Daily Bible - Day #185 - Church Focus Ministries

July 4
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Today's Bible Verse

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Memorize this Verse:
Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.
7. B T L S U S L N O H C O O T H O H S B I H R H F T L S N A M S F M L O T O A B T L L O T H

Today's Bible Reading

July 4
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
1 Chronicles 7-9  —  7.5 minutes
Psalms 127  —  1.5 minutes

New Testament
Luke 8:1-15  —  4.0 minutes
Colossians 2:8-15  —  2.0 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 15.0 minutes

This reading plan will make it easy and fun for you to read through the entire Bible this year. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Although the plan begins with January, you can begin at any time during the year.
Each month’s readings are based on 25 days worth of readings, which means you get several free days if you ever fall behind. This makes reaching your goal a lot more possible!
Each day’s readings will include selections from both the Old and New Testament, reinforcing the incredible unity of the Scriptures. Perhaps most important, you will focus daily on the life of Jesus by reading a portion of one of the Gospels every single day of the year.

May God bless you as you open His precious Word each day, and remember to pray for His guidance in your study. It is our desire that you will become increasingly changed into His likeness by beholding the Lord through His Word.

Today's Meditation - Psalms

Read Psalm 81:8-16
Freedom is a wonderful word! But, we are not “free” to sin against God! When a “strange god” is set up, and worshipped, God’s judgment will come upon us. The problem is stated clearly here in verse 11: “But My people would not hearken to My voice.” Again, in verse 12, it describes this contemporary generation: “they walked in their own counsels.” Without the limits of God’s righteous and moral standards, genuine freedom will be lost. May God help us!

The call of God to His people – verse 8
The counsel of God concerning idolatry – verse 9
The conquest which God had given – verse 10
The conduct of His people which brought His judgment – verses 11-12
The concern of God over His people – verses 13-15
The comfort of God’s own provision – verse 16

God has promised great blessing for those who will seek satisfaction from His hand. According to Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Verse for Meditation: Verse 10 – “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

Today's Prayer

“Thank you, Lord, for the freedom you have given, and may we learn the lessons You taught Israel long ago.”