Monthly Archives: August 2016

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – A Steadfast Heart

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My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.- Psalm 57:7

In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.

When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.

Press on with holy determination, and God’s plan will be fulfilled in your life.

From the book Closer to God Each Day by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Are You Enjoying God?

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Today’s Truth

You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12

Friend to Fiend

When I was a little girl, I used to love pretending to be a bride. I’d wrap a sheet around my body, drape a towel over my head, and hold a bouquet of plastic flowers to my chest. Then I would start at one end of our ranch-style house’s hallway and make my saunter down the “aisle.” In my little mind, all eyes were on me, as my sheet became a pearl studded wedding gown, my towel a lace veil, and the bouquet a spray of white roses.

My Uncle Ernest understood the longings of little girls to be a bride, so for Christmas one year, he gave me a two-foot doll dressed in full bridal regalia. Along with her white wedding gown and netlike veil, she had short cropped, curly brown hair that felt as real as my own, soft plump skin that squished when I squeezed her, and moveable eyelids lined with thick black lashes. Her eyes opened and closed with her changing positions so that when she lay in her box, she resembled Sleeping Beauty just waiting to be kissed. Her perfectly shaped lips were small and dainty, and her crystal blue eyes appeared strangely real.

But there was one problem with this delightful gift. Because she was so expensive, my mother wouldn’t allow me to play with her.

“You’ll have to wait until you are older,” she explained. “She’s too nice of a doll to play with. You might tear her gown. We’ll just keep her in the box until you’re old enough to know how to take care of her.”

So the bride doll remained in her box, safely stowed away in the bottom dresser drawer.

Day after day, I slowly opened the drawer and stole a peek at the doll as she lay sleeping inside the drawer like a treasure in a safety deposit box. Sometimes I removed the box lid and gently stroked her pink skin, but I knew if I ever took her out of the box and played with her, I would be in big trouble. As time passed, I forgot about the bride doll in the drawer, and today, I don’t even know what became of her.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Are You Enjoying God? →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Will Uphold Us

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“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

An obsolete Army transport plane was filled with people from various parts of the world. We flew, at the invitation of the president of a third world country, for a dedication ceremony of a historic sight. But it was not until we were crowded into the plane and ready to take off that we observed that there were no seatbelts. In fact there were not even enough seats for all of the guests. It was quite an unusual experience at best. Yet, I was able to claim this assuring promise that God gave to Isaiah and gives to all of his children who trust and obey Him.

Many times in my trips to various parts of the world, I have encountered difficulties, opposition, problems and challenges. In such times as these, I have needed and claimed the promises of God.

God’s banquet table is full to overflowing. Not only can we be free from fear, but we can also be encouraged knowing that He is our God and thus He will strengthen and help and uphold us with His victorious right hand. If you and I come to such a banquet table and come away with only crumbs, we should not blame the one who has prepared the table. He has made all things possible for us and given us all things in Him. Even if your task today is simply to perform routine duties, you may approach them without fear, even of boredom, knowing that God is with you.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 41:1-9

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Claiming this marvelous promise from God’s word, I will not fear, but will claim with joyful confidence His faithful promise to meet my every need, knowing that I am complete in Him who will enable me to live the supernatural life.

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – He Does Not Budge

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Read: Jeremiah 14:1-22

Then the Lord said to me, Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague. But I said, Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets keep telling them, You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place. Jeremiah 14:11-13

Jeremiah goes on to describe the land, how the cisterns have no water, the ground is dismayed, there is no rain on the land, the crops are dried up, and wild asses stand and pant, and there is no water in all of the land. This is part of the judging hand of God.

