Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Fives: The Fivefold Ministry

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He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
Ephesians 4:11

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16

People took their seats and waited for the concert to begin. The musicians were world-class, and the music would be masterful. Suddenly each musician began playing their instrument with polished skill—violinists, flutists, percussionists. But the sound was a confusing set of grating noises. Then the conductor stepped onto the platform. With a single motion, the instruments began playing in a balanced and beautiful way.

In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us the Church is a group of people, each with their own gifts and role to play, and we must follow the direction of Jesus. Some are apostles, missionaries who are sent to plant churches. Some are prophets, taking the Word of God and exhorting. Some are evangelists with a gift of leading others to Christ. Others are pastors who shepherd the flock and teachers who feed the flock.

The end result? We will be built up with unity and maturity. Take your place, and remember when each of us follows Christ’s lead, our churches will not be a collection of noise but a symphony of grace sounding forth the truth.

Pastors and teachers are to equip the saints…to serve, to build the Body, to be the church in the world and do the work of ministry.
Charles Colson

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – A Marriage Observed

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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other. Ephesians 4:32

Today’s Scripture

Ephesians 4:26-32

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Of all United States presidents, Jimmy Carter had the longest marriage. He and his wife Rosalyn were married for seventy-seven years. When Carter was asked the secret to his long, successful marriage, he replied, “Choose the right person to marry.” Beyond that, he named three other concepts for marital success: reconciliation, communication, and devotion to faith.

We see the idea of reconciliation in Ephesians 4:26: “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” The Carters took this seriously. “Every night, we try to make sure we’re completely reconciled from all the arguments during the day,” Jimmy once said. We can also see the secret to Christlike communication in Ephesians 4. Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32).

God ordained marriage as something good—something established by Him (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). Proverbs 18:22 says that marriage is a divine blessing: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” And the way we treat one another, in marriage and in the entire body of Christ, can encourage and positively affect others. Whether we’re single or married, our words and actions can truly reflect the loving, forgiving heart of Christ.

Reflect & Pray

How can God help you reflect Christ in your relationships? What does it mean to be compassionate and forgiving today?

 

Dear Jesus, please help me to compassionately forgive others and point them to You. 

What does forgiveness look like? Is it a single act or a process? Do we wait until we feel ready to forgive? Do we require the other person to repent, or is forgiveness personal and internal, something we do for ourselves? If we forgive, does that mean we must immediately return to a persistently abusive relationship? You can read more for answers to these questions at the following link: https://www.odbm.org/en/spiritual-living/family-relationships/risking-forgiveness

Today’s Insights

Ephesians 4:26-32 begins with an assumption that anger is inevitable: “In your anger do not sin” (v. 26). But Paul quickly guards against any sinful expression of anger: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (v. 31). The emphasis in this passage, as in other epistles, isn’t only on behaviors that give the “devil a foothold” (v. 27) and “grieve the Holy Spirit” (v. 30). It’s also on what we replace our actions with as we “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (v. 24). Our individual submission to God’s supernatural righteousness makes it possible to follow His example: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32). In all our relationships, God can help us reflect the forgiving heart of Jesus.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – The fight continues for surrogate mother who fled to Texas

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Why this story is more complicated than it seems

When McKenna West, a cardiac nurse from Alaska, agreed to become the surrogate for a California couple late last year, she had no way of knowing that the decision would put her name in national headlines. However, when the baby she was carrying was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in April, that all started to change.

The biological parents—Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed—pushed for an abortion and, initially, West agreed. However, she had a change of heart before going through with it and eventually sought refuge in Texas to ensure the child could be born and would be well-positioned to receive the necessary surgeries to save his life. The day before she gave birth, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened, and a judge in Dallas ruled that the baby must be given the necessary treatment and remain in Texas while also granting the biological parents’ request that West not be allowed to make medical decisions for the child or be around him.

The baby boy—who was named Rumi by his birth parents and Gabriel by West—has since received the first of those surgeries and is recovering. Details are sparse, though, and representatives for Gilkar and Ahmed have said they don’t intend to offer any further updates on the situation. However, the parents are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, at which point a judge will rule on the temporary restraining order they filed against West, so it’s likely they will have to provide updates at that point.

