January 20

Matthew 7:6

Do not give that which is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.  

We should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when it comes to sharing truths of God to others.  A person in sin may not care or want to hear the truth of God about sin and salvation.  Let God be our wisdom and listen to the leading because the right person is waiting to listen to the word.  

January 19

Mathew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing.  

Our thoughts can keep us busy if we don’t guard them. Suppose we take a thought and continue to think on something we eventually do that thought whether it is a worry, fear, or faith. An idea isn’t real because we think it!  We make it real by speaking and acting upon it.  So cast down fear, worry, doubt and unbelief and only take the thought that builds us up on the inside.  

January 18

Luke 6:37

Do not judge (others self-righteously), and you will not be judged; do not condemn (others when you are guilty and unrepentant), and you will not be condemned (for your hypocrisy); pardon (others when they truly repent and change), and you will be pardoned (when you truly repent and change).

Forgiveness is enormous with God because He first forgave us.  The expectation is that as born-again believers, we walk in the steps of Jesus and love.  Forgiveness also keeps our hearts soft and our ears open to God.  It is hard to receive answered prayer with a hard, unforgiving spirit, and no believer wants it. 

January 17

Luke 6:45

The (intrinsically) good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure (stored) in his heart; and the (intrinsically) evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil (in his heart); for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.  

Our hearts need to be protected to produce what is good according to the word of God.  It means we have to be careful about outside influences of what we hear and watch.  If something has gotten into our hearts that is a bad influence, pray to God to help get it out. Don’t tolerate anything in the heart that hinders the relationship with Jesus.  

January 14

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.  

We have authority on this earth through our words in our lives.  That’s the reason the devil wants to stir us up, so we speak words that are not faith.  The devil can’t act unless we talk about doubt, fear, defeat.  Now, God in the bible gives us words of power and authority to produce in our lives.  

January 13

Proverbs 18:4

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters (copious and difficult to fathom); the fountain of (mature, godly) wisdom is like a bubbling stream (sparkling, fresh, pure, and life giving).

Our words are essential construction builders to our lives.  All of our words create something, whether positive or negative.  If our heart is not faith-focused, our words will not be faith-focused.  If we have problems in our lives, first check what the heart believes and is speaking that isn’t in faith.  

January 12

Leviticus 26:44

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so despise them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God.  

God keeps His covenant word!  God knows we are going to sin and come up short.  The covenant is why God sent Jesus to die for our sins when we confess our sins, and God is faithful to forgive.  God will not break His word and won’t leave us helpless.  

January 11

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to (successfully) resist and stand your ground in the evil day (of danger), and having done everything, to stand (in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious). 

Stand.  When Jesus died on the cross, He regained the authority on this earth for us over the devil.  With the armor of God, we keep our thoughts and attitudes correct and draw the line and stand.  We know what the bible says about our situation, and God has promised, and we will not be moved.  Stand. 

January 10

Ephesians 6:10

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord (draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him) and in the power of His (boundless) might.

In a world that teaches us to be self-reliant and rely on our strength and capabilities, God offers and encourages us to rely on His strength.  The God of heaven, full of all power, knowledge, wisdom, and love, stretches out His hand daily to let us use His strength.  Just release the problem to God and follow His guidance. 

January 7

Nehemiah 8:10

And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.  

The joy of the Lord is being fully confident and persuaded that God is taking care of us.   No doubts or fear exists that mar our thoughts, but we have faith in God.  Faith is the key to the focus of our hearts.  Faith aligns with the word of God and turns away all opportunity to fear.