Daily Archives: April 10, 2014

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Looking Beyond Disappointment

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Charles Stanley

John 11:3-6

When disappointments come your way in life, it is easy to blame both yourself and others. Frequently it’s difficult to know what to say or do, because you cannot quite identify the real cause or purpose of the letdown.

Disappointment is often an emotional response to our own failure—or someone else’s—to achieve a desire, hope, dream, or goal. This can lead to losing faith in a person on whom we were depending, possibly even a loved one.

The gospel of John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus. Because of this, the two women didn’t sense the need to tell the Lord anything more than “He whom You love is sick” (John 11:3). Their expectation was that as soon as Jesus heard these words, He would come and heal their brother. But the Lord didn’t set out for two more days.

When Martha met Jesus, she was disappointed because He hadn’t come right away, and His delay allowed Lazarus to die. She didn’t see His purpose.

But truly, God does have a reason for the disappointments He allows in our life. He could prevent them, but He wants us to discover His purpose. His desire is that we will operate out of trust and let our circumstance bring glory to Him (John 11:4, 25).

When disappointments come, will you be stalled and derailed from the Lord’s will for your life? Or will you find yourself beginning to understand His purpose so you can learn from those situations? The right response is simply to trust Him.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Left Side Of The Road

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Our Daily Bread

Galatians 5:1-14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —Galatians 5:14

Growing up in the US, I always thought it interesting that in some countries motorists drive on the left side of the road instead of the right. Then, when I was in England, I heard a London tour guide explain one possible reason for this law: “In the 1800s, pedestrians as well as horse-and-carriages used the same roads. When a carriage was on the right side of the road, a driver’s horse whip would sometimes hit a passerby. To remove this hazard, a law was passed requiring all carriages to travel on the left side of the road so the pedestrians could be kept safe.”

Just as the rules of the road are for our benefit and protection, so are God’s commands. Because He loves us, He has given them to us for our benefit. Paul writes: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Gal. 5:13-14).

As we apply God’s Word to our hearts, let’s keep in mind that the God of grace has given us His guidelines to help us grow in our love for Him and our concern for others. —Dennis Fisher

Thy Word is everlasting truth;

How pure is every page!

That Holy Book shall guide our youth

And well support our age. —Watts

The Bible has treasures of wisdom to mine.

Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – The Scandal of the Cross

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Ravi Z

There is a striking verse in the New Testament, in which the apostle Paul refers to the cross of Jesus Christ as foolishness to the Greek and a stumbling block to the Jew. One can readily understand why he would say that. After all, to the Greek mind, sophistication, philosophy, and learning were exalted pursuits. How could one crucified possibly spell knowledge?

To the Jewish mind, on the other hand, there was a cry and a longing to be free. In their history, they had been attacked by numerous powers and often humiliated by occupying forces. Whether it was the Assyrians or the Babylonians or the Romans, Jerusalem had been repeatedly plundered and its people left homeless. What would the Hebrew have wanted more than someone who could take up their cause and altogether repel the enemy? How could a Messiah who was crucified possibly be of any help?

To the Greek, the cross was foolishness. To the Jew, it was a stumbling block. What is it about the cross of Christ that so roundly defies everything that power relishes? Crucifixion was humiliating. It was so humiliating that the Romans who specialized in the art of torture assured their own citizenry that a Roman could never be crucified. But not only was it humiliating, it was excruciating. In fact, the very word “excruciating” comes from two Latin words: ex cruciatus, or out of the cross. Crucifixion was the defining word for pain.

Does that not give us pause in this season now before us? Think of it: humiliation and agony. This was the path Jesus chose with which to reach out for you and for me. You see, this thing we call sin, but which we so tragically minimize, breaks the grandeur for which we were created. It brings indignity to our essence and pain to our existence. It separates us from God.

On the way to the cross two thousand years ago, Jesus took the ultimate indignity and the ultimate pain to bring us back to the dignity of a relationship with God and the healing of our souls. Will you remember that this was done for you and receive his gift?

You will then discover that it is sin that is foolishness. Our greatest weakness is not an enemy from without but one from within. It is our own weak wills that cause us to stumble. But Jesus Christ frees us from the foolishness of sin and the weakness of our selves.

This is the very reason the apostle Paul went on to say that he preached Jesus Christ as one crucified, which was both the power of God and the wisdom of God. Come to the cross in these days given for our contemplation and find out this scandalous, mysterious, all-reaching power and wisdom.

