1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Perfect submission, all is at rest.

I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,

watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with his goodness, lost in his love."

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Hymn: Blessed Assurance, v. 3

1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

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Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“There are many queer ideas about cross bearing. I recall a man once saying to me, ‘I have a fierce temper, but I suppose that is my cross.’

"'My friend,’ I said to him (lovingly, I hope!), ‘That is not your cross. It is your wife’s cross, but it is your sin!’"

Alan Redpath (1907-1989)

British evangelist, pastor and author

Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"

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Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) 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.

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Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"The more delicate the perfume, the more easily spoiled is the ointment...So the higher a man’s religious character is, the more hurt is caused by a sinful folly in him."

Unknown origin

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.

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Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"...secular man is on a treadmill. He works to satisfy his physical needs and desires, yet however well-fed, he becomes hungry again, and however supplied with drink his thirst returns. In it all, his deepest need, the nameless desire for meaning, persists as an aching desire that no food or drink can quench...Life on earth is an endless repetition, a treadmill on which each new generation walks or runs until their 'few and meaningless days' are over. There is no meaning to be found in the life lived by secular man."

Lawrence O. Richards (1931-2016)

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity. God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn’t give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless—a sickening tragedy. 

He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else—well, what’s the use?

Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

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

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ...

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2 Timothy 3:17-17 (ESV)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"When asked, 'What is more important: Prayer or Reading the Bible?'

I ask, 'What is more important: Breathing in or Breathing out?'"

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)

English pastor, evangelist and expositor of Scripture 

2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

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Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

"Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother.” 

Charles H. Spurgeon

Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

“If you observe anything evil within yourself, correct it; if something good, preserve it; if something beautiful, foster it; if something sound, maintain it; if sickly, heal it. Read unwearingly the precepts of the Lord and, sufficiently instructed by them, you will know what to avoid and what to pursue.”

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153 AD)

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand...Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

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Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

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