Today isn't Friday, September 1st when I decided to do this blog.  But, I will not be working on Friday so I need to do some entries until I get back to work on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. 

I am going to do my daily bible reading for the days I am off.

Friday, September 1, 2006 reading:  I will give them one heart and mind to worship Me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.  I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.  The Lord is good and does what is right; He shows the proper path to those who go astray.  He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way.  The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep His covenant and obey His decrees.  That they will be one, just as You and I are one, Father--that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in us, and the world will believe You sent Me. Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.  Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.  We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.  There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.  God uses His power to accomplish His purposes through His people.  God doesn't give you power to be all you want to be, but the power to be all He wants you to be.  We must develop "one heart" toward him, loving God above everything else.   LAB note Jeremiah 32:36-42

Reading for Saturday, September 2nd:  Watchman......when will the night be over?  Time is running out.  Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is almost gone, the day of salvation will soon be here.  So don't live in darkness.  Get rid of your evil deeds.  Shed them like dirty clothes.  Clothe yourselves with the armor or right living, as those who live in the light.  Now learn a lesson from the fig tree.  When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near.  Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.  Heaven and earth will disappear, but My word will remain forever.  I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him, I have put my hope in His workd.  I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.  He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!  So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of My return.  We don't know the day or the hour, but Jesus is coming soon and unexpectedly.  This is good news to those who trust Him but a terrible message for those who have rejected him,  Soon means, "at any moment," and we must be ready for Him.   LAB notes for Revelation 22:20.

Reading for Sunday, September 3rd:  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Don't you realize that friendship with this workd makes you an enemy of God?  I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God.  Don't team up with those who are unbelievers.  How can goodness be a partner with wickedness?  How can light live with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil?  How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.  This world is fading away, along with everything it craves.  But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.  You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air.  That isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ.  Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off our old evil nature.  God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children.  He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him.  Because He wants only what is best for us and gave His Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service.  LAB note for Roman 12:1-2

Labor Day, Monday, September 4th reading:  The Lord is thinking about me right now.  "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord.  "And My ways are far beyond anything you can imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!  They are innumerable!  I can't even count them: they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up in the morning, You are still with me!  O Lord, what great miracles You do!  And how deep are Your thoughts.  O Lord my God, You have done many miracles for us.  Your plans for us are too numberous to list.  Few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.  Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith?  Aren't they the ones who will inherit the kingdom God promised to those who love Him?  Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.  The endless treasures available....in Christ.  God knows the future, and His plans for us are good and full of hope.  As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda, and goes with us as we fulfill His mission, we can have boundless hope-even in times of pain, suffering, and hardship.  LAB note for Jeremiah 29:11.