Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Friendly Places

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As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9

Recommended Reading: 1 Chronicles 28:1-10

A recent survey found the top friendliest small businesses in America. The results included a candle company in South Dakota, a chocolate company in Minneapolis, and a bookstore in Montana.1 These enterprises had gone above and beyond in serving their clientele. The survey didn’t include churches, but wouldn’t we expect local churches to be the friendliest places town?

That depends on you and me. How important to know God and to serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind. When we serve others outwardly, it strengthens our inner being. And it not only glorifies God, but it also benefits us as Christians.

If you are not serving, you are not living and nourishing your inward being. Consider places in your church where you can serve, and volunteer with a willing heart.

One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God. And since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor.
John Wesley

  1. Irving Betesh, “Study Reveals the Top 150 Friendliest Small Businesses in the U.S.,” Advance Funds Network, February 19, 2026

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Recovering from Betrayal

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If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it . . . . But it is you, . . . my close friend. Psalm 55:12-13

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 55:12-20

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Today’s Devotion

In one of her novels, Toni Morrison tells the story of Nel and Sula, friends since childhood. But the friendship frays as Sula’s self-centeredness grows, culminating in her seducing Nel’s husband. “Why didn’t you think about me?” Nel asks Sula. “Didn’t I count?” Sadly, Sula doesn’t even care enough to answer.

As anyone who’s experienced it knows, the pain of a friend’s betrayal is hard to rival. King David felt such “malice and abuse” when a political conspiracy of “threats and lies” engulfed him (Psalm 55:10-11). The worst part was who was behind it. “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it,” he says. “But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend” (vv. 12-13).

How should we respond to such betrayal? While David takes his turmoil to God (vv. 16, 20), he prays retribution will fall on his betraying friend (v. 15). We see a different approach taken by Jesus. Faced with Judas’ betrayal, he says, “Do what you came for, friend,” refusing to retaliate in kind (Matthew 26:49-50).

Can a friendship recover from betrayal? Only if the offended can stay open to reconciliation and the offender proves their repentance over time. Sula’s lack of remorse means Nel must walk away. As God helps us, let’s treasure our friendships and swiftly make amends for any hurt we cause.

Reflect & Pray

Why would it have been wrong for Nel to stay friends with Sula? How can Jesus’ response to Judas help us keep reconciliation open?

Dear God, please empower me by Your Spirit to be a faithful, trustworthy friend.

Today’s Insights

David was in intense emotional anguish and was enduring devastating pain (Psalm 55:4-5) caused by the betrayal of someone he trusted, one whom he described in endearing terms: “my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship” (vv. 13-14). Initially, the psalmist had considered hiding in the desert to escape the storm, hoping to isolate himself from the pain. He pictures himself as a bird taking flight into the desert, which he thought would provide him with a safe place of refuge (vv. 6-8). Eventually, David chose to run to God instead, affirming that only He could rescue him and keep him safe (vv. 16-18). He says to “give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you” (v. 22 nlt). Just as God pursued David, He hears us and pursues us when we’re experiencing the pain of a betrayed relationship. He provides grace as we trust in Him for repentance and healing.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Suspect in Berlin attack tried to join Islamic State

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The man suspected of carrying out a fatal attack near a Pride celebration in Berlin last Saturday tried to join the Islamic State, local officials have said. He was released from detention in May after he was sentenced to prison for preparing a serious act of violence that could endanger the state.

Now, a heated debate is taking place over why the man, who was killed in a police shootout, was freed on probation.

If you wish I would write on something else, I understand. I had no plans to write on this story, but I was sitting in worship Sunday morning and heard our pastor speak from Psalm 139, where David praises God because he is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (v. 14). In that moment, I knew what I needed to say to you, and to myself, about the Berlin attack.

Let’s begin with some facts, then a personal confession.

Why this story seems irrelevant to us

If you match the demographic profile for the majority of our readership, you are probably an evangelical Christian living in America. This makes an article focusing on a Pride event in Berlin seem less relevant to you on multiple levels.

