“Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives” (Proverbs 19:18 NLT). There is a short window of time for teaching children obedience. During this time there is hope that parental discipline might eventually become the child’s own self-discipline. It may seem a lot of work to discipline a child of
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!” (Proverbs 19:17 NLT). This is an astounding proverb! God willingly makes Himself a debtor to the one who is kind and generous to the poor. Someone may hesitate to give to a poor person, but who would not lend
‘For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”’ (Romans 4:3 NLT). Paul explained that Abraham was not considered righteous by his circumcision nor his good works, but by his faith. Paul quoted Moses, who wrote of Abraham, “And he believed the Lord, and he counted
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT). We are all sinners. We are not able to keep the law of God. It is holy and perfect. Yet, God made a way for us
“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (Romans 2:29 NLT). Paul explained that
“Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21 NLT). Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law
“Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does” (1 Chronicles 16:23-24 NLT). David gave this song of thanksgiving to the Levites to sing on the day they brought the Ark into Jerusalem. In these two verses, he commanded his
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile” (Romans 1:16 NLT). In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he announced his desire to visit them and preach the gospel. He received his wish
“These are the leaders of David’s mighty warriors. Together with all Israel, they decided to make David their king, just as the Lord had promised concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NLT). David was God’s man, but he was also a man’s man. There was something about his heart that the Lord chose to anoint him
“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God.