John 1:10-13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/28/2021)...

“New life in Christ is offered as a gift. Just as one who reaches out and takes a gift shows by his accepting it that he believes in the reality of the gift and the trustworthiness of the person who offers it, so in receiving Christ as Saviour, we demonstrate belief in the gift and in the trustworthiness of God the Giver.

How simple it is. We hear the Gospel’s Good News, our heart welcomes Christ, and in a grand supernatural transaction we are forgiven and flooded with new life. We become God’s children, born anew by an act of God Himself.”

Larry Richards 

John 1:10-13 (NLT) He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

1 Peter‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/27/2021)...

“I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder.”

Phil Michelson 

NOTE: Mickelson tweeted this inspirational quote 12 days prior to winning the 2021 PGA Championship on Sunday evening, May 23rd. 

Proverbs 13:4 (NLT) Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

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.

‭‭

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

Image: https://www.facebook.com/PGATour/photos/a.101354396329/10157640013426330/

Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/26/2021)...

“…God is not impressed with the size of our intellect, but he is impressed with the size of our heart. He desires relationship with Jesus over intellectual skill. How can a finite human mind grasp an infinite God? St. Augustine, one of the greatest intellectuals in history, lamented that the “mansion of his heart” was too small and asked God to graciously enlarge his heart, not his mind. The Holy Spirit, who breathed out every word of the scripture, is not impressed with how many verses we have committed to memory, but he is impressed with how many verses have found their way into our everyday lives.”

Ray Hollenbach (studentsofJesus.com)

Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT) How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Image: CC (pxhere.com)

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/25/2021)...

“In order to make your days count you need to count your days.”

Pastor Wayne Bray

NOTE: Average life span is 28,835 days.

Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.

‭‭

James 4:14 (NLT) 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.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Colossians 3:2 (NIV)…

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/24/2021)...

"Don’t waste one minute of your life wallowing in worries or sadness for things that you cannot change. Focus on the positive. Focus on what you can control and let go of the things that you cannot control. Trust God…Life may not go the exact way you think it should, but trust that things are happening for your own best good so long as you are doing your very best in all you do.”

Amy Rees Anderson 

Colossians‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

‭‭

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT) Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Isaiah 40:28 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/21/2021)...

“If we cannot explain calculus to a three-year-old, how much less can the King of the universe explain his thoughts to fallen humans?

Far from a problem for skeptics, this proposition should encourage faith in God. If our minds could fully understand God, either he would not be God or we would be. If we could understand every word of the Bible, we would have good reason not to believe that God inspired it.”

Jim Denison (Denison Forum on Truth and Culture)

Isaiah‬ ‭40:28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Romans‬ ‭11:33-36‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/20/2021)...

“Obeying God’s will when we don’t understand his word is a common theme of Scripture. Noah built an ark to protect from a flood such as the world had never seen; Moses stood before a Red Sea that only God could part; Joshua and the people stepped into a flooded Jordan river that the Lord then stopped; the disciples who left their nets to follow Jesus had no idea they would become the spiritual forebears of billions of saved souls.

Each testifies today: when we do not see God’s hand, we can trust his heart.”

Jim Denison (Denison Forum on Truth and Culture)

Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

‭

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.

‭‭

Image: CC (pexels.com/Jessica Lewis)

James 1:2-4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/19/2021)...

“Your greatest successes can be a result of your biggest failures, if you take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes.”

Padma Lakshmi

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.

‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

‭‭

Image: CC ("Day 222 (Or is this Day 1 now?) - Oops!" by ktpupp is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

John 2:1-12 (NKJV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/18/2021)...

“As we read this precious book, we should remember the last recorded words of Mary, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’”

Wm MacDonald (Bible Believer’s Commentary)

John‬ ‭2:1-12‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it. ” 

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” 

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

James 1:22-25 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

‭‭

Image: CC (pexels.com/Tim Miroshnich)

Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/17/2021)...

