Psalm 139:14 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/20/2020)...

"Upward comparison means we compare ourselves to someone who we believe is better than us. Such a comparison is a double-edged sword. If we use it wrongly, it can ruin our self-image (which is the foundation of self-esteem). And, with a bad self-image, you will interpret the external world wrongly and buy into lies that you are incompetent or you’re not good enough."

Daren Chow 

Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Psalms‬ ‭139:14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Luke‬ ‭12:6-7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

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Psalm 102:25-27 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/19/2020)...

“Great changes have already taken place in the earth—as the researches of geologists show; and we have no reason to doubt that similar changes may have occurred in distant worlds. Still greater changes may be expected to occur in future times, and some of them we may be called to witness...

In all the changes which have occurred in the physical world, he (God/Christ) has been unchanged; in all the revolutions which have occurred among kingdoms, he has been unmoved. One change succeeds another; kingdoms rise and fall and empires waste away; one generation goes off to be succeeded by another, but he remains the same. No matter what tempests howl, or how wars rage, or how the pestilence spreads abroad, or how the earth is shaken by earthquakes, still the Redeemer is the same. And no matter what are our external changes, he is the same. We pass from childhood to youth, to manhood, to old age, but he changes not. We are in prosperity or adversity; we may pass from affluence to poverty, from honour to dishonour, from health to sickness, but he is the same. We may go and lie down in the cold tomb, and our mortal frames may decay, but he is the same...

I rejoice that in all the circumstances of life I have the same Saviour. I know what he is. In such a Saviour I may confide; in such a friend why should not all confide?”

Albert Barnes (1798-1870) from “Barnes’ Notes”

Psalms‬ ‭102:25-27‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But you are always the same; you will live forever.

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NOTE: Psalm 102:25-27 is quoted by author of Hebrews...

Hebrews‬ ‭1:10-12‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”

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Psalm 101 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/18/2020)...

King David ruled Israel forty years (c. 1010-970 BCE). It is believed he authored Psalm 101 during the early part of his reign. His sincere heart passion to faithfully and flawlessly serve God is commendably evident. His later deeply flawed failures (2 Samuel 11-12) should serve as sobering reminder for every passionate Christ-follower that  a life of integrity requires our effort and God’s help. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...

Rocky

Notice: (v. 1) his worship of God (v. 2) his appeal for help (v. 3) his desire to guard what he sees (v. 4) his avoidance of evil thinking (v. 5) his rejection of slander and pride (vs. 6-8) his determination to have godly acquaintances.

Psalms‬ ‭101:1-8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) 1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. 2 I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. 3 I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. 4 I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. 5 I will not endure conceit and pride. 6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. 7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. 8 My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

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Image: "IMG_2151A Gerard Van Honthorst. 1592-1656 Utrecht. King David playing the harp Le roi David jouant de la harpe 1622 Utrecht Centraal Museum" by jean louis mazieres is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/17/2020)...

“If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world are just the ones that thought the most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot in the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark one Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you'll get the earth "thrown in": aim at earth and you'll get neither.”

C. S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity”

Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭(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.

Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

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Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/12/2020)...

“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”

Billy Graham

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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Matthew‬ ‭6:33-34‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

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Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/11/2020)...

“We can't solve modern problems by going back in time. Retreating to the safety of the familiar is an understandable response, but God has called us to a life of faith. And faith requires us to face the unknown while trusting Him completely.”

Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Psalms‬ ‭91:1-2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

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Philippians 4:4-8 (NLT)

 FROM TODAY’S READING (11/10/2020)...

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”

Corrie Ten Boom

Philippians‬ ‭4:4-8‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 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. 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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