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Read 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. Reflect Do you value excellence? In what areas of your life are you trying to excel?  As I write this, the 33rd Olympic games are in full-swing in Paris. As a result, so are the ads and commercials promoting the games, the athletes, and Olympic values. A major value that has historically been promote

Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expec

Read   Luke 16:10-13 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and desp

Read Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Reflect What do you treasure most? How does that compare to what your neighbors seem to treasure? I read an article once about money management from a bibli

Read Mark 12:41-44 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contribute out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in

Read Hebrews 10:19-23, 35-36 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter to the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our

Read 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. Reflect Have you ever doubted your salvation? How can you be confident that you are truly saved? John’s words in today’s verse offer incredible reassurance! He wrote “these things” so that we could KNOW that we have eternal life. What was it that he wrote? Well, I encourage you to read all of the short little letter of 1 John. There are only 5

Read Proverbs 3:24-26 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Reflect This world can be a scary place but Scripture repeatedly tells us not to be afraid. How is that possible for believers?? In Acts 6:8, Stephen is described as being “full of grace and power.” But in verse 1

Read Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge Reflect What does it mean to “fear the LORD” and how does fearing Him give us confidence? If you’re a parent or a teacher, or have ever spent much time around kids, you know the importance of setting rules with them. As much as most children hate to admit it, rules and expectations provide a sense of security for them. There is a freedom in knowing what to expect and wha

Read Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we don't have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Reflect How do you feel when you come to God

Read Psalm 119:159-160, 165 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever…Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Reflect Is truth relative or absolute? Subjective or objective? Why do you think so? The world is experiencing a truth crisis. We hear expressions like, “That’s my truth” which implies that one person’s truth may

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because o

Read James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Reflect Think about a time in your life when you had to make a difficult decision. W

Read Proverbs 9:7-12 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added

Read Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Reflect Can you think of a time when you were influenced, either good or bad, by someone you spent a lot of time with? What were the circumstances? What did you learn? You are who you hang out with. Have you ever heard that? You’ve probably experienced it first hand. And if you’re a parent, it’s probably one of your top concerns regarding your children. Today’s proverb c

Read Job 28:12-15, 20-21, 23-28 “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighted as its price…From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of t

Read Proverbs 4:3-7 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my word; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” Reflect What do you want to get? Wha

Read 2 Corinthians 1:19-22 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Reflect Think about th

Read John 14:15-17a, 26 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Reflect What is the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives? How does He help us? Have you ever felt like living the Christian life is harder t

Read John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be.” Reflect What troubles you the most in this world? Will that still be a problem for you once Jesus returns? The world is a troublesome place. Which shouldn’

Read John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Reflect What were you taught growing up concerning eternal life? Does today’s verse support that teaching? Why or why not? What must I do to be saved? That’s the question the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas after God miraculously sprung them out of prison. They responded: “Believe in the Lo

Read Psalm 145:18-19 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Reflect How have you felt God’s presence recently? “God, are you there?” I’ve seen variations of this question in TV shows, movies, songs, and books. I am sure it has been written down in countless journals and uttered in many bedside prayers. Maybe you’ve wondered the same thing. Is God really the

Read Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Reflect Has someone ever broken their promise or lied to you? What impact did that experience have on you? You’ve probably heard it said that trust is difficult to build but easy to break. It’s true. When someone lies to you, it’s hard to believe them when they say that they are sorry and they

Read Hebrews 12:11 “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had eart