1 Corinthians 16:13-14 New International Version (NIV)
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.14 Do everything in love.
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Daily Word of God - Matthew 19:16-24
Matthew 19:16-24 New International Version (NIV)
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes:
- Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
- Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18
Friday, August 30, 2019
Daily Word of God - Hosea 3:4-5
Hosea 3:4-5 New International Version (NIV)
4 For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.
Daily Word of God - John 2:13-22
John 2:13-22 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[a]
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Footnotes:
- John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Daily Word of God - 2 Samuel 22:3
2 Samuel 22:3 New International Version (NIV)
Footnotes:
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Or sovereign
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Horn here symbolizes strength.
Daily Word of God - Proverbs 28:13
Proverbs 28:13 New International Version (NIV)
13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Daily Word of God - Psalm 119:153-160
Psalm 119:153-160 New International Version (NIV)
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
Mid-Week Message - A Peasant's Story
"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." John 1:14 (NLT)
He was the poorest of the poor. His crudely built shack was at the foot of the mountain upon which sat the King's castle. The peasant hated the King because he knew that the King could end the hardships that he experienced every day, if only he desired to do so.
Day by day, the poor man toiled in a garden that yielded only the weakest of crops, walked over a mile to collect water from the stream that was almost running dry and sat in loneliness as he looked up the mountain with animosity.
One day there was a knock at the peasant's door. This had never happened, not even once. He opened it to find a man in rags. The visitor was dirty, hungry and in need of a place to lay his head. Cautiously, the peasant let him in. He shared his meager rations and made another trip to the stream so that he could serve cool water. At night, he allowed the visitor to sleep on the only straw bed in the shack, listening as the only person he had ever shared his space with drew breath.
When the sun rose the next morning, the two men worked in the garden together and talked. The peasant told the visitor all about the King on the mountain and how much he despised him for allowing him to live in such poverty.
"If only he would come down from his lofty throne and experience this life for himself, then surely he would help me," the peasant moaned.
At this, the visitor turned and started walking toward the mountain. Confused, the peasant asked him where he was going and urged him to stop because the King might be angry if his castle was approached. The visitor continued to climb and called to the peasant to follow him. Side by side they trudged upwards until finally they were facing the lowered drawbridge.
As the visitor entered the castle, the peasant tentatively followed. His eyes grew wide as he beheld the opulent contents. The floors were pure gold. The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries woven with threads that appeared to be made of every gem he had ever heard about. As he marveled at his surroundings he became aware that he was alone. The visitor had vanished and he was fearful that he would be found where he should not be.
Silently and with trepidation, he searched for his friend. Finally he came to a jeweled door. He opened it just enough to peek through. The light from inside was almost blinding but he thought he heard a familiar voice so he tiptoed in. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he could just make out a person sitting on a throne at the far end of the enormous room and he realized in terror that he was in the king's chamber.
"Come closer," said the voice. Shaking, the peasant inched forward and fell on his face in fear before the throne.
"There is no need to fear me," said the voice as the peasant felt a hand upon his shoulder. As he cautiously lifted his head, the peasant gazed upon the face of his visitor friend who was no longer in rags, but in a kingly robe, and he as smiling.
"I do not understand," said the peasant. "Surely I am seeing things."
"Your eyes do not deceive you," spoke the king. "I am the same person that knocked upon your door. I became as you were in order to win your faith and bring you here to live with me forever."
This simple story is a reminder of how dear we are to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He loved us so much that he left Heaven and became human in order to live among us and, ultimately, to sacrifice Himself so that we can live with Him in Heaven forever. Just as the peasant, we toil and struggle and wonder why life has to be so difficult. Jesus came to give us hope and to make sure we know that we are not alone. His love, his grace, will see us through the trials of this life if we turn to Him. As the visitor knocked up on the peasant's door, so the Son knocks upon our hearts. All we have to do is open them and let Him in.
I pray for each person reading this that your heart will be open and you will know the joy of His glorious presence. God bless.