Until then, the story is likely to continue generating controversy, particularly because few seem to be able to agree on the details of what actually precipitated West’s flight to Texas.

Why the truth is hard to find

One of the most difficult parts of discerning fact from fiction in this story is that most of the details trickled out after the headlines had already been written. The largest point of contention surrounds the initial push for an abortion.

Court documents filed in Alaska on July 20 stipulate that Gilkar, Ahmed, and West were all in agreement on an abortion initially. However, the later-term nature of the pregnancy (West was at twenty weeks at the time of diagnosis) meant that she would have to travel from Alaska to Seattle to find a doctor willing to do it. While she waited for her appointment, she researched hospitals that treated HLHS and found that a Dallas hospital had a 100 percent success rate with the initial round of three surgeries.

She then decided against an abortion. When the biological parents learned of her decision, she claims they stopped covering her doctor’s visits and surrogacy payments while threatening to sue her if she refused to comply. They’ve since made good on that threat, suing West for $100,000 for an alleged breach of contract and emotional distress.

Eventually, both sides seem to have agreed to forgo abortion, and the primary point of contention shifted to where the child should be born. The parents pushed for California, while West was adamant that the hospitals in Texas were better suited to the necessary treatments.

At this point, it’s hard to know whether her highest priority was ensuring that the pregnancy would continue in a state where abortion is illegal or getting to a place with the highest quality of care. Perhaps both played a significant role in her decision.

Again, everyone has said the right things about wanting what’s best for the child in the days since this story became public, but the biological parents have to know that doing anything to jeopardize the health of the child now would look awful.

At the same time, West is now seeking parental rights and custody of the baby under the belief that Texas law “recognizes anyone who gives birth in Texas as the legal mother of the child.”

Where this story goes from here is anyone’s guess, but there are a few takeaways that we cannot afford to lose sight of amidst the conflict.

Three points to remember

First, human lives should never be used as political props. 

While Ken Paxton and his office may have genuinely had the best interests of West and the baby she carried at heart when they interceded on their behalf, abortion has become such a political issue that it’s easy for people like Lee Budner, the lawyer for the biological parents, to denounce it as “political theater” when that’s how the issue of abortion has been used by other politicians in the past.

It’s great when governments—state or federal—pass laws that make it easier to protect life. But neither side wins when the actual lives at stake are lost in the shuffle. We cannot afford to forget that there are real people suffering and dying because of our culture’s inability to see that life is important at all stages.

Second, neither side is above making that mistake. 

When those on the pro-choice side dehumanize a baby in the womb in order to advocate for its mother’s rights, it’s tragic and indefensible. However, when those on the pro-life side automatically villainize the mother when studies show more than three-quarters of them don’t want to get an abortion, we’re also in the wrong.

The truth is that all of us who care deeply about this issue are guilty of allowing emotions to narrow our focus to the point that we assume the worst of those who disagree with us. That’s not a good way to change hearts and minds, which is the only way we’ll ever see a real change in our nation’s approach to abortion. That doesn’t mean equivocating on the facts or budging on the truth, but God’s call to “speak the truth in love” is just as relevant to this topic as it is to the broader work of ministry (Ephesians 4:15).

Lastly, this story is still a cause for celebration. 

For all the fighting, lawsuits, and discrepancies between each party’s account of what happened, a baby that would have died is now alive, and that’s important. While the child still has a long path ahead of him, for now at least, it appears he will receive the care he needs.

When dealing with a problem as vast as abortion, where more than a million lives are lost every year before they even get a chance to take their first breath, it’s easy to get discouraged. After all, more children are lost to abortion now than before Roe v. Wade was overturned. And when even the moments that feel like progress don’t seem to make much of a difference, remembering that every life saved is important can help us not lose hope. At the end of the day, that’s what I’m taking from this story.

So, while we should continue to pray for the baby, his biological parents, and for West, let’s also take a moment to rejoice in the simple fact that he is alive. Praise God for that.

