Very Good News

TODAY’S VERSE
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.
Romans 1:16 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul was eager to preach the gospel in Rome, so he wrote the church there a letter. Many teachers in Rome were spreading false rumors about Christ and Christianity, so Paul wrote the church, telling them there was nothing to be ashamed of about the gospel. He assured them the gospel message was real and was “the power of God at work saving everyone who believes.” We are in a similar situation today. Most people feel Christianity is not relevant to today’s lifestyle. Even though it was the church in centuries past that was responsible for helping the poor, sick, and troubled, today, much of that is given to the government and secular non-profits. Many judge Christianity by those who have had national attention as ministers or evangelists and have had moral failings. Others attack the church for those few who profit financially from ministry. Shameful things have happened in the name of Christianity, and sadly, we have lost our moral authority. How, then, do we share the message of God’s love in an environment where, to many, it seems Christianity has no relevancy and, to others, no moral value? We do it one relationship at a time. We can use our skills, resources, influence, and networks to make a difference in people’s lives while giving testimony to what God has done for us. We can be “doers” helping others in the name of Christ. We can be “inviters,” inviting people to come and hear about Christ. We can be “sharers,” giving our resources to others in need. We can be “encouragers” by sharing why we are hopeful and how they, too, can have the same hope. Finally, we can be “lovers” of those around us, living out the love that God has for them. When we “live” out our Christianity and share our testimony with others, we, too, will not be ashamed.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me be a witness to those around me. Help me share Your “Good News” in the way I live and speak.
AMEN

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You Can Make A Difference

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul took intercessory prayer seriously. He knew the effect of sincere, dedicated prayer on someone else’s behalf. He constantly prayed for the many churches he had planted and worked in. He tirelessly prayed for their needs, and God answered his prayers. Now Paul is thanking the Corinthians for praying for him and acknowledging that God was answering their prayers in mighty ways. We, too, can pray on behalf of others. We can pray for our family. Pray for our church. Pray for our neighbors and those we work with. We can pray for those who are suffering and in great need. We can pray for their provision, perseverance, and protection. We can pray for their salvation, guidance, and healing. Today, hear what Paul wrote and believe, “You are helping by praying!”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come today to pray for others. Help me as I intercede on their behalf. Help me pray the way You want me to with deep conviction and faith, believing that You answer prayers. Might You receive all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name I pray.
AMEN

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Belonging

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Belonging is important. In fact, it is said that today’s generation wants to “belong” before they “believe.” I have found it to be true. Brené Brown, author of “The Gifts Of Imperfection” and an expert on shame, writes, “Of this I am actually certain. After collecting thousands of stories I’m willing to call this a fact: A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically and spiritually wired to love, to be loved and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick. The absence of love and belonging will always lead to suffering.” God knew this about us, so He sent His Son to redeem us and give us His love and a place to belong. He gave us His church and told us, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” And that is what the early church did. They shocked the Roman world with a love they never knew before. It was a love from God and a love from the community of believers. It was a sacrificial love, a caring love, a belonging love. Jesus has called us to do the same. Today, all around you and me, there are people who want to be loved. They want to belong. Why not introduce them to the love of God and His family, where they can find all their heart desires?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, help me love in the same way You have loved me. Please help me be open to those who are full of shame and rejection. Help my community of believers be a place where those who are weary and broken can belong. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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We Need To Walk The Talk

TODAY’S VERSE
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
James 2:14-18

TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a world in such need, but we are so busy we don’t see it. We are so inwardly focused, so concerned about our welfare we don’t stop to help others. That is not the way of Christ! Our churches should be making huge differences in our communities, but we don’t. Often, we are trying to be the best church in the community. But the author, Eric Swanson, challenges us and says that we should try to be the best church for and with the community instead. That is Christ’s way. When will this change? It can change TODAY if you and I decide to do something. Today, we can make a difference in someone’s life by opening our eyes and hearts. We can encourage others in our church to make a difference. May God help us to “walk our talk.”

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me see other peoples’ needs with Your eyes. Bring someone into my life today who needs help. Give me the mercy to stop, the wisdom to know what to do, and the love to do it. Thank You, God, for all You have done for me; help me do for others.
AMEN

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The Fruit Of The Spirit

TODAY’S VERSE
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What a list. It is easy to focus on each attribute and begin to feel overwhelmed by the challenge to master each one. But that is not what today’s verse is suggesting. Instead, it is saying that the list of attributes is the result of living in the Spirit. It’s the Spirit’s fruit. In nature, if we want fruit, we must nourish the tree it grows on. Fruit is only produced when the tree is healthy. Likewise, when we fellowship with the Spirit, live in harmony with His direction, and follow His leading every day, the Spirit’s fruit will be produced in our lives. As the Holy Spirit instructs, rebukes, guides, and comforts us, if we respond to His voice, we will experience His fruit.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Holy Spirit, I want Your fruit to grow in my life. I know that is only possible through letting You guide my life. Help me hear Your promptings. Let me experience fellowship with You today. Please guide me in all things. Fill me, Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I ask it.
AMEN

