Monthly Archives: March 2016

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Kids 4 Truth International – God’s Word Is Our Treasure

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“Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Do you have a “treasure-keeper”? Most of us have a place where we keep those things that are special to us. Your special “treasure-keeping” place might be a shoebox on the top shelf of your closet, a locked safebox, a trophy case, a diary, a cookie tin, a dresser drawer–or maybe even under your bed! Our “treasures’ can be all sorts of things: baseball cards, jewelry, a souvenir from a favorite vacation, a photo of your grandpa and grandma on their wedding day, a letter from a friend you met at camp, or maybe a medal you won in a competition. Whatever form your “treasure-keeper” takes, it is the treasure kept inside it that really is special to you.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – The Self-Discipline Approach

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:7

“Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

There’s no doubt that disciplined people, both believers and unbelievers, can effect change in themselves. But in the self-discipline approach to holiness, a major temptation is to rely on a regimen of spiritual disciplines instead of on the Holy Spirit.

I believe in spiritual disciplines, and I seek to practice them. But those disciplines are not the source of our spiritual strength. The Lord Jesus Christ is, and the Spirit’s ministry is to apply his strength in our lives. To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 3:7, we can plant and water, but we cannot make things grow. Only the Spirit can do that. We must plant and water if we’re to make progress in holiness, but only the Spirit can change us more and more into the likeness of Jesus.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – From the Mouth of God

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Today’s Scripture: Psalm 119:137-152

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. – Psalm 119:16

There is a worldwide hotel chain that promises “No Surprises.” Every room in every hotel in every city of every country is identical.

It reminds me of my days growing up on a farm in Iowa. When the mailman drove into our farm and parked his Model T Ford by the gate and handed us the package from Sears and Roebuck, we knew exactly what would be inside. Whatever Ma ordered, that’s what came. It was absolutely reliable.

So it is with the Bible. There are two forms of evidence put forth to back up the conclusion that the Bible is the Word of the living God.

The first is what Bible teachers call internal evidence–statements found in the Bible that claim it is the Word of God; the second is external evidence, such as the unity of its message–fulfilled prophecy and the like. Let’s look for a moment at the internal evidence.

Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – From the Mouth of God →

BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War

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To Christians, and even to many non-Christians, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien represent something special—a Christian literary renaissance of the 20th century. These two friends published works of great power and endurance, saturated with a Christian worldview. But was it only faith and friendship that made their work unique and so great? What other factors might have played a role?

My good friend and King’s College history professor Joe Loconte identifies one such factor in his marvelous new book, “A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War.” As the title suggests, Loconte focuses on the life-altering role that Lewis’s and Tolkien’s service in World War I played in both men’s lives. In fact, we can’t fully understand these two writers without knowing something about how this cataclysmic event helped define them and their generation.

And Loconte gives us the background we need. Ironically, Joe says, it was the Myth of Progress—the widely held belief that “science . . . could perfect human nature and thus human societies”—that laid the ground for a war that reached an unprecedented level of destruction. Darwinism, eugenics, industrialism—all these gave rise to a firm belief in “the upward flight of humankind.” Even many Christians went along with this foolish utopianism; those who resisted found the “tide turning against them.”

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – JESUS, SON OF GOD

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Read Luke 2:1-21

In a twist on the traditional baby shower, gender-reveal parties are the newest trend in gathering friends and family before the birth of the baby. Portable ultrasound machines can be wheeled into the room. Cakes (with blue or pink inside) deliver the awaited news.

Mary had one of the most amazing gender-reveal moments of all time when the angel Gabriel told her that she would have a son (1:31)! That news was delivered to an audience of one; the birth announcement for Jesus, however, was delivered with celestial pageantry by the angelic hosts of heaven to the shepherds. The angels proclaimed the jubilant news of the Son of God’s arrival in Bethlehem, the royal city of David. This news was not a private celebration; the birth of Jesus was good news for the entire world.

In his book Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth Bailey says Mary and Joseph most probably had family connections in Bethlehem, since that was where they were going to register for the census. Bailey describes the construction of a typical village home at that time, which sometimes included a guest room. With the guest room already occupied, the homeowners likely welcomed Mary and Joseph into the area of their home designated for sheltering animals at night. Under that roof, the newborn Son of God was laid in a manger.