Quote of the day:

“Words not spoken in love are like knocking on the door of an empty house. You can make a lot of noise, but no one will respond.” —T. J. Greene

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Denison Forum

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Thou Shalt

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 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 

—Psalm 119:1

Scripture:

Psalm 119:1 

The psalmist wrote, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1 NLT). That may come as quite a surprise to people who fail to see the connection between following instructions and joy.

Many unbelievers—and believers—have a hard time getting past the “Thou shalt nots” of God’s commandments. They see God as a cosmic killjoy whose primary interaction with humankind is to legislate through His Word the complete elimination of fun and excitement.

This isn’t just an accidental misunderstanding of our heavenly Father; it’s the result of a calculated strategy. Look at the serpent’s first words to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT). He played on her FOMO—fear of missing out—before she was even aware that she had such a fear. The serpent caused her to see God’s command, His only command, as something ponderous and restrictive. And the stigma remains.

So, we need to make this clear: People who see the Bible and the Christian life as little more than a list of rules and regulations have not carefully examined Scripture. Yes, God tells us what to avoid. Yes, He warns us of things that are perilous to our spiritual health. At the same time, however, God tells us what to engage in. He reveals to us what will push the buttons of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that He installed in us.

For example, in 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul writes, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts” (NLT). But then he follows it up with this: “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (NLT). What an appealing invitation! What potential for life-changing growth, joy, and fulfillment!

Believers who merely try to avoid what is evil are missing the point. Loving God isn’t just about what not to do. It’s also about what to do. If you want to be a truly joyful and holy person, you not only should avoid what is wrong, but you should embrace and actively engage in what is right. That’s what walking with the Lord is about. It involves progression, moving forward, rather than sitting still.

In Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth, he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT). Each one of those things represents forward progress. Paul gives clear commands, and we apply them faithfully in the particular situations God places before us.

If we focus only on the “Thou shalt not” commandments of Scripture, we’ll miss those opportunities.

 

Reflection question: Which positive instructions in Scripture will you prioritize this week? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Face of Jesus Christ

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

The light that shines in the soul of a lost sinner when he first comes to know Jesus Christ can only be compared to the light that Christ called forth on Day One of the creation week. We met this God of glory spiritually when we first beheld in our hearts the face of Jesus Christ.

But the face of Jesus Christ was not always deemed so glorious. We read of a time when ungodly men did “spit in his face” (Matthew 26:67), took a blindfold “to cover his face” (Mark 14:65), and finally, with a rain of terrible blows, “struck him on the face” (Luke 22:64). Once His “countenance [was] as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars” (Song of Solomon 5:15), but when they finished their assault, “his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14).

“The face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12), however, and the time is coming very soon when all those who have turned their faces from Him will call “to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16). When finally they will have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in all its consuming strength, not even the world itself will stand, “from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (20:11).

For those who have looked on Him in faith, however, this will not be a time of judgment but blessing, for “they shall see his face” (22:4). The face of Jesus Christ, fierce as a devouring fire to those He must judge, is glorious in beauty and love to those who believe. HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Leave the Wilderness Behind

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The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey…”

Deuteronomy 1:6-7 (ESV)

The Israelites spent 40 years making a journey that should have taken them only 11 days. They kept going around and around the same old mountains but never making any progress. Do you ever feel like you are doing that? Do you keep coming up against the same problems over and over and just don’t seem to know how to get past them? In Horeb, God had spoken to them: You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey (Deut. 1:6–7 ESV). Then He went on to say, See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers (Deut. 1:8 ESV). I think God is telling us that it is time to press forward and start enjoying the good life He has for us.

One thing that can happen when our soul is wounded is that we can get stuck in life. We can become discouraged about ourselves and about the future. We can easily end up simply trying to survive each day. But that is not the way God wants us to think! He wants us to think about the fact that He wants to heal us and make us strong and whole—and that He has great plans for our future. He wants you to be full of hope, expecting good things to happen to you.

The truth is that God always has new and better things ahead for you. The reason the Israelites made no progress for so long is that they had what I call a “wilderness mentality”—certain mindsets and ways of thinking that kept them from moving into God’s promises and the future He had for them. Examples of the kind of wilderness mentality you might struggle with include: “God loves everyone else more than He loves me.” “My past will always be a problem for me.” Or, “My dreams will never come true.” Any negative, doubt-filled thoughts in your mind will keep you stuck right where you are.

