Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 31, 2015

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid – John 14:27

Have you ever had one of those really crazy stressful days? Maybe everything is not going the way you want or you have too much to do and too little time. Whatever it is that stresses you out, it’s good to remind yourself in stressful times that you can go to God for peace.

Jesus said in today’s verse that He left us peace. What does that really mean? Here are a few definitions from Merriam-Webster.com for peace.

• A state of tranquility or quiet
• Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
• Harmony in personal relations

God’s peace covers many of the things that bug us. Whether it’s oppressive thoughts, emotions, bad relationships, or just the stresses of life, Jesus said that He gave us peace.

However, just like any gift you get, however, it’s up to you to use it. If you got a new pair of shoes for Christmas, but you never took them out of the box and used them, they wouldn’t do you any good. The gift of peace is the same way. You’ve got to open it up and use it in stressful times and situations. Take a moment today and choose to tap into God’s peace. Give Him the things that are stressing you out and choose to walk in His peace today!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 30, 2015

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? – 1 John 4:20

Today’s Bible verse uses some pretty strong language. It says that if you say you love God, but hate another Christian brother or sister that you’re a liar. Think about that for a moment, if you don’t love your brother or sister, then you’re a liar if you say you love God. To really love God is to put aside your thoughts and desires for God’s thoughts and desires. So when you run across that person you can’t stand, or that lady at church that sings too loud you’re supposed to love them despite their flaws and shortcomings. To really love God is to treat people with love and respect.

As a Christian there should be something different about you. You should be a person that others are drawn to. If you choose to show extraordinary love to others, you’ll stand out from everyone else. God is calling us as Christians to live our lives differently. Normally, if someone treats you badly, you would want to get back at them. However, we should be living differently than others. We should be striving to be more like Christ everyday.

So the next time someone does something that drives you crazy instead of hating them or seeking revenge, choose to do something different. Choose to let God’s love flow through you and be an example to those around you of God’s great love. As you love God, you will begin to love others also. That’s what we’re called to do!

Daily Bible Verse and Devotional – Dec 29, 2015

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

There is 2 popular beliefs when it comes to the things of God. Those two beliefs are grace and faith. Many believe in one or the other, but often they do not see how these two beliefs need to work together.

Many people believe in the grace of God. They believe that God has provided wonderful gifts. They believe that He has given those blessings out for us to receive. However, if they only believe in the grace of God and not faith, there is no clear understanding on how to get those blessings to flow into your life.

Then there are those who believe in faith. They have grasped the understanding that it’s impossible to receive anything from God without mixing faith. Those that have a strong emphasis on faith alone can error on feeling that they need to get God to do something for them that He hasn’t done. It can be a very tiring a discouraging thing if your trying to get God to move.

However, this verse says that it takes grace and faith working together for us to receive from God. Grace is something that is freely given by God. It cannot be earned. It is a gift. Faith is what we do to step out and believe what has already been given freely by grace. Faith cannot get God to do something He hasn’t done yet. It simply reaches out and receives what has already been provided by grace.

Today, find a scripture of a promise that God has already done and then use that verse to step out and believe it in faith. This is how you get grace and faith working together.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotional – Dec 28, 2015

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – Romans 1:1 (NIV)

Paul says in this verse says that he is a servant of Jesus. A servant seeks fulfilling the desires of their master before seeking their own. This was Paul’s approach to life after He met Jesus. He wanted to please God above anything else.

It’s also interesting to fact that Paul declares he is a servant of Jesus before he mentions any of his titles and what he was called to. You might be called to be a pastor or a businessman. You might be called to be a missionary or serve God as a musician, however first and foremost you should strive to be a servant of Jesus Christ. It’s exciting to fulfill a God given dream and to use your talents for Him but you cannot truly serve Him if you are not first a servant of Him.

