Sunday, November 7, 2010

Comfort

Comment: So often we benefit from the comfort provided by the Lord, in all situations. We should remember to share our comfort with others and to be compassionate, providing others with hope.


2 Corinthians 1: 3 - 7

 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Renew and Restart

Comment: It's very easy to drift away from what we know in our hearts are the actions of Christ. Revisiting the scripture and renewing our minds, can help us "double-down" on what we know to be the truth.

Colossians 3

 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Friday, September 17, 2010

By Faith

Comment: Faith is knowing with certainty that God is constantly providing opportunities for us to choose Him and benefit from His love, mercy, and grace.

Verse: Hebrews 11


 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
 7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
 11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
 13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
 17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned."[c] 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
 22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
 23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
 24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
 29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
 31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]
 32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.37They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Bread of Life

Comment: Many times we search for ways to fulfill voids. We should always remember that Jesus has already paid the price to fulfill the void which matters most. We can rely on him to accept us, lift us up, and raise our spirits. He is the Bread of Life.

Verse: John 6:35 - 40

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." 

Friday, September 10, 2010

The Truth

Comment: Life is usually much more simple then we make it. The things which matter most are often what we focus on the least. Take the time to give thanks for what you have and remember that the kindness, mercy, and truth of the Lord endures forever.


Verse: Psalms 117

1  O praise the LORD, all ye nations:
        
praise him, all ye people,
2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
        
and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Doing Good

Comment: Many times our best instincts tell us to get even or repay insult with injury. We must recognize that these natural instincts are not aligned with God's purpose for our life. We are encouraged to not grow tired of showing kindness or doing good. We are reminded not to give in to what our natural instincts might want.


Verse: Galations 6:7-10

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Knowing the Mind of Christ

Commentary: We can only know the mind of God by submitting to the Holy Spirit. Our individual attempts to understand will always fall short. Only through the Holy Spirit can we faithfully communicate and effectively share the wisdom, mind, and love of Christ.

Verse: 1 Corinthians 2

 1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a] 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Wisdom From the Spirit
 6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9However, as it is written:
   "No eye has seen,
      no ear has heard,
   no mind has conceived
   what God has prepared for those who love him"[b]10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
      The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.[c] 14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
 16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
      that he may instruct him?"[d] But we have the mind of Christ.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Worthy of Our Praise

Comment: We should always have time to lift our voice and give praise. God has blessed us with much more then we deserve and will continue demonstrate evidence of His abundance in our lives. God is most worthy of our praise!

Verse: Psalms 145

 1 [a] I will exalt you, my God the King;
       I will praise your name for ever and ever.
 2 Every day I will praise you
       and extol your name for ever and ever.
 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
       his greatness no one can fathom.
 4 One generation will commend your works to another;
       they will tell of your mighty acts.
 5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
       and I will meditate on your wonderful works. [b]
 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
       and I will proclaim your great deeds.
 7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
       and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
       slow to anger and rich in love.
 9 The LORD is good to all;
       he has compassion on all he has made.
 10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
       your saints will extol you.
 11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
       and speak of your might,
 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts
       and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
       and your dominion endures through all generations.
       The LORD is faithful to all his promises
       and loving toward all he has made. [c]
 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
       and lifts up all who are bowed down.
 15 The eyes of all look to you,
       and you give them their food at the proper time.
 16 You open your hand
       and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
       and loving toward all he has made.
 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
       to all who call on him in truth.
 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
       he hears their cry and saves them.
 20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
       but all the wicked he will destroy.
 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
       Let every creature praise his holy name
       for ever and ever.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Victory!

Comment: The Lord knows us better then we know ourselves. Before we speak a word, before we think a thought, before was make a choice, God is there and knows our hearts. He is there, ready to guide us to victory.

Verse: Psalms 139

 1 O LORD, you have searched me
       and you know me.
 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
       you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
       you are familiar with all my ways.
 4 Before a word is on my tongue
       you know it completely, O LORD.
 5 You hem me in—behind and before;
       you have laid your hand upon me.
 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
       too lofty for me to attain.
 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
       Where can I flee from your presence?
 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
       if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
       if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 10 even there your hand will guide me,
       your right hand will hold me fast.
 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
       and the light become night around me,"
 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
       the night will shine like the day,
       for darkness is as light to you.
 13 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.
 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.
 15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.
 17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!
 18 Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake,
       I am still with you.
 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
       Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
 20 They speak of you with evil intent;
       your adversaries misuse your name.
 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
       and abhor those who rise up against you?
 22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
       I count them my enemies.
 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
       test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
       and lead me in the way everlasting.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Easy Choice

Comment: Christ has extended an open invitation to all who are facing difficult times. We have a choice and can make our challenges easier. The simple step is to choose Christ. Patiently learn from His example. His "yoke is easy and His burden is light".

