Monthly Archives: January 2016

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Time Investment

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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Friend to Friend

Time management is a dreaded and often ignored spiritual discipline for many of us. We have forgotten that our minutes, hours, and days are precious commodities – gifts from God that can be unwrapped only once. Time is wasted unless it is invested in goals and priorities that are rooted in God’s plan.

A busy life is not necessarily a productive life. Oh, I can hear it now. “I am very busy, but I am busy doing good things.” Those words were the cry of my heart just before I crashed and burned and landed in a pit of clinical depression. The problem with my list of “good things” was that it was just that – my list – which was the wrong list for my life. The result was exhaustion, burnout, and disobedience.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Will Tell You

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“I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to” (Galatians 5:16).

Major conflicts in life are resolved when, by an act of the will, one surrenders to the control of the Holy Spirit and faces temptation in His power.

It should be explained that there is a difference between temptation and sin.

Temptation is the initial impression to do something contrary to God’s will. Such impressions come to all people, even as they did to the Lord, and they are not sin in themselves.

Temptation becomes sin when we meditate on the impression and develop a strong desire, which is often followed by the actual act of disobedience.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – To Whom Shall We Go?

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Read: John 6:60-71

You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6:67-69)

Here is the mark of the true believer: He cannot quit! When Jesus said to them, Will you go away also? it is clear that he would have let them go if they had wanted to. He does not hold anybody against his will. Responding to our Lord’s words, Peter says three wonderful things:

First, he says, in effect, Lord, we have been thinking about it. We have investigated the alternatives. You’re not easy to live with. You embarrass us. You frighten us. We don’t understand you at times. We see and hear you do things that simply blow our minds. You offend people who we think are important. We have looked at some alternatives, but I want to tell you this, Lord: we have never found anyone who can do what you can do. To whom shall we go? You have two things that hold us, two things we cannot deny, and the first is your words. What you say to us has met our deepest need, has delivered us from our sins and freed us from our fears. Your words, Lord, are the most remarkable words we have ever heard. They explain us and they explain life to us. They satisfy us. Nobody speaks like you do, nobody understands life like you do. That holds us.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Being with Jesus

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Read: Acts 4:1-13

He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him. (Mark 3:14)

The first practice for knowing Jesus is tucked innocently into the opening words about Jesus’ call of the Twelve: “He appointed twelve . . . so that they might be with him.” That was the main thing, the great secret of becoming an apostle, someone sent by Jesus to change the world. They had to be with him day in and day out, walking and talking, watching and listening, eating and sleeping for three years. They grew in their knowledge of Jesus simply by being with him.

As a result, the Twelve were able to continue Jesus’ mission even when he wasn’t with them anymore. No sooner had they begun to bear witness than they ran into the same trouble that killed Jesus. The Sanhedrin tried to silence Peter and John by throwing them in jail and subjecting them to the third degree.

Peter responded to their intimidation by boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, going so far as to claim that salvation is found in no one else than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12). The Jewish leaders were stunned by the courage of the apostles, especially because it was obvious that Peter and John were not highly educated men like the Sanhedrin (v. 13).

How could these “unschooled, ordinary men” give such bold and eloquent testimony in a hostile setting? The Jewish leaders reveal the secret in words that still challenge us: “they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to believe that you are with us always. Amen.

https://woh.org/

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Extenders

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Are you thinking of next year’s tax bill yet? Strangely, some are – and with anticipation! They are recipients of “tax extender” provisions. It’s the federal package in which lawmakers offer tax breaks to a select few. The practice started with the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, which wrapped several tax breaks together in an effort to make reauthorization a simple process. It was meant to be a temporary measure, but like many government benefits, it has ballooned out of control.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 19:17

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Brings Good out of Sadness

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Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Will I trust God to bring good out of the sad time I’m going through?

One day, I brought home a bright red helium balloon. I was so proud of it! I could hardly wait to get it out of the car and begin playing with it. But no sooner had my feet touched the pavement of our driveway than it slipped out of my hand and went floating away toward the clouds. I was disappointed and angry. It wasn’t fair! I had lost my balloon before I even had a chance to play with it.

But my dad had an idea. “I’ll get my binoculars,” he said. “Let’s watch your balloon till it’s out of sight.” We stood out in the backyard, my dad and I, for a long time that evening. We passed the binoculars back and forth, tracking the red balloon’s flight into the sky. What fun we had! That evening that had begun so sadly ended up filled with laughter and joy. It was one of my favorite times spent with my father.

