- Tuesday, 9/20/22 Proverbs 16:19, Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better is what we are inside than what we have or where we are externally. Oh, if only each of us would
truly believe that down to our innermost core... Proverbs 18:17, He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. It is wise to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves. I know it’s never happened before, but there could come a time when you are wrong, or misinformed, or prejudiced...
- Wednesday, 9/21/22 Matthew 6:1, Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Since He commanded it, we must be prone to doing it. Hypocrisy in giving is a sneaky little sin. Do the giving; watch your motive. Matthew 6:5, And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. We must not allow the fact that some people do right in a wrong fashion to keep us from doing right in a proper fashion. It matters not if we are accused of right living for a wrong motive: the motive is between us and God. But the deeds are to be between us and others. Do right even if others mistake it; do right even if others fake it.
- Thursday, 9/22/22 Matthew 6: 12, 14, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. We must guard against the tendency that familiarity with this verse causes us to neglect practicing this verse. Are you (truly) forgiving? Job 3:3, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. A thought for those who’ve been around the block a few times. If you’ve survived a DEEP heartbreak, it’s easy to look at someone as they are in the midst of theirs and know or say, “You’ll come out of it.” Yes, they will, but they don’t know it. While they’re there, panicking and drowning, realize that they may speak from the depths of their despair like Job did here. Don’t hold it against them or remind them of it as they start to get back on their feet.
- Friday, 9/23/22 Psalm 121:2-3a, MY help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer THY foot to be moved... Notice the “my” & “thy.” When you get the help you need, pass it on to others who are also in need. God comforts us so we’ll comfort others (2 Cor 1:4.) Psalm 98:1, O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Before singing comes writing. You poets: get busy and write some new songs. You musicians, do your stuff: Kids’ songs, adult songs, holiday songs. YOU!!! Who’ll be the next Patch the Pirate/Ron Hamilton?
- Saturday, 9/24/22 Psalm 98:3, He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. Oh praise His name!! He never forgets that His children are covered by His mercy and the truth that He has imputed absolute righteousness unto us!! Isn’t that worth some holy shouting today?? Psalm 98:1, O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. An unpleasant truth: we are soldiers in God’s war; we’re actors in His play; we’re servants on His estate. It’s about Him and His agenda. It’s sad if we are a casualty of the fighting, but our God wins; and in the big picture, He HAS done marvellous things. The cause is bigger than our miniscule foxhole. Yes, He cares that we’re cold, and hungry, scared, and hurting. But General Jesus is most concerned about the big picture. So...sing, even if you’re miserable.
- Sunday, 9/25/22 1 Thessalonians 3:9, For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God... Is there anyone toward whom you feel unable to properly give thanks? Have you at least tried to verbalize your gratitude, to God and them? 1 Thessalonians 4:8, He therefore that despiseth [the preaching of holiness], despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. Realize that if we mention or advocate holiness, we WILL be vilified and slandered. However, we are to still mention it, preach it, and strive to implement it more fully in our own lives.
- Monday, 9/26/22 Psalm 122:8, For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Those to whom you are no longer close (an ex, former coworker, estranged or distant family): do you wish & pray that they would have inner peace? Though they’re not right with you, do you want them right with God, and are you right with them? Job 6:11, What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? When you don’t have the strength to take one more step and there’s no reason to hope...use His strength; see Him and find hope. Christians: we are to be partners with the Master to notice and help fellow Christians, even if they’re stumbling because of their own sinful choices. We’re to be conduits of His love and mercy and purpose. Take another step...arm in arm with a brother. Do a 3-legged race for God.
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