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – SAILOR’S MUMMIFIED BODY DISCOVERED IN YACHT

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Manfred Fritz Bajorat was a fifty-nine-year-old German sailor. His body was recently discovered in a yacht floating in the Pacific Ocean. Authorities have no idea how long he has been dead. The dry ocean winds and salty air helped mummify his body, which was found slumped over a desk in what seems to be a radio room.

His death was certainly unique, but so was his life. So is yours.

NASA estimates that there are more than one billion “Earth-like” planets in our galaxy. These are rocky planets approximately the size of Earth that orbit sunshine stars in the “habitable zone” where water could be liquid at the surface. This estimate doesn’t include the number of such planets in other galaxies.

And yet, despite all these options, we have yet to discover life on any planet but our own.

Closer to home, scientists have now discovered the specific gene that can lead to gray hair. It is known as IRF4 and relates to the cellular process that produces melanin, the pigment that determines hair color. This gene variant does not guarantee that its owner will have gray hair, but it makes graying more likely.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Walking in the Spirit

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Read | Galatians 5:16-25

The Holy Spirit is one of God’s most precious gifts to His beloved children. The Spirit takes up residence within the believer at the moment of salvation and empowers the individual to overcome sin and live for God’s glory and purposes. However, the Holy Spirit’s power can be “turned off” or ignored. Only those who choose to walk with Him have unhindered access to His strength and guidance.

Walking by the Spirit denotes reliance upon Him. He leads the way, and we follow Him. As He speaks, we listen, heed His warnings, and obey His directions. The Spirit’s way is a path of surrender which, although difficult, leads to fullness of life.
God’s Spirit not only guides but also empowers us. The challenge of obeying Him is impossible in our own strength. The Holy Spirit supplies everything we need for living a godly life, and He produces His amazing fruit in us.

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Lurking Lions

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Read: Numbers 14:1-9

Bible in a Year: Numbers 26-27; Mark 8:1-21

The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. —Numbers 14:9

When I was young, my dad would “scare” us by hiding in the bush and growling like a lion. Even though we lived in rural Ghana in the 1960s, it was almost impossible that a lion lurked nearby. My brother and I would laugh and seek out the source of the noise, thrilled that playtime with Dad had arrived.

One day a young friend came for a visit. As we played, we heard the familiar growl. Our friend screamed and ran. My brother and I knew the sound of my father’s voice—any “danger” was merely a phantom lion—but a funny thing happened. We ran with her. My dad felt terrible that our friend had been frightened, and my brother and I learned not to be influenced by the panicked reaction of others.

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Music Therapy as Treatment

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“I had been given a cassette of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor–this was the only music I had, and I had been playing it for two weeks almost nonstop. Now suddenly, as I was standing, the concerto started to play itself with intense vividness in my mind. In this moment, the natural rhythm and melody of walking came back to me, and along with this, the feeling of my leg as alive, as part of me once again. I suddenly ‘remembered’ how to walk.”(1) So writes renowned neurologist Oliver Sacks in his book Musicophilia, describing his personal recovery following a serious injury to his leg in a climbing accident.

Sacks perhaps became more popularly known as the real life individual who inspired the character portrayed by Robin Williams in the 1990 film, Awakenings, a film later nominated for an Oscar. But the description The New York Times bestowed upon him as “the poet laureate of medicine” well sums up an impressive biography that includes the story of a physician, scientist, writer, and artist. A fascinating man, a lengthy article could be written in attempt to do yet small justice to a remarkable life story and his pursuit of treatment for those suffering from illnesses like autism, parkinsonism, epilepsy, phantom limb syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, schizophrenia, and the great pandemic of sleepy sickness following World War I. For today, I want to bring a magnifying glass to his research of music therapy as treatment for the above mentioned conditions, and more.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Coming Under God’s Authority

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“Submit therefore to God” (James 4:7a).

The truly humble will submit to God’s authority.

Most people understand the basic requirements of military service. The first thing anyone experiences when he enlists is his rank within the chain of command under the commanding officer. Implicit in such lining up under the leadership of a superior is that the soldier, sailor, airman, or marine will obediently carry out all he is commanded to do.

