Daily Archives: October 5, 2014

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Strengthening God’s Church

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Charles Stanley

The church is in danger of growing weaker every day. False doctrine, apathy, and a lack of discipline work together to diminish the local congregation’s influence in the community and the world. But the apsotle Paul reveals three simple ways to strengthen the church.

  1. Be alert to false doctrine. There is no more effective church-killer than wrong spiritual beliefs. We are living in a culture of immorality and iniquity, and some philosophies mix a bit of truth with falsehood. Believers not firmly planted in God’s Word are susceptible to those lies. Standing firm requires that pure Scripture must be preached from the pulpit and studied by individual church members.
  2. Appreciate God’s servants. Too often church members criticize their leaders more than encourage them. Certainly ministers and others in authority can make mistakes or fall into sin—they are human. But these Christians have devoted themselves to ensuring that people hear and understand Scripture.

    The congregation is responsible to show support and love; those who know the Lord most deeply will appreciate the pastor. God will not reveal Himself to those who can’t be bothered with caring for His chosen servant.

  3. Accept one another. Since we are a fellowship of believers, we are to develop a spirit of oneness. Everyone is loved by God and shouls be welcomed. This truth is based not on performance, but on the fact that each believer is the Lord’s child with a unique role in this life.

The church’s great potential lies in its members. Begin today to practice these strength-building exercises.

 

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – The Way of Salvation

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Alistair Begg

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  Mark 16:16

Mr. MacDonald asked the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda how a man must be saved. An old man replied, “We will be saved if we repent and forsake our sins and turn to God.” “Yes,” said a middle-aged woman, “and with a true heart too.” “Yes,” rejoined a third, “and with prayer”; and a fourth added, “It must be the prayer of the heart.” “And we must be diligent too,” said a fifth, “in keeping the commandments.” When each of them made their contribution, feeling that a very decent creed had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher’s approval, but they had aroused his deepest pity.

The secular mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord’s way is quite the reverse. Believing and being baptized are not matters of merit to be gloried in—they are so simple that boasting is excluded. It may be that the reader is unsaved—what is the reason? Do you think the way of salvation as laid down in the text is dubious? How can that be when God has pledged His own word for its certainty? Do you think it too easy? Why, then, do you not obey it?

Those who neglect it are without excuse. To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely upon Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance that our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the converted ones submitted at Pentecost, to which the jailer yielded obedience on the very night of his conversion. The outward sign does not save, but it portrays our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus and, like the Lord’s Supper, is not to be neglected. Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears—you will be saved. Are you still an unbeliever? Then remember there is only one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins.

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The family reading plan for October 5, 2014 * Ezekiel 38 * Psalm 89

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

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – Thy Redeemer

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“And thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:14

Suggested Further Reading: Psalm 118:5-14

Hear Jehovah, the everlasting Father, saying, “I will help thee.” “Mine are the ages: before the ages began, when there were no worlds, when nothing had been created, from everlasting I am thy God. I am the God of election, the God of the decree, the God of the covenant; by my strength I did set fast the mountains; by my skill I laid the pillars of the earth, and the beams of the firmament of heaven; I spread out the skies as a curtain, and as a tent for man to dwell in; I the Lord made all these things. I will help thee.” Then comes Jehovah the Son. “And I also, am thy Redeemer, I am eternal; my name is wisdom. I was with God, when there were no depths, before he had digged the rivers, I was there as one brought up with him. I am Jesus, the God of ages; I am Jesus, the man of sorrows: ‘I am he that liveth and was dead, I am alive for evermore.’ I am the High Priest of thy profession, the Intercessor before the throne, the Representative of my people. I have power with God. I will help thee.” Poor worm, thy Redeemer vows to help thee; by his bleeding hands he covenants to give thee aid. And then in comes the Holy Spirit. “And I,” saith the Spirit, “am also God—not an influence, but a person—I, eternal and everlasting co-existent with the Father and the Son—I, who did brood over chaos, when as yet the world was not brought into form and fashion, and did sow the earth with the seeds of life when I did brood over it,—I, that brought again from the dead your Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of the sheep, I who am the Eternal Spirit, by whose power the Lord Jesus did arise from the bondage of his tomb—I, by whom souls are quickened, by whom the elect are called out of darkness into light—I, who have power to maintain my children and preserve them to the end—I will help thee.”

For meditation: 2 Corinthians 13:14: what a mighty benediction!

Sermon no. 157

5 October (Preached 4 October 1857)

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Longing for the Word

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John MacArthur

“Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2).

