Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Fall of Babylon

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Read Revelation 18

Nebuchadnezzar was the ruler of the Babylonian Empire (Daniel 4). God warned him in a dream about his pride. But one day he praised himself for the splendor of his empire, crediting it all to his own “mighty power” and “the glory of my majesty.” Immediately God took away his reason, and Nebuchadnezzar behaved as an animal for seven years before God restored his sanity. He learned his lesson: “[God] does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth…And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

In the same spirit, an angel in today’s reading proclaims the fall of Babylon (vv. 1–3). The “maddening wine” of her spiritual adulteries and her “excessive luxuries” have brought about her devastation under God’s just judgment.

Verses 4–8 are an exhortation to believers. We are to “come out of [Babylon].” Her pride and idolatry are her doom. Though she considered herself exempt from consequences, thinking she would “never mourn” (see Isaiah 47), the bottom line is, “mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” The New Testament agrees with this exhortation. For example, Paul wrote, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14–17).

A threefold woe follows, delivered by Babylon’s former political allies and economic trade partners (vv. 9–19). These woes emphasize the quickness and completeness of her judgment and destruction. For the redeemed, this is cause for rejoicing (v. 20)! Finally, a “mighty angel” casts a boulder into the sea, illustrating the finality of Babylon’s destruction (vv. 21–24). She will never be rebuilt. Interestingly, in the days following Babylon’s conquest of Judah, a messenger of the prophet Jeremiah used a similar object lesson to warn that empire (Jer. 51:63–64).

Go Deeper

“Babylon,” with her decadent clothing, jewelry, and other “excessive luxuries,” highlights the dangers of materialism and greed. How can we be on our guard against these temptations?

Pray with Us

God, we ask You to cast down any idols in our own lives. May we live as followers of You, not followers of this world. Keep our hearts from looking to false gods and instead fix our hearts on You.

Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!Revelation 18:2

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Uncategorized

Our Daily Bread – God of My Sister

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Lord, God of my master Abraham, . . . please grant success to the journey on which I have come. Genesis 24:42

Today’s Scripture

Genesis 24:1-4; 10-12

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Today’s Devotion

Amina had come to Christ in a country where Christianity was illegal. She began to share her new faith with her brother, who rejected her appeals. Then he contracted a dangerous lung condition. Alone in a dark hospital room, he gasped for breath. He wasn’t ready to acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son, and he feared speaking the name of Christ aloud. (Someone might hear him!) So he called out, “God of my sister, please help me now!” Suddenly, he could breathe easily, and the room brightened inexplicably. His journey to belief in Jesus began that day.

In Genesis, Abraham’s servant went on a quest to find a wife for his master’s son. First, he prayed to the “God of my master Abraham” (24:12). Why? The servant knew God had told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” (12:2). God repeated that promise (15:2-5), and “Abram believed the Lord, and [God] credited it to him as righteousness” (v. 6). The servant could trust “the God of my master Abraham” (24:27, 42, 48) because he’d witnessed the reality of Abraham’s faith.

With our words, we invite others to follow Jesus. More important, however, is the way we live before them. The reality of genuine faith in the one true God speaks volumes.

May the God of Abraham and of Amina use our lives to draw others to Him.

Reflect & Pray

How have you sensed God intervening in your life? In what ways does your life reveal your trust in Him?

 

Wise Father, may my life reflect the light of Jesus in everything I do. May others see in me a genuine faith in You—the God who hears us.

 

Today’s Insights

Genesis 24:1 says, “Abraham was now very old, and the LORD had blessed him in every way,” affirming God’s covenantal faithfulness to him. Abraham had sought to be faithful to the covenant by preparing for Isaac’s posterity and finding him a wife. He wasn’t to marry a Canaanite woman, for she might lead him into idolatry (see Exodus 34:15; Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Isaac was also to remain in the promised land (Genesis 15:18-21; 24:6-8). This task of finding the right wife would be difficult, but Abraham was sure that God would provide (24:7). His servant, a man of faith like Abraham, asked God to lead him, a prayer which was quickly answered (vv. 12-15). This account closes with the servant affirming God’s “kindness” (v. 27, Hebrew hesed or “unfailing steadfast love”) and faithfulness to Abraham. Today, we show others the genuineness of our faith when we trust in God’s faithfulness

Find out how God is writing your story by watching this video.

