12/29/12 - 1 John 1 - 5

S - 1 John 2:1 - My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commands.  4 Whoever says, "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.  By this may we know that we are in him:  6 whoever says he abides in him out to walk in the same way in he walked.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . yes, I have paid for your sins.  They are washed away.  But as the saying goes, "Go and sin no more!"  That is the key to this whole thing.  I want you to sin no more.  If you follow my commands I will be in you and you will be walking as I did.  If you continue to sin and say that you love me, I am not in you and you are not following me.

A - So, I just have to walk like Jesus walked, sinless throughout life?  No problem!?  Well, even if I do try to do that, and I would like to try, I am going to screw it up once in a while, okay, sometimes more than once in a while.  That is why he came to be the propitiation for my sins.  He has covered them.  But it is my responsibility to attempt to follow in his footsteps and be sinless, then I am following his commands.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son to die for my sins.  Forgive me for the sins in my life.  Help me to strive to walk according to the way that Jesus walked.  I want to follow his commands, give me strength.

12/28/12 - 2 Peter; Jude

S - 2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,  4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, your virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of your Lord Jesus Christ.  9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.  10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . have these qualities about you at all times.  Not only when people are watching you, but when you are alone in your house, in your classroom, outside walking down the street.  Remember, when no one is there to see you, I am.  And I want to see you portraying these qualities in your life at all times.  If I am to use you, you need to be full of all of these.

A - I must continue to strive for excellence of character, remembering that the Lord is watching me at all times.  I must behave when I am by myself, as I would if there were many people watching over me, because the Lord is there with me at all times. 

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I portray a character that is less than becoming to you.  Help me to be worthy of the name that you have place on me, son.  Help me to live my life to serve you, whether I ma in from of my class, with my family, or just at home by myself.

12/27/12 - 2 Timothy

S - 2 Timothy 3:1 - But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do not be one of these people.  Do not associate with such people. They are trying to bring you down.  They are trying to get you to fall to their level.  Do not fall for it.  Stay right with me at all times.  And when you stumble, ask for forgiveness and carry on.  I will always love you.

A - I must stay on the straight and narrow path.  These are the end times.  People are falling into all of the traps that are listed above and it is very easy to fall into them as well.  I must continue to meet with my Father and talk things out daily.  I must continue to listen to him and follow his commands.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I fall to the temptations that bombard me on a daily basis.  Help me stay strong for you.  Help me to continue to meet with you regularly and listen to your words.

12/26/12 - Hebrews 11 - 13

S - Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . run your race, with endurance.  Stick to it.  I know that you have had some setbacks and have gotten a little discouraged from time to time.  But, just remember, I am with you always.  So when you get frustrated, just look to me and ask for a little strength and help.  I will always be there for you.

A - I must continue on continuing on.  I must be diligent about my life and live in such a way that I am honoring God in all that I do.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for sticking in there with me.  Help me to continue on strong.  Give me the strength to continue to live for you, even when I don't feel like it.  Give me the assurance that you are with me, even when I don't feel you by my side.

12/25/12 - Hebrews 7 - 11

S - Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brothers, since we have a confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,  21 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from and evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one anther, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,  27 but a fearful expectation of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.  28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay."  and again, "The Lord will judge his people."  31 it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do not go on sinning deliberately.  My son paid for your sins so that you could live a good and righteous life.  If you go on sinning deliberately, you are spitting in the face of the one who died for you.  Live a life that is worthy of approaching me, the King of the Universe.  Have faith that I will give you the strength to live the kind of life that you want to live.  Come to me regularly and we will become good friends.  Then you can talk to me about anything and everything.  I will help you with all of your struggles.

A - Meeting regularly with God is the only way to a godly life.  I must continue to see him daily!

P - Heavenly Father, help me to live a life that is worthy of calling you my Father.  Give me strength to defeat temptation.

12/24/12 - Hebrews 1 - 6

S - Hebrews 2:14 - Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.  16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.  17 Therefore he had to be made like he brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I can help you defeat temptation.  I have been through it my self.  I defeated the devil numerous times, the last time when I rose from the dead when he thought he had killed me.  I know his weakness.  I know your strengths and can help you emphasize them in winning when you are tempted.  You also have my strength on your side.  I am just waiting for you to call on me for help.  I love you and want to do all I can for you.  Just call on me when you are tempted and I will be there to help you.  And when you are in my word, he is not happy.  He will leave you if you are reading my word and quoting my words to him.