It is human nature to care more about events that occur closer to people we care about. My wife and I once spent a memorable day in Berlin, but I don’t know that I know anyone there. And I would be even more surprised if I knew anyone who attended the Pride event in the city.

The Bible teaches that God makes us male and female (cf. Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4) and that he intends sexual relations only within a covenant of marriage between one woman and one man (cf. Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 19:5). As a result, Pride events celebrate behavior I consider to be unbiblical and damaging to those who participate in it. They normalize sin and encourage others to celebrate and even participate in it.

To be clear: We are all broken sexually as a result of the Fall. I am just as tempted by heterosexual sin as someone else is by homosexual sin. But heterosexual adulterers do not gather for public events to celebrate their adultery. Nor do those addicted to pornography stage events to celebrate porn and the sex trafficking and child abuse so endemic to the industry.

Accordingly, when I saw the news from Berlin, I was saddened that such terrorism still persists and that innocent people have been its latest victims. But I had no desire to write an article on the tragedy and no idea what I would say if I did.

A personal confession

Now comes the confession: my desire to avoid focusing on the Berlin attack neither mirrors the heart of God nor reflects the fruit of his Spirit.

As Psalm 139 declares so beautifully, God creates each person and loves each person he creates. This is not because we merit such love but because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). I often quote St. Augustine’s observation that God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.

Consequently, there is nothing those who participate in a Pride event can do to change God’s love for them. LGBTQ behavior is not the unpardonable sin. It is often more visible than “private” heterosexual sin, as I noted, but no more sinful.

If Jesus could love and pray for those who were crucifying him, don’t you think he can love and pray for us all, whatever our sins and failures?

Three practical results

We’ll close this conversation with three consequences.

One: The more a person is living outside God’s will, the more urgently we should offer them the compassionate grace of Christ.

If those attending the Pride event were my children, I would love and grieve for them. The more I loved them, the more I would grieve for them, and the more I grieved for them, the more deeply I would love them. Our Father feels the same way about us all and calls us to be his hands and feet, manifesting his heart to our broken culture.

Two: The more lost the culture, the more urgently we should pray and work for the lost to hear and respond to the gospel.

Only 2.1 percent of Germans are evangelicals. The odds are that many attending the Pride event in Berlin have not heard or responded to the gospel. As a missionary once said to me, if ten people are holding up one end of a log and one person is holding up the other, which end needs my help the most?

Three: We will manifest God’s unconditional love for all people to the degree that we are yielded to the Spirit who produces such love in us (Galatians 5:22).

I assumed that vocational clergy were by nature more godly than the rest of us until I became one. My license, ordination, and seminary degrees did not change my heart. I have no capacity by which to care deeply for those I don’t know or love unconditionally those with whom I disagree. Nor do you.

But Jesus lives in us. He will not enhance our love for others—if we yield our hearts to his Spirit, he will give us his love for them. And his love has changed every heart it encounters.

It will again today.

 

 

Denison Forum

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Standing Strong Against Opposition

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 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said 

—Acts 27:25

Scripture:

Acts 27:25 

Many Christians are tempted to believe the lie that when we’re in the will of God, everything will be smooth sailing. But often just the opposite is true. Doors slam in our faces. Obstacles appear in our paths. Storms arise that threaten to drive us off course.

That’s why we need to remember that we have a spiritual enemy who wants to stop us from doing what God wants us to do. And he will use any means at his disposal to accomplish his work, including causing us to doubt God’s goodness and protection.

Acts 27 tells the story of the apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome. Though he was a prisoner facing trial, he recognized that his circumstances would give him a momentous opportunity to share the gospel with several highly placed Roman officials. He reasonably could have expected smooth sailing all the way to his destination. After all, he was doing the Lord’s will even as his life hung in the balance.