Have you “stayed long enough” at a certain place in your life? Maybe it is a place of abuse or betrayal or deep disappointment. It could be anything that has caused you to feel like you can’t move forward or like your life is going nowhere.

It’s time to renew your mind according to God’s Word (Rom. 12:2) and make a decision to choose your thoughts carefully. Think in ways that agree with God’s Word, which says His plans for you are good and will give you hope for your future (Jer. 29:11). Let me encourage you to decide today that you have stayed long enough in the same place. Take God’s advice to the Israelites, and “turn and take your journey.” Leave your wilderness and wilderness mentalities behind and move toward the great things God has ahead for you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I refuse to stay stuck any longer. Renew my mind, heal my soul, and help me move forward into the good plans and hopeful future You have prepared for me. You are so good to me and I love You, amen.

 

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Speak Boldly

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Read Acts 9:1–22

Saul’s conversion is one of the most dramatic in Scripture. At the start, Saul was aggressively pursuing Jesus’ disciples (v. 1). He even requested letters from the high priest, giving him permission to capture any followers of the Way in the synagogue (v. 2). However, while on the road to Damascus, Jesus spoke to him through a flashing light and audible voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (vv. 3–4). Jesus’ communication with Saul was both personal and confrontational. Saul responded, “Who are you, Lord?”

The word translated “Lord” can be a general term of respect, so Saul likely did not know who was speaking. Jesus answered: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (v. 5b). God then gave Saul clear instructions to enter the city, wait, and listen. Saul’s companions were speechless, and Saul was struck blind. He was unable to act on his own accord. Jesus had his attention, and Saul could only wait.

In the next conversation, Jesus spoke to Ananias in a vision, instructing him to find Saul and restore his sight (vv. 11, 12). Ananias responded honestly, expressing his fear and reluctance (vv. 13, 14). But God revealed to Ananias Saul’s new identity and mission (vv. 15, 16). In the final conversation, Ananias found Saul, laid his hands on him, called him “brother,” and restored his sight (v. 17). The scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he was baptized as a follower of Jesus (v. 18).

Immediately, Saul began to preach the gospel boldly in the Damascus synagogues (v. 20)—although he had a credibility problem. The Jews knew of his reputation and were understandably leery. That did not deter Saul, however. He continued to preach and his ministry bore fruit.

Go Deeper

Do you speak boldly about your faith? Ask the Lord to help you remain faithful and free from fear as you testify to His saving power.

Pray with Us

Father, You have the power to make blind eyes see, transform sinful hearts, and bring unity where there was enmity. You truly are a good God, and we praise Your name!

Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.Acts 9:28

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Righteous Words

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From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
Proverbs 10:31, NIV

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 10:21-33

A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.

Try saying that three times in a row! What a marvelous, God-designed gift is our tongue! We use it for talking (even saying tongue-twisters) and for tasting and eating. It can do so much good when we use our words to encourage, to lift up, and to build up. We can use our speech to share the Gospel and lead people from the kingdom of darkness into the realm of grace. We can say, “Thank you,” “I love you,” and “How can I be of encouragement to you today?”

But the same tongue can also cause a lot of pain and trouble. As Christians, we must break our tendency to gossip, curse, lie, flatter, criticize, and brag.

Spend time each day in the Word of God, guarding your heart so that only righteous words come out of your mouth. “From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom.” The tongue reveals what the heart is storing.

A timely word—spoken at just the right time to meet a particular need—how good it is!
William MacDonald

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Faithfully Serving Others

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Discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5

Today’s Scripture

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

On a Thursday, in the church’s fellowship hall, sandwiches and watermelon slices were set out, waiting to be consumed by mourners sitting on metal folding chairs placed on stained carpet. It was a perfectly normal funeral, except for the preacher. He was a well-known speaker who has preached to stadiums full of thousands. Now he was speaking just as enthusiastically to this weekday gathering.

Paul told his protégé Timothy, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season . . . . discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5). All the duties. Not only the big ones performed on large stages with bright lights. Also ordinary, weekday duties. The speeches that won’t be recorded and broadcast for generations to come. The tasks that few will see. Do those well too.

