Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Give Us Courage!

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Read Numbers 26–27

Have you ever felt unheard or overlooked? Maybe it felt like your voice didn’t matter? Being ignored can be deeply disheartening. But in Numbers 26–27, we find a powerful reminder that God sees, hears, and honors those who follow Him boldly and faithfully.

Numbers 26 records the second census of Israel, revealing that an entire generation had passed away in the wilderness. As Moses prepared to distribute the Promised Land, the laws seemed clear: inheritance would pass through male lines. For the five daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah—this meant their family name and inheritance would disappear forever since their father had died without sons (27:1). Rather than accepting this injustice, these remarkable women took action: “They came forward and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly” (27:2). Their argument was both logical and passionate: “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives” (27:4). They were asking for justice.

God’s response validated their courage: “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them” (27:7). This moment is remarkable not only for its justice, but because it shows that God values every voice—including the marginalized. These women sought God’s provision not just for themselves, but to honor their father’s legacy. Right after this, God appoints Joshua to succeed Moses (27:18–23), reminding us that God always provides new leadership to continue His purposes. God never overlooks needs—or His people.

Go Deeper

Where might God be calling you to speak up? God can give us the courage and clarity we need to address difficult situations.

Pray with Us

Like Zelophehad’s daughters, we are often faced with injustice. Give us courage, Lord, to speak truth and to stand up for what You say is right, even if it is unpopular.

Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.Acts 4:29

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Answers God Provides

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The Holy Spirit . . . will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26

Today’s Scripture

John 14:17-26

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

“What’s my birth mother’s name?” My seven-year-old daughter’s sincere question pierced my heart. Ours had been a private adoption where we were provided only the most basic of information about her parents: height, weight, age, color of hair and eyes. How was I to respond? The question felt impossible! I drew in a breath and prayed, “God, what do I say?” A sentence tumbled out of my mouth: “What would you like her name to be?” She beamed at me and proclaimed, “Madeline!” “Then, Madeline it is!” I declared. I believe God had provided an answer when I didn’t have one.

In the years after His death, Jesus’ followers would encounter great challenges where they needed God’s answers in seemingly impossible situations. In John 14, Jesus promised He would not leave them alone but would come to them with help (v. 18). Further, God would provide an ongoing flow of help: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (v. 26).

Sometimes the questions we face seem impossible to answer. We need God’s help and answers with our children, our work, our neighbors, and our world. When we don’t have the answers, He can provide them.

Reflect & Pray

In what area of your life do you need God’s help today? What questions do you have that you can bring to Him for the answers only He can provide?

Thank You, dear Father, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to guide me in each moment.

Today’s Insights

With His work on the cross soon to be accomplished, Jesus assured His disciples that He wouldn’t abandon them as “orphans” but would return to them soon (John 14:18, 28). Christ was referring to His own resurrection and to the Holy Spirit, who’d live with them and be with them (v. 17). God gave us His Spirit to assure us that we’re His children, enabling us to call Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). As “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17), He’ll teach, counsel, and empower us to live as obedient children of God (vv. 23-26). Today, when we’re looking for answers, we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Watch more on being Led by The Spirit.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – A choice between life or death

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Last week, we talked about three purposes for which God blessed America from the time of its founding. However, Scripture is clear such blessings are only promised so long as our sin does not bring God’s judgment in their place.

As the prophet Isaiah warned:

Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lᴏʀᴅ; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him (Isaiah 1:4 NIV).

The prophet said to God: “The nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste” (Isaiah 60:12). And David testified, “The Lᴏʀᴅ sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness” (Psalm 9:7–8).

Since God testifies that “I the Lᴏʀᴅ do not change” (Malachi 3:6), we can know that any sins he judged in the past are sins he will judge in the future.

Continue reading Denison Forum – A choice between life or death →

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The God Who Saves

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

What a testimony given by David to his God! In this single verse, there is a sevenfold ascription of praise to the Lord for His great salvation. Each testimony can be appropriated also by all who trust Him.

