We have not really begun to live until we live in Christ. When we are found in Christ, we are no longer lost.

Bible Reading: Luke 15-17

Verse of the day: Luke 15:32, "But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found."

Word of the day: Found. It is the Greek word: εὑρίσκω (hyoo-ris'-ko).

We live in a shame culture where honor is sometimes bestowed on what is most shameful. The honor we are to give is first to God. But honor is not just spoken, it is shown.

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3

Verse of the day: Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce."

Word of the day: Honor. It is the Hebrew word: כָּבַד (kaw-bad').

Sometimes people place their hope in prayers more than in the One they are praying to. But Prayers that are heard are not a formula. They are spoken by God's people in relationship with God, according to God's word and straight to His heart.

Bible Reading: Psalms 65-67

Verse of the day: Psalm 66:20, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

Word of the day: Prayer. It is the Hebrew word: תְּפִלָּה (tef-il-law').

Sometimes in our pursuit of comfort and vegging out, we invite idols into our heart and mind. Idle time leads to idols in our lives, pulling us far away from God.

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-18

Verse of the day: Ezekiel 14:3, "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?"

Word of the day: Idols. It is the Hebrew word: גִּלּוּל (ghil-lool').

Walking the walk and talking the Talk isn't about trying to be perfect, or else that would just be a good work in the flesh, and frankly, we are not able to do it. But it is about being honest in our weaknesses and being committed to walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh.

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6-10

Verse of the day: 1 Kings 6:12, "Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father."

Word of the day: Walk. It is the Hebrew word: הָלַךְ (haw-lak').

A burnt offering reminds us that the offering was wholly committed and consumed in the act of atonement. So, too, giving ourselves to God is a total commitment. We are to be a living sacrifice.

Bible Reading: Lev. 1-4

Verse of the day: Leviticus 1:4, "You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you."

Word of the day: Burnt offering. It is the Hebrew word: עֹלָה (o-law').

We tend to think of heirs as being rich people's descendants not realizing that we, too, are heirs. An heir is a recipient of an inheritance that they did not earn. How astounding it is, then, to take a slave and make them an heir? And yet that is just what Christ did with each of us.

Bible Reading: Gal. 4-6

Verse of the day: Galatians 4:7, "So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

Word of the day: Heir. It is the Greek word: κληρονόμος (klay-ron-om'-os).

Our culture places value on things based on an ever-changing scale. But our intrinsic worth is in our unchanging identity in Christ, not the world's fluctuating system of value.

Bible Reading: Luke 12-14

Verse of the day: Luke 12:7, "Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."

Word of the day: Value. It is the Greek word: διαφέρω (dee-af-er'-o).

Discretion is an old-fashioned word to us today. In a culture marked by freedom of expression, wisdom reminds us that discretion protects us.

Bible Reading: Proverbs 2

Verse of the day: Proverbs 2:11, "Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."

Word of the day: Discretion. It is the Hebrew word: מְזִמָּה (mez-im-maw').

I am pretty sure no one likes to wait. We don't want to delay our gratification of end to our suffering. But waiting is more than just stalling timewise. God can accomplish much while we wait.

Bible Reading: Psalms 62-64

Verse of the day: Psalm 62:1-2, "Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure."

Word of the day: Wait. It is the Hebrew word: דָּמַם (daw-man').