1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Our attitude determines the difference we make. Our focus on God’s goodness factors into our ability to have kingdom impact.

People with the right attitude often do impossible things. Conversely, people with the wrong attitude do little; they tie their own hands.

In every circumstance, our attitude decides whether to name it a blessing or a burden. In every challenge, we choose whether to believe God for more or to become frustrated by the situation. Our attitude determines whether we will praise Him or whether we will dissolve into complaints and accusations.

Complaining cancels out the power of praise. God instructs everything that has breath to praise Him. Praise Him for His mighty acts! Praise Him for His excellent greatness! When we elevate our perspective, our attitude comes into alignment.

Our attitude is determined by three things: the gratitude that is in our hearts, how we praise God, and the time that we spend in prayer. We are not helpless victims of our emotions. We have the option to choose our actions and reactions. We get to decide.

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of us. These actions determine our attitude and the difference we make.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May God give you beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for discouragement. In everything, give thanks to God to make a difference in this world!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 35:1-36:32

New Testament 

1 Timothy 5:1-25

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 89:14-37

Proverbs 25:25-27

https://www.jhm.org

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

No matter how insignificant we may feel, when we determine to proclaim Jesus, we make a difference.

Edward Kimball was a Sunday School teacher in Detroit in the 1850’s. When a young visitor told Kimball that he had no interest in knowing Jesus, he could not let it go. Kimball went to his workplace, purchased a shoe shine, and began to witness to him. Before he left, D.L. Moody received Jesus as his Savior.

Moody became a powerful evangelist who reached more than one hundred million people with the Gospel. Frederick Meyer’s congregation heard about the American revival and invited Moody to London. He preached three sermons, every one entitled, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” Revival swept through the church, and Meyer’s ministry was transformed.

J. Wilbur Chapman came to Christ in Meyer’s church and eventually moved to Chicago where he led Billy Sunday to salvation. Sunday became a great preacher, and Mordecai Ham was saved at one of his meetings.

Ham went on to become one of the first tent revivalists. One night in North Carolina, under Ham’s large circus tent where people stood shoulder to shoulder, a young man came to check out the spectacle. That night in 1936, Billy Graham came to know Jesus.

Because one seemingly insignificant Sunday School teacher was serious about winning the lost, generations of people around the globe were impacted by Christ. What you do for Jesus matters. Go and tell! Win the lost!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you commit to be salt and light, to proclaim Jesus at every turn. And may you stand amazed at the difference He makes through you!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22

New Testament 

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 89:1-13

Proverbs 25:23-24

https://www.jhm.org

Acts 17:28

For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

Everything that God created, He connected to a source. As long as the created stays connected, it lives and thrives.

In the heavens, God placed the sun and stars. If a star falls from the sky, it dies; it has disconnected from its source. On the earth, God placed trees and plants. If we pull fresh flowers from the ground, they begin to wither and die apart from their life source.

When God made humans, He created us out of Himself. Made in His image, He breathed life into us. In Him, we live and move and have our being – we are His children! We have unlimited potential because our Source is limitless.

Sin created a soul-deep problem; it separated us from our Source. Every one of us has sinned and is dead in trespasses. Like a fish out of water, we flail and gasp for breath. We are not where we belong – outside of His provision and power.

Without connection to our Source, we are dead men and women walking! Salvation through Christ reconnects us to our Source. We find life, wholeness, and abundance. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Stay plugged in to stay powered up!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. As you commit to stay connected to your Source, may you be filled with all the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44

New Testament 

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 88:1-18

Proverbs 25:20-22

https://www.jhm.org

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

We are God’s workmanship, and we have been created to do good works that God planned out for us in advance.

These are not good works that we perform for salvation. These are good works that we complete so others will be persuaded to receive salvation.

After the New Testament church received the Great Commission, they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them (Mark 16:20-21). They took the Gospel into their homes, streets, and workplaces. They told friends, neighbors, strangers, and enemies what Jesus had done. And they turned the world upside down!

