1. LoveWe all have different opinions on things and different views, but we have to love each other regardless. This includes people from all walks of life, no matter what their skin color is or what situation they are in. People desperately need to see the love of Christ shining through us.1 Corinthians 13:13 says, And now these three remain; fait

This is Day 2 of 365 days that come gift-wrapped from heaven. You have the privilege today of starting over again-or at least making some changes you know you need to make.Don't let past failures hold you back. Before this day is over, jot down some goals you'd like to accomplish in 2013. Write them down. Print them out. Put the list where you can

Continue to reflect and pray through these questions throughout your week.WEEK 6The Anointed SonPray that God would reveal His anointed Son to you.Read Heb 1:1-4.  Reflect on 1:7-12 and answer the following questions:The author quotes Psa 104:4 in 1:7—Read Psa 104. What does this passage tell us about angels?The author quotes Psa 45:6-7 in 1:8—Read

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9) 2. Matthew had courage. Wow, so what did it take on Matthew's part to stop what he was doing and follow Jesus? Matthew was a tax collector, so he was probably wealthy. He was also

1. You are righteous.“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17 NLT) The first promise to fully embrace is your righteousness in Christ. Yo

4. The purpose of living well is to glorify God. God has one overriding purpose in this world: to bring glory to His name. God desires that all of His creation-men, women, children, angels, and demons-understand that He alone is worthy of worship. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" Romans 11:

Those 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. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God It does not submit to God's law,

God provided for Daniel in exile. He placed Daniel in the king's most elite training and education program. He arranged for a mentoring relationship between Daniel and one of the king's most trusted aides. And Daniel remained faithful to the God of Israel. So, in verse 9, we see that God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of

So that their work will be a joy, not a burdenEither do their work with joy, cheerfully - which they do when they are obeyed and submitted to; when men attend upon the word and ordinances administered by them, and receive advantage, and grow in grace and spiritual knowledge; when they abide by the Gospel, and walk worthy of it. Otherwise they do th

1. A Prayer for Personal ProtectionFather, I come to You today, bowing in my heart, asking for protection from the evil one. Lord, we are assailed moment by moment with images on television, the internet, books and newspapers that leave us vulnerable to sin of every kind. Surround us with Your divine hedge of protection. Encompass us round about wi

Zophar: “If you would direct your heart right And spread out your hand to Him, 14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; 15“Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect, And you would be steadfast and not fear. (Job 11:1, 13–15 NASB)Eliphaz: “If you return to the Almighty, you w

We should realize that because God doesn't change, He is our hope-the anchor for our soul in the midst of crises.Beloved, God calls us to live (and endure) by faith (Romans 1:17). Those who come to God are required to believe not only that He is but that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith, we read in the

1. Generous people often give more than they are asked to give.In Exodus 36:1-7, we see God’s people bringing more than enough to meet the need — to the point that Moses must tell them to stop! We don’t see too many campaigns today where givers are asked to stop giving! But when it does happen, it’s a special moment.Giving to a cause that makes you

When God speaks in a dream to Joseph about the identity of Jesus, Joseph, like everyone else who follows Christ, recognizes the voice and goes forward (Matthew 1:21). Joseph’s adoption and protection of Jesus is simply the outworking of that belief.Same FaithIn believing God, Joseph probably walked away from his reputation. The wags in his hometown

BibliographyFranz, Gordon1993 The Greatest Fish Story Ever Told. Bible and Spade 6/3: 92-96.1995 Text and Tell: The Excavations at Bethsaida. Archaeology in the Biblical World 3/1: 6-11.Hodges, Zane1985 Grace in Eclipse. A Study on Eternal Rewards. Dallas, TX: Redencion Viva.Josephus1976 Jewish Wars. Books 1-3. Trans. by H. Thackeray. Cambridge, MA

I believe it is the thanks that comes from taking an inventory of our lives and seeing with fresh eyes how all the events have brought us to this moment in time. Being grateful for the people and the lessons that have taught us so much and seeing God's hand at work through those who have crossed our paths. Learning to live in the present and recogn

She said, "That's why I didn't turn." She added, "You know, Paul, why don't we do this—when you drive, you choose the direction, and when I drive, I'll choose the direction." That seems logical, right? I couldn't leave that alone. I said to her, "Luella, if we were in a helicopter right now, flying over the city of Philadelphia, and we were t

LOCATIONQuestion: Where does the story take place?Answer: Location? A well (4:6) City? Sychar (4:5) Region? Through Samaria (4:4). “This was the shortest route from Judea to Galilee but not the only way. … In Jesus’ day the Jews … normally took the eastern route in order to avoid Samaria. But Jesus chose the route through Samaria in order to

The Jewish crowd, of course, does not like this kind of talk and objects that according to the Mosaic law, the Messiah must remain forever. Jesus does not directly answer their objection but instead commands them to “walk while [they] have the light” (i.e., Jesus himself, the “light of the world,” John 8:12; 9:5) and believe in the light in order t

As I write this, I think of a testimony—the story of Serge LeClure. At the age of eight Serge was taken from his hardworking, loving, single mother and committed to a home for delinquent boys—a home where he would be "properly cared for." The "care" turned out to be abuse, bullying and rape. It was a "care" he constantly ran from, a "care" that cau