“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 (NAS)
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18 (NKJV)

DECEMBER 16 - Love is the evidence separating those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, from those who don’t believe. In 1 John 3, the apostle John writes, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.” Love is demonstrated in many forms, but no more than that of kindness and truth. Jesus exemplified this more than any other man in all of history. He was a Man of hard truth, speaking the realities of life to the Pharisees, but He always spoke with extreme kindness, narrating the parables with a storyteller’s tenderness, capturing the attention of the young and old.

In today’s church, love seems to no longer include truth. The body of Christ has come to embrace unconditional love as an action that is all-inclusive and does not offend. No one can find that portrayed in
the life of Christ. Although Jesus was the kindest man to ever live, He offended many (particularly the legalistic Pharisees and the intellectual scribes) because He passionately cared more about the truth  being manifested than someone continuing to settle for a life of sin.  We must choose to love those around us, and embrace those who are willing to tell us the truth. Remember, the truth sets you free.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I can know love and walk in love because Jesus laid down His life for me. I never allow kindness and truth to leave me; I lay down my life for others.

Family Scripture Reading

Proverbs 29

Featured Resource

Character: Building A Godly Foundation for A Successful Life - CD Series

A house built on a faulty foundation soon becomes unfit to live in. Shifting soil causes cracks in the foundation, and those cracks lead to costly damage. Think of the trouble that could be avoided if only the foundation were repaired!

Character is the foundation of your life; you can save yourself a lifetime of grief if you will honestly inspect your character, making sure it is built firmly upon the strong, immovable foundation of God’s principles. Dr. Robb Thompson shares many of these valuable principles in this dynamic series – principles such as:

• It’s not what you say that matters, but what you do that makes all the difference.
• Character prefers the rejection of men to the disappointment of Heaven.
• It is impossible for your life to produce anything beyond the strength of your moral fiber.

Let Dr. Thompson help you explore what God has to say about pursuing excellent character. Then start building a rock-solid, Godly character that will lead you to God’s highest for your life!

Posted under Love

“When I learn Your righteous laws, I will thank You by living as I should!”
Psalm 119:7 (NLT)

DECEMBER 15 - Taking the bread, His disciples’ eyes were locked upon the Master. Before parting the bread, distributing the symbol to each one, Jesus stopped; He needed first to give thanks to God. And David understood thanksgiving as much, if not more, than any other man in all of scripture. David said this when writing Psalm 119, “…I will thank You by living as I should.”

We cannot repay God for what He does for us in our lives. There is nothing we can do to fully return all God bestows upon us. Our gratitude is not a repayment; it is a declaration and recognition that we owe God our very lives. Please consider these two questions concerning gratitude:

• Is gratitude too much for God to ask of us?
• How are we going to properly return our gratitude?

Just as David did, we must also thank the Lord by living as we should. There is no greater pleasure Heaven can receive when one has a heart of gratitude.

Daily Confession

Father, I am thankful for all that You do for me. I know I cannot repay You, but I choose to show my gratitude through living as I should. I desire to prove to all of Heaven that I am grateful for the sacrifice of Christ Jesus my Lord.

Family Scripture Reading

Proverbs 29

Featured Resource

Character: Building A Godly Foundation for A Successful Life - CD Series

A house built on a faulty foundation soon becomes unfit to live in. Shifting soil causes cracks in the foundation, and those cracks lead to costly damage. Think of the trouble that could be avoided if only the foundation were repaired!

Character is the foundation of your life; you can save yourself a lifetime of grief if you will honestly inspect your character, making sure it is built firmly upon the strong, immovable foundation of God’s principles. Dr. Robb Thompson shares many of these valuable principles in this dynamic series – principles such as:

• It’s not what you say that matters, but what you do that makes all the difference.
• Character prefers the rejection of men to the disappointment of Heaven.
• It is impossible for your life to produce anything beyond the strength of your moral fiber.

Let Dr. Thompson help you explore what God has to say about pursuing excellent character. Then start building a rock-solid, Godly character that will lead you to God’s highest for your life!

Posted under Gratitude

“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.”
Mark 4:22 (NKJV)

DECEMBER 14 - Finally alone, the handsome young couple sits inside the car, staring at one another, talking in hushed tones. “Will you marry me?” Surprised by his nervous tone but not that taken aback, the pony-tailed-blonde studies the young man’s unmistakably serious eyes. “It’s a little too soon, don’t you think?” Clutching her hand, he wasn’t sure if he could wait—not even one more minute! “You think it’s too soon? We’ve been going together now for five weeks; isn’t that enough time?” “Of course not, silly,” replied the pretty blonde. “I have to get to know you more—we need a little more time.”

