A Better World

One day the Abbotts were watching the morning news. After observing one tragic event after another, Jon turned to his wife and said, “You know, I could make a better world than this one.”

Turning to him, she politely said, “Why don’t you?”

We read in Genesis that God “looked over all that He made, and He saw that it was excellent in every way.” Every small detail that God brought into existence was the way He intended it to be - excellent. He placed light in the sky and fish in the sea; land for farmers to grow crops, and scenery for people to enjoy; the sun and moon and stars to govern days and nights and seasons; birds in the sky and animals for man’s enjoyment, use and nourishment - even the man and woman He created were without flaw. Everything was all perfect.

But, then through man - the triumph of His creation - sin entered the world, and all that was the way He wanted it to be perfect - was ruined. Satan entered His creation and brought destruction and death.

Any goodness in us or in the world is of God. He is the source of light and life, grace and goodness, peace and purity. And, it is only as we let God through Christ, Who is Lord, rule and reign in our lives, that we can become good, and do good for God, and reclaim His work.

Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to do Your work in Your world as we surrender our lives to Your will. May we make the world better through Your Son, our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

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The Next Mile

Eric Severide was a news journalist who achieved much recognition and fame. In fact, he was considered to be an “elite correspondent.” 

When he graduated from high school, a local newspaper sponsored him and a classmate, Walter Port, to travel by canoe from Minneapolis to York Factory - a journey of 2250 miles. When they came to the last leg of their journey, they were overwhelmed with what they faced - 450 miles through the rugged wilderness.

As they faced what seemed to them to be overwhelming odds, an old fur trader recognized their doubt. So, he offered a few words of simple advice: “Just think of the last mile.” 

Great advice for them. Great advice for Christians.

We do not know what the journey before us may be. As we face today or tomorrow or next week, we do not know what lies before us. Sometimes we look back and recall unpleasant memories that have left us scared and scarred, perhaps fearful and frightened. So, we doubt.

But, we are here today, and have the final, reassuring promise of Jesus to hold on to for the rest of our lives: “Be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

When we place our trust in the Lord, we have a Guide who has never forgotten His promises and a Guard who has never abandoned one of His children.

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for Your guarantee that You are and always will be with us no matter what. May we trust You always, knowing that Your grace is sufficient. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20

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Gratitude Or Greed?

Aesop was a Greek slave who became famous for writing a number of intriguing fables. One of his stories involved a dog and a bone.

 He once told the story of a dog that was crossing a bridge carrying a bone in its mouth. Seeing his reflection in the water beneath him, he thought that the bone in the mouth of the “other dog” was larger. 

In his greed, he opened his mouth to try to snatch the bigger bone from the other dog. However, when he opened his mouth, he dropped his bone into the water. Then he had nothing - for the water in the stream carried the bone to the river and then into the sea. 

Paul compares people who are greedy with those who are immoral and impure and assures his readers that they will not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. In fact, he says, “greedy people are actually idolaters” - and indeed they are. An idolater is one who worships and wants “things” more than they do God. Sadly, this lifestyle leads to the worship of things, and the “things” above and beyond the worship of God. 

It is not wrong to want nice things. But if we want nice things more than we want God, it takes our minds away from Him and changes our priorities to the things of this world. As Christians, we must be careful to focus our minds and place our thoughts on Heaven with Jesus.

Prayer:  Give us discerning minds and faithful hearts, Father, to desire those things that are best for us. May we be careful and cautious at all times to honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:5

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Accidents Or Appointments?

A rough-and-ready cowboy applied for a large life insurance policy. Worried about his lifestyle, the agent was careful and cautious to ask questions to make sure that the cowboy would not take any foolish chances.

“Have you had any accidents?” asked the agent.

“No, not really,” he answered. “Come to think of it, though, a rattlesnake bit me and a horse kicked me once.”

“Well,” questioned the agent, “aren’t those accidents?”

“Oh no,” he responded. “They did it on purpose!”

There are no accidents in the life of the Christian - only appointments from God to let us know He is with us and working out His will in our lives. Fortunately, God is always working in “everything,” not as though He is bored and wants something to do, but because of His love for us. Many things that happen to us are not good in themselves, but are good for us. Though not obvious at the time things “happen,” they ultimately bring us closer to God.

God, through His power and love, is able to take every event and turn it into an experience that will fulfill His purpose for our lives. Wherever we are and whatever occurs in our lives is because of one singly, significant fact: Christ is in us preparing us for that time when we will be with Him. We need a heavenly “mindset” that enables us to see beyond the moment and into our future with Him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us to develop an eternal vision that allows us to see beyond what is: You are always active in our lives, preparing us for life with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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"Lucky Lindy"

Everyone called him “Lucky Lindy” but not those who knew him. When he made his historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Charles Lindbergh left absolutely nothing to “luck.” During his preparation, he was careful and cautious, thoughtful and thorough. He never “hoped” things would go right. He made sure that everything would be right. Nothing was left to chance. Everything that related to his flight was the result of a deliberate choice. 

A few days before his historic solo transatlantic flight, Lindbergh and his copilot, Frank Samuels, completed a hard day’s work. They spent endless hours examining every detail of what he would do, why and how he would do it, and the possibilities of something going wrong. 