The Lord still works with us. When we do what He commanded us to do, He rewards us with His presence and power to accomplish His will. If we dedicate our homes to God, He will use them for His purposes. People will come in and experience the light and love of Jesus and will leave with the peace of God.

If we dedicate our businesses to God, His unlimited resources become available to us. When our mission statement is His, He will open doors of opportunity and increase. When we are about God’s business, He partners with us. Let’s get to work so others will take notice and glorify our Heavenly Father!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you commit to do the good works that God has in store for you! Partner with Him to fulfill His purposes and bring glory to Him.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 30:1-31:26

New Testament 

1 Timothy 2:1-15

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 87:1-7

Proverbs 25:18-19

https://www.jhm.org

1. Psalm 139:14

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, God created the amazingly unique you.

You are His workmanship, created by God and for God. How easy it is, though, to be discouraged in the middle of the messiness – to feel unsaved, unworthy, and outside of His blessings. Remember that you are a work in progress!

Think about an intricate mosaic floor. From a distance, you appreciate the beauty of its overall plan. However, the closer you move towards it, the less you can comprehend the entire design. In fact, up close, you only focus on one broken shard of pottery. When all you see is brokenness, it is not impressive. It all comes down to perspective.

God is working on you. He takes this broken piece, that shattered moment, this unplanned event, that mountain, this battle. He pulls it all together one piece at a time, over days and decades. Step back and see where you once were and where you are now, and know that God truly has worked all things together for your good.

Take heart! He has been refining you all these years. He will not quit until you are perfect in every way because He always completes every good work that He begins (Philippians 1:6).

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you recognize yourself as God’s masterpiece – priceless and dearly loved. Submit to His work in you and live for His glory!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 28:1-29:32

New Testament 

1 Timothy 1:1-20

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 86:1-17

Proverbs 25:17

https://www.jhm.org

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…

Members of the United States military have one commission to uphold: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

No matter the branch of service – Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines or Coast Guard – the commission is the same. No matter the generation, training or assignment, the Enlistment Oath connects every service person who has ever worn the military uniform.

Even when a Marine argues his superiority over an Army soldier – one commission. Whether a soldier engaged in conflict or did not – one commission. Regardless if a service person retired as a four-star general or was discharged as a private – one commission.

As blood-bought, Bible-believing followers of Christ, we have one simple commission: go! God has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the Good News to all the world. When Jesus redeemed us, we were drafted into the army of the Living God. We are united under His banner and have received our marching orders.

When His truth is ignited in the depths of our souls, we are compelled to share the message of the Gospel with those who are outside of His saving grace. We must go and tell the life-changing things that Jesus has done for us!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you commit to go! Shine His light and be a witness for Christ in this dark world. In Jesus’ name…amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 22:1-23:20

New Testament 

1 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 83:1-18

Proverbs 25:11-14

https://www.jhm.org

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.

We shine better together! Jesus looked at a group of people and said, “You are the light of the world.”

He spoke to each individual, since His light has taken up residence in each of our hearts. He also spoke to them as a group. Why? Because we shine brighter and better together!

Once we decide to try, to shine, to be difference makers, we must be willing to work with others. The church often suffers from an “I” problem – what “I” want, what “I” need, what “I” do. Instead, we must learn to ask how we can accomplish God’s plans together. How can we better reach this world?

How freeing to appreciate our differences! If we all are exactly alike, most of us are unnecessary. But He created us beautifully unique. Iron sharpens iron – one blade cuts against another – and friends hone the character of each other. In the places where one of us lacks, another comes to fill in the gaps; we come into agreement.

Under the cause of Christ, we unite to accomplish His purposes. Our God-given differences were made to complement – not compete with – one another. We are united in a purpose that is much greater than ourselves.

