(November 30, 2001 6:06 AM CST)
Read
1 John 4
.
"Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God;
everyone who loves is begotten of God
and has knowledge of God." (verse 7)
Love is out of this world.
God is love.
Love in the name of the Lord.
"Love has no room for fear;
rather, perfect love casts out all fear." (verse 18)
Fear not.
God is watching over you.
He loves you very much.
(November 29, 2001 6:03 AM CST)
Yesterday
Enron's stock
dropped over 70 percent.
Read
1 John 3
.
"See what love the Father has bestowed on us
Let us pray for all their employees in this difficult time.
in letting us be called children of God!" (verse 1)
God loves us all.
He calls us to come close to him.
Will you respond to his love?
"We know that when it comes to light
we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him
keeps themselves pure, as he is pure." (verse 2,3)
Prepare yourself for something wonderful.
Seek to be pure in thoughts and actions.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you closer.
"This, remember, is the message you heard from the beginning:
we should love one another." (verse 11)
This is your mission.
Will you love other people?
Ask God to help you.
"His commandment is this:
we are to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and are to love one another as he commanded us." (verse 23)
Believe in Jesus.
Call on the powerful name of Jesus.
Jesus, come and teach us to love.
(November 28, 2001 6:08 AM CST)
Read
1 John 2
.
"He is an offering for our sins,
and not for our sins only,
but for those of the whole world." (verse 2)
Jesus died for all of us.
He loves us all.
Come and receive these blessings.
"The person who claims to be in light,
hating his brother or sister all the while,
is in darkness even now." (verse 9)
Love one another as Christ has taught you.
Forgive them when they hurt you.
Do not hold a grudge.
Forgive, as Christ has forgiven you.
"Have no love for the world,
nor the things that the world affords." (verse 15)
Don't get too comfortable here.
We are not meant to stay here.
We are made for another world.
Keep the proper perspective.
"He himself made us a promise
and the promise is no less than this:
eternal life." (verse 25)
A great reward awaits us.
It is there for those who love the Lord.
Believe in the promise.
Believe in Jesus.
Give all that you are to him.
(November 27, 2001 6:04 AM CST)
Read
1 John 1
.
"What we have seen and heard
we proclaim in turn to you
so that you may share life with us." (verse 3)
It is all about life.
Will you live forever with Christ?
He wants to share his life with you.
"Here, then, is the message we have heard from him
and announce to you:
that God is light; in him there is no darkness." (verse 5)
The Lord is light.
He reveals the truth.
He shows us what is good and what is evil.
Come near the light and see clearly.
"If we acknowledge our sins,
he who is just can be trusted to forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every wrong." (verse 9)
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
Admit you have done wrong.
Get the darkness out of your life.
Be restored to brightness.
(November 26, 2001 6:01 AM CST)
Read
2 Peter 3
.
"The present heavens and earth are reserved by God's word for fire;
they are kept for the day of judgment,
the day when godless people will be destroyed." (verse 7)
There will be a judgment day.
God will judge you.
You need Jesus on your side.
He will save you.
"In the Lord's eyes,
one day is as a thousand years and
a thousand years are as a day." (verse 8)
God is in control.
Things will happen in his time.
Trust him.
"He shows you generous patience,
since he wants none to perish
but all to come to repentance." (verse 9)
The Lord is very patient.
Come to him while there is still time.
The window of opportunity is only open for so long.
Believe in the Lord Jesus now.
Do not wait.
"You are forewarned, beloved brothers and sisters." (verse 17)
The Lord has told you the way it is.
Will you act on this?
Will you change your life?
(November 25, 2001 8:24 AM CST)
Read
2 Peter 2
.
"He blanketed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in ashes
and condemned them to destruction,
thereby showing what would happen
in the future to the godless." (verse 6)
There will be punishment for sin.
You need Jesus to save you.
Believe in Jesus.
Ask him to forgive all your sins.
Don't dwell on sin.
Dwell on the saving power of Christ.
"They have abandoned the straight road
and wander off..." (verse 15)
Stay on the path that leads to life.
It is the correct path.
The Holy Spirit will show you the way.
(November 24, 2001 8:05 AM CST)
Read
2 Peter 1
.
"That divine power of his has freely bestowed on us
everything necessary for a life of genuine piety..." (verse 3)
What more could you ask for?
God has given you grace in abundance.
Use this grace to do great things for the kingdom.
"Qualities like these, made increasingly your own,
are by no means ineffectual; they bear fruit
in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (verse 8)
Take on the mind of Christ.
Bring the qualities of Christ to life in your life.