Once again this arouses questions in Jeremiah’s heart. He asks in verse 7, Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for thy name’s sake… (Jeremiah14:7 RSV). Do you see what he is saying? I understand that you have to judge this people because of their wickedness, Lord, but what about you? You’re the healer, you’re the God who can restore wicked people. For your name’s sake, do this. …for our backslidings are many, we have sinned against thee. O thou hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, Why shouldst thou be like a stranger in the land, like a wayfarer who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldst thou be like a man confused, like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. (Jeremiah 14:6b-9 RSV)

Have you ever come to that place? Many a man of God, in the record of the Scriptures, has turned away the judging hand of God by pleading for the glory of God himself. Moses did, Samuel did, and others had stood before God and said, Regardless of what we’re like, God, remember what you’re like. Surely, for your own name’s sake you won’t let this thing happen, lest your name be defiled among the nations. And this is Jeremiah’s cry. Now, that is great praying. Jeremiah is reaching out to God on the highest level of prayer possible. He calls to God in these terms, and he closes the chapter with an eloquent plea to God.

Consider these words, beginning with Verse 19: Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? Dost thy soul loathe Zion? Why hast thou smitten us so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror. We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against thee. Do not spurn us, for thy name’s sake; do not dishonor thy glorious throne; remember and do not break thy covenant with us. Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Art thou not he, O Lord our God? We set our hope on thee, for thou doest all these things. (Jeremiah 14:19-22 RSV)

Continue reading Ray Stedman – He Does Not Budge →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – God’s Call Survives Our Humanness

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Read: 1 Corinthians 3

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? (v. 4)

Paul admonished the church in Corinth for its many divisions and acting like “mere humans.” How could the church be the light of the world when it acts no different than the world, putting our desires above the needs of others?

As we pulled into the ministry site in Mexico after a long drive, I was surprised to see my fellow volunteers race to the camp bedrooms to grab the best bunk beds. I was a little offended that in my old age, I was going to have to grab a top bunk. I realized my selfishness and confessed my sin. Shortly thereafter, one of the young men in our group offered me his bottom bunk. I accepted and then felt guilty for doing so. It was time for another confession.

To see our group work so fervently to build the houses for the homeless was amazing. However, when we arrived back at camp the race for the showers began. It was everyone for themselves!

Each night in worship we watched videos of each team’s progress building houses and sung praises to God for his faithfulness in helping us. It was obvious that God was at work despite our selfishness. What truly amazed me was that God was able to accomplish this despite our human weaknesses.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for my selfishness. Thank you for working through me despite my human weaknesses.

Author: Rob Donoho

 

https://woh.org/

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – When We Need Revival

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“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” —Revelation 2:4

If you want to experience revival in your life, then hang out with a brand-new believer. It is the best thing you can do for your own spiritual health. A brand-new believer is fired up and has questions that will have you digging back into the Scriptures again. You stabilize that new Christian, and he or she reenergizes you. Everyone benefits.

On the other hand, if you hang around with jaded Christians, with those who have even become cynical, then you need some new friends. Sometimes people worry about new believers not changing quickly enough, but I am more concerned with older believers who have stopped changing altogether. They are settled in their ways. Maybe they have traded in old vices like immorality, drinking, drugs, or profanity and replaced them with new ones like pride, backbiting, gossip, or bitterness.

I find it interesting that 80 to 90 percent of the Christians who personally share their faith have been believers for two years or less. In other words, most people who come to Christ through personal evangelism have done so because someone young in the faith shared the gospel with them.

I think this is because new believers are still discovering what God has done for them. They are still excited about it. As we get older in the faith and have walked with the Lord for a time, we start taking these things for granted sometimes. That means we need revival. We need to be brought back to that place where we once were, where we realize how important it is to share with others what Jesus has done for us.

If we have no desire to share our faith, then we need personal revival. Revived people are evangelistic people because their evangelism is a result of a Christ-filled life.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Makes Everyone Unique

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I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)

Sally sat in the front seat of the car watching the snowflakes fall on the car windshield. “Wow! Look at that one, Mom! Isn’t it beautiful? Look at all those little tiny lines!” Sally couldn’t stop watching the snowflakes. She kept pointing out her favorites.

“Sally, did you notice that none of these snowflakes are the same? Every design you’ll see is different from the others. God makes each one unique – each one is one of a kind.”

Mom challenged Sally to find any two that were alike. Sally couldn’t do it!