He was the poorest of the poor. His crudely built shack was at the foot of the mountain upon which sat the King's castle. The peasant hated the King because he knew that the King could end the hardships that he experienced every day, if only he desired to do so.
Day by day, the poor man toiled in a garden that yielded only the weakest of crops, walked over a mile to collect water from the stream that was almost running dry and sat in loneliness as he looked up the mountain with animosity.
One day there was a knock at the peasant's door. This had never happened, not even once. He opened it to find a man in rags. The visitor was dirty, hungry and in need of a place to lay his head. Cautiously, the peasant let him in. He shared his meager rations and made another trip to the stream so that he could serve cool water. At night, he allowed the visitor to sleep on the only straw bed in the shack, listening as the only person he had ever shared his space with drew breath.
When the sun rose the next morning, the two men worked in the garden together and talked. The peasant told the visitor all about the King on the mountain and how much he despised him for allowing him to live in such poverty.
"If only he would come down from his lofty throne and experience this life for himself, then surely he would help me," the peasant moaned.
At this, the visitor turned and started walking toward the mountain. Confused, the peasant asked him where he was going and urged him to stop because the King might be angry if his castle was approached. The visitor continued to climb and called to the peasant to follow him. Side by side they trudged upwards until finally they were facing the lowered drawbridge.
As the visitor entered the castle, the peasant tentatively followed. His eyes grew wide as he beheld the opulent contents. The floors were pure gold. The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries woven with threads that appeared to be made of every gem he had ever heard about. As he marveled at his surroundings he became aware that he was alone. The visitor had vanished and he was fearful that he would be found where he should not be.
Silently and with trepidation, he searched for his friend. Finally he came to a jeweled door. He opened it just enough to peek through. The light from inside was almost blinding but he thought he heard a familiar voice so he tiptoed in. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he could just make out a person sitting on a throne at the far end of the enormous room and he realized in terror that he was in the king's chamber.
"Come closer," said the voice. Shaking, the peasant inched forward and fell on his face in fear before the throne.
"There is no need to fear me," said the voice as the peasant felt a hand upon his shoulder. As he cautiously lifted his head, the peasant gazed upon the face of his visitor friend who was no longer in rags, but in a kingly robe, and he as smiling.
"I do not understand," said the peasant. "Surely I am seeing things."
"Your eyes do not deceive you," spoke the king. "I am the same person that knocked upon your door. I became as you were in order to win your faith and bring you here to live with me forever."
This simple story is a reminder of how dear we are to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He loved us so much that he left Heaven and became human in order to live among us and, ultimately, to sacrifice Himself so that we can live with Him in Heaven forever. Just as the peasant, we toil and struggle and wonder why life has to be so difficult. Jesus came to give us hope and to make sure we know that we are not alone. His love, his grace, will see us through the trials of this life if we turn to Him. As the visitor knocked up on the peasant's door, so the Son knocks upon our hearts. All we have to do is open them and let Him in.
I pray for each person reading this that your heart will be open and you will know the joy of His glorious presence. God bless.
Daily Word of God - John 20:24-29
John 20:24-29 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed;blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Footnotes:
- John 20:24 Thomas (Aramaic) and Didymus (Greek) both mean twin.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Daily Word of God - John 10:25-30
John 10:25-30 New International Version (NIV)
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Footnotes:
- John 10:29 Many early manuscripts What my Father has given me is greater than all
Daily Word of God - Romans 5:6-8
Romans 5:6-8 New International Version (NIV)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Daily Word of God - Psalm 103:20-22
Psalm 103:20-22 New International Version (NIV)
20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Daily Word of God - James 4:11-12
James 4:11-12 New International Version (NIV)
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[a] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
Footnotes:
- James 4:11 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Daily Word of God - Hebrews 6:13-20
Hebrews 6:13-20 New International Version (NIV)
The Certainty of God’s Promise
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[a]15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priestforever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Footnotes:
- Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17
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