Today's Verse: And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. ~Numbers 13:30   Today is the last day of the calendar year. If you feel like me, the last year went by really fast. This is indicative of busyness and many planned activities. However, the gauge of our effectiveness is not based on how much we did but on how much progress we made. As we approach a New Year, we must do so with a fresh

Today's Verse: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ~2 Corinthians 4:16   I recently received my DMV registration renewal notice for my automobile. Each year, I must renew the registration of my automobile to show that I am the current owner and that the automobile is in compliance and operational. If I fail to complete the renewal, it could result in a financial penalty and the inability to operate my auto

Today's Verse: And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. ~Luke 9:62   A little boy heard a Sunday school lesson about Lot’s wife and how she looked back as she was following Lot out of Sodom and, as a result, was turned into a pillar of salt. The teacher asked if anyone had any questions, and the little boy raised his hand. He said, “My mother once looked back when she was driving and turned into a lig

Today's Verse: And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz. ~Ruth 2:19   One of the favorite questions that family members and close friends ask each other at the end of a day is, “What did you do today?” In the agricultural business, harvest time is a busy tim

Today's Verse: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. ~Psalm 48:1   Is there a bucket list of cities you hope to visit one day? Is there a city that stands out as your favored city? When we think of a favored city, we think of iconic sites, eateries, people, and things to do. We prefer places that are safe. We prefer places where others share the same good opinion about those places. This morning, we are taking a

Today's Verse: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ~Isaiah 41:10   All of us will have to deal with personal insecurities because of an unexpected challenge or a failure on our part. These insecurities can make us unsure of ourselves, second-guess decisions, and feel like there is nothing we can do to make things right. However, I a

Today's Verse: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~Luke 2:11    Today is Christmas! Most people will spend this day with family over a sumptuous meal, open presents, and just having a well-deserved day off. However, above all of these traditions is the fact that Christmas Day is about Jesus and His entry into this world. This morning, let us reflect on the announcement the angels gave to the shepherds the night Jesus was bo

Today's Verse: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7   One of the things I like about presents is how beautifully they are wrapped. Some people really put a lot of effort into getting beautiful gift wrapping, bows, and ribbons. Then, they are craftsmen on how well they wrap the present. I sometimes feel bad tearing apart a beautifully wrapped gift! When

Today's Verse: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. ~Luke 1:35   What’s the hardest thing you have ever been asked to do? There is an uncomfortable feeling we have when we are unexpectedly requested or told to do something that we have never done before. However, imagine how much more uncomfort

Today's Verse: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ~Philippians 2:8   This morning, we are considering a passage of Scripture that touches on the purpose and plan of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this passage, we see how the Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons of men could become sons of God. He was somebody who became nobody for everybody.    We see Jesus in His deity. 

Today's Verse: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6   In Isaiah 9:6, the prophetic announcement of Christ coming into this world by way of a miraculous birth is given to us. In this announcement, we are given six wonderful names that describe His deity and ministry to every sinner who places

Today's Verse: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~Isaiah 7:14   We are five days away before we celebrate Christmas! Christmas is when we celebrate the doctrine of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, when God manifested Himself in the flesh. Even though December 25 was not the date Jesus entered this world, it has been a tradition that has been followed. The empha

Today's Verse: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31   For some of us, waiting is very challenging, and we need patience. For instance, I am not one who likes to wait in lines or past a certain amount of time for an appointment. Waiting is frustrating because you wind up delayed for other planned events. Waiting is frittering tim

Today's Verse: O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! ~Isaiah 40:9   A.W. Tozer has written books that have been very helpful in giving us incredible insight and increased devotion on our God. In one of his quotes, he said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important th

Today's Verse: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7   Have you ever arrived at a special event only to find out that there was no space for you to sit at the table? I can remember many times being invited as a guest to a dinner event or speaking at a conference, but somehow the host did not have a spot for me to sit! Once they figured this out, the host

Today's Verse: And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. ~1 Samuel 24:5   The heart is the symbol of our inner man and conscience. It is the seat of our emotions. We make decisions in life within our heart. When we are not careful to guard our heart, it can become calloused and hard. On the other hand, it is vitally important that we maintain a heart that is soft and tender to the Lord. This morning, we are considering a

Today's Verse: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  ~1 Corinthians 3:9 A partnership is when two or more people affiliate together for a common cause or venture. It is a collaboration of assets, efforts, and skills for the purpose of making a profit or completing an important accomplishment. In business, many partnerships are not successful after a few years due to the lack of pre-established agreement on rules of operation.

Today's Verse: Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. ~1 Samuel 23:2   Do you pray? Do you consider your prayer life successful in the eyes of God? One of the great preachers of the 19 th century, F.B. Meyer, said, “The greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayers, but unoffered prayers.” Perhaps the one area many Christians struggle in is having a consi

Today's Verse: Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, ~Deuteronomy 9:1   The book of Deuteronomy consists of the last sermons and words of Moses to Israel. Moses is in the final year of his life. God told him that he would not enter into the Promised Land. So, Moses was preparing them for this great endeavor. As we read Deuteronomy 9:1, God was telling Israel t

Today's Verse: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. ~Isaiah 45:3   Do you enjoy treasure hunts? This is when the organizer of such an event chooses a location where he hides treats, treasures, and trinkets for people to look diligently for. The reward is that whatever is found becomes the sole possession of the one who finds it. God told Is