  1. My rock: The word used here does not mean a stone or even a boulder but a mighty monolith, immovable and impregnable.
  2. My fortress: This word refers to a great bulwark—a stronghold. The Hebrew word is essentially the same as Masada, the high butte where the Jews resisted the Roman armies after the destruction of Jerusalem.
  3. My deliverer: Our God is able to deliver, even from the fiery furnace, the den of lions, and from the armies of Saul.
  4. My strength: This is another word often translated “rock,” this time a rugged, craggy one, most appropriate as a symbol of great strength.
  5. My buckler: This was a small, handheld, movable shield.
  6. The horn of my salvation: This striking Old Testament symbol is even repeated in the New Testament (Luke 1:69) and applied to the coming Savior, referring either to the “horns of the altar” where fleeing sinners could cling for refuge or to the fighting horns of a strong beast.
  7. My high tower: Here the word is not for a man-made tower but for a natural, high, topographic eminence, suitable both for watching and for defense.

The great promises of salvation and security in Christ are timeless. The words that brought such hope to David are still a comfort to believers today. He is still “the God of all grace” to all who trust Him (1 Peter 5:10). HMM

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Let Go of Guilt and Receive God’s Forgiveness

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Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].

Romans 8:1 (AMP)

Sometimes we feel pain in our soul because we have hurt other people inadvertently. Often we hurt those people because we were hurting, too, and we did not mean to wound them. This is especially true for women who may have been abused or otherwise hurt while growing up, and then they in turn hurt their children. They never wanted to cause problems; they simply did not know any better. The same could be said for people who hurt friends, spouses, or other family members unintentionally.

As we mature and come to realize that something we said or did caused pain or struggle in another person’s life, we may feel very badly about it. When that happens, the thing to do is talk to the person, admit what we have done to cause pain, and offer a sincere apology. We may also feel we can explain to the person what was going on with us at the time or tell them how we came to realize that we hurt them. The most important parts of this kind of conversation are to take responsibility for our actions and to apologize. Hopefully, the other person will accept the apology and we can move on. If there is anything we can do to help the person break free from the impact of what we have done, we can make ourselves available for that. If not, we can simply pray that God will continue to heal and strengthen him or her.

In situations where hurt has been especially deep, people may not be ready to move on. They may, instead, remind us repeatedly of what we have done and use our admissions and apologies against us. Accusations such as, “The reason I am the way I am is that you hurt me so deeply years ago!” Or, “If you hadn’t done what you did to me, I wouldn’t have done that!” When we hear such words, we can be tempted to feel guilty or condemned about our past actions.

Once we have confessed our sin to God and received His forgiveness, and we have admitted our faults to those we have hurt and apologized to them, we should no longer carry the guilt of our mistakes or failures. God offers us free and ultimate forgiveness, and when we have that, we can view ourselves as clean, regardless of what other people say to us.

John 3:17 (ESV) says, For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him, and Romans 8:1 declares that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him. No matter what you have done, you can live free, forgiven, and healed in Jesus. The people you have hurt may not be quick to forgive you, but God always will be.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me take responsibility, release guilt, and walk in freedom. Teach me to trust Your grace and live free from condemnation, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – May Mothers: The Loyalty of Elizabeth

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So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
Luke 1:59-60

Recommended Reading: Luke 1:11-17

It was not uncommon in Israel for firstborn sons to be named after their father—for example, “Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus” (Mark 10:46—bar in Hebrew meant “son”). Therefore, when it came time to name the firstborn son of the priest Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth, their relatives assumed the child’s name would be the same as his father. But Elizabeth said his name would be John—a decision Zacharias confirmed.

The angel Gabriel, when revealing to Zacharias that his barren wife would conceive a son, said the boy’s name would be John. For being skeptical of Gabriel’s announcement, Zacharias was made mute until John was born. But apparently during Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Zacharias had somehow communicated to her what the angel had said. Out of loyalty to God’s will through Gabriel, and loyalty to her husband, Elizabeth confirmed the baby’s name would be John—who became John the Baptist.

Loyalty means choosing a priority that might be different than your personal preference. Loyalty to God always comes first.