That night they checked into a motel. Shortly after midnight Samuels was awakened and saw Lindbergh at the window. “Why are you sitting there awake when you should be sleeping?” asked Samuels.

“I’m studying the stars,” he answered, “and practicing staying awake.” 

Paying attention to details and leaving nothing to chance is a God-honoring character trait. It is a reflection of our dependence upon God to give insight and foresight, knowledge and wisdom to do everything that will honor Him for His gifts.

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to realize that whatever we do as Christians is a reflection of You. May whatever we do in word or deed or thoughts be done to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

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Getting Dirty Takes Time

Two neglected young children from a poor neighborhood were invited to a Salvation Army Christmas banquet. They were amazed at the lovely surroundings and were surprised to discover that the tables were covered with clean white tablecloths. 

When they placed their hands next to their napkins, one boasted, “Look, my hands are dirtier than yours.”

“Yes,” responded his friend, “but you are two years older than I am.” 

How like sin. Sin is subtle and moves silently but surely, quietly and quickly, until it invades every aspect of one’s life. The longer one lives in sin, the more it expands and grows until it completely controls one’s life. It is rarely recognized for what it is unless and until an individual comes to know and understand and accept God’s Word and His message of salvation.

The only way to be redeemed and reclaimed from a sin-centered life is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and exalt Him as Lord. Not only is He powerful enough to save us, but strong enough to strengthen us, to sustain us, and to keep us from sins that would destroy us. 

 Jesus offers us His salvation freely as a gift of His eternal love. There is nothing we can do to earn His salvation, but there is much to do once we accept it.

Prayer:  Lord, we acknowledge our need for Your salvation if we want to be saved from our sins. Help us then to live lives that are free from sin and worth living. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32

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The Source

Niccolo Paganini began his musical career later than most musicians. However, he developed his talents so rapidly, and was so gifted, that his skills exceeded most of his instructors in a short amount of time. He was the most celebrated violinist of his day and is recognized as one of the greatest virtuosos who ever lived.

One evening as he walked on the stage for a concert, he felt that something was wrong. He looked around and could see nothing unusual that would cause this feeling. Then he looked at his instrument and realized that he was handed the wrong violin as he walked on stage. As the orchestra conductor lifted his baton to begin the concert, he realized that it was too late to exchange violins.

Later that evening, those who heard him play his violin said that it was his greatest performance. When asked about the violin, he said, “Today I learned the most important lesson of my career. I thought the music was in the instrument. Today I learned it is in me.” 

Jesus said that if we remain in Him, as a branch remains in a tree, we will have life. Once a branch is no longer connected to the tree, it withers and dies. If we desire to live like Christ we must remain in Christ. We must stay connected to Him by staying in His Word, by spending time with Him in prayer, and by being obedient to Him in keeping His commands.

Prayer:  We ask, Heavenly Father, that our love for You will be so intense that we will live a life that is centered in Your Word, in prayer, and in obedience to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

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The Need To Be Kind

Miss Wilson went to the post office nearly every day to buy a stamp or two. Often the line was long, and it appeared that she had difficulty standing quietly, waiting for her turn at the counter.

A stranger who had seen her on many occasions asked, “Why don’t you just use the stamp machine? It would be so much easier and quicker, and you wouldn’t have to stand so long.” 

“Oh my,” she said, “the clerks are so kind to me. They always smile at me and ask me how I am doing and how I feel. The machines don’t do that.”

Kindness does two things at the same time: It makes us feel good, and others feel good. And, it rarely costs us anything even though it usually makes others feel important. 

Kindness, like love, has its source in God. We read in Titus that “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared in us, we know that He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”

When we begin to understand the fullness of God’s kindness to us personally, we will no doubt see others in a different light. We certainly do not deserve God’s compassion and kindness - yet He has been more than kind to us. He held nothing back in giving His Son to be our Savior. Showing kindness to others demonstrates His love.

Prayer:  Acts of kindness, Father, present endless opportunities for us to show others that we care for them just as You do. Help us to represent You always in all ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  Titus 3:4-5

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Ruined But Reclaimed

One of the most magnificent statues in the world is David. It is considered by many to be the masterpiece of Michelangelo. The story of its completion, however, is far different from that of its beginning. 

The block of marble from which he fashioned the statue was once marred and discarded by another artist. It had been so mutilated that it was cast aside as worthless. 

When Michelangelo looked at the piece of marble, he saw possibilities and promises - not something that had been rejected because someone thought it was ruined. And, from what others trashed, he brought forth a real treasure.

It is like those of us who become Christians. We “become new persons... (We) are not the same anymore for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” 

It is difficult to grasp the reality of that verse of Scripture. Perhaps it is because our size does not change, and our shape remains the same. But, the moment we are born again, the Holy Spirit gives us a new life, and we are “made new” on the inside. Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to think differently, see things differently, and act differently because “a new life has begun.”

Once our lives were a shambles, shaped and scarred by sin. But the God of all creation recreated us. Now, all things in us and about us are new!

Prayer:  Thank You, Heavenly Father, that You took us, recreated us, and gave us a new life. Your grace has transformed us into Your likeness. Thank you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Convenience Or Conviction?

Years of struggle had finally ended for George. He completed all of his requirements to become a high school teacher. After sending out many resumes, one principal finally invited him for an interview. He looked forward to it with great excitement. 