But that’s not how this story goes. An incredible storm arose that caused the people on his ship to despair of their lives—but not Paul. It seems there was no obstacle big enough to stop the apostle. He always seemed to rise above his circumstances. His words to his sailing companions in Acts 27:25 summarize his mindset: “So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said” (NLT). As he went through the storm, he knew God had shown him what to do, and he would let nothing deter him from that course.

When a hard time hits, when a crisis hits, when a tragedy hits, often our first instinct is to look for a way out. We ask God for an airlift out of our problems.

But God wants us to learn in the midst of them. Romans 8:35 and 37 say, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (NIV). Notice the phrase “in all these things.” It isn’t saying we won’t face some of these things. But it says that in them we are more than conquerors.

If you’re seeking to obey the Lord, expect opposition. Expect obstacles. Expect difficulties. But also expect God to see you through.

That applies on a national level as well. Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president, once gave a speech in which he talked about “the man in the arena”—that is, a person, such as a national leader, who is heavily involved in doing what he believes is right, all the while enduring the attacks, criticism, and second-guessing of those who sit on the sidelines.

In an earlier devotion we talked about how electing believers into office facilitates revival in our nation. But we also need to stand by those leaders because our spiritual enemy will do his best to wear them down or neutralize them through continuous attacks.

They need our support.

 

Reflection question: How can you show real support for the Christian leaders of our nation? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Stunted Growth in Carnal Christians

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Corinthians 3:1–2)

The apostle Paul here makes a clear distinction between “spiritual” Christians, controlled and led by the Holy Spirit, and “carnal” Christians, still controlled by the desires of the flesh. A carnal Christian is a baby Christian. Baby Christians are a cause of great rejoicing when they are newborn believers, just like baby people. But if they remain babies indefinitely, they become an annoyance to hear and a tragedy to behold.

Each born-again believer needs urgently to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). That spiritual growth comes only through study of the Word, accompanied by belief and obedience. First there must be “the sincere [or ‘logical’] milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2), but that is good only for the first stages of growth. “For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13–14). Scripture encourages us to grow to maturity and then to continue growing.

Carnal Christians are not necessarily pseudo-Christians, although they should examine themselves to determine whether their profession of faith in Christ is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5), but they should not be content to remain spiritual babes. Every Christian should be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Listening to God

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This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

Isaiah 48:17 (NIV)

God wants to give us direction, but we need to learn to listen in order for that to happen. God leads us in many different ways. Some of the most frequent are His Word, peace, and wisdom. But God cannot lead us at all if we are not willing to do whatever He shows us to do, even if it is not what we would prefer.

Are you ready and willing to say, “Lord, if You lead me, I will follow”? If you make that commitment and truly mean it, then you can expect God’s guidance in your life. It may not always come immediately when you ask for it, but it will come. While you are waiting, just continue to thank Him that He has a plan and will reveal it to you at the right time.

Prayer of the Day: God, help me listen for Your direction and trust Your guidance. Give me peace, wisdom, and a willing heart to follow wherever You lead, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Pursue Gentleness 

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Play

How many disasters have been averted because one person refused to buckle under the strain? It’s this kind of composure Paul is summoning when he says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:5-6 NIV).

The Greek word translated here as “gentleness” describes a temperament that’s seasoned and mature.  It envisions an attitude fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. This gentleness is “evident to all.” Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it.  The gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. The contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others God is in control.

Pursue this gentleness. The Lord is near. You are not alone. You may feel alone. You may think you’re alone. But there is never a moment in which you face life without help. God is near—be anxious for nothing!

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Trees and Fruit

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Read Matthew 7:17–20

On the island of Crete there stands an olive tree estimated to be 3,000 years old. Called “the Olive Tree of Vouves” (the village in which it’s located); it welcomes 20,000 visitors per year. If you’re unable to go in person, a three-dimensional model of the tree can be found online.

