September 1, 2020 (Tuesday)
The Voice of the Spirit
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.”
– 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
Memory Verse: “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
We can understand God’s thoughts because we have the Spirit. The Spirit searches the depths of God and teaches us. We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God. The Spirit will give us the spiritual wisdom. Through this spiritual wisdom, let us overcome challenges we face in the world. Let us search for the depths of God’s wisdom.
September 2, 2020 (Wednesday)
God Who Gives the Growth
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labour of each. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Memory Verse: “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Human devotion for God is a beautiful thing. God appreciates it and sees it as beautiful. Since it is precious to God, God uses it to do his mysterious work. Let us give our pure devotion to God. It is only God who gives the growth.
O Lord, please accept my devotion for you. Please use it for your purpose. Amen.
September 30, 2020 (Wednesday)
God Who Is Great and Free
“Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”
– Job 9:11-12
Memory Verse: “He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, “What are you doing?” (Job 9:12)
God is great and because he is so big, we cannot see him. God is free and because he is free, we cannot ask him, “What are you doing?” When God who is so great and so free grants his mercy to us, all we can say is “Thank you.” Let us always ask for God’s mercy.
Lord, thank you for granting me your mercy. Amen.
September 4, 2020 (Friday)
God’s Righteousness
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”
– Psalm 37:5-9
Memory Verse: “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7)
This world is unfair. Not everyone is treated fairly by justice. This makes some people angry for being treated unfairly. But God will rule this world always with justice. We uphold the justice and live by it because we believe that there is God who will ultimately establish his righteousness. God will let our righteousness shine like the light. Let us trust in God and commit our way to the Lord.
O Lord, please establish your righteousness. Amen.
September 5, 2020 (Saturday)
God’s Righteousness
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”
– Psalm 145:18-20
Memory Verse: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
God is near to all who sincerely call on him. It is important to feel that God is near us. But sometimes we feel that God is very far away from us. We feel all alone apart from God. Let us return to God. Let us seek him earnestly. God will come near us. Our prayers will be like talking to a very close friend.
O Lord, please come near to me. Amen.
September 6, 2020 (Sunday)
Being One
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
– Matthew 18:18-20
Memory Verse: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
It is hard for human beings to be one. It is because of our sins. Sin divides us. Being different is not being divided. Being different is a natural thing. But being divided is because of our sins. We are not divided because of our differences but because of our sins. God sent Jesus to us to unite the divided humanity. And God gave us a wonderful promise. If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
O Lord, please forgive my sins and help me forgive the sins of others. Amen.
September 7, 2020 (Monday)
A Bird Who Escaped from the Snare
“We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
– Psalm 124:7-8
Memory Verse: “We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped.” (Psalm 124:7)
The real freedom is the freedom of our soul. The real freedom does not come from our physical condition. When our soul is free, nothing can bind us and no one can entrap us. When God who made heaven and earth helps us, we can become free.
O great God, please help me and free my soul. Amen.
September 8, 2020 (Tuesday)
Living Together in Unity
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.”
– Psalm 133
Memory Verse: “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
The Psalmist cried out how very good and pleasant it is when believers live together in unity. He said, “how very good and pleasant!” God also sees that and says how very good and pleasant. And God ordained his blessing and that blessing is eternal life. Without maturity of each person, the unity is not possible because living together in unity is very hard. As we grow spiritually and become mature, we will experience peace and reconciliation.
Lord, help me grow spiritually so that my love may become deep and wide. Amen.
September 9, 2020 (Wednesday)
Blessings God Gives To Us
“Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.’”
– Luke 6:20-22
Memory Verse: “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.” (Luke 6:22)
Blessings are what God gives to us. We don’t create blessings on our own. When we try to create blessings on our own, our blessings turn into woe. The blessings God gives to us make us feel calm and peaceful. But the blessings we create for ourselves make us worry and fearful. Let us enjoy the blessings that God gives to us.
Lord, thank you for your blessings. Amen.
September 10, 2020 (Thursday)
Freedom
“For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.’”
– 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Memory Verse: “For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)
Freedom is a trait of a bigger person. True freedom is not to insist on one’s own way. It is rather to be free from one’s own way. When we have this freedom, then we can be considerate of others. When this consideration dictates us, we can even be free to be a slave to all.
Lord, may your truth set me free. Amen.
September 11, 2020 (Friday)
The Log In Our Own Eye
“He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.’”
