#051226

MAY 12, 2026, TUESDAY Entry: 6:54am, Fairview QC

VERSE OF THE DAY: ROMANS 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

JESUS IS LORD No matter how good you are, how hard you try, or how decent of a person you attempt to be, when it comes to following Christ, you can't earn your way to God. You can't do enough good things to flip the scales in your favor. You can't buy, win, impress, or manipulate your way into salvation.

But Jesus has already purchased your freedom on a cross and offered it to you as a gift. And you have one job, as Paul describes in his letter to the Romans.

Many people believe that Jesus was a real, historical person. Many people believe that Jesus was a genuinely good man. But the Bible says that even the demons believe there's only one God, and shudder.(James 2:19)

It's more than knowing in your head-It's believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth.

Minutes before their deaths, two criminals hung next to Jesus on the cross. One of the criminals mocked Him, but the other one trusted in Him. Jesus told one who trusted Him that he would soon be in Heaven. He received grace.

So are you trying to be good enough for God? The bad news is, you can't. You can't ever be good enough on your own. But the great news is, Jesus has already made a way. However, you can't simply know that He was a real person or think that some of His teaching were nice.

The most important question remains: Will you make Him the Lord of your life?

REFLECTION Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life? Confess, believe, and accept His free gift!

SHARE YOUR FAITH Don't keep your faith to yourself. Let others know that Jesus can save them too.

PRAYER Jesus, I believe that You are the true Savior of the world. You died an innocent death-in my place, for my sins, and our Heavenly Father raised You from the dead. You are the Lord of all lords and the King of all kings, and I surrender my life to You. You alone can save me, and You alone are worth following. So please take my life, and give me Yours. Thank You for never giving up on me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

PSALMS 18:20 God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Think about some of the ways God has protected you. Then, take a moment to praise God for all He has done.

MATTHEW 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Picture holding your concerns and worries out in front of you, and bring them before the God who hears and cares about you. Lay down any burdens you have in front of Jesus.

God, because You have overcome evil, I know that You can-and You will-guard me against the evil one. Right now, I need a reminder that You are in control. Please show me You are with me. Show me You are protecting me, Draw me close to You right now. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: 2 KINGS 15-16 JOHN 3:1-18 AZARIAH REIGNS IN JUDAH ZECHARIAH REIGN SIN ISRAEL SHALLUM REIGNS IN ISRAEL MENAHEM REIGNS IN ISRAEL PEKAHIAH REIGNS IN ISRAEL JOTHAM REIGNS IN JUDAH AHAZ REIGNS IN JUDAH YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

2 TIMOTHY 2:14-19, 22-24 A WORKER APPROVED BY GOD charge them before God not to quarrel about words, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, rightly handling the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent babble, But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, INSIGHT In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we find both the source and the purpose of the Scriptures: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The words of the Bible have been breathed out by God, revealing Himself to us so that we might be completely equipped for serving Him. As we come to know who He is, we’re encouraged to love and serve Him with our whole hearts. This idea is underlined by Peter: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!” (2 Peter 3:18). As we meditate on the Scriptures, God will help us discern its truth and grow in our knowledge of Him.

By: Bill Crowder

GROWING OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD As soon as I jumped into the pool, my goggles filled with water, and I could barely see. Despite having no formal swimming instruction, I slowly persevered for the two laps of a race I had entered on a whim. Years later, after taking lessons and learning the proper breathing and swimming techniques, I enjoyed learning all four competitive swim strokes.

What a difference it makes when we have the proper training. The same applies to reading the Bible. When we understand the context and meaning of what we’re reading, we can properly apply it to our lives.

Paul wanted Timothy to stand firm in his faith, avoid quarrels, and not be deceived by false teachers. In his final letter, the apostle urged Timothy to study the Scriptures: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

As I learned and practiced proper swimming techniques, I became a better swimmer. In our spiritual walk, as we learn and understand the words and concepts in the Bible, we grow in our knowledge of God—enabling us to distinguish truth from falsehood and gain wisdom. As we read Scripture, let’s continue to grow “so that [we] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (3:17).

By: Nancy Gavilanes

REFLECT AND PRAY How often do you read the Bible? What have you learned lately as you read Scripture?