Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

NOTE: Barlow North (1810-1875) was born into an upperclass English family and lived a self-indulgent life. At age forty-five he suffered a major health scare that led to his making a sincere commitment to Jesus Christ. The rest of his life was dedicated to preaching and evangelism. He was described as the John the Baptist of the great awakening.

The upcoming FTR quotes are from Barlow North's "Six Short Rules For Christians"...

#2: Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read remember that God is speaking to you and that you are to believe and act upon what He says..."

John‬ ‭5‬:‭39‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

Jesus

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

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Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(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.

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Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

NOTE: Barlow North (1810-1875) was born into an upperclass English family and lived a self-indulgent life. At age forty-five he suffered a major health scare that led to his making a sincere commitment to Jesus Christ. The rest of his life was dedicated to preaching and evangelism. He was described as the John the Baptist of the great awakening.

The upcoming FTR quotes are from Barlow North's "Six Short Rules For Christians"...

#1: Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers. 

Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.

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.

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Psalm 19:7-11 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"The Bible was called forth by the moral emergency occasioned by the fall of man. It is the voice of God calling [people] home from the wilds of sin; it is a road map for returning prodigals; it is instruction in righteousness, light in darkness, information about God and man and life and death and heaven and hell. In it God warns, commands, rebukes, promises, encourages. In it He offers salvation and life through His Eternal Son. And the destiny of each one depends upon the response he or she makes to the voice of the Word."

A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Pastor, theologian, and author 

Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.”

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Proverbs 31:8-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

Dirtrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

German pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident

Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

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2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"God's Word is not to be enjoyed as one might enjoy a Beethoven symphony or a poem by Wordsworth. It demands immediate action, faith, surrender, committal. Until it has secured these it has done nothing positive for the reader..."

A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Pastor, theologian, and author 

2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 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.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

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Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Watchfulness is nothing else but the soul running up and down, to and fro, busy everywhere. Watchfulness is the heart busied and employed with diligent observation of what comes from within us, and of what comes from without us and into us. Ah, souls! you are no longer safe and secure than when you are upon your watch."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

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Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself.”

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

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Genesis 6:8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Though not perfect, Noah nevertheless had integrity. And while not without blemish, he was still blameless, or a man of high moral character and reputation. In contrast to his peers' perverse, hateful, and violent character, this man remained pure, decent, and civil. In other words, there was no dirt on Noah. He certainly felt the pressure to conform to his generation's ungodliness, but he also felt called to be distinct in character and lifestyle."

Jeff Kinley, (2022) As It Was in the Days of Noah: Harvest House Publishers

Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But Noah found favor with the Lord.

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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Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Image: ("The flood destroys the world" by xiaoxiaoqu10 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.)

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.”

Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947)

British evangelist 

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.

Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬-‭28‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"There is no fear of knowing too much — but there is much fear in practicing too little."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

Jesus

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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.

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Acts 20:22-24 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983)

Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Apostle Paul

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2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

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Proverbs 22:3 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We don't want that, but as the military we need to be prepared. Hope is not a method. And therefore, we have the forces on the ground, in the air, and on the sea."

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭22‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Psalms‬ ‭122‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

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Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have someone to forgive."

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

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.

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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 ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

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Luke 22:31-34 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"And as Satan must have permission from God, so he must have permission from us. When he tempts, we must assent; when he makes offers, we must hearken; when he commands, we must obey, or else all his labor and temptations will be frustrated, and the evil that he tempts us to shall be put down only to his account."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭31‬-‭34‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” 

But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭40‬-‭41‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ (NLT‬‬) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

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.

James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

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