Today, decide to follow in Paul’s example and become a servant of Jesus Christ. God has done so much for you it’s the least you can do for Him.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 23, 2015

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

This Christmas season, challenge yourself to think about what Jesus is to you. He’s done many amazing things, but what is He to you? Is He your savior? Your friend? Today’s Bible verse outlines some of the great things about who Jesus is.

Don’t just glance over today’s Bible verse and not let it affect you. Jesus is so many things. He’s powerful, yet He’s a counselor when we need it. He’s everlasting, and yet He’s also the prince of peace. There’s so many things that Jesus is. So don’t just chalk Him up to savior, or friend and leave Him at that.

Ask Jesus to show you a new part of himself this Christmas season. Ask Him to make himself more real to you than ever before.

I wanted to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas! I will be taking a few days off from writing Bible verses to celebrate Christmas as a family. I thank God for each one of you and pray blessings over you this Christmas!

Daily Bible Verse – December 21, 2015

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”– Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 19 that to enter the kingdom of God, you have to do it through God’s ability and not human ability. God wants to do the impossible in our lives, but we have to trust Him and believe that what He says is true.

Today trust in Jesus and know that if He promised it, it’s possible. Be encouraged that its not in your own ability but through His that these things are possible.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 21, 2015

but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. – Luke 2:10 (NLT)

The reason Jesus came was to bring good news to the world. What is this good news? It means that God wants to restore relationship between mankind and Himself. He wants peace between us and Him. No more does God want sin getting in the way.

This is why Jesus came, to remove what was separating mankind from truly knowing Him, which was sin. The only way God could remove this sin was to have Jesus come as our perfect sacrifice. He came as a baby born of a women but His Father was God. By doing this, He could legally take you and I’s place on the cross and completely be made sin for us.

Thank God for Jesus! This really is good news. This removes fear and brings great joy to those who grasp an understanding of what Jesus did for them!

Manger Madness – (Why Jesus Came) 12-18-15

It’s the Christmas season, and everywhere you look, people are gearing up for Christmas. Yesterday, I walked into a store and saw they had a countdown of days left until Christmas. Christmas is a fun time of the year, between the gift giving, gift getting, fun lights and decorations, you’d have to be a real Scrooge to not enjoy Christmas.

You’ve probably seen all the decorations and the nativity scenes, but have you ever wondered, ‘Why Did Jesus Come?’. Why did Jesus come to earth. He had it going up in heaven, He was God’s son, and it really doesn’t get much better than that.  Did He come to earth because He wanted to practice His walking on water skills? Or was heaven getting really dull? Why was it that Jesus needed to come to earth as a baby?

Jesus had a problem to fix.

Each of us had a problem. We were stuck in our sin. We were trapped and slaves to sin. There was no amount of good works that could make us right with God. Simply put, we needed a savior.

For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin – Romans 6:6 (HSCB)

Jesus did what we were unable to do by ourselves. We couldn’t make ourselves right with God. We were trapped, slaves to sin. Jesus paid the price that our sins deserved. He was a one time sacrifice, payment in full for our sins, shortcomings, mess-ups and failures.

Jesus gave us a new identity.

We used to be slaves to sin. Jesus changed that, and when He did, we were given a new identity. 

When we accept Jesus as our savior, we are considered right with God. We identify with Jesus now, not sin. We identify with victory, not defeat! 

So now, it’s up to us to get our thinking lined up to what God’s word says about us. The Bible tells us that we’re a new creation.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

We’ve been identified with Christ, but it’s up to us now to change how we see ourselves. We often look at our shortcomings and failures. We focus on those things, rather than focusing on how Jesus sees us. He sees us a new people. He doesn’t see our sins and shortcomings, rather He looks at us and sees a new identity. And now it’s up to us to live out that new identity.

Don’t let this just be another Christmas.

Don’t get so used to the Christmas lights, manger scenes and Santas everywhere that you forget what it all is really about. Jesus came to earth as a baby in a manger. But He didn’t just do it for kicks or because He was bored. He had a mission. He was going to bring mankind back into relationship with His father.

