Daily Archives: January 18, 2016

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Promise of Eternal Life

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1 John 5:5-12

Our culture is obsessed with longevity. While the desire for a lengthy existence of good quality is natural, it’s also shortsighted. The Bible does emphasize living a godly life now. But it also contains numerous reminders that believers will remain after this old world is gone.

No pill or diet can extend our days on earth beyond the number God has willed. But we can live forever in a flawless home with a perfected body, doing soul-satisfying work. When we believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son and trust Him as our Savior, we receive the gift of eternal life. Believers get to spend eternity serving and fellowshipping with the Lord.

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Minister of Reconciliation

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Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Bible in a Year: Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50

While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son. —Romans 5:10

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached on a Sunday morning in 1957, he fought the temptation to retaliate against a society steeped in racism.

“How do you go about loving your enemies?” he asked the Dexter Avenue Baptist congregation in Montgomery, Alabama. “Begin with yourself. . . . When the opportunity presents itself for you to defeat your enemy, that is the time which you must not do it.”

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – God and Injustice

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In his famed “I have a Dream speech,” Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed: “We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.” At these words, Dr. King painted for a troubled nation a powerful image of hope, and forever rooted the civil rights movement in images of justice and the image of God.

The images presented in the book of Daniel are similarly rooted in images of justice and God. In fact, it is for this reason that the sixth chapter of Daniel was a favorite Scripture passage among civil rights preachers in the early 1960s. The story told in Daniel 6 presents a king who loses sight of his purpose as king and the purpose of the law, creating a system void of justice and a law that only hinders and traps its makers. But against the images of lawlessness and corruption, the story portrays a silent but active Daniel clinging to a higher law, bowing before the King of Kings in the midst of persecution, in the hands of his oppressors, and the shadows of the lions’ den. Living within the hopelessness of exile, sweltering under the heat of injustice, Daniel unflinchingly declares the sovereignty of God, and with faithfulness and perseverance refuses to believe otherwise.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Righteous Anger

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“Walk . . . with all . . . gentleness” (Ephesians 4:1-2).

Our anger must be under control and should occur only for the right reason.

After the previous lesson, you might think that Christians must always be quiet and passive, never getting upset or angry about anything. Actually, believers do have the right to get angry, but only under certain conditions. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” So there is a certain kind of anger that isn’t sinful. It must be under control, and it must be resolved expeditiously.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.” Someone who is out of control is vulnerable. He falls into every temptation, failure, and weakness. On the other hand, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (16:32). One who rules his spirit has power and energy, but it’s under control. That same power and energy out of control creates nothing but chaos and sinfulness. Those who are easily angered are not gentle.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Business With God 

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And He [Jesus] said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49, NJKV

At age 19 when I became a Christian, I phoned my father (who was not a Christian) to share my newfound faith. As a pragmatist, he was unimpressed with my “irrelevant religion”. “Son, the church has brainwashed you”, he quipped. Fortunately, there were other father figures in my life, who gave me a clearer picture and understanding of my heavenly Father’s heart. I aspired for my Father’s business to become my business. I’m still a student in God’s business school—as I’m ever learning to adjust to His plan for my life. God’s business is job one for followers of Jesus.

What did Jesus mean as a 12 year old when He said, “I must be about My Father’s business?” His Father’s business included worship with God’s people along with the discussion, understanding and application of God’s Word. Moreover, business success in the world requires a compelling vision, a clear mission and focused discipline to execute and always improve. Our heavenly Father’s vision is to love the world by leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus through His bride: the church. Doing business with God leads to God doing business in us.

“So I said, “See, I have come to do Your will, as it is inscribed of me in the scroll. I am pleased to live how You want, my God. Your law is etched into my heart and my soul” (Psalm 40:7-8, The Voice).

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Tithing From the Dough

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And we made ordinances to bring…the firstfruits of our dough.

Nehemiah 10:35-37

Recommended Reading

Nehemiah 10:34-39

The people in Nehemiah 10 agreed to honor God by giving Him the firstfruits of their produce and income, including, in verse 37, the firstfruits of their dough. We should do the same. Of course, in Nehemiah’s day the word “dough” was literal. They harvested their crops, ground their grain, and brought the first portions of their dough to the Lord. In this way, they worshiped God and also provided for the needs of those tending His temple.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God Is Pleased and Delighted with You

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He brought me forth also into a large place; He was delivering me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me.—Psalm 18:19

Have you ever taken time to think about what you think about yourself? God thinks you are special, and He celebrates you all the time. He doesn’t mention your past sins, and He rejoices over you with singing (see Zephaniah 3:17).

