Monthly Archives: November 2016

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Finish Well 

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Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Revelation 14:13

God is not looking for perfection, but He does desire passion for Himself and obedience to His word. People—who have decided to take control themselves, do not finish well. They act as if they have a better plan than God. This type of decision-making process will have limited, if any, success in the Lord’s eyes. So, does it mean we will have no regrets when we finish well? No.

It’s like a lifelong race—a marathon. Jesus is at the finish line, and as you run an eternal entourage of people who have been faithful before you—surrounds you. Your Savior and His saints are praying for you and encouraging you to finish well—this is His will. Don’t lose heart or become proud of heart. Keep your focus on the ultimate destination: the prize of Christ’s commendation that awaits you. Die in the Lord and you will live eternally with the Lord.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Along the race of life you will encounter difficulty. You will tire and need rest. You will have stretches of road that you run alone and feel like quitting. Other times the race will seem like an uphill battle with every muscle in your body screaming for attention. But thankfully, there are times of refreshment and rejuvenation. After you have run up a hill of hope, there is an opportunity to enjoy the righteous run down the other side. Finishing well thrives in the presence of God. Intimacy with Him positions you to hear His voice and obey Him.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – “We Made a Decision”

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So I said, “What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord said to me, “Arise and go….”

Acts 22:10

Recommended Reading

Acts 22:6-16

In his autobiography, Our Incredible Journey, Word of Life co-founder Harry Bollback and his wife, Millie, wrote about their years of missionary service in Brazil, where they lived in very primitive circumstances. “Living under these conditions was truly difficult,” Harry wrote. “But neither of us thought of it as being hard at the time. We had made a decision to serve the Lord, and we were just doing what we thought the Lord would have us do. We were enjoying the good hand of God’s blessings.”

In Acts 22, the apostle Paul recounted his conversion for the Jewish Ruling Counsel. He told them of the light that blinded him on the Damascus Road, and he recounted the two questions he asked God: “Who are You, Lord?” (verse 8) and “What shall I do, Lord?” (verse 10)

When we come to Christ for salvation, we then ask, “What do You want me to do?” We just need to have a submissive spirit to His guidance, and He’ll use us in ways beyond our expectation.

I’m convinced that when you are serving the Lord, there is never a question of sacrifice. It’s just doing what we are supposed to be doing for His glory. You don’t think of the sacrifice—you think of your mission.

Harry Bollback

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Acts 8 – 9

 

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Be a Good Example

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Teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians].—Titus 2:1

Being a Christian is not so much a matter of doing as it is of being. When you’re willing to get out there and shine, you’ll eventually swallow up the darkness in your realm of influence.

God anoints normal, everyday people to live supernaturally in a frustrating world. He wants you to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. He wants you to stop just telling people Jesus loves them and start letting Jesus flow through you to meet their needs.

The best way to show the love of Christ is by example. People in the world want to see Christians who live what they preach and teach.

You can be a shining example of a victorious Christian, and that’s the best way to “teach what it fitting.”

From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Attitude Check

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Today’s Truth

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Proverbs 11:3

Friend to Friend

On a recent flight, I was thumbing through a magazine someone left behind when the title of an article caught my eye. “Image is everything” the author declared. For a few seconds, I found myself actually agreeing with the author’s statement.

And then the Holy Spirit whispered, “Attitude check!” I knew what that meant. I needed to straighten up and pay attention because something was wrong. And then I saw it – the subtle lie expertly hidden in the seemingly benign words. It was from the pit and smelled like smoke!

As followers of Christ, we sometimes focus on developing and presenting the right image while neglecting the spiritual discipline of integrity. What we wear, how we look, the people we know, or even how big we can grow our ministry platform gets in the way of loving God, serving God, and becoming more like God.

Oh, friend, Satan is one sneaky dude! But remember that he is the Father of lies. It is his native language, and he speaks it well. Do not miss these two very important truths about integrity.

Our public lives are only as authentic as our private lives.

Image is who and what people think we are, while integrity is who and what we really are.

Billy Graham once said, “Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together. We must constantly strive to keep our integrity intact. When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, all is lost.”

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Attitude Check →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Abundant, Supernatural Life

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“Even so, consider yourself to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11, NAS).