Together, we will shine so brightly that His glory will pour out to flood the whole earth!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you know that God has handpicked you to be a difference maker. You are the light of the world. Shine for the glory of God!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 19:1-21:14

New Testament 

1 Thessalonians 5:3-28

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 82:1-8

Proverbs 25:8-10

https://www.jhm.org

John 4:36

And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

We love to celebrate big things! We bestow huge awards on people who perform better than everyone else. Behind every person who reaps the recognition, though, someone else has sown the little things.

In 1970, Dr. Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his extensive work in agriculture. Scientists estimate that his discoveries saved over two billion people who would have starved to death.

Along with Borlaug, we must recognize Henry Wallace, one-time Vice-President of the United States. As the former Secretary of Agriculture, he believed that if the world was going to be at peace, it needed food. He hired young Borlaug to study ways to feed the world.

George Washington Carver must receive credit, too. Before he became the genius of his generation, he volunteered to take his professor’s son on nature hikes. There, he taught young Henry Wallace how all plants were created by God and could be used for great reasons.

Before that, Moses and Susan Carver rescued George from a band of bushwhackers who murdered his mother and kidnapped him. To honor his mother’s memory, they adopted George as their own.

Do not despise this day of small beginnings. Only God knows what eternal fruit will grow from the seeds you plant today!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you know that little things have great significance in the eyes of the Lord. Trust that you will reap a harvest of much fruit. Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 16:16-18:23

New Testament 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:2

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 81:1-16

Proverbs 25:6-7

https://www.jhm.org

1 Timothy 6:18

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share…

One person who sees a need and is willing to try can change everything. A simple willingness to try can make all the difference.

Over forty years ago, Pastor John Hagee invited a nine-year-old boy to church. The youngster responded that he would love to go to church, but he did not have a ride. Pastor Hagee promised to find a ride for him. When he asked the church for a volunteer, a teenage girl raised her hand.

Every service the boy could attend, that young lady made certain that he made it to church. From the outside, it looked like a little thing, a mere good deed. In reality, she was a world changer.

That nine-year-old’s path changed the moment He surrendered his life into God’s hands. The course of his family destiny was altered for eternity. He became a pediatrician who has treated thousands of patients. For twenty years, he has volunteered as a Cornerstone Church cameraman so people around the world can tune in to worship. Thousands of people have been impacted by Jesus because one young girl was willing to try.

You are not responsible for a whole eternal destiny, but would you meet just one small need today? What difference could you make if you were only willing to try?

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May God give you the courage to try. As you listen to His voice, He will bring you victory after victory. You are a difference maker!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 14:11-16:15

New Testament 

1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 80:1-19

Proverbs 25:1-5

https://www.jhm.org

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

You are not defined by your function. Who you are is not confined to what you do. You are a difference maker.

You might be a parent, a postal worker, a painter or a pediatrician, but that is not all that you are. Elevate your perspective: you are defined by the purpose for which God has called you.

As a parent, you impact future generations. When your children become tomorrow’s leaders, the difference they make will be determined by what you do today. More than having hot dogs with the kids, you are feeding a feast to future difference makers!

God told Jeremiah that He formed, called, and ordained him before he was even born. And God has a divine purpose for you! He prepared good works for you to accomplish today long before you arrived here – walk in them!

When every little thing that you do – wiping a nose, sliding a letter through a slot, splashing color on a canvas, or making a diagnosis – is done in the name of the Lord Jesus with an attitude of gratitude, He infuses those actions with holy purpose. More than fulfilling a function, you are created to make an eternal difference.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May the Lord give you eyes to see beyond the here-and-now to grasp the eternal purpose for which He created you. Walk in the good works He prepared for you in the name of the Lord Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 12:1-14:10

New Testament 

1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 79:1-13

Proverbs 24:30-34

https://www.jhm.org

Esther 4:14

…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

“What difference does it make?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? Have you talked yourself out of taking action with that question?

You are a difference maker! Every day, whether you are intentional or not, you make an impact – for the good or the not-so-good. You decide the difference that you will make.