Scripture is our source of spiritual growth.

A newborn baby was abandoned in a pile of trash in a city alley. The mother had obviously left it there to die. The infant was near death when someone heard its faint cry and summoned medical help. The child survived, but not until it had received the attention and nourishment it needed.

That situation has a spiritual parallel, which Peter used to illustrate the believer’s dependence on God’s Word. If a baby is deprived of nourishment, it will soon die. Similarly, if a Christian doesn’t feed on the Word, he or she will languish spiritually and become ineffective for the Lord. On the positive side, a believer should long for God’s Word as intently as a newborn baby longs for its mother’s milk.

Scripture draws on the parent/child metaphor in other ways, referring to Christians as being born again (John 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3), children of God (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 3:1), and adopted sons (Rom. 8:14; Eph. 1:5). Just as it is natural for biological children to grow and mature, Christians also have the capacity for spiritual growth. In fact, we’re commanded to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

The Word of God is the mainstay of your spiritual diet. It’s your primary source of nourishment. Paul said, “As you . . . have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed” (Col. 2:6-7). “Your faith” in that context refers to the content of Christianity—the doctrines of Scripture. As your knowledge and application of biblical principles increases, you will become more and more grounded in truth and steadfast in Christ.

Suggestions for Prayer; If you’ve lost your appetite for God’s Word, it may be because of sin (1 Pet. 2:1). If so, ask God to cleanse your heart and give you a renewed longing for His truth. Then commit yourself to daily time in the Word.

For Further Study; Read Acts 20:32 and 1 Thessalonians 2:13, noting the effect Scripture has on believers.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Take a Stand

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Joyce meyer

Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! —Matthew 5:10

In our world today most people compromise rather than take a stand for what is right. Jesus said we would be persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and most people are not up for that. Jesus also promised a reward; however, the majority of people want reward without commitment. If we do what God has asked us to do, we will get what He promised us we could have. Salvation is free, and its only condition is to “believe,” but the benefits of being a Christian do come with conditions. God simply said, “If you will, I will.” Most Christians live far below their God-ordained destiny and privileges because they compromise rather than take a stand.

Take a stand. If you are the only one you know who is willing to do what is right, it may be a lonely walk, there may be persecution along the way, but the rewards are worth it. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you lived your life fully and completely and refused to let fear be your master.

Lord, I am willing to join with You and stand up for what I know is right. My destiny lies with You, and I choose Your kingdom above all. Amen.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Yours Is the Kingdom

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dr_bright

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Do you like the picture, as I do, of being a part of God’s little flock? That makes Him our shepherd, of course, and it makes us His sheep. How apt a picture!

Often, I am sure, most of us must seem to wander like lost sheep – not knowing which way to turn. It is at such times, in particular, that I need to see the Lord Jesus Christ as my great Shepherd, tenderly watching over me in the midst of every kind of heartache and burden.

In Judea, it was common to see men tending sheep, looking over the flocks by day and night. The shepherd watched over them, defended them, provided for them, led them to green pastures and beside still water.

Jesus was – and is – the Good Shepherd. His flock was relatively small. Few really followed Him, compared to the multitude who ignored Him. Though small in number, they were not to fear because God was their Friend. He would provide for them. He purposed to give them the kingdom and they had nothing to fear.

Today, we are part of a large and growing flock with a great and loving Shepherd. Just to know that He watches over us – cares for us – is joy supreme.

Bible Reading: Luke 12:28-34

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: During the day I will deliberately look up into God’s heaven several times to see that great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Anthems of Praise

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ppt_seal01

One of the most recognized women of the Old Testament, Deborah was known for her wisdom and courage as a military leader. More important, she was a spiritual leader and a prayer warrior who trusted in God alone.

Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

Judges 5:3

Deborah recruited the general Barak when she knew that God wanted the armies of Israel to attack the Canaanites. Even though God promised their victory, Barak succumbed to fear and insisted that Deborah go with him to the battle. Faced with 900 chariots of iron, Deborah’s army of 10,000 Israelites rushed down from the hills and, with the help of a brave wife, the army of Sisera was destroyed. After their victory, Deborah and Barak led the people in a national anthem of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord who saved them.

Some of this nation’s patriotic anthems, such as God Bless America and My Country ‘Tis of Thee, are national songs of praise to the Lord. The next time current events cause you to fear, sing one of those anthems as a prayer to your Heavenly Father. Pray also that people across the nation would publicly proclaim praises to God.

Recommended Reading: Judges 5:1-5; 24-31