Monthly Archives: February 2016

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – According to Your Gift

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Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching.—Romans 12:6-7

It’s a time-tested truth: Most people who criticize others for what they are doing are usually doing nothing themselves. It is sad when people have nothing better to do than criticize those who are trying to do something to make the world a better place.

I recall being a member of one church in which the pastor felt that any woman who wanted to do anything other than pray, clean, or work in the nursery had to present her case to him and the elders for their approval. I was teaching a very successful home Bible study, and the pastor told my husband he should be teaching the meeting rather than me. The pastor had his rules, but God had called me to teach, and He had not called Dave in that way. Dave has other wonderful, valuable gifts, but he is not called to teach. Surely if God had not wanted me to teach, He would not have gifted me to do it—and given me a desire to do it. As far as I can discern from Scripture, God is not in the business of frustrating and confusing people.

Lord, thank You for the spiritual gift You’ve given me. Direct me in how to use it to glorify Your name. Amen.

From the book The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Hunger and Thirst

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“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, KJV).

Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness, for the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit in your life? If so, you can claim that fullness and power right now by faith.

“The great difference between present-day Christianity and that of which we read in these letters (New Testament epistles),” declared J.B. Phillips in his introduction to the Letters to Young churches, “is that to us it is primarily a performance; to them it was a real experience.

“We are apt to reduce the Christian religion to a code, or, at best, a rule of heart and life. To these men it is quite plainly the invasion of their lives by a new quality of life altogether. They do not hesitate to describe this as Christ living in them.”

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Word for the Discouraged

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Read: Isaiah 49:8-26

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Here Jehovah reminds Israel, Though you may feel neglected and forgotten, I cannot cast you off. I will never forget you, Can a mother forget the baby at her breast? Proverbially, of course, a mother’s love is the strongest love of all. Many mothers continue to love their children no matter what they do. But it is unfortunately true that mothers can forget their children. Mothers can forget their children, but God cannot: See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. We are reminded of that scene in the gospels when Jesus, after his resurrection, appeared to his frightened disciples, huddled together in the upper room, and said to them, Behold, my hands and my feet and see that it is I (Luke 24:39). Those wounds in his hands were marks of love and their very names were engraved in his hands.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Never Accept Milk from a Stranger

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Read: Judges 4:1-24

“Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink. (v. 19)

This is another wild and woolly story! Deborah (“Honeybee” in Hebrew) was judge of Israel, and not a word is mentioned about it being unusual that a woman occupied that position of power. The army was led by Barak (“Lightning” in Hebrew), but when it came to war, Lightning acted like a Honeybee and the Honeybee acted like Lightning. Not only does Barak need Deborah to tell him when to strike, he won’t even go to war unless Deborah comes along.

The word “hand” is the great thread that holds the story together. Israel suffered under the hand of Jabin (v. 2), Barak was told twice the army of Sisera would come into his hand (vv. 7, 14), Sisera fell under the hand of the deceitful Jael (vv. 9, 21), and the relentless hand of Israel brought Jabin into submission (v. 24).

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C.- Skeletons

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“If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton,” said George Bernard Shaw humorously, “you may as well make it dance.” A modern expression of that idea is the unabashed acceptance showered upon even the most broken parts of people’s lives rather than encouraging help. Think about the carnival of interpersonal conflict still engulfing transgendered television personality Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner). Modern psychology says to embrace the change rather than question the craving. But even a sex change hasn’t brought Jenner peace from family strife or likely addressed his innermost wounds.

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

Psalm 103:4

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Delights To Answer Prayer

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“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11).

Regular readers, please see a special note for you at the foot of this devotional.*

When Michele was eleven, her best friend left their school to go to a different school. Michele’s class was small, and she didn’t feel close to any of the other three girls in the class. She wanted so much to have a best friend that she could talk to.

That summer before sixth grade, Michele’s mom said, “Why don’t you pray that God will send a new girl to your class next year to be your close friend?” She took her mom’s advice and started praying. But she didn’t have much faith. Where would a new girl come from? And even if a new girl did come, would she really want to be her friend? Michele dreaded the beginning of the new school year, because she didn’t believe God would answer her prayer.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Pray or Work?

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9

“For we are God’s fellow workers.”

Nehemiah understood well the principle that we’re both dependent and responsible. In rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, he faced great opposition from certain enemies of the Jews. When the Jews had rebuilt the wall to half its height, these enemies “all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:8-9).

Note Nehemiah’s response to the threatened attack. His people prayed and posted a guard. He recognized his dependence on God, but he also accepted his responsibility to work—to stand guard.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Did You Get That?

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6-9

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known. – Psalm 106:8

One of the dangers we face as Christians is becoming so familiar with certain words and phrases that we fail to consider their meaning. For example, we know that God is an infinite being who is so powerful and so immense that the heavens cannot contain Him. He is infinitely above and beyond the boundaries of creation. Great! But what does that mean?

Some time ago, a Canadian astronomer working on a mountaintop in Chile sighted a supernova. It was the first such sighting since 1604. A supernova is an exploding star that in one second releases a burst of atomic particles with a force equal to all the energy the sun will give out in its lifetime of ten billion years–multiplied by 100. Did you get that? If this is what the creation can do, then what can God the Creator do?

Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Did You Get That? →

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REST FROM OUR ENEMIES

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Read Luke 1:67-79

President Richard Nixon kept an infamous “enemies list,” detailed in a memo from former advisor Charles Colson. Nixon’s enemies were in fact people that he didn’t like—and this is probably true of many of the people we would consider to be our enemies today. They are either those we don’t like or those who don’t like us. For many Christians in countries around the world today, however, enemies are people who want to take their lives.

Divine protection is one of the blessings that Zechariah celebrates in his hymn of praise in today’s text. This song is often referred to as the Benedictus, a title that comes from the Latin translation of Zechariah’s first word, which is blessed.

Zechariah’s song is the counterpart to Mary’s hymn of praise in Luke 1:46–56 and expresses similar themes. The song begins with praise and then makes predictions about the life and ministry of Jesus and John the Baptist. Prior to this, Zechariah had been struck dumb for questioning God’s promise that he and his wife would have a son in their old age (see vv. 16–20). Zechariah’s song was more than a poetic composition. It was a prophetic utterance.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley –Imagine His Return

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Read | Acts 1:9-11

In our lives, we may have had opportunities to experience amazing things, see beautiful views, and hear wonderful music. But more marvelous than any earthly event is what Christians will experience at the return of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul urges believers to become familiar with what will occur at that remarkable time (1 Thess. 4:13). Just imagine…

What we will hear: Jesus “will descend from heaven with a shout” (1 Thess. 4:16). Perhaps the Lord will say something similar to the words He spoke when raising Lazarus back to life: “Come forth!” (John 11:43). The voice of the archangel Michael—the leader of the angelic host—and a heavenly trumpet will also be heard, calling the saints to assemble.

What we will see: Jesus will descend (Acts 1:11), to be met in the air by newly resurrected deceased saints and then, a moment later, by living believers. Continue reading Charles Stanley –Imagine His Return →

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Four Ways to Look

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Read: Psalm 77:1-15

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. —Psalm 77:12

Joan was struggling with some difficult issues with her children when she sat down for a worship service. Exhausted, she wanted to “resign” from motherhood. Then the speaker began to share encouragement for those who feel like quitting. These four thoughts that Joan heard that morning helped her to keep going:

Look up and pray. Asaph prayed all night long and even expressed feelings that God had forgotten and rejected him (Ps. 77:9-10). We can tell God everything and be honest about our feelings. We can ask Him anything. His answer may not come right away or in the form we want or expect, but He won’t criticize us for asking.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Measure of Grace

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“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

God will lavish grace upon sinners who are truly repentant.

Did you ever sin so terribly that you felt, I really blew it this time. There’s no way God would want to forgive me now? It’s easy sometimes to let our past sins be a constant burden to us, even after we’ve confessed and repented. Paul has comfort for those who feel this way, and that comfort is founded on the power and measure of God’s grace to us. Before his conversion, Paul (then known as Saul) persecuted the church mercilessly (see Acts 8:3 and 9:1-2). He was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Tim. 1:13; see also Gal. 1:13). If anyone could be beyond grace, it was Paul.

But God intervened and saved him (Acts 9:3-19). Why? “For this reason,” Paul says, “I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Tim. 1:16). If God would forgive Paul, He will forgive anyone who will confess their sins and repent. If He would show abundant grace to a violent unbeliever, He will also shower grace upon His penitent children.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Love Always Trusts 

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Love always trusts.    1 Corinthians 13:7

Love always trusts, for trust is a staple of love. If you are always suspicious and uncertain, then love is lacking. Love thrives in an environment of trust, but shrivels up in a spirit of distrust. It is very difficult to love without trust, for it is a lubricant for love. Trust calls out love like an engagement invitation. Trust is what it takes for a love relationship to flourish and take root. Therefore, look for the best in someone else and trust them, even though they may not have been trustworthy in the past. Love is all about second chances.

Of course, you must be a responsible steward of money and time. Don’t blindly believe everything everyone tells you. Have instead a policy of “trust and verify.” On the other hand, love does not write someone off when they fail to meet expectations, or when they blatantly experience failure. Love picks them up and says, “I will trust you again,” “I have not given up on you,” “You are on the team,” “You are a child of God, therefore you deserve another opportunity to succeed.”

Love is all about making people successful. When you love someone, you trust them to carry out the plan. Love sees trust where others see distrust. Love sees potential where others see disqualification. Love sees success where others see failure. Love sees a hurting human being where others see someone who is angry. Love thinks the best, but distrust thinks the worst. Love and trust feed off each other; they propel one another to greater heights. Love always trusts. This is especially true with Almighty God. Love trusts God, for He is trustworthy. His track record of trustworthiness is without blemish. He can be trusted. If you love Him, you will trust Him. Your affection and love are meant to originate in heaven not on earth. Love leans on and listens to the Lord because it trusts Him.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Love Languages: Pray Your Love

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Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.

Romans 15:30

Recommended Reading

Luke 23:34a

In the sentencing phase of a trial, the judge will often allow individuals to address the court to influence the judge’s decision about the sentence. Some are there to ask for a harsh sentence. But others are there out of love. They understand the need for justice, but they also are there to ask for mercy and fairness.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Let God Interrupt You

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…And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? —Esther 4:14

Have you ever noticed that the men and women we read about in the Bible and consider “great” were all people who allowed God to interrupt their lives and were willing to make tremendous sacrifices for Him?

Joseph saved a nation from starvation, but not before God dramatically removed him from his comfortable home where he was his father’s favorite and allowed him to be imprisoned for many years. Joseph probably wasn’t planning a life of hardship and rejection, but God took him through those things in order to position him to be in the right place at the right time. But Joseph could only know that after the fact.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Exalting a Nation

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“Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:2) reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority over us, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.

We should pray daily for all those in authority over us, from the precinct to the White House, and we should seek through the writing of letters and personal appointments to communicate God’s love to each one of them, so that they may contribute to those qualities of godliness that will cause the blessing of God to continue to be poured out upon this nation.

One day I walked into a senator’s office in Washington, D.C. I had never met the man before, but a mutual friend had suggested that I drop by to see him.

Within a few minutes it seemed as if we had known each other for a lifetime. A natural opportunity arose for me to ask him if he were a Christian, and I was able to share the good news of the gospel with him through the Four Spiritual Laws. Before I left his office, the senator said he would like to receive Christ.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Turn To Me and Be Saved

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Read: Isaiah 45:9-25

Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, What are you making? Does your work say, The potter has no hands? (Isaiah 45:9)

It would be ridiculous if clay were to say to the potter, I don’t like the way you’re doing this. This design does not appeal to me at all. Listen to the irony of this passage: Woe to him who says to a father, What are you begetting? or to a woman, With what are you in travail? (Isaiah 45:10 RSV). This is the God with whom we have to deal. How incredibly arrogant of man to criticize the workings of a God like that! This passage is designed to humble man in his proud confidence and to show him how dependent he is upon the God whom he dares to criticize. C.S. Lewis once argued that to contend with God is to contend with the very One who makes it possible for us to contend in the first place, and how foolish we are to attempt that!

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Stop the Exodus

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Would it surprise you that some studies say up to 75 percent of Christian youth leave church after high school? Many polls and denominational reports reflect that the next generation of young people is giving up on the faith of their youth. Recent books such as Passing the Baton by John McElroy, The Last Christian Generation by Josh McDowell and Already Gone by Ken Ham examine this trend and highlight ways to win back the hearts and minds of the next generation.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100:5

God commands that knowledge of and love for Him should be taught to your children (Deuteronomy 6:7), and when that is not done, the consequences can be severe. Statistics indicate a mass exodus is happening – but today’s verse gives hope. It reminds you that God’s faithfulness never ends. It is given to all generations. Even though a generation might give up on Him, He never will give up on them.

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Difference between Public Speaking and Preaching the Gospel

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“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”—2 Timothy 4:2

Someone who had just done a public talk asked me for some tips about speaking. They asked me if I ever had panic attacks when addressing a crowd. My answer was no, and that is for two reasons:

  1. I have confidence in my message. I know that God’s Word, which I am proclaiming, will not return void. I know there is power in it and I expect it to do its work.
  2. There is an urgency to what I am saying, as life and death hang in the balance.

Compare it to the talk they give you on the plane before takeoff. They are calm and collected as they tell you what to do in case of an emergency landing:

“In the event of an emergency, please assume the bracing position. A life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When instructed to do so, open the plastic pouch and remove the vest. Slip it over your head. Pass the straps around your waist and adjust at the front. To inflate the vest, pull firmly on the red cord, only when leaving the aircraft. If you need to refill the vest, blow into the mouthpieces. Use the whistle and light to attract attention. Also, your seat bottom cushion can be used as a flotation device.”

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God expects us to think rightly toward others

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“And let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.” (Zech 7:10b)

It seems that brothers and sisters are naturally good at annoying their siblings. It is natural to love our family members, but sometimes it is hard to like them. Brothers and sisters seem to know just the right buttons to push in order to annoy one another. Our God is not like that. Think about it. What would we think of God if He were the kind of God Who would say “devise evil against your brother”? Our God does not say that. No way! He says, “let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart”! God is holy, and He has an opinion about the secret thoughts you have toward your brothers and sisters.

Right now, you may have no desire to be “pals” with your brother or sister. When they grow older, though, brothers and sisters often become the closest of friends. You might never dream that you could be good friends as grown-ups, even if your family ends up spread out all over the country. In fact, you might think, “No way! Impossible!” When you are in the middle of an argument, you can think only of ways to get back at that brother or sister. You might even feel tempted to think of him or her as your enemy!

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