Because someone is watching. Paul told Timothy he was serving “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead” (v. 1). Your platform may be small, but your audience could not be more important. Jesus waits expectantly for your service. Do it for Him, relying on the power of His Spirit. He will be honored as you humbly, faithfully minister to others.

Reflect & Pray

How much heart are you putting into your everyday tasks? How would God have you think about your ordinary jobs on this ordinary day?

Heavenly Father, may I serve You and others faithfully today.

You can use these six devotions help you start an ongoing conversation with the God that always shows up for His children. He desires to hear everything—every ordinary, mundane, and small detail of your life:  Praying Through Ordinary Life

Today’s Insights

While encouraging Timothy to be faithful to his ministerial calling, Paul summarized his own service for Christ and what he looked forward to after he died: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). As the apostle anticipated his departure from labor to reward (v. 6), he was conscious of what really mattered in life. Each believer in Jesus has been given different tasks to do on this earth. With the Spirit’s help, we can strive to do them faithfully. We all long to hear the voice of Christ, our Savior, say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Hope for those of us with “NAG” Syndrome

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If you’re like me, you have NAG Syndrome today. I’m not talking about a problem in my marriage (though anyone who knows my wife would blame me, as they should). Rather, I’m referring to No Authority Gauntlet Syndrome, which is when you have accountability without authority. You see a problem that needs to be fixed, but you don’t have the agency or resources to do so. It’s even worse when you’re not sure anyone else does, either.

Here are some examples in the news I’ll list without a lengthy description lest I discourage you before I have the chance to encourage you (the latter of which is the purpose of today’s article):

  • The US debt crossed the $40 trillion threshold for the first time yesterday.
  • The West is running out of interceptor missiles that are crucial in defending against attacks from Russia, China, or other adversaries.
  • A “mind-blowing” El Niño is setting warm water records in the Pacific and increasing the chances that 2026 will be the warmest year on record.
  • Some geopolitical analysts say Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz without controlling it and receiving war reparations, an end to sanctions, and a US military exit from the region. It could strike US military targets in Europe if the US escalates the war.
  • Cyber warfare is increasingly targeting US water supplies. According to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, “A teenager with a laptop, a Starlink connection, and an open-weight AI model can now disrupt a municipal water or power system by identifying and exploiting old software vulnerabilities.”

Continue reading Denison Forum – Hope for those of us with “NAG” Syndrome →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Only the Best for Him

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 What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me? 

—Psalm 116:12

Scripture:

Psalm 116:12 

A farmer who was known for his frugality owned a cow that gave birth to two calves. He said to his wife, “I’m going to dedicate one of these calves to the Lord.” Knowing his miserly ways, she was very surprised and asked which one he was planning to give to the Lord.

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll let you know,” he said.

A few days went by, and again she asked which calf he was giving to the Lord. “I’m still thinking about it,” he told her.

Then one day, one of the calves got sick. It grew worse and worse until one night the farmer walked up onto the porch with the calf draped over his arms. He said to his wife, “Honey, I have bad news. The Lord’s calf just died.”

Similarly, many of us tend to give God that which we don’t really want ourselves. Think about a typical day. What place do we give to the things of God? Maybe we utter a quick prayer as we roll out of bed or offer some hurried words of thanks over breakfast. Then we rush off to our responsibilities. At the end of the day, we say, “Oh, right. I’ll give God these last four minutes as I’m dozing off.”

If God is important, then why do we give Him our leftovers? God certainly doesn’t want our leftovers. He makes that quite clear in Scripture. God said to Israel, “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king . . . and my name is feared among the nations!” (Malachi 1:14 NLT).

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT).

One of the most important steps of spiritual growth is making sure that our priorities are in order. In the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to convince ourselves that pressing work responsibilities or family commitments should take precedence over our time with the Lord. But that kind of focus makes us lose sight of the interconnectedness of our responsibilities.

God rewards time spent with Him. When we give Him the choicest part of our day, He blesses the remainder. When we quiet ourselves before Him, pour out our praise, thanksgiving, and requests in prayer, and spend quality time in His Word, we are better prepared to face the challenges and responsibilities of the day.