Whether it is the character of another, a particular hidden lie that seemingly slips by, or talents that lie dormant within one’s heart, none go on without one day being revealed. “Proving time” is something
with which we struggle in society today. We have been brainwashed into thinking that everything has to be right now, whether it be as simple as a meal, a desired relationship, a business decision, or ministry
opportunity.

We probably have all come to notice that many of the mistakes people make are simply because they didn’t allow time to reveal the truth of their situation. Through our unwillingness to wait and allow time to prove the truth, we have made some bad choices. If we desire to see a new and bright future, we must allow time to reveal any truth that now seems to be hidden.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that You are not slack concerning Your promises. If You said it, I have confidence knowing You will do it. I know You will bring all things to light concerning decisions I need to make.

Family Scripture Reading

Mark 15

Featured Resource

Character: Building A Godly Foundation for A Successful Life - CD Series

A house built on a faulty foundation soon becomes unfit to live in. Shifting soil causes cracks in the foundation, and those cracks lead to costly damage. Think of the trouble that could be avoided if only the foundation were repaired!

Character is the foundation of your life; you can save yourself a lifetime of grief if you will honestly inspect your character, making sure it is built firmly upon the strong, immovable foundation of God’s principles. Dr. Robb Thompson shares many of these valuable principles in this dynamic series – principles such as:

• It’s not what you say that matters, but what you do that makes all the difference.
• Character prefers the rejection of men to the disappointment of Heaven.
• It is impossible for your life to produce anything beyond the strength of your moral fiber.

Let Dr. Thompson help you explore what God has to say about pursuing excellent character. Then start building a rock-solid, Godly character that will lead you to God’s highest for your life!

Posted under General

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful…”
Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)

SEPTEMBER 7 - Having come across less than a handful of other Christians in her high school, the sixteen-year-old girl had few friends. Though always friendly, many of the other kids just did not covet her as a lose friend. As in all schools, there were the different groupings—the honor roll students, athletes, most popular, and average. But as she walked the noisy hallways day after day, she noticed one thing—other kids respected her because of the principles she held. They may not say it out loud, but she sensed their respect. However, not everyone is interested in taking the proverbial “straight and narrow.” To walk through life according to principle often means you must walk alone. Integrity requires you to walk in truth, thus affirming your faithfulness to God and to those with whom you associate.

Integrity also means as you build relationships, both parties must be willing to speak the truth in love, even at the expense of offending each other. Solomon gives us some insight into this idea, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of the an enemy are deceitful.” Because we have a desire to be valued and affirmed, we tend to gravitate towards those who tell us what we want to hear. We subconsciously surround ourselves with individuals who put on a facade of commitment because it feels good at the time.

This only leads to one place—a place of loneliness, with no bankable relationships. Refuse to allow anyone into the intimacies of your life if they are unwilling to agree and comply with the proven principles of truth and integrity.

Father, I thank You that I refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly,
stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful.

Family Scripture Reading

Ephesians 1

Featured Resource

Give Up Worry Forever - CD

It is estimated that more than thirteen million American adults are chronic worriers. The National Institute of Mental Health says anxiety disorders are America’s most commonly reported health problems. The medical community also confirms that a significant portion of physical sickness and disease is caused or exacerbated by mental/emotional triggers such as stress, worry, anxiety, fear, and depression.

In this valuable series, Dr. Robb Thompson not only discusses the causes and effects of worry in your life, but also shows you how to overcome worry and anxiety through the Word of God.

God equipped you for every good work! Choose today to put the Word of God into practice and see peace begin to rule and reign in your heart!

Posted under Principle Driven

“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away.”
2 Peter 1:10 (NLT)

JULY 24 - There is a great fallacy in much of Western culture. We mistakenly believe that we are entitled to a certain quality of life without ever working for it. We grew up in an era of relatively great prosperity, especially compared to the rest of the world. Consequently, we think we simply deserve a lot of things.

While it is true that we have a degree of entitlement to the rewards for which our parents and grandparents worked, we must never rely on that for our future prosperity. Jesus did not, and could not rely on Joseph and Mary for the success of His ministry. No, He was in the temple, interacting with people and discussing the Scriptures. Whether:

• On the job
• At home
• In relationships
• In service to God

We must always remember that results are expected. Whatever we promise, we must deliver, and more. As we do so, we can expect to continually increase in both our quality of life and in our influence as people of integrity.

Father, I thank You that You live inside of me, and that I have the ability to get results in every area of my life.

Family Scripture Reading

Romans 13

Featured Resource

Repentance: God’s Key To Restoration - CD

One of the most shocking philosophies found in churches today is that one can live for Christ and partake of sin. In short, repentance is no longer considered necessary. God’s grace has been lifted higher than His command to “Repent.” Banished to the heap of dry doctrines along with sin, hell, fire, and brimstone, repentance is seldom taught and therefore greatly misunderstood. Yet according to God’s Word, repentance is vital not only for salvation, but also maturity in Christ to become the effective believer He wants you to be.