According to Scripture, King David, who wrote our verse for today, was far from perfect, but he believed God was pleased with him. David made the same statement again in 2 Samuel 22:20. He really knew God’s pleasure and delight in him.

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Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – When You Don’t Like the Story God is Writing

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Today’s Truth

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Friend to Friend

If it were up to me, I would have written some stories differently. My second child would not have died, and I would have a little girl who would be 21 years old this year. Carol’s son would not be in prison. Linda’s 20-year-old daughter would not be a quadriplegic. Barbara’s daughter would not be bipolar. Patty’s 21-year-old daughter would not have died in a car accident. Jennifer’s husband would not have died of a brain tumor. If I had been writing the story.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – To Keep You From Sin

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“How can a young man stay pure? By reading Your Word and following its rules. I have tried my best to find You – don’t let me wander off from Your instructions. I have thought much about Your words, and stored them in my heart so that they would hold me back from sin” (Psalm 119:9-11).

Carl, a Christian leader who had made a mess of his life, wept as he shared his defeat. “As a young Christian, “he said, “I was warned that God’s Word would keep me from sin, or sin would keep me from God’s Word.

“For many years,” he continued, “I studied and obeyed God’s Word faithfully. A few years ago I became very busy and took less and less time for God’s Word. So when temptation came, I had no strength to resist. Now my life and marriage have disintegrated and I am thinking of committing suicide.”

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Life with God

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Read: John 6:41-59

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. (John 6:56)

Those marvelous words represent what was apparently a very offensive statement to these Jews. It sounds that way even to us if we take his words literally. Talk about eating human flesh and drinking human blood turns many people off. Evidently those listening to Jesus felt that way. You can hear the cynicism in their voices: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? What does he think we are—cannibals? This was most offensive to Jews because they had been taught all through the centuries that God did not want flesh in which there remained any blood. The word kosher means to cleanse; and it particularly refers to the preparation of meat. The Jews cannot eat any meat that has not had all the blood drained from it.

But in these words our Lord reveals the absolute necessity for receiving his life: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. That is unequivocal, isn’t it? There is no doubting what he has to say. This is absolutely essential to real life. If you do not have this, you are on a temporary slide into ultimate corruption and total death. The most you can do is merely preserve your life for awhile, and hold death at arm’s length. But death is inevitable unless you know the One who gives life. Then Jesus shows how that life is real: For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. It is the real kind of life that God intends for us.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Fan, Follower, or Fanatic?

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Read: Mark 3:7-19

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. (v. 13 NIV)

I’m not a very good golfer, but I really want to be. OK, that’s not totally true. If I really wanted to get better, I would actually do something about it—stop whining and getting angry, and do something. I would take lessons and then I would practice. You can’t get better at anything complicated, whether it’s golf or playing the piano or learning a language without practice, practice, practice.

I mention this because the same thing is true about knowing Christ better. Many people are like the crowds surrounding Jesus. They were fans of Jesus, enthusiastic about his teaching and miracles. But they weren’t genuine followers, because they didn’t really know who he was. However, in that crowd of fans were also some followers, sincere believers who followed him everywhere. They were actually committed to him and did what he said.

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Eternal Mindset

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This world is a dangerous place to live. No one will make it out alive. Yet the Christian need not be worried, fearful, hateful, or bitter. Instead, believers in Jesus are to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and temperate.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

To maintain these qualities during difficulties, people must turn to God as their refuge and seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Today’s verse depicts the Lord as a tower that serves as both a place of shelter as well as protection. As you run to Him, you also realize God does not think like humans do. He looks at people and circumstances from an eternal perspective. He’s not overly concerned about His children being comfortable. He’s more concerned for eternal souls.

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Closer Than We Think

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Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.—2 Kings 6:17

We often imagine Heaven as a faraway place. We automatically think it is beyond our solar system. But the Bible doesn’t say that Heaven is far away. Maybe Heaven is closer than we think. Heaven is another realm. Right now as we live in this physical realm, there is also a supernatural realm.

In 2 Kings 7 we find a classic example of how God can work both naturally and supernaturally at the same time. Supernaturally God cleared out Israel’s enemies, the Syrians, by allowing them to hear the noise of an approaching army, complete with chariots and galloping horses. This wasn’t an illusion or sleight of hand. This was a glimpse behind the veil into the supernatural realm.

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is a Tenderhearted Father

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“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalm 103:13)

One day Laurie and her sister Caroline came home from school, and both of their parents met them at the door. Their dad never came home from work in the middle of the day. They knew something must be wrong.

“Girls,” said their dad without his usual smile, “I have some sad news. Your grandpa died this morning.”

