FROM TODAY’S READING (6/30/2021)...
“Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.”
D. L. Moody (1837-1899)
Matthew 5:16 (KJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/29/2021)...
“If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world.”
Vance Havner (1901-1986)
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.
Colossians 3:1-4, 12-15 (NLT) Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory…
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. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/28/2021)...
“Because cause and effect is only proven for the physical world, we can no longer insist that cause and effect are relevant when it comes to the origin of a spiritual entity like God. Therefore God doesn’t have to have a cause—he can be the ultimate uncaused cause, a being whom no one has made.”
Edgar Andrews
University of London England
Psalms 90:1-2 (NLT) Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT) All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
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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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/25/2021)...
“…our worldview informs our personal, social, and political lives. It helps us understand our purpose…our worldview determines our ethics, our values, and our capacity for happiness. It helps us answer the big questions of life: How did I get here? How am I to live? Where do I find meaning in life? What is my ultimate destiny?”
Armand Nicholi (“The Question of God”/paraphrased)
Colossians 2:4, 6-10 (NLT) …I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments…And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/24/2021)...
“Do you have a biblical worldview? Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:
Did you answer yes to these? Only 9 percent of “born- again” believers did. But what’s more important than your yes to these questions is whether your life shows it. Granted, we are all sinners and fall short, but most of our gut reactions will reflect what we deep-down, honest-to-goodness believe to be real and true.”
Del Tackett (“What’s A Christian Worldview”/Focus on the Family)
Romans 12:2 (NLT) 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.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/23/2021)...
“Everyone has a certain perspective on how life works. It is the lens through which we see life. It is what most people call a ‘worldview.’ When we are born, we begin to try and understand how life works. Over time, we formulate a philosophy of life, a worldview, and this worldview influences how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live our lives.”
Richard E. Simmons III (Reflections on the Existence of God)
Colossians 2:8 (NLT) Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT) Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/22/2021)...
“…the road of self-righteousness always has a deep ditch. If you travel this road long enough it will get so narrow that it will eventually push you into this deep ditch called arrogance. The ditch of arrogance causes you to think you’ve reached super-Christian status…This is a dangerous ditch in which to find yourself because there’s only one judge on all spiritual matters there—you.”
Quote from “9 Common Lies Christians Believe: Part 3 Of 3” (YouVersion.com)
Titus 3:4-5 (NLT) 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.
Proverbs 30:12 (ESV) There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.
Proverbs 16:17-19 (NLT) The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/18/2021)...
FATHER’S DAY THOT…
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
Billy Graham
Ephesians 6:1-4 (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.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/17/2021)...
“The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility.”
Thomas S. Monson
Psalm 31:24 (NLT) So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/16/2021)...
“Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.”
Henry Ward Beecher
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.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/15/2021)...
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
NOTE: Yep…good reminder.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
James 1:26 (NLT) If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
Proverbs 18:2, 4, 7-8, 13, 15, 20-21 (NLT) Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions…
Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook…
The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips…
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart…
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish…
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge…
Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction…
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/14/2021)...
"We understand that following Christ means dying to ourselves, being renewed in our minds, and no longer walking as we once did. Being “true to ourselves” is always a false choice when it means going against God’s Word."
Kevin DeYoung
Matthew 16:24 (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.”
Romans 12:2 (NLT) 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.
Ephesians 4:17-18 (NLT) With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/11/2021)...
"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse."
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)
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.
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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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/10/2021)...
"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him."
David Brinkley (1920-2003)
Romans 12:17-19, 21 (NLT) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord…Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/9/2021)...
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
Dr. Seuss
Psalm 37:23 (NLT) The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 119:133 (NLT) Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/8/2021)...
“A short time before his death he asked his physician what he thought. The reply was that his pulse showed that his heart was beating weaker every day. Toplady replied with a smile: ‘Why, that is a good sign that my death is fast approaching; and, blessed be God, I can add that my heart beats stronger and stronger every day for glory.’ To another friend he said: ‘O, my dear sir, I cannot tell you the comforts I feel in my soul; they are past expression. . . . My prayers are all converted into praise.’”
Copied from hymnary.org referencing the death of Augustus Montague Toplady on August 11, 1778.
Philippians 1:21-23 (NLT) For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/7/2021)...
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.”
Augustus Montague Toplady (1776)
NOTE: I am always moved by “save from wrath and make me pure.”
John 3:16-18, 36 (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. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son…And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.
Titus 3:4-7 (NLT) 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 made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/4/2021)...
“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”
Winston Churchill
Proverbs 4:23-24 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
Proverbs 15:13 (NLT) A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
Philippians 4:13 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/3/2021)...
“The best way to get started is to quit talking and get doing.”
Walt Disney
Romans 12:11 (NLT) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/2/2021)...
“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”
Coach John Wooden
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.
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FROM TODAY’S READING (6/1/2021)...
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Proverbs 21:21 (NLT) Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT) Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
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