Monthly Archives: August 2016

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is All-Powerful and in Control

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“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And [Jesus] was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:37-39)

The wind wails and the rains pour down. Trees are crashing down everywhere. Windows are breaking and walls are falling. As trees fall, their roots are pulled up from the ground, leaving gaping holes as big as a truck!

How can anything survive such a storm? Will any house, animal, or person come out of a storm like that unharmed, or without losing anything in the storm?

A storm like that shows God’s mighty power. God’s power is shown in the strength of the wind and rain. A wind that can blow over a tree, break windows, or destroy a wall is very powerful. Rain and water that can uproot trees, fill a house, or make streets look like rivers and lakes – such a storm is great and powerful!

But did you know that not only can God create great storms, but He can also STOP a storm with just a word or command? Jesus said, “Peace, be still,” and the winds and rains obeyed His command.

A storm like the one in the Bible or the one described above can be so destructive, but God is still in control.

You have probably read or seen things on the news about hurricanes and mudslides and flooding and tidal waves and blizzards. There are all kinds of storms and storm results that can mean “bad news” for human beings. But why? Because we are not all-powerful. We are not in control. We who are Christians can be thankful that we know the God Who is. He does protect and provide, even through bad weather and scary storms like that. We can be glad for weather’s reminder of just how powerful and sovereignly in control God really is.

Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – God Is All-Powerful and in Control →

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Our Weaknesses

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:10

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”

Paul’s attitude toward his weakness was vastly different from our usual response. We abhor weakness and glory in self-sufficiency and manmade accomplishments. Even Christians flock to hear a testimony from the sports superstar or the popular entertainer simply because of that person’s fame and status. How many of us would make any effort to hear a man who said, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses. I am content with weaknesses. When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)?

I think of how I’ve struggled with my own weaknesses instead of delighting in them. I think of the disappointment of failing to reach important goals, of humiliations suffered that were too painful to ever share with anyone, of somewhat minor but very annoying lifetime physical infirmities. Only in the last few years have I realized what a significant contribution these have made on my walk with God and my service for him, especially in their cumulative effect. I think I’m only beginning to understand a little the validity of Paul’s statement, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

Sometimes when I’m introduced as a speaker, I cringe inwardly as the person introducing me waxes eloquent about my accomplishments. I think, “What if they knew the other side of the story? Would they all get up and leave?” Yet ironically, it is the other side of the story, the humiliations and heartaches, the failures and frustrations—not the successes and accomplishments—that have qualified me to be there to speak. Those difficult times have driven me to the Lord. I’ll be honest. It wasn’t that I wanted to lean on God; I had no other choice. But I’m finally learning that in weakness I find strength—his strength.

 

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Uncategorized

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Prepared for Battle

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Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 1-6

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. – Romans 13:12

Whenever I turn to Ephesians 6:13-18 and read Paul’s description of the whole armor of God, I think back to a day when I went into another kind of battle without mine. I was part of a Marine invasion force in the South Pacific, and our landing craft had just reached the island when it was hit by two enemy shells.

I was not a Christian at the time, and the essence of what I yelled to the other men was, “Let us depart here speedily.” So we ran across the beach and began making our way toward the airfield, which was our objective.

Pretty soon, a sergeant came to check up on us. When he saw me, he said, “Eims, where is your helmet?” “I must have lost it,” I said. He looked again and said, “Eims, where is your duty belt?” My duty belt had my ammo pouches, my first aid kit, my bayonet, and all kinds of other things. “It must be in the landing craft.” And then the sergeant got really exasperated and said, “As a matter of fact, Eims, where is your rifle?”

In my rush to get out of the landing craft, I had left everything behind. There I was, hopping around from tree to tree, from bush to bush, with no equipment, no weapon, absolutely worthless to the cause.

Paul said that if we want to avoid that situation in the Christian life, we are to put on the full armor of God. And we are to pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. Although God has freely provided this armor, you and I have the responsibility of putting it on. Don’t go into battle without it.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for providing the armor I need to stand firm against the Evil One. Amen.

