| Today's Bible Verse |
| "But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name.
"
|
John 1:12 King James
Version (KJV)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Today's Bible Study |
My husband’s PC died after
receiving some rough treatment on a flight home
from a trip. Friends convinced him to replace his
PC with a Mac.
Since my husband bought the Mac, he has done almost
nothing except try to learn how to use it. It may
eventually serve him better than his PC did. But
this switching-over process is proving to be
agonizing.
The decision to follow Jesus always involves
change, a kind of switching-over. New believers
feel awkward. They fear making a misstep and being
embarrassed. They watch mature Christians locate
scripture passages with ease. Is Nahum really in
the Bible? Mature Christians, they fear, will
monitor their actions and judge them harshly.
Mature Christians must never be critical of new
Christians. Instead, they need to “come alongside”
these fledgling believers, helping them as they
learn how to use the Bible, how to pray, and how to
feel confident in their salvation.
A few years ago, I joined a local group for
writers. I was excited but also nervous. What if I
didn’t fit in? Would the other members be
intolerant of me and critical of my work?
What I found was a group of warm, accepting people
who, like me, were still learning. Their warmth
encouraged me. I soon realized we weren’t in a
competition. We were people on the same path.
All Christians are making the same journey. Each
one started somewhere. Though the Christian walk is
sometimes referred to as a race, it is a team
sport, not a competition among individuals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Today's Prayer |
 |
| Lord, thank you for the people who have
encouraged me in my Christian walk. Teach me how to love new
believers as You love them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Yesterday's Bible
Verse |
| "Take heed that ye do not
your alms before men, to be seen of them:
otherwise ye have no reward of your Father
which is in heaven."
|
Matthew 6:1 King James
Version (KJV)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Yesterday's Bible
Study |
One of the highest
compliments I have received came from a friend
who described me as a person who is real.
We have all had enough of empty facades. Almost
daily we learn that someone whom the world
honored was a fake.
Some lied about their accomplishments or
military honors. Others claimed to possess high
morals until they were caught stealing. A few
were true flimflam artists whose public lives
were complete lies. I am thinking of “America’s
Dad,” Bill Cosby.
Other well-known people looked good until
someone challenged them, got in their way, or
stepped on their toes. Then they revealed inner
ugliness. Someone has said, “What your heart is
full of is what spills out when you get
bumped.”
The Pharisees were the spiritual elites of the
Jews in Jesus’ day. They prayed loudly in
public places and made sure people noticed when
they gave alms. They wore on their foreheads
and arms small leather boxes containing Hebrew
texts. And people were impressed.
Then Jesus came on the scene. To say that Jesus
“bumped” the Pharisees is putting it mildly. He
challenged them at every opportunity.
And the contents of these Pharisees’ hearts
spilled out. They accused Jesus of blasphemy,
called him an agent of Satan, and helped bring
about his crucifixion. Evil filled the hearts
of these men who appeared pious on the outside.
Commit yourself to pleasing God. Let people see
that characteristic in you. Be real.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Yesterday's Prayer |
|
| Lord, keep me from the sin of hypocrisy.
Help me seek only Your approval. Amen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
TheBibleAppProject.org LLC | PO Box 466, Fishkill, NY 12524
|
|
| |
