A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1

12Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship.

Keeping Promises

It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
Ecclesiastes 5:5

Obligation, guilt, reciprocate, these are only a few reasons that cause us to make promises whether or not we intend on keeping them. When we don't follow through on our promises this leaves other people let down and frustrated. Or something even worse happens, they begin to not trust in our future promises. It's challenging, but let's practice committing only to promises we know we can keep and intentionally following through on those we have already made.

Today's Bible Trivia

Which book is in the middle of the Old Testament? 
A. Psalms 
B. Proverbs 
C. Ecclesiastes 
D. Job 

Psalms 63:1

1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Colossians 3:17

¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Childlike

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike."
Matthew 11:25

Wisdom can be a blessing, but it can also be a stumbling block. With too much wisdom we begin to rationalize and explain away. This may sound counterintuitive at first, however, without using our heart it's easy to become cold, impersonal, and use logic to remain justified. Keep a childlike perspective to be willing to learn and be wrong.

Today's Bible Trivia

Joshua sent how many spies into the city of Jericho? 
A. 1 
B. 2 
C. 3 
D. 4 

Hebrews 13:5

⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said,

Live in harmony

Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Romans 12:16

There's always someone smarter than you and richer than you. Yet when we find ourselves around someone who is less capable, pride can get in the way. Treat those who are not as fortunate as you with respect, just like you would want to be treated from those who have more resources than you. 

Today's Bible Trivia

Who was the only female judge of Israel in the Old Testament? 
A. Abigail 
B. Hagar 
C. Michal 
D. Deborah 

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

James 1:12

¹²Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of lifethat the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Proverbs 18:24

²⁴One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Today's Bible Trivia

Which river did John the Baptist baptize people in? 
A. Kishon 
B. Yarkon 
C. Jordan 
D. Nile 

What drives you & your purpose

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless - like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4

What drives you and your purpose in being successful? Do you resent your neighbor because of what they have? The wrong motives for success can keep you from actually enjoying success. Otherwise, you will never become successful in your own eyes. There will always be someone more successful to come along. As Solomon says, keeping up with the Jones' is fruitless.

Today's Bible Trivia

What was Demetrius of Ephesus' profession? 
A. Carpenter 
B. Soldier 
C. Silversmith 
D. Farmer

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Unconditional Love

Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever!
Psalm 89:1

Upon what conditions do you give your love? Or is love a condition of good behavior? When someone we love does things or makes decisions that we disagree with, that's not the time to use our love as a tool for manipulation. Unconditional love is pure and everlasting regardless of behavior. Is there anyone who doesn't deserve your unconditional love? That's exactly the person you should focus on loving.

Matthew 5:6

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Well Built

I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
Luke 6:47-48

Staying grounded in God's word is essential to a strong faith that withstands floodwaters. But it's also essential to apply what you have learned to your life. With a firm faith you can weather any storm when it comes your way in life. Are you laying the foundation for a solid faith?

Today's Bible Trivia

What city is known for its blatant immorality? 
A. Zoar 
B. Galilee 
C. Sodom 
D. Rome 

Proverbs 15:9

 

⁹The Lord detests the way of the wicked,but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

The Best Model

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
Psalm 145:8

Who better to model after than our Lord. While we tend to both break and mend our love for one another, God always loves us even when we do wrong. While we get angry and hurt others emotionally, God is slow to get angry. If you could be more like Christ, just imagine how peaceful you would be. Be patient, loving and understanding especially to your loved ones even if they deserve otherwise.

Today's Bible Trivia

Who did Samson fall in love with that led to his downfall? 
A. Bathsheba 
B. Delilah 
C. Mary 
D. Esther 

Hebrews 12:1

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Lights in the Sky

Then God said, "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth." And that is what happened.
Genesis 1:14-15

It seems like we wake up everyday and go about our lives without pausing but rather rushing. Hit the pause button for a moment today and admire the surroundings that God has provided so graciously to us. Remember, God loves you so much that He lights candles for you in the sky every night!

1 John 4:7-8

⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Eye of a needle

In fact, it is easer for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!
Mark 10:25

No one ever really thinks of themselves as being rich and we often characterize our wants as needs. When you look around and see those who have less it's easy to let your heart harden over time and ignore them. We even go so far as to tell ourselves "I can't give to this hungry man, because I have to pay for my 'need.'" Don't allow your wants to be stumbling blocks to the Kingdom of God.

Today's Bible Trivia

Where was David anointed king? 
A. Salem 
B. Hebron 
C. Damascus 
D. Galilee 

Proverbs 29:25

²⁵Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Judging others

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (NLT)
Matthew 7:1

Whew, that's quite a challenge! When someone else makes judgments about ourselves, we fight it. Yet, we judge each other daily in all matters of life and make comparisons to see how we measure up. We, however, are not the perfect judge and in making our own judgments we overstep God's authority. What are some things you can do to stop yourself from judging others?

Today's Bible Trivia

How many times does the word 'God' occur in the Bible? 
A. 1390 
B. 823 
C. 4370 
D. 291 

Psalm 68:19

¹⁹Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,who daily bears our burdens.

To Serve

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NLT)
Matthew 20:28

Do you ever go through days that seem like something is missing? We work so hard to accomplish goals in our life so that we can provide a better life for ourselves and our families. But this can also focus our attention on the "things" we have and more importantly don't have. Where we direct our focus can lead us to that feeling of void. Instead of focusing on ourselves, direct your focus on someone in need. You may not see the immediate impact on your goals but in some way and at some time, God will honor your actions.

Today's Bible Trivia

 Which book is the last of the gospels? 
A. John 
B. Matthew 
C. Revelation 
D. Hebrews 

Jude 1:21

21 keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Faith, Hope and Love

Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

The greatest of these may be love, but don't underestimate the power of hope. When we are in our deepest depths of despair, it is hope that keeps us going when it's hard to get out of bed. Have you lost sight of our hope? Our hope is everlasting. Our hope is full of grace. Our hope is in Christ Jesus.

Today's Bible Trivia

At the Last Supper Jesus broke this to represent his body. 
A. A cup 
B. A Plate 
C. Wine 
D. Bread 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Bible Trivia

At the Last Supper Jesus drank this to represent his blood.
A. Wine
B. Water
C. Blood
D. Perfume

1 Corinthians 15:56-57

 

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God!He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:29

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matthew 6:14 - 15

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Psalm 55:22

²²Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Ephesians 2:4-7

⁴But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionsit is by grace you have been saved. ⁶And God raised us up with Christand seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 15:11

11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Daniel 2:19-23 NIV

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Psalm 118:8

Praise & Trust God