Daily Archives: August 30, 2014

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How the Truth Can Set You Free

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Charles Stanley

2 Peter 1:1-4

Galatians 5:1 tells us “Christ has truly set us free” (NLT). The reason we can know genuine freedom is that Jesus “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us” (2 Peter 1:3).

Oftentimes people say, “I would like to become a Christian, but I don’t dare start because I know I couldn’t live up to all that is required.” Of course they couldn’t. And that is precisely why this generous assurance is given. God says that you and I have been granted everything we will ever need to live a triumphant Christian life.

The Lord’s glorious provision, however, begins only after we trust Christ for salvation. We have to take the plunge of faith before His divine power is released into our life. Once we’ve taken the step of believing in Jesus, all things are available, including courage, forgiveness, vision, wisdom, and a deepening trust in God.

Such a promise is hard to comprehend because it seems too good to be true. Many people pass it by with hardly an acknowledgement. Others look askance and wonder what needs to happen for it to become a reality in their life. As with all of God’s promises, you must accept it before you can act upon it. And while recognizing the promise as yours is one thing, applying it in daily life can be quite another matter. Ultimately, the promise is realized by the full experiential knowledge of Jesus as we hunger and thirst for the living water He supplies. Only when we refuse to be content with the world’s broken cisterns (Jer. 2:13) will we find the fullness of this promise working in us.

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Step Up!

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Our Daily Bread

2 Chronicles 15:1-12

[Asa] took courage, and removed the abominable idols from all the land . . . ; and he restored the altar of the LORD. —2 Chronicles 15:8

When a woodchuck started eating our garage (well, just the trim), I bought a live trap with plans to transplant the little guy to a park. I baited it with an assortment of goodies and opened the trap door. The next morning, I was excited to see a little critter in my trap—until I noticed that it was no woodchuck. I had snared a skunk.

I went online to see how to untrap the skunk without having it . . . well, you know. The solutions were extremely cautious in their descriptions of how to protect yourself while releasing the animal. Plastic bags. Gloves. Tarps. Blankets. Goggles. The task looked daunting and dangerous.

Then my son-in-law Ewing stepped up. He simply walked over to the trap, opened the door, and coaxed our striped friend on its way with a few sprays from the garden hose.

Sometimes our fears can lead to inaction. We worry so much about protecting ourselves that we fail to simply step up. When King Asa learned that the Lord wanted him to remove the idols from Israel, he “took courage” (2 Chron. 15:8). He could have had a rebellion on his hands for doing this. But he stepped up, and as a result the nation rejoiced (v.15).

Facing a spiritual challenge? The Lord will help you step up with courage and trust Him for the outcome. —Dave Branon

Let the road be rough and dreary,

And its end far out of sight,

Foot it bravely, strong or weary;

Trust in God and do the right. —Macleod

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Bible in a year: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Insight

While the books of Samuel and Kings follow the monarchy from the days of Saul all the way into the divided kingdom, the books of Chronicles devote only one chapter to Saul (1 Chron. 10). The writer spends most of his time and effort recording the reigns of David and Solomon, presenting their reigns as the high point of Israel’s history.

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Spiritual Doctor

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Alistair Begg

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed.   Jeremiah 17:14

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him.  Isaiah 57:18

It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease. Natural disease may be instrumentally healed by men, but even then the honor is to be given to God who grants wisdom to doctors and bestows power to enable the human frame to cast off disease. As for spiritual sicknesses, these remain with the Great Physician alone; He claims it as His prerogative: “I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal”;1 and one of the Lord’s choice titles is Jehovah-Rophi, “the Lord who heals you.” “I will heal your wounds” is a promise that could not come from the lips of man but only from the mouth of the eternal God.

On this account the psalmist cried unto the Lord, “Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled,”2 and again, “Heal me, for I have sinned against you!”3 For this also the godly praise the name of the Lord, saying, “[He] heals all your diseases.”4 He who made man can restore man; He who was at first the creator of our nature can re-create it. What a transcendent comfort it is that in the person of Jesus “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”5

My soul, whatever your disease may be, this Great Physician can heal you. If He is God, there can be no limit to His power. Come then with the blind eye of darkened understanding; come with the limping foot of wasted energy; come with the disabled hand of weak faith, the fever of an angry temper, or the fit of shivering despondency; come just as you are, for He who is God can certainly restore you. No one can restrain the healing power that proceeds from Jesus our Lord. Legions of devils have attempted to overcome the power of the beloved Physician, and never once has He been hindered. All His patients have been cured in the past and shall be in the future, and you may be counted among them, my friend, if you will but rest yourself in Him tonight.

1) Deuteronomy 32:39   2) Psalm 6:2   3) Psalm 41:4   4) Psalm 103:3   5) Colossians 2:9

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The family reading plan for August 30, 2014 * Ezekiel 2* Psalm 38

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Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – The Love God Hates

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John MacArthur

“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

If you love the world, you’re engaging in a love God hates.

Satan, from the very beginning of his rebellious activities, has been developing an invisible spiritual system of evil designed to oppose God and enslave people to sin. The apostle John identified that system as “the world,” and warned us not to love it.

Satan has had many centuries to develop his evil system, so it is very effective on those who reject Christ. First John 5:19 explains that while we as Christians belong to God, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one,” whom Jesus called, “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31). In John 8:44 He identified certain unbelievers as children of their father, the devil, who is a murderer and the father of lies. That’s how completely unbelievers are identified with Satan.

As a believer, you are identified with God. You have been delivered out of the domain of darkness and placed into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13). You are from God and have overcome the evil one because the Holy Spirit who indwells you is greater than he who controls the world (1 John 4:4).