In this timely series, Dr. Robb Thompson clarifies the importance of repentance in salvation and daily life. This study offers you foundational instruction if you’re a new Christian and important reminders if you’re a veteran believer.

Posted under Results

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

JULY 23 - We are to keep God’s commandments at all times. “Keep” means to guard, to protect, and to defend. Keeping God’s commandments is a constant effort. We cannot walk with Jesus one day, live like the devil the next day, and then live for Jesus again the day after that.

We must protect God’s Word in our lives. Suppose a person says, “God, I love You, but I am not going to show up at church today,” or, “God, I love You, but I am still going to retaliate against that person for what he did to me.” Such a person is viciously deceived, thinking they love God while bypassing His Word.

Solomon wrote, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it spring the issues of life.” The New Living Translation says that the heart “affects everything you do.” We perish if we walk the picket fence of life, blustering in all directions like the wind in the trees. Let us rather commit ourselves to the pursuit of His Word and live the life God has for us.

Father, I thank You that I am committed to the pursuit of Your Word. I keep my heart with all diligence, for it affects everything I do.

Family Scripture Reading

Romans 12

Featured Resource

Repentance: God’s Key To Restoration - CD

One of the most shocking philosophies found in churches today is that one can live for Christ and partake of sin. In short, repentance is no longer considered necessary. God’s grace has been lifted higher than His command to “Repent.” Banished to the heap of dry doctrines along with sin, hell, fire, and brimstone, repentance is seldom taught and therefore greatly misunderstood. Yet according to God’s Word, repentance is vital not only for salvation, but also maturity in Christ to become the effective believer He wants you to be.

In this timely series, Dr. Robb Thompson clarifies the importance of repentance in salvation and daily life. This study offers you foundational instruction if you’re a new Christian and important reminders if you’re a veteran believer.

Posted under Obedience

“Happy are those who obey His decrees and search for Him with all their heart.”
Psalm 119:2 (NLT)

JULY 22 - Where does your commitment lie with God? If there were to be a trial, would you be found guilty of a life committed to God? These are two questions we must ask ourselves if we truly want to enjoy life. Jesus told us, “I come to give life and life more abundant.” Do we want that kind of life? It won’t come to just anyone…there is a requirement.

You must commit your life to Christ Jesus. He must reign (like a king reigns over a nation) as Lord in your heart, directing your every decision. Our commitment to God goes no deeper than our commitment to His Word. There are believers who claim they are committed to God but refuse to do what God commands in His Word.

Jesus says, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not what I said?” Though many Jewish priests were committed to studying the Scriptures, during His ministry Jesus told the Pharisees, “You honor Me with your lips, but your hearts are full of all kinds of evil.” Your commitment to God is proven through your passionate pursuit of obeying His Word. It must be your greatest desire. If you ever truly want to enjoy life, obedience is the safest and best route to take. It may just be the only route you can take.

Father, I thank You that I am happy because I am one of integrity who follows after Your law and obeys the written Word. I enjoy life as I passionately seek after You with all my heart.

Family Scripture Reading

Proverbs 8

Featured Resource

Repentance: God’s Key To Restoration - CD

One of the most shocking philosophies found in churches today is that one can live for Christ and partake of sin. In short, repentance is no longer considered necessary. God’s grace has been lifted higher than His command to “Repent.” Banished to the heap of dry doctrines along with sin, hell, fire, and brimstone, repentance is seldom taught and therefore greatly misunderstood. Yet according to God’s Word, repentance is vital not only for salvation, but also maturity in Christ to become the effective believer He wants you to be.

In this timely series, Dr. Robb Thompson clarifies the importance of repentance in salvation and daily life. This study offers you foundational instruction if you’re a new Christian and important reminders if you’re a veteran believer.

Posted under Commitment

“In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I would like to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my distinction of preaching without charge… What then is my pay? It is the satisfaction I get from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights as a preacher.”
1 Corinthians 9:14-15, 18 (NLT)

JULY 21 - What an incredible man Paul was! The situation described here is a result of the shortcomings of the Corinthians. Though Paul was their spiritual father, the one who freely gave of himself so they could hear the Gospel, they did not treat him justly. Instead, they unwisely gave honor to people who did much less for them in comparison to Paul. And what was Paul’s response recorded in the Scriptures above?

• He never demanded his rights.
• He diligently worked to add to the Corinthians, not to use them for
  his opportunistic gain.

Do you go to work adding value, or are you like crawdads in a bucket? Every time one crawdad almost makes his way out of the bucket by walking all over the other guys, another crawdad reaches up, pinches
his leg, and pulls him right back to where he started. You can live that way if you choose, but you will have nothing to show for it. Instead, be the one to propel others to their promotion. Go to work to add value, not to use others.