– Luke 6:39-42
Memory Verse: “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.” (Luke 6:42)
When we have the log in our own eyes and therefore we cannot see ourselves, we cannot help others. When we are able to take the log out of our own eyes, we can finally see that other people’s problems are only the speck. When we magnify other people’s problems and minimize our own problems, we will continuously live an immature life. Let us confront the log in our own eyes with Gods’ grace.
Lord, please take the log out of my own eyes. Amen.
September 12, 2020 (Saturday)
Our Heart and Mouth
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
– Luke 6:43-45
Memory Verse: “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
What is in our heart comes out of our mouth. If there is the good treasure of our heart, the good will come out of our mouth. It is important to be careful with what we say but let us also examine what is in our own heart. It is more important to cultivate our heart than being careful with our mouth.
Lord, help me cultivate my heart with the good treasure. Amen.
September 13, 2020 (Sunday)
Welcome Those Who Are Weak In Faith
“Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them.”
– Romans 14:1-3
Memory Verse: “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions.” (Romans 14:1)
People who are weak in faith derives their faith from fear. Instead of experiencing God’s grace and living by its power, they still live in fear. They live with a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear rather than living with a spirit of being God’s children. But we should welcome those who are weak in faith instead of passing judgment on them.
Lord, give me the heart to welcome those who are weak in faith. Amen.
September 14, 2020 (Monday)
God’s Intention
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
– John 3:16-17
Memory Verse: “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions.” (Romans 14:1)
Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. That itself is the good news for us. It shows God’s decision. Because God has intention to save us, salvation is possible. What is left for us is to believe in God.
Lord, thank you for your intention not to condemn the world but to save it. Amen.
September 15, 2020 (Tuesday)
Let Us Know God
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
– Psalm 100
Memory Verse: “Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
It is important to know God. It is important to know that we are his and his sheep. God will protect us, lead us, and feed us. All we need to do is to praise God. God is good and his faithfulness is to all generations. Let us give thanks to him and bless his name.
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.
September 16, 2020 (Wednesday)
Love Makes Life Meaningful
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Memory Verse: “If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Love makes everything meaningful. Without love, all the beautiful things that we do find no meaning. It is love that makes our life beautiful. Salvation without love is just a fantasy. It is like a bubble that stays for a while and vanishes. But the salvation that comes from love is eternal.
Lord, teach me your love. Amen.
September 17, 2020 (Thursday)
God’s Grace
“For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.”
– 1 Corinthians 15:9-11
Memory Verse: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
God’s grace changes our perspective. When we experience God’s grace, the way we see our life changes. We used to think that we are who we are by our ability and hard work but now we see that we are who we are by God’ grace. We may work harder than anybody else but since we recognize that it is God’s grace that enables me to do so, we don’t need to boast about it. This kind of attitude creates a beautiful character within us.
Lord, thank you for your grace. Amen.
September 18, 2020 (Friday)
God Who Guards Me As the Apple Of the Eye
“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O saviour of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.”
– Psalm 17:6-9
Memory Verse: “Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 17:8)
God guards us as the apple of the eye and hides us in the shadow of his wings. There are happenings in life that can bring harm to us. Not because we are hated but it just happens. That is life. When that happens, let us trust God. God will guard us and hide us in the shadow of God’s wings. Let us not fear and worry about anything. Let us call upon God.
Lord, thank you for guarding me as the apple of the eye. Amen.
September 19, 2020 (Saturday)
Sins and Transgressions
“Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.”
– Psalm 25:5-8
Memory Verse: “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!” (Psalm 25:7)
If God remembers our sins and transgressions, we cannot stand before God. God does not remember our sins and transgressions and covers them with his grace. Instead of treating us harshly and coldly, God showed us his gentleness and steadfast love. Let us come to the Lord and learn his way. It will lead us to a good place.
Lord, please do not remember my sins and transgressions but teach me and guide me in your way. Amen.
September 20, 2020 (Sunday)
God Remembers Us
“He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. They asked, and he brought quails, and gave them food from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.”
– Psalm 105:39-42
Memory Verse: “For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant” (Psalm 105:42)
God remembers his promise. When we need food, God will give us food. When we need his forgiveness, God will forgive us. Let us trust God’s promise in our life. When our heart is troubled, let us look to God. God will gently embrace us. We will forever be in God’s memory.
Lord, please let me be in your memory forever. Amen.
