A Proactive And Productive Search June 30, 2018

Matthew 6:33  (NIV)

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream — it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home!

Thought for today: Do I actively seek God and his purpose in/for my life?

God’s Remembrance June 29, 2018

Psalm 37:28 (NIV)

28 For the Lord loves the just
    and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;
    the offspring of the wicked will perish.

God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised elsewhere, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you!"

Thought for today: Do I hold God in mutual thought and esteem?

Character Building June 28, 2018

Proverbs 10:6  (NIV)

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

Righteousness brings us great blessings. Violence becomes its own vile reward, bringing to those who use it what they have done to others. So what's our choice? Blessing or violence? Encouragement or a foul mouth? So what's the real choice? Letting God define character and not someone else.

Thought for today: Do I consider what builds and shapes my character?

No Fear June 26, 2018

Proverbs 3:25-26  (NIV)

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
    and will keep your foot from being snared.

What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is our confidence and protector. As Paul said so powerfully long ago, prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God's deliverance. Either we will be delivered from death to serve God powerfully or we will be delivered through death to share with him in eternity. We will not be snared when our fate and future remain in God's hands!

Thought for today: Do I confess my fears to God or do I pretend that they don’t exist?

Faith With Works June 27, 2018

Matthew 25:37-40  (NIV)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

When we help those who can't help themselves — those who have gotten themselves in trouble, those who have been falsely accused, those who are facing death — we are helping Jesus himself. What would Jesus do? He would be helping someone find God out of their hopelessness and despair.

Thought for today: Do I show the goodness of my God into action?

No Worries June 25, 2018

Matthew 6:25  (NIV)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Food and clothing are some of the biggest worries of our human existence. They have been for centuries. God reminds us, however, that no matter how important these may seem to be in our world, life is really much bigger than these things and God wants us to trust that he will supply them when we trust in him.

Thought for today: Do I know of and trust in God’s supply?

God’s ‘s Plan June 24, 2018

Psalm 73:23-26  (NIV)

23 Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

In times of confusion, we can take comfort that while we may not understand everything while here on earth (read Psalm 73:1-22), God will be faithful. Everything we have and know here on earth is subject to decay, but our relationship with the LORD is our strength forever. He will not abandon, fail, or forget us.

Though for today: Do I understand the permanence of God’s plan?