My friend Randy had given up on the Christian life. He said, “I have tried, but failed so many times; nothing seems to work. God doesn’t hear my prayers, and I am tired of trying. I’ve read the Bible, prayed, memorized Scripture, and gone to church. But there is no joy and I don’t see any purpose in continuing a life of shame and hypocrisy, pretending I am something that I’m not.”

After listening to his account of his many failures and defeats, I began to explain the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He interrupted me with, “I know all about the Holy Spirit. I’ve read everything I can find, everything you and others have written – and nothing works for me.”

My thoughts turned to Romans, chapter 6. I asked him, “Randy, are you sure you’re a Christian?”

“Yes,” he answered. “I’m sure.”

“How do you know?”

“By faith,” he responded. “The Scripture promises, ‘For by grace are you saved through faith, that not of yourselves, it’s a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.’ I know I’m saved.”

“Why,” I asked him, “do you trust God for your salvation, but do not believe in His other promises concerning your rights as a child of God?”

I began to read from Romans 6 and reminded Randy that every believer has available to him the mighty, supernatural power of the risen Christ. With the enabling of the Holy Spirit, the believer can live that supernatural life simply by claiming his rights through an act of his will. The same Holy Spirit who inspired Ephesians 2:8 and 9 inspired Romans 6, and, by faith, we can claim that sin no longer has control over us and that the mighty power of the resurrection is available as promised.

That day, God touched Randy’s life, his spiritual eyes were opened and he began, by faith, to live in accordance with his God-given heritage.

Bible Reading: Romans 6:12-18

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today, by faith, I will claim the truths of Romans 6. As an act of my will, I surrender the members of my body as instruments of righteousness unto God, to live that abundant, supernatural life, which is my heritage in Christ. Enabled by the Holy Spirit, I will encourage other believers to claim their kingdom rights, and non-believers to join this adventure with the risen Savior

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Tax Day

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Read: Romans 13:6-7

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:7

Here the apostle is dealing with our actual response to what these demands of government are. We haven’t the right to withhold taxes if the government doesn’t use them quite the way we think they should. Governments are made up of fallible men and women just like us, and we can’t demand that the government always handle everything perfectly. Therefore what Paul wrote to these Romans, who had the same problems we have about taxes, was, If you owe taxes, pay them.

The point the apostle is making clearly is: Don’t resent these powers of government. This is all set within the context of Paul’s word in Chapter 12, Be not conformed to this present age, (Romans 12:2a). Don’t act like everybody else acts about taxes. The world grumbles and gripes and groans at paying taxes. You have a right, of course, as does everyone, to protest injustice and to correct abuse. There is no question about that. But don’t forever be grumbling about the taxes that you have to pay.

I don’t hold up any defense for the gross injustices that prevail in our American system. But the very fact that we can meet for worship and don’t have to hide behind closed doors, the very fact that we have relative freedom from attack when we walk about is due to the existence of a government that God has brought into being. I want to make every effort I can, as a good citizen, to improve it and to see that it does things better. But we can thank God for the privilege of paying our taxes. This is what the apostle is after. He wants us to have a different attitude than the world around us about these matters. We are not to come on with gimlet-eyed fanaticism, attacking the government and seeking to overthrow it because it doesn’t behave quite as we think it ought. But rather, we are to understand that God has brought it into being, and he will change it if the hearts of the people of the land warrant that.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Tax Day →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Blessed Are the Persecuted

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Read: Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are you when others . . . persecute you . . . on my account. (v. 11)

“Blessing” and “persecution” don’t sound like they belong in the same sentence. But Jesus puts them there.

I have an Iranian acquaintance who as a young university student was disturbed by the injustice and inequality of the Shah’s regime. He joined the Communist party to work for revolution. He was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured by the Shah’s secret police. But when Islamic revolution came to Iran, it turned out to be very different from the Communists’ dream. The new Iran was even more brutal, repressive, and unjust than it had been under the Shah.

Dejected, despairing of the future, wondering if he even wanted to go on living, my friend was sitting on a park bench one day when he noticed a windblown piece of paper at his feet. Glancing down, he saw that it had English words printed on it. It was a page from a Bible. He picked it up and his eyes fell on these words: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” My friend accepted the invitation then and there, and became a follower of Jesus.

