Monday, September 6, 2021

Monday, September 6, 2021
The Psalmist uses the Shepherd psalm to remind you that God watches over His own even in life’s darkest hours.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (NASB)
When you’re going through a fiery trial . . . time can seem to slow down and you fear the pain will never end! It’s easy to forget that God promises to be with His followers in good times and bad! One of the names for Jesus in the Bible is “Emmanuel” — “God with us”. It was this sort of presence of God in the lives of the three Hebrew young men in Old Testament Daniel’s time, which gave them the courage to refuse to worship the golden image of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar.
There are times when the destructive power of death and evil seem to hang over us, and we feel at any moment all could be lost! I once heard that since the valley described is the “valley of the shadow of death”, there must be a light source for there to be a shadow. The light, for the Christ-follower, would be Jesus — the “Light of the World” — who will never leave us!

Friday, September 3, 2021

Friday, September 3, 2021 The unknown author writes that God knows His own and values their service on His behalf. Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name . . . (NASB) In the world there are those who come close

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The apostle Peter reviews the basic characteristics of a Christ-follower.

II Peter 1:5-6 . . . applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, (NASB)

Peter is writing to remind some Christians of a few things they had forgotten – some important things. It’s a little like the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi, who, when frustrated with the way his Packers were playing, said we’ve got to get back to the fundamentals. So, he gathered the players together and said, “This is a football!” Peter says, let’s begin with your faith – where the change for the better began. As a Christ-follower, you’ve been forgiven of sins, freed from their power to enslave you, and you have all the heavenly power you need, daily, to do what God wants you to do.

Now . . . Peter says, move on from the basics, and each day add to your faith, virtue. Virtue is goodness. But it’s more than that – it’s excellence. Seek to be all you can be as a Christ-follower. Be the best man or woman of God you can be – by being like Christ Himself! Strive for excellence. Next, add to your goodness, knowledge. Not just knowledge for knowledge’s sake – like a professional student but applied knowledge. Knowledge that changes the way you live! Finally, add to your knowledge – self-control. It means to control your desires and emotions, instead of being controlled by them.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Thursday, September 2, 2021 Moses records a priestly blessing that reflects the loving heart of God. Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. (NASB) It’s such a freeing

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 The apostle Paul writes to commend Christ-followers for their generosity. II Corinthians 9:13 . . . they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution . . . (NASB) The New Testament church of Corinth (modern day Greece)

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 The apostle Paul gives thanks for the spiritual growth in one group of Christ-followers. II Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever