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All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.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

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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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Christ Is Your Strength

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..How can you speak good things when you are evil (wicked)? For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:34 (AMPC)

The Bible says that out of the heart the mouth speaks. We can learn a lot about ourselves by listening to ourselves. Do your thoughts and words reflect your complete dependence on God, realizing that His abilities (not your own) empower you to do anything you need to do in life?

I had to examine my own thoughts and words and ask myself if I portrayed a person who had faith in God, and I encourage you to do the same. I didn’t like all of my answers, but the exercise in self-examination did open my eyes to understanding that I needed to make some changes. Realizing we are wrong in an area is never a problem. The problem comes when we refuse to face truth and continue making excuses.

Be willing to face anything God wants to show you and ask Him to change you. If you are trusting in your own strength, begin to trust God instead. If you are trying to do things out of your own human abilities and growing frustrated, tell God you want Him to work through you and let His sufficiency be your sufficiency (Phil. 4:13).

When challenges arise, I encourage you to develop a habit of immediately saying, “I can do whatever I need to do through Christ Who is my strength.” Remember that words are containers for power, and when you say the right thing, it will help you do the right thing. Don’t fill your containers, (words) with things that disable you, for truly you are able to do all things through Christ. God will ask you to do things you’d never be able to do in your own strength, but He will give you His strength to do them.

As you meditate over and over on the thought, I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ, you will find that you are not as easily overwhelmed by situations that arise. Each time you roll that thought over in your mind or speak it, you are developing a healthy mindset that enables you to be victorious.

Prayer of the Day: God, help me trust Your strength instead of my own. Show me areas where I need to grow and teach me to depend fully on You.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – The Solid Rock: A House on the Rock

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Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24

Recommended Reading: Luke 6:46-49

“The wise man built his house upon the rock…. And the rains came tumbling down. The rains came down, and the floods came up…. And the house on the rock stood firm.”1

Many Christians have fond memories of singing in their childhood Sunday school classes. One of the most memorable songs they probably sang was about a wise man who built his house on the rock and a foolish man who built his house on the sand. Complete with hand motions, the song taught the lesson found in Jesus’ parable in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus likened the rock to His teachings—building a house (life) on His words would be a strong defense against life’s winds, rains, and floods. Ignoring His teachings would be the equivalent of building a house on the sand. In the Middle East there is no shortage of rocks and sand—the lesson would have been obvious to Jesus’ listeners.

Take Jesus’ words to heart—build your life on the sure foundation of His Word.

My conscience is captive to the Word of God.
Martin Luther

  1. Ann Omley, “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man,” 1948, public domain.

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Serving God, Not Self

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During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it . . . as a monument to himself. 2 Samuel 18:18

Today’s Scripture

2 Samuel 18:12-18

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Today’s Devotion

The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II thought so much of himself that he had numerous structures built in his honor, including many monuments that captured his physical features. One, the colossal statue of Ramesses II, stands thirty-six feet tall and weighs eighty-three tons in all its red-granite glory. Age wasn’t kind to the proud ruler, however. In fact, when he died, he was suffering from bad teeth, arthritis, and chronic heart problems. Some of his monuments might last for a while, but—like all mortals—he himself passed.

Absalom, one of King David’s sons, also built “a monument to himself” (2 Samuel 18:18). Fueled by rage from past tragedy (see ch. 13) and selfish ambition, this younger man worked to steal “the hearts of the people of Israel” from his father (15:6). When Absalom attempted to pilfer the throne, however, God didn’t allow him to overpower David, His anointed king (1 Samuel 16:12-13), and David’s fighting men (2 Samuel 18:6). In the end, Absalom was killed for his treachery. Although his monument still stood (v. 18), he died humbled and defeated.

Building monuments to ourselves and serving our own pride and desires won’t end well. But as we humbly serve God and love Him well (Philippians 2:3-8), we’ll find true meaning and fulfillment in His presence.

Reflect & Pray

Why is living for and serving yourself an empty pursuit? What does it look like for you to humbly serve God?

All-powerful God, please help me to serve You in love and humility. You’re the only one who’s worthy of my worship.

Today’s Insights

In 2 Samuel 13, we learn that Absalom’s sister Tamar is assaulted by their half-brother Amnon. Their father, King David, is furious about the news but does nothing (v. 21). Two years later, Absalom takes matters into his own hands and has Amnon killed (vv. 23, 28-29). Again, David does nothing—for years (see ch. 14). So Absalom’s anger and insurrection against his father was largely due to David’s inaction, poor choices, and lack of guidance. Absalom’s “monument to himself” (18:18) is just one sign of his alienation from David and from God. Today, as believers in Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit inside us to guide us. Empowered by Him, we’re called to trust in God’s sense of justice. He helps us to humbly serve Him and to value others above ourselves.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – What many people don’t know about “The Odyssey”

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I saw The Odyssey this week. I’m a bit late to the party: The film has made over $322 million as of today. When BBC Culture asked writers around the globe to pick stories that have endured across generations and changed society, Homer’s poem topped the list. The book has been translated into English at least sixty times and rendered in movies more than three dozen times.

Christopher Nolan’s version is truly spectacular. His film required 5,300 costumes and spanned 91 days of filming in six countries. Moving the Trojan horse alone required 250 actors and stunt performers. The movie amazes audiences with its mythical creatures brought to life largely without CGI.

But there’s more to the story behind the movie than many people know.

