April 1.
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“On him rests the spirit of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2.
The spirit or breath is the symbol of man’s total dependence on and full response to God.
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“And Peter went outside and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75.
Peter sinned, repented, atoned and became a great man.
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April 2.
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“A spirit of wisdom and insight.” Isaiah 11:2.
This quality gives the leader honest judgments based on keen insight into people and problems.
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“His blood be upon us and upon our children” Matthew 27:26.
Wild words, once unleashed, stop only when violently fulfilled.
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April 3.
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“A spirit of counsel and power.” Isaiah 11:2.
With this quality the leader becomes a man of resolute decisions and the strength to accomplish his goals.
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“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:46.
The goal of Christian action is realization of the family of man.
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April 4.
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“A spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord” Isaiah 11:2.
This quality enables the leader to acquire true values and a sense of family loyalty.
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“So they sealed the tomb securely and stationed their own temple police.” Matthew 27:66.
Alone, dead, buried, deserted and hated -- but from the tomb comes the new life.
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April 5.
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“The grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of God remains forever.” Isaiah 40:8
The return of spring each year is strong evidence for the permanence of God's word.
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“All authority has been given me in the heavens and on earth.” Matthew 28:18.
Jesus is able to command fully because he obeyed fully.
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April 6.
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“God created man in his image ... male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27.
Harmony demands that each part be totally itself and from this difference contribute to the other.
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“Teach them to observe all the commands I have given you.” Matthew 28:20.
The one all-inclusive command of Jesus is sincere and effective love.
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April 7.
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“God blessed mankind: Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and multiply.” Genesis 1:28.
The kingship of God is to be established by the cooperative work of mankind.
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“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Matthew 2:27.
Each day is given you to make it what you will.
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April 8.
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“God saw all he had made and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31.
The positive outlook: everything is good when it is rightly used.
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“The family of Jesus was convinced that he was out of his mind.” Matthew 3:21.
Misunderstandings arise in the lives of all people.
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April 9.
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“God blessed the seventh day and make it holy because on that day he rested.” Genesis 2:3.
All of time has a purpose. We work in order to rest, that is, to truly enjoy the fruits of our labor.
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“If a person does the will of God, that person is my brother, my sister, my mother.” Mark 3:35.
The family of man is established by obedience in the fatherhood of God.
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April 10.
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“God breathed into man‘s nostrils the breath of life.” Genesis 2:7.
The symbol of breathing expresses well man's need for God and yet his free choice of following him.
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“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men whom God loves.” Luke 2:14.
God's love for man must be the bases for harmony and peace among men.
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April 11.
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“The Lord God settled man in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.” Genesis 2:15.
Effective work is part of the original heritage of man.
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“Jesus is not here. He has risen as he said he would.” Matthew 28:6.
The failure of Friday becomes the victory of Sunday.
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April 12.
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“It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18.
Without the opportunity to share, man lives in sterile loneliness.
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“Go - make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19.
These are the daily marching orders of the follower of Christ.
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April 13.
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“I will make him a partner like himself.” Genesis 2:18.
A clear statement of the perfect equality and clear-cut differences between men and women.
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“And behold! I am with you all days until the full harmony of all things is established.” Matthew 28:20.
Jesus came not to destroy but to bring completion and fulness.
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April 14.
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“Among all the animals no partner like man could be found.” Genesis 2:20.
In the balance of nature, man is to be king but a king who rules wisely.
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“So great a crowd gathered that Jesus could not sit down and eat.” Mark 3:20.
There was an urgency in the life of Jesus. His time was limited.
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April 15.
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“The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering.” Genesis 4:4.
A gift receives its main value from the motive that prompts it.
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“A household divided against itself cannot stand .” Mark 3:25.
Internal dissension in self, family or society is self-destructive.
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April 16.
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“Noah was a just man, perfect among his companions: he walked with God.” Genesis 6:9.
To walk with God means establishing our self-worth and sharing it with others.
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“Anyone who is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40.
Human solidarity is founded on finding likenesses - not differences.
