We live in a shame culture where honor is sometimes bestowed on what is most shameful. The honor we are to give is first to God. But honor is not just spoken, it is shown. Bible Reading: Proverbs 3 Verse of the day: Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce." Word of the day: Honor. It is the Hebrew word: כָּבַד (kaw-bad').
Sometimes people place their hope in prayers more than in the One they are praying to. But Prayers that are heard are not a formula. They are spoken by God’s people in relationship with God, according to God’s word and straight to His heart. Bible Reading: Psalms 65-67 Verse of the day: Psalm 66:20, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Word of the day: Prayer. It is the Hebrew word: תְּפִלָּה (tef-il-law')....
Sometimes in our pursuit of comfort and vegging out, we invite idols into our heart and mind. Idle time leads to idols in our lives, pulling us far away from God. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-18 Verse of the day: Ezekiel 14:3, "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?" Word of the day: Idols. It is the Hebrew word: גִּלּוּל (ghil-lool')....
Walking the walk and talking the Talk isn’t about trying to be perfect, or else that would just be a good work in the flesh, and frankly, we are not able to do it. But it is about being honest in our weaknesses and being committed to walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6-10 Verse of the day: 1 Kings 6:12, "Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establ...
A burnt offering reminds us that the offering was wholly committed and consumed in the act of atonement. So, too, giving ourselves to God is a total commitment. We are to be a living sacrifice. Bible Reading: Lev. 1-4 Verse of the day: Leviticus 1:4, "You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you." Word of the day: Burnt offering. It is the Hebrew word: עֹלָה (o-law')....
We tend to think of heirs as being rich people’s descendants not realizing that we, too, are heirs. An heir is a recipient of an inheritance that they did not earn. How astounding it is, then, to take a slave and make them an heir? And yet that is just what Christ did with each of us. Bible Reading: Gal. 4-6 Verse of the day: Galatians 4:7, "So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." Word of the day: Heir. It is the Greek word: κλη...
Our culture places value on things based on an ever-changing scale. But our intrinsic worth is in our unchanging identity in Christ, not the world’s fluctuating system of value. Bible Reading: Luke 12-14 Verse of the day: Luke 12:7, "Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." Word of the day: Value. It is the Greek word: διαφέρω (dee-af-er'-o).
Discretion is an old-fashioned word to us today. In a culture marked by freedom of expression, wisdom reminds us that discretion protects us. Bible Reading: Proverbs 2 Verse of the day: Proverbs 2:11, “Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” Word of the day: Discretion. It is the Hebrew word: מְזִמָּה (mez-im-maw').
I am pretty sure no one likes to wait. We don’t want to delay our gratification of end to our suffering. But waiting is more than just stalling timewise. God can accomplish much while we wait. Bible Reading: Psalms 62-64 Verse of the day: Psalm 62:1-2, "Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure." Word of the day: Wait. It is the Hebrew word: דָּמַם (daw-man')....
Know God, know peace. No God, no peace. Peace is not something we search for and find. It is a by-product of those who fix their eyes on Jesus. A piece of peace is gained in each moment we abide in God’s word. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 7-12 Verse of the day: Ezekiel 7:25, "When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there shall be none." Word of the day: Peace. It is the Hebrew word: שָׁלוֹם (shaw-lome').
I will never forget a sermon I heard maybe 30 years ago. The pastor said, “don’t just do what is right – go beyond the right”. He wasn’t saying to do good works, but to go beyond the call of duty. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 1-5 Verse of the day: 1 Kings 2:3, "Do your duty to the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you t...
It’s not what is expected that ensures a job is well done, but what is inspected. And when we are accountable and do what God has commanded us, we will be blessed. Bible Reading: Exodus 37-40 Verse of the day: Exodus 39:43, "Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the LORD had commanded him, he blessed them." Word of the day: Commanded. It is the Hebrew word: צָוָה (tsaw-vaw').
Ever tried to keep somebody out of the cookie jar? It was no problem if there were no cookies, but once there were cookies, temptation seized anyone nearby. So, too, transgression is born when we become aware of the law. Trying to earn what Christ already paid is when good works are bad. Bible Reading: Gal. 1-3 Verse of the day: Galatians 2:18, "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer." Word of the day: Transgressor. It is the Greek word: παραβάτης (par-ab-a...
No one wants to be a loser. We want to win in this life. But we can win the entire world and still be the biggest loser of them all. The loser wins in God’s economy, when we lay down our life for the sake of Christ. Bible Reading: Luke 9-11 Verse of the day: Luke 9:24, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." Word of the day: Lose. It is the Greek word: ἀπόλλυμι (ap-ol'-loo-mee)....