Astonishingly, this ancient tree still bears fruit. Which fruit? Olives, of course! (Yes, olives are a fruit.) What else would it bear? Olive trees bear olives. Apple trees bear apples. Peach trees bear peaches. Fig trees bear figs. The same consistency we find in nature is also found in the spiritual realm. The same litmus test we apply to false prophets can also be applied to all self-identified followers of Christ. Some are true, but some are false. The latter will be “thrown into the fire,” that is, sent to hell (v. 19; Matt. 25:46). They never did possess genuine saving faith.

The principle is straightforward: A good tree will bear good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit. This is stated in one verse and repeated for emphasis in the next (vv. 17–18). It is simply impossible for this not to be true! It cannot not be true.

The application is similarly direct: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (v. 20). In context, “them” means false prophets, but it can also refer to self-professed followers of Christ, given the verses that follow (in tomorrow’s devotion). As mentioned yesterday, “fruit” means the results of a person’s words and actions. We should be careful, though, to see “fruit” as God does. Too often we see it in terms of our culture. For example, if a church is growing in numbers or resources, we assume this is godly success. But the Lord doesn’t evaluate in such ways. To Him, it’s all about faithfulness and obedience.

Go Deeper

What did Jesus mean when He said we will recognize false prophets by their fruit? What kind of fruit are you bearing?

Pray with Us

Remind us to look inward at our own hearts, Jesus. Are we walking in faithful obedience to You, and bearing the fruit this brings? Let it be so!

By their fruit you will recognize them.Matthew 7:20

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Priorities

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We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Both the Old Testament (1 Samuel 16:7) and the New Testament draw a clear distinction between the priority of the inner person over the outer person. Yet in our modern world that priority is reversed. Far more attention is put on cultivating the outward appearance than is put on developing the spiritual person.

That’s not to say that the physical person is not important. Paul made clear that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be treated accordingly (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). But Paul also made clear that our physical body is slowly fading away and will return to dust in anticipation of a glorified, eternal body when Christ returns. As he said in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, things that are seen are temporary while things that are not seen are eternal. Death is at work in us physically, but life is at work in us spiritually (verse 12).

Make sure your priorities are biblical and that you are cultivating the life that will live eternally through prayer and Bible study.

All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.
C. S. Lewis

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Words That Honor God

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Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

Today’s Scripture

James 1:19-21

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Today’s Devotion

My friend, Alex, a book editor, checked his inbox, anticipating an angry email from an author. He’d been working with a prominent business leader on the client’s manuscript for months. Unexpectedly, the publisher had decided to halt the publication of the book due to company problems. After emailing the author the bad news, Alex braced himself.

A week later a reply came. “I didn’t answer right away because I wanted to think first about my words and how to respond,” the author wrote. He expressed disappointment, then calmly stated how he thought the publisher could’ve handled the issue.

The author’s wise, measured response left a deep impression on me. His behavior reflected what the Bible says our communication should be like, especially when we’re angry. The apostle James tells us to keep “a tight rein on [our] tongues” because it’s easy to sin with our words (James 1:26; see 3:5-6). We’re to prioritize listening to others so we can understand them, choose our words, and consider whether it’s necessary to get angry (1:19).

Not only does restraint in speech help us to avoid sin and allow the Scriptures to change us (v. 21), but it also reflects who God is to others: “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 103:8). Let’s model our loving God with our words—and our silences.

Reflect & Pray

When angered, how can you restrain your communication? How do your words reflect your faith?  

Wise Father, please help me to be quick to listen, and slow to speak and become angry.

Today’s Insights

The book of James cycles through a handful of themes that are introduced in the first chapter and revisited throughout the letter. One of these themes is the tongue, which James compares to a rudder, a fire, a horse’s bit, and poison (3:1-12). The tongue is important to monitor, especially for teachers (vv. 1-2). It’s also difficult to tame, he says, and rare is the person who has control over it (v. 8). How refreshing it is, then, when a person is “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (1:19). Words that honor God are like a spring of water that overflows with “praise” rather than “cursing” (3:9-10) and “[produces] the righteousness God desires” (1:20). This kind of righteous life is characterized by heavenly wisdom that’s “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (3:17-18).