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Divine Appointments

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“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” —James 4:17

The will of God is not always easy to discern. I would like say that when I get up every morning, the Mission Impossible theme song plays in the background while I listen to a message that says, “Good morning, Mr. Laurie. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go to the gas station at 12:45 p.m. A man named Joe will be pumping gas. Your mission is to share Jesus Christ with him. This message will self-destruct in ten seconds.”

That has never happened to me. Here’s how it might happen instead. I get into my car and see that the fuel is low, so I decide to drive to the gas station. As I’m standing there at the pump, I start chitchatting with a guy who’s also pumping gas. One thing leads to another, and the next thing you know, this guy has accepted the Lord.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Humility Before God

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Today’s Scripture: Philippians 2:8

“He humbled himself.”

Humility toward God is akin to the fear of God: It begins with a high view of God’s person. As we see God in his majesty, awesomeness, and holiness, we are humbled before him. In every occasion in the Scriptures in which man was privileged to view God in his glory, he was brought low or humbled in his presence. Moses bowed to the ground and worshipped; Isaiah cried, “Woe is me!”; Ezekiel fell face down; John fell at his feet as though dead. Even the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders in heaven of Revelation fell down before the throne of the glorified lamb.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – His Yoke Is Easy

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Today’s Scripture: James 1-5

Read it online:  NIV  ESV  KJV  The Message

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

Whenever I’m driving an automobile and I see a law enforcement officer, I slow down. It’s an automatic reaction. I may be going twenty miles per hour under the speed limit, but the sight of a cop always causes me to touch the brakes and make a quick mental inventory of any driving laws I might be breaking.

This is a strange reaction because I’m a very cautious driver. I haven’t had a traffic ticket in years. In fact, my kids call me the world’s greatest yielder. Nevertheless, the sight of a police car makes me nervous.

Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – His Yoke Is Easy →

BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  The Colson Fellows Program: Putting Your Worldview to Work

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Imagine having dozens of new friends come into your life this year—friends who are, like you, committed Christians. These friends have the capacity to change your life forever, and help you develop your own ministry, using your own vision and your own God-given gifts. Plus, they’re a lot of fun. Wouldn’t you gladly embrace new friends like these?

Well I think, folks, you’d be crazy not to. Because these new friends are the leaders and participants of the Colson Fellows Program, formerly known as the Centurions Program.

As a Colson Fellow in training, you’ll spend nine months reading the best books, participating in teleconferences with the best thinkers, and attending three residencies with the best teachers of Christian Worldview—people like Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family; Joni Eareckson Tada; Sean McDowell of Biola University, Nabeel Quereshi of the Ravi Zacharias Institute, and our own Colson Fellows National Director, Dr. Bill Brown, former president of Bryan College and Cedarville University. And yes, of course John Stonestreet and I will be speaking to you as well!

Chuck Colson founded this program, as he said, “to equip serious Christians to think seriously about all of life’s issues and to become change agents to strengthen the church and in turn the culture for generations to come.”

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – GADARENE DEMONIAC: DELIVERANCE FROM SHAME

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Read Mark 5:1-20

Some military veterans survive the horrors of war only to come home to find captivity. Some are hounded by memories of atrocities they’ve experienced; others feel adrift without purpose in daily life apart from the battlefield. Veterans say no one understands their struggles except others who have been there.

The demoniac in our passage had been held captive for years, tortured by invisible enemies who had infiltrated his body and his mind. Instead of standing by him, his family and friends identified him with the evil spirits tormenting him.

Even after the man was free from the demons’ control, he was still bound by the stigma of what they had done to him. His community expressed more concern over their economic loss than in the gain of their friend. Rather than thank his Rescuer, they tried to drive Him out.

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – GADARENE DEMONIAC: DELIVERANCE FROM SHAME →

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – WHY DONALD TRUMP HAS A ‘GREAT RELATIONSHIP’ WITH GOD

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Donald Trump told CNN last Sunday that he has a “great relationship” with God. He explained: “I like to be good. I don’t like to have to ask for forgiveness, and I am good. I don’t do a lot of things that are bad. I try to do nothing that’s bad.”

I’m reminded of Warren Buffett’s explanation when he signed over $30.7 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: “There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way.” Donald Trump and Warren Buffett are not alone; according to a recent survey, seventy-one percent of Americans think works play an essential role in salvation.

Hopefully you know better. Hopefully you know that you are saved only on the basis of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9), and that you can do nothing to deserve such love. But let me ask you: If you attended worship last Sunday, why did you go? If you spent time in prayer and Bible study today, why did you do so? Why did you open this Cultural Commentary? Is there an impulse, perhaps unstated and unconscious, compelling you to earn God’s favor by your actions?

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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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