Sally sat back and thought hard for a little while. She looked at the mounds of snow that had fallen during the night. Almost two inches had fallen overnight, and Sally realized that it took a LOT of snowflakes to make even one small mound of snow! Mom said that each one was different. Wow! That was awesome to think about. Our God is so awesome that He made each snowflake – and there are no two snowflakes alike.

Sally could hardly pull her eyes away from the mounds of DIFFERENT snowflakes, but Mom was talking again: “Sally, do you realize that just as God made each snowflake unique and special, He also makes each person unique and special? Even identical twins are different in many ways. Each person can show God’s glory in a different way from his brothers or sisters or parents or friends. Our differences show God’s creativity and wisdom. To bring glory to God, you do not have to be just like your brother Jim, or like me, or like Dad. God made you special so that you’ll bring Him glory in a way that no one else can.”

God cared enough to make each of us uniquely different from everyone else.

My Response:

» What are some ways God made me unique (special) or different from my brother, sister, or friends?

» Did God make any two things exactly the same?

» Do I praise God for making me unique?

 

http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – When Others Abuse

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5

“[Love] . . . is not easily angered.”

I certainly don’t advocate “doormat” Christianity, letting people continually run over us or abuse us. There are times when we must stand up for what is right and just. But we should not sin in the process. We must face the fact that much, if not most, of our anger is sinful, even though it may arise from the sinful actions of others. In emphasizing our sin of anger, I do not mean to minimize the sin of those other people. But there’s an old saying, “Two wrongs never make a right.” The other person’s sin does not make our sin of anger “right” or justifiable. Or as James wrote, “The anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires” (1:20).

Furthermore, I suspect that much of our anger is not a result of significant injustices or wrongs against us but is the manifestation of our own pride and selfishness. I’ve been embarrassed or inconvenienced or frustrated by the actions (or even the inactions) of other people, so I get angry. While there is plenty of injustice that deserves a response of righteous anger, we should not use that as an excuse to evade the reality of the sinful anger that so often arises in our hearts and may be expressed by our words or actions.

So I commend to you three principles or practices that I find so helpful: a firm belief in the sovereignty of God; a diligent pursuit of brotherly love that covers a multitude of sins and does not keep a record of wrongs; and a humble realization that, in comparison to my brother’s sin against me, I am the ten-thousand-talent debtor to God (Matthew 18:21-35). (Excerpt taken from Respectable Sins)

 

https://www.navigators.org/Home

The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Rejoice in the Lord

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Today’s Scripture: Habakkuk 1-3

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

The book of Habakkuk contains a passage you can cling to when the bottom falls out of everything. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18.)

I know of a missionary who has labored for twenty-five years with very few people responding to the gospel. Yet he clings to this passage in Habakkuk and finds comfort and encouragement.

I think also of a mother who reared two children in a godly home. When they came of age, both daughters decided to follow the ways of the world. This praying woman continues to trust in the Lord.

I know a man who spent the greater part of his life working for a large corporation. After twenty-five years of faithful service, he was fired without notice. Eventually, he also lost his home and his savings, but not his peace of mind.

Joy is not a matter of good fortune and pleasant circumstances. Joy is a decision, and God is the focus.

Christian, what are your disappointments? What circumstances have gone wrong for you and are sapping your joy? I challenge you to memorize the passage from Habakkuk and claim it each morning.

Finding our joy in the Lord is a matter of will–a decision we can make because of the love and faithfulness of God.

Prayer

Lord, show me how to fix my inward gaze on You, my hope and my joy. Amen.

To Ponder

Circumstances can defeat us only when we’ve taken our eyes off the Source of our joy.

 

https://www.navigators.org/Home

BreakPoint

BreakPoint – Michael Phelps is Driven: An Olympian Finds His Purpose

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In the months and even years leading up to this year’s Rio Olympics, much of the news about Michael Phelps, as of this recording the nineteen-time gold medal swimmer, was bad. In September of 2014, he was arrested for driving while under the influence in his hometown of Baltimore.