For further study, read When Anger Burns.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Mass shooting in Seattle kills three, injures toddler

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A mass shooting last night in Seattle left three people dead and four wounded, including a toddler. A barrage of gunshots rang out around 6 p.m. at Seattle Center, where thousands of people had gathered for a food festival. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said one person had been taken into custody; another suspected shooter remains at large at this writing.

A police official stated that the two appeared to be shooting at each other. Two guns were recovered at the scene, but no apparent motive has been disclosed thus far.

In other news, a crowd of people in Berlin was leaving an LGBTQ festival at the center of the German capital Saturday night when a white van plowed into them. The small van crashed into a tree; authorities said the driver then attacked passersby with what appeared to be a machete. One person was killed, and twenty-nine others were wounded.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Mass shooting in Seattle kills three, injures toddler →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Adding to the Fellowship

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 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. 

—Acts 2:44–47

Scripture:

I love new believers. They are the lifeblood of the church. When I have the privilege of speaking to other pastors, I tell them that if they don’t have a constant flow of new believers coming into their congregations, they will become spiritually dead. We can either evangelize or fossilize.

Show me a church where new believers are not coming in, and I’ll show you a church that is stagnating. Show me a church that has new believers coming in on a regular basis, and I’ll show you a church that has vibrancy and life.

That said, new believers need older believers to stabilize them. New believers’ hearts are full of zeal, but they don’t understand the ground rules yet. They need older believers to teach them.

Older believers also need new believers. They need their zeal. They need their passion. They need their excitement to remind them of what they’ve forgotten.

Sadly, it’s usually the new believers who want to do the most when they know the least. When we ask people to help out with something at Harvest Christian Fellowship, we often have new believers who come and say they want to help: “I’ll do whatever you need. I would like to sign up for six ministries.”

While we’re very appreciative of their willingness to serve, we want them to have a good foundation first so they can be properly trained and equipped to do what God has called them to do.

On the other hand, there are older believers who have known the Lord for years, maybe even decades, who don’t give a passing thought to helping out at church. It should be just the opposite.

But as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, I want to point out that what’s true for the church is also true for our country. New believers are the lifeblood of our country. Our nation was forged in the flames of revival. And we pray for a new revival to sweep across this country.

The description of the church in Acts 2:44–47 serves as a model: “And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved” (NLT).

In the meantime, every new believer, every decision made for Christ, represents a mini revival. As these new believers commit themselves to the biblical truths and principles on which our nation is built, our nation becomes incrementally stronger, more vibrant, and more attuned to God’s leading.

When we share our faith, we’re not only changing lives, but we’re also changing our country.

 

Reflection question: What would it look like in your life to prioritize sharing your faith? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – A Debtor to Grace

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)

All too often we find ourselves as frustrated as the apostle Paul in that we often know to do the right thing, to abstain from a particular sin, but we quickly fall right back into that sin. We must daily recognize our sinful habits and determine in our hearts, with strength from the Holy Spirit, to withstand the sin and overcome temptation. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). The writer of “Come Thou Fount” had the same frustration.

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.

Scripture tells us we are secure in Christ, never to be separated. Christ informed His disciples that “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29). We are safe in Christ’s hand surrounded by the Father’s hand. And then the transaction is sealed by “the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

Take courage. We are secure in Him. JDM

 

 

 

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

 

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Go Beyond Words and Help Others

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But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him?

1 John 3:17 (AMPC)

We are all different, and we each have different needs. I urge you to go the extra mile and begin to truly listen to what people tell you about their needs, being ready to help them. Because sometimes we give people what is easy for us to give, but we are still not meeting their need.

Perhaps you can easily give people words of encouragement, so you tend to encourage everyone. This is good because everyone needs some words of encouragement, but you might be giving those words to people who really need you to see that, more than words of encouragement, they need practical help in some way.

They may be three months behind on the rent and instead of simply encouraging them to believe God will provide, they need you to help them pay the rent. If you are not able to help financially, that is understandable, but it is good to at least consider doing something extra to go along with your words when the situation calls for more action.