Instead of counting our blessings, we frequently choose to focus on things we would like to change. When it comes time to take the action that leads to change, though, we often throw up our hands and ask, “What difference does it make?” With that question, we discount any strategy, action, or outcome that would help us achieve our goal.

Do you wish your boss appreciated you more? Show up early. Stay later. Do a little more than what is required.

Do you wish you were in better physical shape? Put down the remote. Take a walk. Make healthier eating choices.

Do you wish that your family life was stronger? Spend time together. Look one another in the eyes. Talk about your accomplishments and challenges.

The power to make a difference lives in you. God has chosen you. He has inserted you into this moment in history to impact the world for Him. Live in wide-eyed expectation for the difference He will make through you today.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. All things are possible for you to accomplish the purposes of God. You are a difference maker!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 6:15-8:7

New Testament 

Colossians 2:8-23

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 78:1-25

Proverbs 24:26

https://www.jhm.org

Psalm 146:7

Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.

In Psalm 146, ten verses give us ten reasons to rejoice for His kindness. We have good reason to shout!

The Lord sets prisoners free. Freedom – true, meaningful, spiritual freedom – cannot be found outside of Jesus Christ. Only He can break our chains and release us from sin.

We once were slaves to sin, and Satan was our slave master. But Jesus came to dwell among us. What He came to do in His earthly ministry, He has done in each of our lives. He touched the sick and set them free from disease. He touched the sinners and delivered them from the shackles of their past.

He spoke the Word, and the dead came back to life. The same hands that reached out to the sick and the sinful in the New Testament are the same hands that reach from Calvary, through the crimson stream, to touch us today.

The Lord has set us free. Like Lazarus, we have walked from death into life. Like Zacchaeus, we have walked from sin into salvation. Like Bartimaeus, we have walked out of the blindness of our yesterdays to see God’s purpose in our lives.

Cry out for freedom! Lift your voice to declare your liberty! Now is the time to shout.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Thank the Lord that He is your Triumph, that He sets you free to live out the destiny He planned for you. You are free indeed!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 4:19-6:14

New Testament 

Colossians 1:20-2:7

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 77:1-20

Proverbs 24:23-25

https://www.jhm.org

Matthew 28:20

‘…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.

God is our help in times of trouble. But if He promises to never leave us, why does He allow the terrible trials that we all experience?

God will allow us to go through difficulties, but He will never abandon us. He is beside us every step of the way through every circumstance.

A tangible example of this promise can be found in our long-ago experience of learning to ride a bike. When we perched on the seat, someone older and wiser than we were demonstrated how to peddle and taught us to steer. Before we pushed off, we said, “Don’t let go!”

As we peddled, they jogged alongside. As we mastered the balance and gained momentum, they began to run. Suddenly, they disappeared, and we were doing it! Until we realized their hand was no longer on the back of the seat. “Where did you goooooo?”

But they were there to pick us up, dust us off, dry our tears and tell us, “If you want to learn to ride this bike, I have to let you go.”

In order for us to learn what God wants to teach us, He will allow us to go through some challenging situations. But when we fall, He is there to pick us up, brush us off, and encourage us to try again.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. In every trial, may you rest in the promise that He will never abandon you. May persistence and character be born in you. Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 2:31-4:18

New Testament 

Colossians 1:1-19

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 76:1-12

Proverbs 24:21-22

https://www.jhm.org

Ezra 3:11

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD…. Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD…

Have you ever met someone who was excited about the win before the game ever began? That attitude sums up the shout of praise.

The shout of praise is something that you lift up before you see the victory. It is a shout filled with expectation and the certainty that if God has done it before, He will do it again.

The shout of praise is not rooted in denial; it is grounded in faith. You see a problem, but you know the Waymaker. You need healing, but you know the Great Physician. You need a miracle, but you know the Mountain-Mover. In spite of how impossible the situation appears, God specializes in impossibilities.