 

http://www.odb.org

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Love’s Product

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:10–11)

Knowledge and judgment that are motivated by love (Philippians 1:9) are directed very carefully to certain end products that will fulfill our Lord’s design and desire for His adopted sons and daughters while they are still on Earth.

A repository of facts can be nothing more than a curiosity and is often an arrogant distraction. A growing intellectual ability must be useful. It is no different in God’s kingdom. Our knowledge and judgment must be used to “approve things that are excellent.”

Paul’s challenge to the Roman church was that they use their minds to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). To his young son in the faith, Paul insisted that Timothy study to show himself “approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The “proving” (testing, affirming) has a twofold goal: that our life on this earth would be “sincere and without offence” and that we would be “filled with the fruits of righteousness.” Purity and productivity are earthly spiritual goals that are reiterated many times in the Scriptures. They, of course, are mere reflections of the holiness that our Lord creates in us when we are born again (Ephesians 4:24), but they are nonetheless an often-repeated demand for those of us who claim a kinship with Christ Jesus.

The Bible sums it up this way: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15–16). HMM III

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – You Are Righteous

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For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 5:17 (AMPC)

God wants us to think, speak, and behave rightly, so He gives us what we need in order to do those things. God will never require us to do something without giving us what we need to do it. God gives us the gift of righteousness so we can become righteous in what we think, say, and do!

Although we have sinned, our sins cannot be compared to the righteousness of God’s free gift. Our sin is great, but His free gift of righteousness is greater.

The fruit of your life cannot be any greater than what you believe you are, so you must learn to think about and believe in your righteousness in Christ. If you think all the time that something is wrong with you, then you will keep producing wrong things, but believing you’re right with God will help you produce right behavior.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for the gift of righteousness in Christ. Help me think, speak, and live from who I am in You, producing fruit that honors You every day, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Seeing More Clearly: Seeing Him Face to Face

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NEW!Listen Now

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12

Recommended Reading: 1 John 3:1-3

The Greek myth about Narcissus illustrates what was probably the earliest kind of a mirror: a reflection in a pool of water. The first physical mirrors were likely polished stones like obsidian, gradually evolving into polished plates of copper or bronze. Metal mirrors were, at best, poor reflectors—they illustrate the words of Paul about seeing “in a mirror, dimly.”

Paul was contrasting our spiritual perception in this life—dim and cloudy—with what our perception will be when “that which is perfect has come” (1 Corinthians 13:10). Paul describes that future time as seeing Christ “face to face.” No longer will we see dimly, but when Christ, the “perfect,” comes, we will know Him the same way He now knows us. The gaps in our spiritual vision will be filled in by His glorious presence when “that which is in part will be done away.”

Do not despair at seeing dimly at the present time. Rejoice that the day is coming when you will behold the Lord face to face.

We may see God’s glory blazing in the sun and twinkling in the stars.
Thomas Watson

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – An Offering for Jesus

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We . . . are . . . always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:11

Today’s Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

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Today’s Devotion

“I lift mine eyes, but dimm’d with grief / No everlasting hills I see,” wrote the Victorian poet Christina Rosetti in her poignant poem “A Better Resurrection.” Rosetti’s poem describes grasping for hope when she feels none, “numb’d too much for hopes or fears.” Yet Rosetti was anchored in a hope deeper than her feelings of despair. Though she could see “no bud nor greenness” pointing to Christ’s resurrection renewing her life, she confessed, “Yet rise it shall” and prayed, “O Jesus, rise in me.”

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul also described experiencing suffering “far beyond [his] ability to endure, so that [he] despaired of life itself” (1:8). But he found that his despair taught him to find his hope only in “God, who raises the dead” (v. 9).