God demands complete loyalty to His Word.
Richard L. Pratt

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Freedom in Christ

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The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Today’s Scripture

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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Today’s Devotion

In 1849, Henry “Box” Brown (a US enslaved man from Virginia) folded himself into a wooden crate marked “dry goods,” and two friends shipped him from Richmond to Philadelphia. Brown was inside the box (3 x 2.5 x 2 feet) for the 26-hour trip, with three small holes cut for air. As abolitionists pulled Brown from the box, he sang a paraphrase of Psalm 40, expressing his hope in the God who promises freedom. “If you have never been deprived of your liberty, as I was,” Brown later wrote, “you cannot realize the power of that hope of freedom, which was to me indeed, an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast.”

Freedom is central to how God operates in our hearts and in our world. His wisdom leads to spiritual freedom, but false wisdom leads to oppression. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is,” Paul says, “there is freedom” from sin, death, and condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:17). When we listen to God and follow His ways, freedom results. Unfortunately the opposite is also true: When we ignore Him and resist His invitations, we become ensnared and confined. God liberates and transforms us by His Spirit (v. 18), but sin and rebellion traps us.

We sometimes believe that God limits and obstructs our possibilities and pleasure. But in truth, He’s the only one who can lead us into an expansive future, the only one who can guide us into genuine freedom.

Reflect & Pray

Where have you felt trapped in life? How do you sense God’s desire to guide you into freedom?

Dear God, please help me to be transformed and free in You.

Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.

Today’s Insights

In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Paul contrasts the old covenant (a binding agreement defining how God would relate to His people) given through the law of Moses with the new covenant of the Spirit available through Jesus. The old covenant, though “glorious,” “brought condemnation” (v. 9) and was temporary (v. 11). Its glory was veiled, and the people could never fully see its glory because of their sin (vv. 12-15). In the new covenant, Christ’s Spirit removes the veil so that God’s people can truly see and be transformed by Jesus’ glory—bringing true freedom (vv. 16-18).

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Are we celebrating or commemorating

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The forgotten origin of Memorial Day

Every time I have traveled overseas over the years, I have returned home with an even greater gratitude for our nation. However, this fact makes Memorial Day our nation’s most conflicted holiday for me.

On one hand, it’s the “unofficial start of summer,” with vacations, family time, blockbuster movies, and so on. It’s a three-day weekend with flags waving and patriotic sentiments. Any day that celebrates our nation, its history, and its blessings is a day I’m excited to share.

On the other hand, its official purpose is to remember the men and women who died in military service to our nation. Unless we have lost a loved one in this way, we cannot fully comprehend the gravity of such sorrow.

I am the son and grandson of veterans, but neither died in the wars they fought. If I lost a parent, spouse, child, or grandchild in this way, the mixture of pride in their service and grief for their loss would be like nothing else.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Are we celebrating or commemorating →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Not So Giant

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 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 

—1 Corinthians 10:12–13

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 

Years ago, I had a close encounter with a giant. My friends and I went out in a small inflatable boat to do some whale watching. We saw a whale breach the surface some distance away, so we went in for a closer look, while still keeping a respectful distance. Suddenly, a young whale swam right under our boat. A few moments later, its submarine-sized mother glided under our little craft as well. She was so close that we could see the barnacles on her body. And as fast as she and her calf had appeared, they disappeared.

Those giants could have caused us real problems, if they had chosen to. But they didn’t. They simply made themselves known, giving a glimpse of their enormity, without using their size against us. Unfortunately, not all giants in this life are as benign.

And not all giants appear in physical form. Some giants are difficult situations. Some giants are hurdles in life that seem insurmountable. Some giants are temptations that refuse to go away. Some giants are challenges that seem beyond our ability to solve. Some giants are personal sins that impact the way we see ourselves. Some giants are addictions that threaten to overwhelm us. Some giants are toxic relationships that leave us bitter, hurt, confused, or lonely.

We all face giants, and we will continue to face them as long as we live. We have an enemy in Satan who will stop at nothing to disrupt our relationship with Christ. So, we all need to embrace these words from the apostle Paul: “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NLT).