Eventually he would go to prison again, this time for the gospel. He told me he found it more enjoyable to be jailed as a Christian than as a Communist. Actually, I don’t think “enjoyable” was the word he used; it was something like “more rewarding.” We do have Jesus’ word on that.

—David Bast

Prayer:

Pray for the church in Iran.

 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Power of Forgiveness

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David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the LORD’S army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day.—2 Samuel 1:11–12

If an enemy who had opposed you for years was finally dealt with, what would be your first thought? I doubt it would be how to show kindness to that person or to members of his or her family. Generally, we want to give the way that we get. If we get hit, we want to hit back—even harder. That is human nature.

But David had made a promise to Saul’s son Jonathan, and he was a man of his word. He would look out for Jonathan’s children and show mercy and kindness to his descendants.

After Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, there was no king over Israel. David was the rightful king, but the battle continued between the house of David and the house of Saul. Saul had a son named Ishbosheth, and Abner, Saul’s general, made him king. He ignored the fact that God had chosen David as Saul’s successor.

Then Abner and Ishbosheth had an argument, and Abner threatened to defect. Sure enough, he went over to David’s side. But there were problems with that because Joab, David’s general, hated Abner. He couldn’t believe that David would allow Abner into their ranks. This escalated, and Joab ultimately hunted down Abner and killed him.

David was outraged. He was tired of the fighting and wanted it to end. He didn’t want to deal with his enemies in the way they had dealt with him. He wanted to forgive them.

David could have engaged in some big-time payback. But he did the very opposite. Even before all of the experts figured it out, David knew the power of forgiveness.

Was David a perfect man? No. Did he have his flaws? Yes. But God loved David. And He uniquely described him as a man after His own heart.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Quality Obedience

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 2:22

“He committed no sin.”

There are times when our inward desires do not match our outward conduct. We act very proper on the outside, but sin in our hearts. This was never the case with Jesus. Through one of the messianic psalms he could say, “I delight to do your will, o my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). He not only perfectly obeyed the law of God; he always desired to do so and, in fact, delighted in doing it. Once he even said, “My food . . . is to do the will of him who sent me” (John 4:34, NIV).

If we think about it, we realize that obedience that isn’t delighted in is not perfect obedience. Yet that was the quality of obedience Jesus rendered throughout his life.

In one of his many confrontations with his chief antagonists, the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus could unselfconsciously and without any pretentiousness say, “I always do what pleases [the Father]” (John 8:29, NIV). Such a claim must include not only Jesus’ outward actions and speech, but also his inward thoughts (Psalm 139:1-4). Even more important, it must include his motives, for God not only knows our thoughts but understands our motives as well (1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

A little later in the same confrontation Jesus asked, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46). Jesus dared his critics to name a single sin he had committed, knowing full well how eager they would have been to do so if it were possible.

It’s no wonder that at the beginning of his ministry and again toward the end of it, a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Consider the Consequences

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? – Romans 6:16

When someone tells us not to do something, it makes us want to do it all the more, sort of like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Here was a lush, beautiful garden filled to overflowing with wonderful things to eat, and all available for the taking. But there was one tree in the midst of the garden the Lord declared out of bounds. Adam and Eve were not to eat its fruit.

But, of course, they did. Notice this tree and its forbidden fruit were not evil things. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed, they knew they were in big trouble–so big, in fact, that the effects of their sin are still felt today by the entire human race.

Now why do you think these two indulged their appetites on something that was forbidden when they had so many other choices?

We must take very seriously the biblical admonition to be content with our personal lot. Ask the Lord to give you the attitude of the apostle Paul: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).

Secondly, ask God to give you a healthy fear of the consequences of giving in to the sins of the flesh. I’ve found that temptation makes a sin seem very attractive, but it’s a lie. After I’ve done wrong, the sin that seemed so attractive is disgusting and short-lived.

Prayer

Lord, through your Holy Spirit, I want to be a thoughtful, obedient person who considers the consequences of sin and says “no” instead of letting desire take control. Amen.

To Ponder

Are you content with the life God has given you?

 

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  Orientation over Speech and Religion: A Half-Baked Verdict in the UK

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Okay—stop me if you’ve heard this story before: A Christian couple opens a bakery where, until recently, the only thing they’re known for was the quality of their baked goods. Until one day a gay client demands that they perform a service that would violate their conscience.

