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Read Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passion, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Reflect Do yo

Read Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Reflect How does gentleness maintain unity among the body of Christ? God’s Word says that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). This has pro

Read Hebrews 10:23, 35-39 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful…Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but the righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Bu

Read Romans 12:9,21 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Reflect How do we know what is good versus what is evil? Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that made you unintentionally root for the bad guy? It’s happened to me before. Writers can make the main character seem so likable and cast the antagonists in such a terrible light that I suddenly find myself sympathizing with the ma

Read Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Reflect What do you think it means to be kind to one another? Posters, mugs, T-shirts, and slogans urge us to “Just Be Kind.” Initiatives encourage people to practice random acts of kindness and “pay it forward.” You see, even the secular world understands t

Read 1 Timothy 1:15-16 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. Reflect Prayerfully consider your sins. How has God been patient toward you? Would you consider yourself quick to become frustrated

Read John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Reflect When people are seeking peace, what does our culture tend to suggest? Where do you look for peace? This world is loud, chaotic, tragic, and violent. We wish for peace on earth and yet, deep down we all know that if world peace depends on people, we are doomed. It’s never going to happen. The reason this w

Read 1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Reflect This life is not easy, even for Christians. So how can Christians be full of joy despite their circumstances? In Sunday school, I remember singing “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.” Do you know that one? The ch

Read John 13:34-35 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Reflect “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love. It’s a word we use all the time and yet we struggle to

Read Galatians 5:16, 25 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Reflect Think about good and bad habits in your life. How did you develop them? How do you change them? My kids have been educated about proper dental hygiene. They know that in order to have healthy teeth and avoid cavities, they have to brush their teeth after breakfast and before bed every single day. A

Read John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Reflect Have you ever tried to change your behavior, habits, or lifestyle on your own? How did it go? If you were planting an apple tree, what are some things you would do to ens

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Reflect Have you experienced the benefits of having a mentor

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Reflect All believers have been gifted by God with certain abilities and interests for the benefit of His church. What gifts has He given to you that you can use to serve His body of believers? When p

Read Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Reflect Why is it important to go to church? What are the spiritual health benefits of gathering with other believers? My alarm goes off. Ugh. Workout time. Immediately, I think “do I have to?” The answer is, no. No one is making me. I am a grown adu

Read Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Reflect Prayerfully consider your own transformation story. What were you like before Christ? How have you changed since knowing the Lord? I love transformation stories. Home renovation shows are one of my favorite things to watch. It’s amazing watching designers and carpenters wor

Read Psalm 119:7-11 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Reflect Consider your spiritual diet. Are you starving yourself spiritually? Are you trying to survive on j

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Reflect I want to get in better shape. But the truth is, I am where I am in my physical fitness journey and there are no shortcuts to where I want to be. If I want to get healthier, I have to start right where I’m at. The same is true for spiritual fitness. I

Read Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Reflect Why do you think it is so difficult for us to forgive someone? Regardless, why does Paul say that we must forgive others? For most of us, forgiveness is not something that comes nat

Read Mark 10:42-45 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Reflect How does Jesus’ d

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28 Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Reflect What should we be doing while we wait for Christ’s return? Today we conclude Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. One of the major themes has been to be ready for Christ’s return because it will come “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonian

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Reflect How has God proven faithful in Your life? We hear empty promises all the time. Politicians promise to fix all the problems in the government. Our kids promise to clean their rooms. Our boss promises he’ll re-evaluate that potential promotion next quarter which is the same thing he said last quarter and the quarter before that. We find ourselves thinking things like, “I’ll believe it when I s

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Reflect How has God transformed your life? How has He made you more holy? Sanctification. Chances are, you’ve read or heard the word before. But do you understand what it means? It’s a big word, but an important concept to understand. So today, we’ll look at the word “sanctification” more clos

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil. Reflect Prayerfully consider: are you allowing any form of evil in your life? What is it and what do you need to do about it? When it comes to things we know are wrong, we tend to think we can dabble in it as long as we just don’t get carried away. We push the boundaries and keep going as long as we don’t get caught. We play with fire and think it’s fine as long as we don’t get burned. But the apostle Paul didn’t allo

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21   Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.     Reflect   How can we know if a spiritual teaching is true or false?     Have you ever heard anyone say something like, “The Lord spoke to me and said_____.” Or maybe you’ve felt like God was leading you to do something but you had no idea if that feeling was from the Lord or from your own heart. How are you supposed to know if a message is truly from God? How are we supp