God's glory is a sign of his presence. "Glory" signifies brightness, light, beauty and power. The ancient prophets in their visions of God were awed and overwhelmed by God's glory.

Have you ever heard a cook complemented by the phrase; "She sure puts on a good feed"? That means that you had a bountiful, mouth-watering feast, usually free of charge, and that you would like it go there again!

When Peter preached his first sermon on the day of Pentecost. He pleaded with the people: "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation".

Almost daily, we hear of the failure of banks, savings & loan associations, and the bankruptcy of businesses in which people have invested, and now lost, their life savings. They had been promised a high return on their money, and they had believed, only to lose everything.

The whole world longs for peace. But, somewhere today there is fighting, killing atrocity, anxiety, terror and woe. Someone is trying to take away someone else' s freedom: property: or his very life. Will there ever be peace?

Fitness fads come and go: jogging, aerobics, weight lifting; and so on. It does seem, however, that our culture has taken more than just a passing fancy to physical health and well being.

As usual, mankind's emphasis has settled on outward appearance instead of inward development. Man concentrates on the outside; but God wants to strengthen us inwardly.

Bible Reading: I John 3:1; Romans 15:13; Luke 6:32-36

Christmas is "just around the corner" and already stores; shopping malls, and shops are gearing up for the "big rush"! Now is a good time to determine NOT to get caught up in the frenzied race of gift shopping, parties, stress, and the rushing to and fro that usually characterizes the season.

Instead get ready to receive: the love of God sent to us in Jesus; the peace given to us by God's Son, and the joy of the Holy Spirit. Then give: first give yourself fully to God and then give to those who are truly in need

Jesus said, "If you give only to those who can return the favor, What credit is that to you?"

Prayer: Jesus settle my heart with your peace to celebrate your birthday with joy and grace. AMEN

Bible Reading: John 10:25-30; 14:6-21

How do you picture God? Some look at him as a mean old man who doesn't want us to have any fun. Others see him as a fierce judge anxious to convict us and punish us for our sins. Most probably do not think of him at all.

It is interesting that God reveals himself in the Bible as a father who lovingly watches over and provides for his children. He is not anxious to punish us for our sins; on the contrary, he wants to forgive us. He also wants us to enjoy life!

The apostle Paul wrote, "If God be for us who can be against us? --Who can be our foe if God is on our side? He who did not withhold or spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, will he not also with him freely and graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32, Amplified)

God is our loving Father and is on our side!

Prayer: God my Father, thank you for your love and care for me. AMEN

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-18, I John 3:1-3, 16

We take the love of God for granted, really. He has created our beautiful world and all that is in it. He keeps things running for us and we hardly notice. The wonders of creation is only a small portion of the love that God has given us. The exciting thing is not only the quantity of good things His love has brought us, but the quality of them. He does things so perfectly, they seem easy to us. But we cannot duplicate any of His works

The same holds true for what God has given us in the spiritual realm. The apostle John writes: "See what an incredible quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should be permitted to be named and called and counted the children of God!

Prayer: Thank you Father for such love!

Bible Reading: I Peter 2:19; 3:17; 4:12-13; Hebrews 12:11

America is almost as afraid of pain as she is of poverty. We live in a sugarcoated world of instant gratification and pleasure. We are taught that a pill will cure anything. And that doctors are virtually all-knowing, omniscient.

But when we come up against the horror of cancer, or of any incurable disease, we founder. Instead of calling on God who can help us, we blame him for our sorrow. We fail to acknowledge that pain can have a purpose and even be beneficial to us. C. S. Lewis said:

"... Pain insists on being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." (The problem of pain. P. 93)

When you are in pain seek God.

Prayer: Father God, when I am in pain, let me look to you for its purpose and seek relief from your healing grace in Jesus as I yield my will to yours. AMEN

Bible Reading: Zecharaiah 9:16; Isaiah 61:10; Romans 12:1-2

* Pressure * Stress. * Frustration *

We can all identify with these words in the pressure-cooker world we live in. We all know that diamonds are formed under pressure, so why do we feel like lumps of coal?

The Bible warns us not to let the world "squeeze us into its mold", but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the Word. If we will let the grace of God change us through His Word, we will no longer be lumps of coal, but sparkling diamonds. We will not be cracked by pressure, marred by stress or discolored by frustration, but full of light, peace and joy.