Prayer of the Day: God, help me truly see the needs of others. Teach me to love people through both encouraging words and meaningful action, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God’s Providence 

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Play

Sometime ago I made a special visit to the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem. I wanted to see the handwritten lyrics that hang on the wall, framed and visible for all to see. Horatio Spafford wrote them, never imagining they would become the words to one of the world’s best-loved hymns.

On December 2, 1873, he received a telegram from his wife that began, “Saved alone. What shall I do?” The ship she was on had collided with another ship and had sunk. Their four daughters drowned and Anna survived.  While sailing on the ship to bring her home, Spafford wrote the lyrics to a song that would become an anthem to the providence of God. “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say…It is Well with My Soul!”

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – False Prophets

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Read Matthew 7:15–16

Fans of the Peanuts comic strip know that Linus often talks about the Great Pumpkin around Halloween. He tries to convince others to sit with him in the pumpkin patch on Halloween night, waiting and hoping for the Great Pumpkin to appear. Some kids call him a “false prophet.” “No one in my class has ever seen a false prophet,” says Sally. “How about joining me for ‘Show and Tell’?”

There are two kinds of prophets implied in today’s reading: true and false. Followers of Christ are to watch out for and be on guard against false prophets (v. 15). The picture of a wolf in sheep’s clothing tells us that false prophets are deceptive and harmful. They might claim to be telling God’s truth but they’re lying. They’re “ferocious,” actively prowling to do damage. This word has also been translated “ravenous” or “vicious.”

We will recognize false prophets by their fruit, that is, the results of their words and actions (v. 16). After all, people do not pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles! But they might tickle our ears and fill us with false hopes: “They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jer. 23:16). All this suggests that false prophets won’t be difficult to recognize… if we’re careful and on our guard.

Watchfulness is an underrated virtue, but one that is often recommended by Jesus. He spoke of it in connection with His return (Matt. 24:42–43). The end times will be characterized by false prophets who might deceive even true followers of Christ (Matt. 24:24). In fact, “Many will follow [false prophets’] depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:1–3). But don’t worry—their doom is assured!

Go Deeper

Are there false prophets today? How would we recognize one? Are we bold enough to call them out in the name of Christ? Why or why not?

Pray with Us

Lord, we want to be on our guard against false prophets. As we are bombarded by messages, fill us with discernment to know Your truths. We are grateful that we can always trust You.

They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.Matthew 7:15

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Narrow Gate

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Read Matthew 7:13–14

The narrow gate and the narrow way are vividly visualized in John Bunyan’s classic The Pilgrim’s Progress. The main character, Christian, meets others who climb over the fence instead of passing through the narrow gate, and some who choose an easier path. At times he’s tempted off the right path himself but nothing good ever happens in these cases. Christian learns his lesson, but other would-be pilgrims fail spectacularly.

The Sermon on the Mount some-what resembles wisdom literature, in that topics can change quickly. There’s not always a direct connection from one topic to the next. That’s the case throughout much of Matthew 7.

The idea of two spiritual paths is a common metaphor in Scripture, often seen, for example, in Psalms and Proverbs. The wrong path is wide and broad, which leads to destruction, that is, hell (v. 13). The right path is the small gate and narrow road. These lead to life, that is, heaven (v. 14). This is not the same as seeing the world in black-and-white. Wisdom, after all, is contextual. Rather, the metaphor of two paths contrasts two ways of life or two trajectories of choices over time. Most translations also contain the idea that the broad road is easy, and the narrow one is difficult. Our tendency is to choose the easier way, but God’s intention is in the other direction.

Jesus’ teaching is simple: Take one way and not the other. It will be simple to tell the difference. One will be easy and the other hard. One will be taken by many, the other by few. The New English Translation even makes verse 14 an exclamation: “How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!”

Go Deeper

How can we effectively and winsomely share the gospel with someone this week? And if you aren’t on the narrow path, we invite you to follow Jesus today! Go to moodybible.org/knowing-christ.

