Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

A CREED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do great things.

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for—but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed."

Attributed to a battle weary Confederate soldier near the end of Civil War (1861-1865).

Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

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Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“When we rely on organization, we get what organization can do. When we rely upon education, we get what education can do. When we rely on eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we rely on the Holy Spirit, we get what God can do."

Amzi Clarence Dickson (1854-1925)

Baptist pastor, Bible expositor, and evangelist

Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬-‭5 ‭(NLT‬‬) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

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1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"...Ordinary folks, living good, honest, hardworking, ordinary lives, have a habit of winning the respect of those who know them. For God’s people, winning respect is a much higher goal than getting to the top!"

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

The 365 Day Devotional Commentary

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭15‬, ‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world...It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you...Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.”

Dolly Parton

Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you...The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

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Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

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Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"The Old Testament worshiper brought animals to the temple, to be killed and laid on the altar. Paul reversed the imagery. Bring yourself to the altar. But do not die for God: live for Him!"

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

The 365 Day Devotional Commentary

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

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.

Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

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Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

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1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”
Thomas Jefferson (1742-1826)

American Founding Father 

Declaration of Independence principal author 

Third US President (1801-1809)

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

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1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

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Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

Heartfelt prayer for others is highly valuable. Apostle Paul made four specific prayer requests in his letter (about A.D. 60) to fellow Christians serving God in the city of Colosse. Much can be gained from his pattern of prayer...

(1) wise spiritual guidance.

(2) daily living that honors God.

(3) spiritual power for endurance.

(4) a thankful attitude.

Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Apostle Paul 

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Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“It has long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
Elinor Smith (1911-2010)

American pioneering aviator

Youngest licensed pilot in the world at age 16

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.

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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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1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭58‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

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James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

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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James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

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1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4 ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” 

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

16th president of the United States (1861–65)

1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4 ‭(NLT‬‬) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2 ‭(NLT‬‬) Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 

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Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬, 16-17, 25 (NLT‬/NIV)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.”

Charles Kingsley (1819-1875)

Anglican clergyman 

Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬, 16-17, 25 (NLT‬/NIV) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love...So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions...Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

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Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)...And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own...

John 3:16-17 (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.

‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

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James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“The better friends you are, the straighter you can talk, but while you are only on nodding terms, be slow to scold.”

Francis  Xavier (1506-1552)

James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

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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Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Four steps to achievement:
1. Plan purposefully.
2. Prepare prayerfully.
3. Proceed positively.
4. Pursue persistently.”
William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

American motivational writer

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

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

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Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

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Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

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2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“A man who cannot climb a tree will boast of never having fallen out of one.”

Ludwig Klages (1872-1956)

German philosopher, psychologist, graphologist, 

poet, writer, and lecturer

2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

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Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“The Christian is a person who makes it easy for others to believe in God.”

Robert Murray M'cheyne (1813-1843)

Church of Scotland minister

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

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Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

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