The psalmist asked, “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12 NLT). If we let that question guide our thoughts, actions, and priorities, we will discover what it means to serve God—and to be abundantly blessed by Him in return.

God gave us His best. Let’s give Him ours.

 

Reflection question: How can you ensure that God gets the best from you?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Sealed by the Holy Spirit

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)

From very ancient times it has been the custom to confirm and guarantee an agreed-on purchase by sealing the contract with a seal that could only be broken by the buyer when he was ready to take possession of his purchase.

The marvelous transaction seen by John at God’s throne in heaven references this practice. There, only the Lamb is found worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll on which is recorded the title to the whole creation. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the [scroll], and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (Revelation 5:9). The purchase price had been paid on Calvary, and the resurrected Lamb had come to claim His possession.

And we are part of that possession! The price has been paid for our redemption from sin’s bondage, but we have not yet entered into the inheritance that our great Redeemer has promised us. In the meantime, our individual title deed, as it were, has been sealed by none other than the Holy Spirit. He is not only the seal, but also the “earnest”—that is, the down payment, the earnest money—who guarantees the total “redemption of the purchased possession.”

His personal presence in our lives is our assurance that the full promise will be fulfilled, and we are urged to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). He “hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Step Out of the Boat

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Adapted from Battlefield of the Mind

And in the fourth watch [between 3:00—6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid! And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.

Matthew 14:25-28 (AMPC)

Let’s focus for a moment on this part of a well-known New Testament story. The disciples were in the middle of the Sea of Galilee at midnight when they looked up and saw Jesus walking on the water. That is amazing, but as the story continues, Matthew wrote of the boisterous winds, yet Jesus kept walking on top of the waves.

The disciples were afraid—and that makes sense. Who would expect to see anyone walking on top of the water, even under the best of conditions?

Then Jesus cried out and told them, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid! (Matthew 14:27 AMPC). This is the powerful moment in the story. What will happen now? Do they move over and give Jesus a place to sit in their boat? Should they get out and join Him on the waves? Do they huddle in fear, reminding themselves that human beings can’t walk on top of water?

Peter was the only one who responded in true faith. And let’s make no mistake here. For Peter to say, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water (Matthew 14:28) was a tremendous act of faith. You’ll notice that he was the only one who spoke that way.

That was a powerful moment of faith. It was a defining moment that pointed out Peter’s great faith and belief in Jesus, the Anointed One of God. He was so convinced that Jesus truly was the Son of God that he was ready to get out of the boat and walk on top of the water with Him.

How many of you would get out of the boat? I emphasize this because it would be easy enough to say, “Lord, I see You walking on the water, and I believe I could walk on the water alongside You.” But would you? Do you have the kind of faith that would enable you to step out of the boat? Of the 12 disciples, Peter was the only one who took that step of faith.

I’m not citing this example of faith to discourage you or to make you feel that your faith is somehow lacking. I’m simply pointing out the great triumph of a man who dared to believe! Peter believed so strongly that he took a step of faith over the side of the boat and started walking toward Jesus.

Most of us know the rest of the story. Some might even smirk, saying, “Big deal! He got out of the boat, started walking on the water, got scared, and began to sink.” And he also received a rebuke from Jesus: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31 NIV). But think about it—Jesus didn’t say those words to the other disciples. He directed the words “you of little faith” to Peter. The implication is the others had no faith at that moment.

Think of these words not just as words of rebuke, but also as words of encouragement to Peter, the one who had enough faith to step out of the boat and begin walking on the water. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]! (Matthew 14:30 AMPC).

What if you saw this as Jesus’ great encouragement, not just to Peter, but also to you? What if you looked at this event as Jesus saying to you, “You started so well. You believed Me and got out of the boat. You did it! You walked on water just as I did. But then you allowed doubt to enter, and when that happened, you began to sink.”

