Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Genesis 1:31
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Earth is a broken paradise. It wasn’t originally designed to have pain, death and war be intrinsic parts of life. When God made this place, He said it was exceedingly good, and anything that wasn’t came after sin entered the world. The first man and woman rebelled against God and brought tragedy to His creation… and we can’t pin all the blame on them. If they hadn’t been deceived, eventually you or I would have been. But even so, from the very beginning, the Lord had a plan to rescue His children from themselves and bring them to a new Heaven and a new earth, where sin and death will have dominion no more.

Monday, September 25, 2023

Monday, September 25, 2023
Jeremiah 5:24
…Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.

If you’ve ever taken a flight on a plane, or stood at the top of a mountain, you have some idea of how incredibly vast the world is. You are so small and insignificant in comparison to the mightiness of the earth and nature that God has made. And yet, He didn’t die to save the mountains and fields and oceans; He died so that He could spend forever with you. We should be filled with awe and admiration for the God who gives rain, changes the seasons, and brings about the harvest. Not only does He hold the whole world in His hand, but He holds you too.

Friday, September 22, 2023

Friday, September 22, 2023
John 6:28-29
Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

People can say they “love Jesus” all day, but that doesn’t mean they’ve accepted Him as the Son of God. If you believe in Jesus, you should recognize the immense weight of who He was, and what He said. He wasn’t just a good man and a wise teacher; He was a perfect man, and the perfect sacrifice for your sins. The things He said weren’t just good tips, they were commands, and guidelines for life itself. To be living a good and God-pleasing way here on earth, you need to recognize and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ was non other than Lord and respect His commandments… not to earn grace, but because it was given to you.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Thursday, September 21, 2023
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

What is your mind full of? The content you consume through books, movies, and music can have a subtle but profound impact on the way you think about life, about others, and about the world. To keep your chin up and your eyes on Christ, the Bible tells you to fill your mind with good things. God’s immense love for you, the blessings He’s given you, the people He’s given you, and the beautiful world He’s surrounded you with. If you spend too much time focusing on the bad things, you’ll get bogged down… a futile state of mind, because one day in Heaven, bad things won’t matter anymore. So before you get there, focus on what’s good, so that the life you live can be one of peace and joy no matter the circumstances.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Hosea 6:6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

The religious Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ day were so obsessed with obeying God’s Law that they didn’t recognize the Lawmaker when He came. They thought they could earn God’s grace by doing enough, without realizing that grace was being freely given to them, if they would just trust Him. No matter how much good we do, it won’t change the fact that you and I are sinners. God doesn’t expect you to be perfect; only one man ever lived a perfect life, and He died so that you wouldn’t have to. Jesus wants you to love Him, and genuinely strive to be like Him. If your heart isn’t in it, your “sacrifices” are nothing more than a blank thank-you card: a nice gesture but lacking any real substance.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

God made it clear to His chosen people that by obeying Him, they would prosper. He led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and would soon hand the Promised Land over to them as long as they followed Him. But unfortunately, the people of Israel didn’t adhere to God’s laws nor His plan and rebelled against Him again and again. Because of this, God allowed calamity and tragedy to befall the once great Nation of Israel. Since those days, He sent His Son to die for the sins of all. Because of the cross, nothing can separate you from His love, but a sinful life can separate you from His blessing.