You will be changed.
It will make the world a better place.
"I consider it my duty, as long as I live,
to prompt you with this reminder." (verse 13)
We need reminders.
We need to remind others.
Christ is our life.
"'This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests.'
We ourselves heard this said from heaven
while we were in his company on the holy mountain." (verse 17,18)
Peter was there.
He was a witness.
He heard the voice of God.
His life was forever changed.
Let us all listen closely.
(November 23, 2001 6:12 AM CST)
Heidi Joy
has a Christmas concert on
Read
1 Peter 5
.
"Cast all your cares on him
Sunday November 25th 7:30 PM
at the Rose Theater 20th and Farnam in Omaha.
because he cares for you." (verse 7)
Give it all to the Lord.
Give him every little care.
He watches over you.
He is your best friend.
"Stay sober and alert.
Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour." (verse 8)
Be awake.
Be on guard.
Evil is there.
Stay far from it.
Call on the name of Jesus for protection.
"The God of all grace,
who called you to his everlasting glory in Christ,
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish
those who have suffered a little while." (verse 10)
God has poured out his grace on you.
Be restored to perfection.
Confirm and strengthen your faith.
He is your foundation.
(November 22, 2001 6:15 AM CST)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Read
1 Peter 4
.
"You are not to spend what remains of your earthly life
Thank the Lord today.
on human desires but on the will of God." (verse 2)
Can you do this?
Can you live for the Lord?
Seek the things of God and his will for your life.
That is true contentment.
"Above all, let your love for one another be constant,
for love covers a multitude of sins." (verse 8)
Show your love for others.
Be a thoughtful person.
Overcome evil with the good that you do.
"If the just person is saved only with difficulty,
what is to become of the godless and the sinner?" (verse 18)
We struggle toward our goal.
The Christian life is not easy.
We call on Jesus to save us.
He is the only way that leads to life.
We pray for all that reject God.
Lord, have mercy on their souls.
(November 21, 2001 6:13 AM CST)
Read
1 Peter 3
.
"Your adornment is rather
the hidden character of the heart..." (verse 4)
It is what is on the inside that counts.
Have Jesus in your heart.
Adore him.
Praise him.
"Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult.
Return a blessing instead.
This you have been called to do..." (verse 9)
Pray for those who hurt you.
They need help.
Lift them up to God in prayer.
God bless them.
"Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours,
be ever ready to reply,
but speak gently and respectfully." (verse 15)
Be ready to share about Jesus.
He is your hope.
Speak in a normal conversation.
Share what is on your heart.
"At that time, a few persons, eight in all,
escaped in the ark through the water." (verse 20)
Come to safety.
Christ is the ark that protects you.
Without him you will die.
Be one of the eight.
(November 20, 2001 6:05 AM CST)
Read
1 Peter 2
.
"You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit,
into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (verse 5)
Build something beautiful.
Offer your life to God.
Make sacrifices for the kingdom.
Be one with the Spirit.
"Once you were no people, but now you are God's people;
once there was no mercy for you,
but now you have found mercy." (verse 10)
Call on God for mercy.
He will hear your prayers.
He will welcome you to his family.
Lord, have mercy on my soul.
"You must silence the ignorant talk of foolish people
by your good behavior." (verse 15)
Live a life of goodness.
This will make people pay attention.
They will be drawn to God.
"He did no wrong; no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult.
When he was made to suffer,
he did not counter with threats." (verse 22,23)
What is your response to insults?
Do you counter threats?
Do what Christ would do.
(November 19, 2001 6:09 AM CST)
Let this week be a week of thanksgiving.
Read
1 Peter 1
.
"Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have so much to be thankful for.
he who in his great mercy
gave us new birth..." (verse 3)
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to him for new life.
Bless the Lord.
"There is cause for rejoicing here.
You may for a time have to suffer
the distress of many trials..." (verse 6)
Let us count our blessings.
Let us rejoice even in our suffering.
May our faith be strengthened.
"Into these matters angels long to search." (verse 12)
Think about the marvels of God.
He is wonderful.
He is awesome.
"Become holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
after the likeness of the holy One who called you..." (verse 15)
Christ calls you to holiness.
He asks you to watch your conduct.
Be like the holy One.
"Your faith and hope, then,
are centered in God." (verse 21)
Make God the center of your life.
Hope in him.
Praise him.
(November 18, 2001 8:28 AM CST)
Read
James 5
.
"As for you rich,
weep and wail over your impending miseries." (verse 1)
Beware of riches.
The Lord has warned you.
Your wealth can keep you from the Lord.