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April 17.
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“In the evening the dove came back to the Ark with a new olive branch in its beak.” Genesis 8:11.
The evening is the time of renwed peace, friendship and harmony.
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“This child is set for the rise or the fall of all of Israel.” Luke 2:34.
No one can be indifferent to Christ and his ideals.
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April 18.
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“Because of your obedience, all the nations of the earth will be blessed in your descendants.” Genesis 22:18.
The value of good works and good example can never be put too high.
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“He spent the whole night in prayer with God.” Luke 6:12.
Before every important decision, Jesus spent the whole night in meditative prayer.
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April 19.
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“Drink, sir! I will draw water for your camels, too, until they are filled.” Genesis 24:19.
The girl was generous and her reward was correspondingly great.
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“Peace be to this house.” Luke 10:5.
Every time you meet a person, your message, as Christian, should be “peace.”
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April 20.
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“There are two nations within your womb.” Genesis 25:23.
It is well for parents to dream of the greatness their children will achieve.
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“Which of these three showed himself a friend to the man who fell among robbers?” Luke 10:36.
All love must be expressed in appropriate action.
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April 21.
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“First sell me your birthright.” Genesis 25:31.
The salesman may be shrewd but may not capitalize on the misfortunes of others.
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“My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours.” Luke 15:31.
The justice of God always works perfectly.
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April 22.
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“What good will my birthright do me if I die?” Genesis 25:32.
Too little self-confidence can easily lead be twisted judgments and false conclusions.
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“Your brother was dead and has returned to life; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32.
The mercy of God tempers His justice when a person returns to Him.
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April 23.
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“Who are you, my son? ... Are you really my son, Esau?” Genesis 27:18, 24.
This scene stresses the meanness of taking advantage of the weakness of others.
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“This poor widow has put in more than all of them -- she gave of what she needed for daily life.” Luke 21:4.
Generosity is measured by spirit, not by amount.
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April 24.
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“Go, stay with your brother, Laban. Remain until your brother‘s anger cools down.” Genesis 27:43.
The writer wishes to point out how lies have a way of catching up with the culprit.
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“The Lord looked directly at Peter and Peter remembered what Jesus had said.” Luke 22:61.
Each evening, the wise person glances inward to see the balance sheet of the day.
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April 25.
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“Laban said to Jacob ... Tell me what wages you want.” Genesis 29:15.
Jacob now puts himself in the clutches of an uncle as crafty as he.
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“Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” Luke 6:31.
If you want to hear happy words, speak happy words to others.
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April 26.
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“Jacob worked seven years to win Rachel... but at night, Laban gave him Leah.” Genesis 29:18, 24.
In the darkness of the night, Jacob was deceived just as he had deceived his father.
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“If a person you greet is a man of peace, your peace will go and stay with him.” Luke 10:48:6.
Peacemaking is a two-way street: You cannot force peace onto another.
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April 27.
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“Jacob works another seven years to win the hand of Rachel.” Genesis 29:30.
Fourteen years of labor for a dowry that would have been given him by his father if he had not lied.
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“He who is not with me is against me; he who does not gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23.
Faith in Christ demands unswerving conviction in daily life.
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April 28.
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“Your father has cheated me, changing my wages ten different times.” Genesis 31:7.
No one seems to cry louder about rights and injustices than the crook who is cheated.
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“The person who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great.” Luke 16:10.
How faithful are you in small unnoticed details of each day?
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April 29.
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“Joseph told his father of the evil spoken about his brothers.” Genesis 37:2.
The writers in no way try to whitewash the failings of their founding fathers.
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“Were not ten made clean? Where are the other nine?” Luke 17:17.
An ungrateful person is the most selfish of all selfish people.
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April 30.
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“Joseph was Israel‘s favorite and he gave him a long-sleeved tunic.” Genesis 37:3.
A delicate balance: How show love without being partial?
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“With an urgent desire have I longed to eat this Pasch with you before I die.” Luke 22:15.
This sense of intensity should carry into each day of our life.
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