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Friday, July 26, 2019

Psalm 103:8 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/26/2019)...

“Grace is when God gives us things we don’t deserve. Mercy is when he spares us from bad things we deserve. Blessings are when he blesses us with both. Truly, we can never run out of reasons to thank him. God is good all the time.”

Psalms‬ ‭103:8‬ ‭(NLT) The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
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Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.


Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Luke 12:16-21 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/24/2019)...

We often hear “Life is short...better enjoy it!” 
How about “Eternity is long...better prepare for it!”
Unknown

Luke‬ ‭12:16-21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then he told them a story: A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, “What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.” Then he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, ‘My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’”
But God said to him, “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?”
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.
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John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.


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Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Mark 9:41 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/23/2019)...

Oh, Jesus if I die upon A foreign field some day, 
'Twould be no more than love demands No less could I repay, 
"No greater love hath mortal man Than for a friend to die" 
These are the words He gently spoke to me, 
"If just a cup of water I place within your hand 
Then just a cup of water Is all that I demand," 
But if by death to living They can thy glory see, 
I'll take my cross and follow close to thee.
“Follow Me” by Ira Stanphill

Mark‬ ‭9:41‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.


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Monday, July 22, 2019

(NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/22/2019)...

I traveled down a lonely road And no one seemed to care; 
The burden on my weary back Had bowed me to despair, 
I oft complained to Jesus How folks were treating me, 
And then I heard Him say so tenderly, 
"My feet were also weary, Upon the Calv'ry road; 
The cross became so heavy, I fell beneath the load, 
Be faithful weary pilgrim, The morning I can see, 
Just lift your cross and follow close to me." 
“Follow Me” by Ira Stanphill 

Matthew‬ ‭16:24-26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?


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Friday, July 19, 2019

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/19/2019)...

Faith...

Forsaking
All
I
Trust
Him

Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.


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Thursday, July 18, 2019

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/18/2019)...

My Bible and I...
We've traveled together through life's rugged way,
O'er land and o'ver water, by night and by day:
To travel without it I never would try;
We keep close together, my Bible and I.

In sorrow I've proved it my comfort and joy,
When weak my strong tower which nought can destroy;
When death comes so near me 'tis thought I would die,
We still are together, my Bible and I.

If powers of evil against me would come,
And threaten to rob me of heaven and home,
God's Word then directs me to Him in the sky;
And nothing can part us, my Bible and I.

When evil temptations are brought to my view,
And I in my weakness know not what to do,
On Christ as my strength I am taught to rely;
And so we keep company, my Bible and I.

When life's path is ended; if Jesus should come
And take all his blood-purchased brethren home;
Or if, in long suffering, He waits till I die,
We'll never be parted, my Bible and I.

And when in the glory my Lord I behold,
With all His redeemed gathered safe in the fold,
My Bible and I close companions will be,
FOR GOD'S WORD ABIDES FOR ALL ETERNITY.
 Author Unknown 

Matthew‬ ‭24:35‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
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1 Peter‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
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Wednesday, July 17, 2019

John 14:1-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/17/2019)...

“When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be to see many there whom I did not expect to see; the second wonder will be to miss many people who I did expect to see; and the third and greatest of all will be to find myself there.”
John Newton(1725-1807)

John‬ ‭14:1-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” 
“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
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1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.


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Tuesday, July 16, 2019

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/16/2019)...

Bible commentator Matthew Henry entered the following in his diary sometime following his being robbed of his wallet...

“Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse, he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
Matthew Henry(1662-1714)

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:15-18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.


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Monday, July 15, 2019

Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/15/2019)...

You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I."
You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "My."
Nor can you pray the Lord's Prayer and not pray for one another.
And when you ask for daily bread, you must include your brother.
For others are included ... in each and every plea,
From the beginning to the end of it, it doesn't once say "Me."
Unknown, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, no. 3.

Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭(KJV‬‬) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
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Friday, July 12, 2019

Psalm 90:3-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/12/2019)...

"Sown, grown, blown, mown, gone."
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Psalms‬ ‭90:3-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered.
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James‬ ‭4:13-16‬ ‭(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.


Thursday, July 11, 2019

James 4:17 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/11/2019)...

“I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what happens to you. What matters is...did you do the right thing.”
Ross Perot (1930-2019)

James‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
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Isaiah‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
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Wednesday, July 10, 2019

1 Timothy 1:3-4 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/10/2019)...

“Conspiratorial thinking tends to see the ‘facts’ in such a way as to always support one’s preconceived notions.”
James R. White

1 Timothy‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

2 Peter‬ ‭1:16-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
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Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Matthew 6:1-6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/9/2019)...

What are the signs of hypocrisy?...
(1) Hypocrisy is knowing the truth but not obeying it. 
(2) Hypocrisy is living a self-serving life. 
(3) Hypocrisy reduces faith to rigid rules. 
(4) Hypocrisy is outward conformity without inner reality. 
Source: LAB study notes (Luke 12)

Matthew‬ ‭6:1-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
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Monday, July 8, 2019

Amos 3:3 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/8/2019)...

“You cannot go far with someone who does not wish to travel with you.”
James R. White

Amos‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
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Friday, July 5, 2019

Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/5/2019)...

"The essence of America— that which really unites us— is not ethnicity, or nationality, or religion. It is an idea— and what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn't matter where you came from, but where you are going."
Condoleezza Rice (Secretary of State 2005-2009)

Galatians‬ ‭3:26-28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.


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Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Romans 13:1 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/3/2019)...

“The Founding Fathers believed devoutly that there was a God and that the unalienable rights of man were rooted - not in the state, nor the legislature, nor in any other human power - but in God alone."
Tom Campbell Clark, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

Romans‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
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Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Psalm 119:9-11 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/2/2019)...

"The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts."  
John Jay, First Chief Justice of U. S. Supreme Court

Psalms‬ ‭119:9-11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
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Monday, July 1, 2019

John 15:13 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY’S READING (7/1/2019)...

JULY 4th THOT...

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
Ronald Reagan

John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.


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