Author: David Short

1 John 5:10-12

He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Encouraging Words…

It all comes down to life versus death. Jesus came to earth as a man to defeat death. This testimony had been clearly seen by the people of His day, documented throughout history, and evidenced for the last 2,000 years. What more is needed? And the results of a person not choosing to accept this testimony is calling God a liar and a future of death. Jesus defeated death and I choose to rest in His victory. I believe that He is the Son of God.

Proverbs 12:1 (12:1 LXX)

He who loves instruction loves perception,But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge…

I an never too old to learn something new. On this journey through life I am constantly presented with new learning opportunities, some secular and some God generated. I must embrace these opportunities for through them God can equip me better for the tasks that He has planned for me. Some of these learning opportunities come in the form of correction or discipline. I must learn to embface these as well.

Mark 8:34-35

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

Personal Challenge…

If my desire is to follow Christ then there is a price to pay. Taking up the cross of Christ means turning away from myself, my needs, my desires, and taking on the life that He has in store for me. The cross gives life, but living for myself takes life away.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Encouraging Words…

“Hope!” What a wonderful gift to be able to possess. With hope I can deal with the issues and challenges that life throws at me every day. With hope I can stand up for the truth even when my management or someone in authority expects me to bend it. With hope I can stand up for the underdog, those in need, those hurting when everyone else is berating them or ignoring them. With hope I can look to the future knowing Who holds it it in His hands. And for me, my hope is synonymous with Jesus Christ, because He is the source of my hope.

Proverbs 11:12 (11:10 LXX)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge…

This verse is a strong reminder that I should guard my tongue and only speak those things that build others up. If I cannot speak this way then the best alternative is to remain quiet.

1 John 2:7

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

Encouraging Words…

God’s love for His creation has never changed. When John wrote this letter to the early church he was reminding them that the command that Jesus gave to love God and one’s neighbor He was reiterating the commands that God gave many generations before. His command for us to live Him and our neighbor is our opportunity to become more like Him.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Encouraging Words…

As I have studied other religions in my life they all seem to boil down to man pursing their god. Their whole life is wrapped around trying to achieve or acquire something. Christianity is the only one where it is evident throughout the entire scriptures, through the incarnation of Jesus, and through His teachings that God is pursuing us, all of us, and all of His creation. What a powerful thought this is to dwell upon.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Encouraging Words…

For most of my Christian life I have been taught that this promise will come true in the future. I am now learning and understanding that this promise started to come true when Christ did come to dwell amongst us as incarnate man. I have that part of the promise to hold on to as the truth which gives me the ability to look forward to the fulfillment of the rest of the promise. Christ is alive and He has conquered death.

Genesis 6:22

Thus Noah did according to all the Lord God commanded him, so he did.

Personal Challenge…

As I read through the story of Noah it is so apparent that his righteousness is what saved him and set him apart to be used in a great way by God. This verse gives me an understanding of one aspect of righteousness…doing all that God commands me to do. Noah heard God and obeyed Him. Why should I think that I can achieve righteousness doing any less?

Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Personal Challenge…

Do I live my life in such a way that those around me see my faith in Jesus? Do I have people in my life whose faith like this is visible as well? Isn’t this the value of living in a Christ-centered community, surrounding ourselves with people living by faith? Life is not a journey that is to be lived alone. This journey is filled with family, friends, and neighbors who provide many opportunities for me to exercise my faith on. Glory be to God.