Blessings

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 11:1-12

11 But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.

12 It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Isaiah 56:1-2

1 This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.

2 Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Proverbs 3:6

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

James 2:26

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Mark 13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Jesus Gave Honest Counsel

By Rick Warren

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage:

"A friend means well even when he hurts you" (Proverbs 27:6 GN).

Jesus shows us that real friends care enough to confront. Even when it's painful, they'll tell you the truth (Proverbs 27:6 GN). They won't let you waste your life in silence.

I've found that correcting another is powerful—and it can be dangerous. Done the right way, it builds people up, but done the wrong way, it can scar a person for life.

The difference between the right and the wrong way to correct is your attitude. If all you're doing is pointing out faults, then stop. The purpose has to be to correct, not to condemn.

You need to ask, "What's my motive in this? Am I correcting him for my benefit or for his benefit?"

A lot of times we want to correct people just because they're being jerks and they're hassling us. We think, "If they would stop being such a jerk, my life would be easier."

That's the wrong motive.

Instead, follow Ephesians 4:15, which says, "Speak the truth in love." Love means giving people what they need rather than what they deserve.

So this is the key to proper correction: Affirm the person; then correct the behavior.

           

Knowing God

READ: Psalm 96:1-13

Let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord. --Jeremiah 9:24

Its one thing to know about God, but it's quite another to know Him personally. Let's see how this distinction applies when considering some of God's attributes.

The thought that God is present everywhere is staggering. But to be aware of His presence in times of need brings comfort and hope.

The thought that God knows everything is mind-boggling. But to have the confidence that no detail of our lives escapes His attention is to enjoy a peace that endures through every trial.

The thought that the Lord is all-powerful makes us marvel at His greatness. But to have Him actually work in, though, and for us encourages us to relax in His mighty arms.

The thought that God never changes is a reassuring truth. But to commit ourselves to the care of this never-changing One is to know the stability of His faithfulness.

The thought that God is love is wonderful to contemplate. But to know Him as a loving Redeemer through personal faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, brings the joy of sins forgiven.

The writer of Psalm 96 knew God, and that relationship was reflected in his words. His heart poured out praise, and he longed for others to know the Lord and worship Him as well.

Do you know God personally? Does it show? 

Sing praise to God who reigns above, The God of all creation,

The God of power, the God of love, The God of our salvation.

Knowing about God is fascinating; knowing God personally is life-changing.

Jesus encouraged people

By Rick Warren

We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith. Romans 15:1

Jesus encouraged people, and he told those who are strong in faith to make a point of encouraging others in their faith: "We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith." (Romans 15:1)

This Christmas season encourage the people around you.

For one thing, we all need confidence. When you know that someone believes in you, it brings out your best. Jesus did this with the Apostle Peter. "Petros," Peter's name, meant pebble. But Jesus said, "Pebble, you're going to be a rock. I'm giving you a new name."

When Jesus said that to Peter, the apostle was anything but a rock. He was Mr. Impulsive, Mr. Foot-in-Mouth. But Jesus didn't tell him what he was - He told him what he could be. He gave him confidence to live up to his potential.

We all need encouragement. Over the years, I've kept an Encouragement File. Every time anybody writes me a note, a card, or a letter, I file it. Even if it's mildly encouraging- like "Better luck next time!" - or- "You tried on that sermon, but good try!" - It still gets filed.

Then, on days when I'm discouraged and down and tired, I get out the Encouragement File, and I read through all the letters and cards that I've collected.

When you give encouragement, it needs to be genuine. So, give from the heart and with sincerity. Encouragement also needs to be regular- don't be stingy with your encouragement.

And encouragement needs to be specific. Instead of saying, "I enjoyed the meal," say, "I can tell you put a lot of effort into this meal and the seasoning you chose was perfect."

Instead of saying, "You did a good job," say, "I noticed you handled that angry customer with tact and you maintained your cool under pressure."

Do You Love Jesus?

A man was assigned a middle seat on an airplane. Tired and wanting to sleep, he was irritated when the young girl next to him with Down syndrome asked, "Mister, do you brush your teeth?" "Yes," he replied. "That's good. People, who don't, lose their teeth."