Prayer: Father, transform me into a sparkling diamond to reflect your glory. In Jesus Name AMEN

Bible Reading: Luke 22:24-27

No one wants to be a servant these days. A lot of gas stations are now "self service" and in many stores it is nearly impossible to get someone to help you. Even in restaurants, you are invited to "serve yourself" at the salad bar or soup pot. Although on the surface it seems we are encouraged to be independent, the truth is that none of us wants to wait on or take care of anyone else.

Jesus came not to be ministered to but to minister unto others. And he is calling His followers to be servants. Whoever wants be the ruler must first be servant of all. Today we need to ask ourselves, "are we self-servers or are we servants?"

Prayer: Father give me a servant's heart. AMEN

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-2; I Corinthians 4:1-5

It is easy to become confused today, with so many people in the news who seem to be good, but are found out to be wicked. Who can we trust in? How can we judge who is good?

The Bible admonishes us not to judge or condemn others. That is God's business,and only he can see the end from the beginning. What may seem to be a great tragedy to us can turn in to a victory through God's hand. So we can rest in this assurance: God is the righteous judge. And we need to be concerned, not with the faults of others, but with the purity of our own hearts.

Prayer: Father God, give me a gentle and kind spirit. Remove condemnation and criticizing far from me, and keep my own heart pure of fault. In Jesus Name. AMEN

Bible Reading: I Corinthians. 3:10-1-15

Some Christians spend a lot of time being "building inspectors": criticizing and scrutinizing the lives of others. They constantly worry that others are not living up to God's standards.

But when the day of Jesus Christ comes, then the Supervisor of all building will try these works by fire. Edifices of wood, hay, or straw will be burned. Buildings of gold, silver, and costly stones will be revealed.

Is your spiritual house ready for the supervisor himself to inspect it?

Prayer: Father God, test my construction today to see if it is built on Jesus. Show me my faulty wiring and misbuilt walls, and help me rebuild as you desire. AMEN

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9; Matthew 18:19-20

Our newspapers are filled with controversy. Everyday we hear of labor disputes, lawsuits, civil rights cases, divorces, disagreements, violence, and unrest. Competition is lauded in our culture; cooperation is often seen as sign of weakness.

The Bible says: "If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." There is power in agreement between believers in Christ Jesus. So let's stop fighting and start agreeing.

Prayer: Daddy on High, help me find areas of agreement with my brothers and not seek areas of dispute. AMEN.

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:1-5

I'm the greatest!" Muhammad Ali used to proclaim. In almost very walk of life. People are constantly vying for the limelight, wanting to be the best, #1, Ye Grande Champion.

At one time, Jesus' disciples asked him. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" His answer may surprise you. He called to him a little child and said: "You must be humble like this little child to even enter the kingdom". To be the greatest, you must be humble and willing to be the least.

Prayer: Father quiet my strivings to be #1 and help me have the humility of a child on your knee. AMEN

Bible Reading: I Timothy 4:1-7; John 6:33-35

Not many of us have ever had to rummage through garbage cans in search of something to eat. The very thought of it sickens us. But many of us are rummaging through spiritual garbage cans to receive spiritual nourishment. We will try anything that comes along, although it includes godless myths, old wives tales, and doctrines of demons.

For real spiritual food, we need to partake of the Bread of Life! Jesus Christ, by reading His Word: the Bible.

Prayer: Dear Lord, cleanse me of spiritual garbage and feed me with the Bread of Life. AMEN.

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:14, 17-21

When we are insulted, our first impulse is to utter an curse in return. If we have been taught good manners, we may grit our teeth and turn away, but we are still seething inside, allowing the initial evil of the insult to multiply and grow, bearing the fruit of resentment and bitterness.

The Bible offers a better solution: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good". When we answer an insult with a soft, kind word we stop the evil in its' tracks and it cannot grow. Our loving response will produce good fruit, and may bring about change in that other person for good.

Prayer: Father may the fruit of my lips be ever kind, soft and loving. AMEN

Bible Reading: Romans 14:1-4, 13-14, 19-21

It is easy, in church matters, to use the world's standards of judgement, and to condemn and avoid those we feel whose "faith is weak", whose lives do not "measure up", who engage in practices that are not really sinful, but are "disputable matters".

