Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/31/2020)...

FEAR: A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. 

Something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a person is afraid of.

Anticipation of the possibility that something unpleasant will occur.

Dictionary.com

Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

‭‭

Genesis‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Adam’s recorded first response to God... “Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid...’”

Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) The fear (awe/respect/reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Image: Creative Commons (Upstream.com)

Proverbs 18:8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/30/2020)...

A TRIBUTE TO ALL THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND ERRONEOUS NEWS THAT SHAMELESSLY SPREADS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA...

My name is Gossip.

I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing.

I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages.

I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:

Is it true?

Is it harmless?

Is it necessary?

If it isn’t, don’t repeat it.

Author Unknown

Ephesians‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs‬ ‭18:8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭20:19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

2 Timothy‬ ‭2:16-17‬a (NLT‬‬) Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/272020)...

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

Fred Rogers

Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Image: Creative Commons (Upstream.com)

‭‭

2 Chronicles 15:1-7 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/26/2020)...

“Everything visible and physical is preceded by that which is invisible and spiritual. So if you want to address that which is visible and physical, you must identify the cause and the cure to what is invisible and spiritual. 

To put it another way, if all you see is what you see, you do not see all there is to see.”

Tony Evans 

2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:1-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him. 

During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”

John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/25/2020)...

“The true disciple experiences the mountain tops and the valleys, as well as all the territory that lies between. It is a life of honor and dishonor, of victory and seeming defeat, of commendation and criticism. The true servant of God is the object of evil report and good report. Some speak well of his zeal and courage, whereas others have only condemnation for him. He is treated as a deceiver or impostor, and yet he is true for all that. He is no impostor, but a genuine servant of the Most High God.”

Wm. MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:3-10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

Apostle Paul

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

John 16:31-33 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/24/2020)...

“With these words he told his disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.”

Life Application Bible (John 16:33)

John‬ ‭16:31-33‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Image: Creative Commons (pixhere.com)

John 14:1-4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/23/2020)...

“Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll shares these known facts from the Bible:

· One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the subject of Christ's return or the end of time.

· Of the 216 chapters in the New Testament, there are well over 300 references to the return of Christ.

· 23 of the 27 New Testament books mention Christ's return.

· In the Old Testament, such well-known and reliable men of God as Job, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, as well as most of the minor prophets mention Christ's return in their writings.

Instead of fearing the end times, or battling uncertainty over future events, simply knowing God’s word will give us power to live out our days with the understanding and wisdom that He is still at work, even when difficult things surround us.

He hasn’t lost control, not ever.”

by Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com (12 Prophecies That Will Be Fulfilled before Christ's Return)

John‬ ‭14:1-4‬ ‭(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.

Image: Creative Commons (Upstream.com)

‭‭

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/20/2020)...

“Tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and all sorts of natural disasters occur regularly in our world. They seem like unnecessary horrors, yet God somehow brings good from the devastation they leave behind.

Communities rally. Churches share. People seek comfort and find Jesus. And we can look for the hand of God even in the midst of coronavirus...

We should all pray for the virus to be contained and eradicated, and for the sick to be healed. We should hold up the grieving to feel comfort and the world’s medical staff to endure. We should also pray for hearts to change.

During crisis, we lament, request, and intercede pretty easily. But let’s not forget to confess our sins or to praise and thank God for who He is and what He does in crisis or not. God is good, He has always been good, and He always does good.

Praying from this perspective will change what you expect from God (even in a crisis) and will change how you love and worship Him.”

Sue Schlesman, Crosswalk.com (10 ways Coronavirus can change your life for better)

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭(NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

‭‭

James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

‭‭

Philippians‬ ‭2:3-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (Upstream.com)

Proverbs 24:10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/19/2020)... 

“In times of crisis, the world needs steady people who are strengthened by God’s grace and selfless by God’s power. Worry accomplishes nothing except weakness of heart and head. It’s been said that 90 percent of the things we worry or become panicked about never happen, and the other 10 percent are outside our control...Remind yourself continually: it takes the same amount of energy to worry as to pray. One leads to peace, the other to panic. Choose wisely.”

Todd Wagner (Watermark Community Church, Dallas, Texas)

Proverbs‬ ‭24:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Psalms‬ ‭37:5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/18/2020)...

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained.”

Arthur Somers Roche

Proverbs‬ ‭12:25‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭42:1-2, 5-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?...Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!...

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (Unsplash.com)

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/17/2020)...

“If the earth be removed, those have reason to fear who have laid up their treasures on earth, and set their hearts upon it; but not those who have laid up for themselves treasures in heaven, and who expect to be most happy when the earth and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters who build their confidence on such a floating foundation, but not those who are led to the rock that is higher than they, and find firm footing upon that rock.”

Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

Psalms‬ ‭46:1-3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

2 Peter‬ ‭3:11-14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Image: Creative Commons (Unsplash.com)

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/16/2020)...

“Worry is unnecessary; there is no need for us to bear the burdens when [God] is willing and able to bear them for us. Worry is futile; it hasn't solved a problem yet. Worry is sin. A preacher once said: "Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn't know what He's doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the power of God; it says that He isn't able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry." Something to think about!”

William MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

 ‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Hebrews‬ ‭10:35-36‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Psalms‬ ‭55:22‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/13/2020)...

“Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options.”

Simon Sinek

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/12/2020)...

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 

Nelson Mandela

Psalms‬ ‭27:13-14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Proverbs 11:3, 5-6, 8, 27 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/11/2020)...

“Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others. If you want love, give love, if you want honesty, give honesty, if you want respect, give respect. You get in return, what you give.” 

Anonymous

Proverbs‬ ‭11:3, 5-6, 8, 27‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people...

The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them...

The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead...

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Genesis 20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/10/2020)...

“Abraham feared man more than he feared God, and that’s why he lied. Believer, don’t blame your failure on someone else’s shortcomings. Yes, they affect you, but ultimately your actions are on you, and it is your respect for God that matters most. Your decisions are driven either by the fear of God or the fear of man...not  their fear, yours.”

Kris Langham, Through The Word (TTW)

Genesis‬ ‭20:9-13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” 

Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”

‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭29:25‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.

Psalms‬ ‭118:8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.

Matthew‬ ‭10:28-31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/9/2020)...

God formed us.

Sin deformed us. 

The Bible informs us.

But Jesus transforms us.

Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/6/2020)...

“Life is too short to start your day with broken pieces of yesterday, It will definitely destroy your wonderful today and ruin your great tomorrow! Have a great day!”

Unknown

Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

‭‭

1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/5/2020)

As you get older, you’ll realize that a $300 watch and a $30 watch both tell the same time. 

A Michael Kors wallet and a Forever 21 wallet hold the same amount of money. 

A $300,000 house and a $100,000 house host the same loneliness.

A Ford will also drive you as far as a Bentley. 

True happiness is not found in materialistic things, it comes from the love and laughter found with each other. 

Stay humble…the holes dug for us in the ground are all the same size.

Unknown

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)

Philippians 2:4-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/4/2020)...

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Warren Buffett

Philippians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Proverbs‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (Unsplash.com)

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/3/2020)...

When you start for your day, always remember 3 words:

TRY...for success.

TRUE...to your work. 

TRUST...in God.

Unknown

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

‭‭

Image: Creative Commons (pxhere.com)