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Need a Bible on your smartphone?  Click here to get yours free from YouVersion.  Now you can have the Bible in the palm of your hand, featuring 41 translations and 22 languages. Choose from dozens of unique reading plans to help you read the Bible consistently. Bookmark your favorite verses. Read contributions from other users from YouVersion.com.  I've been using mine for several months now and I love it.

Read, Memorize, Meditate, Do

A great verse:  "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful."  Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

The way I read this verse, if we want to be prosperous and successful in God's eyes, we need to read His Word, memorize it, meditate on it, and do it.  1 John 2:3 says "we know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands."  I think that the simplicity of knowing and doing God's Word sometimes escapes us - escapes me.  I have a tendency to over-think and over-analyze situations and want extra clarity and wisdom before I act.  But that's usually not needed.  Typically all I need to do is to what I know He wants me to do.

Think about the clarity of that verse this week, and read, memorize, meditate, and do.  Show God how much you love Him by obeying His commands.  See what He does as a result.

Nothing is Impossible With God

My Scripture reading plan for today put together 2 interesting passages.  First, the creation story from Genesis 1, and second, the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her she would be giving birth to the Savior of the world, even though she was a virgin (Luke 1).  Both of these stories are pretty unbelievable when you think about it.  I mean, come on, God spoke and the universe came into being?  The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will give birth to the Savior?

But in both stories, the words of Gabriel are true.  In Verse 37 of Luke 1, the angel says to Mary "For nothing is impossible with God."  Where in your life do you need God to do the impossible?  The improbable?  Nothing is impossible with Him!  Let that verse sink into your head and into your heart.  Trust God.  Believe Him.  Praise Him.  Nothing is impossible with Him.

Thanks for all of your words, prayers, and encouragement as we've been dealing with the death of our friend and part-time son, Matt West.  The last week was very rough, but our family felt the presence of God bringing comfort and peace through His word and through our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank you.  We love our church family!