Do You Measure Up? 

MAY 7, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

1 Samuel 6:20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    How is it that bank tellers are able to spot counterfeit bills so quickly? I have been told it is because they handle thousands of dollars in real cash every single day. So then, when a phony piece of currency passes through their hands, it feels different, and it looks different, because it is different.

    In the eyes of one another, we might look ok. However, what comparisons are we using? Are we not simply comparing our own goodness, our own likes, and dislikes, our good (or bad) tastes to one another? That is not how God measures us. God measures us by comparing us to His Son Jesus Christ. When held up next to Jesus, can anyone stand up to that evaluation? Surprisingly, there are two answers to this question.

    First, the answer would have to be NO. There is no possible way that any sinful person, no matter how good they may be, or how many good deeds they may have done, or even how religious they are, who can ever compare to the absolute sinless perfection and unmatched love of Jesus Christ. The Bible refers to our best abilities as filthy rags before a Holy God.

  The second answer is YES. How, you might ask? Well, in our self, we can never match up. However, when we accept Jesus as Saviour, God no longer looks at us alone. He now sees us IN CHRIST JESUS. Since we are in Christ, God sees His Son’s sinless perfection and we are MADE righteous in Christ.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Were it not for the righteousness of Christ, we could never stand in the presence of God. However, because of His righteousness, we can live with Him eternally. That alone should give you a lot to thank Him for today.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  MAY 7, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
1 Samuel 6, 7     /     Psalm 106:16-33     /     Proverbs 7     /     Ephesians 5, 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 28-31           /      Luke 22:1-34

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

You Need To Be Kind 

MAY 6, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     When should you one person be kind to another person? OK, this sounds a lot like a loaded question. I am sure that most people will answer, “always,” right? Well, that is the right answer. However, the next question is where things get personal. Are we always kind to one another? How about the person who just cut you off in traffic and now, you are going to be late because you had to wait through one extra light? How about the elderly woman ahead of you at the grocery store who seems to want to pay for her entire grocery bill in change from the bottom of her purse? Yea, that is hard, we all know.

     Have you ever been nice to someone just because he or she is related to someone you know? Has your kindness extended to the friend of your friend just because your friend knew them? Sure, we have all done that. Did they earn your kindness or do anything for you to be kind to them? Nope. We just liked our friend or relative, so we extended that kindness to them also. That is exactly what this verse is saying. We should forgive and love one another because God did so for us. Did we deserve it? NO! However, for the sake of Christ who died for us, God forgave us. In the same manner, we are now to show love to others so they might also be drawn to the love of our Lord who loves and died for them as well. Even if they are playing their stereo so loud that from three lanes away with my windows up, I cannot hear mine, I need to be tenderhearted. Maybe that is also why we are to pray without ceasing! “Lord, help me to be kind.”

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     What does real kindness look like? Well, God so much loved you and me, and every person he ever created, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, to pay the ransom for our sin. If anyone will believe completely in His death and resurrection as the payment for their sin, and trust in what He did for the atonement of their sin, they will never ever have to worry about perishing but can rejoice in everlasting life.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  MAY 6, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
1 Samuel 3-5     /     Psalm 106:1-15     /     Proverbs 6     /     Ephesians 3, 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 25-27           /  Luke 21

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Your Friends Are Your Mirrors

MAY 5, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 5:8-9 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    When I was a young boy, my parents would tell me, “Son you’ll be judged by the people you hang around with.” In the courts, it is called guilt by association. As much as we may not like this, it is true. People form an opinion about you by the people with whom you spend the most time. Is that really fair? Can someone know you by other people’s character? Well let’s take a closer look.

    List all the things you like. Music, sports, movies, places to go, things you like to do, the clothes you wear, anything you can think of. Now take a look at the people you spend much of your time with outside of work or school. Most of the things you like, they like. Why is that? Because you will hang out with people who are most like yourself. It just makes sense. Why would you want to buddy up with someone who always hates what you like or likes what you hate? Therefore, when others look at the people you spend the most time with, people can see what you like, dislike, believe, and even who you are. Even if this is not true 100% of the time for you, it is still true for your friends. If they will hang with you, you must be doing what they like to do or they would soon find someone else to be with.