“We must understand that bitterness is not something that can stay contained; it spreads like a wildfire, consuming our lives and scorching those around us. It may start in private, but it never stays in private. It will eventually spring up and contaminate your attitude and conversation, your health and relationships, even your intimacy with God! It corrupts your hope and destroys your joy. Everything gets tainted when bitterness is allowed to grow in your heart. It’s always the wrong choice.”

Pastor Frank Santora

Hebrews‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭(NLT) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

‭‭

Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/14/2021)...

“Your kindness and positivity towards others is proven to increase positive thinking in your own life...I’ve noticed that there is more joy in my life when I am kind and sacrificial. I love being a blessing to others and making someone’s day. Kindness is contagious. Not only does it have a positive effect on the receiver, but it also has a positive effect on the giver. Be intentional and make a practice of kindness.”

Fritz Chery

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.

‭‭

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/13/2021)...

“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” 

Milton Berle

Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/12/2021)...

“Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.” Anonymous

Philippians 4:19 (NLT) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/11/2021)...

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

‭‭

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.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/10/2021)...

“Start each day with a grateful heart.”

Unknown

TRY THIS: List 3+ things you are truly thankful for.

Psalm 107:1 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

‭‭

Ephesians 5:20 (NLT) And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 (NLT) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Proverbs 31:25-31 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/7/2021)...

MOTHER’S DAY THOT...

“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”

Abraham Lincoln

Proverbs 31:25-31 (NLT) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. 

Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

‭‭

PS - It is so obvious that I was her favorite. 😎

Exodus 6:1-3 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/6/2021)...

MOTHER’S DAY THOT...

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.”

Swiss Cardinal Mermillod (1824-1892)

Exodus 20:12 (NLT) Honor your father and mother...

Ephesians‬ ‭6:1-3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

‭‭

NOTE: Attached pic is of my mother taken from a recently discovered government visa. It was issued in 1930. She was eleven-years-old. It provided passage between Maine and NB Canada. All northern Mainers know they came from Canada! 😎

Psalm 8:3-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/5/2021)...

“Light travels 186,000 miles per second, and there are 31.5 million seconds in a year, so light travels roughly six trillion miles in a single year! Yet some stars are billions of light-years from the earth. No wonder we call such computation astronomical.

To gaze into the heavens at night should give us great thoughts about God. The moon and the stars are the work of His fingers! When we think of the numberless myriads of stars, of the vast distances in the universe, and of the power that holds the planets in orbit with mathematical precision, it boggles the mind.”

Wm MacDonald (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Psalm 8:3-9 (NLT) When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. 

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

‭‭

Image: CC (Unsplash.com)

Ecclesiastes 10:9-10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/4/2021)...

“Even legitimate activities have risks attached. The quarryman is in danger of being hurt by stones, and the log-splitter is endangered by the ax. It’s a good idea to work with sharp tools. Otherwise it takes a lot more labor to get the job done. The time spent sharpening the ax is more than compensated by the time and effort saved. Wisdom teaches shortcuts and labor-saving devices. As Leupold renders it, ‘Wisdom prepares the way for success.’”

Wm MacDonald (Bible Believer’s Commentary)

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10:9-10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax. Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Image: CC (pexels.com)

Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (5/3/2021)...

“Trusting something other than Jesus ruins us. My heart breaks for the alcoholic who keeps running to the bottle for relief, though the bottle is destroying him. My heart breaks for people who keep running to politics, on both sides, for their hope. It breaks my heart when people run down rabbit holes of misinformation for relief even though they are only destroying people with anger. Like a drug, political rabbit holes promise solace but only deliver on anger and disappointment when “the prophecies” don’t come true. Run to Jesus. Every single prophecy about Him has come to pass. He is true.”

Eric Geiger (from “3 Ways We Should Live in a Politically Divisive Time”)

Philippians 3:20 (NLT) But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

‭‭

Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,...

Image: CC ("Down the Rabbit Hole" by valkyrieh116 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)