My First Benediction

They say you never forget your first. This passage is the first benediction I memorized. What makes it more special is the writer. It is a brother of Jesus Christ. 

Jude opens the book by calling himself a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James (writer of the book of James). We know that James is a brother of Jesus Christ, therefore, so is Jude. Then he closes his book with such an honoring benediction. This level of honor is unheard of in our society today. 

Do you have a sibling or a very close friend whom you can honor with your words today? Take time to honor them. It will bless them and, you will also be blessed. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Jude 24-25

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Today’s Reading:

Jude

A Daily Benediction

If you ever come to our apartment and use the bathroom that I use, you will see this passage. It is a reminder to trust God as I go about my day. My friend, Phil Abbott, shared it with me several years ago.

Do you have scripture hanging in your eye view in places you will look regularly? If not, I encourage you to do so. Even if you don’t look at it intentionally, your eyes will see it and your brain will internalize it for you. This is a good thing. 

Be mindful that this works in all things. When you view the wrong thing or place your self in situations where you are exposed to the wrong thing, whether you look at it intentionally or not, if you do not deal with it right away and cast it out, it will fester and grow. Be careful. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 13:20-21

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 13

Focus On Christ Not Your Problem

I love the start of Hebrews 12. After reading about all of the people of faith, we’re told to fix our eyes on Jesus. This is great advice. 

Most people focus on their problems. They pine away about how they have this issue and that issue. “Oh, how can I overcome this problem.” 

What they need to do is focus on Jesus in all circumstances. He is the solution. If you spend anytime with me, you will hear me say, “Thank You Jesus” or “Praise God.” I do this frequently and randomly. It is how I make sure I remain focused on God. 

You see, I’ve lived a life focused on sin. I tried to overcome it in my own strength. It wasn’t until I surrendered my whole life to Christ and put my eyes on Him that I was able to overcome my sin distractions. 

No matter who you are, your smarts, your kindness, your popularity, your good looks, or anything of the sort will NEVER get you past your sin problem. Only fixing your eyes on Jesus can do that. 

Where is your focus? If it’s not on Jesus, prepare to lose over and over again. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow wearyand lose heart.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 12

Enduring Faith

This entire chapter of Hebrews highlights faith. What stands out to me is that faith does not equal a “happy” ending. Throughout the chapter we see good outcomes and not good outcomes, yet faith is commended in both situations. 

The outcome of your prayer is not based on the level of your faith. Jesus had faith, but He had to die on the cross. Peter had faith, yet he died hanging upside down on the cross. Isaiah had faith, when God said whom shall I send, Isaiah said, “send me,” yet he was sawed in two for his faith. 

Your faith is between you and God. It is the only way to be pleasing to God. Your faith will be tested. This means difficult times are coming, will you continue in faith or will you fall away. 

There are many believers who have left the faith. Someone or something turned their heart away from God. Stay diligent less that become you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 11:13

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 11

Persevere, Don’t Shrink

A life in Christ comes with tests. We do not need to make sacrifices, but we do need to show our faith in God through difficult times. 

This section of Hebrews paints a clear picture of the life of a Christian. We are to stand firm in our salvation with the full knowledge that God is faithful to His Word. 

By the grace of God, I’ve met many believers in Christ who shrink back when their faith is tested. This should not be. God’s promises are firm. He does not go back on them. What is keeping you from stepping into the life that God has called you to live in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Recently, people thought the rapture would happen on a particular day. Of course that day came and went like the thousands of other predictions that have happened through the years. However, there is something we should take from that thought, Christ is going to return. Will you be persevering or will you be shrinking back? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 10:36-39

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 10

The Perfect Sacrifice

During God’s first covenant with the Israelites, blood sacrifices needed to be made frequently. Although the high priest only entered the most inner room once a year, priests made sacrifices in the outer room often. 

The second covenant does not require frequent blood sacrifices. In fact, only one sacrifice was needed, the perfect sacrifice. 

Because Jesus lived a sinless life, He was worthy of becoming the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. All the believer needs to do is accept Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sin. Can I interest you in that? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 9:24-28

24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 9

From Belief To Faith

To follow Christ well you must believe. As you read your Bible daily and enter into conversations with mature Christians, your belief will grow. Your belief is attached to your faith. Therefore, as you read your Bible daily and surround yourself with mature Christians, your faith will grow. 

Hebrews 11:6 tells us how important faith is to our walk with God. It says that if we do not have faith, it is impossible to please God!