To Ponder

If the Lord approached you today, would He have to ask, “Christian, where is your helmet? What about your belt, shield, and sword?”

 

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint – Metaxas Speaks Out, So Can You: Be Prepared to Share

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Recently on CNN, my BreakPoint co-host Eric Metaxas demonstrated, live and in-person, how to talk with those with whom you clearly disagree. In a discussion with host Don Lemon about Hillary Clinton’s choice of Tim Kaine as running mate, Eric articulated that the Democratic platform had become synonymous with the most radical pro-abortion position possible.

Lemon replied, “Well, Planned Parenthood certainly has a very high opinion of Tim Kaine.”

To which Eric replied, “Right, now that he’s out of the womb.”

It was a classic Eric line, that delivered truth about abortion and Planned Parenthood rarely heard on a network like CNN. And I think it was a demonstration of what it means to be “always be ready, in season and out of season,” as the Scripture exhorts us.

Now look, Eric and I don’t agree on everything. For example, though you’ll never hear Eric or me endorse a political candidate or party here on BreakPoint, Eric has voiced political opinions that I don’t share on his radio show and other platforms. And he’s completely free to do that.

Still, Eric is an example of how to speak truth in a hostile public square—even when people don’t want to hear it. That’s what he showed on CNN the other night.

It’s tempting for you and me to think, “I’ve never been on TV. I don’t have opportunities like he has.” No! We have all kinds of opportunities—over the backyard fence as Chuck Colson liked to say, across the Thanksgiving table with relatives who disagree, and certainly on social media every single day. These opportunities matter.

Now if we’re honest, we often feel pressure in those settings to be silent. My friend Michael Miller calls this “cocktail party pressure.” You know, an awkward topic comes up, like abortion, evolution, same-sex “marriage,” and you worry that if you state your views, you’ll risk the proverbial “record scratch” moment in the conversation.

Eric and I were on stage behind Chuck Colson as he was giving his last public speech. The topic was “The Spiral of Silence,” a theory developed by a German sociologist, which explains how people fear social isolation to the point that they generally go along with what they think is the popular opinion—even if they object to that opinion themselves. Instead of speaking up, they remain silent. And their silence encourages others to remain silent.

Continue reading BreakPoint – Metaxas Speaks Out, So Can You: Be Prepared to Share →

Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE TRINITY AND ZECHARIAH’S PROPHECY

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Read LUKE 1:67–79

The classic hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King,” climaxes with praise to the Trinity: “All creatures of our God and King, / Lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia! / . . . Let all things their Creator bless, / And worship Him in humbleness. / O praise Him! Alleluia!

/ Praise, praise the Father, Praise the Son, / And praise the Spirit, Three in One! / O praise Him! Alleluia!” The Trinity is highlighted in Zechariah’s prophecy at the birth of his son, John the Baptist. After confirming the name John, Zechariah’s ability to speak (taken away by God as a result of his doubt- filled response in the temple), was restored to him. Filled by the Holy Spirit, he used his newly regained speech to praise God and to deliver an incredible prophecy (v. 67).

Most of Zechariah’s prophecy was not about his own son but rather about the son of Mary—the Son of God. Jesus was God’s “horn of salvation” (v. 69), the literal embodiment of His long- promised plan of redemption. He was the “rising sun” dawning with God’s light for “those living in darkness and in the shadow of death” (vv. 78–79). He would guide sinners’ feet into the “path of peace” with God (see Rom. 5:10). Zechariah’s son, John, would be His forerunner, preparing the way with a call to repentance and forgiveness.

All of this was taking place according to the plan of God the Father. These events signified that “he has come to his people and redeemed them” (v. 68). In Christ, the Father fulfilled His covenants with David and with Abraham, as well as many prophecies. His “tender mercy” was the impetus for salvation (v. 78). Throughout his prophecy, Zechariah emphasized God’s strength, faithfulness, and especially His love.

