Daily Archives: July 14, 2013

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Courage to Obey

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Charles Stanley

How would your closest friends describe you—courageous or cowardly? And when you face a difficult situation, what is your most overpowering emotion? Is it self-preservation or the desire to stand for what is right and true?

Following God is never simple or easy for any one. It takes courage. A passion to obey the Lord doesn’t suddenly appear in the believer’s life. Salvation sparks love and a desire to please Him, but a courageous fire is built slowly from the timbers of spiritual knowledge, faith, and devotion.

Obedience usually begins with a healthy fear of the consequences resulting from disobedience. Until believers build a firm foundation of biblical knowledge and trust that offers better reasons to follow God, we are kept safe by the desire to avoid harsh repercussions. Thankfully, as we mature and gain greater wisdom from Scripture reading, prayer, and life experience, fear gives way to the recognition of God’s sovereignty and submission to His plans.

Following God’s will shifts our focus from the consequences of disobedience to the blessings of obedience. Once we taste the best He has to offer, we want to keep His goodness flowing into our lives. Obedience and God’s best are natural partners—good derives from following divine commands, while suffering is the result of stubbornly choosing our own way. This irrevocable principle plays out in the Bible and in day-to-day life. Every act of submission is rewarded, either on earth or in heaven. In becoming more aware of how blessing follows obedience, we realize that complying with the Lord’s will is the only wise choice.

As our faith grows, we will learn that devotion is a much more powerful motivator than any blessing the Lord might provide. All the promised blessings in the world won’t compel a believer to follow God into some frightening places. But love for our Father moves us toward passionate obedience, no matter what is at stake.

The man and the woman who courageously walk with God will always reach their destination.

Related Resources

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Warning Sign

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Our Daily Bread

Hebrews 3:1-13

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. —Hebrews 3:12

On a sandy beach in Uruguay, giant concrete fingers partially submerged in sand reach up toward the sky. It is called the Monument to the Drowned. Locals just call it La Mano, “The Hand.” It was created by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal as a warning to swimmers about the danger of drowning. “The Hand” has become a tourist attraction, but its real purpose remains to remind swimmers about the perils of the sea.

The Word of God contains its own kind of warning signs. The book of Hebrews especially provides cautions about perils to the soul. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:12-13).

The context of the verse is a review of the unbelief and rebellion of Israel in the wilderness. Though this happened centuries before the book of Hebrews was written, the spiritual principle applies today. We are to exhort one another to resist the hardening of our hearts that comes with sin.

Warning signs are given to us for our safety. Praise God that He has given us protective warnings in His Word because of His great love for us. —Dennis Fisher

Lord, thank You for the warnings in Your Word

that are intended to protect and preserve my life.

Help me to heed Your reproofs and instruction

that I may live a life that is pleasing to You.

God gives us loving warnings in His Word to protect and preserve us.

Bible in a year: Psalms 10-12; Acts 19:1-20

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Don’t Defile True Doctrine

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Alistair Begg

If you wield your tool on it you profane it.  Exodus 20:25

God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial to the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the Gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel and not the truth of God at all.

All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are put forth, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar.

It would be best if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Savior’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with your tools, and fall upon your knees in humble supplication; accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines that they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation. This is a form of irreverence and unbelief; let us strive against it and receive truth as we find it, rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – An exposition of 1 Corinthians 15

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“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; … After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:4-8

Suggested Further Reading: Matthew 28:11-15

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is one of the best attested facts on record. There were so many witnesses to behold it, that if we do in the least degree receive the credibility of men’s testimonies, we cannot and we dare not doubt that Jesus rose from the dead. It is all very easy for infidels to say that these persons were deceived, but it is equally foolish, for these persons could not every one of them have been so positively deceived as to say that they had seen this man, whom they knew to have been dead, afterwards alive; they could not all, surely, have agreed together to help on this imposture; if they did, it is the most marvellous thing we have on record, that not one of them ever broke faith with the others, but that the whole mass of them remained firm. We believe it to be quite impossible that so many rogues should have agreed for ever. They were men who had nothing to gain by it; they subjected themselves to persecution by affirming this very fact; they were ready to die for it, and did die for it. Five hundred or a thousand persons who had seen him at different times, declared that they did see him, and that he rose from the dead; the fact of his death having been attested beforehand. How, then, dare any man say that the Christian religion is not true, when we know for a certainty that Christ died and rose again from the dead? And knowing that, who shall deny the divinity of the Saviour? Who shall say that he is not mighty to save? Our faith has a solid basis, for it has all these witnesses on which to rest, and the more sure witness of the Holy Spirit witnessing in our hearts.

