To Your Credit

"How is it to your credit if you receive a beating
for doing wrong
and endure it?
But if you suffer for doing good
and you endure it,
this is commendable before God."

(NIV - 1 Peter 2:20)

Do You Think It Foolishto Acknowledge God?

Romans 1:28-31 says:

"Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy."


It all started simply from thinking it foolish to acknowledge God.

So I ask you, do you fit into that category?

If you don't now, you may, someday -- if you continue ignoring God. If you continue living halfheartedly and supposedly 'for' God.

Consider This...

You may not fit 'the' category above. But break it down. How many of those various terms fit you all too well?

Greed? Hate? Envy? Quarreling? Deception? Gossip?

Insolent? Proud? Boastful?

Disobey your parents?

Refuse to understand?

Break your promises?

Have no mercy?

Hint...

Hint: If you feel you fit none of those categories and are 'good' with God, you suffer from Pride.

Even the Apostles traveling with Jesus Christ while he was here walking the earth, suffered from more than one of those things listed above.

If you have been relying thus far on your own 'power,' please... consider the ramifications.

"It's Never Too Late" ...Or Is It?

The lie of the world is that it's never too late. One day, it will be.

But right now, it's not too late. He has not abandoned you, yet.

Give yourself to Him now, today. Ask Him to forgive you. Come to Him humbly, and sincerely.

No worries... He does love you.

Prayer for Today

Thank You, Lord Jesus -- for your guidance, for your truth, and for your overwhelming love.

Please, Father, through Jesus Christ your son, our Lord, please give each of us who read this, hearts of flesh today. Crush our hearts of stone. Knock down the walls we continue to build every day.

Replace our cold hearts with your Holy Spirit, your love, and your grace for all those around us. Thank you for your grace that allows us to come back to You, Father, through the 'bridge' you've given us - Jesus Christ your son.

Please, forgive us for our sins. Teach us to live righteously, to live holy lives, and to understand and desire holiness as you mean it in your guiding word, the Holy Bible. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Make Every Effort

God tells us to "make every effort" at least 7 times in the Holy Bible. If you want to know what He's referring to in these instances, go read these scriptures:

• Luke 13:24
• Romans 14:19
• Ephesians 4:3
• Hebrews 4:11
• Hebrews 12:14
• 2 Peter 1:5
• 2 Peter 3:14

Or, just save time and read below - in the NIV:

Luke 13:24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

Romans 14:19
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Ephesians 4:3
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Hebrews 4:11
"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience."

Hebrews 12:14
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

2 Peter 1:5
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;"

2 Peter 3:14
"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him."


Peace is mentioned numerous times. Also, to strive, to make every effort, not a half-hearted attempt, to follow Christ by doing what He says in scripture.

Make every effort to live like Christ.

Make every effort to live at peace with those around you.

Make every effort. That means every time you think of it. Every time you get a chance or see an opening to be kind to others -- do so.

It means every time you feel your emotions rising, feel an urge to respond poorly... choose to make every effort to do what Jesus would do instead.

Prayer for Today

Lord, please, help us. Help us to be better than we could be on our own. Help us to live as You, Jesus, lived.

Please fill us to overflowing with your love, with your grace, and with your Godly wisdom. To help us lead better, and live better.

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Father. Amen.