Pray with Us

Walking the narrow path on this earth is not always easy, God. Thank You for being with us as we seek to follow You. Give us the strength to choose the hard way.

Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.Matthew 7:14

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Living Water of Christ

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Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. John 4:14

Today’s Scripture

John 4:7-8, 13-18, 21, 23-26

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

As I gazed at the intricate etching Christ and the Woman of Samaria by Dutch artist Rembrandt, two interesting details caught my eye. The first was Jesus’ humble pose—leaning over, with His hand over His heart—as he addressed the Samaritan woman. Due to centuries of hostilities between the two groups, Jews typically didn’t “associate with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Yet Jesus reached out with respect and dignity to a woman considered an outcast (vv. 17-18).

Jesus knew the woman’s struggles and offered “living water” (v. 10) to satisfy her deepest need—the gift of cleansing and life-giving grace available through a restored relationship with God.

The second detail that caught my eye was the dark shadow covering the woman’s face, symbolizing her initial struggle to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, or Israel’s promised rescuer. When the woman told Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming” (v. 25) and He responded, “I am he” (v. 26), her eyes and heart were opened (v. 29).

As we encounter people who are spiritually thirsty, Jesus’ example reminds me to speak with humility and kindness, praying for God to remove the shadow that “has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4) so they can fully understand Christ’s life-changing offer of living water.

Reflect & Pray

How did you first experience Christ’s “living water”? Who can you pray for that needs Jesus’ gift of living water?

Heavenly Father, with Your kindness and humility, please help me share with the hurting Your offer of living, life-transforming water.

Today’s Insights

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman is remarkable on two counts. When He asked her for water, she responded, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (John 4:9). Jews had no dealings with Samaritans because they were a people of mixed-race (see 2 Kings 17:24-41). The woman was also likely surprised that Christ, a man, would speak to her as a woman, for that rarely happened in a public setting. In both cases, Jesus displayed kindness that overruled man-made boundaries. As we encounter people today, God can help us share His love with humility and kindness.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – BURNOUT: Reorienting our disorientation

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“Burnout” is a term common to Western Civilization’s vernacular. An AI Overview indicates that Google Search displays 150-200 million general web results (News, blogs, and resources) for “burnout”. Google Scholar indexes over 1.9 million academic studies and scholarly publications on the subject, and Google News offers hundreds of continuously updated articles on burnout across a variety of workplaces and lifestyles.

Often associated with endeavors requiring daily discipline, diligence, redundancy, long hours, and measurable production, this pervasive buzzword and endemic condition seemingly expresses itself in every facet of society and has become the catalyst for all of life’s stress, exhaustion, and dissatisfaction. It has become so prevalent that even the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019) has seen the need to classify the term not as a medical condition but as an occupational phenomenon.

Not even the faith community is exempt. With the tendency of the Western church to “baptize” as her own the popular trends and maladies of the day, even clergy now utilize the term with great frequency.

Continue reading Denison Forum – BURNOUT: Reorienting our disorientation →

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – His Precious Blood

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“But the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them . . . . Then Samuel took a stone . . . and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:10–12)

The Philistines had stolen the Ark of the Covenant, given to Israel by God. In a battle to take it back, the Lord miraculously intervened, routed the Philistines, and retrieved the Ark. Samuel, the spiritual leader of Israel, ordered the people to erect a lasting “stone of remembrance,” an ebenezer, to commemorate God’s deliverance of them from their enemies. This scene is reflected in the hymn “Come Thou Fount.”

Here I raise my Ebenezer,
hither by thy help I come;
And I hope by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
interposed His precious blood.

The great “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 extols many Bible heroes for their great works of faith and mentions those who would overcome deadly trials after Bible times. Some survived, some were killed, some wandered to find their dwelling place, but all needed rescue through the shed blood of Jesus. For you “know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19), “which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:6). Come quickly, Thou Fount. JDM

 

 

 

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

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