December 31

Psalm 91:14

Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him (securely) on high, because he knows My name (he confidently relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no never).

When we love God, we get closer to Him by reading and meditating on His word.  We spend time praying and worshiping, and waiting on His presence.  We build a relationship with God and our confidence in Him.  God loved us first and rewarded us when we showed our love to Him. 

December 30

Psalm 32:10-11

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trust in and relies on the Lord shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous (who actively seek right standing with Him); shout for joy, all you upright in heart.  

Think about the feeling of being lost with no map, no guide, and no direction.  Trusting and relying on the Lord is never having to have the feeling of being lost.  The relationship with God surrounds the believer with love, compassion, and freedom.  God has the answers when we do not, now sit back and trust and rely.  

December 29

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you (by removing the obstacles that stand in our way). And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you. 

Paul faced obstacles in getting to the believers of His time.  We may also encounter obstacles reaching out to fellow believers and non-believers.  Jesus is the remover of those obstacles.  He knows what we face and how to overcome it.  The Lord will cause our love to grow for each other and any barriers to be removed. 

December 28

James 4:11

Believers, do not speak against or slander one another.  He who speaks (self-righteously) against a brother or judges his brother (hypocritically), speaks against the Law and judges the Law.  If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.  

We must keep our thoughts lined up with the word.  When our thoughts line up with the word, what we speak about others will line up with the word.  We all will have the opportunity to be offended, but focusing on the word will help us reject the offense.  We don’t want to be a hypocritic judge but a doer of the word.

December 27

James 3:18

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace (by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals). 

Believers should, to the best of their abilities, live in peace with other believers and non-believers. It is hard to grow with God when we are in strife because our focus is wrong.  Love and kindness should be at the center of our hearts.   It may take practice, but God loved us and forgave us, and so should we.  

December 24

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace.  In the world you have tribulation and distress and sufferings, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world.

Jesus has overcome the world!  Our peace in uncertain times comes from Jesus.  When we focus on God and the Bible, we can see God working on behalf of His people.  Jesus tells us how to live and overcome the world in bad times.  Keep the faith and keep the focus.

December 23

Luke 10:8-9

Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick (authenticating your message), and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.  

Jesus came to this earth to heal along with our salvation.  Jesus died for our sins and sickness on the cross.  The word will show us that healing is for us and a gift from God; when needing healing read the bible and study the healing scriptures until faith comes.  Jesus wants us healed and whole.

December 22

Thessalonians 3:6

Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live-in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.  

Influence from friends and relationships can indeed affect our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs.  We seek approval from our friends and family, and what they think affects our decisions.  If we are trying to live a life for God but spend most of our time with people, who don’t, we will compromise our faith.  

December 21

Titus 1:7

For the overseer, as God’s steward, must be blameless, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain (but financially ethical). 

These qualifications and standards transmit to all areas of leadership in the church or outside.  The church and the world both need people who lead fairly and honestly.  God counts on His people to be influencers in the world for good.  They represent God, and He is good, and so should our leaders.

December 20

James 1:7-8

For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything (at all) from the Lord, being a double minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways (in everything he thinks, feels, or decides).

Faith is that line in the sand that a believer refuses to cross.  Faith is a connection to God.  A believer by that faith has seen results in the past and builds toward the future.  Faith hears, responds, loves, and listens to God.  If a person feels that they are not hearing from God, check if the faith line has moved with doubt, fear, or feelings. A straightforward adjustment and faith are back on track.