He is worthy of your shout of praise! His great displays of power prove that He is able to meet your every need. He will part the Red Sea. The walls of your Jericho will crumble in the face of your shout. He will walk beside you through the fiery furnace. From the ashes of those dead dreams, He will resurrect your life.

In anticipation of the victory, raise a shout of praise! Your faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. As you raise the shout of praise, may you see the evidence of what you hope for and the reality of things you don’t see yet. Nothing is impossible for our God!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Jeremiah 1:1-2:30

New Testament 

Philippians 4:1-23

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 75:1-10

Proverbs 24:17-20

https://www.jhm.org

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Whether it is a shout for help or a shout for joy, we know that it is not why we shout, when we shout, or what we shout. It is to WHOM we shout that makes all the difference!

We do not cry out to some unnamed cosmic force that is limited in strength. We do not plead with a disinterested power with no compassion for our plight.

We shout to the Creator of the universe, the One Who spoke the heavens and earth into existence. We shout to the One Who fashioned each one of us uniquely in our mother’s womb, Who knows the exact number of hairs on our heads, Who has designed our divine destinies, Who has been working on our behalf since the day we took our first breath.

He gently challenges us to call to Him – shout out – and He assures us that He will answer. Not only will He respond, but He will reveal wondrous mysteries to us – things that were once hidden, that we were not able to comprehend.

When we shout to God, He moves heaven and earth for us. We lift our hearts and our shouts to the King of kings and Lord of lords. And HE makes all the difference.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. We serve a God of might and majesty. He is all-sufficient, all-powerful, and an ever-present help in time of trouble. Shout to Him, and He will answer you!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 66:1-24

New Testament 

Philippians 3:4-21

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 74:1-23

Proverbs 24:15-16

https://www.jhm.org

Leviticus 25:9-10

Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound… and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you…

For six days, the Israelites walked around Jericho in silence. On day seven, it was time to shout!

When the horn blew, God instructed them to raise a mighty shout. They heard shofars all the time – summoning them to the temple or rousing them to battle, but this horn was different.

Every fifty years, this horn blasted in the Year of Jubilee. Every debt was erased for every Israelite. Possessions were returned, and land reverted to its original owner. Joyful freedom – a chance to start over!

Their battle shout was the sound of restoration. Righteousness had returned to the Promised Land. Yesterday’s slaves were converted into soldiers in the army of God. No longer Pharaoh’s stepping stones or wanderers in the wilderness!

Our shout of restoration came at Calvary. The moment that every Scripture was fulfilled and every debt was paid. When He took the stripes for our healing, when His crown of thorns exalted us to royalty, when He was bruised for our transgressions, when His nails set us free, Jesus lifted up His voice to cry, “It is finished!”

Your shouting day is on the horizon. When the horn blasts, God will serve your enemy an eviction notice. Your shout will unleash the victory!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. When God says the time is right, may you shout down your walls and reclaim all the territory that the enemy has stolen. It is finished!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 60:1-22

New Testament 

Philippians 1:27-2:11

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 72:1-11

Proverbs 24:11

https://www.jhm.org

Matthew 16:15-16

He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

Jerusalem was abuzz with the question: “Who is this?” Who was this humble man riding on a donkey amid a cheering crowd?

Some waved Him off; it’s just the son of Joseph and Mary. Others shrugged; He is just another prophet from Galilee. Still others saw Him as their rebel hero arriving to overthrow their oppressors.

Earlier, when Jesus posed this question to the disciples, Peter did not mince words: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How do we respond when others sense the Spirit of God in us and inquire, “Who is this?”

Do we make our faith something bland and boring? Do we portray Him as something they can ignore or do we proclaim Him in a way that they can never forget?

Because He is risen, we are alive. When we did not deserve it, He forgave us and showed us mercy. When we were alone, He called us His friends. When we were weak, He was strong. When we were abandoned, He showed Himself faithful and true. When we were in trouble, He was there beside us. There is no one like Him.

Who do you say that He is?