It seemed that Phelps’ best days, both in and out of the pool, were behind him.

But that’s not how it turned out, and I think you can guess why.

As you probably know, Phelps carried the American flag during the opening ceremonies on Friday August 5. Then, as of this recording, he’s added three more gold medals to his impressive lifetime total, now numbering 21.

To put it mildly, both of these were unlikely less than two years ago.

As Phelps told ESPN, following his announced retirement in 2012, he struggled to “figure out who he was outside the pool.” In his words, “I was a train wreck. I was like a time bomb, waiting to go off. I had no self-esteem, no self-worth. There were times where I didn’t want to be here. It was not good. I felt lost.”

Like a lot of people struggling with similar feelings, he self-medicated.

In the immediate aftermath of that DWI arrest, he cut himself off from family and other loved ones and “thought the world would just be better off without me . . . I figured that was the best thing to do — just end my life.”

That’s when a friend came to his rescue: former All Pro linebacker Ray Lewis, whom Phelps considers a kind of “older brother.” Seeing the hopelessness and despair in his young friend, Lewis, an outspoken Christian, told him, “This is when we fight . . . This is when real character shows up. Don’t shut down. If you shut down we all lose.”

Continue reading BreakPoint – Michael Phelps is Driven: An Olympian Finds His Purpose →

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE TRINITY AND THE LINE OF DAVID

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Read MATTHEW 22:34–46

Math professor Richard Evan Schwartz authored a book about the numbers 1 to 100. It’s called You Can Count on Monsters. Written for children, the book includes drawings of “monsters” representing prime or composite numbers and their factors. The composite monsters can be split into smaller ones, while the primary monsters are indivisible. The artwork and this creative approach make learning the math fun and engaging.

Jesus was also a highly creative teacher; for example, see His questions in today’s passage. When the religious leaders tested Him, He responded with an answer and a question that demonstrated an Author’s knowledge of God’s Word.

To identify the greatest commandment was easy: everything is about wholeheartedly loving the Father and bringing Him glory (v. 37).

Then Jesus posed a puzzler for them: Whose son is the Messiah? (v. 42). He quoted Psalm 110—in which verses 1 and 4 are messianic prophecies—to give His listeners an opportunity to draw the conclusion that the Messiah is also the Son of God. Logically, how could a descendant of David also be David’s Lord (v. 45)? That would only be possible if the descendant (the Messiah) were also God (the Son).

David spoke by the Spirit, so this psalm had to be true. Furthermore, for God to invite the Messiah to be seated at His right hand suggested a favored and even equal position. That would be possible only if both Father and Son were God. Ultimately, the first Person of the Trinity wins the victory on behalf of the second (see 1 Cor. 15:24–28). “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:9–10).

APPLY THE WORD

The fact that the Bible was inspired—or “breathed”—by God is grounds for our faith in its truthfulness. Inspiration makes it trustworthy and practical: the Word is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” How does Scripture help you to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17)?

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – BILL THREATENING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HAS BEEN DROPPED

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California State Senator Ricardo Lara proposed a bill earlier this summer that would threaten the religious liberty of all religious schools in the state that are not seminaries. It would require that such schools not “discriminate” against LGBT students or lose federal funding. As Biola University warned, the bill “functionally eliminates the religious liberty of all California faith-based colleges and universities who integrate spiritual life with the entire campus educational experience.”

Religious schools across the state flooded the senate committee with complaints. Christianity Today notes that the bill could have barred standards of belief and conduct for faculty and could have prevented colleges from giving preferential admission to students in its denomination or faith.

The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission called the legislation “its own form of discrimination by stigmatizing and coercively punishing religious beliefs.” The National Association of Evangelicals stated that protecting one minority community does not require the alienation of others. The senate committee noted that “the probability of litigation against the state appears fairly high.”

Yesterday, Sen. Lara announced that he was amending his controversial bill to keep religious exemptions in place. His bill would still require schools to “disclose if they have an exemption and report to the state when students are expelled for violating morality codes.” But it does not threaten federal funding for religious schools or require them to amend their morality standards.