But the Bible says: "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgement on disputable matters". Our job is to build up, not tear down, our brothers and sisters in the Lord. And who knows? They may be able to strengthen us in our weak areas as well.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to lovingly accept all of those for whom You died. AMEN

Bible Reading: Romans 6:19-23

The federal government has established a minimum wage that has to be paid to the majority of the workers in the U. S. A. Indeed, we all work for wages, salaries, or some form of compensation for our efforts.

Many people work as hard at sinning as they do at their jobs. Did you know that sin also pays a wage? The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. On the other hand, you can never earn salvation or eternal life by your works: it would be like trying to purchase Fort Knox while you are working for the minimum wage.

But the good news is this: salvation and eternal life are free! All it takes is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father I thank you for the gift of salvation and eternal life. AMEN

Bible Reading: Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 15:29; Matthew 6:9-13; 21:22

What is prayer? According to the dictionary, prayer is a spiritual communion with God, as in making requests, thanksgiving or adoration. According to Roget's Thesaurus, synonyms for prayer are supplication, suit, worship, request, petition, entreaty, and benediction.

What is the opposite of prayer? Here Roget gives expostulation (complaint), restriction (restraint), and mockery (ridicule): all characteristics of non-believers.

Does your life reflect your faith in God? Do you have a relationship of prayer with the heavenly Father? Or do you engage in complaining and mockery? Do you practice restraint, feeling that your petitions are too trivial and unimportant to bother God with? "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous."

Prayer: Father God I am thankful that you have granted me the privilege to commune with you. In Jesus Name, AMEN

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:15; Philippians 4:6-7; I Timothy 2:1-6

We are told that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by Pilgrim colonists who were grateful for the Lord's provision for their needs. Today some are still thankful, mostly for turkey and pumpkin pie!

The attitude of thanksgiving to God is appropriate at any time, but this special day is set aside so that we can deliberate and meditate on God's daily blessings to us. He has given us our very breath and everything else besides. Saying "thank you" is not only an act of gratitude, but also an act of faith in God's continuing providential care for us.

Prayer: Thank you Father God for the many blessings you heap upon me daily, chief of which is my salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN

Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Many have allergies today. Ragweed makes them sneeze; pollen irritates their eyes; cats make them break out in hives. Dust, grass, and cigarette smoke: all are sources of misery.

There is one allergy we should all desire to have, and that is an aversion to sin. The presence of sin should make our eyes water, our noses itch and our skin "break out". Dan Case says that when a "spiritual allergy" is activated that "our spirit discerns a spiritual threat, and starts ringing the alarm bell in our hearts ... Our "spiritual allergies" were given to warn us when we are straying from the path." So when our "spiritual allergies" cause us to have a "heart reaction", we need to take heed, and learn to avoid the offending sin and the eternal misery it brings.

Prayer: Father, when my heart tells me that a sin is near, give me the strength and grace to resist. AMEN

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:12-14

Sometimes infants seem to be nothing but a wail, a whimper, and a dirty diaper! They do have endearing qualities, of course. And there's always the hope that they will soon grow up.

The apostle Paul spoke of spiritual infants that are known by their worldliness, jealousy, quarreling and party spirit. Spiritual infants can only feed on spiritual milk. New Christians are often endearing, but their goal should be, not to remain baby Christians, but to grow up in Christ.

Prayer: Jesus help me to mature in You and feed on the solid food of the Word. AMEN

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 3:4-11

In our day, we have witnessed the rise and fail of some of our spiritual leaders and the faith of many has been weakened. But this is good, because it has shown that faith for what it truly is: weak, pitiful, and centered upon man.

Instead, we need to focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and build upon the foundation that he has laid. Get your eyes off of men, no matter how "spiritual" they seem to be. Place your faith in Jesus the Son of God. He will never fail you.

Prayer: Jesus, I place my faith in you, the only firm foundation, and resolve to focus only on you, not men. AMEN

Bible Reading: Mark 1:14-15; 16:15; Romans 10:8-10

To many people today the term "Christianity is bad news "Oh no!" they exclaim. "Here come those goody two-shoes trying to tell me what I should do."

But Mark, in his gospel calls the message of Christianity the "good news of God". And the message that Jesus preached is this same good news.

Well, what is this good news?

• God is not mad at you. He is not out to "get" you.
• God loves you and sent Jesus to pay the price for your wrongdoing.
• If you receive God's love and respond to it by obeying him, he will take care of all your needs in this life and in the life to come.

That IS good news!

Prayer: Jesus thank you for this good news! Give me holy boldness to broadcast it all around! AMEN