That’s the good news of Christmas. That we can know God the father and we’ve been made new because of what Jesus did!

What Christians Have in Common With Spiderman 12-17-15

Spiderman is an awesome superhero. However, his real name is Peter Parker and he was orphaned and living with his aunt and uncle. His ordinary life changes one day he gets bit by a radioactive spider during a science demonstration. Because of the spider bite, he gets spider-like powers: super-strength, ability to climb walls, and great jumping skills.

Did you realize that as a Christian, you’ve got super powers too? Sure you can’t climb buildings, or be able to jump really high, but like Peter Parker, we underwent a huge transformation when we became Christians.

To understand this transformation, we’ve got to go way back in time. Back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve lost their right standing with God. They were created to walk and talk with God. When Adam and Eve sinned and ate the fruit from that tree they were no longer right before God, and that’s because God can’t condone sin. God couldn’t have the relationship he had with them before.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Jesus came and gave us a way back to God We were separated from God but God loved us too much to let us die in our sins. Because of what Jesus did there is now nothing that can separate you from God.

Just like Peter changed after getting bitten by a spider, once you became a Christian your whole identity changed.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! –  2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

A Christian isn’t renovated like a house, He is a new creature. You weren’t just made over, but rather something which never before existed.

As a Christian you’ve got a lot in common with Spiderman. You’ve got a whole new identity that is found in Christ. As you get into the word and learn more about who you are in Christ, you’ll find you just keep growing in that new identity.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 16, 2015

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

During a professional basketball game, there’s no confusion as to what players play for what team. Why? Because in professional basketball, each player wears a jersey. That jersey has the team logo on it. Each team member wears the same colors and logo. The jersey identifies them and tells others which team they play for.

In the same way, as Christians we should have an identifying characteristic. There shouldn’t be any confusion as to whether someone is a Christian or not, it should be evident.

The Bible tells us what our identifying characteristic should be, and it’s love. Love is what should make us different from everyone else. Love is about seeing people and valuing them like God would. It’s looking past what they look like and talk like. Love sees others like Jesus sees them and chooses to say they’re important. So decide today to love others, not in response to how they treat you, but because they have value to God.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 15, 2015

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. – Isaiah 53:5

Today’s Bible verse paints a somber picture of what Jesus went through on the cross. It describes Him being beaten, crushed and whipped. Jesus went through all of this so that He could pay the price for our sins. This suffering was selfless, Jesus didn’t need to go to the cross for His sake. He did it out of love for you and me. And because of it, Jesus is the only way to be saved.

Jesus is the only way to be saved. – @studentdevos

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Because of the great love that Jesus had for us, we can now begin to love others and ourselves. As we begin to focus on how important we were to Jesus that He took beatings and whippings for our sake, we realize our true value. In the eyes of God, we are priceless. We should no longer look at ourselves and feel like we don’t measure up, or that we’re not important. God’s love proves our worth.

We also should treat others with respect because they are important to God. We realize the bullies, the outcasts and the popular students at our school are important. Not because of their social status, but because of how much God loves them.

Today challenge yourself to look at yourself and others differently. Instead of seeing all of the shortcomings, and failures, choose to look at people through God’s eyes. See the value He places on each individual and begin to treat others and yourself as God’s best.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 14,2015

   

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:20

Today’s Bible verse got me thinking about Christmas time. How much of our energy is spent buying or getting the “right” gift? Why do we try so hard to get something that will be outdated or that you’ll get bored of before too long. So much of our energy at Christmas time is spent in the pursuit of things that don’t last.

This verse tells us to not store up treasures on earth, but to rather store up treasures in heaven. So instead of just living for yourself and what you can get, choose to do something different this Christmas.

If you have a friend who needs help offer it. If you see a need, meet it. If you have extra money, give it to your church to help them reach out to someone else in need. Mostly, just be open to let the light of Jesus shine through open doors all around you.

Daily Bible Verse with Devotion – Dec 11, 2015

For being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God.