"Those who have endured
we call blessed." (verse 11)
You have to stick to it.
Persevere in the faith.
Hold out until the end.
Call on Jesus for patience.
"If a person is in good spirits,
they should sing a hymn of praise." (verse 13)
Sing to the Lord.
Sing for joy.
Let us praise the Lord in song.
He is our joy.
"The fervent petition of a holy person
is powerful indeed." (verse 16)
Pray.
Pray sincerely.
Petition God for those around you.
Lift them up in prayer.
"The person who brings a sinner back from their way
will save their soul from death
and cancel a multitude of sins." (verse 20)
Seek the lost.
Remind them that Jesus loves them.
Welcome them back home.
(November 17, 2001 8:13 AM CST)
Read
James 4
.
"O you unfaithful ones,
are you not aware that love of the world
is enmity to God?" (verse 4)
You must choose between God and this world.
Which will it be?
What side are you on?
Choose God and his ways.
"Therefore submit to God;
resist the devil and he will take flight.
Draw close to God,
and he will draw close to you." (verse 7,8)
Cast evil away.
Resist temptation.
Call on Jesus to be near you.
Seek his presence.
"Do not, my brothers and sisters,
speak ill of one another." (verse 11)
Say positive things.
Lift up the body of Christ.
Love your fellow Christians.
We are all on the same side.
"You have no idea what kind of life will be yours tomorrow.
You are a vapor that appears briefly and vanishes." (verse 14)
Make Christ a part of your plans.
He is life in all its fullness.
Don't grab for the vapor.
He is your future.
(November 16, 2001 6:06 AM CST)
We thank the Lord that the 8 Christian missionaries held
Read
James 3
.
"See how tiny the spark is that sets a huge forest ablaze!
in Afghanistan were set free a few days ago.
Praise the Lord.
God bless all the missionaries.
The tongue is such a flame." (verse 5)
Control what you say.
Don't gossip and tear people down.
Encourage others.
Share ideas.
"If one of you is wise and understanding,
let them show this in practice
through a humility filled with good sense." (verse 13)
Do you make sense?
Is your life consistent?
Practice humility.
"Wisdom from above, by contrast, is first of all innocent.
It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy
and the kindly deeds that are its fruits,
impartial and sincere." (verse 17)
Seek wisdom from above.
Then comes a peaceful life.
Be sincere.
(November 15, 2001 6:08 AM CST)
(Update on 11/17/2001:
Read
James 2
.
"Listen, dear brothers and sisters.
We set a record high of 75F degrees on this day.)
We have had beautiful weather (60F - 70F) this fall.
Just another one of those blessings from above.
Thank the Lord.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom he promised
to those who love him?" (verse 5)
Love the Lord.
Help the poor.
Pray for faith like they have.
Lord, increase our faith.
"Whoever falls into sin on one point of the law,
even though they keep the entire remainder,
has become guilty on all counts." (verse 10)
Sin is sin.
Ask God for forgiveness.
You need your sins forgiven.
Let Jesus lift your burden of guilt.
"My brothers and sisters,
what good is it to profess faith without practicing it?
Such faith has no power to save one, has it?" (verse 14)
There should be something visible to your faith.
Don't just read the words.
Put the word of God into action.
Practice your faith.
"Be assured, then, that faith without works is dead
as a body without breath." (verse 26)
Work for the Lord.
Breathe.
(November 14, 2001 6:05 AM CST)
Read
James 1
.
"Count it pure joy
when you are involved in every sort of trial." (verse 2)
Trials will test us.
You see what you are made of.
It will make you stronger.
You must lean on the Lord for help.
"If any of you is without wisdom,
let them ask it from the God
who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all,
and it will be given them." (verse 5)
Ask the Lord for wisdom.
You need it.
It will help you in school, work, home, church, prayer, etc.
See things clearly and make the right decisions.
"Just so will the rich person
wither away amid their many projects." (verse 11)
Don't let riches take you away from God.
They are a distraction.
Live a simple life.
Give to those in need.
"Every worthwhile gift,
every genuine benefit
comes from above..." (verse 17)
Thank God for his goodness.
He blesses you with gifts every day.
He loves you very much and cares about you.
"Act on this word.
If all you do is listen to it,
you are deceiving yourselves." (verse 22)
Reading the Bible should have an effect on your life.
You will want to do things for the Lord.
You are called to action.
(November 13, 2001 6:09 AM CST)
We pray for all the people killed yesterday in the plane crash
Read
Hebrews 13
.
"Love your fellow Christians always.
in New York City and their families.
God be with them to comfort them.