However, the military is not the only context in which the concept of submission applies. James 4:7 uses the term “submit” in the far more important arena of our relationship to God. We are to submit to Him and come under the sovereign authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the basic requirement for anyone who would be humble before God. Since Scripture often uses military terms to describe our service to God (Phil. 2:25; 2 Tim. 2:3), it is appropriate to see ourselves as enlisting in God’s army, willingly obeying His commands, and following His leadership.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Stability and Security 

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The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12

Uncertainty is a certainty of life. Economic uncertainty. Political uncertainty. Financial uncertainty. Relational uncertainty. Physical uncertainty. Those who focus on life’s uncertainties are certain to be preoccupied, even disillusioned by fear and anxiety. Being consumed by uncertainty is like traveling on extremely winding roads while sitting in the back seat of a car, you begin to feel the nausea of emotional motion sickness. Has uncertainty caused fear to overcome your faith?

The Lord describes an eternal environment of stability and security. A place with no fear of what a person might or might not do, because all of the citizens of God’s city are redeemed by the Lamb—Jesus. The city of God is governed by King Jesus—who keeps all His promises. His promises of no more sin, sorrow or suffering are secure. His guarantee of our resurrection and reigning with Him, stabilizes our soul. We are rock solid pillars of faith who worship the Lord in His temple. Emotional stability and spiritual security accompany those who travel with Jesus.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Who Loves Their Enemies?

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But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Recommended Reading

Romans 5:8-10

On September 2, 1945, representatives of the government of Japan came aboard the American battleship USS Missouri to sign the documents that officially ended World War II. Allied and Japanese forces were no longer at war. Peace was conditional upon Japan’s agreement to end all hostility toward America and Allied nations. Because Japan stopped “sinning” against Allied forces, peace was declared. If the nations were still active enemies, there would have been no treaty.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Start a Blessing Box

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Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.—Deuteronomy 15:10 NIV

Here’s an idea: Get yourself a big box and start going through your possessions, asking God to show you what you have that you can use to bless others. Fill it up with things that are nice but that you no longer need.

Look in cabinets, drawers, closets, the basement, and the garage. You will fill up your box quickly. Don’t keep something for years in case you ever need it—if you’re anything like me, by the time you need it, you will have forgotten that you have it and go buy another one anyway.

Take the clutter that is frustrating you and turn it into blessings. Keep the box in a handy place and start asking God to show you who needs to be blessed.

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Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Standing Up to the Bullies in Your Life

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“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

Isaiah 7:9

Friend to Friend

Being from North Carolina, I love the old black-and-white Andy Griffith television programs. In one episode, the neighborhood bully is picking on Opie. This blond-headed newcomer taunts and makes fun of Opie until he feels as if he’s a total loser among the buddies he once enjoyed.

After Andy, the wise father, figures out what is disturbing his moping son, he gives him a little lesson in standing up to bullies. The next day, when the bully threatens Opie, the little freckle-faced boy looks his opponent in the eye and refuses to crumble under his threats.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – The Only Way

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“Jesus told him, ‘I am the Way – yes, and the Truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except by means of Me'” (John 14:6).

Dr. Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, was conducting a great city-wide campaign in Tokyo and asked me to be in charge of the student phase of the crusade. So day after day, for more than a month, I spoke to thousands of students on many campuses, presenting the claims of Christ and challenging the students to receive Him as their Savior and Lord.

Many thousands responded, but occasionally a student would object and say that Jesus had no relevance for the Japanese – that Christianity is for the Westerner, not for the Asian. They were surprised when I reminded them that Jesus was born and reared in and carried out His ministry in the Middle East and that He was in many ways closer to them culturally and geographically that He was to me.

I reminded them, and I want to remind you, that though the Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, in what is now Israel, He came to this world to die for all people in all lands.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Where is Your Confidence?

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Read: Philippians 1:3-6

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

Perhaps Paul’s joy in these people at Philippi was that he was seeing them by faith. Not as they were, but as they would be when God’s work was done. He was looking at them with the eye of faith. He was sure that He who began a good work in them was going to finish it, so Paul could say that, even though you rub me the wrong way once in a while, I know what you are going to be. This is the key to getting along with other Christians. Sometimes it’s difficult, but when we realize what they will be we can do it. I heard of an artist who called a friend in and asked him to comment on a picture he was painting. He said, this is my masterpiece. It is beautiful. The man said I guess I don’t see what you see. It just looks like dabs of different colors to me, without form or anything. The artist said, Oh I forgot. I’m seeing it as it will be when finished. You are seeing it as it is now.