And he learned that as we carry the hope of the gospel in the still-imperfect “jars of clay” of our bodies, Christ’s resurrection life and hope shine through, revealing “that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (4:7).

This shift happens in Rosetti’s poem too. As she lifted her broken heart up to God, her prayer became only that the broken pieces of her life would be “cast in the fire” to be molded and transformed into an offering “for Him, my King.” Her poem concludes simply: “O Jesus, drink of me.”

Reflect & Pray

How can voicing our pain honestly to God bring comfort and hope? How have you experienced Him transforming the pieces of your life?

 

Dear God, thank You that hope is real even when I can’t feel it. Please help me to offer my life to You.

Today’s Insights

What does Paul mean when he writes, “Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3)? We find the answer in chapter 3, where he recalls how Moses would “put a veil over his face” (v. 13) when he descended from Mount Sinai. He had to do so because God’s glory still shone from his face after he’d spoken with Him (see Exodus 34:29-35). At that time, the Almighty was too terrifying to approach (19:12-13). Paul wrote, “Even to this day, when Moses [the Law] is read, a veil covers [the people’s] hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:15-16). The ancient Israelites found God unapproachable, but we, by the power of Jesus, can draw near to Him. We can boldly bring Him all our pain, fears, and doubts and find confidence and comfort.

 

For further study, read The God Who Upholds You.

 

http://www.odb.org

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Live, Dwell, Remain, Abide

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 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

—Psalm 91:1

Scripture:

Psalm 91 is one of the most uplifting passages in all of Scripture, filled with promises like the one found in its first verse. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT).

But it’s worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 aren’t for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers, and not just to believers in general. These benefits are targeted toward believers who specifically meet the requirements found within the psalm. Psalm 91 is full of what we call conditional promises. In other words, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required.

Let’s look at the words of verse 1 again: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). The word live, which also may be translated as dwell, means “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the words remain and abide, which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). That word remain means “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.”

Here’s what God is saying: “If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91—My protection, My provision, and My blessing—you must dwell in the shelter of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me. You must not allow the things of this world to put distance between us.”

Believers have a relationship with God because we’ve put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers aren’t. And they’re missing out on countless blessings as a consequence.

Psalm 91 also includes these promises: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (verse 4 NLT).

“I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation” (verses 14–16 NLT). And that’s still only scratching the surface.

God is interested in a relationship with you—not just on Sundays but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. He wants you to experience the blessings that come from an intimate relationship with Him.

Reflection Question: What would constant fellowship with God look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Good Part

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D. “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)

The sisters Mary and Martha both loved the Lord Jesus and wanted to please Him. Jesus also loved them (John 11:5) and apparently was an occasional guest at their home in Bethany. Martha evidently felt that activity and service were pleasing to the Lord (and these, indeed, are good and important), whereas Mary simply “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39). To Martha’s surprise and chagrin, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the “good part”—a part more important even than service and food.

Long, long before, the patriarch Job, whom God had said was “a perfect and an upright man” with “none like him in the earth” (Job 1:8), had also chosen that good part. “I have esteemed the words of his mouth,” Job said, “more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

We today can sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word only by reading and meditating on the Scriptures. Important as our daily responsibilities may be to meet our material needs and those of our families, we should prioritize time for this “good part.” The same surely applies especially to Christian leaders. They may have many important tasks to perform in the service of God, but it is still more important for them to take time to hear His word in the Scriptures.

The unknown psalmist who wrote the grand Psalm 119 learned this truth: “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. . . . How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding” (vv. 97, 103–104).

We today have a higher privilege than Job, the psalmist, or even Mary, for we have all the Scriptures! If we truly desire “that good part,” the Lord will surely provide the time, as He did for Mary. HMM

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

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Joyce Meyer – Who Are You Becoming by Grace?

