5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

How can I say, “No” to sin?

Sincerely,
Temptation Tried

Dear Temptation Tried,

There is no single answer to how we can defeat sin.  God describes our struggle with sin as a war, and all good warriors wear lots of armor to protect them for the battle ahead.  Ephesians 6 describes the various pieces of armor that God has provided to protect us against the temptations of sin (Eph 6:13).

1. Gird yourself with truth (Eph 6:14).  The truth is the most basic tool that we have against sin.  The devil uses lies to deceive us and tempt us (Jhn 8:44).  If you know the Bible truth about what is right and wrong, you will be prepared to identify Satan’s traps (Heb 5:14).
2. Protect your heart by living righteously (Eph 6:14).  One of the simplest ways to avoid sin is to pursue righteousness (1 Pet 3:11).  Fill the days of your life with good behavior, and there will be no room for bad behavior (Matt 12:43-45).
3. Seek to live a peaceful life and dwell in harmony with others (Eph 6:15).  When we love our fellow man and seek what is in his best interest, we avoid a great deal of opportunities for anger, sin, and division.  Never compromise your morals, but as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18).
4. Carry the shield of faith (Eph 6:16).  Faith is the act of trusting God and following the Word of God (Rom 10:17).  Faith is an act of loyalty to the Lord (Matt 22:37).  It is often hard to do the right thing, especially when a simple lie or sin would prevent discomfort.  Have faith in Him who is able to save your soul.  He can cause all things to work together for good (Rom 8:28).
5. Remember your salvation in Jesus (Eph 6:17).  It is the hope of salvation that drives us forward, renews our zeal, and reminds us of what we are fighting for.  Hope whets our appetites for better things to come and makes it easier to purify ourselves from sin (1 Jn 3:3).
6. Know your Bible (Eph 6:17).  The Bible is described as a sword (Heb 4:12), and it is able to both defend and fight back against evil.  There is no greater tool in your arsenal against the wiles of the devil than your Bible.  Learn it, read it, fill your mind and heart with it, and return to it constantly for renewed strength.  When your Bible becomes your close friend, you are ready for anything.
7. Pray without ceasing (Eph 6:18).  Prayer gives us strength to stand strong, and it gives you direct access to the Creator of all.  God is great; ask Him for help and courage.

5 minutes a day
5 days a week
1 New Testament in a year

There are 261 weekdays in a year, and there are 260 chapters in the New Testament. By reading one chapter, Monday through Friday, you will read the whole New Testament by the end of the year. The Daily Cup series is to help with that goal.

Happy Studying!

"The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup." -- Psalm 16:5

Click here for a pdf of the study schedule - CLICK HERE

I got a pretty ring in a market a while ago, and the design is a backwards S.  I curiously looked up the meaning of a backwards S, and someone said it meant all things un-holy/saintly or devoid of spirit.  I am not sure if it is correct, but I don't think I should wear it if it is.  Please help!

Sincerely,
Jewelry Junkie

Dear Jewelry Junkie,

Many people wear jewelry that depicts ancient idolatrous behavior (almost all Native American artwork falls into this category).  As Paul said, “we know that an idol is nothing” (1 Cor 8:4).  Just because something once stood for something wrong, doesn’t mean it still does.  We couldn’t find anything that verifies the idea that a backward ‘S’ stands for unholiness, but even if it once did, that doesn’t mean it still does in our modern culture.  The jewelry has no intrinsic evil to it; it is only if it is perceived as an item of worship or if it is making a statement of faith (or anti-faith in this case) that it becomes sinful.  If people believed you were wearing the jewelry for religious purposes (or if it offended your conscience), you would have to stop (1 Cor 8:7-9).

Who are the Illuminati, and what do they believe in?  Is it a cult?

Sincerely,
Not An Illuminati

Dear Not An Illuminati,

The Illuminati was a Bavarian secret society formed in 1776 in Ingolstadt, Germany.  Similar to the Freemason society, the Illuminati was a secret society with religious, as well as secular, elements to it.  The truth is that the Illuminati and societies that diverged from the Illuminati died out years ago.  It is the pop-fiction industry that has revived the term ‘Illuminati’ by creating conspiracy-theory books that portray the Illuminati as a surviving secret society bent on ushering in a new world order.  These books make for exciting fireside reading, but they are still fiction.  The Illuminati was a cult that existed in Europe several centuries ago, but it no longer is a factor in today’s society.