Choices, choices, choices. There are so many of them to make every day of our lives. But there is one choice that rises above them all. The most important choice we make is to fear God. Bible Reading: Proverbs 1 Verse of the day: Proverbs 1:29, "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD." Word of the day: Choose. It is the Hebrew word: בָּחַר (baw-khar').
When I was little, I wanted my big brothers to defend me when I was under attack. But sometimes they failed to protect me. When we need defending, there is no greater defender than our God. Bible Reading: Psalms 59-61 Verse of the day: Psalm 59:1, "Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me." Word of the day: Defend. It is the Hebrew word: שָׂגַב (saw-gab').
To be like someone who is excellent is a compliment. The likeness of anything gives us a glimmer of the real thing. But there is no comparison to the other worldly likeness of our God. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-6 Verse of the day: Ezekiel 1:28, “Like the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.” Word of...
Sometimes we don’t know how to express our grief and it feels pointless to cry out to God, but those who will admit their need and call out to God will be heard. The most important call we make is a heavenly one. Bible Reading: 2 Sam. 21-24 Verse of the day: 2 Samuel 22:4, “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” Word of the day: Call. It is the Hebrew word: קָרָא (kaw-raw').
Mercy is such a blessing to receive, but so costly to the giver. Mercy is not meant to be taken for granted. The gift of God’s mercy is so we can draw near, not be separated again because of sin. Bible Reading: Exodus 33-36 Verse of the day: Exodus 33:19, "The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." Word of the day: Mercy. It is the Hebrew...
When we don’t have enough, it reminds us of our need if we are willing to admit it. Christ offers us sufficient grace if we will let Him. Bible Reading: 2 Cor. 11-13 Verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Word of the day: Sufficient. It is the Greek word: ἀρκέω (ar-keh'-o)....
Healing from physical pain might need a Band-Aid or more serious intervention. But the healing we need requires the Master Physician. Bible Reading: Luke 6-8 Verse of the day: Luke 6:7, "And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him." Word of the day: Heal. It is the Greek word: θεραπεύω (ther-ap-yoo'-o).
The senses inform our mind of the world around us, but our senses cannot contain the wonder of our God. Seeing the Unseen is only possible in the Spirit. And the Spirit leads us to truth, if we are willing to see it. Bible Reading: Job 41-42 Verse of the day: Job 42:5, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” Word of the day: Seen. It is the Hebrew word: רָאָה (raw-aw').
Seeking after glory in this life is seeking worship that belongs to God alone. The purpose of glory is not for man’s pride to be puffed up, but to reflect God and mediate His presence to the world. Bible Reading: Psalms 56-58 Verse of the day: Psalm 57:5, "Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth." Word of the day: Glory. It is the Hebrew word: כָּבוֹד (kaw-bode').
Our minds can be our undoing when we let our thoughts run our lives. But if we will call to mind the goodness and love of God and the hope we have in Him, our thoughts can be transformed. Bible Reading: Lamentations Verse of the day: Lamentations 3:21–22, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end." Word of the day: Mind. It is the Hebrew word: לֵב (labe)....
Where we seek counsel or advice will shape our lives. Wise counsel is determined by how much that counsel lines up with the principles found in the word of God. Bible Reading: 2 Sam. 16-20 Verse of the day: 2 Samuel 16:23, "The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom." Word of the day: Advice. It is the Hebrew word: עֵצָה (ay-tsaw')....
This word means to sanctify, hallow, dedicate, prepare, purify, appoint; to be set apart. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says We live in a time where there is a peer pressure to conform. But being set apart by God means we seek to be transformed by His word not conformed to the world. We are set apart from the heart as we set God as our priority in this life. Bible Reading: Exodus 29-32 Verse of the day: Exodus 29:44, "So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and wil...
The principle of reaping and sowing is a reminder to sow well. God’s blessings are not to be wasted. Serve and give generously to others for His glory. Sow to grow others and yourself. Bible Reading: 2 Cor. 9-10 Verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Word of the day: Generously. It is the Greek word: εὐλογία (yoo-log-ee'-ah)....
When we have been given a great gift, we want to have a response worthy of that gift. How much more when we have been saved? Bible Reading: Luke 3-5 Verse of the day: Luke 3:8(a), "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance." Word of the day: Worthy. It is the Greek word: ἄξιος (ax'-ee-os).
Recognizing our position before a holy God helps us to keep in perspective that God is God, and we aren’t. Bible Reading: Job 39-40 Verse of the day: Job 40:4, "Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth." Word of the day: Vile. It is the Hebrew word: קָלַל (kaw-lal').
Ever lose something of great value and hunt for it relentlessly? We are motivated in those moments by our desire to not lose something we paid for or were given. What if we were to channel that pursuit to seeking after God and a relationship with Him, which far surpasses anything of value on this earth? Bible Reading: Psalms 53-55 Verse of the day: Psalm 53:2, "God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God." Word of the day: Seeks. I...
