Mike <>

Hope & strength or doubt & discouragement?

Scripture: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe [in Him] so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13 HCSB)Our hope comes from God.…

Romans 15:13 (HCSB)

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Scripture: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe [in Him] so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13 HCSB)

Untitled Note

Scripture: (15) Now may the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you believe [in Him] so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13 HCSB)

Romans 15:13 (HCSB)

Keep my eye on the ball

Scripture: (9) Christ died and rose again for this very purpose-to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. (10) So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember,…

Romans 14:9 (NLT), Romans 14:10 (NLT), Romans 14:11 (NLT), Romans 14:12 (NLT)

The Spirit's transforming power in my mind

Scripture: (1) Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to…

Romans 12:1 (HCSB), Romans 12:2 (HCSB)

From fear comes confidence

Scripture: In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. (HCSB)Reverence for the Lord gives confidence and security to a man and his family. (GNT)Observation: All confidence,…

Proverbs 14:26 (HCSB)

Follow God. Be secure.

Scripture: The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. (HCSB)Honesty lives confident and carefree, but Shifty is sure to be exposed. (MSG)Anyone who…

Proverbs 10:9 (HCSB)

Called to conformity

Scripture: (28) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. (29) For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed…

Romans 8:28 (HCSB), Romans 8:29 (HCSB)

Spirit reign

Scripture: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. (Rom 6:12 HCSB)Observation: Because we were delivered from our evil desires by the death and resurrection of…

Romans 6:12 (HCSB), Romans 6:13 (HCSB)

I must act first

Scripture: (14) and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen…

2 Chronicles 7:12 (MSG)

Fully devoted, no regrets

Scripture: (60) and so that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh is God. There is no other! (61) Let your heart be completely devoted to the Lord our God to walk in His statutes and to keep…

1 Kings 8:60 (HCSB), 1 Kings 8:61 (HCSB)

What it takes to be a true Jew

Scripture: (29) No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a…

Romans 2:29 (NLT)

Eye protection will guard my heart

Scripture: (1) I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise. (2) I will be careful to lead a blameless life - when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house…

Psalm 101:1 (NIV), Psalm 101:2 (NIV), Psalm 101:3 (NIV)

Chosen, sanctified and glorified

Scripture: (13) But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in…

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (HCSB), 2 Thessalonians 2:14 (HCSB)

His peaceful pasture

Scripture: (6) Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. (7) For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. (Ps 95:6-7, HCSB)Observation:…

Psalm 95:6 (HCSB), Psalm 95:7 (HCSB)

Stay away from evil

Scripture: (22) Stay away from every kind of evil. (23) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our…

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (HCSB), 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (HCSB), 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (HCSB)

Sanctified and set apart for service

Scripture: (7) For God has not called us to impurity but to sanctification. (8) Therefore, the person who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gave you his Holy Spirit. (1 Th 4:7-8 HCSB)(7)…

1 Thessalonians 4:7 (HCSB), 1 Thessalonians 4:8 (HCSB)

Love from a pure heart

Scripture: May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from…

1 Thessalonians 3:11 (MSG)

God: my source of joy

Scripture: (11) You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackloth and clothed me with gladness, (12) so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever. (Ps 30:11-12…

Psalm 30:11 (HCSB), Psalm 30:12 (HCSB)

Am I man enough?

Scripture: (6) and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. (7) As a result, you became an example to all…

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (HCSB), 1 Thessalonians 1:7 (HCSB)

Come & See: Go & Tell

Scripture: (5) But the angel told the woman, "Don't be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see…

Matthew 28:5 (HCSB), Matthew 28:6 (HCSB), Matthew 28:7 (HCSB), Matthew 28:8 (HCSB), Matthew 28:9 (HCSB), Matthew 28:10 (HCSB)

God is for me!

Scripture: Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me. (Ps 56:9 HCSB)Observation: While under attack, David writes this Psalm. It begins with an urgent plea to God…

Psalm 56:9 (HCSB)

God's powerful presence

Scripture: (17) God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still proclaim Your wonderful works. (18) Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to [another]…

Psalm 71:17 (HCSB), Psalm 71:18 (HCSB), Psalm 71:19 (HCSB)

Reveal, don't conceal

Scripture: (1-5) How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent,…

Psalm 32:1 (HCSB), Psalm 32:2 (HCSB), Psalm 32:3 (HCSB), Psalm 32:4 (HCSB), Psalm 32:5 (HCSB)

The supremacy of God's Word

Scripture: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mt 24:35 NIV)Observation: Since God's word is the only thing that stands the test of time, Jesus is telling me to trust…

Matthew 24:35 (NIV)