This is good news. But there’s bad news on the religious liberty front as well.

Continue reading Denison Forum – BILL THREATENING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HAS BEEN DROPPED →

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Purpose in Difficult Times

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Romans 8:28-29

If we could design an ideal life, most of us would skip over times of hardship. But Scripture teaches us that God has a purpose in the storms of life.

Cleansing. When problems press in on us, ungodly attitudes and habits tend to surface in our lives. Impatient behavior, a quick temper, or reliance on something or someone other than the Lord may become apparent. In a crisis, the bad habits we previously ignored can show up in ways that are too obvious to overlook. The Holy Spirit will use tough times to smooth away our rough edges and produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. (See Gal. 5:22-23.)

Companionship. When life is good, we may spend less time with the Lord and start taking our relationship with Him for granted. We may even drift off His chosen path. Crises help us see our need for Him as well as our inability to help ourselves. Hard times bring us to our knees in prayer and drive us to seek opportunities for His companionship.

Our heavenly Father’s desire is for us to develop Christlike character and grow in intimacy with Him. He wants us to experience the richness of His love and wholeheartedly show Him devotion. He will use trials and difficulties to accomplish His good purposes for us.

Life brings trouble to us from many sources. But the common thread in all trials is the Lord’s desire and ability to use them for our good and His glory. Through these experiences, we can let go of ungodly traits and experience sweet communion as we walk in intimacy with Him.

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 6-8

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Relief from the Scorching Sun

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Read: Psalm 121 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 79–80; Romans 11:1–18

The Lord is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5

Living in Britain, I don’t usually worry about sunburn. After all, the sun is often blocked by a thick cover of clouds. But recently I spent some time in Spain, and I quickly realized that with my pale skin, I could only be out in the sunshine for ten minutes before I needed to scurry back under the umbrella.

As I considered the scorching nature of the Mediterranean sun, I began to understand more deeply the meaning of the image of the Lord God as His people’s shade at their right hand. Residents of the Middle East knew unrelenting heat, and they needed to find shelter from the sun’s burning rays.

We can find a safe place in the Lord.

The psalmist uses this picture of the Lord as shade in Psalm 121, which can be understood as a conversation on a heart level—a dialogue with oneself about the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. When we use this psalm in prayer, we reassure ourselves that the Lord will never leave us, for He forms a protective covering over us. And just as we take shelter from the sun underneath umbrellas, so too can we find a safe place in the Lord.

We lift our eyes to the “Maker of heaven and earth” (vv. 1–2) because whether we are in times of sunshine or times of rain, we receive His gifts of protection, relief, and refreshment.

Heavenly Father, You protect me. Shield me from anything that would take my focus away from You.

We find refuge in the Lord.

INSIGHT:

Psalm 121 is the second in a series of fifteen psalms known as “songs of ascent.” They are a collection of songs by different composers, with four attributed to David and one to Solomon. Ten are anonymous. If they did not all carry the superscription “a song of ascent,” they might appear unrelated. The superscription, however, shows they are connected in the liturgy of ancient Israel. One view is that they were sung by the Levitical worship leaders (priests) as they ascended the steps into the temple in Jerusalem. The more prevalent view is that these psalms were assembled so that pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the three annual high feasts in community could sing them on their journey (Deut. 16:16).

 

http://www.odb.org

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – The Right Questions

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Like many Generation Xers, I have spent a great deal of my life asking questions. In retrospect, it seems that more than a few of my plaguing inquires were the wrong inquiries. In fact, more than a few of my questions were probably even unanswerable. But it took me a while to be able to admit there existed such distinctions. When you are a child and inquiry is your way of gaining a handle on the world around you, you come to believe that every question is right, and every inquiry deserves an answer that satisfies. And there is some truth to that comforting thought: questions are valid and answers should satisfy. Later, when social pressure begins to stress conformity and asking questions carries the risk of embarrassment, we learn to repress our inquisitiveness, even as those who still see the value in inquiring minds offer the ready assurance, “There are no wrong questions!” And this may be true as well, particularly in a classroom. But it does not mean that one cannot ask an unanswerable question or inquire in such a way that simply fails to cohere with reality. Is your idea blue or purple? How much time is in the sky? I imagine a great number of the questions we ask along the way are in fact quite similar.