Sitting across from the principal, he was asked, “In your biology classes, would you teach biology or evolution?” 

 Anxious to get the job, he replied, “I would teach it any way you wanted me to teach it. It really does not matter to me.”

In many of his letters, Paul addressed the importance of being Christians of conviction. Writing to the church at Corinth, he boldly declared: “Be on guard! Stand fast for what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love!”

No apology here! Those words are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them. The danger to compromise our faith greets us everywhere we turn. The temptation to compromise our witness when we are called upon to speak boldly for Christ is difficult when the fear of rejection overwhelms us. And, we sometimes act unlovingly towards others when acts of kindness and deeds of thoughtfulness could be essential to bringing and winning others to Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, we pray that we will become strong in our faith through You. May we rely on Your strength and power to overcome the temptation to compromise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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Irreversible Call

The legendary Babe Ruth was known for stating his opinion - whether anyone wanted it or not. On one occasion, there was an umpire who displeased “The Babe,” and he violently disagreed with one of his calls. 

Shouted Ruth, “There are 40,000 people in the stands who know that pitch was a ball!” 

“Maybe so,” said Umpire Pinelli, “but mine is the only one that counts.”

Not quite. There is an Ultimate Judge - God. Scripture declares that “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God. Yes, each of you will give a personal account to God.”

Paul clearly states that there is a Righteous Judge before whom we play “the game of life.” He knows each of us by name, and everything there is to know about us. He is infallible and impartial and cannot be bought or bribed. 

Unfortunately, many Christians adopt or adapt their standards of conduct on what others in society are doing. This reflects a weak faith and a disregard for the teachings of the Word of God. 

Since we will all give an account to the Lord for every thought we think and all the deeds we do, we must look to Him for His guidance and His Word for directions.

Prayer:  Father, we often live life as if what we do does not matter. Awaken us to the reality that we will stand before You one day to be judged for everything we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’” Romans 14:11

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From Farm To Fame

Grover Cleveland Alexander is recognized as one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. His record of ninety shutouts still stands, and his 373 recorded victories has been achieved by only one other pitcher. In 1938 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

From his earliest days on the farm, his only desire was to play baseball and be a pitcher. Not many know that he began his career by throwing apples and stones at fence posts between chores to sharpen his throwing skills.

One day he bought a few baseballs and nailed an old catcher’s mitt to the chicken coop. He would spend every available moment throwing baseballs at the mitt and finally became successful at hitting the mitt nine times out of ten. 

During his pitching career, reporters showered heaps of praise on him as his record grew and fame spread. But none of them were ever aware of the many hours he practiced with no one watching or helping him develop the skills that would eventually bring him world recognition.

Fame never comes unless one is willing to pay the price it requires. Hard work is God’s plan for all of us. Those who work diligently are the recipients of many benefits in their own lives and the lives of others. God blesses those who develop the skills He gives them.

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to take the gifts You give us with great humility and work with all of our might to develop them. Only then will we bring honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

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The Limits Of Prayer

Young Eddie was saying grace before the family had dinner in a local restaurant. Heads bowed and hands united around the table when he said, “Lord, thank You for the food that is coming. And, Lord, I’ll really thank You a lot more if Mom would get us some ice cream!”

 A woman sitting at the next table said, “Shame on that child. Kids just don’t know how to pray anymore. Asking God for ice cream is a disgrace.”

Someone sitting in a booth overheard the woman and said, “Asking God for ice cream is a great prayer. Ice cream is good for the soul.”

 When the ice cream was served, young Eddie took his bowl to the woman and said, “Here, ma’am. This is for you. Sometimes ice cream is good for the soul.”

Paul said, “Pray about everything!” Nothing is beyond everything - not even ice cream. As believers, we need not worry about anything because we have a loving Heavenly Father Who knows about and cares for our every need and want. Each of them individually! 

 Here’s a great reminder from Peter: “Give all your worries and wants to God, for He cares for you.” If only we would accept the reality of God’s power and His unlimited concern for us, our prayers would be vastly different and even include “ice cream” sometimes.

Prayer:  Help us, Father, to look to You as a Father Who cares for everything about us. May we take You at Your word and pray and trust You completely. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

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Master Model

Melissa wanted to be a school teacher from her earliest memories. So, it was a dream come true when she enrolled in college and began to prepare for a life of teaching. She wanted to be the best teacher any pupil ever had. 

She decided to write Thomas Carlyle, a world-famous historian, and ask his advice. She wrote, “Tell me, sir, what is the secret of successful teaching?” 

His reply was simple, “Be what you would have your pupils to be. All else is unblessed mockery!”

What a reminder for Christians. Though our words are important, our life – the way we act - is a much stronger lesson about who Christ is and what He can do. Our lives are often much more potent than anything we can ever say. Said Paul to Timothy, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 

Timothy was a young pastor and under much scrutiny. Paul knew the pressure that he faced and wanted him to be an example to his church in everything that he said or did. Wisely, Paul advised him that only those disciples who lived lives imitating the life of Jesus would be worthy examples and effective teachers of the Good News. 

And, if we read Paul’s words carefully, we will notice that every aspect of our lives is listed: speech, behavior, love, faith, as well as pure thinking, and living.