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But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 (NKJV)

In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (AMPC) the apostle Paul wrote, But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am…. If we do not realize that we are what we are by the grace of God, then we will think more highly of ourselves than we should.

Proud people compare themselves to others and feel superior if they are able to do something others cannot do. As Christians, we are to judge ourselves soberly (Romans 12:3), knowing that without God, we cannot do anything of value and whatever we are able to accomplish is only by His grace. This knowledge is the key to living a humble life.

God gives us a measure of His own faith to do whatever He assigns us in life. He gives us abilities by His grace and favor, not by our own efforts.

Prayer of the Day: God, I thank You that everything I am comes from Your grace. Help me walk humbly, depend on You fully, and remember that every ability and success is a gift from You, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Babylon the Prostitute

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Read Revelation 17

The long history of Babylon stretches back at least to the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9). Humanity tried to challenge God by building a tower that would reach to heaven. God stepped in and multiplied their languages in order to halt the project. From Babel to the Babylonian Empire and beyond, the name “Babylon” has symbolized power and pride.

The same is true of the woman in today’s reading. She’s the “great city that rules over the kings of the earth” (v. 18). The “many waters” by which she sits symbolize all the peoples of the world (vv. 1, 15). She’s a prostitute, engaged in spiritual adultery (vv. 2–6). She’s sitting on a “scarlet beast” that is the first beast from Revelation 13 (vv. 7–8). The beast is covered with blasphemous names and has seven heads and ten horns. The woman is also wearing luxurious clothes and jewelry and holding a cup filled with the “filth of her adulteries.” She’s “drunk with the blood of God’s holy people.”

An angel explains (vv. 9–14): The seven heads are kings or nations. Five are past, one is present (presumably the Roman Empire), and one is future. The beast is the eighth and of the same sort as the previous seven. The ten horns are also kings or nations, all future. They’re in alliance with the beast, whom we also know as the Antichrist. All these enemies of God are destined for defeat and destruction. “The Lamb will triumph over them.”

As so often happens when evil forces try to cooperate, there will be dissension and conflict (vv. 16–17). The beast and ten horns will hate the woman and will “bring her to ruin.” As they always do, God’s purposes prevail over His enemies’ best efforts.

Go Deeper

“Babylon” seems to represent not only a place but also worldliness in general. What does it mean for us, as followers of Christ, to be in but not of the world (John 15:18–21; 17:14–18)?

Pray with Us

Lord, keep our eyes off the world and on You. We pray for an expectant hope in Your victory over sin and evil. No matter what the future holds, we trust Your plan will prevail!

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them.Revelation 17:14

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Freely Give

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NEW!Listen Now

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Recommended Reading: Matthew 10:1-15

When Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to minister to the needy in His Name, He gave them power to heal the sick and drive out demons—even raise the dead (Matthew 10:1-15). And He spoke a principle that infuses all the Christian life: “Freely you have received, freely give” (verse 8). In other words, the disciples had no power of their own to restore the afflicted; Jesus gave them power. Since they had freely received power and authority, they were to freely use that power to help others. They were to do what Jesus would have done if He had been there.

The principle of freely receiving and freely giving applies to a challenging part of life—the challenge of forgiveness. The apostle Paul wrote about forgiveness: We are to forgive others in the same way God has forgiven us. Freely we have received forgiveness, so freely we are to give forgiveness. Not to give forgiveness is to imprison ourselves behind the bars of resentment, anger, and vengeance. Why would anyone want to do that?

The only way to live free is to receive God’s forgiveness and then freely give it to others.

Forgiven us is to be set loose from sins.
G. Campbell Morgan

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Beyond the Blues

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In the morning I will sing of your love. Psalm 59:16

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 59:9-17

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Today’s Devotion

Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is best known for enduring classics like “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” But one of his lesser-known songs is titled “The Minstrel of the Dawn.” (A minstrel is a troubadour, a singer who puts his poetry to music.) Like us, Lightfoot’s troubadour longs to be “more happy than blue.” Although there are always “blue” things to think about or dwell on, the minstrel chooses to focus on happy things as the new day dawns and then to sing about them.

