Day 64: October 6, 2008

Today's Scripture:

Matthew 23:1-12; Romans 5:1-11; Psalms 53; Numbers 12-14...

Day 63: October 5, 2008

Today's Scripture:

Matthew 22:34-46; Romans 4; Psalm 52; Numbers 9-11...

Day 62: October 4, 2008

Today's Scripture:

Matthew 22:15-33; Romans 3; Psalm 51; Numbers 7-8...

Day 61: October 3, 2008

Reading for today:

MAtthew 22:1-14; Romans 2; Psalm 50; Numbers 5-6...

Day 60: October 2, 2008

Matthew 21:33-46; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 49; Numbers 3-4...
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

What kinds of excuses do you hear from others as to why they do not follow God?

Have you ever made any of the same excuses?

How would you respond to someone who gave these excuses?

Day 59: October 1, 2008

Today's Scripture:

Matthew 21:23-32; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 48; Numbers 1-2...

This is from the Life Application Study Bible:

Faith is a word with many meanings. It can mean faithfulness (Matthew 24:45). It can mean absolute trust, as shown in some of the people who came to Jesus for healing (Luke 7:2-10). It can mean confident hope (Hebrews 11:1). Or as James points out, it can even mean a barren belief that does not result in good deeds (James 2:14-26). What does Paul mean when, in Romans, he speaks of saving faith?

We must be very careful to understand faith as Paul uses the word, because he ties faith so closely to salvation. It is not something we must do in order to earn salvation-- if that were true, then faith would be just one more deed, and Paul clearly states that human deeds can never save us (Galatians 2:16). Instead, faith is a gift God gives us because hr is saving us (Ephesians 2:8). It is God's grace, not our faith, that saves us. In his mercy, however, when he saves us he gives us faith-- a relationship with his Son that helps us become like him. Through the faith he gives us, he carries us from death into life (John 5:24)

Even in Old Testament times, grace, not deeds, was the basis of salvation. As Hebrews points out, "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (10:4). God intended for his people to look beyond the animal sacrifices to him, but all too often they, instead, put their confidence in fulfilling the requirements of the law-- that is, performing the required sacrifices. When Jesus triumphed over death, he cancelled the charges against us and opened the way to the Father (Colossians 2:12-15). Because he is merciful, he offers us faith. How tragic if we turn faith into a deed a try to develop it into our own! We can never come to God through our own faith, any more than his Old Testament people could come through their own sacrifices. Instead, we must accept his gracious offer with thanksgiving and allow him to plant the seed of faith within us.

Days 54-58: September 26, 2008 - September 30, 2008

Free Days

Spend some time in prayer focus on praying for the future.
  • If you are a parent, pray for your child's future.
  • If you are a student, pray about your future family and career.
  • Child, pray for your parent.
  • Pray for the future of the country.
  • Pray for the President, and the Presidential election.