Thought of the Day
March 22,2020

Jeremiah 1:4-10 AMP
[4] Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [6] Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, For I am [only] a young man.” [7] But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. [8] “Do not be afraid of them [or their hostile faces], For I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you,” says the LORD. [9] Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold (hear Me), I have put My words in your mouth. [10] “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To uproot and break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 AMP
[14] For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; [15] and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake. [16] So from now on we regard no one from a human point of view [according to worldly standards and values]. Though we have known Christ from a human point of view, now we no longer know Him in this way. [17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. [18] But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], [19] that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God]. [20] So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. [21] He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Matthew 10:16-20 AMP
[16] “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. [17] Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; [18] and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. [19] But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour; [20] for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Mark 13:4-13 AMP
[4] “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” [5] Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. [6] Many will come in My name [misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah], saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. [7] When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. [8] For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the birth pangs [the intolerable anguish and suffering]. [9] “But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand [as accused] before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. [10] The gospel [that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation] must first be preached to all the [Gentile] nations. [11] When they take you and turn you over [to the court], do not worry beforehand about what to say, but say whatever is given to you [by God] in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit [who will speak through you]. [12] Brother will betray brother to [be put to] death, and a father [will hand over] his child; and children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death. [13] You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved.

1. God knows us before we are born. That we will accept HIS gift of salvation.
2. Plans how we can best serve HIM. Take into account our personality and talents that HE has given to us.
3. Sends us as HIS representatives to share the gospel with others in our everyday lives.
4. Provides all we need, in any situation, to advance HIS Kingdom.

March 21,2020

Thought of the Day

Matthew 16:24-28 AMP
[24] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. [25] For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. [26] For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory and majesty of His Father with His angels, and THEN HE WILL REPAY EACH ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE. [28] “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Matthew 17:1-13 AMP
[1] Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. [2] And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. [3] And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. [4] Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here-one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” [6] When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” [8] And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. [9] And as they were going down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” [10] The disciples asked Him, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” [11] He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; [12] but I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him, but did to him as they wished. The Son of Man is also going to suffer at their hands.” [13] Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

March 20,2020

Thought of the Day

2 Timothy 1:8-14 AMP
[8] So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible], [9] for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life-a life set apart-a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit-we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago], [10] but now [that extraordinary purpose and grace] has been fully disclosed and realized by us through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who [through His incarnation and earthly ministry] abolished death [making it null and void] and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [11] for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher [of this good news regarding salvation]. [12] This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]. [13] Keep and follow the pattern of sound teaching (doctrine) which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. [14] Guard [with greatest care] and keep unchanged, the treasure [that precious truth] which has been entrusted to you [that is, the good news about salvation through personal faith in Christ Jesus], through [the help of] the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.