  So, if you ever want to see a good reflection of your life, how and what others think of you, look at your closest friends. They are a great mirror.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Today’s verse says to stay away from the worldly crowd. This does not mean we can never talk with them or be friendly toward them. In fact, we need to be out there with the world to win them to Christ. However, the worldly crowd should not be your closest friends. Christians should have Christian friends.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  MAY 5, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
1 Samuel 1, 2     /     Psalm 105:16-45     /     Proverbs 5     /     Ephesians 1, 2

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 21-24             /    Luke 20:27-47

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

God’s Love Never Ends

MAY 04, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Sometimes I wonder if even well-meaning Christians look over this little verse. They may think, “well that was so long ago, it was in the Old Testament, God does not mean this so much in today’s day and age.” However, I believe this verse is just as valid today as it was the day it was written.

    Now I know some of you may be looking at this and thinking, “Here goes the preacher warning us about being mean to the preachers.” Well, to some degree, I believe there is relevance to that, and it ought to be pursued. Preachers today are the prophets of God. Not prophets as we find in Bible times who are still receiving new revelations from God. Nevertheless, they do convey the words of God from His Holy Word the Bible and they are in that sense prophesying His word. However, I think this verse is about something else. About someone else.

    What I see in this verse is the love God has for the Children of Israel. In the context of the chapter, God is speaking about the people of Israel. He is warning those who might harm her of His undying love for this people. We seem to forget, after all these years, they are still God’s chosen people. He has not forgotten them, and neither should we. God loves them just as you and I would love a rebellious child. Do we quit loving them? NO. Do we sometimes have to punish them for their actions? YES! Nevertheless, the love never ends. Well folks, neither has God’s love for His Children.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Remember Israel and pray for God’s chosen people.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  MAY 04, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ruth 2-4     /     Psalm 105:1-15     /     Proverbs 4     /     Romans 20

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 18-20            /    Luke 20:1-26

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Do You Love Me? 

MAY 03, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Love is a funny thing. It will cause people who never knew each other before, to start dating and marry. It also causes people to do and say some funny things. I heard a story about some men who were standing in a locker room at a country club. A cell phone on the bench rings and one man reaches over and turns on its speakerphone. The caller said, “Honey, it’s me. Are you at the club?” The man replied, “Yes.” The woman’s voice said, “I am at the mall and found this beautiful leather coat. It is only $1,000. Is it okay if I buy it?” the man replied, “Sure, if you like it that much go ahead.” The woman proceeded saying, “I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new models. I saw one I really liked.” The man asked, “How much?” She said, “$60,000,” he said, “Okay, but for that price I want all the options.” The excited voice on the other end said “Great! Oh, and one more thing, the house we wanted last year is back on the market. They are asking $950,000.” From the locker room she heard “Well, then go ahead and give them an offer, but just offer $900,000.” She replied “OK. I will see you later! I love you!” The man replied, “OK, have a great day” and hangs up. The other men in the locker room are looking at him in astonishment. Then he asks, “Anyone know whose phone this is?”

   That was not love. It cost the man nothing. However, in our passage today we find Ruth has fallen in love with her Mother-in-law, her family, and their God so much that she is now willing to forsake everything to be near her. Have you ever thought that this is exactly what we are asking every person to do who hears of the Lord Jesus? Be willing to forsake everything for Him. Forsake their sin, their old life, and receive life more abundant. They need to know; it is worth it.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Love will make you do some crazy, outrageous, silly, wonderful things. Have you told the Lord, you loved Him today? You should!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  MAY 03, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Judges 21 – Ruth 1     /     Psalm 104     /     Proverbs 2-3     /     Acts 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
1 Samuel 16-17           /  Luke 19:28-48

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12