Apart from a heart of gratitude, we begin to be self-focused, self-centered, and self-pleasing. But when you and I, as Christ-followers, decide to live with a daily heart of thankfulness, it changes us. A peaceful heart is the result.

Main Points:

1. Gratitude causes us to focus our hearts on God as the source of every blessing. Being thankful is a part of a lifestyle of worship. Gratitude keeps us humble.

2. Do you ever forget to be grateful? It’s so easy to do, isn’t it? We can easily take everyday blessings for granted. We can enjoy the blessings of God without considering how blessed we truly are.

3. Usually we express gratitude when something good happens, but in every situation, there is something for which we can thank the Lord. Even in the inconveniences, the cancellations, the restrictions, the interruptions, the disappointments, there is still a reason to give our thanks to God.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Romans 1:21 - “ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Colossians 3:15-17 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

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Maybe you have wondered why some do not respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have often thought, “If they could only see how wonderful Jesus is. If they could only see how amazing it is to know the Lord and to be forgiven of our sins.” But that’s just it; they cannot see. They are spiritually blind.

Main Points:

1. The God who spoke at creation and brought light into the darkness is the same God who can make his light shine in our hearts so that we can see Jesus.

2. When we receive word that there is a cure for our spiritual blindness, we too must act. We must step out in faith and trust Jesus Christ to be our savior and our Lord. I am convinced the work of the Holy Spirit is to deal with our hearts so that we can have our spiritual blindness cured. The Spirit reveals Christ to us.

3. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your savior, I want you to know the joy that awaits you. You don’t have to live in the darkness of sin and this world. I pray you’ll experience Jesus, who is the light of the world.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

2 Corinthians 4:4 - “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

John 3:19 - “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 - “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

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Our efforts at personal goodness, no matter how consistent they may be, will never save us. In fact, good behavior is incapable of bringing us into a right relationship with God. We must be born again.

Main Points:

1. Everyone of us, no matter how kind, decent, and respectful we may be, are still sinners. We have sinned. We have violated God’s laws.

2. A newborn baby will need a second birth. It had a physical birth, but to be in right relationship with God, it will need a spiritual birth. It must be born again.

3. Have you been born again? Recognize that good behavior is incapable of saving us from our sins. We must have a new birth by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Psalm 51:5 - “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Romans 5:12 - “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”

Romans 3:23 - “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

1 Peter 1:3 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

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We must see that, with God’s help, we have the power to flee and to run away from temptation. If we are hesitant, if we wait and entertain the temptation, we lose power against it. God’s Word teaches us to flee.

Main Points:

1. Temptation is something every one of us will face. No one is immune. To be tempted is not sin – it’s what you do with the temptation that’s important. Even Jesus was tempted.

2. So, how do we flee temptation? We can always pray. We can cry out to God for strength against whatever temptation we are facing. Sometimes it may be necessary to physically flee your environment. You may need to call a friend or family member for support.

3. What is essential is that you choose a course of action before you face the temptation. If you wait until you are tempted, it’s too late. Decide today how you will flee temptation.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 6:13 - “Lead us not into temptation.”

2 Timothy 2:22 - “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 - “Flee sexual immorality.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 - “Flee from idolatry.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Psalm 141:4 - “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers…”

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Think about this truth. God didn’t have to love us. He didn’t have to offer us grace and mercy. Nothing forced God to show us forgiveness. Nothing compelled Him to give us the precious gift of eternal life, but God chose to. He chose to love us. He chose to call us His own. He chose to make us children of God.

Main Points:

1. If you’ve ever been tempted to doubt the love of God, recognize this wonderful blessing: God chose to love you. Despite all of your sins, your failures, and your mistakes, God still chose to love you and wants to spend eternity with you.

2. But there’s more: not only has God chosen to love us, He has chosen to use us. You have an assignment, a task, and a role to play in the kingdom of God. For many of us, we feel as if we aren’t capable or qualified, so we expect God will use others instead, but that is not what the Scriptures teach us.

3. God takes great joy and delight in using our lives for his glory. As He empowers us with His Holy Spirit, and we take steps of faith and obedience, great things are accomplished through our lives. All of this takes place because He chooses to make it happen.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 2:9 - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:4 - “…rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 - “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

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Wisdom is something we all need, but we might underestimate just how much we need it. You and I need wisdom in our thinking, our words, our actions, and our future. We need wisdom in our work, our ministries, and in our leadership. Is there an area of your life in which you do not need God’s wisdom? I don’t think so.

Main Points:

1. To receive God’s wisdom, we first have to recognize that we need it. We sometimes live self-sufficient lives and act as if we do not need God's wisdom. This is a critical mistake.

2. God wants to be right in the middle of our choices and decisions. He wants to lead, guide, and direct our steps. He has given us His Word, the Bible, to be a daily resource that provides His wisdom.

3. Let’s see the value of Godly wisdom. The world, our culture, and our society offer their version of wisdom that most often conflicts with God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to seek God’s wisdom. Let’s begin to value God’s point of view over our own.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

James 1:5 - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”

Proverbs 8:11 – “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 2:1-6 – “If you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom.”

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We are all aware of the spiritual battle that rages. We do have an adversary. We do have opposition. We are in a fight, but find encouragement in these verses. Christ Jesus will place us on a firm foundation. He is our firm foundation. He is the rock we have built our lives upon, and He cannot be moved.

Main Points:

1. No matter how fierce the fight, no matter how difficult the battle, our firm foundation is not shaken. Yes, we have to stand firm. Yes, we must be strong in the faith. But all the while, we remember that our suffering is not forever. The promise from these verses is that we will share in God’s eternal glory.

2. In this life, we are constantly reminded of the spiritual battle that rages around us. Like a prowling lion, our adversary seeks to devour us, to tear down our faith, and to rob us of our hope. Yet, in the midst of this struggle, we find reassurance and strength in the unshakeable foundation of Christ.

3. Peter's words speak to us today, urging us to be alert and sober-minded. We cannot afford to be complacent or unaware of the dangers that surround us. The enemy's attacks may come in various forms – doubts, temptations, trials, and tribulations – but we are called to stand firm in the faith.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 5:8-11 - “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”

Isaiah 33:6 - “In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.”

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How many people are there, who once burned hot for God, but now no longer serve Him? How many who were on fire for God, but now have no spiritual passion at all? The sober reality is that this could happen to any of us.

Main Points:

1. Why did God repeatedly tell the Israelites not to let the fire burn out? Why did the instruction need to be repeated? The answer is because there was a real possibility that keeping the fire burning hot could lose its importance to the people.

2. It is critical that you and I tend to our spiritual fire. We must keep our fire for God burning. We cannot let this fire go out. We cannot let our spiritual passion diminish. We must daily do what is necessary to keep our hearts and minds focused on a growing relationship with Christ.

3. Today, you must put another log on the fire. Reignite the flame. Reignite your spiritual passion for Jesus. How do we do this? We reignite the flame by giving attention to it. A fire left untended burns out. Turn your attention once again to Christ. Rediscover the spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, scripture reading, and church attendance. Join a life group at your church. Begin to serve and use your gifts.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Leviticus 6:13 - “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

Matthew 3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 2:3 - “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

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