Prayer:  We often forget, Lord, that we are always Your model for the world to see. May our faith be strong, our thoughts pure, and our lives modeled after Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

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The Miracle Worker

Twelve ministers boarded a flight in Miami for New York. Shortly after takeoff, the plane encountered a terrible unexpected storm. The people onboard became frightened as the aircraft bounced and shifted with the currents.

One of the clergymen called to a flight attendant and said, “Tell the Captain that everything will be okay because twelve ministers from Miami are onboard.” 

Politely excusing herself, she phoned the Captain with the news. A moment later, she returned to the minister and said, “The Captain asked that I tell you that he was honored to have all of you on board the flight. But he also asked that I tell you that he would rather have four dependable jet engines.”

Jesus, our Savior, was a miracle worker. He specialized in accomplishing supernatural things for God through ordinary people and ordinary things. What He did then He can do now. Neither He nor his power has changed. What was then, is today, and will be forever.  

When He fed the five thousand, He used the lunch of a small boy to feed the hungry crowd. He took that small insignificant gift and accomplished one of His greatest miracles. The lesson in that miracle for us? No one is ever too young and no gift too small for God to accept, bless, and use to accomplish great things that will honor Him.

Prayer:  Father, may we realize that it is not the size of our gift that mattes, but our willingness to allow You to do great things through us. Give us willing hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” John 6:1-14

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Turning Deaf Ears

Roger was sent home from school with a note from his teacher. “Mrs. Arnold,” the note read, “your son was involved in an incident in the cafeteria today. He and two other students took the food from another student’s tray and would not allow him to eat. He has been assigned a week of detention starting tomorrow.”

After reading the note to Roger, Mrs. Arnold said, “Son, why did you do such a thing?”

After a moment’s thought, he replied, “Mom, the other guys asked me to help them, and I thought it would be fun!”

“Shame on you, Roger,” said his mother. “When you are asked to do things that are wrong, you should turn a deaf ear.” 

“But Mom,” he protested, “I can’t do that. I don’t have a deaf ear.”

It is difficult to go through one day without being tempted by Satan to disobey God. He’s always there presenting one opportunity after another to get us to turn from the Lord and accept his invitation to break God’s laws and harm ourselves and others. However, being tempted is not a problem. Giving in to the temptation to disobey God’s commandments is.

Perhaps we can describe temptation as Satan peeking into the keyhole of our heart, trying to find a “weak spot.” He then enters without any warning or notice and will only leave when asked. We must be alert and aware of his subtle skills to lead us astray.

Prayer:  Alert us, Lord, to the subtleties of Satan when he begins to tempt us to follow him and turn from You. May we fill our hearts with Your truths and stay strong. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:25-31  

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Someone Is Always Listening

It was a luncheon designed to impress her friends from the neighborhood. Wanting to impress them, she asked her five-year-old son, Jamie, to return thanks.  

“Jamie,” she said politely, “will you please say grace?”  

“Mommy, please, I don’t really know what to say,” he replied cautiously. 

“Well, dear,” she said encouragingly, “just say what you heard Mommy say this morning.” 

Bowing his head and folding his hands, he began, “Good Lord, why did I invite all these dumb people to lunch today.”  

Words can be a sword or a source of comfort or even a weapon that can leave a wound. Words once spoken can never be retrieved or marked “Void.” Words take on a life of their own and will leave another person better or bruised, helped or hurt, encouraged or empty.  

King David wrote, “May the words of my mouth...be pleasing to you, O Lord...” Another part of that verse states: “may...the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you.” David wanted his words to be sincere, appropriate, and approved by God as coming from the depths of his heart. He realized that if his thoughts were acceptable to God, they would be suitable as an offering to God that was worthy of sacrifice on His altar.   

What a great prayer for us to offer to God each day! 

Prayer:  Father, “may the words of our mouths and the thoughts in our minds and the attitudes of our hearts be pleasing to you, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 

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Living For Others

William Booth, the Founder of the Salvation Army, had a deep love for the Lord and the poor of London. In fact, the Salvation Army was founded in the slums of London in a nation that was not very kind to the poor. Booth was even arrested for practicing charity among the poor. 

During that era, the needs of the poor were tremendous, and the times were difficult for all. As a result, his work multiplied. He was told that there was a similar need in America and decided to send some “volunteers” from his Army to America to begin the same work here.

On one occasion, the American Salvation Army was having a convention. Although he could not attend, he was asked to send a message to those in attendance. He cabled one word only: “Others!”

There is a great danger when we do not think of or see or hear “Others!” Paul warned about it when he wrote, “Don’t be selfish: don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.”

It is almost impossible to imagine the impact that we Christians could have on the world if we took Paul’s words to heart. Imagine with me, if you can, how different the world would be if we accepted the problems of others as though they were ours, and do something about them.

Prayer:  Help me, Father, to accept my responsibility to be moved with compassion and act with compassion to meet their needs. May I work with You to help others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

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"I Do Care"

George went to confession regularly. And, he was more faithful than most. But, whenever he went, he expressed no feelings of remorse or change of attitude, and his behavior showed no signs of repentance.

His priest was concerned that there was no sorrow for his sins or feelings of guilt for his shortcomings. It hurt the priest because he loved George deeply. He baptized him when he was an infant and had known him from his childhood.

