Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Wednesday, March 29, 2023
James 1:2-3
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Even in sorrow and in pain, the Lord will use your circumstances to forge you into someone stronger and closer to Christ. When life is good, it’s easy to let God take a backseat, but when it crushes you, there’s no choice but to rely on Him to drive. The Bible promises that you will face trials, but it also reminds us that there’s hope in those dark days; something that we can be excited about, even through tears. Because when you’re as helpless as a lump of wet clay, God can mold you into someone strong, someone steadfast, and someone even more Christlike if you are willing to let Him.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

When you make Christ the Lord of your life, your life is no longer just one grain of sand in the hourglass of history. If you choose to follow God, He can use you to accomplish anything. Some people He sends into distant jungles in Africa to share the gospel. Some, He simply sends to the grocery store to share His love with the person in the produce isle. Whatever you do and wherever you find yourself, as long as you walk God’s chosen path for you, all things work together for good. Listen for His voice and He will guide your steps, writing a story with your life that only He could tell.

Monday, March 27, 2023

Monday, March 27, 2023
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Over and over the Bible tells us to rejoice, be happy, and dwell on the good things that God has given you. He wouldn’t have been repeated so many times in His word if it wasn’t important! The Lord is the source of perfect goodness, perfect love, and perfect joy. Any happiness that you can find in life, you can find in Him tenfold. If the God of the universe is a God of joy and love, what sorrow could possibly stand against Him? Does any negative thing even matter? Rejoice in the Lord, always; again, I will say, rejoice!

Friday, March 24, 2023

Friday, March 24, 2023
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

People are wired to please themselves, and things like kindness, mercy and humility don’t always come naturally. But a person who has truly placed themselves God’s hands bears fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the evidence of a transformed life because they are rooted in an earnest desire to follow God and live a life that is pleasing to Him. The Lord has shown you so much good and mercy; the forgiveness of sins is the greatest gift you could ever be given! What could be better than to live joyfully, loving justice and kindness, and walking humbly with your God?

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Thursday, March 23, 2023
Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

The Israelites betrayed the Lord again and again, constantly cycling through phases of rebellion, sin, and repentance throughout their history. But every time God’s people forsook Him and broke His commandments, He was there for them… often to pluck them out of the mess they had made for themselves. God is good and merciful; His steadfast love never ends, and He is faithful to His people, which includes you! No matter what happens, the Lord will never turn His back on you or reject your repentance. He is always good, always loving, always faithful, and always merciful, then, now, and forever.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

You need mercy every bit as much as your worst enemy. You’ve committed crimes, not just against other people, but against the Almighty God himself. He gave you the rules, and you spat on them, grieving His heart and forever barring you from life after death. Anyone less than perfect deserves His wrath… and that’s pretty much all of us! But of course, the story doesn’t end there. Instead of letting you face the punishment you deserve, Christ became sin and took care of it for you. You’ve been shown the greatest and most selfless act of mercy that could ever be shown. It’s a tough act to follow, but with the Lord’s help, you can forgive the unforgivable and show mercy to those who deserve none, just as your Father in Heaven did for you.