QT 28 Jun 18, Matt 3:7-8, You cannot flee from the wrath to come by mouthing some words

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
9	Matt 3:7-10	6/28	Matthew 3:7–8 (ESV) — But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.	John was not suggesting a works salvation. His mission was to prepare the way for Jesus' baptism. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. John is saying that preparation for the entry of the Son requires real repentance not just the words. Real salvation is similar, words are not enough, a heart response and a response of the will and a response of the mind that are real and superficial are all required for salvation. We don't do anything, but belief requires more than words or a dipping into water. That is the message of John and it is also the message of Jesus.	Lord, how many are misled into the idea of salvation? How many have we reassured, yet only mouthed a confession? How many are sorry for sin but not really repentant? How many have truly chose Jesus over the world? Open our eyes to true salvation. Help us to see the real Jesus.

QT 27 Jun 18, Matt 11:25, Some things can only be discerned spiritually and with God's permission

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
9	Matt 11:25-30	6/27	Matthew 11:25 (ESV) — At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;	No one likes being told that they cannot understand something, unless it is brain surgery or quantum mechanics. We all feel  we have the innate ability to understand something if we just put enough time into it. This is not true in regards to spiritual things. They have to be discerned spiritually or revealed spiritually. God must open the eyes, and God does, for those who are willing to humble themselves before him. But the proud and arrogant will never understand spiritual truths.	Lord, have mercy on us as a nation. Break us of our pride. Show us your truth. Help us to understand how badly we are wounding ourselves with a culture opposed to the knowledge of you. Please forgive us.

QT 26 Jun 18, Matt 11:17-19, There will always be excuses for those who stubbornly refuse to believe the truth

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
9	Matt 11:16-24	6/26	Matthew 11:17–19 (ESV) — “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; // we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”	When someone does not want to believe, they will never be satisfied. There will always be an excuse, a reason, an experience that keeps them from the truth. People choose to rebel against God. They have been infected by Adam's sin, but that is not an excuse for rejection of salvation. Our responsibility is to share the gospel in a gentle and kind manner. While our heart aches to see loved ones and friends respond to the gospel, the only other thing we can do is pray. They must make a choice of their free will.	Father, help us to see our responsibility to share and pray for others. We can't make anyone a believer, but we can be faithful to live in a manner that does not provide excuses for others not to believe.

QT 25 Jun 18, Matt 11:4-6, Don't be ashamed to state God's truth

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
9	Matt 11:1-15	6/25	Matthew 11:4–6 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”	The world attacks every mention of the Christian God, his word, his morals, and his activities. It is becoming more important than ever to stand up for truth in a world that hates truth. It is actively trying to pull us from our relationship with God. But Jesus tells us that we are blessed if we are not offended by his words. In other words, we need to stand up and tell the truth of the gospel. God promises his blessing to those who act such.	Father, protect us from the evil one and his schemes. One of his greatest schemes is to turn the culture against us using emotional arguments that sound good but are based on faulty logic. Lord protect us from such thinking. Keep our minds alert to truth.

QT 21 Jun 18, Micah 7:2, The godly is perishing from the earth

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
8	Mic 7:1-7	6/21	Micah 7:2 (ESV) — The godly has perished from the earth, // and there is no one upright among mankind; // they all lie in wait for blood, // and each hunts the other with a net.	If this was a specific day in Israel (it might be a prophecy of Jesus' time), then it is being repeated today. The godly is perishing on the earth. The idea that God's word has authority, or even relevance today, is repeatedly attacked. This world, and especially my country, does not want to hear God's word or to be told what is right and wrong. We are rebellious to a degree I could have never imagined. It is so sad.	Father, it is hard to pray for mercy because we are so stubborn and hard of heart. My nation rushes headlong into evil and away from you. It rails against your word. It is stridently opposed to your rulership. It is sickening. Father, forgive us. Lead us to repentance. And yes, have mercy, for we certainly do not deserve it.

QT 20 Jun 18, 2 Cor 5:12, Let's value the internal more than the external

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
8	2 Cor 5:11-17	6/20	2 Corinthians 5:12 (ESV) — We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.	That is the problem in our culture. We look on the outward appearance and don't look at the heart more often. We are too impressed with externals, looks, status, money, power, and connections. But the things that ought to really impress us are character, integrity, kindness, love, and service. We need to change the way we evaluate and esteem others. We need more internal and less external.	Father, help me to be the man of internal qualities. I pray people would see a difference in my character. I pray they would be impressed with my kindness. I pray that I would be gracious in all my dealings with people.