APPLY THE WORD

Zechariah rejoiced because now God’s people would be enabled “to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness” (vv. 74–75). We can now serve and obey the Lord as we ought. Thanks to Jesus’ death and resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can bring glory to God and devote our lives to serving and loving Him.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – MAN STRUCK BY FLAMING ARROW ON LIVE TV

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Let’s take a much-needed break from politics today. America’s Got Talent made headlines this week when a stuntman swallowed a long rod with a target on its end. His fiancée then aimed a flaming arrow at the target. She missed, however, striking him near his neck. He was OK, and the show went on.

Here’s news in a similar vein: The Washington Post carried a story with the headline, “This asteroid almost certainly isn’t going to crash into Earth and kill us all.” There’s a one in 2,700 chance that an asteroid named Bennu will impact Earth in 150 years. Unless you plan to be alive in 2166, this isn’t news you can use. But your descendants might want to keep an eye out.

When you read about the stuntman shot by an arrow, what was your first reaction? Probably the same as when you read about the asteroid that might hit our planet in 150 years: I’m glad it’s not me.

According to The New York Times, a jailed ISIS fighter warns that the group has terrorists in England, Germany, and France trained to launch simultaneous attacks. If you don’t live in one of these three countries, this news is less alarming than if you do. It’s the same with the Zika virus—it’s less a concern unless it comes to the area where you live. Or the Emirates jet that caught fire in Dubai—you’re glad you weren’t on the plane.

It’s human nature to focus on what affects us personally. When Isaiah told Hezekiah that his descendants would be enslaved by Babylon, the king responded: “‘The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.’ For he thought, ‘Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?'” (2 Kings 20:19).

Here’s the problem: What matters to us today is seldom what will matter to us in eternity. The temporal cannot replace the eternal, or the material the spiritual. We were made to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29). Loving anyone or anything more than we love God is idolatry. And God won’t let us find fulfillment that way, no matter how hard we try.

What can we do?

Continue reading Denison Forum – MAN STRUCK BY FLAMING ARROW ON LIVE TV →

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Good Life

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Psalms 100

We all know of people who suffer from deteriorating health, financial reverses, and other troubles. How are we to process such situations in light of what the Scriptures teach about the Lord’s goodness and the expression of His benevolence towards us?

First, God’s character is perfect, and everything He does is right. (See Deut. 32:4.) He is “compassionate and gracious … and abounding in lovingkindness” (Ps. 103:8). By His very nature, God is good. Second, our heavenly Father expresses His goodness based on His purpose of conforming us to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). From the Lord’s perspective, everything that fits into His plan is beneficial for us.

The greatest demonstration of our Father’s goodness is seen in His Son’s life and death. Jesus left His heavenly home, took on the form of man, suffered, and died in our place so we might be forgiven (Phil. 2:6-8). Because of what our Savior endured, we who have trusted in Him are adopted into God’s family, and heaven is our eternal home.

At the time of Christ’s crucifixion, the disciples could not see anything beneficial in it. They knew only great sorrow. But we understand that God gave His own Son so that He might accomplish our salvation (Rom. 8:32).

Our definition of the good life would probably include material success, good health, and the absence of trouble—things that make us happy right now. But God has an eternal perspective, and He always works to fulfill His long-term plan for us. We can trust in His goodness, even in dark times.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 46-49

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — More Than We Can Imagine

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Read: Ephesians 3:14–21 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 63–65; Romans 6

To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

What are the five best toys of all time? Jonathan H. Liu suggested the following: A stick, a box, string, a cardboard tube, and dirt (GeekDad column at wired.com). All are readily available, versatile, appropriate for all ages, fit every budget, and are powered by imagination. No batteries required.

Imagination plays a powerful role in our lives, so it’s not unusual that the apostle Paul mentioned it in his prayer for the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (Eph. 3:14–21). After asking God to strengthen them with His power through His Spirit (v. 16), Paul prayed that they would be able to grasp and experience the full dimension of the love of Christ (vv. 17–19). In closing, Paul gave glory to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (v. 20).

God is able to do far more than we may dare to ask or even dream of.

Often our experience limits our prayers—a situation we can’t picture being different; destructive habits that remain unbroken; long-held attitudes that seem to defy change. As time passes, we may begin to feel that some things cannot be changed. But Paul says that is not true.