If you trust in Christ, you need to remind yourself as often as necessary that every giant can be defeated. There is nothing in this world that can place you under its power. There is no addiction that needs to control your life. There is no lifestyle that you cannot break free from. There is no temptation that’s too compelling to resist. There is no giant that’s too big or too powerful for you. You have everything you need in your relationship with Christ.

There is no power in your life that Christ in you can’t overcome!

Reflection question: What giant are you battling in your life right now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – How Can Things Invisible Be Seen?

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

This powerful verse introduces Paul’s burning description of the descent of ancient human societies that once “knew God” into paganism, idolatry, and wickedness (Romans 1:21). This deterioration was willful and inexcusable, for they had abundant evidence of God’s nature and power in the very creation that they had chosen to worship instead of the Creator (v. 25).

Even though God Himself was invisible (being omnipresent), they could easily see the evidence of His existence and His grace in creating and sustaining all things, “for God hath shewed it unto them” (v. 19). “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

Since these things were “clearly seen” and “understood” by men “from the creation of the world” (that is, from the time the world was created), it is obvious that there have been men and women there to see and understand these things ever since the world was created. This assures us that the creation did not take place billions of years before men appeared on Earth, as theistic evolutionists and progressive creationists would like to believe. Men and women have been on Earth ever since its very beginning (see also Mark 10:6; Acts 3:21), and all should have recognized and worshiped the true Creator God.

That being true, how much more inexcusable are our modern evolutionists—whether atheistic, pantheistic, or polytheistic—who not only reject the testimony of God in creation but also His far more complete testimony in Scripture and in the person and work of Jesus Christ? HMM

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Stop Wondering and Start Acting in Faith

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Adapted from Battlefield of the Mind

In the morning, when they were passing along, they noticed that the fig tree was withered [completely] away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away! And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

Mark 11:20-24 (AMPC)

When you say the words, “I wonder,” they sound innocent and honest. They also represent the way we avoid certainty in making decisions.

Suppose you’re the CEO of a business. Every day 20 people come to your office and ask you to make decisions. Yours is the final answer on everything that goes on in the corporation. Instead of giving decisive answers, you rub your chin, stare out the window, and say, “I wonder. I wonder what we should do about that?”

An indecisive CEO wouldn’t stay in that position very long. The position is much too important to the overall success and wellbeing of the organization and all who are associated with it. You are not in that position to wonder—you’re there to act.

Too many of us forget that this is the way it is with the Christian life, as well. Too often, instead of choosing what we need to do, we avoid facing the situation and say, “I wonder.”

I know because I’ve done it. In times past, when I’ve been invited to a party or to be the featured speaker at a banquet, I’ve said, “I wonder what I should wear.” It’s easy for me to waste a lot of time looking through my closet, considering the color and style, as I try to choose just the right outfit for a particular occasion.

This may seem like such a small thing—and it really is. The problem, however, is that if we allow enough of these “wonderings” in our lives, we not only fail to accomplish the things we need to do, but wondering becomes the normal way our minds function. Being indecisive keeps us from moving forward and can eventually defeat us.

In the verses quoted earlier, the incident started with a fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit. The disciples could have wasted time wondering about the particulars of why the tree didn’t bear fruit. They could have wondered if it hadn’t received enough sunlight or water. They might have wondered why the owner hadn’t cut it down since it wasn’t productive. But wasting time wondering really wasn’t necessary.

When Jesus spoke and doomed the tree, He put a stop to any mental speculation. He used the incident as an object lesson for the disciples, encouraging them to believe. He wanted them to understand that if they truly believed, they could have whatever they asked of Him.

Sometimes God’s people are reluctant to ask boldly for big things. But Jesus has given us permission to step out in faith and ask boldly. And yet some still waste time just wondering. They wonder what it would be like if God would give them a better job. They wonder what it would be like if God would give them a larger house.

I can tell you that wondering is a waste of time. So, stop wondering and start acting! That’s one of the most important things I’ve learned about the wondering mind. Rather than wondering what I should wear to a banquet, I look at my clothes and I decide. God gave me the ability to make wise choices, so I can just do it instead of wasting my time wondering.