– Romans 10:3 (BLB)

Paul here is referring to the Jews in Jesus’ day. They were zealous for God but ignorant of how God wanted to make them righteous. They felt they needed to keep all the Old Testament laws in order to please God and therefore earn His righteousness. However, God’s plan was for them to submit to a new righteousness that would only take place by trusting in Jesus.

People fall into this trap today. Everyone has their own set of rules that makes them feel they earn points with God. When they do good, they feel they are able to be close to God and when they are not so good, they feel they cannot. These people are either out of touch or just ignorant of how God really makes a person righteous.

The only way one can be made right with God is by trusting in Jesus as their Savior and continuing to trust in what He has done is all we need to be right with God. We do not need to try and earn our way to God.

After trusting in Jesus and His righteousness, we can do good things for Him. However, we do good works because of what Jesus has done for us and not in order to be right with God.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion (12-10-15)

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. – John 1:14

Think about your school’s lunch room for a moment. In that room, is there a group of students that are more popular than the others? Is there a table that you just wish you could eat at? Or a group of students that won’t talk to you because you’re less popular than they are?

Jesus could have done what many popular people do. He could have only hung out with those who were as popular as He was. Instead, he did something different. Today’s Bible verse says that he became human and made his home among us. He was full of love and faithfulness.

It sounds like Jesus didn’t have an exclusive lunch table or friends. Instead, He made himself at home with us. He showed many people love and kindness who had never experienced it before. Jesus’ actions should make us so thankful that He chose to show us love and faithfulness. He didn’t ignore us, or hang out with the people who had it all together. Instead He poured His love out so that we could get to know the Father.

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion (12-09-15)

For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin – Romans 6:6 (HSCB)

Have you ever gotten stuck? I remember one time in bad weather, I accidentally drove my car into a ditch. Once I was in the ditch, I realized that I was stuck. There was no amount of driving, backing up, or turning my wheels that was going to get me out of this problem. I was stuck. I really needed help from someone with more power than me. I needed a tractor or a tow truck to come and get me out of the mess I was in.

My car getting stuck in a ditch has some parallels to today’s Bible verse. This verse tells us that we were once enslaved to sin. That means that we couldn’t get out on our own. No amount of good works and trying was enough to make us free from sin. We needed Jesus.

The great thing about what Jesus did was that he destroyed sin’s power in our lives. Today’s Bible verse says that we are no  longer enslaved to sin. We are free from the power of sin. We were crucified with Christ and sin has no power in our lives. Today, let that sink in. Realize that sin no longer has power in your life!

Thanks to Jesus, sin has no power in our lives – @studentdevos

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Devotion (12-08-15)

 

For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” – Romans 15:3 (NLT)

Jesus didn’t live His life here on earth to please Himself. He wasn’t using his awesome water walking skills to get more friends, or making extra cash by turning water into wine. Instead of doing things to please Himself, Jesus was selfless. He wasn’t intent on doing things that made Him happy.

Jesus had a mission and a purpose for His life. When He gave His life at the cross, He became sin and a curse for us. He took the punishment for sins that He never committed. He was totally just, yet took the punishment for the unjust. Jesus was selfless. He gave all He was so that we could become all He is.

Jesus gave all He was so that we could become all He is. – @studentdevos

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How Jesus lived His life on earth should be an inspiration to us this Christmas season. We should be thankful to Him for what He did for us, but His life’s example should stir us to be more selfless. Every day, there are people around us who need hope. They need to hear that they’re important to God. This Christmas season, will you get out of your comfort zone and reach out to those around you?

You could go visit the lady who lives near you that can’t get out. You could volunteer time at a food pantry, or at your church. You could tell a friend that their life matters to God. Whatever you do, let Jesus be your inspiration. Choose to reach out to someone around you in need today!

 

Devotional 12-07-15

 

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. – 1 John 5:11

Lots of times in our busy online world of Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, we forget to think about what it really means to have eternal life. Eternal life isn’t just something to glance over. It’s really pretty great. Eternal life is life that’s better.

My favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. Before Reese’s, I’d tried chocolate and I’d tried peanut butter. When eating a Reese’s, I realized that something really great happens when you combine peanut butter and chocolate. It just tastes better than either ingredient does on it’s own. Eternal life is the same way. It’s a way of living that is way better than life was before Jesus.

Eternal life is a way of life that’s all about letting God live and breathe and work through you. It’s getting to know God and His word. There’s so much power available to you, if you just take the time to get to know and have a relationship with God. So take some time today to set aside you phone, iPod or TV and get to know God. He’ll show you what’s really so great about eternal life.

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Daily Bible Verse (12-04-15)

 

“And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?”– Luke 16:12 (ESV)

You might want to do something awesome for God but you’re waiting on Him to put it together for you. And while, it’s always good to get God’s timing on things, today’s Bible verse challenges us to do something else while we’re waiting.

This verse is saying that a first step is to serve another person’s dream. Get involved in helping someone else reach their potential. As you are faithful in the small things, you’ll see that God will advance your steps little by little.

As you learn to give and be a blessing with the money you have you’ll see that God trusts you with more. So choose today to live your life differently. Determine to start being faithful today with the small things and realize that God will take care of your future.

 

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Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – (12-03-15)

 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35 (NIV)

How do you know that a car is a car? There are certain characteristics about a car that make it unique. These are the things that help you recognize a car. For example, you notice that it has four wheels, side mirrors, windows or an engine. These things make a car different than a horse, or a house.

How you know a car is a car is a lot like what today’s Bible verse is talking about. There are certain things that make a Christian a Christian. One of those things is love. As Christians, we should be loving each other, not tearing others down. Love is a characteristic that should define Christians.

Love shows up in many areas of our lives. How do we treat our mom? What do we do about the old lady down the street that needs help bringing in her groceries? These things are all examples of showing love to others. Love should be a trademark for Christians.

Examine your life today. Are you letting God’s love shine through you? Are you open and ready for opportunities to love others? If you’re not, simply make any necessary adjustments in your life and let God’s love flow through you to those around you.

 

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Daily Bible Verse and Devotion (12-02-15)

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). – Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)

Have there ever been times in your life when you felt alone? Maybe you feel like your parents don’t understand you, or you’re going through a hard time and everyone around you is just too busy to care. Feeling alone is something that we all face at some point in our lives. However, the good news is, you’re never really alone.

You might feel like every person around you has left you, or doesn’t care, but the good news is Jesus will never leave you. In this verse it tells us that His name is Immanuel, which means God is with us. God is with you. That’s good news.

If you’re going through a tough or lonely time, take comfort in today’s verse. You can know that you’re never really alone. You’ve got Jesus with you. He’s there to walk with you through every trial and situation that you face.

You’re never alone. Jesus is there to walk with you in every difficulty you face! – @studentdevos

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Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – December 1, 2015

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. – Luke 2:10

It’s easy this Christmas season to get caught up in our own lives. We might be thinking about what gifts we want, or start buying gifts for others. We might enjoy watching Christmas movies on TV or listening to tons of Christmas music. In all the business of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget what this Bible verse tells us.

Today’s Bible verse tells us that the news of Jesus is for all people. It’s not just for those who are nice, who have it all together, or who have lots of money. The good news of the gospel is for all. It’s for the loner at your school. It’s for the bully who mistreats the younger students. The message of Jesus is for all people.

If we know that the gospel is for all, then what are we doing about it? Are we looking for opportunities this Christmas to share with others? Are we looking for ways to bless those who have less than we do? Are we making sure that we’re broadcasting the gospel to anyone who is open to hearing?

Jesus is for all people. Don’t be afraid to let others know about Him! – @studentdevos

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This Christmas season, be looking for opportunities to share Jesus with others. Spread the good news that Jesus came to save all people!

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