By God’s mighty power working in us, He is able to do far more than we may dare to ask or even dream of.

Dear Father, help us today to embrace all that You have given us in Your Son—forgiveness, hope, encouragement, and power to live a new life.

Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations.

INSIGHT:

Paul knew intimately and intensely the power of God to do things that could not be imagined. His own conversion from persecutor of the church to follower of Christ was a perfect example of the power of God (see Acts 9). In his letter to the young pastor Timothy (the pastor of the church in Ephesus), Paul refers to the power of God in the improbability of his conversion. It is only by the power and grace of God that “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1 Tim. 1:13) could be transformed into a man who, when in prison and facing capital punishment could say “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – To Trust the Story

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Gregory Wolfe, editor of Image journal, tells a story about telling stories for his kids. He describes the memorable bedtimes when he attempts to concoct a series of original tales. “My kids are polite enough to raise their hands when they have some penetrating question to ask about plot, character, or setting,” he writes. “If I leave something out of the story, or commit the sin of inconsistency, these fierce critics won’t let me proceed until I’ve revised the narrative. Oddly enough, they never attempt to take over the storytelling. They are convinced that I have the authority to tell the tale, but they insist that I live up to the complete story that they know exists somewhere inside me.”(1) Children seem to detest a deficient story.

There is no doubt that our sense of the guiding authority of story and storyteller often dramatically lessens as we move from childhood to adulthood. And yet, regardless of age, there remains something deeply troubling about a story without a point, or an author not to be trusted.

In an interview with Skeptic magazine, Richard Dawkins was asked if his view of the world was not similar to that of Shakespeare’s Macbeth: namely, that life is but “a tale told by an idiot, filled with sound and fury, signifying nothing.”(2)

“Yes,” Dawkins replied, “at a sort of cosmic level, it is. But what I want to guard against is people therefore getting nihilistic in their personal lives. I don’t see any reason for that at all. You can have a very happy and fulfilled personal life even if you think that the universe at large is a tale told by an idiot.”(3)

His words attempt to remove the sting his philosophy imparts. And yet, it stings regardless—both with callousness and confusion. If I am but a poor player fretting my hour upon the stage of a tale told by an idiot, what is a “fulfilling” personal life? There is no basis in the naturalist’s philosophy for intrinsic dignity, human worth, or human rights. There is no basis for moral accountability, right or wrong, good or evil. There is no basis for the layers of my love for my husband, the cry of my heart for justice, or the recognition on my conscience that I am often missing the mark. There is no room for my surprise at time’s passing or my longing for something beyond what I am capable of fully reaching in this moment. This is not the story I know.

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – To Trust the Story →

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Love of Money

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“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

There are specific indicators that warn us if we are loving money.

Today’s verse is a classic reference and contains the overarching scriptural principle concerning our attitude toward money. In referring to the love of money, Paul is essentially talking about the sin of greed. That sin is a serious offense in God’s eyes, which means we ought to desire with all our hearts to have victory over it. And we can begin to achieve such victory by recognizing the major warning signs of greed or money-love.

There are at least five major behavior and attitude symptoms that reveal the presence of greed in one’s life. First, if you are truly a lover of money, you will be more concerned with acquiring it than with giving an honest, quality effort in everything you do. Believers are to pursue truth and excellence first of all, and God will see to it that we receive the proper monetary rewards.

Second, if you are greedy, you will feel that you never have enough money. Your attitude will be like the leech’s daughters who constantly say, “Give,” “Give” (Prov. 30:15).

Third, if you love money, you will tend to flaunt what it can buy. You will be unduly eager to show off clothing, your new car or truck, or the new property you just purchased.

Fourth, if you are a slave to greed, you will resent giving your money to support worthwhile causes or help other people. You will want to keep everything to spend on your own selfish desires.

