“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11)

July 29, 2011

Where’s the passion with which you began? Have you lost your first love? Fan into flames your spiritual zeal. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Don’t let serving others be a burdensome duty. Let it be your passionate worship!

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36)

July 28, 2011

“From, through, and to” God, so ends Paul’s doxology in Romans (“Doxa” – Greek for “glory.” “Logos” – word). We were made by Him and for Him. Is your life a doxology to God?

“Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)

July 27, 2011

Does your walk back up your talk? Faithfulness is tested in the little things and in suffering. Will you keep the wedding vows (to God & your spouse)? For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part…

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13)

July 26, 2011

Call on Jesus. Confess Him as Lord over every aspect of your life. Believe in His sacrificial death and resurrection. And be saved. Saved from the bondage of sin and the wages of sin, which is death. He has been calling you. Have you called back?

“Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison” (2 Chron 16:10)

July 25, 2011

King Asa had a great start but a poor finish. In his younger years he sought God and followed His counsel. As an older king, he fell into his father’s sin, trusting his own wisdom. He died an angry, bitter and sick old man. Will you finish well for God?

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26)

July 24, 2011

The Holy Spirit abides in believers, so that He knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knows God’s perfect will for us too. Even when we don’t know how to pray, He intercedes for us.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18)

July 23, 2011

Have you ever noticed how quickly a new mother forgets her labor as she holds her infant in her arms? So shall we forget our present troubles when we see Christ at His return.

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)

July 22, 2011

God has spent His wrath for our sin upon Christ. When God judged the earth with a flood, those “in” the Ark were saved. Jesus is our Ark! All who are “in” Him will not see condemnation. Do you know what it means to be “in” Christ?

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8)

July 21, 2011

David asks God to keep His eye on him and to keep him close and safe. Like a child asking a parent to “Watch me,” David asks for God’s favored attention. We can pray like this, asking for God’s favor and protection.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20)

July 20, 2011

Are you teachable? You’re never too smart or too old to learn. At the heart of a teachable spirit is humility, so be humble enough to learn from others. Great leaders are life-long learners.