Sadly, Christians sometimes flirt with the very things they’ve been saved from. Don’t do that. Satan and his system have nothing to offer you. They are doomed! First John 2:17 says, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

Suggestions for Prayer

  • If you’ve been flirting with the world, ask God’s forgiveness.
  • Praise God that someday Satan and his evil system will be vanquished.

For Further Study; Read the epistle of 1 John, noting the contrasts between the children of God and the children of Satan.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Truth Precedes Change

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Joyce meyer

And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. —John 8:32

Is there something you’d like to change about yourself or the way you live? Change begins with truth. It’s almost impossible to see the need for change or to know how we should change if we don’t face the truth about where we are. In the process of change, admitting the truth about ourselves is often the hardest part. We don’t need to feel guilty about the way we are, we just need to ask for God’s forgiveness and be excited about change.

Let me share a practical example of how facing truth and changing has worked in my life. If I’m eating too much and don’t want to face the truth about that, I will make excuses. “I don’t eat as much as some people.” “My metabolism must be slowing down.” “The dry cleaners shrank my pants.” Excuses can be endless! Excuses, though, are actually reasons stuffed with lies.

Once I decide to stop making excuses, I can admit the truth. Concerning eating, I might say to a friend, “I’ve been eating too much and that’s why I’ve gained weight.” When I do that I am taking responsibility for the problem. That’s the truth, and it will set me free.

I have had to face many truths’ in my past and still do. When I have a bad attitude or am angry with someone and yet pretending not to be, it is only truth that will set me free. The same principles and processes apply to any challenge we face in life. If we want to change, we have to start with the truth. Ask God to reveal truth to you about you! When He does if it begins to hurt just realize that the pain you feel is actually a healing pain that is working toward your freedom and increased peace and joy.

Love Yourself Today: Lord, help me to see and admit the truth about every area in my life, and, with your help, make the changes I need to make.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Protection From Accidents

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dr_bright

“The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. God even protects him from accidents” (Psalm 34:19,20).

Jerry was a new Christian and for the first time was hearing about the importance of the Spirit-filled life. His was a logical question, put to me following one of my lectures on a large university campus.

“Does the Spirit-filled Christian have problems, testings, temptations like the non-believer and the disobedient Christian?” he asked.

“No,” I replied, “the Spirit-filled Christian does not have the same kind of problems that the non-believer and the carnal Christian have, because most of the problems we experience in life are self-imposed. The Spirit-filled person is one who seeks to do the will of God and lives by faith drawing upon the supernatural resources of God the Holy Spirit for every attitude, motive and desire of his life.”

There may be many problems, such as loss of loved ones, financial reverses, illness and disappointments. The Spirit- filled Christian does not escape all troubles. But the Lord is always there with him, undergirding, helping, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, imparting to him wisdom – physical, mental and spiritual resources. Even when tragedy, heartache, sorrow and disappointment come, the Spirit-filled person knows that God is still in control.

Therefore, by faith and obedience to the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, he can say, “In all things I give thanks.”

We can know that God helps us in each and every trouble and that He even protects us from accidents.

Bible Reading: Psalm 35:1-9

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today I will look for opportunities to remind myself and my friends that our loving God and Father is working in and through every problem we face each day, so that we might mature and become more like our Lord Jesus Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – You Cannot Know

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ppt_seal01

Oh, if you could only examine your life in light of what God has planned for you! Would your faith be stronger? Have you given every part of your being over to the One who takes care of you in every situation?

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10

Looking at the apostle John, imagine what he thought as his life unfolded. One of the youngest of the disciples, he witnessed Jesus’ miracles and was close to Him throughout His ministry. He faithfully stood nearby during Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. John experienced the exhilarating resurrection moments and Pentecost. He and Peter preached in Samaria. Then persecution took the lives of his friends. Sometime later, he took up Paul’s work in Ephesus. Biblically obscure for many years, John then was inspired to write his exceptional Gospel, the epistles and Revelation.

Beloved, John could not have imagined what his life would be like…and you cannot know how God will use you if you are faithful to Him. Turn yourself wholly over to Him and let Him work through you. As you do that, intercede for this nation and its leaders that they may do likewise…for great is the reward!

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 5:1-10

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – “Fullness of Joy”  

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I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. —1 Corinthians 13:12

People sometimes ask, “What will we know in heaven? Will we recognize each other?” That question always amazes me. As if we’re going to forget everything—or be walking around in a fuzzy cloud of semi-awareness! We still will love, but our love will be perfected. We still will think and remember, but our thoughts will be perfected too. We certainly will know each other in heaven—and infinitely better than we knew each other on earth.

How do I know that? In Matthew 17 we read the account of Jesus on the mountaintop with Peter, James, and John. In those moments when He was transfigured before them, with His face shining like the sun and His clothes white as the light, He was seen talking to both Moses and Elijah.

From the account, it’s obvious that the disciples knew it was Moses and Elijah, though they were never told that fact or introduced to them. I doubt these two visitors from heaven had little name tags on: “Hi. My name is Moses.” Do you think Moses was standing with two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments under his arm, just to give them a little hint? No, but there was something about these two that made them instantly recognizable.

The disciples knew Moses and Elijah. And when we have been changed and encounter one another on the other side, we will know too. But I’d like to add just one thing. If you ever want to look me up in heaven, don’t look for a bald guy. Look for a guy with lots and lots of hair.

Think of the purest, highest, most ecstatic joy on earth, multiply it a thousand times, and you’ll get a fleeting glimpse of heaven’s euphoria. That is why David wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

We will be aware in heaven—more aware than we’ve ever been before.

You will know more there. You will love more there. Your love for family and friends will be a stronger, sweeter, purer love. Death breaks ties on earth, but they will be renewed in heaven. Heaven is a perfecting of the highest moments of our present Christian experience.

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