A - When being tempted, I must grab a Bible and begin to read the word of God. If I still feel the temptation nagging at me, I will read the words of Jesus out loud so the devil and his minions can hear it.  At that point I will have won.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have given in to temptation.  Forgive me for my sins.  Help me to be able to defeat the temptation when it comes up.  Give me the strength to read your words out loud to the tempter when he comes on me.

12/23/12 - 1 Peter

S - 1 Peter 2:1 - So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  2 Like new born infants, long for the pure spiritual mild, that by it you may grow up into salvation -- 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of god chosen and precious,  5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,  14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.  16 Live is people who are free, not using our freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the emperor.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . put away all sin!  Malice, deceit, and envy and slander are not for you.  You should be acting like you are one of the children of the King, since you are.  Do not envy, do not ridicule, do not slander, do not judge.  These are sins against me and I can not be in the presence of sin so I cannot be in your presence when you are participation in these types of things.  Honor all forms of government that are over you, from the president to your boss.  It is my will that those people are over you.  You might not ever know why they were put there but, trust me, there is a reason for everything.  It might not have anything to do with you at all, or with them.  It might be that you are there to serve someone else.  If you are living for me then my purpose will be served by your following my commands where you are.

A - I must be satisfied in the position that I am in.  I know that God has placed me in this position for a reason.  If I am living in his will, then his purpose will be served.  

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for putting me in the position that I am in.  Help me to live my life as a child of yours.  Help me to listen to your calling and do the things that you want me to do.  Help me to serve out your purpose where I am.  Whatever it is that I am here for, may your will be done.  Help me to speak the things that you want me to speak, to do the things that you want me to do.  

12/22/21 - Titus

S - Titus 2:1 - But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.  2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.  

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.  7 Show integrity, dignity,  8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

3:8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.  These things are excellent and profitable for people.  9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.  When you teach my word, do your research well and ask for guidance.  I can help you make sure that it lines up with what I have said in my word.  Devote yourself to good works otherwise, and make sure that you avoid the things that are "worthless and unprofitable."

A - I must do excessive research when I am teaching out of the Bible.  I must make sure that the things that I am teaching line up with scripture.  I must teach sound doctrine.  And I must ask others to help guide me as well as spending time in prayer before digging into the study that I am doing.

P - Heavenly Father, guide me as I prepare Sunday School lessons out of your word.  Help me do accurate research and study before writing the lesson.  Help me to be wise about the questions that I write and give me good ideas as I look through the commentaries that I have and as I read through the Bible.  May the words that I speak on the day that the lesson is presented be from you and not from me.  Give me a humility to understand that I can do nothing without your guidance and strength.

12/21/12 - 1 Timothy

S - 1 Timothy 6:11 - But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  12 Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  13 I charge you in the presence of God,who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,  14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  15 which he will display at the proper time -- he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see.  To him be honor and eternal dominion,  Amen.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . fight the good fight!  Pursue the things that will produce fruit in you.  Long for righteousness and godliness as if it were something to be grasped and never let go.

A - I must live my life in such a way that my God is glorified.  I must seek after righteousness.  I must pursue godliness.

P - Heavenly Father, guide me in this life as I pursue a life that is worthy of approaching you.  Help me to become the person that you want me to be.

12/20/12 - Philippians

S - Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without grumbling or disputing,  15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  16 holding fast tot he word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.  17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I ma glad and rejoice with you all.  18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  9  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . be happy in your service to me.  You do live in a twisted generation.  You are to be my light shining in the world.  If you are but one who serves me, than my son's death was not in vain.  Remember to dwell on the things of my world, the truth, the honorable, the pure, the lovely, the commendable, those things worthy of praise.  Remember all of the things learned in Sunday School and in church.  Serve me gladly or don't serve me at all.

A - In my service to my Lord and Savior, I must be happy.  He does not want my service if I am grumbling about it all the time.  If I am not happy about serving him, they why do it?

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you do for me.  Thank you for your son, who died that I might be able to live.  Help me to remember that, to serve you is an honor that I must relish.  Give me a joy in living my life for you.