QT 19 Jun 18, Rom 9:8, Whole-hearted faith, not church activities saves

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
8	Rom 9:1-7	6/19	Romans 9:8 (ESV) — This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.	It is not who you are or what religious heritage you share that makes a person a true child of God. It is not the church you visit or how much you are involved that makes you a child of God. Verses 4 and 5 show that Israel had it all. And they failed. And they are not children of God. There is a remnant who believed, who are children of God. But becoming a child of God is dependent on a relationship with Jesus Christ which can only be obtained by faith.	Father, help us to realize that it is not church attendance or church involvement that saves us and gives us eternal life. It is a whole-hearted response to the gospel that saves us and nothing else. There are so many in our churches today who are deceived by a false gospel. Open our eyes, I pray.

QT 18 Jun 18, Matt 13:44, Salvation requires we sell out our souls for God

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
8	Matt 13:44-50	6/18	Matthew 13:44 (ESV) — “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.	I don't think many of us see the kingdom of God in such seriousness. This man, when he found the treasure, he sold everything he had to buy the field containing the treasure. The ultimate treasure is eternal life in a relationship with the creator of the universe. THERE IS NO GREATER REWARD. And yet we treat it so commonly. And we think we obtain it so easy. We do, in the sense that it is beyond our building to work for it. But do we desire it with all of our heart? Do we truly repent of our past sins? Do we really mean that Jesus should be the Lord of our life?	Lord, at the end of this passage is another of the many references to Hell that you used in your life on earth. You spoke of Hell more than any other persona in scripture. And yet people like to ignore that aspect of who you are. God forgive us for our stubborn blindness. Help us to see you as you truly are, and not as we want you to be.

QT 14 Jun 18, Luke 9:62, We have so changed the message of salvation, it is wonder anyone can be saved

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	Luke 9:57-62	6/14	Luke 9:62 (ESV) — Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”	The passage is a list of excuses people give for not following Jesus "now." Jesus, in his final point, essentially says that it is not the world plus Jesus, but it is Jesus alone. Otherwise, the person is not fit (ready) for the kingdom of God. Is this works? No, it is the attitude of the heart. True repentance requires a whole heart, a belief that Jesus paid my price, and a willingness to pronounce Jesus as their Savior. Otherwise, the person is only interested in adding Jesus to their life.	Father, help us to see our deception. So many people want "Jesus-easy" and they are so deceived. We have watered down the message so much. We have redefined the term "love" to fit our definition of acceptance. We are so deceived! Have mercy on us!

QT 13 Jun 19, James 1:25, A real relationship does live by lip service

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	James 1:19-26	6/13	James 1:25 (ESV) — But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.	Too much of the church is "a hearer who forgets." And we must question the sincerity of their conversion. Do they really know Jesus if they have no intent on obeying his word? We are called to be doers who act. We are expected to look in the perfect law, the law of liberty regularly -- and that does not mean once a week. No abiding relationship can last on once a week meetings. Yes, friends can exist at that level, but not a marriage. And we are the bride of Christ. But maybe we are not. Maybe we have fooled ourselves in our sin and pride. Do we really know Jesus?	Lord, open up our eyes to what a real relationship to you looks like. It is evidenced by works and "doing," but it is not defined that way. And the "doing" should go far beyond the superficial things to the things of the heart. Make us aware of our hollowness. Bring us to real relationships with you.

QT 12 Jun 18, John 14:15, The Christian life is about seeking God's things, not our own things

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	John 14:12-15	6/12	John 14:15 (ESV) — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.	The preceding verses discuss asking for anything in Jesus' name. This verse follows. How seldom, it seems that we tie the verses together. Prayer is not getting what you want. Prayer is seeing God's will come to earth. If we really love God, we will desire to obey his commandments with all of our heart. We won't be interested in the trifling things of the world, but we will be interest in God alone.	Father, clear my heart of sinful thoughts. I want to focus on you and love you with all my being. I want to be obedient. I want to honor you with my life. Have mercy on me and help me with the power of your Holy Spirit inside of me.

