Monday, August 1, 2022

Monday, August 1, 2022
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Being physically healthy and being emotionally healthy aren’t so different. Both follow the same pattern: if you take in good things and practice good habits, you’ll feel better! Being healthy is good for the soul, and while there are some things you can’t control when it comes to physical health, you can always keep your eyes on God. Finding joy in the Lord and the life He has given you isn’t just spiritually healthy, but actually has an effect on your physical body too! When your heart is set on good things, it’s only natural for other aspects of your life to follow.

Friday, July 29, 2022

Friday, July 29, 2022
Titus 3:1-2
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Our job isn’t to make the rules, but to obey God’s rules. The Lord wants us to be ready to treat others with respect, including the rulers and authorities that He has placed over us. The Word tells us that every ruler on earth is under His thumb, and unless their laws contradict God’s commandments, we should be obedient to those whom the Lord has put in charge. More than that, God wants us to avoid quarreling, show gentleness and courtesy, and to never miss an opportunity to do good. Traits like these come naturally to a person living for God, and that light is what separates you from the dark world you live in.

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Thursday, July 28, 2022
Luke 6:31
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

It’s important that we treat others the way we, ourselves, want to be treated. The greatest commandment, second only to loving God, is to love your neighbors as yourself. If you want the love, respect and grace of others, you must be willing to treat them the same way. If you want others to give fair thought to your beliefs and to hear your voice speaking out for God, be willing to treat them fairly as well. Gentle words can end battles, and a soft answer turns away wrath.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Wednesday, July 27, 2022
1 John 2:9
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

We can’t hate other people just because they disagree with us. Christ called you to love others, and especially your enemies. Conflict between people breeds strife and hate, and if God’s people won’t go against the current, who will? It’s your job to set an example, not only for how people should treat each other, but also for what it means to be a Christian. If you say Jesus is in your heart and yet continue to be bitter toward the people He died for, how bright of a “light unto the world” can you really be?

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Tuesday, July 26, 2022
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Unity is important, and the early church knew it. Believers stuck together, showing love and hospitality to each other, and it’s important that Christ’s churches of today do the same. Being unified means being of one mind, sharing one purpose and one God. That doesn’t mean you and your circle have to agree on every little thing; finding friends like that is almost impossible. But it does mean that as a believers united under one truth and one gospel, we should all agree on the identity of Christ and the truth of God’s word as the immovable, unshakable cornerstone of our faith.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Monday, July 25, 2022
Mark 3:24-25
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

There’s a lot of controversy in our country and in the world. It often seems like everyone has something to be upset about, and anger and bitterness can flare up at a moment’s notice. In a society so heated by disagreements, we as imitators of Christ must treat others with gentleness, love and respect if we want to have an impact on the world. As Jesus first said, and President Lincoln famously quoted, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” If this nation and the world continue to devour themselves with hate and strife, you, by the power of Christ, must not go with them.