/21/01    1 Samuel 2:2
No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
I always think that I know what is best for me. Only when I mess up things am I confronted with the foolishness of my thinking. God is Holy. That means He is different than I am. My holiness comes from God. Christ died for my sin and gave me a relationship with the Lord. Christ is my everything.

2/22/01    1 Samuel 3:19
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and everything Samuel said was wise and helpful.
My devotional life with Jesus enables me to grow. Growth is difficult and generally happens through trials and tribulation. If I want to become like Jesus, I will need to commit myself to making Christ first in my life.

2/23/01    1 Samuel 12:1
Then Samuel addressed the people again: “I have done as you asked and given you a king.
Be careful what you ask for. You may get it. A few times I have wanted something with all my heart only to get it and discover the consequences of my choice.

2/24/01    2 Samuel 1:27
How the mighty heroes have fallen! Stripped of their weapons, they lie dead.
You and I will die one day. Life moves on and time waits for no one. Remember that you only have today to do what the Lord has called you to do. Be about the Lord’s business.

2/25/01    2 Samuel 5:3
So there at Hebron, David made a covenant with the leaders of Israel before the Lord. And they anointed him king of Israel.
Kings come and go. Godly kings are few and far between. Worldliness is easy to acquire. Godliness requires obedience and humility. Our humanity must be surrendered to the gracious hand of God. David recognized who the real leader was. My prayer is that you and I will do the same.

2/26/01    2 Samuel 15:31
When someone told David that his advisor Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”
Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather. While .he was serving David he was plotting David’s downfall. You may one day have a close friend or advisor that does you wrong. Remember to respond as David did and let the Lord deal with it. When we love the Lord we do not have to fear what the world is doing.

2/27/01    1 Kings 8:23
Solomon prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven or earth. You keep your promises and show unfailing love to all who obey you and are eager to do your will.”
There is only one God, the Lord. He is king of kings and Lord of Lords. This triune God knows me better than I know myself. He loves me and wants me to know Him. That is an amazing truth.

2/28/01    1 Kings 11:1-2
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women… The Lord has clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods.
God favors no man. My sin separates me from the Lord and causes me to walk in darkness. Christ’s death on the cross provides forgiveness from my sin. I can choose to accept God’s offer of forgiveness or I can go my own way. Doing it my way results in death. Doing life God’s way results in eternal life.

1/01/01     Gen. 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
I was an auditor for many years it seems a lifetime ago. One of the things I learned in auditing was that everything has a beginning. Big audits and small audits all start at the beginning and develop one step at a time. This year as you face big projects and small projects, remember that you need to always start with the Lord. Then under His guidance you can complete your project one step at a time.

1/02/01    Gen 3:21
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.
Satan is a master at taking the blessings of God and turning them into something that winds up being a curse. As you begin this new year, join with me in reviewing your daily activities to make sure that you have not slipped into bad habits and let God’s blessing become a curse.

1/03/01     Gen 6:5
Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wickedness, and he saw that all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil.
Stinking thinking habits are hard to overcome. Me, my and mine are always proposing that I count more than someone else. The Lord wants me to think about what is good for others. I am the only one that can deal with a self-centered heart.

1/04/01    Gen 7:5
So Noah did exactly as the Lord had commanded him. He was 600 years old when the flood came, and he went aboard the boat to escape, he and his wife and his sons and their wives.
God always does exactly as he says. The goal in my life is to do exactly as the Lord says. Often I do not accomplish this goal. When I don’t, I go to Jesus and ask him to forgive me of my sin and he does. Jesus is the reason we can have a relationship with a Holy God.

1/05/01    Gen 11:4
Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies, a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the earth.
Best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. The world is always attempting to be it’s own god. The Lord is God and there is no other. He made us.

1/06/01    Gen 12:1
Then the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house and go to the land that I will show you.”
Sometimes the Lord calls us to unknown places. We can trust the Lord. Where ever He leads is a good place to be. It is much easier to trust the Lord when we are letting Him guide us each day. His words of direction remind us of how much He loves us; how totally He is in charge of our lives.

1/07/01    Gen 14:19-20
Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed by God Most High who has helped you conquer your enemies.”
We don’t always need to know where we are going as long as we know whom we are following. God is in control. Even when we wind up in strange places or unusual circumstances, the Father is not caught by surprise.