Continue reading John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Love of Money →

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Thankful Praise to God, Not Proud Praise of Ourselves

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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

If my story does not promote God—I am only promoting myself. Pride has a way of making me the central character in my story, instead of Christ. For example, in describing my Christian conversion do I exalt the Lord or do I draw way too much attention to myself? The remedy for self-promotion and self-praise is exaltation of Almighty God in grateful praise and worship. Gratitude for God’s grace, puts pride in its place. If not for His relentless love—I would be unsaved and undone. Shameless gratitude to Jesus keeps Jesus the main character in my story!

Paul—who had quite a story—kept the focus on the eternal King Jesus. In an explosive doxology he declares with infinity times infinity—honor and glory to the only immortal, invisible and incorruptible God of the universe. We are but a speck of sand on the seashore of the Trinity’s creation. In our mother’s womb we were a gleam in the eye of our creative heavenly Father. Lost in our sins we were the object of Christ’s eternal affection as He suffered on the cross. In need of care and comfort we are led and loved by the invisible and insightful Holy Spirit. Thus, we humbly bow in thankful praise to God for His blessings so we might boast in Him alone!

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Thankful Praise to God, Not Proud Praise of Ourselves →

Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Someone to Talk To

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Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

Recommended Reading

Psalm 32:1-5

According to the federal government, Americans spent $135 billion on “behavioral health” services in 2005. That includes medicine, counseling, hospitalization, and more. Part of that big number represents people who just needed “someone to talk to.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated in 2010 that there were 156,300 mental health counselors—so the amount spent on face-to-face counseling is no small number.

And it can be money well-spent. Professional counselors can be objective and clear when life feels subjective and confused. But let us not forget that we have a “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6, NASB) in the person of Jesus Christ. Prayer to the Father through our Advocate-Counselor should be our first step when we lose clarity in life. The Spirit of God is also a Counselor (John 15:26; 16:7, NIV). Father, Son, and Spirit are available at any hour and for any reason with infallible guidance. The only cost is time in prayer.

Talk to friends and counselors when necessary. But don’t fail to talk to God in prayer and seek His counsel first.

Most Christians learned at an early age how to talk to God, but they did not learn to listen as well.

Gordon MacDonald, from Men of Integrity

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Jeremiah 1 – 3

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God’s Construction Crew

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We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual death]… – 1 John 3:14

Life in this verse is the life of God, or “life as God has it.” I don’t want to be one of what I call “the walking dead”—someone who lives and breathes, but never truly lives as God desires. Loving others is the only way to keep the God kind of life flowing through you. It has been given to us as a gift; it’s in us, but we need to release it to others through words and actions. Left dormant, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet.

Are you a part of God’s construction crew, or part of Satan’s destruc¬tion crew? Do you build people up with your words and action, or tear them down? Do you strengthen or weaken them? If you ask these ques¬tions and get the wrong answers, it is easy to fix. Just simply begin today by making a plan to be a blessing to others. Use your words, facial expressions, and voice tones to lift up others. Smile at people; it will be a sign of approval to them. Live to put smiles on others’ faces, and you will always have a smile on yours.

Love Others Today: Look for the needs around you and let God use you to meet those needs. Make sure you’re part of God’s construction crew!

From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Let Go and Trust God

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Today’s Truth

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

Psalm 91:1-2

Friend to Friend

Babies fascinate me. They are so fresh from God. And have so much to learn! Think about it. Babies come into this world knowing nothing. For starters, they have to learn how to roll over, how to sit up, and eventually the biggie – learning to walk.

I had forgotten just how amazing the process of learning to walk really is until our grandson Justus reminded me. Justus was a speed crawler who could scoot along the floor almost as fast as I could walk. For the first 12 months of his life, Justus seemed content to explore the bottoms of tables and chairs, play with doorstops or inspect food crumbs on the floor.

But the day came when he was no longer satisfied to explore his world from the vantage point of his two little hands and knees, and began pulling up on various pieces of furniture. Evidently he liked what he saw, because he quickly graduated to the “One Step” method of walking.

Justus carefully pulled himself up on the living room sofa. Next came what I like to call The Toddler Shuffle as he tentatively positioned his stout and very determined little thirteen-month-old body between the sofa and loveseat. Pausing to catch his breath and gather his courage, Justus longingly stared at his goal, the armrest of the loveseat. His big brown eyes seemed to measure the size of the step needed to reach his final destination.