Verse: Matthew 11:25 - 28

 25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
 27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Friday, August 6, 2010

A Purposeful Life

Comment: We should be ready to praise God in all circumstances. His purpose for our life will be revealed through patient study of His word. Through God we can be bold, facing any challenge, living a life focused on the humility and unwavering love of Jesus Christ.

Verse: Psalm 138:1 - 8

 1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
       before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
       and will praise your name
       for your love and your faithfulness,
       for you have exalted above all things
       your name and your word.
 3 When I called, you answered me;
       you made me bold and stouthearted.
 4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
       when they hear the words of your mouth.
 5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
       for the glory of the LORD is great.
 6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
       but the proud he knows from afar.
 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
       you preserve my life;
       you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
       with your right hand you save me.
 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
       your love, O LORD, endures forever—
       do not abandon the works of your hands.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Children of Light

Comment: God has called us to a very difficult task, if we choose to pursue it on our own. Instead, we should aim to "find out what pleases the Lord" and ask Him to guide our steps and our thoughts with an obedient heart. He is the parent. We are the child.

Verse: Ephesians 5:1-21

 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
   "Wake up, O sleeper,
      rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you."
 15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Indescribable Gift

Comment: God has provided us with an indescribable gift. All we have to do is make a commitment to give our best to Him. Giving our best depends on prayer and an attitude that is cheerful, humble, and ready to serve. We are encouraged to "abound in every good work"!

Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:6 - 15

 6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:
   "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
      his righteousness endures forever."[a] 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
 12This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

God is Faithful

Comment: We must remember that God knows us better then we know ourselves. In every situation, He is faithful.


Verse: I Corinthians 10:12 - 13
12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Obedience Leads to Blessed

Comment: The blessings of obedience are more abundant then we can imagine. We should spend less time questioning and more time obeying God's word and His will for our lives.

Verse: Deuteronomy 28: 1 - 12

 1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
 7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.
 8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
 9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.
 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Abundantly

Comment: Our knowledge of the Lord can provide all that we need to live abundantly. We should double-down our efforts to use what we have learned to bring honor and praise to the name Jesus.

Verse: 2 Peter 1:2 - 11

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Spirit of Truth

Comment: Too often we search for truth in all the wrong places. The truth is simple obedience to the word of God, guided by His Spirit.

The truth is that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. He rose again. Today, He is alive!

Verse: John 14:15 - 27

 15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
 22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
 23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
 25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Truth

Comment: Prayer and praise allow our faith to grow and provide even more opportunities for God to intervene on our behalf. Our ability to share the truth of our situation through prayer is an essential aspect of our faith that can empower our lives and transform the lives of others.

Verse: James 5:13 - 20

13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
 17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Pure Joy

Comment: We may not associate difficult circumstances as ones in which we should be joyful. It is important for us to remember that patience and perseverance lead to the development of a perfect work in our lives. Now that is truly a reason to celebrate with pure joy.

Verse: James 1:2 - 8

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Clap Your Hands

Comment: How often are we able to let go of our worries and simply thank God for His intervention and place in our lives? Today is the day to simply clap our hands and praise.

Verse: Psalms 47

 1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
         Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
 2 For the LORD Most High is awesome;
         He is a great King over all the earth.
 3 He will subdue the peoples under us,
         And the nations under our feet.
 4 He will choose our inheritance for us,
         The excellence of Jacob whom He loves.  Selah  
         
 5 God has gone up with a shout,
         The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
         Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
 7 For God is the King of all the earth;
         Sing praises with understanding. 
         
 8 God reigns over the nations;
         God sits on His holy throne.
 9 The princes of the people have gathered together,
         The people of the God of Abraham. 
         For the shields of the earth belong to God; 
         He is greatly exalted.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Be Thankful

Comment: We must remember that prayer, praise, and patience can help us better understand God's plan for our life. Our daily actions should focus on emulating a kind heart and joyful spirit, one that is diligent for Christ and thankful in all circumstances.

Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:12 - 22.

