Tuesday, 8/1/06 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

When we come to God and are washed clean by the blood of Jesus we become a new creation. Just as you are not the same person and have started life anew, do not judge a man by his past but look to his future instead!

Wednesday, 8/2/06 But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
Job 32:8 NIV

Men say that God gave them a brain so they can reason and so they can solve problems. I say no! God gives us that understanding and the Spirit leads our path. I believe God gave us our mind so that we can fully love Him with all of it.

Thursday, 8/3/06 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
1 Peter 1:8 NIV

Permanent Happiness comes from God. The things of this world are fleeting. Can you watch a movie, drive a car, or sit in your home and have that happiness last for eternity. Don't try to keep up with the Jones' instead be happy with what you have which is Jesus Christ!

Friday, 8/4/06 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth."
1 Kings 17:24 NIV

Anyone can call themselves a Christian but the true test is the life they live. Are their actions of the world? Are they living the life that God desires? Are ALL their thoughts, words, and actions pleasing to Him?
Monday, 8/7/06 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:43 NIV

Paradise, are you willing to sacrifice that for the pleasures of this world? Eternity with Jesus in God's presence outweighs every earthly desire. Don't give in to temptation and temporary pleasure.

Tuesday, 8/8/06 Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
Psalms 54:2 NIV

When we pray God hears and answers but that answer depends on the prayer. Pray righteously and you will receive pleasing answers.

Wednesday, 8/9/06 Jesus said, "let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14 NIV

God is our Heavenly Father and His love is immeasurable. When we come before Him in the innocence of a child He will pour out that love upon us.

Thursday, 8/10/06 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
Micah 4:5 NIV

Notice that the verse doesn't say anything about the others walking for very long. Only a walk with God will last for eternity. Don't give that up for the things of the world.

Friday, 8/11/06 "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40 NIV

God wants our love and praise. And we should seek to give Him the greater glory in all things. When God blesses us we need to cry out in worship so that others might hear and come to know Him. I truly believe that if we ALL did that we would approach a Heaven on earth.
Monday, 8/14/06 "There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

Why place our trust in man and our accomplishments. Can we create the Heavens and the earth? We have to give our life over to God. He will be the Rock of our Foundation and no storm is stronger!

Tuesday, 8/15/06 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.
Exodus 3:2 NIV

We all know of people that are "on fire" for the Lord and eventually they "burn up". But when you truly rejoice in Christ your fire will never be quenched. I challenge you to pray that God will feed your fire!

Wednesday, 8/16/06 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17 NIV

Beware of anyone claiming that the Old Testament no longer applies. Instead learn from it. We seem to continue to make the mistakes of the past instead of improving our future.

Thursday, 8/17/06 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Psalm 51:8 NIV

Even when hardships come our way and we feel crushed by their weight, lift up your heart in joy. God is with you always and He is watching over you. Though you may be poor in wealth, you will be rich in Spirit!

Friday, 8/18/06 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 3:7 NIV

What do you hold dear? Are you listening to Christ or your own desires? Don't waste another minute living for yourself. Hand over your life to God and let the Spirit lead you so that your actions aren't for naught.
Monday, 8/21/06 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved YOU that He gave His one and only Son, that if YOU believe in Him YOU shall not perish but have eternal Life! Jesus took the weight of YOUR sins on Him at Calvary. Why don't YOU start lightening the load.

Tuesday, 8/22/06 ..."Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!..."
Luke 24:5b-6a NIV

Where are we looking for our Lord? Are we spending our time among the dead or with the Living? Our activities should reflect our faith. Guard your heart and remember "Garbage In, Garbage Out".

Wednesday, 8/23/06 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
John 7:18 NIV

Are your actions dictated by the glory and praise you receive? Do you seek the approval of others? Your life should be an extension of the light of Christ. Make sure you are following His direction and not man's.

Thursday, 8/24/06 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him.
2 Samuel 14:14 NIV

God doesn't want any of us to die. And death will not be the end if we accept His offer of eternal life. But we have to take the step. Don't try and wait until later. Only God knows if you will have a later.

Friday, 8/25/06 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:19 NIV

Beautiful, flowing prayers and magnificently worded sermons are praised and often expected but what are they worth if no one hears any wisdom. I would rather God "move" through a sentence than man to attempt an essay.
Monday, 8/28/06 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,"declares the Lord."I will put My Law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people."
Jeremiah 31:33 NIV

When we invite Christ into our life, He makes a covenant with us and our minds and hearts are set on Him. Then you can "feel" when something is right with every fiber of your being.

Tuesday, 8/29/06 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
Acts 12:7 NIV

Have you taken God into your heart? His covenant doesn't enslave rather it frees us from our earthly bonds. We become His and will rejoice in all that is possible through Him.

Wednesday, 8/30/06 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Matthew 4:7 NIV

Put your trust in the Lord. Be careful, though, that you don't start justifying events with the claim that "if God wants this to happen He'll do it". That's true but it's putting God to the test. Plus, He may want to work through you.

Thursday, 8/31/06 ...The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.
Ezekiel 18:20b NIV

You are not responsible for others' actions. We can pray and witness but they bear the responsibility of their choices. Likewise, be careful of your choices for you can blame them on no one but yourself.