September 21, 2020 (Monday)
Mercy
“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
– Matthew 9:9-13
Memory Verse: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13)
We need both mercy and sacrifice. Mercy is to have compassion for others. Sacrifice is giving ourselves completely in our devotion. But without compassion, our devotion loses its meaning. Love and compassion should take priority in our lives. When we have love and compassion in everything we do, our commitment will find its meaning.
Lord, please let me be a person of mercy. Amen.
September 22, 2020 (Tuesday)
Pure Soul
“Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.”
– Psalm 119:1-3
Memory Verse: “Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)
It is important to live according to God’s word. His word purifies our soul. When we do wrong, our heart becomes poisoned. Let us meditate on God’s word and seek him with our whole heart. Our life will be brightened up and everything will turn out all right.
Lord, purify my soul with your word. Amen.
September 23, 2020 (Wednesday)
The Angel of the Lord
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. O fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
– Psalm 34:7-10
Memory Verse: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7)
The angel of the Lord encamps around us and takes care of us. The angel embraces us, protects us, and keeps us from harm. When we experience this, we will taste that the Lord is good. People who fear the Lord will lack nothing.
Lord, thank you for keeping me safe through your angel. Amen.
September 24, 2020 (Thursday)
Our Vain Effort
“What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they continue to flow.”
– Ecclesiastes 1:3-7
Memory Verse: “What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3)
No matter how hard we try, we cannot bring about much change. That is our reality. The earth will remain as it has been. The sun will rise and go down. The wind will blow as it wishes. All streams run to the sea and yet it will not fill up the sea. What we can do is very little. But let us not get discouraged because God uses our small hands to bring about big changes.
Lord, I praise you for your greatness. Amen.
September 25, 2020 (Friday)
A Time
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Memory Verse: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
For everything, there is a time. There is a time to be sad but there will come a time to be happy. There is a time to face darkness but there will come a time to see the bright light. All these things work together to make our life. There is a time to go through a storm of life, but there will come a time for the sun to shine upon us. Time does not stay the same; it flows like a river. Since life contains all these things, let us embrace them all. God will give us strength to do so.
Lord, please grant me your grace so that I may have the strength to be able to embrace all these things that come and go in my life. Amen.
September 26, 2020 (Saturday)
Youth
“Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.”
– Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
Memory Verse: “Banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body.” (Ecclesiastes 11:10)
Youth is good. When we are young, we have strength, aspiration, and lots of energy. But we won’t be young forever. While we are young, we have to learn to serve God. Let us learn to banish anxiety from our mind, and put away evil from our body. Then we will learn to enjoy our youth.
Lord, help me to remember you always in my life. Amen.
September 26, 2020 (Saturday)
When Life Is Difficult
“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and arguing.”
– Philippians 2:12-14
Memory Verse: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)
There are times when life doesn’t turn out as we want. When that happens, we get disappointed, frustrated, and even get angry. It may be our natural reaction. That is when we need our faith. We need to have faith that God is working within us. When we have that faith, we can work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Lord, help me not to test you when my life is difficult. Amen.
September 28, 2020 (Monday)
The Lord Gave, and the Lord Has Taken Away
“Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshipped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.”
– Job 1:20-22
Memory Verse: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)
When life’s tragedies came upon him, Job did not blame God. He said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” The real faith is seeking God and God only. The blessing of God’s presence is much greater than all the good things that God has given us in our lives. Let us cultivate the pure faith that seeks only God.
Lord, help me seek only you. Amen.
September 29, 2020 (Tuesday)
Dream
“Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’”
– Genesis 28:15-16
Memory Verse: “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” (Genesis 28:16)
God appeared to Jacob in his dream. He was all alone in the wilderness. He was lonely. He missed his home. His reality was too hard for him to bear. That’s why God appeared to Jacob in his dream. When our reality is too hard for us to face, God appears to us in our dream. And he lets us know that he is with us.
Lord, thank you for always being with me. Amen.
September 30, 2020 (Wednesday)
God Who Is Great and Free
“Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”
– Job 9:11-12
Memory Verse: “He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, “What are you doing?” (Job 9:12)
God is great and because he is so big, we cannot see him. God is free and because he is free, we cannot ask him, “What are you doing?” When God who is so great and so free grants his mercy to us, all we can say is “Thank you.” Let us always ask for God’s mercy.
Lord, thank you for granting me your mercy. Amen.
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