One day in his frustration, he said, “George, please go into the cathedral. Near the altar is a statue of Christ on the cross. Get down on your knees, look into the face of our Lord, raise your fist and say, ‘Jesus, you did all this for me, but I don’t care! It’s just not that important to me.’ Will you do that for me, please?”

Reluctantly he agreed and went into the cathedral. He slowly walked to the cross, dropped to his knees, looked up into the face of Jesus, and began to repeat the words of the priest: “Jesus, you did all this for me...Jesus, you did all this for me...Jesus, you did all this for me.” Suddenly he began to sob loudly and shouted, “Jesus, forgive me please, forgive me for my sins. Now that I see You, I really do care.”

Once we finally see and feel, understand and care, realize and accept what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary, our lives will change.

Prayer:  Lord, may we come to that place in our lives where we will in some small way realize the depth of Your suffering, the price of our salvation, and the debt we owe You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

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Commitment

A fascinating story of the Church in Russia has been passed on from one generation to the next. It occurred one Sunday as believers met in a house church. The small fellowship gathered together and began to sing their favorite hymns quietly but fervently. Suddenly, two soldiers walked into their midst with loaded weapons and began shouting. “If you wish to renounce your commitment to Christ and live, leave now!”

Two left. Then another. Finally, two more.

Closing the door, the officer snapped with the voice of a commanding officer, “Keep your hands up - but this time in praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We, too, are Christians.”

The other officer then added, “We’ve learned by our experiences that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.”

Nearing the end of his life, Paul often spoke of his loyalty and commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through shipwrecks and imprisonments, disappointed by “best-friends and once fellow-servants,” abandoned by his colleagues and followers when facing death, he remained committed. He had achieved high status in the Roman world, but one day realized that it offered nothing in comparison to what he discovered in Christ. He was willing to suffer and die for his Lord because he knew what mattered most: “For to me, living means Christ!”

Prayer:  Our Father, we may never be called upon to suffer for You, and we may never need to sacrifice anything we value, but help us to be willing to do so if asked. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:5-8

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Giving And Receiving

Little Amy was pleased that her teacher came to visit her farm. Taking her through the barn and out into the pasture, she pointed with pride to a cow that was quietly chewing its cud. 

Filled with pride, she said to her teacher, “That’s my cow!”

“Oh, how wonderful, Amy,” she commented. “Does she give milk?”

“Not really,” replied Amy. “We have to take it from her.”

Some Christians are like Amy’s cow - there is something good in them, but it has to be taken from them – as milk from a cow. Could this be true because we allow the influence of the things of this world, rather than the influence of God’s Word, control us? 

All of us are encouraged to hold on to whatever we possess as tightly as possible. We are constantly advised to invest our money wisely in “things” that are safe, so when we advance in age, we will have enough to survive.

But the writer of Proverbs has a different viewpoint: “It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy.” What did he mean?

God always blesses and enriches the lives of those who give freely of their time, treasures, and talents in service to others. When we give to others, we are only sharing with them what God has given us, and providing space in our lives for more of His blessings.

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to believe in Your Word and trust in Your ways. Open our hearts to share the blessings You have given us with those in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

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Christ Preeminent

Leonardo da Vinci had just completed his masterpiece, The Last Supper. Pleased with his work, he invited another artist to come to his studio and view his painting.

Gazing with great admiration, the guest artist was overwhelmed and speechless. Finally, he exclaimed to da Vinci, “You have painted the chalice with exquisite beauty. It is the most beautiful thing in the whole picture.”

When he heard the comments of the other artist, he immediately took his brush and painted over the chalice. He said to his guest: “I do not want anything to take away from my Lord. I painted the picture for Him, not for the chalice.” 

Christ is present in the life of every Christian. But, His presence is no assurance of His prominence. Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul said, “Christ...must be first in everything.”

Because of His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, God exalted Christ and elevated Him to His rightful place in creation. And, if God honored Him as being supreme over all things, how ought we to honor Him in, and through, and with, and by, the way we live? 

Simply accepting Him as our Savior is not enough. We must exalt Him and elevate Him as our Lord, and make Him visible in every aspect of our lives.

Prayer:  We thank You, Father, for what You have done for us and what You can do through us. May we make You the centerpiece of our lives and always put You first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:18

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Advance!

When Caesar crossed the English Channel from Gaul and landed on the shore, he knew that the odds were against his winning the impending battle. After thinking of the seriousness of the situation, he did a strange thing. 

After he landed on the shore, he had all of his men get off of the ships and gather around him. He then ordered all but a few to move forward and not look back. Then, he ordered the remaining few to stay with him. At his command, they were to set fire to all of the ships.
After the first party made their way forward, he issued the order to set the ships ablaze. When the ships were blazing, he then gave another command for the men to turn around and see the burning ships. 

The men were stunned as they looked at the burning vessels. They realized that they were now stranded in enemy territory and could not retreat to safety. There was nothing that they could do but advance and fight. And they did! With every ounce of strength they possessed, they fought their way forward and won!

When we face overwhelming challenges and difficult decisions, we must look to God and ask Him a simple question: What is the best way to advance and win the battle. He knows what we should do. However, we must trust in Him, His advice, and His strength to be victorious.

Prayer:  Each day, Lord, we face tasks that are trying and problems that are perplexing. May we look to You for Your insight and wisdom as we face life’s demands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

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Advance!