When it comes to faith, we are actually instructed in the Christian religion to carry into it some of the qualities we held as children. I suspect a child’s passion for inquiry is one of the traits Jesus intended in his directive: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” But the childlike expectation that every inquiry is capable of being answered to our satisfaction, that every question is capable of being answered now (or even answered at all) is likely not the quality he was encouraging us to keep.

Regardless, Jesus readily received the questions of those around him, whether they were asked with ulterior motive or childlike abandon; no inquiry was turned away. Of course, this is not to say that he always answered, or that he always satisfied the questioner. Actually, more often than not, he replied with a question of his own. “Who gave you the authority to do what you are doing?” the scribes asked. Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question; answer me and I will answer you. Did the baptism of John come from heaven or human origin?” Knowing they were stuck between conceding to Jesus’s authority and risking the wrath of the crowd, they refused to answer. So Jesus refused as well.

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – The Right Questions →

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Being a Wise Manager

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“‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth’” (Matthew 6:19).

Wealth comes from God, and we are to manage it wisely for Him.

John Wesley was a godly man who devoted his life to serving the Lord. What is not as well known perhaps is that he was rich, gaining most of his wealth from his published hymns and other works. At one point in his life he gave away 40,000 pounds sterling—a fortune in those days. When he died, his estate was worth only twenty-eight pounds, for he had given nearly everything to the Lord’s work.

It is not wrong for Wesley, or any other believer, to own possessions or be wealthy. Both the Old and New Testaments recognize the right to material possessions, including money, land, animals, houses, clothing, and every other thing that is honestly acquired. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “It is [God] who is giving you power to make wealth.” God gives us the abilities and resources to obtain wealth. Job, known mostly for his suffering, was a wealthy man. Theologian Gleason Archer wrote, “Job was reputed to be the richest man of his time in all the region. . . . He was the largest stockholder on Wall Street, so to speak. Thus it could be said that this godly man had proved to be a good businessman, a fine citizen, and a father of a large family. As such he enjoyed the highest standing of any man in his community.” In 1 Corinthians 4:7 the apostle Paul asks, “What do you have that you did not receive?” The implication is that we receive everything, including our material possessions, from God.

You are right to provide for your family, make reasonable plans for the future, make sound investments, have money to carry on a business, give to the poor, and support the Lord’s work. But you are wrong if you are dishonest, greedy, covetous, stingy, and miserly about possessions. To honestly earn, save, and give is wise; to hoard and spend only on yourself is unwise and sinful.

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank the Lord for providing for your temporal needs.

For Further Study

Read 1 Timothy 6:17.

  • What are the rich instructed not to do?
  • What does God richly supply you with? Why?

 

http://www.gty.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Thy Will Be Done not My Will Be Done 

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And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39, KJV

I don’t like it when I don’t get my way. My blood pressure elevates, my throat grows dry, the palms of my hands perspire and the tone of my voice raises an octave or two! Embarrassingly, I also become a little jealous and resentful of those who get what they want. Why them Lord? I feel called by You to do this. I work hard. I give You the credit for my accomplishments. Yet, what the Lord is waiting for me to express from my heart is, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Your will be done.” It’s ok to feel passed over, but not to stay there. I must trust God’s will is being done.

Jesus was at the precipitous of His arrest and execution. His emotional pain was agonizing. His physical trauma caused His body to sweat blood—and His broken and humble heart cried out “if it be possible” for there to be another way. In His greatest time of need Jesus Christ found those He needed most asleep, and once they awakened—they fled in a frenzy of fear. Jesus pled to His Father for a way out, but He ultimately trusted in the wisdom of His Father’s will. “Thy will be done”, trumps my will be done, and accompanies God’s greater purposes for His glory.

