Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Day 212, July 31 - Matthew 15

Click here for today's reading


10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand:
11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?
18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Yet another good reminder of how we need to live our lives.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Day 211, July 30 - Matthew 14

Click here for today's reading


13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.

23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Jesus, the Son of God, took time to be alone and to pray. It's a great reminder that we need to do the same.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Day 210, July 29 - Matthew 13

Click here for today's reading


47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I know I've read this before but I don't remember it. I want to be a good fish!!!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Day 209, July 28 - Psalm 100 & 101

Click here for today's reading

Psalm 100 -
4 Go through His gates, giving thanks; walk through His courts, giving praise. Offer Him your gratitude and praise His holy name.

5 Because the Eternal is good, His loyal love and mercy will never end, and His truth will last throughout all generations.
(The Voice)

Psalm 101 -
1 I will sing of God’s unsparing love and justice; to You, O Eternal One, I will sing praises.

2 I will seek to live a life of integrity; when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with an honest and true heart.
(The Voice)

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Day 208, July 27 - Psalm 98 & 99

Click here for today's reading


Psalm 98
1 Compose a new song, and sing it to the Eternal because of the unbelievable things He has done; He has won the victory with the skill of His right hand and strength of His holy arm.

2 The Eternal has made it clear that He saves, and He has shown the nations that He does what is right.

3 He has been true to His promises; fresh in His mind is His unfailing love for all of Israel. Even the ends of the earth have witnessed how our God saves.

Psalm 99:9

Lift up the Eternal our God in your hearts, and celebrate His goodness at His holy mountain, for the Eternal our God is holy, perfect and exalted in His power.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Day 207, July 26 - Matthew 12

Click here for today's reading


33 Good trees produce good fruits; bad trees produce bad fruits. You can always tell a tree by its fruits. 50 Anyone who does the will of My Father in heaven is My mother and brother and sister.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Day 206, July 25 - Matthew 11

Click here for today's reading



28 Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Put My yoke upon your shoulders—it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (The Voice)


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Day 205, July 24 - Matthew 10

Click here for today's reading


28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?[h] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.


Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Day 204, July 23 - Matthew 9

Click here for today's reading

35-38 

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

I pray that you see people the way Jesus does...

Monday, July 22, 2013

Day 203, July 22 - Matthew 8

Click here for today's reading

23-27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 

And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

Remember this when facing the storms of life...

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Day 202, July 21 - Psalm 96 & 97

Click here for today's reading

Psalm 96
1 Oh sing to the LORDa new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 97
9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Day 201, July 20 - Psalm 94 & 95

Click here for today's reading

Psalm 95
1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Day 200, July 19 - Matthew 7

Click here for today's reading


15 - 20: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

I want to be known for good fruit. 

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Day 199, July 18 - Matthew 6

Click here for today's reading

9-15:
Pray then like this: 

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

When you don't know what to pray... 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Day 198, July 17 - Matthew 5

Click here for today's reading

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Verse 5 has always been my favorite, so I looked up in the Strong's Concordance what meek means:
Mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness - Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and  therefore without disputing or resisting. In the Old Testament, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. 

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Day 197, July 16 - Matthew 4

Click here for today's reading

1-3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him...

Jesus faced temptations just like we do, and He used the Word of God. The Son of God used the Word of God to combat temptation, can we get away with any less?

Monday, July 15, 2013

Day 196, July 15 - Matthew 3

Click here for today's reading


13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."Then he consented.

Even Jesus saw it necessary to be baptized.  

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Day 195, July 14 - Psalm 92, 93

Click here for today's reading

Psalm 92:

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!

What a great reading for a Sunday!! But good for everyday!!

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Day 194, July 13 - Psalm 90 & 91

Click here for today's reading


90:12 - Teach us to number our days so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom.

91:1& 2 - 1 He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress, my God, I place all my trust in You.”

Psalm 91 is a great one to read when you're experiencing fears or attacks from the enemy.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Day 193, July 12 - Matthew 2

Click here for today's reading


19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have an angel of the Lord appear to me in a dream to give me a message.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Day 192, July 11 - Matthew 1

Click here for today's reading


5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

I love how Jesus had two foreigners in his family tree. Reminds me that God takes all types when the heart is right.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Day 191, July 10 - Romans 16

Click here for today's reading


25 So to the One who is able to strengthen you to live consistently with my good news and the preaching of Jesus, the Anointed, with the revelation of the ancient mystery that has been kept secret since the earliest days, 26 this mystery is revealed through the prophetic voices passed down in the Scriptures, as they have been commanded by the Eternal God. In this time, this mystery is being made known to the nations so that all may be led to faith-filled obedience. 27 To the one true and wise God, we offer glory for all times through Jesus, the Anointed One. Amen. (The Voice)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Day 190, July 9 - Romans 15

Click here for today's reading

You may notice that I'm using www.biblegateway.com for today's reading. I realized tonight they now have the English Standard Version available as well as The Voice. (I also included NIV because many people like it as well.) You can read the scripture in the version you prefer!!


5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Day 189, July 8 - Romans 14

Click here for today's reading


13Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

Don't focus on the small stuff...

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Day 188, July 7 - Psalm 89

Click here for today's reading

From The Voice:

1 - I will sing of Your unfailing love, Eternal One, forever. I will speak of Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 - I will tell how Your unfailing love will always stand strong; and how Your faithfulness is established in the heavens above.
15 - How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through life by the light of Your face.
16 - Every hour of the day they rejoice at the sound of Your name. They are lifted up and encouraged by Your righteousness.
24 - My faithfulness and unfailing love will never leave him; through My name, strength and power will be his.
28 - My unfailing love will always be with him, protecting him; My covenant with him will never be broken.

AMEN!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Day 187, July 6 - Psalm 87 & 88

Click here for today's reading

Psalm 87:7 - The Voice
Those who sing and those who dance will say together, "All my fountains of joy are in You"

Psalm 88 is a Psalm to be read when you're struggling, especially with health issues... it's a great reminder that even the strongest Christian can have downtimes and need to express that to God. He's big enough to handle it.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Day 186, July 5 - Romans 13

Click here for today's reading


8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Day 185, July 4 - Romans 12

Click here for today's reading


One of my favorite passages lots of good verses and here's just a few: 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

See what I mean!?!?!?

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Day 184, July 3 - Romans 11

Click here for today's reading


29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

33-36:
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Day 191, July 10 - Romans 16

Click here for today's reading


25 So to the One who is able to strengthen you to live consistently with my good news and the preaching of Jesus, the Anointed, with the revelation of the ancient mystery that has been kept secret since the earliest days, 26 this mystery is revealed through the prophetic voices passed down in the Scriptures, as they have been commanded by the Eternal God. In this time, this mystery is being made known to the nations so that all may be led to faith-filled obedience. 27 To the one true and wise God, we offer glory for all times through Jesus, the Anointed One. Amen. (The Voice)

Day 183, July 2 - Romans 10

Click here for today's reading

9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Monday, July 1, 2013

Day 182, July 1 - Romans 9

Click here for today's reading

30-33

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."