The minstrel of the psalms, David, penned a similar line: “In the morning I will sing of your love” (Psalm 59:16). David had plenty of “blue” things to dwell on—from enemies ready to attack him to fierce men slandering and conspiring against him (vv. 1-3). “They return at evening,” he sang, “snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city” (v. 14). But he chose, as the new day dawned, to focus not simply on something happy but on someone good—God—and then sing of God’s love, “my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble” (v. 16) on “whom I can rely” (v. 17).

You may not be a singer-songwriter, but you can still be a minstrel of the dawn. Like David, you can tell God, “I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love” (v. 16).

Reflect & Pray

What is it that makes you blue or causes you concern? What would it look like for you to sing of God’s love in the morning?

 

God my fortress and shield, I’m choosing to sing beyond the blues this morning, to sing of Your steadfast love.

 

Today’s Insights

The heading of Psalm 59 notes the occasion for the song: “When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.” Two attempts by Saul to kill David are recorded in 1 Samuel 19 (vv. 8-10 and 11-17). The latter incident was the impetus for Psalm 59. Despite the grave danger that David faced, his faith compelled him to sing. The refrain repeated in verses 9 and 17 reveals that he viewed God as the source of his strength and safety. He proclaims, “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” (vv. 9-10). Our view of God makes the difference in how we navigate life in both the good times and the bad. When our understanding of Him lines up with how He’s revealed in Scripture, we can sing in life’s sunshine and rain.

Learn about finding hope in despair by reading Hope: Discovering the One True Source.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Is AI a tool for the Antichrist?

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The problem with Peter Thiel’s take on the end times

Peter Thiel is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who made his mark with PayPal, Facebook, and Palantir before becoming one of the largest donors to the Republican Party and an early advocate for President Trump. However, he’s in the news this week for an entirely different reason.

Thiel helped organize an exclusive conference in Rome, where he led four days of discussions on the Antichrist and his view that modern society is hurtling toward an inflection point that could pave the way for the end times. He claims that the Antichrist will use issues like nuclear war, climate change, and—perhaps most importantly—artificial intelligence to promise security in exchange for devotion and lead people to submit willingly to the sort of one-world, totalitarian government depicted in Revelation.

But while the lectures in Rome are not the first time he has taught on this subject (he gave similar talks in San Francisco and Paris), this week’s event has generated far more attention in religious circles. Part of the reason is that the meetings were arranged by Catholic organizations and located on the Vatican’s doorstep, both of which raised the ire of the Pope and others who have condemned Thiel’s message.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Is AI a tool for the Antichrist? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – God First

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 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 

—Matthew 6:33

Scripture:

Matthew 6:33 

“Roof fell in,” the farmer replied.

“What happened with it? Why did it fall in?” asked the stranger.

“It leaked so long, it just finally rotted through,” the farmer said.

“Why in the world didn’t you fix it before it rotted through?”

“Well, sir,” said the farmer, “I just never got around to it. When the weather was good, there wasn’t a need for it. And when it rained, it was just too wet to work on.”

Isn’t it amazing that when you want to do something, you somehow manage to find the time, no matter how busy you are? But when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, suddenly, there is just no room in the schedule.

This can happen when it comes to the Christian life as well. If we are serving God only when it’s convenient, then we’re settling for second best. Not only that, but we’re also keeping God at arm’s length. We’re settling for a less-than-best relationship with Him. If we make time for the things of God only until something better comes along, then we’re missing out on what God wants to do in our lives.

How much better it is to make time for the things of God—to put them above everything else. How much better it is to get your priorities right. Instead of making excuses, make time for the Lord. It’s not only the simple way to live, but it’s also the best way.

Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). That’s an amazing promise. And it shows just how much God desires a personal relationship with us.

When we drift away from God, it’s because we start to believe that we need certain other things in our lives. Those things may include earthly success, wealth, possessions, hobbies, or habits. So, we pursue them with a passion. We convince ourselves that they will bring us joy, give us a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment, or fill whatever emptiness we have inside us.