“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:8-10, KJV).

The will of God is not always pleasant to the person, but it is always pleasing to God. The hard conversation that needs to take place is not without tension—even conflict, and the Lord knows authenticity requires humility, so hard words spoken with a softened heart are better heard. If possible, the Lord desires for His children to live in peace, so their lives become evidence to others of how the peace of God can facilitate harmony. What is God’s will? He wills what is pleasing to Himself—and what’s pleasing to Christ brings lasting peace to his humble followers.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Eyes on the Ball

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For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.

2 Chronicles 20:12b

Recommended Reading

Psalm 25:12-15

Imagine landing a jet on the rolling deck of an aircraft carrier in the pouring rain—in the middle of the night. It’s complicated, but it boils down to a single request from the Landing Signal Officer to the incoming pilot: “Call the ball.” The “ball” is a round light shining toward the plane that the pilot uses to line his plane up with the carrier’s deck. When the pilot sees the “ball” and is confident of his path, he responds, “Ball.” From that point until he lands he has one lifesaving task: to keep his eye on the ball.

Think now of dark times in life when you’re looking for a port in the storm, a place to land safely and in one spiritual and emotional piece. Lots of things may help—friends, funds, family. But there is one thing absolutely essential: keeping your eyes on the Lord. When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, was surrounded by a vast army, the people of Judah came together. Jehoshaphat led in a prayer for God’s help, the last words of which were these, “Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

You can only follow God if your eyes are on Him. The destination is wherever He leads.

It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to.

Unknown

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Jeremiah 22 – 24

 

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Releasing the Weight of Worry

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And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? – Matthew 6:27

It is one thing to know that we should not worry, but it is quite another to be thankful for that truth and then actually stop worrying. One of the things that helped me let go of worry was finally realizing how utterly useless it is. Let me ask you: How many problems have you solved by worrying? Has anything ever gotten any better as a result of you worrying about it? Of course not.

The instant you begin to worry or feel anxious, give your concern to God in prayer. Release the weight of it and totally trust Him to either show you what to do or to take care of it Himself. Prayer is a powerful force against worry. I’m reminded of an old gospel chorus called “Why Worry When You Can Pray?” When you’re under pressure, it’s always best to pray about your need instead of fretting or complaining about it.

Prayer of Thanks: Father, I thank You that I don’t have to live a life full of worry. I thank You that I can come to You in prayer the moment I begin to worry about something and I can cast my care on You. Help me make the wise choice to stop worrying and start trusting You today.

From the book The Power of Being Thankful by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Rerouting Wrong Ways

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Today’s Truth

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Acts 9:3-4

Friend to Friend

He had no idea that he was moving in a dangerous direction. The cute, little box turtle was just trying to get where he was going. Doing what turtles do. Thinking what turtles think. The fact that he was crossing a busy road that is paved for fast moving cars, not slow crawling reptiles, wouldn’t have even entered his tiny turtle brain.

I’m a fan of turtles. Always have been. Maybe it’s because they look tough on the outside, but are really softies on the inside. Maybe it’s because they seem shy and vulnerable when they retreat into their shells and pretend that nobody’s home. Maybe it’s because for a brief time as a kid I had a pet turtle named Raspberry… because I found him when I was picking raspberries… {I’m a clever pet-namer.} Not sure that there is one reason in particular, but I do like turtles.

And I had to do something.

If I didn’t help him out, there was a high chance that his field trip to the pavement would’ve ended disastrously. I cared about his cute, little shelled-self so I quickly, and safely, pulled over to the side of the road and intervened. He wasn’t able to see the danger of his actions, so I picked him up and moved him to a safe place; to the grass near the swampy area.

In the days of the early church a man named Saul was full of murderous threats and was moving in the wrong direction. Like my turtle friend, he had no idea. Saul, a Pharisee, sincerely thought he was doing the right things, acting the right ways, and following the right rules. But he wasn’t. His behaviors and convictions were actually opposed to the very God he believed that he was representing and defending.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Rerouting Wrong Ways →