Matthew 6:19-21

Dear Brethren,

Good Saturday Morning!

I am fairly certain that most people have possessions which they treasure. From the rich man who has a vault in his home containing diamond rings and gold watches to the homeless man who is guarding his cardboard box and ragged items, most everyone has something they treasure. For some people their treasures consist of material possessions, while other people treasure their family and friends.

Christians likewise have treasures, things which their heart cherishes and protects. However, unlike those who will treasure material possessions, a Christian's treasure does not exist here on this earth, but in heaven. A Christian's "treasure chest" is filled with love, obedience, faithfulness, hope, compassion, endurance, etc. This type of treasure is beyond the reach of thieves and the ravages of time. This treasure is guarded and protected by the Lord.

Here is Matthew 6:19-21 presented for your consideration.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In Love,

John Duvall

Proverbs 4:20-27

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

Have you prepared your to do list for today? There are some people who are very dutiful in preparing and following to do lists. There are other people who prepare to do lists, but they do not follow the lists. Then there are those who do not care for any type of to do lists.

As Christians, we are to have "to do" lists, things which we must do in our service to God. Consider the following list found in Proverbs 4:20-27.

* Give attention to God's words.
* Incline your ear to God's sayings.
* Keep God's words before your "eyes" and in your heart.
* Keep your heart with diligence.
* Put away lying, deceitful, and perverse speaking.
* Keep you eyes focused before you on your journey as a Christian.
* Consider where you walk. Do not turn aside from the path of a Christian.

Here is Proverbs 4:20-27 presented for your consideration.

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

In Love,

John Duvall

Matthew 5:27-30

Dear Brethren,

Good Thursday Morning!

Obedience begins within the heart of a Christian and flows outward. This concept of sincere obedience is seen throughout the Bible. The apostle Paul commended the saints in Rome because they "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine." (Romans 6:17)

Within all areas of our lives as Christian, it is crucial that we look deep within ourselves to gain the ultimate control over our actions. Consider the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-30. Jesus taught that if a man lusts after a woman in his heart, then he would be guilty of adultery. The Jews considered adultery to be the outward sexual activity. However, based upon the teachings of Jesus, we understand that sexual activity begins within the mind, within the heart. In order to control the outward sin of adultery, one must first control what is within his heart or mind. If sin wins the battle with our heart, then it is only a matter of time before sin wins the war with our outward actions.

Here is Matthew 5:27-30 presented for your consideration.

Matthew 5:27-30

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

In Love,

John Duvall

Psalms 25:8-15

Dear Brethren,

Good Wednesday Morning!

Throughout your life, you will meet many good people. Some of these people may be total strangers, helping you along your journey through life. At times, these good people will be your family members. There will be times when you will encounter these good people at school or at work. Do not forget to show your gratitude to these people who are good to you.

Despite the number of people who are good to you, there will never be anyone as good to you as the Lord God. Consider what the Lord does for those who will follow Him.

* The Lord teaches sinners in His way.
* The Lord guides and teaches the humble.
* The Lord will teach the man who fears Him.
* The Lord will show His covenant to those who fear Him.
* The Lord will rescue from traps and nets those who look to Him.

Look into your life. What has the Lord done for you? You may find the time it takes to read this daily thought will be far too short to recount all the Lord has done for you, including every sin He has forgiven and every blessing He has granted.

Here is Psalms 25:8-15 presented for your consideration.

Psalms 25:8-15

8 Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

12 Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

In Love,

John Duvall

Psalms 25:1-7

Dear Brethren,

Good Morning!

Trust in the Lord! The key to living a faithful life is to trust in the Lord. There shall be many obstacles which Christians will face. Some of these obstacles will be a simple nuisance while others will be a great hurdle. If we trust in the Lord, no obstacle will be too great.

Let us trust the Lord! Let us trust the Lord the teach us truth, teaching us His paths. Let us trust the Lord's tender mercy and loving kindness. Let us trust the Lord to forgive us of our sins. Let us trust the Lord!

Here is Psalms 25:1-7 presented for your consideration.

Psalms 25:1-7

1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.

3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.

5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.

In Love,

John Duvall

John 6:32-40

Dear Brethren,

Good Monday Morning!

Food is a necessity within our lives. Food and water provides our bodies with the necessary fuel and nutrition needed to function from day to day. However, throughout this world, there are many people who are going without food for various reasons. There are relief efforts and organizations throughout the world whose purpose is to relieve the hungering by providing food and water to those in need.

Spiritually speaking, there are many, many people who are starving and dying of thirst. Many of these people are aware of their hunger, but lack the knowledge to satisfy the hunger. Jesus Christ came to this world to do away with this spiritual hunger and thirst.

Within our lives as Christians, we have access to the greatest resevior of spiritual food possible. We have the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His righteousness, found only within the pages of God's Holy Word. Let us daily partake of this spiritual food so that we never go hungry. Let us likewise take the knowledge of this spiritual food to the lost and hungry of the world.

Here is John 6:32-40 presented for your consideration.

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

In Love,

John Duvall