I've been reading a plan lately on stewardship, and todays devotion included a segment from Daniel. It also talked about the destructive power of sin - how our sins can set the stage to usher in the sins of the next generation.
We need to be aware of the sins of those before us, so we can...
Yes, I know I'm a little early - but I wanted to make sure that I actually get my post in this week... and tomorrow is likely to be a looong day at work :)
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge...
Paul wrote a very encouraging letter to the church at Philippi. Through the 4 chapters, he continually builds them up, guides them, and offers gentle reminders on righteous living. I have always been amazed at how positive Paul remained despite his circumstances - it's easy to worry, to doubt...
When I read Tuesday's Verse of the Day, I immediately thought of this passage:
How often is it that we are so overwhelmed with Joy that we sing, dance, play music and praise God in such a fashion that it makes people stop and look at us and wonder what the source of our joy is? How often do...
As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He would not let him; instead, He told him, "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you." (Mark 5:18, 19 HCSB)...
And so my last post for the year in the VotD forums... I want to share a small encouragement as we approach the New Year. As you make your resolutions, I would suggest that you consider adding "follow God" to yours.
I know what many of you are thinking. "I'm not good enough" or "that person...
Exodus 12:14 (NIV)
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance."
Moses was given this command by God in response to the Passover. God sent a mighty plague upon Egypt, but any household that was...
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
About 700 years before Jesus, God gave the message to Isaiah to start the spread of Hope to the Jews.
Matthew 1:18-23
This is how the birth of...
I've had Psalm 13 open in a tab for days now. It just seems like the reminder I've been needing. So here's the verses for today:
Psalms 13:1-2,5-6
1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and...
Today's verse comes from Psalm 119, as well.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
The psalmist is struggling with how one can keep to the paths of righteousness? How can we keep from doing wrong in the eyes of the Lord?
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says...
Proverbs 23:17 (NIV)
Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
It's easy to look at Hollywood and be envious. Big houses, fast cars, attractive mates, big parties, lavish vacations.... disposable marriages, broken children, early deaths from...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
Nobody ever promised life would be easy or fair. Nobody ever said that being a Christian would make our troubles go away.
We were...
Proverbs 19:20-21 NIV
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
God often uses other people in our lives to get messages to us - It's not usually God's...
...but posted on Thursday, October 6th. Sorry about the delay.
Agur son of Jakeh gave a rather insightful prayer into his character. Essentially, he said, "God, please give me enough that I'm not forced to sin to survive, yet not so much that I sin from arrogance." Such a great reminder...
John 4:4-9, NIV:
There are several important things to notice about the verses leading upto the discussion with the Woman at the Well.
First, Jesus and the disciples were traveling through Samaria. Jews viewed Samaritans out worthless. They were essentially half-breeds that didn't fit...
Job 11:17-19, NIV
Job had lost nearly everything. His children had all been killed, his animals slaughtered, his farms burned. Then he contracted a painful skin disorder. So he did the only thing he knew - he presented himself to the Lord. He poured ashes over his head and wore sackcloth...
Haggai 1:5-6, NIV:
Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse...
Col 1:25 I have become (the church's) servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness. (NIV)
Paul recognized his calling in life. When he figured it out, he dove in head-first. He didn't worry about what people would think, or how he would get from...
Romans 8:17 (NIV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Paul was at the end of a very long and complicated explanation of Christianity. Frankly, it reminded me of...
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16
While I was making my notes on this verse for my Sunday school lesson, a few interesting little...