Wondering and indecision can become strongholds in our minds that can leave us feeling confused, insecure, and ineffective. But that’s not God’s plan. He wants us to overcome the wondering thoughts by believing and then receiving the answer to our prayers from God, by faith.

Notice that Jesus did not say, “Whatever things you wonder when you pray, you will have.” Instead, He said, Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it] (Mark 11:24 AMPC).

Prayer of the Day: Father, in the past, I’ve been double minded and confused, giving Satan an advantage over me. Please forgive me. I ask You now, in faith, to give me the necessary wisdom to overcome all of Satan’s confusion. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Danger of Compromise

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Read Numbers 25

Living in the world, but not of the world, can be a challenge for Christ followers. The English preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church.”

In Numbers 25, Israel faced a grave spiritual crisis. After God’s miraculous protection from Balaam’s curses, the people had fallen into moral and spiritual compromise. The chapter opens with Israel’s tragic fall: “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods” (vv. 1–2). What might have seemed like a harmless cultural exchange quickly dissolved into spiritual adultery. The people “ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods” (v. 2), directly violating their covenant with the Lord.

God’s anger burned against Israel, and a plague broke out, killing 24,000 people. In the midst of this crisis, an Israelite man brazenly brought a Midianite woman into the camp “before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly” (v. 6). This act of defiance demanded immediate action. Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, responded with decisive action. After he killed the Israelite man and the Midianite woman, the plague stopped immediately. God responded: “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal” (v. 11). Phinehas showed a passionate commitment to God’s standard of holiness, and God rewarded him with “a covenant of lasting priesthood” (v. 13).

Go Deeper

Though we live in a different covenant, our call to holiness remains. In what way might we be compromising and letting cultural influences draw us away from God’s commands?

Pray with Us

“Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Jesus, we are set apart for Your purpose. Help us follow You only and not get distracted by the glittery things of this world.

Be holy, because I am holy.1 Peter 1:16

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Still Smiling

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NEW!Listen Now

I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
Acts 27:25, NIV

Recommended Reading: Acts 27:21-25

Scott Smiley is an American soldier who was blinded while fighting in Mosul, Iraq. In his book, Hope Unseen, he describes how he and his wife Tiffany learned to trust God with tragedy. Tiffany said, “The words that I read in the Bible prior to all of this became real. It was like oh, this is the peace that surpasses all understanding, you know, this is the hope that carries you through. So it all came to life for me. There’s still times where we’re like ‘Yeah, we wish Scotty could see.’ But God what has taught us through His word…. And going through this trial and this valley with the Lord, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”1

When we go through trouble, we struggle, but out of the struggle comes strength. And out of the strength comes a shout of praise. Express your faith when you are experiencing a time of trouble. The action of expressing your faith aloud is often the first step toward courage and victory.

A lot of people look at the events in my life as a huge tragedy, and I don’t necessarily. I think God has given me the ability to understand Him more and to understand His purpose through my blindness.
Scott Smiley

  1. Julie Blim, “Scott Smiley: A Soldier’s Sacrifice,” CBN, accessed January 26, 2026.

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Seeking God’s Face

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I will set . . . the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know . . . the Lord has done this. Isaiah 41:19-20

Today’s Scripture

Isaiah 41:17-20

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Today’s Devotion

Those who drive along Highway 18 in western Oregon each fall are greeted with a delightful surprise from the tree-covered hillside flanking the road: a giant smiley face. The cheerful face is only visible in the autumn when the Larch tree needles turn yellow, contrasting with the surrounding, dark green Douglas fir trees (which create the eyes and mouth). A lumber company planted the three-hundred-foot-diameter face in 2011 as part of an effort to replenish the timber they’d harvested.

Isaiah invites us to know God as the one who brings life to desolate places. He reminded the Israelites during the barrenness of their captivity that God “[makes] rivers flow,” can “turn the desert into pools of water,” and grow “the cedar and the acacia” in the desert (Isaiah 41:18-19). God does these things not solely for His (and our) delight; He plants junipers, fir, and cypress “so that people may see and know” (v. 20) that He authors all and will ultimately redeem all—even those places thought to be a “wasteland” (v. 19).