For meditation: The task of inventing myths in connection with the resurrection has always been left to the enemies of Christ. His followers had the more straightforward role of simply passing on what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20).

Part of nos. 66-67

14 July (Given on 17 February 1856)

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Elect in Christ

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John MacArthur

“You are a chosen race” (1 Pet. 2:9).

Unlike those who are destined to destruction because of their rejection of Christ (1 Pet. 2:8), Christians are an elect race of people, bound together by God’s redeeming grace. That’s cause for great celebration!

First Peter 2:9 is an allusion to Deuteronomy 7:6-9, which says, “You are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God.”

Like Israel, the church is the redeemed community of God, “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit” (1 Pet. 1:1- 2). Before the foundation of the world, God placed His love on you, then brought you into His kingdom by granting you saving grace. That’s the doctrine of election.

Many people misunderstand election, but it’s a wonderful doctrine that brings marvelous benefits. It exalts God by demonstrating His love and grace toward miserable sinners. It eliminates pride by affirming that you are totally dependent on God’s grace. It should promote such gratitude in your heart that you long to live in holiness and serve Him at any price. It should also give you joy and strength, knowing that God will never let you go and His purposes will be accomplished in you. You can face any challenge with utmost confidence in His provisions.

Rejoice in your election. Worship God and yield to His Spirit’s leading so His choice of you will be evident to all who know you.

Suggestions for Prayer:

What has the spiritual privilege of being chosen by God meant in your life? Express your answer to God in prayer, thanking Him for His wondrous grace.

For Further Study:

Read Romans 5. What benefits of election does Paul mention?

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Wherever He Leads

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Joyce meyer

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” —John 21:15

In today’s verse we see that Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” In fact, Jesus asked Peter this same question twice more. By the third time, Peter was grieved that Jesus kept asking the same question. He said, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”

Then, in John 21:18, we discover the reason Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him: “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.”

God challenged me with this Scripture because I had my own plan and was walking in my own way. If we really want God’s perfect will, He may ask us to do things we do not want to do. If we really love Him, we will do what He tells us to do and let Him have His way in our lives.

When Jesus spoke the words from John 21:18, I believe He was showing us that when we were young Christians, and less mature than we are now, we went wherever we pleased. As baby Christians, we did what we wanted to do. But as we mature, we are to stretch out our hands and surrender ourselves to God. We must be willing to follow Him to places we may not want to go.

Let’s be quick to follow Him, wherever He leads us.

God’s word for you today: Will you say an eternal “yes” to God today, even though you don’t know where it may lead you?

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Awards for Faithfulness

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dr_bright

“Stop being afraid of what you are about to suffer – for the devil will soon throw some of you into prison to test you. You will be persecuted for ‘ten days.’ Remain faithful even when facing death and I will give you the crown of life – an unending, glorious future” (Revelation 2:10).

I find this a very timely word of caution, for we live in a day when it appears that the enemy is making his last fling. I would not attempt to set dates, for it may be years, decades or even centuries before the culmination of all things.

But the fact remains that committed believers are facing persecution and testing as perhaps seldom before. You and I may be called upon to suffer for the cause of Christ. By faith, we are not to fear, knowing that an “unending, glorious future” awaits us.

This promise might apply equally to the physical suffering we encounter from time to time as a part of the natural order of things. If we can accept such suffering as part of God’s plan for us – one of the “all things” of Romans 8:28 that is working together for our good – we will be among those victors who are able to “count it all joy.”

As we consider these possibilities, we may be optimistic, even cheerful, knowing that we are already on the winning side – more than conquerors. And we need not be afraid, for “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Bible Reading: Revelation 2:8-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will count on God’s promise of Romans 8:28 to do only that which is good for me, regardless of the circumstances. He will enable me to live supernaturally.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Not Like Any Other

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On Sesame Street, children play a comparing game where a number of items are placed in front of them and they’re told “one of these things is not like the others.”

Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son.  Hebrews 3:6

The book of Hebrews invites you to compare the patriarchs, prophets and others to Jesus, reminding you often that the Son of God is “greater,” or “more,” or “above” the others. In Chapter 3, you consider Moses. Yes, Moses was faithful, but he was never elevated above being a servant of God who was shepherding the people of God.

Jesus, by contrast, isn’t just a caretaker of the Father’s house – He’s the builder. And as the builder of that spiritual household, He is faithful over it. Nothing will come upon His house without going through Him first: no storm; no trouble; no destruction.

As you acknowledge the faithfulness of Christ in your life today, thank Him that He is not like any other. Bring before Him the desires of your heart for the household of faith to expand, and to include even those in authority over you. And for those who are a part of that house, ask Him to do any “repairs” necessary for Him to present all therein to the Father one day soon.

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 3:1-14