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Take Comfort, Then Give It Away

TODAY’S VERSE
For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.
II Corinthians 7:5-6 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
It is hard to make it a week without feeling hassled. Frustrations, aggravations, conflicts, and temptations are part of our lives. Paul the Apostle certainly knew what it was like. Listen to his language: “harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside and fears within.” And yet Paul shares with all confidence that he was comforted by God. He calls God the “God who comforts the downcast.” No matter what we go through, we can do it knowing God is committed to our comfort. He understands, He cares, He comforts. And notice one of the ways God comforts. He uses people like you and me. God used Titus to be a comfort to Paul. In fact Paul also wrote, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Today, be comforted by God. Let your soul be at peace. But don’t stop there. Go and help comfort someone else. Be a Titus to someone who is in desperate need of help.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, comfort my heart today. Might I find peace, joy, patience and hope in Your love. Might I find all I need in the love You have for me. At the same time, Dear Father, help me comfort others like You have comforted me.
AMEN

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Go And Do Likewise

TODAY’S VERSE
The Lord gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down. The LORD loves the godly. The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
Psalms 146:7-9 (NLT)

TODAY’S MESSAGE
The Psalmist paints a picture of a God who cares for those in need. He loves them and rescues them. Yet we could ask of the church today, is this the God we see in the Bible? Is this the God we pray to? Where do we find this God in our Christian lifestyle? The truth is, the God we worship in the Bible has always taken the poor, oppressed, and displaced people seriously. He expects us to do the same. In His famous parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells the story to a lawyer who asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. Jesus told him to Love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. The Lawyer then asked, “Who is my neighbor?” When Jesus was done illustrating that the Samaritan was the only one of the three who passed the wounded man on the side of the road that showed mercy, He asked the Lawyer, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” The Lawyer said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.” He tells us the same. We serve God when we serve others. Ask the Lord to show you ways you can serve the needy. He cares. Do we?

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, I confess I need to be more compassionate. I must be more proactive in helping the lonely, hurting, and troubled. Please show me how I can start loving those in need the way You do.
AMEN

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Love Is More Than A Four-letter Word

TODAY’S VERSE
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)

TODAY’S MESSAGE
I read this list of love’s attributes and feel inadequate. I am guilty of using the word love so insincerely, not even close to its true meaning. Love is more than a four-letter word. I use the same word to describe my attitude toward a sports team or favorite dessert and my devotion toward my spouse or God. Love is more than saying, “I love you.” More than a romantic feeling, love demands my doing something. It is more walk than talk. It’s the kind of love the world is dying for. Today, I invite you to join me. Let’s read the list of love’s attributes again and make it our goal today to love those around us in this radical Christ-like manner. With His help, you and I can love the way Christ would have us love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, loving the way You love is not easy. I cannot do it by myself. I ask You to help me love those around me today with the patience, kindness, sacrifice, and dedication that You love me with. Thank You for Your love; help me to love others. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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Here Am I

TODAY’S VERSE
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

TODAY’S MESSAGE
Matthew 9 reads like a journal on supernatural power. Jesus heals a paralyzed man, raises a dead girl, and gives sight to two men. He is exhausted, feeling cramped in by all the crowds of people coming to Him for help. Even after all this, Jesus goes from town to town teaching, preaching, and healing every disease and sickness. But then there is a dramatic shift in strategy – Jesus sees all the people harassed, helpless, and needing help and then tells His disciples to pray that God would send you and I to help Him do His work. Do you get it? Jesus didn’t come here to help and heal everyone by Himself. He came to redeem mankind, begin the process of helping mankind find the way, truth, and life, and then commissions you and me to take His power and ministry to the whole world. He has empowered you and me to aid Him in bringing His message of salvation and healing to a desperate world. The world where you and I live out our existence. In the Old Testament, God asked His people, who will go share with the people? Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send me!” Might our response be the same!

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your tireless mission of love that reached out to me. Today, I hear Your voice saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go?” How else can I respond to Your love but say, “Lord Jesus, I want to join You in Your work. Here am I. Send me!”
AMEN

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Baby Steps

TODAY’S VERSE
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you bought the lie? Do you sit around wishing there was something you could do about your spiritual life? Do you feel helpless to live the kind of life Christ has asked you to? Well, there is good news! You and I do not have to be victims of satanic attacks or the pull of our old nature. God, in His word, has suggested a better way. He tells us to make every effort to “add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” Every effort, I can live with that. Every effort means that we really try. It acknowledges that there may be setbacks, but that is okay. Get up and make every effort again! That is what Peter means when he writes that we need to possess these qualities in increasing measure. He is talking about baby steps. We make every effort, fall down, get up, and make every effort again. When we do, look at the hope; look at what God promises. He says if we make every effort to increase our faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in baby steps, it will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our Christian walk. Today, you can claim this promise for yourself. Don’t buy the lie. You can live for God today. You can make a difference, one baby step at a time.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, I want to live for You but acknowledge that I keep tripping up. Help me take my faith and add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in baby steps. Holy Spirit, convict, guide, and give me the discipline to begin living for You today. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

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