Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.

Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

 ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭(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. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

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Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭)NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Money, in truth, is one of the most unsatisfying of possessions. It takes away some cares, no doubt; but it brings with it quite as many cares as it takes away. There is trouble in the getting of it. There is anxiety in the keeping of it. There are temptations in the use of it. There is guilt in the abuse of it. There is sorrow in the losing of it. There is perplexity in the disposing of it. Two-thirds of all the strifes, quarrels, and lawsuits in the world arise from one simple cause—money!"

J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)

English evangelical Anglican bishop

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭)NLT‬‬) Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

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1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

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2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"But each of us has to remain aware that deep within is the capacity to wander. Within each of us there lies a desire to go astray...And then we need to ask the Lord to help us stay ever so close to Him."

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.

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Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."

Robert Louis Stevenson (1959-1894)

Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer

Author of "Treasure Island"

Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 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. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

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Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask Him simply to fill you with love, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire.”

Vincent Ferrer (1315-1490)

Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses? Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

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Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other...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.

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Psalm 25:8-9 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“It was pride that caused the fall of Lucifer and Adam. If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is still humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give but humility, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless.”

Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Theologian, philosopher and bishop

Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) 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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Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) 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.

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John‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“The life we live is the life of Christ lived in the power of God, and the work we do is the work of Christ carried on through us by His Spirit whom we obey.”

Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

Chinese church leader and Christian teacher

John‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

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John‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

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Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

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Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“I go out to preach with two propositions in mind. First, everyone ought to give his life to Christ. Second, whether or not anyone gives Him his life, I will give Him mine.”

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

American revivalist preacher, philosopher, and Congregationalist theologian

Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭5‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

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.

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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Psalms‬ ‭150‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Some people praise God for the good feelings it gives them;...they praise Him because they think that is simply what every good Christian should do. They do not focus their minds on God. The result is that their false praise drives out the true. Praise becomes mere pleasant-feeling babble.

We need to speak directly to God, not to ourselves or our neighbors. As we look at Him, we will naturally praise Him for the real qualities we see. Our awkwardness will fade into the background as our attention is less and less on ourselves and more and more on Him.”

Tim Stafford 

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, author, and teacher

Ezekiel‬ ‭44‬:‭4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.

Psalms‬ ‭150‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!...Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭36‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

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 Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

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Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Encouragement is awesome. It (can) actually change the course of another person's day, week, or life."

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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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Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"It’s fine to make careful plans for the future. But man’s first priority is his personal relationship with the Lord. If that relationship is wrong, whatever plans we may make are irrelevant. It is futile to ask God for guidance, or pray about plans we’re struggling to make, if serious sin has interrupted our fellowship with God. At such times repentance is a first priority."

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭(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. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

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Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(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...The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

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.

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

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“The power of individual choice is the secret of human responsibility. I can choose which line I will go on, but I have no power to alter the destination of that line once I have taken it—yet I always have the power to get off one line on to the other.”Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher

Author of "My Utmost For His Highest"

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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1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love their cow—for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God, when they love Him for their own advantage. Indeed, I tell you the truth, any object you have in your mind, however good, will be a barrier between you and the inmost Truth.”

Meister Eckhart (1260-1327)

German theologian 

1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

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Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Be killing sin or it will be killing you."

John Owens (1616-1683)

English theologian 

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭(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. 

(5-11) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 

(12-15) 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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Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"We too often prefer the microscope over the mirror."

Pastor Wayne Bray

Upstate Church Simpsonville 

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.

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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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