This powerful story is a wonderful reminder that Jesus is always with you, and He will suspend natural laws to reach out to you and care for you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, please forgive my lack of faith. Increase my faith in Your Word and help me to trust You enough to follow Your leading. When the circumstances around me threaten to pull me into deep waters of doubt, help me to focus on You. I ask these things in Your holy name, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Pray It Through 

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No verse in the Bible promises the absence of struggle. Quite the contrary. Scripture is stained with tears, problems, injustices, immorality, and wars. Tough times come with life. But troubling times don’t have to take the life out of your life.

God gives us this invitation: “Pray it through.” It is what troubles you, fatigues you, shames you. It won’t have the last word. God will. Prayer slaps handcuffs on the culprit. Prayer marches the problem into the presence of God, the One who can solve it.

The prophet Elijah is remembered as an example of radical prayer. He is living proof that “when a believing person prays, great things happen” (James 5:16 NCV).

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – New Community

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Read Acts 2:1–47

If you could time-travel to any point in biblical history, which would you choose? Pentecost would be on my top ten list as a communication event that changed the course of history. Acts 2 records this pivotal moment in history when God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples with a rushing wind and tongues of fire (vv. 2–3). The Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in other languages (v. 4).

Jews from every country were in Jerusalem—providing a diverse audience (v. 5). They all gathered to hear the disciples’ message. Imagine their amazement when they heard the disciples speaking in their own languages (vv. 6–12). At that moment, the linguistic fracture of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11) was reversed and redeemed through the work of the Spirit. Where Babel scattered the people through confusion, Pentecost drew people together through understanding.

Peter, who just weeks before had denied Jesus (John 18), stepped forward to boldly proclaim the gospel. He began by connecting the tongues phenomenon to Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28–32). Then he shared the gospel narrative—just as Jesus had called him to do (Acts 1:8). He confirmed the identity of Jesus through His miracles and signs (v. 22). He recounted the crucifixion as part of God’s redemptive plan (v. 23). And he declared Jesus’ victorious resurrection from the dead (v. 24). Peter finished: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (v. 36).

Peter’s message pierced people’s hearts. They asked: “What shall we do?” (v. 37). Verses 42–47 describe this new community that God formed around their teaching, worshiping, and fellowship.

Go Deeper

How did the Holy Spirit show up at Pentecost? What was the result? Ask God to empower you to communicate the gospel to someone in a way they will understand.

Pray with Us

Holy God, thank You for the free gift of salvation You have given us through Jesus! May we share the news of the gospel with boldness and delight, so that all may be saved.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.Acts 2:4

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Be Thankful

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In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Recommended Reading: Philippians 4:4-6

When Jesus gathered His disciples for the Passover meal on the night before His death, “He took the cup, and gave thanks” (Matthew 26:27). While giving thanks was normal, what the cup represented was not normal: “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (verse 28). Jesus was giving thanks for what was about to happen—the shedding of His blood.

This illustrates what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Giving thanks for the impending experience of one’s own death is certainly an example of giving thanks in everything. Both Jesus and Paul used the same Greek word for giving thanks: eucharisteo. But Paul used the imperative form of the word, making it a command. It is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything; not to be thankful is to be disobedient to His will.

Begin the practice of giving thanks in those circumstances where you might not be inclined to do so—remembering that it is God’s will.

The measure of our spirituality is the amount of praise and thanksgiving in our prayer.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Shine Christ’s Light

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Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Today’s Scripture

Matthew 5:13-16

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

In the dimly lit restaurant, our waitress quietly took our orders with a solemn expression. But then a customer kindly gave her a writing pen that had a little flashlight built into it. He told her it was so she could “see in the dark.”

Her face lit up, and her demeanor changed to reflect joy. It was evident that she was delighted by the gift—clicking the light off and on. When she left our table, the man smiled as he whispered to me, “I think she brightened up when I gave her the pen. It made her day!”

The God-given gift of light certainly brightens our days. Jesus is the ultimate gift of light—“light . . . come into the world” to save the world (John 3:16-19). God provided this gift because He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. When we receive Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we experience fellowship with Him. Jesus brightens our lives for all eternity. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12).

As believers in Jesus, we’re “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we receive the gift God gave us through Christ, we can walk in His light and “let [our] light shine before others” (v. 16). With Him as our source, let’s shine for Him today!

Reflect & Pray

How are you revealing the light of Christ? How can you brighten someone’s life this day?

