Bullying August 31, 2018

Proverbs 3:31-32  (NIV)

31 Do not envy the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse
    but takes the upright into his confidence.

God does not like bullies, oppressors, or exploiters. Those who control by intimidation and violence are detestable and an abomination to the LORD. We are not to idolize, praise, or reward those who have risen to power by exploiting others.

Thought for today: How do I define and measure power?

A Deep Love August 30, 2018

Mark 12:30-31  (NIV)

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Sometimes the most important things are not hard to understand. God wants us to love him with every fiber of our being and to also love those around us. All of his demands on character really boil down to honoring these two great principles that transcend law and bring the character of God to hearts.

Thought for today: Does my character reflect Christ?

Slow To Anger August 29, 2018

Proverbs 14:29 New International Version (NIV)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks today. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long-term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.

Thought for today: Do I have a healthy grip on my anger?

It Works Because He Makes It Work August 28, 2018

Romans 8:28  (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a part to play in the bad stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a part. The rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love bring hurtful things into our life. Sometimes, God even disciplines us to awaken us out of lethargy or to correct some sinful problem in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his call in our lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of the things going on in our life for our good.

Thought for today: Do I do all that I can to create a  “clean” heart?

Anointing August 27, 2018

1 John 2:27  (NIV)

27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

When we became Christians, we were not only cleansed by the Holy Spirit, we were also filled with the Holy Spirit. John speaks of this as our anointing. The Spirit helps us hear the truth about Jesus and keeps us from surrendering that truth to false teaching that would diminish either side of Jesus' identity — Jesus, God with us and God like us. We abide in Jesus when we hold on to both of these incredible truths.

Thought for today: Am I mindful of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?             

Intercession August 26, 2018

Romans 8:26  (NIV)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Isn't it incredible! Even in those times that my words are blocked and my heart is heavy, God hears my prayers. It is not because I am articulate, wise, or faithful enough to pray as I should. No, it is because God has graciously placed his Spirit in our hearts to make known what my words cannot capture and my mind cannot verbalize. God hears my groanings, my yearnings, my heartbreaks, and my heart-cries. He knows what I cannot think, but only feel. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, he answers those unuttered prayers with his presence, grace, and power.

Thought for today: Are my prayers and life a clear path for the Holy Spirit to interpret?

Godly Virtue August 25, 2018

Proverbs 3:3-4  (NIV)

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we can fake. Merciful love is displayed when we have power over another but choose to treat them with kindness and genuine concern. Faithfulness is being a person of truth — genuine and trustworthy in word and deed. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday life and permeate our very identity. When they do, others will notice and God will be pleased.

Thought for today: Would God be please by my faithfulness?

Obedience August 24, 2018

John 8:31-32 (NIV)

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth is not something we know, it is something we live. Jesus reminds us that we must not only know his teaching, but also obey it. However, obedience is one of the proofs of our discipleship and doorway to freedom and truth.

Thought for today: Do I live God’s teaching out loud, does what I do speak truth?

Humility August 23, 2018

Proverbs 16:19  (NIV)

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us to view the world upside down to the rest of culture. Humility and association with the lowly and oppressed are valued by God. Abusive power and arrogance are not. God didn't just give us this proverb, he sent us his Son to demonstrate it. Now if we can only learn to live it. Ah! But Jesus does give us the opportunity to demonstrate it when he says, “Follow me!” (cf. John 13)

Thought for today:  What is my legacy?

Blessed To Bless August 22, 2018

Ephesians 6:22  (NIV)

22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

As Paul faced the difficulties of imprisonment, he was more concerned about the people in Ephesus than he was about himself. Rather than keeping Tychicus close at hand for his own personal benefit, Paul sent him back to bless the people in Asia Minor. Even in his time of difficulty and danger, Paul was concerned more to bless than he was to be blessed. Isn't that a great example to us today? We so often get upset about our minor inconveniences and ruin our attitude toward everyone around us. Paul's example should convict us and lead us to be a blessing to others regardless of our circumstances.

Thought for today: Do I look out for others despite what I’m going through?

Wisdom & Discernment August 21, 2018

Proverbs 3:21-22 (NIV)

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.

God used his wisdom to create the cosmos and all that is in it. Through his discernment, he appointed to each being and to each item its place in his dazzling display of diversity. He has chosen to share that wisdom and discernment with those who reverence him and search for his wisdom. If we will use that wisdom and discernment we will possess the greatest of all jewels and a blessing that will enrich our life.

Thought for today: Do I take the time to pray/think before I respond to things?

