Friday, April 28, 2006 

Don't give up

Today's word: Acts 2:41-47

41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

How about you?
Do you know someone who needs Jesus as Savior? Have you talked with him about it? How many times? How often? Learn to be staedfast in witnessing and praying for your friends, then leave the results to the Lord.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain

10:44 AM | |

Thursday, April 27, 2006 

Give Jesus first place

Today's word: 1 John 2:15-17

15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

How about you?
Is there something you'd rather be doing than going to youth meeting, church or reading the Bible? That activity may not be bad in itself, but it is bad if it takes you away from what you should be doing for the Lord. If you want to be a healthy, growing Christian, don't spoil you appetite in Christ!

To memorize: 1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him


11:02 AM | |

Wednesday, April 26, 2006 

Heaven is wonderful

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

How about you?
Have you wondered what heaven will be like? There are all sorts of wrong ideas about it. One is that everyone will float on a cloud and have nothing to do except play a little harp. Such ideas aren't from the Bible, but God does tell us some of the good things that are in store for those who have believed on his Son, Jesus. There will be only good- no bad. Heaven is beautiful in every way, and we'll be fully happy.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known

12:06 PM | |

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 

Work together for Christ

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 3:1-10

1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

How about you?
Have you ever been upset because someone else received credit for bringing your friend to church? Did that seem more important to you than the fact that your friend would hear about the Lord? You need to work together with other Christians in winning others to Jesus. Paul understood this. He knew the Lord was using himself and Apollos to further the Gospel. Witnessing is not a competition where one person wins and another loses. Instead, it's a responsibility that Christians share.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow

10:57 AM | |

Monday, April 24, 2006 

Strengthen new Christians

Today's word: Luke 22:25-32

25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you[a] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

How about you?
Do you think a newly saved person should take care of himself? All Christians need help and guidance, especially those who are new converts. You can help them. Jesus' advice to Peter is good advice to you too.

To memorize: Luke 22:32
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers

10:19 AM | |

Saturday, April 22, 2006 

Witness with care

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 9:16-22

16Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

How about you?
Are you unsure about how to witness to your friends? Take time to really get to know them. Find out more about their background, what they believe, and what their needs are. Then ask God to show you how to present Christ to them in the best way possible.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some

12:26 PM | |

Thursday, April 20, 2006 

Throw away bad habits

Today's word: Colossians 3:8-16

8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

How about you?
Are there bad habits you should throw away? Smoking? Alcohol? Drug? Internet pornograhic? Cheating? Selfishness? Get rid of bad habits and mkake room for new ones. Live as a new creature in Christ.

To memorize: Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

11:59 AM | |

Wednesday, April 19, 2006 

Be redeemed by Jesus' blood

Today's word: Colossians 1:12-14

12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption,[b] the forgiveness of sins.

How about you?
Have you been reedemed? If you are not a Christian, you are a slave to sin. This sin separates you from God. He had to pay the price to redeem you- to buy you out of sin and back to Himself. No amount of money can do that. It's only through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that you can be redeemed from sin. Accept what Jesus has done for you.

To memorize: 1 Peter 1:18-19
18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect

10:47 AM | |

Monday, April 17, 2006 

Don't vacation from God

Today's word: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How about you?
When you're on vacation, do you also take a vacation from God's word? You sometimes need a rest from your normal routine, but you need to hear from God every day no matter where you are. Be sure to give Him an opportunity to speak to you through His word- with no vacations.

To memorize: Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free

11:23 AM | |

Saturday, April 15, 2006 

Don't criticize

Today's word: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-5

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

How about you?
Do you compliment or criticize? The Bible says to speak evil to no one. Don't tear down- build up instead.

To memorize: Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice

10:52 AM | |

Thursday, April 13, 2006 

Turn trouble into triumph

Today's word: Romans 8:35-39

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[a] 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How about you?
When something happens that seems like trouble, do you start to worry or complain? Next time, look for ways to turn that trouble into an adventure. Ask the Lord to help you have a happy attitude even when things go wrong.

To memorize: Romans 8:37
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us

10:47 AM | |

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 

Words can wound

Today's word: James 3:8-13

8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

How about you?
Have you been shooting poisioned arrows? Do you need to apologize to someone? Do it today. And if you know someone who is having family problems, be especially kind.

To memorize: Proverbs 25:18
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor

9:18 AM | |

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 

Let God "remodel" you

Today's word: James 1: 2-4, 9-12

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

How about you?
Are you going through a rough time right now? Trust God! He can work, even through situations that seem tragic to you, to "remodel" your life into something better than ever. Use this time to rethink your values, your habits, and your goals in the light of God's Word.

To memorize: James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything


11:35 AM | |

Monday, April 10, 2006 

Be patient

Today's word: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

How about you?
Do you try to leap over time to get what you want before the right season? God knows the best time for everything. Waiting is hard, but it is important. When you are told to wait, don't fred and fuss. Be patient.

To memorize: Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time

9:34 AM | |

Friday, April 07, 2006 

Jesus gives life

Today's word: Ephesians 2:1-10

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

How about you?
Are you growing in the Lord- developing the characteristics He wants to see in you, such as love, kindness, helpfulness, honesty, and a desire to serve Him? If not, search your heart- you can't grow in Jesus unless you have His life planted there.

To memorize: Ephesians 2:1
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins

10:44 AM | |

Thursday, April 06, 2006 

Show God your're thankful

Today's word: Luke 8:38-40

38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return home and tell how much God has done for you." So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

40Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.

How about you?
DO you just tell God you're thankful, or do you also show thanks? By obeying His Word, doing things with a right attitude, and helping others, you show your thanks to God - and you tell the world He's great!

To memorize: 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God


10:47 AM | |

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 

Jesus is the light

Today's word: John 3:19-21

19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

How about you?
Has the light of Christ shined into your heart? Have you seen the sin that is there? If so, confess your sin. Ask God to forgive you, and receive the "light of life".

To memorize: John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God

12:09 PM | |

Monday, April 03, 2006 

Be thankful for freedom

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

How about you?
People have died to give you freedom to worship God. Jesus died to give you freedom from sin. Remember this often. Give thanks for the sacrifices which were made so you can be free.

To memorize: Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."




11:01 AM | |

Saturday, April 01, 2006 

All of the Bible is important

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 2:9-12

9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"[a]— 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

How about you?
Do you complain about hard words or hard ideas in the Bible? Some of the Bible is not easy to understand, but all of it is important. Be patient, and you'll develop a taste for the challenging parts of God's word.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 2:10
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God

10:35 AM | |