Do you have faith in God? Spend quiet time with Him daily and ask Him to reveal which areas of your life need more faith. He will give you reasons to grow your faith in Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 8:1-2

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 8

Our High Priest

Before the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the high priest made sacrifices on behalf of the people to atone for their sin. This type of sacrificial offering went on for years. Jesus put an end to the need of this type of sacrifice. 

Because He lived a perfect life, He was “qualified” to become the perfect sacrifice. A sour High Priest, He offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice. Now when we accept what He did on the cross, God sees Jesus when He looks at us. This is a reason to celebrate!

Take time today to worship God for providing us with the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of our sin. Then show your appreciation by seeking to live a sinless life. Honoring God in all we do needs to be our purpose. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 7:26-28

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins,and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son,who has been made perfect forever.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 7

Time To Graduate

One of the most anticipated days in the life of a student is graduation day. As a high school teacher, I can confirm that the euphoria surrounding this day is beyond most any other time in a person’s life. 

As we walk with Christ, we must also look forward to graduating. We must leave behind the elementary ways we had when we first believed and begin exercising our faith as new and bigger challenges come our way. 

We will learn in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, we must be ready to live out our faith through some of the most difficult and unspeakable times. As we do, we will be able to hear the faint sound of Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background as we walk in our “graduation ceremony.” Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 6:1-3

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.3 And God permitting, we will do so.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 6

Distracted To Unbelief

In the United States, walking with Christ is a challenge. The freedoms we have can cause us to become distracted to the point of unbelief in Jesus. 

We begin listening to anyone who sounds intelligent. We take their words and use them to pull us away from an obedient walk with Christ. We say things like, “If God were real, then why…(you fill in the blank).

These are distractions that come from not spending time meditating on the word of God daily. To walk well with Christ you must do what the Psalmist said, “hide the word in your heart so (you) may not sin against (God).” This cannot be done by mere casual reading of the Bible so you can say you did it. 

No, you must pour through the pages of the Bible in prayer, seeking understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit. Quoting the word of God does not mean you love Him to obedience. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4 we read that the devil quoted Psalm 91. Trust me, he’s not seeking to follow Christ. 

Take time out of your day to read your Bible for understanding and growth in your relationship with God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 5:11-14

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.


Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 5

Finding Grace

As a teacher, I’ve had more than my fair share of students ask me to show them grace when they are late for class or found using their phone at a time when that’s not allowed. In those moments, I do not show them grace, I show them the door. 

However, we are all blessed to serve a God who enjoys showing His grace to us in our failings. God sent Himself in the form of man to pay the price for our sin against Him. 

Ponder that for a minute!

If you are looking for grace, you will find it in the Father! Allow His grace to cover you. But try not to live a life in constant need of grace. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priestwho has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 4

We Are Not Owed Heaven

As I read this chapter of Hebrews, two things stood out, 1. We do not appreciate the magnitude of who Jesus is. 2. We think God owes us heaven.

Let me put this in clear language, God does not owe us heaven, which is eternity with Him.

Look at how the Israelites were treated in their rebellion! God did not spare them, simply because they started well. No, he spared none who were over the age of twenty after their rebellious unbelief. He only allowed Caleb and Joshua, who were over the age of twenty, to enter with the rest of the Israelites who were all under the age of twenty at the time of the rebellion. 

Why did they enter and not the others who had been over twenty? One word: FAITH.

Faith in God and what He’s doing is a requirement. Later in the book of Hebrews, we will learn that without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.

Without faith, why do you believe God owes you heaven? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 3:16-19

16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his restif not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 3

Jesus, Fully Man

Jesus Christ, when He walked on earth in the flesh, was fully man. If He were not, His sacrifice would not be enough for us to have an atonement of our sin. 

It can be difficult to see Jesus as a man because He is also fully God. However, if we can make this distinction, maybe how we live would change. Maybe we would live a life that honors God. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 2:16-18

16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 2

Love Righteousness, Hate Wickedness

Welcome to the book of Hebrews. We do not definitively know the name of the writer, however, the book is full of gold nuggets we can store in our hearts to walk right with God the Father, through Jesus the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s dig into this book!

This passage stuck out to me because it caused me to think about what it means to love righteousness and hate wickedness. Jesus is recorded in John as saying, “if you love me, keep my commands,” and further down He also said, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” Therefore to love righteousness is to seek doing the right thing in God’s sight at all cost. 