This is what Paul was doing. He was seeing these Christians as they would be and he thanks God it’s going to happen. What a comforting verse. Many times, when I am discouraged with myself, I utterly despair of being what I ought to be. I am so aware of the deceitfulness and subtlety of the flesh. Even when I want to be what I ought to be, I end up deceiving myself. I see the utter futility of depending on me to get this job done. In those times, I try to remember this verse, being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – What Happened In Church

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Read: Mark 1:21-28

And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. (v. 26)

Ever think about why people come to church? Believe me, your pastor thinks about it all the time. Some people come to worship. Some come out of habit. Some come to keep peace in the family. Some probably don’t know why they come—they just come. There are a lot of reasons, but surely one reason is that life is confusing and chaotic, and we are all groping for something, someone with authority, to set us straight, and help us find our peace, our poise, our purpose.

Look around on Sunday at the people sitting with you in church. Can you even begin to appreciate the turmoil in their lives—the upsetting phone calls in the previous week, the hurtful words heard and spoken, the strife in relationships, concerns about health and finances, bad memories of things that happened long ago. Can other people appreciate the turmoil in your life? Life can be painful and chaotic. Like the poor, tormented soul in the synagogue, we’re all yearning for someone with authority who can calm the chaos and set us straight.

Out in the world it may appear that money reigns supreme, or political power, or cancer. But when we come to church we are reminded of the truth that sets things straight, and calms the chaos, and makes the demons quake—Jesus is Lord. Ask for his help. You will not be disappointed.

Prayer:

Lord, let me find in you my peace, my poise, and my purpose.

https://woh.org/

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Pair Prayer

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In life, many good things come in pairs. The Earth and sky. Arms and legs. Ice cream and cake. You can likely name many more.

The animals according to their kinds…two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.

Genesis 6:20

In Genesis, God asked Noah to help Him preserve the world by keeping pairs of animals fed, nourished, and alive during a global catastrophe. You might be inclined to believe you are not called personally to do something big like Noah, but think again. Today you probably know several “pairs” struggling to keep their relationships alive. The divorce rate in America is close to 50 percent.

aving an impact on marriage in America doesn’t require a degree in counseling, but a commitment to prayer. Start at the top with President Obama, then pray for members of Congress from each state, and don’t forget local officials and church leaders. Ask God to lead couples across the land in discovering His purpose and presence in their marriage commitments. As you can see, it’s a large job, and like Noah you will probably need a little help. Invite a friend to pair up with you this week in praying for life and health to infuse marriages in America.

Recommended Reading: Mark 10:5-9

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Your Sphere of Influence

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The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.—Proverbs 11:25

I believe the hardest part of evangelism is getting started. But once you get started, and once God starts speaking through you, it can be one of the most joyful things you have ever done. To think that God Almighty would speak through someone like you or me is indeed a great privilege. It is an honor to go and tell others about Jesus.

The gospel was not designed to be hoarded; it was designed to be shared. You were blessed to be a blessing. Therefore as you take in, you need to give out that message again so others can come into a relationship with God. One of the greatest joys you will ever experience, next to knowing the Lord himself, is when you have the privilege of praying with someone to accept Christ. You start seeing the radical, even visible, changes that will take place in your life. We are told in Proverbs 11:25, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” It is refreshing as you give back and help other people.

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Does Not Fail

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“I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:5b)

In life we make a lot of friends, but most of us have only a few friends who are very close. Statistics and surveys have shown that the average number of close friends per person is only eight. Can you think of eight close friends you have? Your close friends may change as you grow older, too. Have any of your friends ever been mean to you or let you down? We have probably all had friends who have let us down before. It is also probably true that we ourselves have let our friends down! Even our moms and our dads, who love us very much, are not perfect. Even they have let us down before.

What does it mean to fail or to forsake someone? To “fail” means to let someone down, or to respond lazily to someone’s need. To “forsake” means to leave someone, to leave them all alone in time of need.

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