Though we may not glimpse a face smiling back at us from a hillside, all of creation can remind us of God’s redemptive power over our world and our individual circumstances—even in the wake (or fear) of devastation. Let’s seek His face as our source of hope and joy amid our struggles.

Reflect & Pray

When has God brought joy or hope to a place of sadness in your life? How does creation direct your focus to Him in times of hardship?

Thank You, dear Father, for Your creative and redemptive work in the world.

Today’s Insights

In chapters 1-39, Isaiah warns an unrepentant people that God will use the Assyrians and the Babylonians to discipline them for their idolatrous unfaithfulness. But beginning in chapter 40, the prophet extols God’s grace and covenantal kindness and prophesies a future restoration and glorious blessing. As the sovereign God, He has the power to save, protect, and restore (40:10-17). The prophet also reminds them of God’s loving, providential care. The Israelites have a very special relationship with Him, having been graciously chosen to be His servant (41:8). God won’t abandon them but will keep them close and care for them (vv. 8-10, 17). He’ll bountifully provide for them and turn the arid desert into a land of flowing water and great productivity (vv. 18-19). Like the people in Isaiah’s days, creation reminds us that He is “the Lord” (v. 13), our “Redeemer” (v. 14), “the Holy One of Israel,” and Creator (v. 20). We can trust Him with the circumstances in our lives.

Learn how ordinary outdoor moments can encourage you to connect with the Father on a deeper level. 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why “The Late Show” matters to our culture and our souls

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its last show tonight. Why should you care?

The ending could be nostalgic if you’re old enough to remember when David Letterman started the show in 1993 after being passed over as Johnny Carson’s successor on The Tonight Show. You might care about the controversy over the show’s ending: some claim that CBS acted for political reasons, while others point to reports that the show had been losing $40 million a year.

I think the show’s ending is relevant for a different reason.

As Elahe Izadi reports in the Washington Post, “We no longer choose from a handful of late-night hosts to get our fix of breezy celebrity interviews; there’s a seemingly endless supply of video podcasts for that.” She quotes Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor of television and popular culture:

Like all broadcast television, it was cultural glue. We all fed from the same cultural trough at the same time. That is gone and only remains in a few pockets, and those pockets are falling one by one. When Colbert leaves, another one of those important pockets will have fallen.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Why “The Late Show” matters to our culture and our souls →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Place of Pure Bliss

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 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 

—1 Corinthians 15:24–26

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 

When we lose a loved one, there’s a time and place for mourning. The depth of our sorrow is an indication of the depth of our love for that person. But there’s also a place for rejoicing if that loved one is a believer because we know we will see them again.

Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus when He saw the devastating power of death. Death is an enemy, although one whose fate is already determined. The apostle Paul wrote, “After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 NLT).

No one wants to die. After all, this life is all we know. No one looks forward to the end of it. But the reality is that we all will die. That’s why it’s important to put our faith in Christ before we enter eternity. It’s also important that we not lose sight of what awaits believers when we die.

The Bible doesn’t offer pictorials of Heaven, but it does provide some tantalizing descriptions. Paul was given a glimpse of Heaven and tried to put his experience into words. “I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NLT). (We’ll explore this passage further next week in our study of 2 Corinthians.)

You’ll notice that he used the word paradise to describe what he saw. Paradise is a Greek word that refers to the royal garden of a king. Think about the most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen. If you’re not into gardens, think about the most amazing sight you’ve ever laid eyes on. That’s the depiction of Heaven Paul gave. He was saying, “I don’t really have the words for it, but it was like a paradise.”

As Pastor Adrian Rogers put it, “The God who sculpted the wings of the butterfly, blended the hues of the rainbow, and painted the meadows with daffodils is the same who made Heaven.”

In Heaven all questions are answered, all tears are dried, and all pain is gone. Heaven is pure bliss. That’s why Paul said that he longed to be there. He saw for himself that Heaven is far, far better than earth.

And that’s what all believers can look forward to.