1/08/01    Gen 15:6
And Abram believed the Lord and the Lord declared him righteous because of his faith.
I tend to be impatient. I want everything to happen right now. My impatience is a symptom of sin. The sin is lack of trust. I am the only one that can control me. I often critique myself with a harsh 20/20 hindsight. Jesus doesn’t critique me; He calls me to repentance for my lack of trust. He forgives me and energizes me to stay the course that God has called me to journey.

1/09/01    Gen 17:1-2
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to make you into a mighty nation.”
I have a covenant with the Lord. I called upon Jesus Christ to save me and be Lord of my life. He did. The Word of God says that He will never let me go. That’s a powerful covenant. Thank the Lord that it is.

1/10/01    Gen. 17:9
“Your part of the agreement,”    God told Abraham, “is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.
There are no grandchildren in the family of God. All of us become children of God the same way, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. My life is my responsibility. Bad luck, evil friends, or poor parents does not change the fact that I and I alone am responsible for making the eternal decision in my life. Will I accept Jesus as Lord of my life or will I deny Him and perish?

1/11/01    Gen 18:32
Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please do not get angry; I will speak but once more! Suppose only ten are found there?” And the Lord said, “Then, for the sake of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
Lot gave up everything when he moved to Sodom. He certainly didn’t change any of the people in Sodom. There were not even ten righteous people in Sodom. I sometimes wonder, am I making a difference where I am? Do the people I come into contact with know that I am living a Godly life? Do they know it by the way I care for them? Secret Christianity is dead Christianity. Everywhere a secret Christian looks people are perishing in their sin.

1/12/01    Gen. 21:1
Then the Lord did exactly what he had promised.
My youngest child wanted to go to Paris when she was six. I promised her that when she was fifteen that I would take her to Paris. Ten years passed too quickly. When the time came I really didn’t want to go to Paris. But, we did go. It was the best trip I have ever taken. It was a joy to see Paris through the eyes of a fifteen year old. It blessed me exceedingly. God never breaks a promise. There are more than 7,000 promises to us in the Bible. Find them, memorize them, remind God of His promises and you will be blessed. God always keeps His promises.

1/13/01    Gen. 22:1
Later on God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”
Wow. God spoke and Abraham answered. Sometimes when I am praying the silence is deafening. I am learning that that is the time to search for sin in my life. Lord, point out my sin and cleanse me. He always does. I wish my response were always immediate like Abraham’s. I confess that my relationship is not always pretty. I am hard headed, foolish, self-centered, and a lot of those other things just like you. But, when I do accept responsibility for my sin, confess and change, God speaks.

1/14/01    Gen 25:8
“Then Abraham…died in a good old age, an old man and full.”
That was the way the original Hebrew text read. When Abraham died, he was full of trials and temptations, victories and rewards, and reminders and reassurances. He believed God, lived his life patiently and died doing what God had told him to do. He was a friend of God. I will never be an Abraham. But, when I die I don’t want my epitaph to read, “He generally did what God told him to do.” Even though my life is only a supporting role in the kingdom, I want it to be said of me, “He did what God said.”

1/15/01    Gen. 28:16
Then Jacob woke up and said, “Surely, the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it.”
The Lord spoke to Abraham at Beer Sheva. He met with Jacob at Bethel. Moses meeting with God was in the wilderness. Paul’s meeting was on the road to Damascus. I meet with the Lord daily at a particular place in my home. Where do you meet with God? Are you aware the Holy One is there? He is.

1/16/01    Gen. 32:26
Then the man said, “Let me go for it is dawn.” But Jacob panted, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The greatest challenge that I face in my life each day is my relationship with the Lord. Will I trust Him? Will I spend time with Him? Will I do what He says? God is interested in my obedience.

1/17/01    Gen. 35:1
God said to Jacob, “Now move on to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to worship me-the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau.”
I am experiencing a move this week. It is disconcerting and upsetting. In my spiritual walk God calls me to move on from my old habits of sin. Christ provides forgiveness and healing. I am charged with the responsibility of not returning to the comfort of old habits. I am to pick up new ways and focus on Christ.