A little later she asked, "Mister, do you smoke?" "No," he answered. "That's good. People who do, die." After a long silence, she turned to him again, "Mister, do you love Jesus?" "Yes, I do," he responded. "That's good," she added. "People, who do, go to heaven."

Though deeply touched, he settled back, hoping there would be no more questions. Just then the girl said, "Mister, ask the man next to you if he brushes his teeth."

Well, you can guess what followed. When she came to the question about Jesus, the second man became thoughtful. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he said. For the next hour the two men talked about eternal issues.

Sometimes opportunities for sharing God's love may come in unusual ways, as was the case in Acts 8 when Philip pointed a total stranger to Christ. If we are willing, He will bless even our feeblest efforts to tell others that Jesus loved them so much that He died for them.  

You can never speak to the wrong person about Christ.

Evangelism

"A minister, who prays not, who is not in love with prayer, is not a minister of the Church of God. He is a dry tree, which occupies in vain a place in Christ's garden. He is an enemy, and not a father, of the people. He is a stranger, who has taken the place of the shepherd, and to whom the salvation of the flock is an indifferent thing." – Thomas Coke

Making Friends

Mark 2:13-17

Many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples. --Mark 2:15

A letter from a friend described the adjustments that his son and daughter-in-law were facing as young missionaries in a country long resistant to the gospel of Christ. "After some rough early going," he wrote, "they are getting used to not having modern conveniences and are falling in love with the people."

A photo showed the couple's 2-year-old-son Wesley and a waiter in a restaurant, both grinning widely as they shared a moment of friendship. My friend commented, "Ever smiling, Wesley makes friends wherever he goes." That got me to thinking. Making friends and loving people is the key to sharing the gospel wherever we are, because that's what Jesus did.

Some religious leaders were surprised when Jesus openly associated with people they considered undesirable. They said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" (Mark 2:16). Yet Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. He said, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (v.17).

A loving heart and a friendly smile go a long way to communicate the love of Christ to the people we meet each day. May they say of us, as they did of little Wesley, "Ever smiling, he makes friends wherever he goes." 

To the lost is where Christ went, Revealing grace from God above;

To lost sinners we've been sent to be their friends, to share God's love.

Loving the lost is the first step in leading them to Christ.

Acceptance

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

2 Corinthians 5:9

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Ephesians 1:11

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Acts 10:35

But accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

John 1:12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

2 Corinthians 1:21

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

2 Corinthians 1:9

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Colossians 2:10

And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 1:14

In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

A guide to reading the Bible in a year

Details for the month of JANUARY.

Date    portion

01                Genesis      1-2

02                Genesis      3-5

03                Genesis      6-9

04                Genesis      10-11

05                Genesis      12-15

06                Genesis      16-19

07                Genesis      20-22

08                Genesis      23-26

09                Genesis      27-29

10                Genesis      30-32

11                Genesis      33-36

12                Genesis      37-39

13                Genesis      40-42

14                Genesis      43-46

15                Genesis      47-50

16                Exodus       1-4

17                Exodus       5-7

18                Exodus       8-10

19                Exodus       11-13

20                Exodus       14-17

21                Exodus       18-20

22                Exodus       21-24

23                Exodus       25-27

24                Exodus       28-31

25                Exodus       32-34

26                Exodus       35-37

27                Exodus       38-40

28                Leviticus    1-4

29                Leviticus    5-7

30                Leviticus    8-10

31                Leviticus    11-13

Praise be to God for the gift of His Son!

Our spiritual trek has been an exciting adventure, because we have meditated on the most exciting Person who ever lived. Christ has been the chief Actor, occupying center stage in this, the greatest drama in all of human history. In His birth, He became our Brother; in His life, our Teacher and Example; in His death, our Redeemer; in His resurrection, our Conqueror; and in His second coming He is our Hope. Now He is the all-sufficient One; He is all things to all people.

To the astronomer, He is the chief Cornerstone.

To the architect, He is the chief Cornerstone.

To the builder, He is the sure Foundation.

To the banker, He is the living Treasure.

To the biologist, He is the Life.

To the carpenter, He is the door.

