Month: July 2022

July 24th – Psalm 16:9

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Psalm 16:9

Not all fear is bad. There is the healthy fear that helps keep us from harm. And the fear of the Lord which is the, “beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7) But far too often the fear that fills us is the kind that keeps us stuck under the thumb of the Enemy. King David knew a thing or two about enemy attacks. Yet because of the depth of His faith in God, he feared nothing; not even death. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Never fear dying, beloved. Dying is the last, but the least matter that a Christian has to be anxious about. Fear living. That is a hard battle to fight, a stern discipline to endure, and a rough voyage to undergo.” As Christians we needn’t ever fear passing from this world to the next. For what awaits us is more glorious than anything we could ever imagine. A perfect eternity of love and peace, spent at the side of our Savior. And knowing what awaits us, how could we not rejoice and rest secure in God’s love!

July 23rd – 1 John 4:16

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1 John 4:16

The greatest selling love song of all time is called, “Love Is All Around”, by an 80’s Scottish rock band. It start outs, “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. The love that’s all around me, and so the feeling grows”. That perfectly describes the love I feel for God. He is my Master, Lord, Savior, Friend, and Father. And as full as my heart is for Him, what makes it burst at the seams is the love that He in turn feels for me. Many are the attributes of our most high God. He is good, merciful, faithful, wise, and all powerful; just to name a few. But above of else, God is love. And we can rely on that love, as proven through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. All we need do is open our hearts and receive His free gift of grace. That’s it. No strings attached, no conditions to meet, no standards to reach. God wants to pick up us, wipe away our tears, replace our sorrow with joy, and make us royalty in His kingdom forever. And all because He loves us!

July 22nd – Luke 12:34

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Luke 12:34

True and lasting joy can never be found in things. Instead it comes from having a close, personal relationship with God. Anything else else is just a hollow substitution. In one of His parables, Jesus tells of a rich man who had a very productive year. His crops so plentiful, he didn’t have barns big enough to store the surplus. But instead of taking that abundance and sharing it with the needy, he decided it much better to build larger barns. That way he could store his crop and live a life of ease. Little did he know, that very night would be his last. In the end the man wasted valuable time storing up earthy treasures. Treasures that eventually turn to dust. Instead, he should have been storing up heavenly treasures, becoming rich toward God. Jesus warns that wherever our hearts are, there too will be our focus. If we seek fleshly desires, our heart is going to follow. An investment in the things of this world comes with an empty and risky rate of return. But investing in God brings an unlimited supply of joy, and an eternity of riches.

July 21st – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

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1 Thessalonians 3:12

As passionate as the apostle Paul was about Jesus, he was equally passionate about those he led to the Lord. Like a father who loves and cares for his children, Paul was there to teach, strengthen, and inspire young believers as they grew in their faith. Knowing firsthand the trials and persecution Christian’s endure, Paul understood the importance of encouragement. Encouragement is defined as, “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope”. As a result of God’s abundant mercy, we have a living hope through Christ. (1 Pet. 1:3) And that blessed hope needs to be shared with a hopeless world. So today and everyday, be an encourager! Because sometimes something a simple as a warm smile or a kind word can make all the difference to one who is hurting. Therefore share God’s Word earnestly, abound in love increasingly, and encourage each other joyfully!

July 20th – Proverbs 17:17

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Proverbs 17:17

Playwright Oscar Wide once said, “The burden of this world is too great for one man to bear, and the world’s sorrow too heavy for one heart to suffer.” It’s said you find out who your real friends are when you’re at your lowest. They are the ones who not only stay through the bad times, they offer to help carry the load. And if that load is due to falling in sin, they follow the words of Paul restoring, “such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Gal. 6:1) Real friends set aside their pride. For they know we all fall short daily, have moments of weakness, and need help from time to time. As Christians being a servant of the Lord is a great honor. But Jesus gives us an even greater honor by calling us friends. Therefore, from joyful hearts filled with thankfulness and love, may we mimic the friendship of Jesus to a hurting world, And, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Gal. 6:10)

July 19th – John 15:13

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John 15:13

We live in a world that glorifies a “me first” attitude. But have you ever stopped to think about how your actions and decisions affect fellow believers? Jesus tells us to love each other like He loves us. And although we may not be called to physically lay down our life for another, when it comes to helping others better know Jesus, we are called to lay down our prejudices, biases, opinions, rights, and political views. Because Paul tells us it’s better to limit our own freedom than to cause a weaker believer to sin. That means if we’re ever in a situation where are free in Christ to participate but see a fellow Christian struggling, we are to decline for their benefit. When we walk in the flesh it’s natural for our first concern to be our own needs and rights. But when we walk hand in hand with Christ, will can rejoice over self sacrificing. Because doing so glorifies God, edifies His people, and grows His kingdom.

 

July 18th – Philippians 4:4

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Philippians 4:4

When we’re hurting, being told to rejoice seems not only impossible, but particularly cruel. After all, how could God expect us to find joy in pain? But did you know that of all the books in the Bible, among the most joyful are the “prison epistles”? These are the letters written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome. The apostle had been falsely arrested, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, beaten, and eventually beheaded. Yet through it all, Paul never lost his joy. Because his gladness wasn’t found in his circumstances. Rather, Paul’s joy was in the One who provided the love, peace, and strength he needed to endure every trial. And by following Paul’s model we too can rejoice always; even in the worst of circumstances. We don’t rejoice over the hurt, but we can rejoice over the Lord. Because He will use our situation both for our good, and His glory.

July 17th – Psalm 16:11

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Psalm 16:11

I once read the quote, “Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured.” That was the attitude of David. Because he had complete confidence in the goodness of God, David could know joy both now and in the future to come. And so can we. Because of His great love, God provides, through His Son Jesus Christ, the path to eternal life. A path light by the glory of God, where the sins of the past our remembered no more. And one in which we experience a wonderful, personal, walk with the Lord. Like David, we can rejoice knowing we have been given the great honor of sitting at the right hand of God. A glorious place of great prestige. For as Charles Spurgeon says, “The right hand, even on earth, is the place of favor, honor, and security.  God is not going to give his people any left-handed heaven, but they are to dwell at his right hand for evermore.” (Spurgeon)

July 16th – Malachi 4:2

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Malachi 4:2

Because of its ability to efficiently kill germs, before antibiotics, sunlight was used to speed up the healing of wounds. Malachi warns us about the approaching “Day of the Lord”. A day in which everyone will feel the heat, but not everyone will receive the healing. Those who reject the life saving message and gift of salvation, will become ashes, tread under the feet of the saved. But for Christians, that day will be a glorious day of complete restoration and joy. For the “Sun of Righteousness”,  will arise. And as a bird spreads it’s wings, He will spread His rays of healing. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, will return to bind the wounds of His people and call them home. And the overwhelming joy that fills our hearts at the sight of our Savior, will cause us to frolic with the happiness of a caged animal set free!

July 15th – Revelation 21:1

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Revelation 21:1

Do you ever wonder how Christians will spend eternity? John answers that question when he reveals what is known as the “eternal state”, or the eternal destiny of believers. And the picture he paints is one of such peace, joy, and love, that I can’t help but cry, “Maranatha!” “Come Lord Jesus!” John tells us that the world we know, with all of its filth and pollution, will be burned away by God, creating a new heaven and earth. And on this new earth, we will live in the glorious city of the new Jerusalem. It will be a city with a foundation of precious stones, gates of giant pearls, and streets of pure gold. Where never again will we experience night. Because the spectacular Shekinah glory of God will be illuminating every inch! And there we’ll dwell with the Father and the Son forever, serving and glorifying Him in all we do.