1/18/01    Gen. 39:23
The chief jailer had no more worries after that, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully.
Sometimes life can look like a jail. Notice what Joseph did, he excelled in jail. God may not answer all our questions but He will meet all of our needs. When life seems like a jail, excel.

1/19/01    Gen. 37:23-24
So when Joseph arrived, they pulled off his beautiful robe and threw him into the pit. This pit was normally used to store water, but it was empty at the time.
Joseph went from the pit to the palace as Pharaoh’s chief assistant. It was not a pretty journey. The road was filled with hardship, disappointment and thirteen long years. What a training program. Next time you are in the pit, remember Joseph’s pit. The Lord cares for you. You too are on a training program in service to the master.

1/20/01    Gen. 41:53
At last the seven years of plenty came to an end.
The most powerful tool that I have for dealing with the ups and downs of my life is an attitude of gratitude. I am learning to say thank you more often. I am convinced that if I will focus on enjoying what I have my life will be richer and fuller. Life is a gift. All of the blessings that I receive make this gift of life more enjoyable.

1/21/01    Gen. 45:8
Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you!
God has his eye on you. He knows everything you do. Your life is valuable to Him. Wherever you are God meant it for good. You can be joyous, even as Paul in the midst of a Roman prison. Remember, you are not alone. God cares for you.

1/22/01    Ex. 2:15
And sure enough, when Pharaoh heard about it, he gave orders to have Moses arrested and killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and escaped to the land of Midian. When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well.
You did what you thought was right and the end result was disaster. Next time disaster strikes, find your well and sit beside it. Mediate on God’s encouraging words for discouraged disciples. Is there anything too hard for God?

1/23/01    Ex. 3:7
Then the Lord told him, “You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.”
My life never happens in a straight line. Good and bad seem to be always intertwined. The events of my daily life do not define my relationship with my Father. Our relationship is based on my confidence in His promises. God is faithful. I can trust in Him.

1/24/01    Ex. 5:1-2
After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh. They told him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go….”
“Is that so?” retorted Pharaoh. “And who is the Lord that I should listen to him and let Israel go?”  People who do not know God will not listen to you or me. Our job is not to force people to change. We are to care for those around us and give them the opportunity to see our loving and powerful Lord at work in our lives. It is God’s job to change hearts. He changed ours.

1/25/01     Ex. 8:19
“This is the finger of God!” the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard and stubborn. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord predicted.
Obviously I would never do anything like this. The tragedy is that unless I pay close attention to the way I live I will miss God’s directions. Lord, help me to recognize your intervention in my life.

1/26/01    Ex. 15:27
After leaving Marah, they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. They camped there beside the springs.
Marah was a place of bitter dispute and heartache. Elim was a place of rest and comfort. Elim was only 5 miles down the road from Marah. When the bitterness of life clouds your heart remember that rest and comfort are just a little ways down the road.

1/27/01    Ex. 20:2
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.”
God is almighty. What I think does not change that truth. Jesus Christ has revealed God in a way that I can see and understand. My responsibility is to accept Jesus as Lord. I am not responsible to decide who God is.

1/28/01    Ex. 20:7
“Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”
God is not mocked. When I misuse the name of God I am mocking Him. I have a hard time dealing with the common cold. I think that it is a real mistake for me to attempt to fight with God.

1/29/01    Ex. 23:1
“Do not pass along false reports. Do not cooperate with evil people by telling lies on the witness stand.”
I have a strong desire to be liked. Sometimes I find myself saying things to be liked. When I omit the truth I commit an untruth. A white lie is a real lie. My prayer is Lord help me to be truthful or to keep my mouth shut.

1/30/01    Ex. 31:16
“The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day forever. It is a permanent sign of my covenant with them. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but he rested on the seventh day and was refreshed.”
I realized one day that the Lord was on my side. His rules and regulations were to help me. His limitations were not oppressive but protective. Today when all around us diseases are rampant, the solution to many of them are to follow the prescription for life that the Lord lays out for us in the Bible.

1/31/01    Ex. 32:5
When Aaron saw how excited the people were about it, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be festival to the Lord.”
Religious leaders are people too. We must always be careful who we follow and what we do as a result of their leadership. I am responsible for my relationship with the Lord. I am responsible for the things I do or don’t do. Following folly will make me foolish.