Romans 12:3 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/29/2022)…

“Self-pity is a death that has no resurrection, a sinkhole from which no rescuing hand can drag you because you have chosen to sink.”

Elizabeth Elliot (1926-2015)

NOTE: Elisabeth Elliot was a Christian author and speaker. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Auca people of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband.

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Romans‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Apostle Paul

Galatians‬ ‭5:24-26‬ (‭NLT‬‬) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

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Psalm 50:11 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/28/2022)…

“Now He didn’t have to take out a copyright on the songs He gives the birds to sing…He’s the Owner!”

S.M. Lockridge (1953-1993)

Calvary Baptist Church

San Diago, CA

Psalms‬ ‭50:11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.

Genesis‬ ‭1:20-22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

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Psalm 50:10-11 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/27/2022)…

“Now He didn’t have to put a brand on the cattle of a thousand hills…He’s the Owner!”

S.M. Lockridge (1953-1993)

Calvary Baptist Church

San Diago, CA

Psalms‬ ‭50:10-11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.

Genesis‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭(NLT‬) Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

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Psalm 75:3-4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/26/2022)…

“Now He didn’t have to carve His initials in the side of a mountain…He’s the Owner!”

S.M. Lockridge (1953-1993)

Calvary Baptist Church

San Diago, CA

Psalms‬ ‭95:3-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.

Amos‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

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Psalms‬ ‭90:2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

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Genesis1:1, 3-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/25/2022)…

“Now He didn’t have to put a signature in the corner of a sunrise…He’s the Owner!”

S.M. Lockridge (1953-1993)

Calvary Baptist Church

San Diago, CA

Genesis‬ ‭1:1, 3-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

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Psalms‬ ‭113:2-3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

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James 1:2-3 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/22/2022)…

“Most people might not think much about all the little things you do every day. But for me, just being able to do those little things is the best part of my day…It hasn’t been easy, but sometimes the hardest things in life has the best reward.”

Kaleb-Wolf Torres 

Shriners Hospitals for Children TV ad

James‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭(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.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.

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Luke 10:20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/21/2022)…

“If you are rich, do not rejoice in your wealth, because your riches will fly away. Instead, rejoice that your name is written in Heaven. If you are a person of learning, thank God for it and use it to his glory. But do not make it your source of joy. Rather, rejoice that your name is written in Heaven. Do you have a position of leadership in Christ’s church? Thank God and glorify him in it. But rejoice first that your name is in the Book of Life. Do you have great gifts? Are you a meteor among many stars? Has God used you? Is he using you now? Fine. But rejoice first and foremost in this: your name is written in Heaven.”

R. Kent Hughes

Luke‬ ‭10:20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.

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Hebrews‬ ‭12:23‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect.

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2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/20/2022)…

“Everyone has an ultimate authority in their lives, whether they are aware of it, or acknowledge it, or not. When you have conflicts and choices in life, whatever your ultimate default position is, is your ultimate authority.”

Dr. Richard Land

Christian Post Executive Editor

2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

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Luke 10:30-37 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/19/2022)…

“Love for people, or lack of it, reveals the quality and effectiveness of the philosophy we hold. And from a Biblical perspective our love for people is even more revealing, because it actually reveals the authenticity and health of our relationship with God.”

R. Kent Hughes 

Luke‬ ‭10:30-37‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 

“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 

The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” 

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

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1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/18/2022)…

“All I'm trying to do is glorify God. And that's why I'm here. And that's why I'm in this position. And so, for me, it's not about a golf score."

Scottie Scheffler

2022 PGA Masters Champion

1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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.

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John 11:25-26 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/15/2022)…

EASTER THOT

“A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me.”

Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

John‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) …I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…

1 Peter‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

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1 Peter 1:3-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/14/2022)…

EASTER THOT

“Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world.”

Pastor Paul Chappell

Lancaster Baptist Church

1 Peter‬ ‭1:3-9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

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Romans 1:20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/13/2022)…

EASTER THOT

“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Protestant Reformer

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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1 Corinthians 15:4-8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/12/2022)…

EASTER THOT

“I went to a psychologist friend and said if 500 people claimed to see Jesus after he died, it was just a hallucination. He said hallucinations are an individual event. If 500 people have the same hallucination, that's a bigger miracle than the resurrection”

Lee Strobel

1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:3-8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.

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John 3:16-18 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/11/2022)

EASTER THOT…

“We shall never understand the extent of God's love in Christ at the Cross until we understand that we shall never have to stand before the judgment of God for our sins.”

Billy Graham

John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭(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.

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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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Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/8/2022)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#10: IMPURITY

Matthew‬ ‭15:10-11, 15-20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

…Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.” 

“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

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Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/7/2022)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#9: JUDGING OTHERS

Matthew‬ ‭7:1-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”

James‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

 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.

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John 14:15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/6/2020)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#8: DISOBEDIENCE

John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “If you love me, obey my commandments.”

1 Peter‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

1 John‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

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John 13:34-35 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/5/2022)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#7: HATRED

John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:9-11‬ (‭NLT‬‬) If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

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Ephesians‬ ‭4:31-32‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

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Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/4/2022)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#6: UNFORGIVENESS

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.”

Ephesians‬ ‭4:31-32‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

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Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

FROM TODAY’S READING (4/1/2022)…

NOTE: The following is derived and edited from an article titled “10 Sins Jesus Condemns Most Harshly in Scripture” by Cortney Whiting (7/9/2019). The challenge is that of disciplined prayerful self-examination as opposed to a critique of others.

#5: GREED

 Mark‬ ‭12:41-44‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Matthew‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

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