Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"The counterpart to our identification with Christ in His death is our identification with Him in His resurrection. The effect of the first (crucifixion) is to disconnect us from man’s world, man’s religion, man’s wisdom. The effect of the other (resurrection) is to put us into touch with God’s world and with all that is there."

F. B. Hole (1874-1964)

Paul’s Epistles, Volume Two, p. 105

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭(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.

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Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭(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.

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Colossians 3:1-4, 10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We are still on earth, but we should be cultivating heavenly ways...The Christian should not be earth-bound in his outlook. He should view things not as they appear to the natural eye but in reference to their importance to God and to eternity."

William MacDonald (1917-2007)

Bible teacher and commentator 

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭10‬ ‭(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...Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

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1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"God is able to take the mess of our past and turn it into a message. He takes the trials and tests and turns them into a testimony."

Christine Caine

Author and international speaker

1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 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.

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2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves; The Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself."

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

Author of "My Utmost For His Highest"

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.

1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.

2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

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Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We need not all agree, but if we disagree, let us not be disagreeable in our disagreements."

M. R. DeHaan (1891-1965)

Founder of Radio Bible Class

Co-editor of Our Daily Bread

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭(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.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭(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! 

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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Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"When applied to human beings...'righteous' and 'blameless' never imply being without sin. Instead they are used to portray persons who respond to God wholeheartedly and who honestly seek to please Him..."

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

The 365 Day Devotional Commentary 

Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

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Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Apostle Paul

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James 1:5-8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Asking questions to God is not the same as doubt. Our questions should lead to stronger faith and obedience."

Charles Stanley

James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

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.

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.

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James 1:14-15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"As soon as you ingest it, as soon as you smoke it, you don't get to choose what happens next. You're young, you feel invincible, you feel like its your choice. But these drugs will sink their claws into you and very quickly before you realize it will turn into something that is completely out of control."

Liam O'Brien (former fentanyl addict)

Quote from FOX News interview (12/21/2022)

Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

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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.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

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Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"...That's life. You're not entitled to winning. No one is guaranteed winning. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. The sun came up today, and you're going to try and make this the best day you can."

Tom Brady

"Let's Go" podcast

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) "Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." 

Jesus

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Proverbs 9:9 (NLT)

FROM TO DAY'S READING...

"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them."

John Maxwell

Pastor, author, coach, and trainer

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

Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

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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1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Never fight to win. If you win, that makes your spouse the loser...and who wants to be married to a loser."

Unknown

1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

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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