08.31.09...EPHESIANS 5;15 (NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,

Day by Day - Living each day in wisdom is easier than living each day without it!

08.30.09...JOHN 3:6, 7 (The Msg.)

When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch - the Spirit - and becomes a living spirit. "So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above' - out of this world, so to speak.

Day by Day - The adage goes "you can't judge a book by its cover." When one comes to Christ, that book becomes a reprint autographed exclusively by the author and finisher of one's faith.

08.29.09...ECCLESIASTES 3:1 (NIV)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Day by Day - Time is a common denominator that connects life. Use time well; you've been given the exact amount needed to live life!

08.28.09...PROVERBS 19:11 (NIV)

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Day by Day - Patience is when life whizzes by and you remain at a steady pace!

08.27.09...ROMANS 12:13 (NIV)

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Day by Day - Embrace the intersected moments where you can be a blessing to God's people!

08.26.09...MATTHEW 9:36-38 (NIV)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Day by Day - In today's unstable economy, there is one position always in need of workers. It's called an "Investment Broker." Learn to "invest" in the lives of those around you. They are in need of your experience as one who follows passionately after Christ!

08.25.09...JOHN 4:10 (NIV)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Day by Day - God's gift of living water is the best drink you'll ever want!

08.24.09...EPHESIANS 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Day by Day - What a creative piece of work you are to Christ!

08.23.09...ROMANS 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Day by Day - Through the good, the bad and the ugly, God works through it all with purpose and in love!

08.22.09...PSALM 77:1, 2 (NIV)

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

Day by Day - God sees your tears. God hears your cries. God understands. God answers "why's!"

08.21.09...JOHN 12:27, 28 (NIV)

"Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say, 'Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"

Day by Day - Whether troubled by the times or not, the purpose of our Savior from the very beginning was sure: His love for us and His love for the Father.

08.20.09...HEBREWS 10:35, 36 (NIV)

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Day by Day - God's promises are in His plan for you. Make your plans His plans!

08.19.09...EZEKIEL 37:18-23 (NIV)

When your countrymen ask you, "Won't you tell us what you mean by this?" say to them, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph - which is in Ephraim's hand - and of the Israelite tribes associated with him and join it to Judah's stick, making them a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand. Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on and say to them, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God."

Day by Day - Just like for Israel, we can reap the benefits of being one nation under God.

08.18.09...PHILIPPIANS 4:6, 7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Day by Day - Place stress on a starvation diet. Feed life's requests healthy doses of prayer. Your body will reward you with peace when you stick to it!

08.17.09...LUKE 15:10 (NKJ)

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Day by Day - If you don't think God cares for your unsaved loved ones, you only need look to scripture to put that lie to rest!

08.16.09... 1 SAMUEL 1:15 (NKJ)

But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord."

Day by Day - The cry of your heart can be so great that it leaves one to wonder erroneously of your intent. No matter. Continue to pour out the truthfulness of your spirit to God. He does hear and He will answer.

08.15.09...PSALM 126:5, 6

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with him.

Day by Day - We've all weeped tears that fall like seeds to the ground over hard times and difficult circumstances. But those seeds will produce a harvest of joy!

08.14.09...PSALM 11:7 (The MSG.)

God's business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight. Once we're standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.

Day by Day - The only posture worth standing is one standing rightly before God.

08.13.09...ROMANS 12:19-21 (NIV)

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Day by Day - If it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, why work so hard at gaining nothing in return? But if it takes more muscles to smile than to frown, give your smile a workout by sharing it with the world!

08.12.09...ECCLESIASTES 3:7 (NIV)

A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.

Day by Day - There will come a time when one must make a choice...choose to speak out!

08.11.09...PSALM 100:1, 2 (The MSG.)

On your feet now - applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence!

Day by Day - Everyday give God a standing ovation!

08.10.09...PSALM 43:5 (NIV)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Day by Day - Hope is a precious commodity given by God for the hopelessness of the soul. Find great joy in spending it well!

08.09.09...ROMANS 15:13(NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Day by Day - The power of hope is only accessed through the God of all power!

08.08.09...ISAIAH 41:8-10 (NIV)

But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Day by Day - As friends of God, you have received the benefits of being chosen - acceptance, companionship, consolation. Be encouraged for God is a friend of His word!

08.07.09...1 PETER 3:13-15 (The Msg.)

If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.

Day by Day - When you're living the good life, people are curious about how you do it. But when you're living the God life, be ready to tell them how it's done!

08.06.09...PSALM 33:20-22 (NIV)

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Day by Day - The world would have us spinning out of control with impatience, mistrust and bitterness. In the aftermath, hopelessness is our only companion. Ah, but there is a name in which we can trust. In that name peace contols impatience, trust replaces mistrust and love conquers bitterness. But your hope in that name!

08.05.09...ISAIAH 40:31 (NIV)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Day by Day - We are called to do many things. But when our strength is not enough, God calls us deeper into patience, perseverence, (the) process and peace.

08.04.09...GALATIANS 5:1 (NIV)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Day by Day - Freedom...a choice of the heart, a gift from the cross, a blessing from the Father!

08.03.09...PSALM 40:1 (NIV)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Day by Day - Even in the waiting, it's hard to be heard. But it is through the waiting, your cries are always heard.

08.02.09...PSALM 122:1, 2 (NIV)

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

Day by Day - Our choice is to rejoice over or reject an invitation, but oh what an opportunity you'll miss rejoicing with others if you don't accept.

08.01.09...COLOSSIANS 3:12-14 (NIV)

Therefore, as God's chosen people; holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Day by Day - Clothe yourself in all God's fashioned. You'll find His wardrobe a better fit!