And, like the farmer, we neglect the things that truly matter. And, also like the farmer, we run the risk of rot—spiritual rot.

God, in His mercy, says, “If you will prioritize your relationship with Me, if you will close the distance between us by putting Me first, I will help you see what you truly need. I’ll help you remove the rot and strengthen you inside.”

What an amazing offer! And it all begins with a priority shift.

Reflection Question: What would seeking the Kingdom of God above all else look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Price of Sparrows

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)

This fascinating bit of first-century pricing information, seemingly so trivial, provides a marvelous glimpse into the heart of the Creator. Of all the birds used for food by the people of those days, sparrows were the cheapest on the market, costing only a farthing for a pair of them. In fact, they cost even less in a larger quantity, for on another occasion Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6). The farthing was a tiny copper coin of very small value, so a sparrow was all but worthless in human terms.

And yet the Lord Jesus said that God knows and cares about every single sparrow! God had a reason for everything He created; each kind of animal has its own unique design for its own intended purpose. Modern biologists continue to waste time and talent developing imaginary tales about how all these multitudes of different kinds of creatures might have evolved from some common ancestor. Even some evolutionists have started calling these whimsical tales just-so stories. They would really be better scientists if they sought to understand the creative purpose of each creature rather than speculate on its imaginary evolution.

The better we comprehend the amazing complexity and purposive design of each creature, the better we realize the infinite wisdom and power of their Creator. Then all the more wonderful it is to learn that their Creator is our Father! He has placed them all under our dominion, and we need to learn to see them through His eyes if we would be good stewards of the world He has committed to us. We can also thank our heavenly Father that we “are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). HMM

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Relax! God Is Working!

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Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren’t more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (Matthew 11:28–29). Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives.

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver’s seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn. Relaxation is impossible without trust!

If you know you can’t fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this. I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don’t go your way, instead of being.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me release control and fully trust You today. Teach me to relax, rest in Your care, and follow Your way instead of my own, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God’s Hand, God’s Nail 

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God has penned a list of our faults.  The list God has made, however, cannot be read.  The words can’t be deciphered.  The mistakes are covered. The sins are hidden. Those at the top are hidden by His hand; those down the list are covered by His blood. Your sins are blotted out by Jesus.

The Bible says, “He has forgiven you all your sins: He has utterly wiped out the written evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross” (JB Phillips NT).

He knew the source of those sins was you, and since He couldn’t bear the thought of eternity without you, Jesus Himself chose the nails. The hand is the hand of God. The nail is the nail of God. And as the hands of Jesus opened for the nails, the doors of heaven opened for you!

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Bowls of Wrath

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Read Revelation 16

If people in hell were given a second chance, they’d change their minds, right? Wrong. In The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis, “tourists” from hell are allowed to visit the outskirts of heaven. There, each is met by a friend who tries to convince them to stay, a choice which would require repentance. Nearly all of them reject this opportunity and return to hell.

The hardhearted rebelliousness of sinners is highlighted in Revelation 16, where the final seven bowls of judgment are poured out (v. 1). The first brings nasty sores to all those wearing the mark of the beast (v. 2). The second turns the oceans’ waters to blood (v. 3). All sea life dies. The third does the same to all freshwater rivers and springs (vv. 4–7). This is poetic justice: Given their sinful actions, people deserve to drink blood.

The fourth bowl judgment is environmental disaster, as the sun scorches the earth (vv. 8–9). In the fifth bowl, the very “throne of the beast” is targeted (vv. 10-11). Darkness descends. In the sixth bowl, the Euphrates River dries up and the false trinity gathers its forces, via deceiving demonic spirits, for Armageddon (vv. 12–16).

Verse 15 is a message to believing readers from Christ Himself. We’re exhorted to “stay awake” and be ready. He will return “like a thief,” unexpectedly (1 Thess. 5:2). Jesus gave His followers the same message (Matt. 24:36–44; 25:1–13) and wrote the same to the church at Sardis earlier in the book (Rev. 3:2–3).

