Following September 30, 2018

Psalm 119:30 New International Version (NIV)

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I have set my heart on your laws.

Yesterday we made a commitment to follow the Lord Jesus whole-heartedly. Let's not forget it and slip back into old habits and bad patterns. Let's choose the way of truth again today, and tomorrow, and...

Thought for today: Do I consistently follow or do I slack off?

No Cross, No Crown September 29, 2018

Matthew 10:38-39 New International Version (NIV)

38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Jesus wants us to seriously look into our hearts and surrender those things that hold us back from fully following and serving him. We know what they are. He comes to us with his now nail-scarred hands and reminds us that he gave up everything to redeem us. He now wants us to surrender to the Cross the things that hold us back. Let's do it today!

Thought for today: What is my sacrifice?

Order My Steps September 28, 2018

Psalm 119:133 New International Version (NIV)

133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me.

God's word is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world. It must be our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil. As God's will and Word have sway in our life, we are delivered from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

Thought for today: Do I effectively use the word to order my actions?

Goodness and Mercy September 27, 2018

Psalm 23:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

God is our Shepherd. Our destiny is tied to his goodness and mercy which he longs to shower upon us until he brings us home to dwell with him forever.

Though for today: Do I allow God to lead? What prompts me to follow?

Misspoken? September 26, 2018

Proverbs 10:32 New International Version (NIV)

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

How many times have you said just the "wrong" thing? For me, it is more often than I would like to recall. Jesus words on this topic are indeed convicting to me: "Out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak." In other words, poor words and bad timing in our speech are more issues of our heart than issues of social skills and decorum. Let's ask God to purify, mend, and re-focus our heart on his will and passions.

Though for today: Do I check my heart before I get involved in conversations?

None But The Righteous September 25, 2018

Psalm 23:5 New International Version (NIV)

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.

While the enemy of the righteous may flourish for a season, God will lavish his love and show his favor on the righteous. As the apostle Paul reminded his dear friends in Philippi, their prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit guaranteed his deliverance: he would either be delivered from prison and death to serve them, or he would be delivered from prison through death to go be with the Father (Phil. 3:19-21). Either way, God's righteous will get a banquet, a place of honor, and a royal welcome that will vindicate their faithfulness before those who oppose them.

Thought for today: Do I quit because things get difficult or dark?

None But The Righteous September 24, 2018

Proverbs 10:24 New International Version (NIV)

24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
    what the righteous desire will be granted.

The wicked fear the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They fear not being in control. They fear death overtaking them. The righteous desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness. They offer their life to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. They recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior. In times like these, isn't it comforting to know that the fear of the wicked is really all the wicked can be sure of receiving!

Thought for today: Do my actions shine light on the wicked?