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As mentioned in an earlier post, Josh and I are NFL Fan Free Agents.  We have been making an exhaustive search for an NFL team worthy of our emotional investment for the next 5 months.  We have unanimously chosen to take our fan talents to the Bay Area and the San Francisco 49ers.  Here’s why:

1. I respect the coach.  Big 10 guy.  Hard nosed.  Winner.

2. Alex Smith has persevered as the QB through some tough times.  I like that in a QB.

3. Frank Gore is a stud RB.

4. Defense is strong. Love the LBs.

5. They play outside on grass, the way football should be played.

6. I can root against Pete Carroll at least twice a year.

Thanks for your input.  Other teams considered were the Lions, Chargers, and Ravens.  We feel good about our decision.  Let the season begin!

Eccles. 7:9 (NIV)
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.

One of the signs of spiritual maturity is the ability to rise above being provoked by others.  The Holy Spirit brings a calmness and a stability no matter what the circumstance.  I think of Stephen in Acts 6 who was about to be stoned and yet was said to have the face of an angel.   The guy was so peaceful.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19.

Happy Labor Day!

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (NLT)

⁵ When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. ⁶ But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. ⁷ His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

What a testimony about Titus.  His presence was a joy and people were encouraged by his arrival.  Do you know a Titus?  I want to be a person like that–a person who brings blessing wherever they go.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13.

Proverbs 22:13 (NIV)
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!”
or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”

What excuse are you giving for not stepping out in faith and joining God in the amazing work He is doing today?

2 Cor. 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What are your eyes fixed on today?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8;
Proverbs 22:10-12.

Great verse for spiritual warfare:  Psalm 44:5 (NIV)
Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.

2 Cor. 4:7 (NIV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

My clay jar seems to be cracking more and more daily.  That is actually a good thing.

Here is today’s Bible reading: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9.

2 Cor. 3:13 (NIV)
We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.

When Moses went to the top of the mountain to spend time alone with God, his face was radiant with the presence of God. However, the longer Moses was away from the mountain top, the radiance would fade. I find this to certainly be true in my own life. If I want to radiate the presence of God, I must first spend quality, unhurried time in His presence before I face the day.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7.

2 Cor. 2:14-16 (NIV)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. [15] For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

When you enter a room, does the presence of Jesus Christ in your life instantly impact the character of that room? We are called to be catalysts for Christ, affecting the culture wherever we go – salt and light, ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. May the Holy Spirit within us be free to spread the aroma of Christ every moment of every day.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

 ¹³ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.^[c] Be strong. ¹⁴ And do everything with love.

The victorious Christian life requires constant vigilance.  We are to be continually on alert and ready for Kingdom action.  I have begun to start each day with the simple question, “Lord, how can I serve you today?”  I fully expect that when I ask the question in sincerity and take the time to listen, I will get a clear response.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29.

⁵ “Without warning, he moves the mountains,
overturning them in his anger.
⁶ He shakes the earth from its place,
and its foundations tremble.
⁷ If he commands it, the sun won’t rise
and the stars won’t shine.
⁸ He alone has spread out the heavens
and marches on the waves of the sea.
⁹ He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
¹⁰ He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.

How great is our God!  Worship Him today!