Belonging August 20, 2018

1 John 4:19  (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us.

"We belong!" That's what the apostle Paul is telling us. We're not outsiders or second-class citizens or "Johnny come lately" children of God. Because of grace, we belong! We are part of God's house! The foundation of that house is made up of the apostles and prophets. The cornerstone of that house is Jesus himself. Incredibly, we are also a part of this holy house of God. We belong!

Thought for today: If my life were to be examined, would it reflect my connection to God?

Because He First Loved Us August 19, 2018

1 John 4:19  (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us.

We love others because God has first loved us. Our Heavenly Father taught us how to love in Jesus. Our Abba Father has given us security and confidence so we can love more fully. Our Holy and Almighty God loved us boldly and sacrificially so we could properly understand and define love. We are not the source of love: God is. We are not the great example of love: God is. We tend to be careful and share our love with only those with whom we want to share it: God's love is expansive and open to all. We love because he first loved us.

Thought for today: Do I understand and respect what it means to be loved?

Trials August 18, 2018

Romans 8:18  (NIV)

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Paul knew hardship: take a look at the list of just some of the difficult challenges he had to face in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33. His "present sufferings" make most of our difficulties seem tame by comparison. However, Paul could say confidently that the glory he would have with Christ (cf. Col. 3:1-4) would be so incredible, with blessings so fantastic, that his hardships are minor in comparison. That glory will also be ours! Now isn't that fantastic news.

Thought for today: Do I spend too much of my times focusing on my problems?

God Chosen August 17, 2018

John 15:16  (NIV)

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Were you ever chosen last? Were you ever the one no one wanted on your team? Isn't it remarkable that God chose us in Jesus Christ! Isn't it amazing that we are loved and wanted by the King of the Ages and his Son, Jesus Christ! Not only that, we weren't chosen out of pity, but to make a difference. We're chosen to bear fruit that will endure! To help insure that productivity, Jesus has promised we can ask for God's blessing on our work for his Kingdom and he will bless us. Incredible!

Thought for today: Do I ask God’s blessing for my work

Enduring Faith August 16, 2018

Psalm 31:16  (NIV)

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love.

Can your faith hold during trying times? I hope mine can! This is a Psalm written during trying times. However, no matter how difficult the situation, the Psalmist still knows who God is and what he can do when he decides to do it. Even in trial he doesn't lose sight of the blessing that comes from the LORD being present.

Thought for today: Do I keep my eyes on God or focus on my problems?

Our Translator August 15, 2018

Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Ab-ba. Listen to a baby and you will hear these basic early sounds. Incredibly, Jesus showed us, and the Spirit enables us, to speak to God with these syllables of familiarity, trust, vulnerability, dependency, and intimacy. The Spirit is our guarantee that we don't have to be afraid of God, but that we can approach him as our loving and tender Father who always listens to our hearts and seeks to bless our lives.

Thought for today: How do I approach God?

Presence Of The Holy Spirit August 14, 2018

Romans 8:14  (NIV)

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

The Holy Spirit is God's seal on us. The Spirit lives in us and his presence in us means we are God's temple. The Spirit works to transform us to be more like Christ. The Spirit helps us produce the virtues of Christ — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, and faithfulness. The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray, communicates the groanings of our heart when we don't have words, and fills us with power when we worship. In addition, the Spirit is our assurance that we are God's children. We are his. His future, his blessings, and his grace are ours.

Thought for today:  Do I acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life?

Greater Love August 13, 2018

John 15:13 (NIV)

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Words communicate and explain. We can tell someone we love them. We can explain how precious they are to us. Actions validate and confirm. When we sacrifice our preferences for another, we show our respect and affection. When we sacrifice ourselves, our wishes, and our preferences for a friend we give the greatest of all gifts and prove our love beyond any doubt.

Thought for today: How do I show love?

Godly Discipline August 12, 2018

Proverbs 3:11-12  (NIV)

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

Discipline, even when it is not falsely confused with punishment, is considered onerous, irritating, and unnecessary. The lazy and sinful part of us wants no boundaries, even if they are good, and no direction because it might conflict with what we want to do. But the Lord disciplines out of love to bless us. It is a sign of his delight. Why? Because he is not content to leave us unchanged, unmotivated, and disinterested. He wants to move us closer to our goal: Jesus!

Thought for today: Do I welcome correction?

The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling August 11, 2018

Romans 8:11  (NIV)

11 And 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 because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Romans 8 reminds us again and again of the blessings of the Holy Spirit living in us, God's children. The Spirit in us is our guarantee that we will be raised from the dead! Because the Spirit that gave Jesus life and raised him from the dead is in us, we can have confidence in our resurrection. Mortality will not claim us. The Holy Spirit's life-giving power is stronger than death. We will live! Even though our bodies may die, the Spirit of God animates, inspires, and empowers us to victory.

