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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

7/20            Galatians 4:5-7
God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father.  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.  And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

GRACE

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

STRANGERS

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

03/06          2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

2/16            John 14:15-17

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

OBEDIENCE

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

TRUTH

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

MIRACLES

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

12/21          Luke 2:1-4
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

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

 

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

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

 

12/23          Luke 2:6-7
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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