With the seventh bowl, the words “It is done!” are pronounced. Natural devastation follows—including an earthquake and hailstones—as well as spiritual devastation, the fall of Babylon. Of course, the survivors will repent now? No. They continue to curse God.

Go Deeper

Why is evil irrational? Throughout all of Scripture, we see that sin hurts the sinner. Why can the wicked not see the harm they bring on themselves?

Pray with Us

Our hearts are grieved for those who turn away from You, Lord. We know sin separates us from You. Open the eyes of the unbelieving so they may find eternal hope in Your love!

You are just in these judgments, O Holy One.Revelation 16:5

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Wisdom for Living

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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Recommended Reading: Psalm 111

When we think of the need for wisdom, it is usually in the context of a decision we need to make. But when James wrote his epistle, he discussed wisdom in a deeper context. He wrote to the Jews who had been scattered among the nations and were experiencing trials and persecution (James 1:1-2). They needed wisdom for living as followers of Christ in a spiritually unfriendly world. And he told them where to start when needing wisdom: ask God (verse 5).

James wrote that whenever we need wisdom in life, we can ask God and He will supply it generously. And we need wisdom in many practical areas of life! But what about wisdom for navigating carefully through the challenges of an increasingly dark world? Those challenges appear all the time—spiritually, morally, physically, financially—and require great wisdom. Besides praying for wisdom in the specific areas that arise in life, we should also pray daily for wisdom to walk wisely through this world.

Get in the habit of asking God daily for wisdom to walk in ways pleasing to Him (Ephesians 4:1).

The wise weigh all things by the Word.
Henry T. Mahan

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Waiting for God

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The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:24

Today’s Scripture

James 1:2-8

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Today’s Devotion

Joseph combed the job listings frustratedly. Previous jobs as a waiter had paid well, but regular weekend shifts typical of the restaurant industry made it hard for him as a new believer in Jesus to attend church regularly. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?” he lamented. “Wouldn’t He want me to attend church?”

It took a year before Joseph saw that he had to adjust his expectations and try a different industry, where he finally found a job with regular weekday shifts. Thanking God, he realized how the long wait had made him more mature in making decisions. This job change process had also taught Joseph what it means to persevere in life and trust in God to reveal His plans in His time.

That’s what James told Jewish believers in Jesus, who were scattered and facing trials. Encouraging them not to give up, he said, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:4). The process of asking God for wisdom, waiting, and standing firm (vv. 5-6) would not only nurture their patience and trust in God but also help them grow in maturity as they learned more about themselves and God.

Waiting for God’s answer can be tough, but it makes us more mature and steadfast, strengthens our faith, and gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to trust God.

Reflect & Pray

What’s the hardest part of waiting for God’s answer to prayers? How can you draw on His strength to keep trusting in Him?

 

Dear Father, thank You for the assurance that You’re compassionate and hear my prayers. Please give me the wisdom and patience to keep trusting You.

 

Today’s Insights

James’ letter is typically classified as wisdom literature because of its stylistic use of short, memorable proverbs and sayings. It also emphasizes themes common in Hebrew wisdom literature, such as divine wisdom (3:13-18), the importance of ethical speech (vv. 1-12), and justice for the poor (5:1-6). James also draws heavily from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, reflecting teachings like joy in trials (James 1:2-3; see Matthew 5:10-12), asking God for wisdom (James 1:5; see Matthew 7:7-11), and the danger of a divided heart (James 1:6-8; see Matthew 6:24).

James urges believers in Christ to see “trials of many kinds” (James 1:2) as an opportunity to trust in and rely more deeply on God while waiting for Him to answer. This deepens our wisdom, perseverance, and faithfulness (vv. 3, 5).

Join Discover the Word as they explore Psalm 62 and learn what it means to “Wait in Silent Rest for God.”

 

 

http://www.odb.org

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