They sat down on the couch, their daddy in the middle with an arm around each of them. And Laurie and Caroline cried. Caroline looked up finally and noticed a tear rolling down her daddy’s cheek. She could hardly believe her eyes! She had never seen her daddy cry before. “He must really miss Grandpa too,” she thought. Later she realized that her dad was crying, not just because he missed Grandpa. He was crying for his daughters because they were sad.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Leaving the Path

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 11-14

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. – Psalm 51:4

Every time I read the story of David and Bathsheba, I watch in horror as David, the man of God, falls into immorality and murder. What prompted this godly man to fall into such sin? I believe the Bible gives us a number of reasons.

First of all, he was not where he was supposed to be. This was the time of year when kings went forth to battle. David, as commander in chief, should have been with his soldiers, leading the army on the field. When we wander away from our duty, we can easily fall into sin.

Second, it appears that David was indulging a slothful spirit. Why do I suspect that? Because the record tells us that David arose from his bed at eventide. He had dozed away the whole afternoon! David’s bed of sloth soon turned into a bed of lust.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Practical Christian Living

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Today’s Scripture: Matthew 5:16

“Let your light shine before others.”

In a series of moral exhortations in Titus 2:1?:2 we find three instances where Paul emphasized the importance of our Christian testimony before unbelievers. In verse 5, he said, “that the word of God may not be reviled.” In verse 8: “so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” And in verse 10: “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our savior.”

Paul was obviously concerned about the witness by life of the believers. In Romans he said to the Jews, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (2:24, NIV), and he must have had a similar concern about the Cretan Christians to whom Titus ministered.

Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Practical Christian Living →

BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  Now THIS Will Change the Climate

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One of the newest and most-rapidly spreading memes in popular science is what’s being dubbed the “Anthropocene.” According to this meme, human beings are having such an impact on the environment, especially the climate, that we’ve entered a new geological age.

That’s exactly the point a recent article that British geologist Colin Waters and his colleagues recently made in the journal Science. They argue that the combination of the “rapid global spread of novel materials including aluminum, concrete and plastics” and “fossil-fuel combustion,” and the “atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons” has produced “rapid environmental change” sufficient to call our times a new geological age.

Now to put this in perspective, the last shift in geological ages from the Pleistocene to the current Holocene, saw the end of the Ice Age. Average global temperatures rose 20 degrees in a century, drastically more than the worst-case scenario 3.5 degrees spike that climate change activists talk about today. Sea levels rose 400 feet, as compared to the one-to-two feet being worried about today. And when was the last time anyone saw a mammoth or sabre-tooth cat strolling down Sunset Boulevard?

Talk about the Anthropocene combines disdain for our species with an almost comically-inflated view of our power over the rest of creation.

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Uncategorized

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – ADULTEROUS WOMAN: PROVISION FOR SHAME

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Read John 8:1-11

Try to imagine this scene: a woman is on trial for a crime that everyone knows she has committed. The judge renders the verdict of “Guilty!” But then the judge steps down from the bench and offers to take the punishment in her place. The woman is left standing, free from guilt before the law but not free from shame before the crowd. They all know what she did.

In our reading today, a woman was caught in the act of adultery. She stood silent before her accusers, defenseless before the Law and the crowd. Her guilt and her shame were exposed and confirmed by all.

What would Jesus say to this woman? God the Father once carved the Law on tablets of stone; now the fingers of God the Son etched a pattern in the temple dust. The Law was not wrong to condemn adultery. Using it as a weapon to justify self-righteousness at the expense of someone else, however, was wrong. Jesus demonstrated how to uphold both the Law and God’s original intent for it.

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – WHAT WOULD MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SAY ABOUT ABORTION?

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In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Act, proclaiming the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The next year, he proclaimed the third Sunday in January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day.

As a result, today we honor Dr. King. Yesterday, thousands of churches across the country honored the sanctity of life. What would Martin Luther King Jr. say about abortion and the cause of life?

Planned Parenthood gave Dr. King its Margaret Sanger Award in 1966. However, at that time the organization was still publishing a pamphlet that stated, “Is birth control abortion? Definitely not. An abortion kills the life of a baby after it has begun. It is dangerous to your life and health.” The organization supported birth control but opposed abortion and changed its stance on the latter years after Dr. King was assassinated.

According to his niece, Dr. Alveda C. King, her uncle “was pro-life, pro-abstinence before marriage, and based his views on the unchanging Word of God.” Dr. King was assassinated five years before the Supreme Court legalized abortion. Were he alive today, I wonder what he would say about the sanctity of life, in his own words.

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