12/19/12 - Ephesians

S - Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  12 for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  16 In all circumstance take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  17 and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . put on the armor every day!  You are very susceptible to the flaming darts and temptation that is being thrown your way at all times.  You don't even recognize it most of the time but when those darts hit their spot, you are being taken captive by him and you need to pray against that at all times.  So you need the shield and you need to be praying constantly for protection from those darts.  You have the desire but you are lazy in the morning and you need to take the time to dress properly; put on the shield before you leave your house.  You have the desire to work for me but I need disciples who wear their armor on a daily basis.  Will you do that?

A - I am very susceptible to the fiery darts of the evil one when I do not put on my armor every day and when I forget, or don't take the time to pray every morning.  I must remember to dress myself in the armor every day before I leave the house and remember to pray for guidance and protection every day.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for not wearing my armor on a daily basis.  Forgive me for giving in to the temptations that have come my way.  Forgive me for my sins.  Thank you for your son who died on the cross for my sins.  Thank you for freeing me from those sins and the ways of the flesh.  Help me to remember to dress in my spiritual armor every morning as I go to work.  Help me remember to pray for guidance and protection every morning before I get to work and to pray for my students as I sit at my desk and look out over their empty desks in the morning.

12/18/12 - Colossians, Philemon

S - Colossians 3:1 - Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such thins as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  9 do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices  10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the images of its Creator.  11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.  12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  13 Bear with each other and forgive one another is any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . put on love.  Put off the old self.  All of those things that are holding you back from a perfect relationship with me, throw them off as they are dirty old rags and chains and are holding you down where you do not belong.  Get rid of all of that and put on righteousness and holiness.  These are the shining new clothes that I want you to wear as a child of mine, holy and pure in my sight.  Put on the things that will make you look good to all of those who are watching you, just waiting for you to mess up so they can ridicule you.  Life your life as if you really do want to be my disciple.

A - I must rid myself of all of the sins and rags of the old me and put on the clothes of righteousness and holiness of the new me.  I want to look as good as I can in the eyes of the world.  Not so that I will be glorified but that my Lord will be glorified through me.  I want to be holy and righteous in his eyes so that when the Son presents me to the Father, he will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins.  Help me rid myself of the ways of the past.  Help me shed the rags of the old me.  Help me put on the clothes of righteousness and holiness so that I might glorify your name in all the things that I do, say, and even the things that I think in my mind.  Thank you for loving me enough to send your son to die that I might be able to approach you.  Help me to serve you to the best of my ability with your strength.  Thank you!

12/17/12 - Acts 27 - 28

S - Acts 28:25 - And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 "'Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive."  27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I want you to be able to hear with your ears and see with your eyes.  I want you to be able to understand.  Listen with your heart and soul and pay attention to what I am telling you.  For you are a chosen child of mine.  Then you will be one of the ones preaching like Paul was here in this scripture.

A -  It is scary to think that I could even approach what Paul is doing here in this scripture.  But if that is what the Lord wants me to do, then I must listen and take advantage of the opportunities that he brings my way.  Paul was all about using the situation that he was in.  I need to learn to do that and to be unafraid, like he was.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for calling me like you called Paul.  Although, Paul and I are two different people.  Help me to learn to use the situation that I am in for your glory.  Give me the strength to speak like Paul did.  Give me opportunities to be bold like he was. 

12/16/12 - Acts 24 - 26

S - Acts 26:9 - "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  10 And I did so in Jerusalem.  I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.  11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?'  And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,  17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles -- to whom I am sending you  18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I used Paul, who could have been called the worst offender ever.  He was killing off my church, even before it got started.  But I turned him around and made him one of my greatest missionaries.  If I can do that with him, imagine what I can do with you.  If you will just fall off of your donkey, onto the road and listen to my voice like Paul did.  I want you to be a missionary for me also.  But you must listen to me and obey my commands.  Take a lesson from Paul.  He is a great example for people everywhere.

A - If God can use someone like Paul to further his kingdom here on earth, there is no reason why he couldn't use me too.  I need to be open to his calling and listen for his voice.  I want to be in tune with him so he doesn't have to "knock me off my donkey in the middle of the road" like he did to Paul.  So I will continue to read the Bible, God's message to me and talk to him on a regular basis.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise in your word that you can use people like Paul to further your kingdom here on earth.  Please use me to do something here as well.  I want to be accessible to you.  I want to be used by you.  Help me to continue to be ready when you call me.  Help me to continue to listen to you, to continue to meet with you on a regular basis and to continue to read your word and adhere to your commands.