10.31.09...JAMES 5:11 (NIV)

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Day by Day - When forgiveness is not instantaneous, God extends mercy in the form of perseverance. Great blessings can be found there!

10.30.09...PHILIPPIANS 2:1, 2 (NIV)

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Day by Day - We are asked to measure our motives by a higher standard than the world reflects. The character of Christ should be our character!

10.29.09...2 CORINTHIANS 1:9 (NIV)

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Day by Day - Even an unforgiving heart raised up God will pardon!

10.28.09...EPHESIANS 4:32 (NIV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Day by Day - Remember to forgive as Christ forgave!

10.27.09...PROVERBS 17:9 (NIV)

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Day by Day - What are you promoting: separation or closeness?

10.26.09...PROVERBS 10:12 (NIV)

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Day by Day - In a pot boiling over with hatred, love turns off the flame!

10.25.09...MATTHEW 18:21, 22 (NIV)

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."

Day by Day - Forgiveness is a gift that never gets old; people will never grow tired of receiving it!

10.24.09...PSALM 34:11-14 (NIV)

Come, my children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Day by Day - God gives great instructions on how to live a good life. Listen up!

10.23.09...JAMES 2:5 (NIV)

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love him?

Day by Day - It's not what's in your pocket that makes you rich; it's who you carry in your heart!

10.22.09...PSALM 34:18 (NIV)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Day by Day - Every pain is known by God; He is closer than you think!

10.21.09...DEUTERONOMY 31:6 (NIV)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Day by Day - Find your core of confidence in God!

10.20.09...LUKE 12:6, 7 (NIV)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Day by Day - You are of great worth to the One who knows the very number on your head!

10.19.09...EPHESIANS 1:4 (NIV)

He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

Day by Day - You are chosen by God - holy and blameless in His sight!

10.18.09...1 SAMUEL 16:7 (NIV)

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Day by Day - Outward beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but from within, you are a beautiful sight to behold in the eyes of our God!

10.17.09...JOB 2:11-13 (The Msg.)

Three of Job's friends heard of all the trouble that had fallen on him. Each traveled from his own country...and went together to Job to keep him company and comfort him. when they first caught sight of him, they couldn't believe what they saw - they hardly recognized him! They cried out in lament, ripped their robes, and dumped dirt on their heads as a sign of their grief. Then they sat with him on the ground. Seven days and nights they sat there without saying a word. They could see how rotten he felt, how deeply he was suffering.

Day by Day - The best gift we can give to the hurting is a listening and empathetic ear!

10.16.09...ISAIAH 55:1-3 (NIV)

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

Day by Day - Give no excuse to God's invitation. He offers us the only elixir which satisfies the soul - an everlansting covenant with His Son!

10.15.09...HOSEA 2:23 (NIV)

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'

Day by Day - Even if we've sinfully strayed far from Him, God will call us His beloved people once again!

10.14.09...1 PETER 4:7-11 (NIV)

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Day by Day - Operating out of love is not a negotiable proposition for Christ followers. We are called to a deeper level, a higher standard. Be prayerfully self-controlled and clear minded in all you do!

10.13.09...ECCLESIASTES 9:11 (NIV)

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

Day by Day - Regardless of popular opinion, you do have a God who levels the playing field. Time and chance happens!

10.12.09...PSALM 51:1 (NIV)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

Day by Day - Our transgressions are like a poison without an antidote; left untreated, bitterness condemns us to death. God offers His mercy as a cure - receive its healing properties!

10.11.09...2 KINGS 3:14, 18 (NIV)

Elisha said, "As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you." This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also hand Moab over to you.

Day by Day - Help us not to panic over the things God finds easy to do on our behalf!

10.10.09...2 TIMOTHY 2:16 (NIV)

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.

Day by Day - Reminder number three: Keep your comments to yourself and your prayers for others lifted up to God!

10.09.09...2 TIMOTHY 2:15 (NIV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Day by Day - Reminder number two: Be an approved piece of work for God!

10.08.09...2 TIMOTHY 2:14 (NIV)

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

Day by Day - Reminder number one: stop quarreling!

10.07.09...ISAIAH 64:8, 9 (NIV)

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure O Lord; do not remember our sins forever.

Day by Day - Resist the urge to take credit for your own destiny. When that happens, repent and rest in God's handiwork. He doesn't create junk!

10.06.09...PROVERBS 8:10, 11 (NIV)

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

Day by Day - Silver and gold may buy you things, but wisdom and God's instruction is priceless!

10.05.09...PSALM 105:4, 5 (NIV)

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, his miracles, and the judgments He pronounced.

Day by Day - God is our strength. Remember this always in the good and as well as not so favorable times of life!

10.04.09...COLOSSIANS 3:1-2 (The Msg.)

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ -- that's where the action is: See things from His perspective.

Day by Day - Pursue the life God has for you and you will never be out of the loop of His plan and purpose!

10.03.09...PSALM 29:4 (NIV)

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

Day by Day - Listen to the voice of the Lord.

10.02.09...PSALM 27:14 (NIV)

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Day by Day - It is in the waiting we find strength!

10.01.09...2 CHRONICLES 32:26 (NIV)

Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore, the Lord's wrath did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

Day by Day - Pride prevents God's glory and His blessings.