 12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

His Love Endures Forever

Comment: We can always make the choice to give praise and thank the Lord for all that he has done in our lives. No matter how complicated we feel our situation has become. We must remember that God's love endures forever. He is always worthy of our praise.


Verse: Psalms 106: 1 - 8


 1 Praise the LORD. [a]
       Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.
 2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
       or fully declare his praise?
 3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
       who constantly do what is right.
 4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
       come to my aid when you save them,
 5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
       that I may share in the joy of your nation
       and join your inheritance in giving praise.
 6 We have sinned, even as our fathers did;
       we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
 7 When our fathers were in Egypt,
       they gave no thought to your miracles;
       they did not remember your many kindnesses,
       and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. [b]
8 Yet he saved them for his name's sake,
       to make his mighty power known.

Friday, May 21, 2010

A Better Person

Comment: We can always take refuge in the strength of the Lord. He is there to continually protect, comfort, and regenerate our outlook on life's possibilities. He can restore our joy, rebuild our lives, and strengthen our desire to become a better person. He can give us new hope, no matter the circumstance.

Verse: Psalm 71
 1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
       let me never be put to shame.
 2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
       turn your ear to me and save me.
 3 Be my rock of refuge,
       to which I can always go;
       give the command to save me,
       for you are my rock and my fortress.
 4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
       from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
 5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
       my confidence since my youth.
 6 From birth I have relied on you;
       you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
       I will ever praise you.
 7 I have become like a portent to many,
       but you are my strong refuge.
 8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
       declaring your splendor all day long.
 9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
       do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
 10 For my enemies speak against me;
       those who wait to kill me conspire together.
 11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
       pursue him and seize him,
       for no one will rescue him."
 12 Be not far from me, O God;
       come quickly, O my God, to help me.
 13 May my accusers perish in shame;
       may those who want to harm me
       be covered with scorn and disgrace.
 14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
       I will praise you more and more.
 15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
       of your salvation all day long,
       though I know not its measure.
 16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
       I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
 17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
       and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
 18 Even when I am old and gray,
       do not forsake me, O God,
       till I declare your power to the next generation,
       your might to all who are to come.
 19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
       you who have done great things.
       Who, O God, is like you?
 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
       you will restore my life again;
       from the depths of the earth
       you will again bring me up.
 21 You will increase my honor
       and comfort me once again.
 22 I will praise you with the harp
       for your faithfulness, O my God;
       I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
       O Holy One of Israel.
 23 My lips will shout for joy
       when I sing praise to you—
       I, whom you have redeemed.
 24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
       all day long,
       for those who wanted to harm me
       have been put to shame and confusion.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Led by the Spirit

Comment: As Christians, we must rely on the Spirit, provided by God, to guide our decisions. Try as we might, without the Spirit, pleasing God is not possible. Our natural desires are "at war" with what God would have us pursue in our lives. It is the Spirit that intercedes on our behalf and lays claim to our place as God's children. The more our lives are guided by the Spirit, the greater access we have to the life and peace that it brings.

Verse: Romans 8:5 - 17.

 5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[e] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[f] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
 9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
 12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Strong Tower

Comment: No matter the situation, the Lord is our strong tower.  There is more power in the simple mention of His name then we can comprehend.

Verse: Proverbs 18:10; 24

   10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
      The righteous run to it and are safe.

  24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,[b]
      But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Thoughtful Response

Comment: The ability for our words to demonstrate the love and patience of God will bring joy, life, and peace. In every situation, we should use words that are carefully designed to encourage others.

Verse: Proverbs 15:1-4; 28
 1 A gentle answer deflects anger,
      but harsh words make tempers flare.
 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
      but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
 3 The Lord is watching everywhere,
      keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
 4 Gentle words are a tree of life;
      a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;
      the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Cast All Your Cares Upon Him

Commentary: Our greatest challenge is to truly put all of our trust in the Lord. It's so much easier just to trust God when we feel its convenient. What we should recognize is that every situation, every time, and every day is convenient. Bringing ourselves to this type of understanding often requires that we humble ourselves without thinking or rationalization.

Verse: 1 Peter 5:6-10

 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[c] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may[d] the God of all grace, who called us[e] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Transformed

Comment: We are to be transformed for Christ by focusing on things that are not patterns of this world. This would truly be a difficult task if we relied on our own strategy and insight. We should always remember that transformation will only come through Christ and His power. It is through Him through which we can focus our best qualities.


Verse: Romans 12:1 - 8

 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.