Ravi Zacharias is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

 

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg  – Help in Distress

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Alistair Begg

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong.

Acts 27:23

Storms and darkness, combined with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sorry predicament; only one man among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had enough heart to say, “I urge you to take heart.” There were veteran Roman soldiers on board, and brave sailors, but their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than all of them. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus sent a heavenly messenger to whisper words of comfort in Paul’s ear, and as a result his face shone, and he spoke like a man at ease.

If we fear the Lord, we may look for His timely intervention when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms or hindered by darkness. Seraphs do not think it is beneath them to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If angels’ visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they will be frequent in our nights of tempest and storm. Friends may leave us when we are under pressure, but our awareness of the members of the angelic world will be far more apparent. Strengthened by loving words brought to us from the throne via Jacob’s ladder, we will be able to do daring feats.

Dear reader, are you facing an hour of distress? Then ask for particular help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if you earnestly seek His presence, it will not be denied. The encouragement which that presence brings will be remembered by those who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors slipped and shipwreck threatened.

O angel of my God, be near,

Amid the darkness hush my fear;

Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,

Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me.

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission.

The family reading plan for  April 10, 2014  Proverbs 28 | 2 Thessalonians 2

 

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The best of masters

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“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” John 14:27

Suggested Further Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

It is the same with the world at this day. Everyone greets us in writing with a “Dear sir,” or a “My dear sir,” and concludes with “Yours very truly,” and “Yours sincerely.” We call all “friends,” and if we meet but casually we express the utmost anxiety with regard to one another’s health, and we carefully enquire after each other’s families; when perhaps we shall no sooner have passed by the person than we shall forget his existence, and certainly shall entertain no anxious thoughts with regard to his welfare, nor any loving remembrance of him. The world gives very largely when it gives compliments. Oh, what blessings would descend upon all our heads, if the blessings uttered could be blessings bestowed. Even when the “Good bye” is given, which translated means, “God be with you”—if that could be but true, and if God could be with us, in answer to that prayer, so little understood, how rich might we be! But alas! the way of the world is, “Be ye warmed and filled;” but it has not that which should warm, nor that which should fill. It is a world of words; high-sounding, empty, all-deceiving words. Now this is not so with Christ. If he says “Peace be with you,” his benediction is most true and full of sweet sincerity. He left his own peace in heaven, that he might give the peace which he enjoyed with his Father, to us in this world of sorrow, for thus he puts it, “My peace I give unto you.” Christ, when he blesses, blesses not in word only, but in deed. The lips of truth cannot promise more than the hands of love will surely give. He gives not in compliment. Furthermore, even when the world’s wishes of peace are sincere, what are they but mere wishes?

For meditation: Greetings and best wishes from the lips of a Christian should be modelled on Christ, not the world. Do you go in for the “polite lie” or are your concerns for others genuine (Philippians 2:20; 3 John 2)?

Sermon no. 247

10 April (1859)

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Rejecting Worldly Ambitions

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John MacArthur

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6).

Within every man and woman is a hunger and thirst only God can satisfy. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Sadly, most people search for happiness in the wrong places. The prodigal son in Luke 15 is one example. He turned from God to pursue sinful pleasures, but soon discovered that sin cannot satisfy a hungering soul. That’s when he returned to his father’s house, where he was given a great feast–a picture of salvation.

The rich fool in Luke 12 thought that amassing possessions was the key to happiness, saying to himself, “What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops? . . . This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (vv. 17- 21). Unlike the prodigal son, the rich fool never turned to God in repentance. Consequently he lost everything.

The rich fool is typical of many people today: they ignore Christ and attempt to fill the void with worldly pleasures. Most are oblivious to the eternal peril that awaits them if they don’t repent.

Those who love God shun worldliness, pursue righteousness, and know the satisfaction that comes from pleasing Him. That’s the essence of the Sermon on the Mount: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all [you need] will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Keep that goal uppermost in your mind as you face the challenge of each new day.

Suggestions for Prayer:Thank God that He satisfies the deepest desires of your heart.

For Further Study:Read Daniel 4:28-37.

What was Nebuchadnezzar’s sin?

How did God punish Him?

How did Nebuchadnezzar respond after being punished?

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Open Your Mouth

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Joyce meyer

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down . . . and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” —Samuel 17:45–46 NIV

Like David, we all have enemies or what we call giants in our lives who need to be defeated. First Samuel 17:42–48 tells us that when David was preparing to do battle with the giant Goliath, he ran toward him (not away from him), with the power of God as his weaponry, confessing out loud what he believed the end result of the battle would be.