Do not neglect to show hospitality,
for by that means some have entertained angels
without knowing it." (verse 1,2)
Share what you have.
Reach out to others.
Listen to them in their time of need.
Welcome them home.
"Let marriage be honored in every way..." (verse 4)
Love your spouse.
Bless your children.
Pray as a family.
Be committed to those closest to you.
"Do not love money
but be content with what you have..." (verse 5)
Praise God for your job.
Thank him for the food you eat and a place to stay.
Use money for good.
Don't hold on to it too tight.
"Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and forever." (verse 8)
Hold on to Jesus.
He is here to stay.
He will help you all of your life.
"Do not neglect good deeds and generosity;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind." (verse 16)
Be generous.
Do a good deed.
Be thoughtful.
Go out of your way.
"To Christ be glory forever! Amen." (verse 21)
Give praise to God today.
Worship him.
Thank him for all that he has done for you.
(November 12, 2001 6:08 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 12
.
"Let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us
and persevere in running the race which lies ahead..." (verse 1)
Push the evil out of your life.
It slows you down.
Run a good race.
Run side by side with Jesus.
"Let us keep our eyes fixed of Jesus,
who inspires and perfects our faith." (verse 2)
Look to Jesus for inspiration.
He will lift you up.
He will perfect your faith.
"Strive for peace with all people,
and for that holiness
without which no one can see the Lord." (verse 14)
Live in peace.
Strive for holiness.
See the Lord.
"You have drawn near to Mount Zion and
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." (verse 22)
Come near and see.
God will lift you up on high.
See what life was meant to be.
"For our God is a consuming fire." (verse 29)
Feel the warmth of God.
He loves you very much.
He puts his arms around you.
(November 11, 2001 7:37 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 11
.
"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for,
and conviction about things we do not see." (verse 1)
We do not see the big picture.
We trust in God and his plan for us.
We are confident that we win in the end.
Increase our faith, Lord.
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called,
and went forth to the place he was to receive as a heritage;
he went forth, moreover,
not knowing where he was going." (verse 8)
You trust in God.
You don't see where the Lord is leading you.
He is guiding you step by step.
You must trust him completely.
"God made a better plan,
a plan which included us." (verse 40)
You are in the plan.
Do your part.
Listen to the Lord and his leading.
Be open to God and his ways.
(November 10, 2001 8:44 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 10
.
"Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins and
took his seat forever at the right hand of God..." (verse 12)
He gave his life for us.
What more could you ask?
He is the perfect one.
He is very generous.
"Let us draw near in utter sincerity
and absolute confidence..." (verse 22)
Come near.
Come and see.
Be sincere.
Have confidence in Jesus.
"We must consider how to rouse each other
to love and good deeds." (verse 24)
Encourage your brothers and sisters.
Invite them to do good.
Set an example of love.
"It is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God." (verse 31)
Evil will be punished.
There is justice.
Call on the mercy of God before it is too late.
"You need patience to do God's will
and receive what he has promised." (verse 36)
It takes time.
You won't become a saint overnight.
Patiently take one day at a time heading toward God.
The promise is yours.
"We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and live." (verse 39)
Move forward.
God be with you.
(November 9, 2001 6:00 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 9
.
"Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the holy of holies,
in which were the golden altar of incense and
ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold." (verse 3,4)
People still look for the Ark of the Covenant today.
Why? Today we have a new covenant with Jesus.
He is the holy one.
He is the treasure of greatest value.
"He entered once for all into the sanctuary..." (verse 11)
Jesus offered his own blood for us.
He did it for everyone.
He is the perfect sacrifice.
Thank him and praise him for what he has done.
"Now he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sins once for all by his sacrifice." (verse 26)
Ask Jesus to forgive your sins.
He can do it, if you ask him.
Be made whole again.
Restore your life and gain new life.
(November 8, 2001 6:05 AM CST)
My niece in Las Vegas had a baby boy yesterday.
Read
Hebrews 8
.
"We have such a high priest,
Congratulations!
God bless her family.
who has taken his seat at the right hand
of the throne of the Majesty in heaven..." (verse 1)
Jesus intercedes for us.
He is there in heaven on the throne.
He is the King.
Go to him for help.
"I will be their God
and they shall be my people." (verse 10)
Belong to the Lord.
Be part of his family.
Be born into his people.
Rejoice in him.
(November 7, 2001 6:08 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 7
.
"Without father, mother or ancestry,
without beginning of days or end of life,
like the Son of God he remains a priest forever." (verse 3)
Melchizedek is a "type" of Christ.
He points to Christ.