Thought for today: Do I acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit

No Withholding August 10, 2018

Psalm 84:11  (NIV)

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

These promises are made to the true worshiper (see Psalm 84. This worshiper delights to be in the presence of God and yearns to be with God in worship when he cannot be. This worshiper trusts fully in God as his source of strength, hope, victory, and joy. For this worshiper, God has left this incredible set of promises! Very similar to Romans 8, and its hallmark passage in verse 28, God promises to work out things for good and bless those who "love him and are called according to his purpose" "all things in Christ" and withhold nothing that is good (Rom. 8:32). Why? God is for us! He is our sun and shield, he lavishes his grace and glory upon us, and he will not withhold any good thing from us.

Thought for today: Do I truly, deep down in my heart believe in his promises?

Reflections Of August 9, 2018

Psalm 103:8  (NIV)

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness, patience, and overflowing mercy and love. We can not only obey, worship, and reverently respect God, we can also love, appreciate, and adore him! Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect the character of God in our own lives!

Thought for today: Does my daily walk line up with my Sunday talk?

Commands August 8, 2018

Proverbs 10:8  (NIV)

8 The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

When you hear a command from Scripture, do you wince? How about rationalize? How about transferring the responsibility to someone else? Or, do you obey to honor the Father? A wise heart accepts the commands of God as a blessing and a safeguard. A fool finds a way around the personal application of the command. Let's ask ourselves honesty, "Which of the two am I?"

Thought for today: Do I fight against what God tells me to do?

Contentment August 7, 2018

1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV)

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Godliness with contentment is great wealth! (see 1 Tim. 6:6) So what does it take for us to be content? Paul reminds Timothy that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be able to be content. It's when our desires get out of that channel, when covetousness and greed take over, that our life gets out of control and we replace God with a hunger for what becomes our idol (cf. Colossians 3:5). God wants us to let him be enough and see the rest as the overflow of his grace!          

Thought for today: Am I always chasing after the “bigger and better” next great thing?

Truth In Love August 6, 2018

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Love does have its delights. One of those delights is in what is authentic, genuine, and true — TRUTH! So as Jesus' disciples, we are not deceitful, manipulative, or coercive in our relationships. Instead, we are transparent, intimate, and honest. Why? Because true love delights in truth.

Thought for today: Today I am grateful

Facing Challenges August 5, 2018

Zechariah 4:5-6  (NIV)

5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and us through him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might. No, these greatest victories, the ones that catch us up in God's great story of salvation, will occur when we trust that God's power is greater than our weakness and God's might is greater than our insufficiency. The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength or God's?

Thought for today:  What is my faith rooted in ?

Eternity August 4, 2018

1 John 5:4  (NIV)

4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

This is the companion passage to 1 John 2:17 — "The world and its desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever." Our destiny and future are not limited to the boundaries of existence tied to our little blue planet. Our future and our hope burst the boundaries of mortality and are tied to our faith in a resurrected and victorious Savior who is coming back to bring us to his eternal home. This faith is displayed by doing God's will even when most people in our contemporary culture choose to chase what is fleeting and transient.

Thought for today: Are my actions of today based on my eternal life?

If God Is For You… August 3, 2018

Romans 8:31-32  (NIV)

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus. If he has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right and holy? So if God answers our prayers "No!" then it is for our good and the eternal well being of those for whom we've prayed. His intent is to bless, not wound. His desire is to redeem and bless. His commitment is to work things out for our ultimate good (cf. Rom. 8:28) as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Rom. 8:29).

Thought for today: Is your transformation audible and visible?

Sweet Release August 2, 2018

Isaiah 61:1-2  (NIV)

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

Jesus read this passage at a synagogue in Nazareth to describe his ministry (see Luke 4). He came to preach good news, to bind up, to bring deliverance, to offer release, to proclaim grace, and to offer comfort. If Jesus has sent us into the world as the Father sent him (John 20:21-23), shouldn't we be going the same?

Thought for today: Do you embrace the calling on your life?

Belonging August1, 2018

Romans 8:1  (NIV)

 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

"You are mine! My righteousness and glory are yours! Enter into your Father's eternal reward!" If we are in Christ, we don't face judgment, only welcome, with God our Father! His Spirit lives in us. His grace has set us free from the power of sin and death. His Son has paid the price for our sins. We are children of God!

Thought for today: Do I act like I’m involved in a talk show type adoption ?