As we face times of blessing and of want, God tests us to see if we will be generous with what He provides. Giving never means we will have less in God’s economy. Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 9-10 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 9:8
When we are tempted, we have a way out. The question is, will we choose it? Bible Reading: Luke 3-5 Scripture Verse of the Day: Luke 4:12
When we try to find fault with God, we might want to start with ourselves first. Since God is perfect, our faults and worries are allayed when we worship God rather than accuse Him. Bible Reading: Job 39-40 Scripture Verse of the Day: Job 40:2
Just because people think a thought does not make it right. To be surrounded by God’s creation yet deny His existence is ludicrous. Before you deny God, try denying the lies being breathed into your soul first. Bible Reading: Psalm 53-55 Scripture Verse of the Day: Psalm 53:1
No one likes judgment, but when God pronounces judgment, God’s people straighten up. There is no standard if it is not maintained. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 49-52 Scripture Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 50:4
No one likes to be rebuked, right? Pride usually rears its ugly head. But it is a kindness when someone risks sharing a rebuke, knowing it might not be received well. And when we recognize the truth of their rebuke, we are set free from sin’s grasp. Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 11-15 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Samuel 12:9a
When we feel forgotten by God, we need to remember that God never forgets anything or anyone. But He did choose to forget our sins and cover them with His own blood. Bible Reading: Exodus 25-28 Scripture Verse of the Day: Exodus 28:29
Whenever we see the word “therefore”, we need to ask what it is there for. Ever heard that before? Sometimes the seemingly unimportant words can carry a lot of weight. Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 7-8 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 7:1
We all like to have our plans as to how we can serve God. But in reality, it never really looks like what we expect it to. When the unexpected happens, it is never unexpected with God. As it says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Bible Reading: Luke 1-2 Scripture Verse of the Day: Luke 1:37
I had a friend who every time he was asked how he was doing he would say, “better than I deserve”. At the time I thought, really? Do you really think that? But what a beautiful place to be at. Gratitude no matter what is going on around you. Such a position is a mindset that is not skewed toward self, but toward God—and so grateful that we did not get what we truly deserve. Bible Reading: Job 37-38 Scripture Verse of the Day: Job 38:4
Oh, that feeling of guilt when we know we are caught red handed. I remember it well when I was 5 years old and stole a pack of Certs mints from a convenience store. My momma made me go confess my crime. But there is something beautiful about catching ourselves in our own sin. There is sweet repentance when we acknowledge our sins to God because we love Him and know we need Him in order to be free from our sin. It is so much more rewarding to admit our sin than to be caught in sin. Bible Reading:...
Sin separates us from God. All sin. Not just the egregious sins. And the consequences we bear for our sins are not so God could punish us to get us back, but the consequences help us to recognize our need for repentance. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 43-48 Scripture Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 43:22
There is nothing that God needs from us, yet He desires for us to know Him and to demonstrate His unconditional love toward us. When we want to do great things for God, we need to let Him do great things for us and in us first. For without Him, we can do nothing. Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 6-10 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Samuel 7:9
Rules were not made to be broken. So we have a problem because our flesh has a natural proclivity toward breaking God’s laws. We are unable to keep His Law. But by the grace of God, He can enable us to obey His word and bear beautiful fruit. Bible Reading: Exodus 21-24 Scripture Verse of the Day: Exodus 23:2
Sometimes we are too easily satisfied with lesser things. And sometimes we are never satisfied. The struggle in the flesh to find satisfaction from the creation rather than the Creator is endless. Only God satisfies the soul He created. Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5-6 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 5:2
Go. Simply go. This is what we who have believed in the gospel were told to do. Yet there can be many roadblocks, some of our own making, that prevent us from doing so. Jesus didn’t tell us to go if others said so. Or if we had their approval. We need no other confirmation than His word. Bible Reading: Mark 15-16 Scripture Verse of the Day: Mark 16:15-16
Have you ever tried to reason with someone who is blinded by their own mindset? It might be a victim mindset, or some other view that blocks them from recognizing the truth. Helping them to see requires humility. And when we take the focus off of our self, we see clearly. Bible Reading: Job 35-36 Scripture Verse of the Day: Job 35:7
It is easy to focus on what we don’t have, but true riches cannot be bought or earned. We don’t have to live according to the paradigm of this world. God is our portion, not any materialistic gain or worldly achievement. Bible Reading: Psalms 47-50 Scripture Verse of the Day: Psalm 49:3
People throw other people under the proverbial bus to protect or elevate themselves, but our God lives. And those who mess with the King’s kids are messing with God. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37-42 Scripture Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 38:16
Ever had people tear you down or try to intimidate you? That kind of behavior does not come from our Savior. Lean into Jesus, friend. He has your back. And when the LORD God of armies is with us, we have all we need. Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-5 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Samuel 5:10
How we walk our relationship with God out is a witness to the world. Our example of faith should inspire those around us to worship God, too. Bible Reading: Exodus 17-20 Scripture Verse of the Day: Exodus 18:11
If we don’t guard our mindsets, our mind can become dull to the things of God. Being fiaxated on our will or way rather than God’s will keep our mind bound in the flesh. Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 3-4 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 3:14
Is your worship of God passionate? Is it without fear? When we worship with abandon, giving our best and our all to God without fearing man, our worship of God impacts others around us and leaves a legacy for others to follow. Bible Reading: Mark 13-14 Scripture Verse of the Day: Mark 14:9
Redemption costs. More than we could ever pay. But God was willing to pay the highest price to win our souls. Bible Reading: Job 33-34 Scripture Verse of the Day: Job 33:28
When we face troubles, we can feel helpless, but God stands ready to help. When we live into that truth and reality, we are helped. Bible Reading: Psalms 43-46 Scripture Verse of the Day: Psalm 46:1-2
We can direct the thoughts we have. The question is, will we? God’s word is enough for us to help guide us to have the mind of Christ. But it will require choosing to do so. Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31-36 Scripture Verse of the Day: Jeremiah 31:21a
Part of the human condition is brokenness. We like to avoid that, but God wants us to go through our pain with Him. The message of brokenness is that we desperately need God in this life. Don’t avoid running to Jesus for help in your pain. Brokenness is not the end. Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 26-31 Scripture Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 30:4
This life is a fight, but we have to know how to fight the right way. And that is on our knees. The battles of this life belong to the LORD. Bible Reading: Exodus 13-16 Scripture Verse of the Day: Exodus 14:14
Our integrity testifies about our walk with God. Being two-faced or double-minded is double trouble. The faithfulness of Christ enables us to be faithful to man. Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1-2 Scripture Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 1:18
Holding a grudge hurts us more than the other person. Being bound up in bitterness or unforgiveness also inhibits the work of God in our lives. Bible Reading: Mark 11-12 Scripture Verse of the Day: Mark 11:26