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you always have a reason for the Hope that is inside of you! He is our Savior and Strength, our Light and Living Water, our Rock and Refuge, our Counselor and soon-coming King!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 57:15-59:21

New Testament 

Philippians 1:1-26

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 71:1-24

Proverbs 24:9-10

https://www.jhm.org

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Jesus is coming again! We can lose sight of this fact in the here and now directly in front of us, but every day brings us closer to His return. In the same way that He ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He will return again.

As the Day approaches, we will see signs and wonders: fire, blood, wars, and earthquakes. People will love themselves and their money. They will be disobedient and despisers of good, boasters and blasphemers, unholy and unloving.

But in the last days, He also will pour out His Spirit on all people. Sons and daughters will prophesy. Young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams. Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. When we see these signs, we will rejoice for our Bridegroom is on the way!

Instead of a Suffering Servant, He will return as a conquering King. With a shout and the blast of a trumpet, He will descend.

No crowds will clamor for His crucifixion. No corrupt powers will sentence Him to execution. On that day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Our King is coming back!

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you be faithful and wise servants, always watching and waiting for our soon-coming King. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 54:1-57:14

New Testament 

Ephesians 6:1-24

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 70:1-5

Proverbs 24:8

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Psalm 119:160

The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

All Scripture is God-breathed – inspired by Him – and is profitable for conviction, correction, and instruction. It re-sets the direction of our lives and teaches us to live in a manner pleasing to Him.

Our sophisticated world expresses skepticism about the veracity of the Bible; many even disregard the verses they choose not to believe. The Psalmist makes it clear though: all of His Word is true.

He always keeps His word. Always. Scholars count over 1200 prophesies in the Bible. Over 400 of those prophesies pointed to the coming Messiah. His life and death perfectly fulfilled every single one. Over 3000 promises beckon in the Scriptures. You can stand on every one.

The grass may wither, the flower may fade, but the Word of God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Every jot, every tittle, every comma, every period, every letter, every line, every word on every page will all be fulfilled. God has magnified His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2) and watches over it to be certain that it is fulfilled (Jeremiah 1:12).

The Word has been mocked by cynics, dissected by unbelievers, and diluted by frauds. Yet, for all the abuse it has taken, it still endures as a testament to His faithfulness. It is the whole truth of God.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May His Word take root in your heart. May you read it, memorize it, and obey it. May all of its promises find their YES in your life…in the name of Jesus.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 51:1-53:12

New Testament 

Ephesians 5:1-33

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 69:15-36

Proverbs 24:7

https://www.jhm.org

John 4:24

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

The atmosphere was electric! Jesus came riding a donkey into Jerusalem on His way to the temple. The frenzied crowd threw down their robes across His path. Others waved branches as they shouted exuberantly, “Hosanna!”

Was this true worship? Because a mere few days later, this same crowd shouted, “Crucify Him!” This was not the Savior that they expected.

Jesus had confronted the Romans and the corrupt Jewish leaders; in Him was a political opportunity to overthrow their oppressors. Jesus took two fish and five loaves to feed 5000; in Him was unlimited resources. He restored Lazarus from the dead; in Him was the ability to raise up their wounded. They could not lose in a battle with Rome!

When their hero was arrested, their “worship” quickly disintegrated into contempt. If He could not give what they demanded, He was dead to them. They wanted Jesus to give them what they desired – not to give Him what He wanted. It begs the question of why we worship.

Do we worship Jesus for the blessings that He gives? Or, do we offer up genuine praise? Does our adoration pour from a true heart of gratitude? Do we bring to Jesus what He requires? Let us bow down before our Maker to worship Him in spirit and truth.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. All honor, glory, power, and praise belong to the Lord of lords and King of kings! Let all that is within us bless His holy name! Amen and amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Isaiah 48:12-50:11

New Testament 

Ephesians 4:17-32

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 69:1-14

Proverbs 24:5-6

https://www.jhm.org