Mockery

TODAY’S VERSE
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Matthew 27:28-31 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Who were these guys? Were they regular working guys with families to support? Were they patriotic servants of Rome? Were they just some guys trying to do their job? Whoever they were, they acted according to their beliefs. They weren’t followers of Jesus. They did not ascribe to His teachings. Instead, they mocked His claims to be King of the Jews. They beat Him, spit on Him and led Him away to be crucified. But we are believers. And yet I can’t help but ask, “How do I treat Jesus?” No, I don’t spit on Him, but do I follow His commands? I haven’t hit Him with a stick, but do I confess my sin and keep a clean conscience with Him? I don’t put a crown of thorns on His head, but do I worship Him in daily prayer? I don’t mockingly call Him, “King of the Jews” but do I make Him king of my life today? The question is, “Who hurts Jesus more, the soldiers who beat Him, spit on Him and led Him away to be crucified, or the believer who ignores Him and lives as if Christ never existed at all? Today, remember He died for you, He gladly took all the pain and mocking so you could know Him in a deep and personal way. Today, worship and serve Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have mocked You with my life. Forgive me for the times I have spit upon You with my indifference. I confess my apathy and today ask for You to rekindle a fire in my heart. I want to follow You. I want to live for You.
AMEN

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Treasures

TODAY’S VERSE
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Where are our priorities? What is really important to us? We can pretend that we believe certain spiritual truths but what we really treasure usually gives us away. Jesus is warning us that it is easy to get caught up in this life and not really look at the whole picture. We are not just part of this physical world. We are part of a much larger system. We are part of the Spiritual realm. We are connected with eternity and therefore need to integrate what we believe in this life with a Heavenly perspective. The questions that we need to ask our self is, “What do we really care for?” “What is really important to us?” “What do we treasure?” When we answer these questions, we will find our heart. Then we need to ask ourselves a really hard question. “Does our heart reflect Christ’s values or the worlds?” If we are going to follow Christ, if we are going to be His representative in this world, then our heart needs to reflect what is important to Him. Today, might we check our heart’s priority and realign what’s important to us to be more in tune with Christ.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father help me love what You love. Help me live with Your priorities foremost in my thinking. Help live for You today.
AMEN

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Getting Right With God

TODAY’S VERSE
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Romans 3:22-23 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Are you right with God? This is a serious question and yet most of us don’t spend much time thinking about it. Somewhere along the line, we have developed our own theory of how to be right with God. It usually involves doing some good, at least more good than we think we have done bad. But the Bible tells of a different plan. It talks of a God that loves us and has made a way that we can be forgiven. It shares how receiving Christ as our personal Savior will bring us into right standing with Him. Through putting our faith in the sacrifice of His son, Jesus on the cross, we become God’s child and are born again into His family. This brings us into a whole new relationship with God and we are made right with Him. Today, you can have this relationship. Accept Christ as your own Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins and make you His child. Put your faith in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for you and you will have a right relationship with Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I accept Christ’s death on the cross for me and ask You to forgive all my sins. I accept Christ as my Savior and put my faith in Him. Take my life and help me live it for You.
AMEN

Live In Peace

TODAY’S VERSE
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 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.
Romans 12:16-18 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
God wants us to live in peace with others. This is easier said than done. Yet as God’s ambassadors, it is imperative that we really try. Ken Sande, the author of “The Peacemaker” writes, “Something significant happens when you decide to follow God’s instructions for relationships, especially His insights on conflict. When you focus on Him and His ways, you do more than cope. When you choose to study and act on God’s plan in every area of your existence, you’re living for His glory. – When you glorify God by doing relationships according to His plan, you’re allowing God to reign in your life. You’re enjoying a powerful connection that alters your whole life. And it’s far more than personal. You’re also giving everyone around you a reason to respect and praise God’s fame.” Conflicts will come, but today choose God’s way of dealing with them. Turn it over to Him. Do as Paul writes, “Live in harmony, don’t be proud, don’t think you know it all, don’t repay evil with evil and do all you can to be at peace with everyone.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I need Your help with relationships. I get so frustrated. I need Your Holy Spirit to guide me and help me love others the way You do. Help me, guide me and empower me I pray in Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Dual Citizenship

TODAY’S VERSE
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We live in two worlds. Yes, we are here on earth, but our life in Christ exists in the heavenly realm too. This is where our spiritual blessings come from. God decided this destiny for us a long time ago. Paul writes, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” We are a product of God’s sovereign will and He has chosen to bless us with every spiritual blessing. Blessings like forgiveness, grace, peace, joy, the fruit of the Spirit. These are Spiritual gifts for us to enjoy here and now sent from the very throne of God. We are united with Christ and this union is the intertwining of both worlds so we can say boldly with Paul, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.” Today, might the realization of your Heavenly citizenship bring you joy.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for creating me and blessing me with every Spiritual blessing. I know that these are gifts from Your very throne and that You determined to bless me before the world was even made. Thank You for making me part of Your plan. Thank You for Your eternal love. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Friend Of God