After the couple refuses, the would-be customer files a complaint against the bakers. The case winds up in the courts, where the Christian couple loses.

It’s an all-too-familiar story, but this one has a few surprising twists.

First—where it took place: the United Kingdom, specifically, Northern Ireland.

Daniel and Amy McArthur run a bakery in Belfast called “Ashers.” In May, 2014, a representative of a group called “QueerSpace,” which is, as the name suggests, an LGBT advocacy group in Northern Ireland, placed an order for a cake at Ashers.

If the cake had simply been, say, a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, the story would have ended there. Ashers would have baked the cake and that would have been that.

But, as you probably guessed, it wasn’t that simple. The would-be customer wanted the McArthurs to put a picture of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street, along with the words “Support Gay Marriage” on the top.

After the McArthurs declined to bake the cake, the would-be customer filed suit against them.

After losing in the lower court and being fined the equivalent of $600, they appealed to Northern Ireland’s Supreme Court, which upheld the legal conclusions of the lower court.

Continue reading BreakPoint –  Orientation over Speech and Religion: A Half-Baked Verdict in the UK →

Moody Global Ministries, Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – GOD PROVIDES IN THE FACE OF WOLVES

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Read MATTHEW 10:16–20

For seven years, it seemed like justice would never come for two young sisters in Bolivia who were sexually assaulted by a neighbor. The perpetrator was assured that if he ran away, the case would be forgotten. But a Christian legal team from International Justice Mission (IJM) would not give up. They provided care and counseling for the two girls and finally tracked down the assailant. In June of this year, he was convicted and sentenced to prison.

God provided care and justice for these two girls, just one example of His provision even in the face of “wolves.” “Wolves” are enemies of the gospel and of God’s people. Perhaps surprisingly, the Good Shepherd Himself sends us out among them (v. 16; John 10:11–12).

When confronted by wolves, we must be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” as well as watchful or “on your guard” (vv. 16–17). That is to say, we are to act with a combination of practical wisdom (shrewdness) and guilelessness (innocence) or simple straightforwardness. We should not practice evil, nor should we be surprised at what evil tries to do to us. Self-protection is not to be our top priority. If we’re obeying Christ’s call to spread the gospel, persecution is inevitable (vv. 17–18).

One form of God’s provision in the face of “wolves” is words. The Spirit will give us the right words to say when we’re persecuted for the sake of the gospel (vv. 19–20). There’s no need to worry about what to say or how to defend ourselves. Going out as “sheep among wolves” is not a comforting picture. We’d rather think about green pastures and quiet waters! But when we go, we can do so in the confidence that God provides and protects. The God of David and the disciples is our God, too!

APPLY THE WORD

Church leaders have a special responsibility to defend their congregations against “savage wolves,” false teachers and false doctrines (Acts 20:28–31). Pastors and other leaders are under- shepherds, charged with protecting the flock. If you’re a leader, take this responsibility seriously, and if you’re not, support your leaders in prayer!

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why good news on ISIS is not good enough

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A year ago yesterday, Islamic State militants killed 130 people and wounded nearly five hundred in the most lethal attack in France since World War II. On Sunday, French President Francois Hollande unveiled plaques for the victims and his country observed a moment of silence in their memory.

In the last year, there has been much good news in the battle against ISIS. The Iraqi army reported yesterday that troops have driven ISIS militants out of the historic town of Nimrud, south of Mosul. The assault on Mosul continues and troops have begun attacks on Raqqa, the capital of ISIS.

But the battle is far from over. The Islamic State is now using exploding drones and equipping children as suicide fighters. The more land it loses in its self-proclaimed caliphate, the more fighters it sends into Europe and beyond in preparation for attacks against its enemies. In other words, defeating ISIS in the Middle East, while urgently necessary, only fuels the resolve of its global followers.

While the world remembered the Paris attacks yesterday, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand and triggered a tsunami. At least two people were killed. Dozens of aftershocks followed. The quakes remind us that whether our challenges are natural or man-made, much of what affects us is beyond our ability to effect.