He foreshadows Christ.
One day Christ would come to earth.
He is the true high priest.
"But a better hope has supervened,
and through it we draw near to God." (verse 19)
Christ has come.
He has made the way for us.
The veil has been lifted.
We now draw near to the Lord.
"Therefore he is always able
to save those who approach God through him,
since he forever lives to make intercession for them." (verse 25)
Christ will save you.
Go to him.
Kneel before him.
Ask him for mercy.
He will hear your prayer.
He will forgive you.
(November 6, 2001 6:02 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 6
.
"Let us, then, go beyond the initial teaching about Christ
and advance to maturity..." (verse 1)
We have much to learn.
Let us grow in our faith.
Come, Holy Spirit, to guide us.
"Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal to the end,
fully assured of that for which you hope." (verse 11)
Stand firm in your faith.
The road of life is long.
Christ is your hope.
"Like a sure and firm anchor,
that hope extends beyond the veil..." (verse 19)
Be anchored in your beliefs.
Jesus is your sure foundation.
The truth is there for all to see.
Hold on to the Lord.
(November 5, 2001 6:00 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 5
.
"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation
for all who obey him..." (verse 8,9)
Christ suffered for us.
He is our source of eternal life.
Do what he asks you to do.
"It is difficult to explain,
for you have become deaf." (verse 11)
Are you listening to the Lord?
Do you hear his teaching?
Open your ears and listen to the Lord.
He has much to say to you.
(November 4, 2001 10:07 AM CST)
Read
Hebrews 4
.
"It is we who have believed
who enter into that rest..." (verse 3)
Believe in Jesus.
This is very important.
He provides rest for your soul.
You will never find peace without him.
"Indeed, God's word is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword.
It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart." (verse 12)
Read the word of God.
Let it change you.
May it sharpen your skills.
Let it penetrate your heart.
"For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weakness,
but one who was tempted in every way that we are,
yet never sinned." (verse 15)
Some say that Jesus committed sin.
That is not true.
He was tempted just like us, but did not sin.
He is the holy one.
Let us be like him.
(November 3, 2001 8:39 AM CST)
The
unemployment rate
keeps going up (5.4%),
Read
Hebrews 3
.
"Fix your eyes on Jesus,
so pray for the economy to turn around.
Call on God for help.
Pray for all those who lost their jobs.
God be with them.
the apostle and high priest
who we acknowledge in faith..." (verse 1)
Who do you look to?
Where is your strength?
Focus on Jesus.
He has all that you need.
"Every house is founded by someone,
but God is founder of all." (verse 4)
Look to God who has survived all the recessions.
He is a sure foundation.
Let him build you a new house.
You are safe and sure with him.
"Take care, my brothers and sisters,
lest any of you have an evil and unfaithful spirit
and fall away from the living God." (verse 12)
Beware of evil that will destroy you.
If you fall away, come back quickly.
Ask the living God to forgive you and restore you.
"We see, moreover, that it was their unbelief
that kept them from entering." (verse 19)
What keeps you from a relationship with Jesus?
Believe all that he has said.
Take a step of faith.
Jesus is the gate.
He is the way to enter.
(November 2, 2001 5:58 AM CST)
Mercy Me has a new song that a lot of people like called
Read
Hebrews 2
.
"God then gave witness to it by signs, miracles,
"I Can Only Imagine"
.
Click on track 5 to hear a sample of it.
Or click on track 4 of
this link
.
They did not number it right.
varied acts of power and distribution of
the gifts of the Holy Spirit as he willed." (verse 4)
God has shown us his power.
We have seen the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We are his witnesses.
"He who consecrates and those who are consecrated
have one and the same Father." (verse 11)
Jesus died for us.
He consecrated his life to the Father.
Let us consecrate our lives.
"Since he was himself tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are tempted." (verse 18)
Call on Jesus.
He will help you in times of temptation.
He suffered for you.
He is your strength.
Pass the test.
(November 1, 2001 6:04 AM CST)
Happy All Saints Day!
Read
Hebrews 1
.
"In this, the final age, he has spoken to us through his Son,
I hope today is your day.
whom he has made heir of all things and
through whom he first created the universe." (verse 2)
The word of God came directly from Christ.
He spoke to us in person.
He performed miracles on this earth.
He is still alive in this age.
In Christ you share in all things that are his.
You are an heir.
Receive all that is promised to you.
"You are the same,
and your years will have no end." (verse 12)
God is here and always will be.
He always was.
From eternity to eternity he is there.
You can place your trust in him.
You can depend on him.
Jesus is the Lord.