TODAY’S VERSE
I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There are many things to aspire to in life. The world holds up honors, riches, and fame as worthwhile goals. There are many things that we can do, and many roles that we can become, but there is something very special and unique about being a “friend” of God. This is the only relationship that can fully fill the empty spot in our heart. In his book “Surrender To Love”, Dr. David G. Benner explains our need for unique friendship. He writes, “The deepest ache of the soul is the spiritual longing for connection and belonging. – We seek bridges from our isolation through people, possessions and accomplishments. But none of these are ever quite capable of satisfying the restlessness of the human heart. To be human is to have been designed for an intimate relationship with the Divine.” God has made it clear, that we can have friendship with Him. It is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ that has paved the way for you and me to be friends with our Heavenly Father. Today, listen to the words of Christ and let them sink deep into your heart – “I have called you friend.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I desire to know You more. I long for Your intimacy. I yearn to know Your love deep in my heart. Thank You for loving me, thank You for calling me Your friend.
AMEN

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Love Others

TODAY’S VERSE
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples.
Matthew 9:10 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
So often we forget that God loves all of mankind. Jesus came and exemplified this. We get so caught up in our Churches, small groups and Bible studies that we can’t remember how to relate to everyday normal people. Jesus expects us to be good neighbors. He desires that we share His love with those that don’t know what it is like. The Pharisees did not get it. They were offended that He ate with “sinners.” In response to their disdain, Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” There are people all around us in need. Broken hearts, addictions, depressed, lonely, angry, poor, hungry. Wonderful people needing someone to stop and show mercy and love. Someone to invite them in and eat with them. Someone to be their friend. God has called you and me to be that someone. Today let Jesus love someone through you. Look around and ask God who He wants you to befriend.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your love and mercy in my life. Help me go and give the same to others. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Live The Gospel

TODAY’S VERSE
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. – We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
II Corinthians 6:3, 6 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Christ has commanded us to be His servants in this world. We are representing Him so when people see us they should see Him. In today’s passage, we see that Paul was trying to live in such a way that nobody would be able to discredit the Lord because of his ministry. But how did he do this? He did it by the way he lived. He was able to overcome any false allegations by his pure lifestyle. This allowed him to have moral authority. His understanding of God, the scriptures, his ministry, and the culture permitted him to be above reproach. Paul was patient in his suffering. Paul was also kind and this kindness caused many to consider believing in the God he believed in. Paul believed deeply in the Holy Spirit and it was the Holy Spirit that filled Paul and equipped him for ministry. Finally, it was Paul’s sincere love that enabled him to live among so many different people groups and win people to Christ. Today, let us go into the world that God has called us to minister in. Let’s live the same way Paul did and help others to come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me live like Paul. Help me live in a way that those around me would see something in me that would lead them to You.
AMEN

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Maturity

TODAY’S VERSE
Until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Ephesians 4:13 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Maturity is something to aspire. It is not an automatic by-product of salvation. Jesus brings us salvation and with that, He brings deliverance and healing. Thank God that this changes our identity, our nature, who we are. But even still, we can become a Christian and still be immature. Maturity is a process. This is why Paul says that God has given us, “apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” He writes, “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” As we subject ourselves to the teaching and authority to those that Christ has given to us, we will mature in the Lord. Christ has come to give us life and give it more abundantly. This happens as we grow in Him. Where are you in your spiritual maturity? Today, examine your own life. Ask God to show you where you need to mature. Ask Him to guide you and help you be all that He intends you to be.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, point out my immaturities. I want to grow in You. I want to be all that You want me to be. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Pursuing You

TODAY’S VERSE
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.
Psalms 23:6 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Psalms 23 is perhaps the most popular passage in the Bible. Parts like, “Though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil” make it a favorite at funerals. At the end of the chapter, there is a glorious verse. Usually, it reads, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” It sounds so poetic but do we really understand the meaning? Today’s passage says it in a slightly different way, a way that really brings out the true meaning. It reads, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” See the difference? It is not some passive “following”. It is not a result of any good we have done. Instead, it says that God “pursues” us with His unfailing love and goodness. Not just temporarily, but all the days of our lives! He pursues you. If you ignore Him, He pursues. If you take Him for granted, He pursues. Even if you turn your back on Him, His unfailing love and goodness pursue you. Today, live in the joy that God is pursuing you with His love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Oh Father, thank You for Your pursuing me with Your unfailing love and goodness. Today, help me live in the joy of that reality.
AMEN

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