Giving the audience “reasons to believe”

The Odyssey is a poem comprising 12,109 lines that is thought to have been composed by the Greek poet Homer around three thousand years ago. The poem circulated orally for centuries before it was written down in the mid-sixth century BC for the Panathenaia Festival, likely on rolls of papyrus. More than a thousand ancient copies of The Odyssey and The Iliad have been found, substantiating the accuracy of the manuscripts we possess.

Continue reading Denison Forum – What many people don’t know about “The Odyssey” →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Secret of Success

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 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 

—Ecclesiastes 12:13

Scripture:

It is my belief that one of the reasons for the great success of the United States of America over our 250-year history can be found in our origins, the fact that our nation’s founding was deeply shaped by a belief that liberty depends on moral virtue, and many of the founders saw biblical faith as essential to that virtue.

Now that certainly is a far cry from where we are today. But we desperately need a biblical worldview today, and we desperately need to follow God’s commandments.

We can either accept the truths of Scripture or fight against them as a nation and as individuals. And, I might add, we will reap the inevitable results.

As Vance Havner, a preacher and revivalist, once said, “We speak of ‘breaking the laws of God’ but actually we cannot break them. If you jump from the Empire State Building you don’t break the law of gravitation—you just break your neck! The Ten Commandments stand today, unchanged and unchangeable. When we violate them, we suffer. What we sow, we reap. God is not mocked. When we crash into the pillars of God’s eternal principles, we are smashed but the pillars remain standing.”

He’s right. You can’t break the laws of God, but you will break yourself against them. You can buck against these truths and say, “These don’t apply to me, and I will live the way I want to live.” Or you can see the wisdom God has in giving these commandments to us.

The author of Ecclesiastes could not be any clearer on the matter. “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT).

But obeying God’s commands is more than a duty; it’s also an opportunity. Remember, God created us. He knows exactly how we’re wired and what’s best for us. His commands are one of the means He uses to help us discover what’s best for us.

His commands are intended not to restrict us but rather to allow us to enjoy life to the fullest, as He intends. They show us the way to experience soul-deep joy—the kind of joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances or moods. His commands also point the way toward genuine fulfillment and the peace that comes from knowing that we’re doing what we were created to do.

God’s commands keep us in spiritual balance. Obedience is essential to our relationship with our heavenly Father. When we prioritize His instructions and live according to His principles, we enjoy His blessings.

Likewise, our country was created to honor God’s commandments. Until we begin to prioritize them again, we will not fulfill the destiny He has for us.

It’s our choice. We can do it the easy way, or we can do it the hard way.

 

Reflection question: What helped you recognize the wisdom in obeying God’s commands? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Come Thou Fount

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6)

Promises of God’s fountain of blessings fill Scripture. They beckon our prayers for fulfillment, not only in heaven but even now. Christ assured us that “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The precious hymn “Come Thou Fount” reminds us of our position of blessing in Christ. The first verse says:

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.

God acts toward believers in grace and mercy, not deserved justice, eliciting praise from the recipients. His “fount” assures us that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

We look forward to singing and praising our Lord with the angelic “flaming tongues” above for all eternity. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever . . . saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:10–11). “I heard the voice of many angels . . . saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (5:11–12).

Even so, come Thou Fount. JDM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God Wants You to Enjoy Life

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He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?

Romans 8:32 (AMPC)

Some people seem to have the idea that to be a Christian they have to give up everything they enjoy, but that is not true. God is love, He is good, and He wants us to enjoy good things. The Bible says God gives us all things ceaselessly to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to take our sins and give us life, and life more abundantly (John 3:16; 10:10). That’s something to be forever grateful for! Anything God teaches us not to do is only for our benefit. We obey His commands for our own good according to the Word of God.

When we receive Jesus, we receive the kingdom of God within us, and that kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). We can choose to continue living with misery, depression, discouragement, fear, worry, anxiety, guilt, and condemnation, but Jesus wants us to receive freedom from those things. God doesn’t want us carrying them around any longer. Through Jesus, we can live the joyful, overcoming, abundant life we were meant to live.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to realize that You have nothing but good things in store for my life. Thank You that even when You correct and instruct me, You are showing me a better way to live. I am grateful for Your goodness and the joyful life I can experience in You.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Golden Rule

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Read Matthew 7:9–12

As I was writing this devotional, my daughter celebrated a birthday. I selected the perfect gift and wrapped it—a rock from our backyard. No. Of course not. What kind of father would do that? Instead, I gave her something called a Squishmallow, a gift I knew she would love.

As Jesus pointed out, if human fathers know how to love their children, how much more does our heavenly Father love us! Our confidence to ask, seek, and knock (as we learned yesterday) is ultimately rooted in the goodness and love of our Father God (vv. 9–11). If our child asked us for bread, we would not give them a stone. Why not? Because we love them and want the best for them. Once again, Jesus was arguing from the smaller to the greater: If we, sinners though we are, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will God do the same! So why are we afraid to trust Him?

This is a humbling analogy for us. We know how to give good gifts to our children even though we’re evil (v. 11). Ouch. And that’s a best-case scenario. We all know that some parents do treat their children in truly evil ways. God never does so.

Jesus concluded: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (v. 12). This is sometimes called the Golden Rule. If applied, it would definitely slow down our tendency to judge (v. 1)! It’s not just an ethical idea that sounds fair. As we see here, in context, it’s based on the goodness of God: Since God does good things for us, we should do good things for others.

Go Deeper

Why does Jesus tell us that we can fully depend on God? In what ways can we better trust the Lord to be the good and loving Father He is?

Pray with Us

Righteous Father, we look to You in humble gratitude for all that You have given us. Lead us to love others as You love us.

Do to others what you would have them do to you.Matthew 7:12

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

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