February - Day 24

Leviticus 24-25 - When we worship God by giving of our time, talents, and resources to honor him, we should give our best, not our left overs.  God told them to used the finest flour when they made bread for their offerings, and we should do the same whenever we do anything to honor God.  It is why we as a church want to do ministry with excellence; we believe the gospel deserves nothing less than our best.  
God gives instructions on how to treat others with fairness and kindness and desires that we treat people well.  The way we treat people shouldn't be based on the person, but in response to the way God has treated us.  

Psalm 46 - God is our refuge and strength regardless of what comes our way.  He is greater than any nation, and there is no power on earth that can stand against his might.  Because of this, we can trust God and not fear our earthly circumstance.  We find peace and comfort when we take time to be still and recognize the greatness of our God.  This goes against our normal response to chaos.  Our normal response is to get frantic and work hard, but God wants us to find rest when we get still and recognize his greatness.  When we do, we will find peace and strength to push through. 

Matthew 21:1-11 - Even though many celebrated Jesus' entry, many still didn't know who he was.  You can celebrate Jesus without knowing Jesus. They where asking who he was even though they celebrated him.  Jesus' entry on a donkey fulfilled another prophecy proving that He was the one God had promised. 

Acts 28:1-16 - Paul survived the shipwreck then was bitten by the snake.  He didn't die.  While many thought he was poisoned, he really was just being positioned to be used by God.  Because he survived, it positioned him to do ministry.   When he was first bitten people said he must be a murderer, then when he survived they said he must be a god.  Our identity doesn't come from what people say, but who God says we are.  We can't look to people to find our purpose and value.  God has already given that to you.