Summary In Ephesians 2:1–10, Paul rehashes what we have covered so far in following the structure of were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (vs. 4– As Jesus himself said from the cross, “it is finished” (John 19:30).

Christianity's thorniest mystery is trying to define 'is.' 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV) 23  For I received Moreover, though the sacraments and thing signified are joined together, not all receive both of them Today: 1 Thessalonians 5

Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire (James 1:14 ESV) James 1:13-17 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God shows His sovereign love in the sending of Jesus Christ 3 - The Preaching of the Gospel 4 - A Twofold

have given me ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - James 1

Find out how to "silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." 1 Peter 2:11-17 (NIV) ¹¹ Dear friends

Often feel like your work & efforts are useless? Learn how to experience shalom every day. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 125 Q. What does the fourth request mean? A. “Give us today our daily bread” means, Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing. And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to put trust in you alone. Summary Notice the word in this short passage that gets repeated three times: vain. Vain isn't a word we use very often, and its definition has different senses. Often times we might refer to a pompous, arrogant person as being vain, but here the word is being used in a different sense, in that people's building, guarding and toiling are useless if they're not done in dependence upon the Lord. It's not that vain projects are deficient in and of themselves. Lots of beautiful developments and construction have been successfully completed, but they ultimately miss the mark. Here's how one commentator describes this: "Vain" here seems to mean “not producing the desired result.” Why do people build houses? Why do people strive to build safe communities? Why do people toil to earn a living? The answer appears to be found in the shalom that is a running motif in the Psalms of Ascent. People want “peace” in the full sense of the term, the absence of harm and the presence of tranquility with prosperity. When people strive for this good end without faith in God and in ways contrary to his principles, God is not “in it,” and they do not experience the shalom they are looking for. Dig Deeper We're generally people who work hard, and often have good things to show for it as a result. We live in prosperous communities, and most of us haven't had to worry about where our daily bread was coming from for a long time. We have a dualistic tendency in us as well, in which we tend to think of our physical needs as being different or separate from our spiritual needs, and that our pursuits to obtain food & shelter is somehow less 'godly.' Certainly there is a distinction between the two, but Psalm 127 helps remind us that true shalom depends upon God's presence and blessing in both the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives. Shalom is a tranquility in which everything - both physical and spiritual - is the way it's supposed to be. This is why Jesus taught you to pray each day for your daily bread, so that you will experience shalom as you're continually reminded of your dependence upon Him in every part of your life. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who builds our house, watches over our city, and grants shalom to those He loves; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask your father each day to grant you what you need both spiritually and physically for this day so that you'll experience His shalom; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Revelation 10

As a Spirit filled Christian, you have the unique ability to think correctly. 1 Corinthians 2:10–14 ( Today: Galatians 1

Wisdom is not just a lofty ideal; it's the key to everyday success. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 122 Q. What does the second request mean? A. “Your kingdom come” means, Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all. Summary There are many ways that God cares for his people. God’s provision through wisdom is detailed in Proverbs chapter 2. Wisdom is not something that comes from within, but it comes from God's mouth and is revealed to us through the scriptures. This wisdom works as a shield for the people of God, guarding the paths of righteousness. This wisdom is eminently practical and useful; the Lord "holds success in store for the upright" (those who walk according to His wisdom), and those who avail themselves of this wisdom will know "what is right and just and fair - every good path." God's wisdom will also "save you from the ways of wicked men." Dig Deeper Through the course of life, it can be easy to forget that God is not an absent observer to creation. We continue to be sustained by his care and provision. This is what we call the providence of God. When it comes to God’s care, it is usually tangible examples that first come to mind. The heat of the sun, the air in your lungs, and even the gravity that keeps you on the ground are acts of God’s provision. These are the types of examples that come easiest because you can see and feel them. Despite not being as tangible as some of the other ways that God provides, wisdom is nonetheless an act of God’s provision. God uses his wisdom to watch over his saints and guard us from the influence of those this proverb names as “evil men”. This protection is from the ways of the world, which lead down a path of darkness. This is one of the ways that God preserves his church. Yes, God provides through the physical protection of his people. However, God also protects the church through the giving of wisdom and guarding us from drifting into the influence of the world. As you continue to count your blessings today, remember to thank God for the gift of wisdom and his work of preserving his church against the ways of darkness. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who who gives wisdom; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will learn, use, and benefit from God's wisdom in your life; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 2 Peter 3

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 2 Timothy 1

the invisible things of God: his eternal power and his divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1: He said, "Repent (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15)."