QT 11 Jun 18, John 13:16, Jesus sets us an example of humility and servanthood for us to live out daily

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	John 13:12-17	6/11	John 13:16 (ESV) — Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.	In context, Jesus had just washed the feet of his disciples. He had taken the role of the servant and did what none of the others would stoop to do. He was the leader. He was the long awaited Messiah. He was their Lord. He was the King of Kings. He was the Son of God. He washed their dirty feet. They would never be greater than him, but if he could stoop low to serve, they also could stoop low to serve. And it wasn't about feet-washing. Jesus clearly says that he set them an example.	Father, forgive me for my own pride. I am nobody special, except in my own eyes at times. Forgive for stupid thoughts and the arrogance I have. Forgive me for desiring the pride of life and giving in to that temptation. I want to act in humility and gentleness to all those around me.

QT 7 Jun 18, 1 Jn 2:22, The Babylonian worldview is essentially atheistic, man is god and man is supreme

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
6	1 John 2:15-25	6/7	1 John 2:22 (ESV) — Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.	This is an interesting insight into the antichrist. He will deny that Jesus is the Christ. He will deny God the Father. He will deny the existence of the Holy Spirit. He will probably be an atheist since it seems that the main doctrine of atheism is that "we create our own future." In other words, we are own gods.	Father, forgive us. We claim a superficial belief in God but then live lives characterized by atheistic beliefs. We make ourselves to be God in your place. We live for ourselves. We worship our creations. We glory in our activities and even in our sin. Forgive us, for we are so blind and stupid.

QT 6 Jun 18, 2 Cor 13:5, A changed life does not save us, but a changed life is evidence that God has saved us

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
6	2 Cor 13:1-10	6/6	2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) — Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!	What is the test? Does Jesus Christ reside in your heart? Have you put your faith wholly in Jesus for salvation? How can you know? Were you genuinely repentant for your sins? If not, then your motivation for salvation may have been wrong and you have not truly been born-again in the Spirit. Have you ever experienced the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ? Have you ever experienced the peace of God, which transcends understanding? If you cannot answer those questions yes, then you have failed the test and are not in the faith. You may call yourself a Christian, but you are not a Christian in God's book, which is the only one that counts.	Father, thank you that I continue to experience your life-changing work in my own life. It is a testimony to me of my salvation. It encourages me to know that I am secure in Jesu. Thank you Lord.

QT 5 Jun 18, Matt 7:22-23, A relationship with God is the essential and necessary aspect of being a Christian

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
6	Matt 7:21-27	6/5	Matthew 7:22–23 (ESV) — 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’	Why is it so hard to believe? It is not works, but a relationship that is critical to becoming a Christian, hence "I never knew you." Jesus said eternal life if knowing God. Acting good or doing good deeds or being involved in a church does not save a person. Salvation requires a life-changing relationship. And where they is no relationship, one must wonder, is there a new creation? And, a person must ask himself, am I really a Christian?	Father, thank you for the remarkable change you have brought about in my life. Thank you for my sensitivity to sin. Thank you for our times in the word together. Thank you for the inner peace that you give me. Lord, Thank YOU!

QT 4 Jun 18, Rom 8:13, Living for the flesh will kill you

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
6	Rom 8:12-17	6/4	Romans 8:13 (ESV) — For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.	This is not a works salvation but a call to life. If we live according to the flesh, we will die. Why? One, it doesn't give life. Two, it is empty. Three, it might indicate that we don't really know our savior. Real life is found in living by the Spirit and putting to death the misdeeds of the body. A righteous life is far more satisfying than a life lived in sin and shame.	Father, protect me from Satan's wiles. He makes the world look "appetizing." But it only feeds my appetite and leaves my soul empty. Forgive me for when I have been fooled. Keep my eyes open.

QT 1 Jun 18, 2 Thess 1:10, We deserve Hell -- it is a fact

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
5	2 Thess 1:5-12	6/1	2 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV) — when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.	This is the second coming, at the end of the tribulation, and seven plus years after the rapture. We will return with Jesus as He executes judgment against all the armies of the world. He will establish his rule and his reign on earth at that time. But in order to be part of that day, we need to believe the testimony of Jesus. That he was God ; that he died for our sins; that he rose from the dead; and that he has a glorified body with no stain of sin on it.	Father, the tribulation period is such a painful terrible time. But it is right and fair, because it is your justice expressed to a deserving humanity. We made ourselves gods. We disobeyed you at every turn. We wanted to live life apart from the creator. We refused to acknowledge the creator. We deserve every aspect of the final judgment.