Luke 22:32-34 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/31/2020)...

EASTER THOT...

“So, the Savior prayed for the priests as well as the soldiers. But in praying for these Jews and Gentiles, Jesus was showing on the cross how he prays for us all. Even if he was praying exclusively for the people who actually crucified him, it would still give us hope for our own forgiveness because here, we see the heart of the mercy of God. The Savior’s words demonstrated his redemptive purpose in dying on the cross. If Jesus was willing for the Father to forgive the very men who murdered him, then what sinner is beyond the reach of his mercy? 

Surely anyone who repents will be saved. When his enemies said, ‘Crucify!’ Jesus said,  ‘Forgive.’ Jesus is willing to forgive anyone—even people like us, no matter what we have done, as long as we come to him in faith.”

Dave Jenkins (contributing writer to BibleStodyTools.com)

Luke‬ ‭23:32-34‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

 Matthew‬ ‭5:44-47‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.

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2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/30/2021)...

EASTER THOT...

“The cosmic trauma had begun. There never had been such pain as physical and spiritual evil now came against Jesus in terrible conjunction. Body and soul recoiled. The initial shock of crucifixion had rendered him paralyzed and quivering. Physical disbelief screamed from severed nerves. And even greater spiritual horror closed in—he would soon become sin.” 

R. Kent Hughes (Luke: That You May Know The Truth)

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

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Galatians‬ ‭2:20-21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

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Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (3/29/2021)...

EASTER THOT...

“Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Jesus died on the cross to take away the sins of the world. But many men died on crosses because of Roman punishment. Those men weren’t saviors for the world. They suffered as Jesus did and were buried, often cast into mass graves. So, although essential, the cross can’t be the end of the story. There must be Easter—when Jesus came back to life. He is the only man in history who rose from the dead and never died again. Others like Lazarus were risen from the dead by Jesus but died again at some point. Only Jesus rose from the tomb and ascended into Heaven, to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Yes, two other men in history disappeared without death, Enoch and Elijah, but they don’t sit on the throne as the second person of the Trinity. That’s an insurmountable difference.”

Kathy Collard Miller

Contributing writer to biblestudytools.com

Ephesians‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

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Hebrews 11:5 (NLT) It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.

2 Kings 2:11 (NLT) As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.

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John 10:10 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/26/2021)...

Some things to be aware of following spiritual failure...

1. Be aware of the real enemy.

John‬ ‭8:44‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)...[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

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1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

2. Beware of destructive self-loathing.

Matthew‬ ‭27:3-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” 

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 

Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (God’s) purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

3. Be aware of emotional fog.

Lamentations‬ ‭3:24-25‬ ‭(NLT‬) I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”

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4. Be aware of God’s desire for your life.

Galatians‬ ‭5:16-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

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5. Be aware of spiritual refocusing.

 ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

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6. Be aware of God’s fathomless love.

Psalms‬ ‭34:17-19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

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Romans 15:4 (NIV)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/25/2021)...

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill 

Romans‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Romans‬ ‭12:11-12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

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Psalms‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

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Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/24/2021)...

“Whoever is trying to bring you down is already below you.”

Unknown

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

Proverbs‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

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Psalms‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

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Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

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Proverbs 30:33 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/23/2021)...

“Falsehoods not only disagree with truths, but usually quarrel among themselves.”

Daniel Webster

Proverbs 30:33 (NLT) As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.

Proverbs‬ ‭20:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

Image: "Butter churning" by quimby is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

John 8:1-12 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/22/2021)...

“Before you look to throw the stone at someone else, stop and think about all the stones that could have been thrown at you...What I am saying is let’s not be quick to pick up the stones.”

Clarence L. Haynes Jr.

John 8:1-12 (NLT) Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 

“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Galatians 6:1-5 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

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Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/12/2021)...

“The road to success is always under construction.”

Arnold Palmer (1929-2016)

 ‭‭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.

 Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.

Proverbs‬ ‭18:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.

 ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

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Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/11/2021)...

“When you focus on problems, you’ll have more problems. When you focus on possibilities, you’ll have more opportunities.”

Unknown

Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

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Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

 Isaiah‬ ‭26:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

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1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/10/2020)...

“Every oak tree started as a couple of nuts who decided to stand their ground.”

Unknown

Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14 (NLT) Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14 (NLT)

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Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/9/2021)...

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Alexander Pope (AD 1688-1744)

Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Colossians‬ ‭3:12-13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

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2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/8/2021)...

"External demonstration flows from an internal transformation." 

Pastor Wayne Bray

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:16-21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

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John 1:19-21, 23, 26 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/5/2021)...

“The real art of conversation is not only saying the right thing at the right moment but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the most tempting moment.”

Unknown

James‬ ‭1:19-21, 23, 26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires...But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves...If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

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Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/4/2021)...

“God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.”

Unknown

Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

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James‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

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John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Yes, I (Jesus) am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

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Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/3/2021)...

“The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese.”

Unknown

Proverbs‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭(NLT‬) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

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Proverbs‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

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James‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

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Proverbs 12:19 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/2/2021)...

“The best thing about telling the truth is...you don't have to remember what you said!”

Unknown 

 Proverbs‬ ‭12:19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

Proverbs‬ ‭12:22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

Colossians‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

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Psalm 19:1-6 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (3/1/2021)...

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Unknown

Psalms‬ ‭19:1-6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

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Romans‬ ‭1:20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

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