Father, I thank You for enabling me to add value to my world. I pray that You would continue to give me opportunities to become the answer for others.

Family Scripture Reading

Romans 11

Featured Resource

Repentance: God’s Key To Restoration - CD

One of the most shocking philosophies found in churches today is that one can live for Christ and partake of sin. In short, repentance is no longer considered necessary. God’s grace has been lifted higher than His command to “Repent.” Banished to the heap of dry doctrines along with sin, hell, fire, and brimstone, repentance is seldom taught and therefore greatly misunderstood. Yet according to God’s Word, repentance is vital not only for salvation, but also maturity in Christ to become the effective believer He wants you to be.

In this timely series, Dr. Robb Thompson clarifies the importance of repentance in salvation and daily life. This study offers you foundational instruction if you’re a new Christian and important reminders if you’re a veteran believer.

Posted under Giving

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What’s more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (NLT)

JULY 20 - “For such a time as this…” Could that same phrase be said of you and me? I believe so. For such a time as this, we have been put on this earth to make a difference. We have been given all the tools we need to make a significant impact on the lives of those around us. The question is, are we?

Whether or not we like it, just as Jesus daily realized His destiny was approaching, so it is that our moment of destiny is coming closer all the time. Until then, we have only brief tastes of what our lives will represent. We must learn to take each of those little opportunities and use them to the fullest, and in time, we’ll arrive at bigger things. There is no turning back time, and no making up for lost opportunities.

We must pursue these four things:

• Character
• Excellence
• Understanding
• Relationships

These are the four requirements necessary for our grandest moment of destiny. God is working in us, but ultimately, the choice is ours!

Father, I thank You that You placed me here for such a time as this. Create in me the willingness and determination to accept Your transforming power in my life.

Family Scripture Reading

Romans 10

Featured Resource

Repentance: God’s Key To Restoration - CD

One of the most shocking philosophies found in churches today is that one can live for Christ and partake of sin. In short, repentance is no longer considered necessary. God’s grace has been lifted higher than His command to “Repent.” Banished to the heap of dry doctrines along with sin, hell, fire, and brimstone, repentance is seldom taught and therefore greatly misunderstood. Yet according to God’s Word, repentance is vital not only for salvation, but also maturity in Christ to become the effective believer He wants you to be.

In this timely series, Dr. Robb Thompson clarifies the importance of repentance in salvation and daily life. This study offers you foundational instruction if you’re a new Christian and important reminders if you’re a veteran believer.

Posted under Winning

“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 (KJV)

JULY 19 - The most intriguing section of the temple was also the most intimate location in the grand edifice. Just as a veil shielded females’ countenances for purity’s sake, a veil (or thick curtain) separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple. And although the Jewish priests were very knowledgeable in the  Scriptures, entering past the veil was only for the elect, established for one who truly knew how to  be intimate with the holy God. Intimacy with any person thrives on time spent together, disconnected from the pressures of life.

Our personal intimacy with God is very similar. Many contemporary believers know much about the  Word—they know what it says, but they don’t necessarily adhere to it. Sure they say they do, but their lives don’t reflect it. This is a dangerous trap, because it is very easy to equate knowledge with action, though the two are quite separate.

Consequently, many believers know that they should spend ample time in solitary prayer, yet they don’t do it. Instead, they turn on Christian television to hear about the awesome power of life-changing prayer or pick up the latest best-selling book on intimacy with God. They could even write books about the presence of God and how glorious it is, yet they don’t experience it for themselves. Students are taught theory in schools, but their complete training comes when they enter the workforce and face real-life problems and circumstances. In the same way, the presence of God can only be outlined by theory. Its fullness requires experience by real, consecrated, consistent, solitary prayer.

Father, I thank You for showing me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy, and at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Family Scripture Reading

Genesis 27

Featured Resource

You Are Healed - Book

From God’s perspective, health is not something that we lack and must try to attain. Rather, it is a possession that is already ours – but the thief is trying to steal it!

Jesus went to the cross to deliver us, once and for all, from the curse of sickness and disease. So, why does divine healing often seem to be so elusive? It’s because the only proof we have of our healing, until it is manifested, is the written Word of God.

Nevertheless, God’s Word is all the proof we need! Dr. Thompson shows you how to apply the principles of God’s Word to your life, until you experience the divine health in which God intends you to walk. This book equips you with the spiritual prescription needed to attain health, wholeness, and vitality in your body.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Man’s Opinion or God’s Word on Healing?
2 Healing Must Be Pursued
3 Different Ways Jesus Heals
4 Believing God For Yourself
5 Adjusting Your ‘Receiver’

Posted under Action