Today's Verse: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. ~Proverbs 3:9-10 Investing is putting your money to work so that you are making more money. It is when we place a sum of money into a business, a security, real estate, or hard assets with the hope that this amount will grow and the investment does well. Wise investing is when we invest in

Today's Verse: Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. ~2 Corinthians 8:7 There are three levels of performance. There is what is known as normal performance. This is when we do exactly as we are told and we have achieved what is expected of us. There is sub-par performance when what we do is below expectations and our result is not acceptable. Then, th

Today's Verse: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: ~Acts 9:15 What comes to your mind when you hear the word "vessel"? In the Bible, the word "vessel" refers to something similar to a vase or utensil. In most cases, it refers to a common household utensil that is capable of holding something poured into it. Paul speaks of our bodies as “earthen vessels” or clay

Today's Verse: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ~Matthew 16:18 Hudson Taylor aptly said, “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” As a man of faith, he lived and practiced this the entire time he planted churches, started schools, trained laborers, and advanced the cause of missions across China. The Lord Jesus Christ is the founder and owner of

Today's Verse: To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. ~2 Corinthians 10:16 When the Apostle Paul was saved, God also called him to be His missionary to the Jews and Gentiles. Paul would eventually be God’s servant to help spread the gospel and plant churches in regions beyond Jerusalem. I don’t think Paul fathomed the many places to which he would travel, where the gospel would be preached and

Today's Verse: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. ~2 Corinthians 5:10 Many years ago, I was requested to appear as a witness in an administrative case against someone accused of embezzlement. The room I waited in had a judge’s chair that was elevated, and behind it were the flags of the United States and California. As I looked at the jud

Today's Verse: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ~Colossians 2:1 The word "conflict" means to fight or contend with. Dictionary.com defines it as a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle or strife. Paul had a “shepherd’s heart” for the spiritual lives of believers. The devil seeks to discredit or destroy the faith of every believer. Paul wanted his

Today's Verse: But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. ~Acts 27:21-22 The eye of the storm is the centermost part of it. It is at this location where there is calm and peace. It can also be the most dangerous part of t

Today's Verse: But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. ~Acts 27:14 Maritime travel can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be a harrowing experience if you are in a major storm out on the open seas. The bobbing up and down of the ship, combined with massive waves thrashing against it, will have you on edge and wondering if “this could be it.” Paul was on a ship headed to Italy via the Mediterranean Sea. He encountered an epic sto

Today's Verse: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. ~2 Corinthians 1:20 The word “yea” is a word of affirmation. It can mean a vote of approval or simply “yes.” Sometimes this idea is conveyed by phrases such as “right on” or “most assuredly.” Whatever the case may be, it is a word that tells us, “It is alright” or “OK.” This word is used to describe our Lord Jesus Christ and the promises of God in Him. This morning, let

Today's Verse: Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~Acts 15:26 Since we are in the summer season, it is also fire season. In areas where there is very dry vegetation, signs are posted indicating the degree of fire danger. The brighter the color, the greater the fire hazard. The word "hazard" indicates a possible peril. The Bible speaks of Judas and Silas as men who hazarded their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. They accepted the dangers

Today's Verse: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ~Colossians 1:10 I like to observe military parades and processionals, especially when the troops march together. Each branch of the military has a certain way or style that they want each soldier to walk and march. It has a dignity and a respect to it. It identifies them by their country and military branch. As these troops prepa

Today's Verse: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. ~Acts 26:28 The word "almost" describes a near decision or event. When the terrorist attacks on four of our commercial airplanes occurred on September 11, 2001, there were people who almost took those flights, but did not. There were some people who had planned to enter the World Trade Towers that morning for work or other reasons, and did not. For these people, they probably are living

Today's Verse: And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. ~Mark 11:2 When I travel in a vehicle, I generally like to be the driver. When you are in the driver’s seat, you are the one who is leading and in control. Jesus told the disciples to look for a colt whereon never a man sat. Let us see this morning why it is imperative that the Lor

Today's Verse: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ~2 Thessalonians 3:12 Do you like to work? What kind of worker are you? Someone said that there are three kinds of workers. For example, when a piano needs to be moved, the first kind gets behind and pushes, the second pulls and guides, and the third grabs the piano stool. The Apostle Paul gave a command to the believers at Thessalonic

Today's Verse: And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. ~Acts 23:10 Do you sometimes feel like you have so many things competing for your attention or time that you almost feel like you are being pulled apart? If you have had this experience, it is a very uncomfortable and stressful feel

Today's Verse: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. ~Acts 22:21 Travel advisors make it their responsibility to encourage travelers to include certain countries on their travel bucket lists. The factors contributing to this recommendation include attractions, things to do, hotels and resorts, food, and safety. God has a travel bucket list for those to whom He gives a specific calling to serve Him as a missionary on foreign soil. Let

Today's Verse: By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; ~Hebrews 11:24 This morning, we are studying the second mention of the Moses' faith. Faith is a decision that we must make many times in our lives. We walk by faith and not by sight. The just shall live by faith. Faith can be exercised by little children and older adults. Everyone can and should live by faith. Let us see the ingredients of a maturing faith. We see

Today's Verse: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. ~Hebrews 11:23 The faith of Moses is referred to five times in Hebrews 11:23-29. He demonstrated great faith at critical junctures of his life. The first mention of his faith occurs when he was born. It is not so much his faith as it is the faith of his parents. This morning, let us see how the faith

Today's Verse: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ~1 John 2:1 Advocacy work is the work of a person or group representing another person in a legal matter. The advocate stands in the place of the person in need, fully represents him, and makes a compelling argument for his benefit. A successful advocate is a champion defender. He has an unmatched win-loss re