When Caesar crossed the English Channel from Gaul and landed on the shore, he knew that the odds were against his winning the impending battle. After thinking of the seriousness of the situation, he did a strange thing. 

After he landed on the shore, he had all of his men get off of the ships and gather around him. He then ordered all but a few to move forward and not look back. Then, he ordered the remaining few to stay with him. At his command, they were to set fire to all of the ships.
After the first party made their way forward, he issued the order to set the ships ablaze. When the ships were blazing, he then gave another command for the men to turn around and see the burning ships. 

The men were stunned as they looked at the burning vessels. They realized that they were now stranded in enemy territory and could not retreat to safety. There was nothing that they could do but advance and fight. And they did! With every ounce of strength they possessed, they fought their way forward and won!

When we face overwhelming challenges and difficult decisions, we must look to God and ask Him a simple question: What is the best way to advance and win the battle. He knows what we should do. However, we must trust in Him, His advice, and His strength to be victorious.

Prayer:  Each day, Lord, we face tasks that are trying and problems that are perplexing. May we look to You for Your insight and wisdom as we face life’s demands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

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The Thinking Table

A local television station sent one of its reporters to a kindergarten to interview the children. One young boy seemed to stand out above all of the other children. His energy, his enthusiasm, and his excitement were very obvious.Approaching him, the reporter asked, “Do you like school?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied. Then he became quiet for a moment and said, “Except for the thinking table.” 

“The thinking table? What’s the thinking table?” asked the reporter.

“It’s that table over in the corner. The teacher sends us over there to make us think,” he responded.

“Think? Think about what?” continued the interviewer.

“Well,” the boy answered, “the last time I had to go there and think was after I hit Sarah. I had to go over there and think about why I hit her and why I shouldn’t have.” 

Paul said that we “should think of others better than ourselves.” His statement does not mean that we should put ourselves down, but that we are to set aside our desires and not take advantage of others. We are to treat others with respect and common courtesy that we ourselves want. If we did think of their needs first, we would not need “thinking tables.”

Prayer:  Often, Father, we think “more highly of ourselves” than we should. We ask You to convict and convince us to “let Your mind be in (control) of us.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4

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The Thinking Table

A local television station sent one of its reporters to a kindergarten to interview the children. One young boy seemed to stand out above all of the other children. His energy, his enthusiasm, and his excitement were very obvious.Approaching him, the reporter asked, “Do you like school?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied. Then he became quiet for a moment and said, “Except for the thinking table.” 

“The thinking table? What’s the thinking table?” asked the reporter.

“It’s that table over in the corner. The teacher sends us over there to make us think,” he responded.

“Think? Think about what?” continued the interviewer.

“Well,” the boy answered, “the last time I had to go there and think was after I hit Sarah. I had to go over there and think about why I hit her and why I shouldn’t have.” 

Paul said that we “should think of others better than ourselves.” His statement does not mean that we should put ourselves down, but that we are to set aside our desires and not take advantage of others. We are to treat others with respect and common courtesy that we ourselves want. If we did think of their needs first, we would not need “thinking tables.”

Prayer:  Often, Father, we think “more highly of ourselves” than we should. We ask You to convict and convince us to “let Your mind be in (control) of us.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4

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Our Needs From His Riches

An architect designed a cluster of office buildings around a central green area. After they were built, he called a landscape architect and asked him to plant grass in the field among the buildings.

Puzzled, the landscape architect asked, “But where do you want me to allow space for the 
walks?”

“Don’t worry about that. Just plant the grass,” said the architect.

A few months later, the buildings were filled with occupants. As the people walked from one building to another, they made pathways in the grass. The architect then decided it was time for the walkways.

“Do you see those paths created by the people?” he asked the landscape architect.

“Yes,” came the reply.

“That is where I want you to place the walks,” said the architect. “It was important for me to see the needs of the people going from one building to another before we located the walks.”

That’s the way our Lord works. When we have a need, He is ready to respond to us from His perspective, His plan, and His riches. He sees our needs before we do.

When we are afraid, He will increase our faith. When we grieve, He will give us His comfort and compassion. When we are overcome with problems, He will give us His solutions. When we are troubled, He will give us His peace. Whatever our need, He can meet it!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to trust You completely for all that we need. We have the promise of Your Word, that if we ask, You can and will meet our every need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

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Our Needs From His Riches

An architect designed a cluster of office buildings around a central green area. After they were built, he called a landscape architect and asked him to plant grass in the field among the buildings.

Puzzled, the landscape architect asked, “But where do you want me to allow space for the 
walks?”

“Don’t worry about that. Just plant the grass,” said the architect.

A few months later, the buildings were filled with occupants. As the people walked from one building to another, they made pathways in the grass. The architect then decided it was time for the walkways.

“Do you see those paths created by the people?” he asked the landscape architect.

“Yes,” came the reply.

“That is where I want you to place the walks,” said the architect. “It was important for me to see the needs of the people going from one building to another before we located the walks.”

That’s the way our Lord works. When we have a need, He is ready to respond to us from His perspective, His plan, and His riches. He sees our needs before we do.