Reflection question: What are your feelings about Heaven? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Near to the Heart of God

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by Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D.

“And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.” (Exodus 28:29)

The clothing of the high priest was made according to very specific instructions. Each piece of the garment both symbolized and preshadowed a ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as the “one mediator between God and man” (1 Timothy 2:5).

The names of the tribes of Israel were engraved upon two stones (six names per stone), and they were to be mounted upon the shoulders of the ephod. The broad shoulders of a man are often used as a symbol of strength, particularly in carrying a heavy load. Illustrating His perfect faithfulness and capability, the burden-bearing work of Christ weighted with the sins and needs of His people is pictured through Aaron, who would “bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial” (Exodus 28:12). It is with great confidence in that capability that His people can therefore turn to Him, “casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

As seen from the text verse, this work is not a drudgery but a labor of love. The names of the children of Israel were not only on the high priest’s shoulders but also carried “upon his heart.” In one sense this was a visible token of what He had said of old: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). For believers today, Christ’s high priestly ministry is explained more fully in the book of Hebrews, where believers are assured that “because he continueth ever, [he] hath an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). Therefore, “let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1), for He has your name upon His own heart “for a memorial before the LORD continually.” RJG

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Guard Your Heart and Stay Spiritually Alert

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Keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 (AMPC)

Suppose you knew your house was surrounded by enemy agents and at any moment they might break through the door and attack you. Do you think you would be inclined to stay awake and watch the door?

What would you do if for some reason you couldn’t stay awake and watch? Wouldn’t you make sure someone else in the family was awake and alerted to the danger?

You need to be just as careful to guard against any potential attacks from the enemy of your soul. The devil is out to get you, and you must watch and pray at all times, asking God to help you when you feel weak.

Ask God to provide the strength you need to overcome any temptation the devil brings your way. Guard your heart and take every thought captive.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me stay alert and guard my heart. Strengthen me to resist temptation, take every thought captive, and rely on You to overcome every attack of the enemy, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Speak the Truth 

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Play

In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, “You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world” (MSG).  We are God’s witnesses.

And we are to speak truthfully.  God loves the truth and God hates deceit. But Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that “the heart is deceitful above all things” (NIV).  How do we explain our dishonesty?  Well, for one thing, we don’t like the truth because the truth isn’t fun.  The wages of deceit is death.  Not death of the body, perhaps, but death of a marriage, a conscience, a career, or faith. But perhaps the most tragic death that occurs from deceit is our witness.

Examine your heart.  Do you tell the truth…always? If not, start today.  Be just like Jesus.  Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Beauty of God’s People

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Read Numbers 23:27–24:25

Have you ever noticed parents’ eyes light up when they talk about their newborn child? They see beauty, potential, and hope. They speak with pride about attributes and qualities others might miss. This is the way God sees His children.

King Balak of Moab had hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel as they camped in the wilderness. Three times Balak positioned Balaam on different mountains, desperate for him to pronounce judgment on God’s people. But each time, instead of the curses he desired, blessings would flow from Balaam’s lips. Balak’s plan was a dismal failure. In Balaam’s final attempt from Mount Peor, he delivers his most beautiful oracle yet. When Balaam “looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe,” something remarkable happened (24:2). The Spirit of God came upon him, and he saw Israel not through human eyes, but through God’s eyes. His words capture this divine perspective: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!” (v. 5).

Israel had worshiped the golden calf, grumbled against Moses, and would soon fall into idolatry. Even so, God saw beauty in His covenant people. Balaam continued: “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters” (v. 6). He saw flourishing, growth, and divine blessing.

The prophecy reaches its climax with this messianic promise: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (v. 17). Even in the wilderness, God’s ultimate plan of redemption through Christ was unfolding. God works through sin or weakness to further His eternal purpose.

Go Deeper

Remember that God sees beauty in you that others—and even you yourself—might miss. Consider today how God sees you as His chosen and beloved child.

Pray with Us

God, how is it possible that You look upon us, Your children, with such love? How do You see beauty in us, even with our frailty and failure? Thank You, God, for Your steadfast love.

How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!Numbers 24:5

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

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