Titus 3:3-7 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/31/2015)...

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
- Missionary Jim Elliot

Titus 3:3-7 (NLT) Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/30/2015)...

"Regrets grow tiresome."

- Unknown

1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 

James 4:13-17 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/27/2015)...

"It (cancer) has caused me to evaluate each and everything I do. It has forced me to ask the hard questions in life, to make sure I am spending what little time I have on the important things - things that will last for eternity."

- Vernon Brewer

James 4:13-17 (NLT) Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/26/2015)...

"Every day I try to live my life in such a way that I accomplish at least one thing that will outlive me and last for eternity."

- Vernon Brewer 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT) Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/25/2015)...

"If we please God, it does not matter whom we displease. If we displease God, it does not matter who we please."

- Daniel Henderson

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 

Psalm 119:89-93 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/24/2015)...

"I was looking at my mom's mother's (grandmother) Bible last night. 72 years old, tattered and torn, but the words are still the same. It was presented to her on December 25, 1943. Mom is going to give it to [her brother] as a keepsake (he recently embraced Christ as Savior). That, my friend, is very nice.!"

- Recent text message from friend

Psalm 119:89-93 (NLT) Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/23/2015)...

"The hardest thing about the Christian life is that it is so daily."

- Daniel Henderson

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/19/2015)...

“Dear God, I didn't sleep well last night, but I woke up.
My muscles are sore but they work.
My wallet is not full but my belly is.
I may not have all I want, but I have all I need. 
My life is not perfect but my life is GOOD. 
Thank You.”

Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Psalm 23

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/18/2015)...

A Blessed Life (vs. 1-3)

A Blessed Death (vs. 4-5)

A Blessed Eternity (v. 6)

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT) 1. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. 

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/17/2013...

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

- Irish Blessing

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT) May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ 

Matthew 7:1-4 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/16/2015)...

Matthew 7:1-4 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 

A critical spirit is part-and-parcel of one's inherited sinful nature (Romans 3:23). It is easy to criticize others. No real tested and/or proven analysis is required. If listened to, and proven wrong, the critic can simply launch another volley of criticism as to why it did work. Ya see...the habitual critic just can't go wrong...or can he...or she. :-)

PS - Oops...did you catch yourself being critical of this posting...or blog...or FB entry...or...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/13/2015)...

Soiled snow banks bear witness to the longed-for change from winter to spring. A thick blanket of fresh white snow makes for some beautiful scenery. However, life eventually soils the beauty. Eventually though, warmer days, rain and wind will bring welcome change and refreshment. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT) 

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 

A time to be born and a time to die. 

A time to plant and a time to harvest. 

A time to kill and a time to heal. 

A time to tear down and a time to build up. 

A time to cry and a time to laugh. 

A time to grieve and a time to dance. 

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. 

A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 

A time to search and a time to quit searching. 

A time to keep and a time to throw away. 

A time to tear and a time to mend. 

A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 

A time to love and a time to hate. 

A time for war and a time for peace. 

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/12/2015)..,

"You may be lord of your tongue, but I am also master of my ears."

- Unknown

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT) There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. 

Psalm 73 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/11/2015)...

The enemy does not have to destroy you but simply distract you. Little distractions tolerated over a long period of time result in big disasters. 

- Adapted quote from Daniel Henderson (Defying Gravity)

Psalm 73: 2-5, 7, 13-14, 17, 21-26 (NLT)...

2-5, 7 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else...These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

13-14 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

17, 21-26 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked...Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Revelation 22:14 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/10/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #7

Revelation 22:14 (NLT) Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 

Revelation 22:7 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/9/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #6

 Revelation 22:7 (NLT) “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book."

A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, does various unessential things, and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened "from the outside," is not a bad picture of Advent.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, (writing from prison to his fiancee Maria von Wedemeyer)

Revelation 20:6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/6/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #5

Revelation 20:6 (NLT) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. 

“To me the second coming is the perpetual light in the path which makes the present bearable. I never lay my head on my pillow without thinking that: maybe before the morning breaks the final morning may have dawned. I never begin my work without thinking perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin his own.”

- G. Campbell Morgan

Revelation 16:15 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/4/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #3

Revelation 16:15 (NLT) Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” 

Titus 2:11-14 (NLT) For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. 

A true Christian has a good hope when he looks ahead: the worldly man has none. A true Christian sees light in the distance: the worldly man sees nothing but darkness. And what is the hope of a true Christian? It is just this, – that Jesus Christ is coming again, coming without sin, – coming with all His people, – coming to wipe away every tear, – coming to raise His sleeping saints from the grave, – coming to gather together all His family, that they may be forever with Him. Why is a believer patient? Because he looks for the coming of the Lord. He can bear hard things without murmuring. He knows the time is short. He waits quietly for the King.

- J. C. Ryle

Revelation 14:13 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/3/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #2

Revelation 14:13 (NLT) And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” 

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live you life in a manner so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice." 

- Native American Proverb

Revelation 1:3 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (3/2/2015)...

NOTE: Revelation reveals seven "Blessings" promised to sincere Christ-followers. 

BLESSING #1

Revelation 1:3 (NLT) God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. 

Some of us live a Christian life as if we're always under the stern, watchful eye of our Father and he is very impossible to please... No, God delights even in our heartfelt attempts at obedience.

- Kevin DeYoung