We can easily see from David’s example how we should approach the enemies we face in our own lives: we must open our mouths and speak the Word of God. You don’t ever have to be afraid of the giants in your life because the greatest One lives in you, and you can release His power by boldly speaking out your faith in Him.

Power Thought: I use the weapon of God’s Word to defeat my enemies.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – His Gifts and Powers

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dr_bright

“It is the same and only Holy Spirit who gives all these gifts and powers, deciding which each of us should have” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

As I counsel in the area of Christian service, I find much confusion among many Christians regarding the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Believers often are so involved in trying to discover or receive additional spiritual gifts that they are not developing and using their known gifts and abilities to do God’s will.

For this reason, I caution against going to great lengths to discover one’s spiritual gifts. Rather than emphasize gifts, I encourage a person to surrender fully to the lordship of Jesus Christ and appropriate by faith the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Then, by faith and hard work, while depending on the Holy Spirit, a person can set out with determination to accomplish that to which God has called him.

Paul wrote about this important principle in his letter to the Philippians:

“Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease Him….

“For I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power” (Philippians 2:12; 4-13). This, of course, can be done only if a Christian totally submits himself to the lordship of Jesus Christ and the control of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 12:1-10

TODAY’S ACTION POINT:  I’ll be more concerned about being yielded to the moment-by-moment direction and control of God’s Holy Spirit than about discovering my spiritual gift(s).

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Persistent Pursuit

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An employee of an Ohio store was recently fired for chasing a thief into the parking lot. A company spokesman explained it this way: “No merchandise or other asset is worth risking the life of our associates or customers, which is why we have a strict policy against pursuing a shoplifter in a manner that creates a safety risk for anyone.” Although most people would consider the store’s response unduly harsh, it is understandable they wouldn’t want someone to be killed or injured trying to recover a product of nominal value.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11

Something else of nominal value: sheep. In America today, a sheep can be purchased for $300 or less, and in ancient times—though important for their wool and meat—an individual sheep wouldn’t be worth dying over. That’s the power of the analogy in today’s scripture. Perhaps you consider yourself of limited value, or even feel useless. Jesus says you are worthy of His ultimate sacrifice. His death on the cross proved He was willing to pursue you at all costs.

Today, ask God to help you see others – including those with whom you disagree – as He sees them: worth every sacrifice to bring into the fold.

Recommended Reading: John 15:12-17

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie –  Make the Right Choice      

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greglaurie

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. —Deuteronomy 30:19

When I first became a Christian, I decided that I would somehow find a way to live in two worlds. I was planning to hang out with my old friends and still be a Christian. For a time, I felt as though I were in a state of suspended animation. I wasn’t comfortable with my old buddies, but I wasn’t quite comfortable with the Christians, either. So I decided to be Mr. Solo Christian. I even said to my friends, “Don’t worry about me. You’re thinking I will become a fanatic and carry a Bible and say, ‘Praise the Lord.’ It will never happen. I’m going to be cool about this. I won’t embarrass you, but I’m going to believe in God now.”

However, as God became more real to me and I began to follow Him more closely, He changed my life and my outlook, and my priorities began to change.

There are people who will discourage you from growing spiritually. They will say, “I think it’s good that you are a Christian. I go to church too, at Christmas and Easter, and for weddings. But you’re getting a little too fanatical. You actually brought a Bible to work the other day. We were so embarrassed. You’re no fun anymore. We’re glad you have made changes in your life, but don’t become too extreme.” There are people like this who will discourage you.

When this happens, you have the choice to either do what God wants you to do or to go with the flow. Are you going to let people hold you back? Are you going to let people discourage you from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ?

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Pride and Shame

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Max Lucado

Pride and shame.  You’d never know they’re sisters. They appear so different. Pride puffs out her chest. Shame hangs her head. Pride boasts.  Shame hides. Pride seeks to be seen.  Shame seeks to be avoided.

But don’t be fooled, the emotions have the same impact. They keep you from your Father. Pride says, “You’re too good for him. Shame says, “You’re too bad for him.” Pride drives you away, shame keeps you away. If pride is what goes before a fall, then shame is what keeps you from getting up after one. God the sinless and selfless Father, loves us in our pride and shame.

The Greek word for reconcile means to render something otherwise.  Reconciliation touches the shoulder of the wayward and woos him homeward.

From He Chose the Nails