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Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 30
Real Fellowship

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 132:13-18 | Daniel 7:1-28 | 1 John 1:1-10 | Proverbs 28:23-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 John 1

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3-4 NIV)

Fellowship is more than casual conversation over coffee and cookies. Fellowship is the deep connectedness we have with one another because of our common bond, our relationship with Christ. That isn’t to say that the casual conversation is unnecessary or unimportant, but true fellowship will always go deeper.

True fellowship is our partnership and connectedness because we have a relationship with Christ. He is the common link that brings us together whatever our differences may be. The body of Christ…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 29
Trouble

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 132:6-12 | Daniel 6:1-28 | 2 Peter 3:1-18 | Proverbs 28:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Daniel 6

“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” (Daniel 6:22 NIV)

“It’s a great comfort to know that God’s faithful people have always been in trouble. In fact it’s the sure sign we’re following God, and not men.” –Lloyd Ogilvie–

King Darius recognized Daniel’s integrity and his excellence in everything he did. He had promoted him already to become one of the three administrators over his kingdom. Daniel had so impressed King Darius that he intended to set him over the whole Kingdom.

Daniel’s life was a beacon of integrity…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 28
The Power of a Good Reputation

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 132:1-3 | Daniel 5:1-31 | 2 Peter 2:1-22 | Proverbs 28:19-20


Today’s Scripture Focus: Daniel 5

There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” (Daniel 5:11-12 NIV)

Confronted by a mystery that could not be solved by the wisest…

November 27
Everything We Need

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 131:1-3 | Daniel 4:1-37 | 2 Peter 1:1-21 | Proverbs 28:17-18

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Peter 1:2-8

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 26
Cast All Your Cares

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 130:5-8 | Daniel 2:24-3:30 | 1 Peter 4:7-5:14 | Proverbs 28:15-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: I Peter 4:7-5:14

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 4:6-10 NIV)

What do you do when…

November 25
Standing Strong

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 130:1-4 | Dan 1:1-2:23 | 1 Peter 3:8-4:6 | Proverbs 28:14

Today’s Scripture Focus: Daniel 1

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs.” (Daniel 1:8-9 ESV)

Daniel is an example of integrity in the midst of a culture of compromise. His own people, the people of Judah, had drifted from God and were suffering the consequences of being under judgment: Nebuchadnezzar’s armies had taken them into exile. Still, the compromise and iniquity of Judah paled in comparison to the wickedness Daniel found in pagan Babylon. In the midst of this spiritual darkness, the integrity of Daniel and his…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 24
Unjust Suffering

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 129:1-8 | Ezekiel 47:1 – 48:35 | 1 Peter 2:11-3:17 | Proverbs 28:12-13

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 2:11 – 3:17

“But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you may follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:20-21 ESV)

Life isn’t always fair and it isn’t always easy. Suffering and persecution were an everyday reality for the readers of Peter’s letter. They are a reality for many believers, even today. While the injustices and sufferings we face may pale in comparison with those suffered by Peter’s original readers, we all know the sting of injustice and suffering. But unjust suffering is…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 23
The Good Scissors

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 128:1-6 | Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 | 1 Pet 1:13-2:10 | Proverbs 28:11

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:13-2:10

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written; “Be holy, because I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:15 NIV)

I’m sure every mom has them. My mom did: the good scissors.

One life’s most important early lessons was, “don’t use the good scissors.” One of the most awkward moments came when you were asked the question, “Did you just use my good scissors?”

The good scissors were not for common use–they were set apart for a special use. As important as craft projects were to us as children, they did not rank at the level of “good scissor use.” The good scissors were for…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 22
Living Hope, Unspeakable Joy

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 127:1-5 | Ezekiel 44:1-45:12 | 1 Pet 1:1-12 | Proverbs 28:8-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:1-12

“He has given us new birth into a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”(1 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Peter’s readers were going through difficult times. In the midst of all that they were going through they held on to a living hope.

They knew that Christ had been raised from the dead. Hopelessness had turned to hope in the most impossible way. They knew they had an eternal hope and had every reason to find hope even in their present circumstances knowing that God had not deserted them. He was at work bringing good even of their tough times.

They also knew they had an inheritance “that can never perish, spoil…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

November 21
A Healing Community

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 126:4-6 | Ezekiel 42:1-43:27 | James 5:1-20 | Proverbs 28:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: James 5:1-20

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. [14] Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:13-14 NIV)

James describes the church as a healing community: A place where the broken and wounded can come to find people filled with faith and love. It is a place where needs are met through prayer; It is a place where “it’s OK” to “not be O.K.”; where people are honest and transparent about their true condition–no masks needed.

It is a place of prayer. “Is…