Your Daily Bible

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

- Romans 8:1-2

Ever wanted to escape from a part of your identity? If you’re a sibling, you know what this feels like. For 12 years in every class, you were known as “John’s sister” or “Ashley’s brother.” No matter how different you and your siblings were, you couldn’t erase where you came from.

When Jesus saves us, He gives us a new identity. We are no longer who we used to be. Jesus’ death covered our sins: past, present, and future.

The condemnation you feel when you hear a song from the past? It is not from the Lord. Because when we are in Christ, God promises not to hold our sin against us.

Reflect: 

How do your interactions with God change when you know He isn’t holding your sin against you?

Is there anything you’re having trouble accepting forgiveness for? What’s one step you can take today to put action behind the belief that God is not condemning you?

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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. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Ever heard the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”? If you’ve been in a situation where someone told you this, you know it’s far from the truth. God never promises not to put more on us than we can handle; He promises to guide us through adversity.

One of the best things that can come out of an overwhelming situation is a deeper understanding of how much we need God’s help. Difficulty doesn’t have to drive us away from God. If we’ll lean into what God wants to show us, difficulty will drive us closer to God in ways good times can’t.

Reflect: 

Do you feel overwhelmed with more than you can handle? What’s weighing you down?

When are you most likely to question God’s guidance?

What’s one step you can take to remember God’s presence in those moments?

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If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
- Romans 10:9-10

God promises that when we put our faith in Jesus, we will be saved. Salvation isn’t something we do, it’s something God does for us.

For many of us, the most difficult part of salvation is not believing that Jesus is who He says He is. It’s continuing to believe, through all our ups and downs, that God will make good on His promise — that we have been and are being saved.

Reflect: 

Who do you say that Jesus is? If you have asked Jesus into your life, what are some ways your life reflects that decision?

If belief is what saves us, why do you think God also asks us to profess our faith (or say it out loud)?

What is one step you can take today to trust God’s plan for your life?

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.. if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14

 What if the only thing standing between you and the change you crave is you? As God’s children, we have direct access to the creator of the universe with all His infinite power and wisdom.

God is alert to our prayers. Day and night, He is ready to hear from His people. If we’ll humble ourselves and ask for God’s help, He promises to hear us and to heal us. Forgiveness and healing can start anywhere, at any time if we’ll turn to Jesus.

 Reflect: 

 What do you need healing from today?

Where are you looking for answers or searching for healing?

What’s one step you can take today to take God up on this promise?

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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.- 1 John 1:9

We are all born full of sin. Our rebellious nature covers every decision we make and everything we do. Like wet Oregon mud covers white Converse sneakers, it’s impossible to get rid of on our own.

God is absolutely perfect, in him there is no darkness at all so sin and the stench of sin is not allowed in His presence. A few years ago I had a sewage line under my house break and I had to crawl through that muck and fix and replace the pipe and then clean up the mess. If I would have walked into the house afterwards and said to my wife come and give me a hug she would have been unable to even though she loves me because the stench was so bad. And let me tell you the stench of our sins is way worse than that, but when we confess our sins, Jesus promises to forgive us. He doesn’t ridicule us or shame us; He welcomes us in and cleans us up. Through Jesus’ forgiveness, our sin is removed and our relationship with God is restored. Without the barrier of sin, we can run into the arms of a loving God where we find real, lasting joy.

Reflect: 
What, if anything, keeps you from having complete joy in God and with others?

Is there anything you need to be forgiven for today? Take a few minutes today to ask Jesus for the forgiveness He promises to give.

Forgiveness is yours! What’s one step you need to take today to let go of the past and live like you have been forgiven?

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.-  John 3:16

Before the world began, God planned, prepared, and promised eternal life with Him in heaven. We were created in God’s image and designed to live in community.

Sin entered the world and broke our connection to God, but God’s love made a way. Through Jesus, we can be restored to God’s original design and live forever in community with Him.

God has a perfect plan for you life, and because of His love for you He gave his only son Jesus to die for you. Now because you are no longer stained with sin because you have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus you can live life to the fullest as a new creation and walk in God’s perfect plan. 

Reflect: 

Have you asked Jesus into your life? If so, take some time today to thank God for His gift of eternal life. If not, you can make that decision today.

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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

- John 10:10

 Every day, our hearts and minds are busy with what to think, what to feel, and what will give us the most satisfaction. Jesus promises to simplify our choices and calm our restless hearts. Jesus left heaven and came to Earth with a single-minded purpose: to give us life to the full.

Knowing this gives us a weapon against every sinful temptation, deceptive desire, and worldly distraction that Satan uses to harm us and steal our joy. Maximum fulfillment comes only in relationship with God, and Jesus is the only way to find it.

 Reflect: 

 Have you experienced harm from seeking satisfaction outside of God?

What does it mean to you to have life to the full? Ask God if your definition of fulfillment is the same as His.

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Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' - Matthew 19:26

We may want to believe God’s plans and purposes, and we may want to experience abundant life in God. But isn’t it easy to throw our arms up when we look at our human circumstances and limits?

So God gives us a word of freedom: What I am bringing about comes only in my power, not yours. We can take God at His word, and we can trust Him to grow our faith, to arrange our circumstances, and to give us the ability to accomplish all that He says is possible.

 Reflect: 

 What’s one situation you’re facing that seems impossible?

How does this promise change your attitude?

What does it look like for you to believe God for the impossible?

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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

- Lamentations 3:22-23

Just like some days are so good we don’t want them to end, some days are so bad we just want to begin again. The good news is we can.

Every day is a new opportunity to experience God’s love and mercy. He never runs out of compassion or tires of helping us. God is loyal, constant, and steadfast. He promises that no matter how many times we have to repent, He is always willing to begin again.

 Reflect: 

Is there a decision you wish you could take back or an area of your life where you want to begin again? Describe it here.

Sometimes, the only way to know a promise is true is to act on it. How can you treat today like it really is a fresh start? What would you do differently today if you knew God wasn’t holding a grudge against you?

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

- Matthew 11:28-30

The yokes oxen wore were bulky, wooden harnesses that allowed them to pull farming machines. Weighed down by their yoke, the work was exhausting — even for a big, strong ox.

We don’t need to have seen a yoke to understand what it feels like to be burdened. The burdens of life weigh us down and wear us out. What Jesus offers us is an exchange: Take off the yokes we’re carrying and attach ourselves to Him instead. Jesus promises that when we work alongside Him, we’ll find rest for our souls. No longer weighed down by our old burdens, Jesus teaches us a new way of operating and brings purpose to what once felt like meaningless toil.

Reflect: 

What’s wearing you out or weighing you down?

What would it look like for you to exchange your yoke for Jesus’ yoke?

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