habit Day 19

habit Day 19 (November 19th)

Malachi 3:6-12

6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

What does this passage say?

Ouch. When we don’t give a tenth of God’s money back to Him, He considers it stealing! This is only passage I know of that God tell us to test Him with the tithe… He says that He will pour out blessings until there is no more need! This blessing does not necessarily equal money. It also says that we are cursed for robbing God… This means that we will never see God’s hand on our lives until we surrender fully.

Why is it in the Bible?

To teach us the severity of not giving back a tenth of what God gives. When we don’t give, we are robbing God of what is rightfully His.

What should I do about it?

Never stop tithing! Trust Him to continue to pour out His blessings on me and my family!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 18

habit Day 18 (November 18th)

1 Chronicles 29:11-17

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 15 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 16 O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

What does this passage say?

Because everything belongs to God; that should enable us to give freely and joyously. God rules over all… Our strength comes from Him.

“all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name”: reminds me of why I give… to bring honor to His name.

Why is it in the Bible?

Reminds me to give back to God a portion of what He has blessed me with… willingly…

What should I do about it?

Never forget that everything comes from God and everything is His. I am nothing more than a steward of His possessions.

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 17

habit Day 17 (November 17th)

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

What does this passage say?

Use what God blesses you with to bless others! Be about The Kingdom and not yourself!

Why is it in the Bible?

To remind us that you never see a hearse pulling a u-haul!

What should I do about it?

Bless others through my blessings!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 16

habit Day 16 (November 16th)

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah

What does this passage say?

This world and everything in it is God’s. If we have clean hands and a pure heart… we will receive blessings from the Lord…

Why is it in the Bible?

I know I need to be reminded that the “things” I have are not mine. They belong to the Lord. My house, my truck, my Mac, my family, etc.. are not mine at all.. it is His! He has entrusted me with it!

What should I do about it?

Focus on the fact that He is the King of Glory! Pray that the Holy Spirit will help me keep a pure heart…

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 15

habit Day 15 (November 15th)

2 Corinthians 9:5-15

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

What does this passage say?

God loves a cheerful giver. Be generous in every way… this will produce thanksgiving to God.

Why is it in the Bible?

To remind us why we give. It should not be out of obligation… but out of expectation for God to use that giving to radically change a city…

What should I do about it?

Ask myself daily… Am I giving for the right reasons? Am I giving expecting God to use it? Am I giving everything God has laid on my heart? Am I giving cheerfully?

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 14

habit Day 14 (November 14th)

Galatians 5:1-15

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

What does this passage say?

We find true freedom in this life through Jesus Christ… and only through Him and His salvation. Don’t be consumed in “religion”… be consumed with the love of Christ! When consumed with His freedom, we WILL serve one another…

Why is it in the Bible?

To point out that we must never focus on religion, rituals, or traditions. We MUST focus on loving and serving one another!

What should I do about it?

Focus on people… and not church “rituals” or “traditions.” I have been saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ! I am free… free from the chains that once bound me and held me hostage. Now, I must love others as Christ loved me!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 13

habit Day 13 (November 13th)

Romans 12:9-13

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

What does this passage say?

We must love people. Not in a fake kinda way. God desires us to have unconditional love… genuine love… Rejoice in hope, not in our circumstances.

Why is it in the Bible?

To remind us how to treat our tough times. The Bible does not tell us that we won’t experience tough times (tribulations); but God does tell us to be patient during them and spend that time in prayer.

What should I do about it?

Show genuine love and hospitality to those we encounter. Also to be patient in trials and trust God through them!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 12

habit Day 12 (November 12th)

Matthew 25:34-40

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

What does this passage say?

When we help the hungry, sick, poor, naked, etc… we are showing them the love that Christ showed us. We are to be His hands and His feet to this world!

Why is it in the Bible?

To remind us that there are many in this world that are hurting and in need of help. Christ reminds us that when we help them, it’s like we are doing it to Him.

What should I do about it?

Never look at those less fortunate than me with any other feelings than a desire to bless them with the blessings I have been blessed with!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 11

habit Day 11 (November 11th)

Romans 12:1-21

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What does this passage say?

We are to be different than the world around us. We have Christ that lives/ dwells in us, we are to be different! I love “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It also comes strong with “abhor what is evil”… we are to hate it! Sin & evilness will take us further than we ever intend to go!

Why is it in the Bible?

This is my kinda scripture: Lay it out simple. This passage shows us how to show the world we are true Christians.

What should I do about it?

I need to read this passage monthly as a constant reminder on how to live like Christ did… If not daily…

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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habit Day 10

habit Day 10 (November 10th)

Philippians 2:12-18

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

What does this passage say?

God works in me… We are to do those works without grumbling or questioning. God’s desire is that we be about His business without complaining. The hardest part is the without questioning part: We must trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit… when He prompts… we must trust! We are to shine as lights in the world… We are different, people are supposed to be able to tell!

Why is it in the Bible?

To remind us of why we serve and do the works God had laid on our hearts… for His glory… not for us to complain!!!

What should I do about it?

Be different from the world. Even if my works are never noticed, rejoice in the fact I have served the Lord! Always trust God’s guidance!

Spend some time praying that God will help you do what you wrote down for the third question.

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