Justus eventually let go of the sofa cushion, took “a step” and quickly grabbed hold of the loveseat. Most of the time he then looked over his shoulder at whoever happened to be watching, a huge grin lighting up his face and the room. That was the cue for applause. And we always applauded.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Let Go and Trust God →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Authority Over the Enemy

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“And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy” (Luke 10:19).

By nature I am a very shy, reserved person. But I can look the world in the face and say, “I’m a child of the King. There is royal blood in my veins.”

Because of our identification with Christ, we are no longer ordinary people. The authority of God is available to those who believe in Christ. What a promise!

“Authority over all the power of the Enemy!” That is His promise, but it is something you and I must claim each time we face the enemy. We are to believe this; it is an intellectually valid fact. It is not exercising positive thinking and blindly hoping for the best; rather, it is claiming and leaning on the promises of God by faith.

Supernatural authority belongs to the believer, and there is a difference between authority and power. A policeman standing at a busy intersection has no physical power that would enable him to stop cars coming from all directions. But that little whistle he blows and the uniform he wears represent authority, and because of that authority the drivers know that they had better stop.

You and I have authority – given to us by the Lord Himself – over all the power of the enemy. He may tempt us; he may attack us; he may sorely try us. But victory is assured us as we continue to trust and obey our Lord and claim by faith His supernatural resources for our strength.

Bible Reading: Luke 10:20-24

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Because I have been given authority over the enemy, by faith I will exercise that authority on behalf of others as well as myself, believing God for ultimate victory in each situation.

 

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Over Nations

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Read: Jeremiah 1:9-10

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant. Jeremiah 1:9-10

As with Isaiah, God touched Jeremiah’s mouth. Isaiah started the same way. God touched his mouth with the coals from the altar and gave him power in speaking. Jeremiah’s words, then, become the key to his power, for it is the living, burning, shattering, building, mighty power of the word of God.

Jeremiah was set over nations and kingdoms. This was no mere poetry. The messages of this book were addressed to all the great nations of the world of that day — to Egypt, to Assyria, even to Babylon in its towering might and strength. Jeremiah was given a word for all these nations. I believe this is repeated in every generation. Here are the nations of the world, with their obvious display of power and pomp and circumstance, with leaders who are well-known household names, marching up and down, threatening one another, acting so proud and assertive in themselves. But God picks out an obscure young man, a youth thirty years of age whom no one has ever heard of, from a tiny town in a small, obscure country, and says to him, Look, I have set you over all the nations and kingdoms of the earth. Your word, because it is my word, will have more power than all the power of the nations.

That is a remarkable description of what is our heritage as Christians in Jesus Christ. James says that the prayer of a righteous man releases great power. When you and I pray about the affairs of life we can turn the course of nations, as the word of Jeremiah altered the destiny of the nations of his day. When we preach and proclaim the truth of God, even though we are obscure and no one knows who we are, that word has power to change the course of nations.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Over Nations →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Preparing for God’s Call

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Read: Joshua 3:1-6

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (v. 5)

God gave Joshua a plan to enter into the Promised Land. Before the people of God could enter this land they needed to consecrate themselves, to formally dedicate themselves to God’s cause.

Signing up to serve on the Mexico mission trip was easy. After confirming God’s call I expected we would need a meeting or two to organize the trip and then be on our way. However, our pastor leading the trip required each of the participants to attend four training sessions in the months before the mission. During this time we prepared our mission plan. Whom were we going to be serving? What would be our attitude? What was our plan to get to the mission site? What was our plan once we were at the mission site? We needed to address all the logistical details. Most importantly, we needed to prepare our hearts, to consecrate ourselves to God’s service.

During the final training session our pastor showed videos of the families we would be helping. We learned their story, why they needed a home, and what circumstances they faced every day. Suddenly, the mission trip became much more than a task to be completed. It became an act of love towards real people with real needs.

Who is God asking you to love today? How are you preparing to answer this call?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for preparing me to be a blessing to others. Consecrate my heart with your love for those who need it.