To the doctor, He is the great Physician.

To the florist, He is the Lily of the Valley, the Rose of Sharon.

To the geologist, He is the Rock of Ages.

To the jeweler, He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the judge, He is the Judge of all nations.

To the king, He is the Lord of the universe.

To the lawyer, He is the Advocate.

To the newspaper reporter, He is the good tidings of the great joy.

To the philosopher, He is the Truth.

To the philanthropist, He is the unspeakable Gift.

To the scientist, He is the Creator.

To the student, He is the great Teacher.

To the traveler, He is the way.

To the sinner, He is Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

Praise be to God for the gift of His Son!

Christmas: God Loves Us

By Rick Warren

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

God loves you so much that he sent Jesus on a mission of love with a message of love. Christmas is a yearly reminder that God loves you. The Bible says God is love. It doesn’t say God has love; it says God is love. Love is his nature – God is love.

And God created the entire universe; he created this planet; he created the human race; then, he created you because he loves you.

It could be said the reason you’re alive is because God created you as an object of his love. God made you so he could love you and so that you could love him. God’s love for you is the reason your heart’s beating right now; it’s the reason you’re breathing.

God’s good news is that he loves you on your good days as much as he loves you on your bad days. He loves you when you can feel his love, and he loves you when you can’t seem to feel his love. He loves you regardless of whether or not you think you deserve his love.

There is nothing you can do that will make God stop loving you. You could try, but you simply can’t do it – because his love for you is based upon his character and not on anything you do or say or feel.

God loves you so much that he sent his only Son, Jesus, into this world – “so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

When the baby Jesus grows into a man, he will stretch his arms out as wide as the cross, saying, “I love you this much! I love you so much it hurts. I love you so much I’ll die for you so that I won’t have to live without you.”

God’s love surpasses all human knowledge, and it is difficult for any of us to grasp the width and length and height and depth of God’s love for each one of us (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Acceptance

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

2 Corinthians 5:9

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Ephesians 1:11

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Acts 10:35

But accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

John 1:12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

2 Corinthians 1:21

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,

2 Corinthians 1:9

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Colossians 2:10

And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 1:14

In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Christmas

No room for the Baby at Bethlehem’s Inn,

Only cattle shed.

No home on this earth for the dear Son of God,

Nowhere to lay His head.

Only a cross did they give to our Lord,

Only a borrowed tomb.

Today He is seeking a place in your heart,

Will you still say to Him “No room”?

O Lord, in my heart there’s a welcome for Thee,

Gladly I now would say,

Come in, blessed Savior, my heart and my life

Henceforth would own Thy sway.

Long hast Thou waited and long knocked in vain,

Outside my heart’s closed door;

Oh, cleanse me from sin, then, dear Lord, enter in

And dwell there for evermore.

When the inn was crowded,

And the door fast closed,

In a humble manger

God’s dear Son reposed;

Leaving Heaven’s glory,

And His throne on high,

Jesus came to save us,

Jesus came to die.

Christmas Brings Reconciliation

By Rick Warren

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)

Peace on earth and good will toward men – that’s reconciliation.

What is reconciliation? It’s when a broken relationship is restored. When a boyfriend and girlfriend or a husband and wife get back together, there’s reconciliation. When a father and son restore peace between each other, there’s reconciliation.

Where do you need peace in your life this Christmas? That’s what Christmas is all about – peace on earth, good will toward men. I asked people, “Where would you like to see peace?” These are the answers I got:

“I’d like to see peace in the broken families.”

 I’d love to see peace in politics.”

 “With each other.”

 “In my heart.”

 “I’d like to see it at home.”

 “I’d like to see peace in my life.”

“Peace? Right in this country of ours.”

 “Everywhere!”

Everywhere! Is it realistic to have peace everywhere? Isn’t it just a pipe dream to hope for peace on earth, good will toward men?

There will never be peace in the world until there is peace in nations.

And there will never be peace in nations until there is peace in communities.

And there will never be peace in communities until there is peace in families.

And there will never be peace in families until there is peace in individuals.

And there will never be peace in individuals until we invite the Prince of Peace – Jesus – to reign in our hearts.