Thought for the day...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NKJV

 

I just finished day 10 of the @YouVersion plan 'NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Men'. Check it out here:
NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Men

 

May 20, 2019
Verse of the Day
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

 

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.” Talk about them when you sit at home and when you drive to the next game and when you leave for school and when you…
-Deuteronomy 6:6,7
Deuteronomy 6:6,7 - if714

 

May 21, 2019
Verse of the Day
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV

 

GARBAGE!

When Paul spoke of “gains,” he was referring to his credentials, credits, and successes in life. Paul had been a well-educated and highly respected leader in the Jewish community. He enjoyed the support of family and friends and was secure in his position. But he left it all to follow Jesus. Then Paul had become the great missionary, teacher, and leader in the early church, enjoying prestige in this new community. Yet Paul considered all he had accomplished as “garbage” when compared with the worth of knowing Christ. His relationship with his Savior was more important than anything else. This was more than talk for Paul — he lived it. Paul had lost status, money, influence, freedom, and family for the gospel. Then, as a Christ-follower, he had been pelted with stones, beaten, pursued, and jailed. Still he continued to live for Christ and share the good news wherever he was.
To know Christ should be our ultimate goal as well. Nothing else should come close in value.
What is important to you? Prestige? Power? Popularity? What do you place above your relationship with Christ? A career? A relationship? Financial security? Whatever stands in the way of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord is not worth it, especially when you consider what he gave for you.
Toss out the trash!

I admit, Father, that sometimes . . .

 

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Philippians 3:7‭-‬9 NKJV

 

I just finished day 11 of the @YouVersion plan 'NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Men'. Check it out here:
NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Men

 

Pray earnestly for legislation that effectively protects our Judeo-Christian heritage and First Amendment Rights.
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http://www.if714.org/?p=25375

 

KNOWN AS...REMEMBERED

High schools can have unique nicknames and mascots. How about the Cobden, Illinois, “Appleknockers,” the Grapeland, Texas, “Sandies,” or the Mandeville, Louisiana, “Skippers”? Here’s another one for you: the Watersmeet, Michigan, “Nimrods.”
You may have heard Nimrod used as an insult. But Nimrod is a positive Bible character mentioned in Genesis and 1 Chronicles. We don’t know much about this guy except for the couple of lines quoted above. Sounds as though he was a man’s man — “mighty warrior” and “hunter” and a kingdom builder (Genesis 10:9 – 12). That name does work pretty well for a high school mascot!
The genealogies of Scripture usually just list people by name, along with their children. Occasionally we’ll learn a bit more, as with Nimrod. And in his description we also find the phrase “before the Lord,” probably indicating that Nimrod used his gifts for godly purposes.
While every person would love to be remembered like Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Peter, or Paul, after a hundred years or so, we’ll be lucky to be remembered at all, and then probably just with a name (like Cush) before the list of our kids. But what if you could have a line or two that summarizes your essence? What would you want it to say: “scratch golfer,” “nice guy,” or “all-American”? How about “wonderful employee,” “good neighbor,” or “great husband and father”?
Those would all be fine choices. But here are better ones: “committed follower of Jesus Christ”; “man of God.” Of course, maybe no one on earth will remember us at all — but God will, and he’s the only one who really counts.

Lord, may others see you in me . . .

 

May 22, 2019
Verse of the Day
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:18 NIV

 

GREAT FAITHFULNESS!

Surely you’ve sung it — the beloved hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” a staple of Christian worship services worldwide and used often at funerals and memorial services. The inspiration for this hymn is this passage written by the prophet Jeremiah centuries ago. We see this reflected in these familiar words of a verse and the chorus:
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
Morning, noon, night — arise, work, eat, sleep — our lives are defined by daily cycles. Each day presents fresh opportunities, challenges, and dangers — and sins. But as sure as the sunrise, God’s compassions are “new every morning.” Every day, every moment, God is ready to forgive, heal, and restore. And, Jeremiah reminds us, God is faithful; that is, he is always with us, supporting, encouraging, motivating, and empowering — so “we are not consumed.” God stands ready to love and guide us through the day.
Whatever you’ve done and whatever you face, turn to God first, each morning. Give him your day, and then allow him to guide each step.
Our great God never fails.

Loving, faithful, merciful Father, I give you this day . . .

 

Through the Lord ’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 NKJV

 

Pray for parents and grandparents to have a love for their children that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
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http://www.if714.org/?p=25147