To hate wickedness is to refrain from doing the wrong thing in God’s sight. Loving righteousness and hating wickedness work together to help us live a God-honoring life. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Hebrews 1:9

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

Today’s Reading:

Hebrews 1

God Will

I love the question the ladies ask at the end of this passage. They understood that to complete the task of anointing Jesus’ body they needed to roll the stone away. It was an impossible thing for them to do. But God…

In your life, God will call you to do something that you can do, up to a point. It is at that point where faith is required. Please do not miss this point. 

When you’re doing something for God, you will have to activate your faith. Without it, you cannot please God. He wants you to rely on Him. Not because He’s on an “ego trip,” it’s because He’s God. His abilities are infinitely more capable than ours. 

There are many things that you will only be able to do by putting your trust in God and taking the steps you know to take in faith. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 16:1-3

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

Today’s Reading:

Mark 16

Think Before You Sin

We know Jesus died as the sacrifice needed to atone for our sin. But what we fail to remember is the brutal way He died for our sin. 

How do I know?

If we were to think about how Jesus was beaten before He gave up His life, how could we claim we love Him and willfully sin? It doesn’t track. 

In the course of a day or week, how many times do you intentionally make a decision you know is wrong? Jesus was beaten for that sin. When you are disrespectful to authority in your life, Jesus was beaten for that sin. When you say, “It’s not that bad,” Jesus was beaten for that sin. 

Imagine how different your life might be if you took the time to remember the beating Jesus took to clear you of sin before you were willingly disobedient. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 15:16-20

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace(that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Today’s Reading:

Mark 15

It Happens That Fast

In my classroom I have three rules that, if broken, lead to a consequence. I tell my students daily for the first week of class exactly what will happen. I even give them scenarios and explain what will happen as a result. 

Inevitably, someone breaks the rule after the first week. I used to say to the culprit, “It happens that fast.” Which meant, the second you let your guard down, you can easily make a mistake and have to suffer the consequences. 

This passage reminds me of my statement. Peter was certain he would not deny Jesus. However, when the moment of truth came, it was like he was having an out of body experience. With the snap of a finger, he had denied knowing Jesus three times; it happens that fast.

What struggles are you having in your life? Slow down to get a handle on things before they get out of hand. God is faithful! When you seek Him, you will find Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 14:72

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Today’s Reading:

Mark 14

Stand Firm To The End

This passage says quite a bit! Jesus gives us a clear word of what it takes to confirm your salvation: STAND FIRM.

Those who “stand firm to the end will be saved.” That’s simple math. When you wake up, stand firm. When you go throughout your day, stand firm. When you lay down to go to sleep, stand firm. No matter the time of day, stand firm on the commands and promises of God.

It’s not that it’s an impossible task, it’s that our fleshly desires have too much say in what we do each day. Jesus said to deny yourself and take up your cross. 

If you want to stand firm to the end, stop following your flesh and follow Christ. It’s that simple. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 13:12-13

12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Today’s Reading:

Mark 13

A Gift From The Heart

If you ever go into my bathroom, you will see two empty cologne bottles. I save them as a reminder of the gifts my wife gave me. When she gave me the first bottle she said words to the affect of, “I’m sorry it’s a small one. It was all I could afford.” She said something similar when she gave me the second one. I now cherish those two bottles. They were gifts from the heart.

As Jesus watched the widow put in her offering, He was not moved by the amount of her offering, He was moved by the heart behind the offering. 

When you give, do you do it out of obligation or for show? If so, you would be better off keeping your offering, it is meaningless to God. Notice how Jesus responded to the other, much larger offerings.


Take time to consider why you give. Be careful not to give for show, but rather, give from the heart. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 12:41-44

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Today’s Reading:

Mark 12

Faith or Doubt

When it comes to faith or doubt, you must choose one. The two of them cancel each other out. On any given matter you cannot have both of them working in tandem. 

Doubt will always drive faith out of the room. Conversely, True faith will always overcome doubt. 

In this passage Jesus proclaims that when we exercise our faith, mountains will move. However, He puts a tag there, “and does not doubt in their heart.” 

Doubt has stopped more blessings than most anything else. Peter was walking on the water, got into doubt, and began to sink. 

I have been guilty of allowing doubt to quench my faith. These days, I take doubt captive and submit it to Jesus. It’s a battle, but by faith, God will keep doubt far from me. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 

Mark 11:22-25

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Today’s Reading:

Mark 11