Author: Rob Donoho

 

https://woh.org/

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – In Search of the Spiritually Hungry

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The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. —Lamentations 3:25

Have you ever lost something and searched endlessly for it? I lost my iPhone the other day. I looked everywhere for it but couldn’t find it. So I used a feature called Find My iPhone. As it turned out, the phone was eight feet from where I was sitting. I had dropped it in the cushion of a chair. When I mentioned this to my son Jonathan, he said, “I’ve done even worse. I used it, and my phone was in my shirt pocket.”

When you lose something, you search for it until you find it. God searches, too, although He doesn’t lose things like we do. He knows where everything is and where everyone is. Yet He is searching for people who want to grow spiritually. He is looking for fertile, receptive soil where He can plant the seed of His Word, soil in which His Word can take root in our hearts.

God won’t force His truth into our lives; He wants us to desire it. He doesn’t force-feed us. As 1 Peter 2:2 tells us, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

Healthy people are hungry people. If you are in good spiritual health, you will be hungry for the Word of God. A spiritual appetite is a good sign of a mature Christian. God is looking for soil like that. He is looking for people who want to hear His Word.

We are the ones who decide what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will move forward spiritually or whether we will go backward spiritually. It is really up to us. God wants us to grow, but we must want to grow as well. There is God’s part, and there is our part.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Christ Abolished Death

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“[God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, his goal was to abolish slavery. To emancipate means to set free, and President Lincoln wanted to set the slaves free from the rule of slavery. So he signed a new law to abolish the slavery way of life.

To abolish something means to do away with it, or to destroy it. Abolishing is the idea of wiping away something that has been going on for a long time. Can you think of any rules that your family used to have but do not have anymore? If your parents abolish a rule, they are getting rid of it once and for all.

Before Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, death had the victory. No human being had ever been able to raise someone from the dead by himself (whenever there were miracles, it was God Who gave the supernatural power, not man). Jesus was the only Person Who ever raised Himself from the dead in the history of mankind. Because He lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again, He showed the world He was totally God and totally man. He proved that He has the power to give eternal life to those who believe on Him. He abolished the rule of death.

If our trust is in the Savior Jesus Christ, our bodies may die, but our souls will have eternal life with God, because Jesus has the power to do away with death and to give eternal life. Back in the nineteenth century, President Lincoln made a new law to set slaves free from the bondage of slavery. But long before that, Jesus Christ did away with the rule of death and made it possible for sinners to be set free from the bondage of sin and from the punishment of eternal death. Single-handedly, our Savior abolished death and made possible the gift of eternal life.

Our Savior Jesus Christ did away with the power of death and made it possible for us to enjoy eternal life.

My Response:

» What do I think about the Savior Jesus Christ?

» If Jesus abolished death and set me free from bondage to sin, how should I be living?

 

http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Emboldened

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Today’s Scripture: John 6:37

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

We need the inner witness of the Spirit, not only at the time we come to Christ, but throughout our Christian lives, especially in times of severe temptation and failure. Once I was on my way to speak at a conference on the pursuit of holiness. The trip itself had been one of those stressful experiences when I did not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, and peace to airline personnel. I felt like an utter failure (which was true). How could I possibly speak to others about pursuing holiness when I had been so unholy myself?

Arriving at my hotel room late at night, I opened my Bible to try to find some encouragement. Soon I came to a short phrase in Colossians 2:13: “he forgave us all our sins” (NIV). My heart was flooded with joy. The Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins of that very day were forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ. I was emboldened with courage to speak at that conference, not because I was good enough, but because the Holy Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins were forgiven.

Once in a while I get discouraged about my Christian life when God gives me a glimpse of the sinfulness in my heart. At those times I’m tempted to ask, “am I really a Christian?” When those rare occasions do occur, I go back to these promises, especially John 6:37. I know that I have come to Jesus and that he has promised me that he will not drive me away. Thus I regain and strengthen my assurance. We have to let the promises of God drive away our doubts. (Excerpt taken from The Gospel for Real Life)

 

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