Heavenly Father, please help me shine Your love and light to others today.

Today’s Insights

When we receive God’s gift of salvation, He begins His work of transformation in us. He does this through the Bible, God’s wisdom to us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we read and meditate on the Scriptures, we learn about Him and what it means to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Through prayer, we come to Him for strength and guidance. And, as believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit living inside us “will guide us into all the truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit helps us to understand and live out the gospel and to “shine” in this dark world by our words and actions, drawing others to Christ, the source of Light.

Learn more about having a personal relationship with God.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – What comes after postmodernism? A Review of “Based on a True Story” by Paul Anleitner

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Why are Eastern Orthodox and other “high church” denominations seeing a surge in attendance? Why has the growth of atheism and secularism plateaued in the West? Why do some films coming out feel so sincere and nostalgic?

These and many other cultural signs, says Paul Anleitner, point to a new wave of cultural change, something beyond the cynicism of postmodernism: Metamodernism. And this shift has massive consequences for faith, America, and culture moving forward.

Cultural Theology 

Paul Anleitner, like Dr. Jim Denison, is a cultural theologian. At first glance, this is a strange label; what does it mean to be a cultural theologian? Cultural theology is less about engaging in academic debate or biblical scholarship and more about integrating theological insight into contemporary cultural commentary. It’s a shift in focus that, while relying on the biblical, focuses on its application and relevance to the trends of modern society.

Continue reading Denison Forum – What comes after postmodernism? A Review of “Based on a True Story” by Paul Anleitner →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

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 Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 

—Psalm 107:8

Scripture:

Psalm 107:8 

In the Old Testament we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT).

Imagine the scene: “All right, guys, here’s the plan today. The enemy soldiers are out there, armed to the teeth. So, our first wave of attack will be musical. We’re sending out the choir.” If I’d been one of those choir members, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music. But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic.

The result was nothing short of amazing. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped” (verses 22–24 NLT).

Good things happen when God’s people prioritize thanking and praising the Lord. It’s a simple lesson, but one that’s shockingly easy to forget.

Luke 17:11–19 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with ten men who had leprosy. When the men saw Jesus approaching their village, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (verse 13 NLT). And with a single instruction from Him, the men were healed. Their leprosy disappeared. Their lives were changed forever.

Verse 15 says, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’” (NLT). One out of ten thanked Jesus. That percentage surprised even the Lord Himself.

“Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (verses 17–18 NLT).

It’s not so much that Jesus was offended by the inconsiderate reactions of the other nine; it was more of a concern that they were going to miss out on the blessings that come when people express their thanks to God.

Of course, few of us would dare shake our heads at the lack of response from the inconsiderate nine. If we could do an inventory of the number of times God has answered our prayers and then compare that to the number of times we’ve thanked Him, we probably would cringe at the results.

The psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (Psalm 107:8 NLT).

Let that be our daily priority.

 

Reflection question: How can you be more proactive in giving thanks to God for His blessings in your life?

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Lord Jehovah

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

The English name usually written LORD in English Bibles stems from the Hebrew word Yahweh, the meaning of which cannot be fully put into words. Although scholars differ (some even claiming there is no real meaning to the word at all), the consensus is that it seems to be a compound of the three tenses of the Hebrew verb “to be,” implying the ever-living nature of God to which Christ was referring when He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Note also the similar implications in God’s announcement of Himself to Moses: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

On 49 special occasions (seven times seven), the name Jehovah is contracted to Jah. Many consider this to be an abbreviation of Jehovah, but no satisfactory explanation as to why it is so used has been offered. Perhaps a better suggestion is that this name is the present tense of the verb “to be,” and therefore the name Jah emphasizes the present activity of the Lord. In nearly all occurrences, the passages are strengthened by noting the present work of God. The first usage of the term Jah is found in Miriam’s song upon deliverance from Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea. “The LORD [Jah] is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2).

On several occasions, such as in our text, we see that the two names are combined, celebrating both the present and future deliveries of Jah Jehovah. “Trust ye in the LORD [Jehovah] for ever: for in the LORD [Jah] JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4). JDM

 

 

 

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

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