When we are afraid, He will increase our faith. When we grieve, He will give us His comfort and compassion. When we are overcome with problems, He will give us His solutions. When we are troubled, He will give us His peace. Whatever our need, He can meet it!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to trust You completely for all that we need. We have the promise of Your Word, that if we ask, You can and will meet our every need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

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Guidelines

An anxious young college student recently said to a highly respected entrepreneur, “I need your guidance. I know that you are very successful so I know that any advice you give me would be very worthwhile. Can you give me a few words that can guide me through life?”

“Yes,” he replied. “But first, you must know that they come from the Bible and that I have found them most reliable.”

The first word is anything. Be willing to do any work or task that God places before you. Accept all of His assignments with confidence because He has never planned for anyone to fail. 

The second word is anywhere. Be ready to follow Him wherever He leads you. The will of God won’t lead you where the grace of God can’t protect you or His power will not provide for your every need.

Finally, any cost. Nothing is too precious to give up for the Lord. And, whatever you give up for Him will be given back to you many, many times over. And, above all, remember this: Give up everything for Him but do not give Him up for anything. 

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me!” To be one of His disciples means that we are willing to do whatever He asks us to do, wherever He asks us to do it. And, it is essential to realize one crucial fact: God equips everyone for success. Each of His opportunities come with a guarantee that He will give us the ability to succeed if we are willing to do the work His way.

Prayer:  Father, may we realize that being Your disciples carries with it the responsibility to honor You in everything we do. May we do our best for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34

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Guidelines

An anxious young college student recently said to a highly respected entrepreneur, “I need your guidance. I know that you are very successful so I know that any advice you give me would be very worthwhile. Can you give me a few words that can guide me through life?”

“Yes,” he replied. “But first, you must know that they come from the Bible and that I have found them most reliable.”

The first word is anything. Be willing to do any work or task that God places before you. Accept all of His assignments with confidence because He has never planned for anyone to fail. 

The second word is anywhere. Be ready to follow Him wherever He leads you. The will of God won’t lead you where the grace of God can’t protect you or His power will not provide for your every need.

Finally, any cost. Nothing is too precious to give up for the Lord. And, whatever you give up for Him will be given back to you many, many times over. And, above all, remember this: Give up everything for Him but do not give Him up for anything. 

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me!” To be one of His disciples means that we are willing to do whatever He asks us to do, wherever He asks us to do it. And, it is essential to realize one crucial fact: God equips everyone for success. Each of His opportunities come with a guarantee that He will give us the ability to succeed if we are willing to do the work His way.

Prayer:  Father, may we realize that being Your disciples carries with it the responsibility to honor You in everything we do. May we do our best for Your sake. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today: Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34

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Obstacles Can Be Opportunities

Centuries ago, a king had a group of his soldiers place a large stone in the middle of a road during the night. They worked in silence, following his orders, because he wanted no one to see them place a sack beneath the stone. 

The next day he sat silently in a balcony where no one could see him and watched as the people passed by. All of them looked at the stone, paused a moment, and then walked around it. Some became angry and wanted to know who could possibly have a reason to interrupt their lives with such a horrible inconvenience. Others cursed the stone, thinking that their oaths would make a difference, and the stone would move under its own power. 

Finally, an elderly peasant paused, looked at the stone, and then summoned all of his strength and pushed it out of the way. To his surprise, he discovered a purse beneath the stone. When he opened it, he discovered many gold coins and a note from the king. The note read: “Whoever moves this stone is entitled to the coins in this purse.”

God works “in everything,” according to the Apostle Paul, “for our good.” It does not mean that whatever happens to us is “good.” But that “good” will come to us if we fulfill His purpose for our lives as we grow into His likeness.

Prayer:  Give us, Dear Father, the vision to see every obstacle in life as an opportunity to grow into Your likeness. May we face each barrier we face as a gift for our growth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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Obstacles Can Be Opportunities

Centuries ago, a king had a group of his soldiers place a large stone in the middle of a road during the night. They worked in silence, following his orders, because he wanted no one to see them place a sack beneath the stone. 

The next day he sat silently in a balcony where no one could see him and watched as the people passed by. All of them looked at the stone, paused a moment, and then walked around it. Some became angry and wanted to know who could possibly have a reason to interrupt their lives with such a horrible inconvenience. Others cursed the stone, thinking that their oaths would make a difference, and the stone would move under its own power. 

Finally, an elderly peasant paused, looked at the stone, and then summoned all of his strength and pushed it out of the way. To his surprise, he discovered a purse beneath the stone. When he opened it, he discovered many gold coins and a note from the king. The note read: “Whoever moves this stone is entitled to the coins in this purse.”

God works “in everything,” according to the Apostle Paul, “for our good.” It does not mean that whatever happens to us is “good.” But that “good” will come to us if we fulfill His purpose for our lives as we grow into His likeness.

Prayer:  Give us, Dear Father, the vision to see every obstacle in life as an opportunity to grow into Your likeness. May we face each barrier we face as a gift for our growth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

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Say What Is!

The editor of the classified ad section of a newspaper noticed the cornerstone of a large cathedral in New York City. She paused to read the words and became intrigued.

Walking into the church, she made her way down the aisle and finally found the pastor’s study. Politely she asked if he had a moment to speak with her.

Seated in front of his desk, she introduced herself and said, “I noticed the words on the cornerstone that quoted the words of Jesus: ‘Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.’ Do you do those things here?”

