John Cliver

[Judy Harder]

 9:25am Jan 14 
"If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters." 1 John 4:20-21.

Anybody can say that they love God. It takes no effort whatsoever. However, It does take effort to love other people. And John says that the proof of your love for God is that you love other people, that you are concerned with other people. That love, concern, compassion for others, those who are tangible, is the proof that you love God, who is intangible. No one who treats people badly or hurts others can really love God.

[Judy Harder]

10:13am Jan 15 
"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" John 8:31-32.

Anytime you know the truth, there is freedom. Deception only leads to slavery and trickery. God's word brings freedom because it brings truth. When we know what is right, we are able to do it. The devil works in trickery and lying. God through Jesus works in truth. If we remain in him, if we accept his grace and his truth, we will be free. And only through him and his grace is truth.




7:33am Jan 16 
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." Galatians 5:16.

You want someone who knows where they are going to show you the way. You own nature will always lead you to problems, no matter how well meaning it may be. But if you really want to come to God, if you really want to do what is right, the Spirit or God will always move you the right way. Your heart, no matter how much you may believe it to be good, will lead you wrong if it is not led by the Holy Spirit.

[Judy Harder]

8:12am Jan 17 
"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." Philippians 2:14-15.

Nothing ruins your image to others than complaining and arguing. People get so tired of it. And nothing enhances your image than good clean innocent living, the world is so full of criticism and complaining that a good clean innocent life stands out in stark relief. People see it and love it. Live in such a way that people see the good, not the bad. Bring out the good instead of the bad, in that God is glorified

[Judy Harder]

9:25am Jan 18 


"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13.


He will always show you a way out It may not be what you want, but he will do it. The problem comes when we want out of the temptation but the exit strategy God has is not what we want, or may be too far beneath our dignity. But remember this, too. What you are going through is really no different than what other go through. But since it is happening to you, you feel that it is worse, or more egregious, or stranger. Just rely on God and his power and he will help you. It may hurt, but you will be stronger for having survived.

[Judy Harder]

9:04am Jan 19 

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12.


The essence of Christianity distilled into one short sentence. And the sentence is a positive one. You do, don't just not do what will hurt others. But rather, do first, help others first. Treat them as you would like to be treated. That is much of Christianity and embodies much of Jesus' life. It eliminates revenge, takes away getting even. It makes us the instigator of good in people's lives. Before they even do anything, you do good to them. They didn't deserve it? Do it anyway. They are acting stupid and ugly, do it anyway. This is hard and in many ways against human nature, but it is our mandate from God. And it completely changes us and our relationship.

[Judy Harder]

7:05am Jan 20 


"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." James 1:2-3.

The trees that produce the finest and hardest woods are the ones that sit in adverse conditions. It may be on the northeastern sea coast where the strong cold winds come off the north Atlantic. Or it may be the ones in the desert where they have learned to live with little water. The ones with the softest cheapest woods are the ones that have an easy life, living in warm climates and having no problems with the existence. In the same way, the Christians who are strongest are the ones who have overcome more problems and difficulties in their lives. Their faith has been tested and they have overcome. They are the ones who are worth more to God in the long run because they are strongest. Temptations strengthen, not destroy, if used and viewed right.

[Judy Harder]

9:26am Jan 21 

"Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Galatians 6:7-8.

You get back whatever you plant. If you plant potatoes, you will not harvest rib-eye steaks. The same with life. If you do nothing but bad things, you can' be surprised when bad things come back to you. Sooner or later, whatever you did in your younger years will come back. If it is good, you will get more good. If not, you will get bad. Living your life to make yourself happy will sooner or later backfire on you. But whatever you plant for God will grow back good.

[Judy Harder]

8:08am Jan 24 


"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Galatians 6:1.

That is why we meet together as Christians. We come together to strengthen. It is our job and our mandate. One of us has a problem, he tells the other, we all pray for strength and wisdom to deal with it and our walk is strengthened. And those who are strong will do this. Those who are weak and immature will complain and criticize and demean those who need help. But those who are strong will strengthen. That is the beauty and the strength of the church.

[Judy Harder]

9:09am Jan 25 

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8.

You want to be Christ-like? Then think about Christ-like things. You go where your mind is pointed and you do what your mind leads you to do. You hit what you aim at. If you aim down, you hit down. If you aim at the target, you have a lot better chance of hitting the target.




1:17am Jan 26 


"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." James 4:10.

One of the most nauseating things in the world is pride. Nobody like to be around somebody who is proud, constantly talking about themselves, constantly mentioning their own accomplishments and talents it is the same with the Lord. Pride removes the Lord's ability to set you up, to make you above, to exalt you. Before the Lord God Almighty, the God of the Universe, there is no place for exaltation. He is God, we are not. He is All-Powerful, we are not. The more we humble ourselves before him and give him the place of honor in our lives, the more he will make us great. After all, if we have given ourselves the greatest seat in our lives, there is no room for him, and we have robbed ourselves of so much that is good and holy.

[Judy Harder]

7:31am Jan 27 

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." Ephesians 6:12-13.

It is easy to forget in the midst of all our striving, that we are not fighting each other. We are fighting evil itself. We are not fighting secular liberalism and its effects or abortion or other denominations or anything like these. We are fighting against the devil and the forces of evil which drive these things. We can get rid of all of the bad stuff and still not have won the war. It is only when we drive the evil forces behind these things out that we will win anything at all. And when it comes down to it, it is only a house to house fight at that. Fighting the devil's intrusion in our lives is what we are doing. All these other things are just symptoms of something greater: evil working against us. It is the devil we are fighting, not each other.