Romans 12:9 NLT
Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good.
Personal Challenge...
I love how the NLT presents this verse. It is so easy for me to act, or pretend, like I am loving others. But, God can see through that facade. If I am to be living out my relationship with Christ, my sonship through Christ, then my love for others must be real, it must be sacrificial, it must be for their good...even if it means giving up my desires to be right. This is how God wants me to shine His light in this dark and gloomy world.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
October 28, 2011
Luke 11:17 NASB
He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A divided home is also doomed.
Personal Challenge...
I have always seen this verse used to defend Christ as the Son of God and the miracles that He performed. But couldn't it also be a warning to us in the church? A warning to stop being a divided church, arguing with each other over who has the "true" expression of the gospel and the "true" right to call themselves Christians.
He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A divided home is also doomed.
Personal Challenge...
I have always seen this verse used to defend Christ as the Son of God and the miracles that He performed. But couldn't it also be a warning to us in the church? A warning to stop being a divided church, arguing with each other over who has the "true" expression of the gospel and the "true" right to call themselves Christians.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
October 27, 2011
Zechariah 7:9-10 NASB
“Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’
Personal Challenge...
This is one message that is consistant throughout the Bible, both old testament and new testament. We are to love our neighbor and take care of those in need. I guess it is in there in so many places, so many different ways, because people like me need to be reminded about this a lot.
“Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’
Personal Challenge...
This is one message that is consistant throughout the Bible, both old testament and new testament. We are to love our neighbor and take care of those in need. I guess it is in there in so many places, so many different ways, because people like me need to be reminded about this a lot.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
October 26, 2011
Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Command with a Promise...
Pursue righteousness and loyalty (NIV says "love") and you will find life, righteousness, and honor. This is so contrary to what the world teaches. We are told to pursue success and wealth, knowledge and power, self-gratification and instant everything. It is the pursuit of God and the love for those whom He has put in our lives that will yield a full and righteous life.
This is the doctrine that Jesus based His teaching on, "Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Command with a Promise...
Pursue righteousness and loyalty (NIV says "love") and you will find life, righteousness, and honor. This is so contrary to what the world teaches. We are told to pursue success and wealth, knowledge and power, self-gratification and instant everything. It is the pursuit of God and the love for those whom He has put in our lives that will yield a full and righteous life.
This is the doctrine that Jesus based His teaching on, "Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October 25, 2011
Psalm 1:1-3 NASB
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Words of Encouragement...
Have you ever had those times in your life when you wondered if all of the time spent going to church, reading the scripture, being silent in prayer was worth it. I can vaguely remember feeling this way in my younger years...but now as I get to ride the roller-coaster on the downhill side I can look back and say with JOY, "It has all been worth it, it has been wonderful to be planted by streams of living water, to be able to yield fruit, to not wither, and to be prosperous in Him. I cherish the opportunity to continue walk through life delighting in the law of the LORD and meditating upon Him."
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Words of Encouragement...
Have you ever had those times in your life when you wondered if all of the time spent going to church, reading the scripture, being silent in prayer was worth it. I can vaguely remember feeling this way in my younger years...but now as I get to ride the roller-coaster on the downhill side I can look back and say with JOY, "It has all been worth it, it has been wonderful to be planted by streams of living water, to be able to yield fruit, to not wither, and to be prosperous in Him. I cherish the opportunity to continue walk through life delighting in the law of the LORD and meditating upon Him."
Monday, October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011
1 Kings 22:5 NASB
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
Personal Challenge...
Have you every wondered what is the first step for any decision that you need to make...no mater how big or how small. Go to the Lord and see what He wants you to do. This is so much easier said than done, but it is the best way to walk through life.
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.”
Personal Challenge...
Have you every wondered what is the first step for any decision that you need to make...no mater how big or how small. Go to the Lord and see what He wants you to do. This is so much easier said than done, but it is the best way to walk through life.
Friday, October 21, 2011
October 21, 2011
1 John 4:10-12 NLT
This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
Personal Challenge...
Love...such a misunderstood word, concept and command. Oh, how often I slip into the mode of loving those around me according to the world's standard of love. Then I am reminded to go read 1 Corinthians 13. That is when I realize that the commandment by our Lord to love our neighbor is to not to love them the way the world loves, but the way that God loves. Definitely a lifelong challenge, but one that is worth pursuing.
This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.
Personal Challenge...
Love...such a misunderstood word, concept and command. Oh, how often I slip into the mode of loving those around me according to the world's standard of love. Then I am reminded to go read 1 Corinthians 13. That is when I realize that the commandment by our Lord to love our neighbor is to not to love them the way the world loves, but the way that God loves. Definitely a lifelong challenge, but one that is worth pursuing.
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