“Oh, no,” came the reply. “Years ago, they were placed there because the congregation thought they sounded good.” 

“Well,” she replied, “if you don’t do those things, you shouldn’t advertise that you do.”

It is one thing to say that we believe the gospel but quite another thing to show others that we believe the gospel. Often we speak the words of the Bible as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven but do not live by its rules. Again, we may verbalize the teachings of Jesus, but quite another thing is to verify the value of His words with our life. If we say it and believe it, we ought to do it, and the goal of what we do should honor our Savior and Lord!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to live our faith. We ask that You give us the courage to do what we ought to do wherever we are to show others we belong to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

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Say What Is!

The editor of the classified ad section of a newspaper noticed the cornerstone of a large cathedral in New York City. She paused to read the words and became intrigued.

Walking into the church, she made her way down the aisle and finally found the pastor’s study. Politely she asked if he had a moment to speak with her.

Seated in front of his desk, she introduced herself and said, “I noticed the words on the cornerstone that quoted the words of Jesus: ‘Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.’ Do you do those things here?”

“Oh, no,” came the reply. “Years ago, they were placed there because the congregation thought they sounded good.” 

“Well,” she replied, “if you don’t do those things, you shouldn’t advertise that you do.”

It is one thing to say that we believe the gospel but quite another thing to show others that we believe the gospel. Often we speak the words of the Bible as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven but do not live by its rules. Again, we may verbalize the teachings of Jesus, but quite another thing is to verify the value of His words with our life. If we say it and believe it, we ought to do it, and the goal of what we do should honor our Savior and Lord!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to live our faith. We ask that You give us the courage to do what we ought to do wherever we are to show others we belong to Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

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The Limits Of Truth

It was a tense trial. The man who was facing severe charges needed someone to testify to his trustworthiness. One of his friends was called to the stand as a witness. He was asked, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”

He quietly responded, “Yes, I do.”

The judge turned to him and asked, “Do you understand the meaning of that oath?”

“Yes, your Honor, I do,” he replied. And then added, “But under those conditions, I don’t have much to say.”

What a thoughtful, cautious response. He had much that he could say, but he was clear about what he would not say. His mind was “full,” but he chose to keep his mouth “empty.”
Whatever we put into our minds eventually comes out of our mouths and is ultimately seen in our behavior. Paul advised us to “program” our minds to “Think about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and worthy of praise.” What a challenge!

If we take Paul’s advice seriously and pause to consider the importance of what we allow to enter our minds, we might be quite surprised. As people of “habits,” we do things out of routines that have been established over the years. These routines define who we are. So...
Whatever we look at or read, think on or talk about, listen to and meditate on, will impact the way we behave. There is a predictable path: from head to heart to habit 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, fill our minds with thoughts that come from Your Word that will draw us so close to You. Then we will speak words that are “worthy of praise.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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The Limits Of Truth

It was a tense trial. The man who was facing severe charges needed someone to testify to his trustworthiness. One of his friends was called to the stand as a witness. He was asked, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”

He quietly responded, “Yes, I do.”

The judge turned to him and asked, “Do you understand the meaning of that oath?”

“Yes, your Honor, I do,” he replied. And then added, “But under those conditions, I don’t have much to say.”

What a thoughtful, cautious response. He had much that he could say, but he was clear about what he would not say. His mind was “full,” but he chose to keep his mouth “empty.”
Whatever we put into our minds eventually comes out of our mouths and is ultimately seen in our behavior. Paul advised us to “program” our minds to “Think about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and worthy of praise.” What a challenge!

If we take Paul’s advice seriously and pause to consider the importance of what we allow to enter our minds, we might be quite surprised. As people of “habits,” we do things out of routines that have been established over the years. These routines define who we are. So...
Whatever we look at or read, think on or talk about, listen to and meditate on, will impact the way we behave. There is a predictable path: from head to heart to habit 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, fill our minds with thoughts that come from Your Word that will draw us so close to You. Then we will speak words that are “worthy of praise.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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Asking The Right Question

A salesman was calling on one of his favorite customers - an elderly gentleman who owned a country store. He found “Old Sam” sitting on the porch of his store, gently rocking back and forth with an old Labrador retriever lying quietly beside him. As he walked up the steps, he said, “That’s a beautiful dog. Does your dog bite?”

“Nope,” said “Old Sam,” as he continued to rock.

The salesman reached down to pet the dog. Just as he touched the dog’s head, it growled and snapped viciously at him. He jumped back and shouted, “I thought you said that your dog didn’t bite!”

 “I did. My dog doesn’t bite. But that’s not my dog,” responded “Old Sam.”

All of us collect information. It is an ongoing process in everyone’s life. But the value of the information depends on the questions we ask. Otherwise, the information is useless.

Thomas, the disciple, known as “the doubter,” once asked, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know ‘the way’?” Jesus replied, “I am ‘the way’ and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Jesus answered life’s most important question, and one everyone must answer: “Do you know ‘the way’ to God?” Jesus left no doubt about the route: We can only get to God through Him. “The way” that Jesus taught is established on God’s “truth” and promises eternal “life.” 

Prayer:  Lord, we thank You that Your Son clearly and consistently explained the only way to come to You is through Him. May, we in faith, accept Your “way.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

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