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Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 23
Purity

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:9-16 | Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 | 2 Timothy 2:1-21 | Proverbs 26:3-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9 NIV)

It’s not easy to live in purity, especially in the impure world we live in. But God has given us his word to guide us along the path. As we live according to its principles our way is kept pure.

But it is not a casual reading of the word that will enable us to live blamelessly and in purity. This passage calls for more than that. We must first “seek the Lord with all our hearts” (10). There must be a wholehearted desire to follow the Lord–to seek Him and do what is right. Unless the longing…

October 22
Replacing Fear with Boldness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:1-8 | Jeremiah 39:1- 41:18 | 2 Timothy 1:1-18 | Proverbs 26:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)

Fear keeps many of us from accomplishing the great things God has for us. We feel intimidated by others–sometimes even pushed around and controlled. We back off from doing what we know we should do. It especially affects our attempts to share the good news with others. Paul calls it a “spirit of fear,” and it is. It is one of Satan’s best tools in keeping us from being fruitful…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 21
Money Matters

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 118:22-29 | Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 | 1 Timothy 6:1-21 | Proverbs 25:28

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 6

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV)

Money can be a major stumbling block or a major blessing. The scripture has much to say about how we handle it.

On the one hand, Paul tells us, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (9-10). Clearly, loving money too much gets us into…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverosn

October 20
My Strength and My Song

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 118:5-21 | Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 | I Timothy 5:1-25 | Proverbs 25:25-27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 118:5-21

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Psalms 118:14 NIV)

The Psalmist describes his situation: he feels overwhelmed, surrounded, pushed back and about to fall. Have you ever been there?

In his anguish he cries out to God. He calls Him “my helper” (6), “my strength and my song” (14).

He is “my helper.” Where there is no other place to turn, he is there and he promises to help. When I am aware of His presence, I have no reason to fear. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (5) With God as my helper, I can anticipate a…

October 19
A Good Example

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 118:1-4 | Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 | 1 Timothy 4:1-16 | Proverbs 25:23-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Paul had mentored young Timothy and sent him out on a mission to Ephesus to stand up to some false teachers. There is some indication that he was timid by nature, so this may not have been an easy job for him. Nonetheless, he was Paul’s choice for the job. He tells him not to be intimidated by others, but instead to set an example for them.

First, he was to be an example in speech—the tongue betrays the true condition of our hearts. His whole lifestyle, too, was to set…

October 18
The Praise of All Peoples

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 117:1-2 | Jeremiah 31:27-32:44 | 1Timothy 3:1-16 | Proverbs 25:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 117:1-2

“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him all you peoples. For great is his love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” (Psalm 117:1-2 NIV)

Why is missions important? It is important because God loves the world–all the nations, all the peoples. He longs for each nation and each people group to hear the message of good news. He rejoices as each person comes to know and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

All the cultures of the world with their own languages, music, arts and craftsmanship have a unique beauty. Each in a unique way shows us a glimpse of what it means to be created in “His image.” All the races, languages and cultures reflect the wisdom…

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 17
Devoted to Closeness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 116:15-19 | Jeremiah 30:1-31:26 | 1 Timothy 2:1-15 | Proverbs 25:18-19

Today’s Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26

“Who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?”(Jeremiah 30:21b NIV)

Jeremiah speaks the word of God to the people of Judah. He reminds them that though they will go through a time of judgment, God will not forget them. One day, he will break their bonds of oppression and bring them back to Judah. Their captivity will not last forever.

God offers them hope of a fresh start. He extends another chance to live in the blessings promised to God’s chosen people when they live according to the covenant.

One of the things he promises them is a leader like David, a man after God’s own heart; A ruler who followed God with…

Quote from Open Up Your heart

October 16
How Could We Ever Repay the Lord for His Goodness?

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 116:7-14 | Jeremiah 28:1 – 29:32 | 1 Timothy 1:1-20 | Proverbs 25:17

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 116:7-14

“How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:12-13 NIV)

I am always excited when I see God answer prayer. Especially when he does something I’ve been praying about for a long time. In such times we say with the Psalmist: “Be at rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”

God is good. He is benevolent, loving and generous in his nature. He loves to do good things for his people. “I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them…

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 15
Open Doors and Open Hearts

Todays’ Scripture Readings: Psalm 116:1-6 | Jeremiah 26:1 – 27:22 | 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – 18 | Proverbs 25:16

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

“Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV)

What are your prayer priorities? Where do you spend your time in prayer? Many focus most of their prayer time on their shopping list of personal needs. If they do pray for others it is mostly prayer for physical and financial needs.

There is certainly a place for your personal petitions, and it is important to intercede for others in the body of Christ for healing and finances, but we must also be interceding for those who have not responded to the good…

October 14
Never Ending Encouragement

Today’s Scripture Readings Psalms 115:14-18 | Jeremiah 23:21-25:38 | 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 | Proverbs 25:15

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 2

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, [17] encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)

The Thessalonians were going through difficult times of suffering and persecution. They were beat up and bruised by the circumstances of life. They hoped that Jesus would return quickly, but were beginning to wonder if they had missed out somehow.

Paul writes them words of comfort and encouragement. He assures them that they should not lose hope; that they should continue to look forward to Christ’s coming. They should continue to minister and encourage each other in the midst of all their suffering.