This principle is especially important for Christians in the aftermath of the presidential election. Those who opposed Donald Trump are tempted to give up on America, concluding that our country neither wants nor deserves their continued support. Those who supported Mr. Trump are tempted to believe that they have done all their country requires by voting for him.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Why good news on ISIS is not good enough →

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Meditation: A Key to Hearing God

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Psalm 19:7-14

Meditation means different things to different people. For some, it is a time of introspection and self-empowerment. To Christians, however, meditation has an altogether different meaning. And despite the various ways the word is used, it is something we believers must take seriously in our walk of faith.

Simply put, meditation is the practice of thinking about God in all of His fullness, and asking questions such as:

  • Who is God?
    • How does He work in my life?
    • What does Scripture say about Him?
    • How has He shown faithfulness to me?
    • How has He made Himself known?

When we meditate on the Word of God, His Spirit directs our thinking as we seek earnestly to know Him better. Often, the discipline will include wrestling with spiritual principles, which the Lord uses to build a firm foundation in our life. It may even involve a time of repentance, as He reveals truth and moves us to yearn for a Christ-centered mindset. Or, meditation could lead to healing if God shows us areas of our heart that need His touch. When we take time to set our mind on Him, the Lord will direct our thoughts.

This week, reserve a half-hour to sit quietly or take a walk. Dedicate that time to focusing your attention on God and letting Him speak to you. You will find this pause in your routine rewarding and exciting as you give yourself over to His presence.

Bible in One Year: Acts 10-11

 

http://www.intouch.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Pay Close Attention

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Read: Nehemiah 8:2–6; Acts 8:4–8

Bible in a Year: Lamentations 1–2; Hebrews 10:1–18

All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. —Nehemiah 8:3

As I sat in the auditorium, I faced the pastor with my eyes fixed on him. My posture suggested I was absorbing everything he was saying. Suddenly I heard everybody laughing and clapping. Surprised, I looked about. The preacher had apparently said something humorous, but I had no clue what it might have been. From all appearances I had been listening carefully, but in reality my mind was far away.

It’s possible to hear what is being said but not listen, to watch but not see, to be present and yet absent. In such a condition, we may miss important messages meant for us.

As Ezra read God’s instructions to the people of Judah, “All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law” (Neh. 8:3). Their attention to the explanation produced understanding (v. 8), which resulted in their repentance and revival. In another situation in Samaria, Philip, after persecution of the believers broke out in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), reached out to the Samaritan people. The crowd not only observed the miraculous signs he did, but they also “paid close attention to what he said” (v. 6). “So there was great joy in that city” (v. 8).

The mind can be like a wandering adventurer that misses a lot of excitement close by. Nothing deserves more attention than words that help us discover the joy and wonder of our Father in heaven. —Lawrence Darmani

Lord, our minds are so prone to distraction. Help us to be present in the moment, especially when listening to those who instruct us in Your ways.

The receiving of the Word consists in two parts: attention of the mind and intention of the will. William Ames

INSIGHT: On one occasion, many of Jesus’s followers rejected His teaching because they found it “hard” and “no longer followed him” (John 6:60, 66). Jesus then challenged the Twelve and asked if they too would reject His teaching. Responding, Peter affirmed they still would follow, for “You have the words of eternal life” (v. 68). Sim Kay Tee

 

http://www.odb.org

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Results of False Wisdom

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“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16).

False wisdom ruins lives.

Renowned eighteenth-century theologian Jonathan Edwards said the following about the effect of the Fall on man:

Sin, like some powerful astringent, contracted his soul to the very small dimensions of selfishness; and God was forsaken, and fellow-creatures forsaken, and man retired within himself, and became totally governed by narrow and selfish principles and feelings. Self-love became absolute master of his soul, and the more noble and spiritual principles of his being took wings and flew away.

Edwards’s analysis certainly agrees with what James is saying: man is self-centered (cf. James 3:14, 16). Where self-centeredness exists, there will be negative results. One such result is “disorder” (v. 16). The term refers to disorder that comes out of instability and chaos. Earthly wisdom will never produce harmony or love because it’s proud and self-indulgent. It destroys intimacy, love, unity, and fellowship, and in its place brings discord and chaos. You can see the result of earthly wisdom all over our world today. Anger, bitterness, lawsuits, and divorces are just part of the legacy.

“Every evil thing” also results from earthly wisdom (v. 16). The phrase speaks of something worthless or vile. Greek scholar R.C. Trench said it contemplates evil, “not so much that either of active or passive malignity, but rather of its good-for-nothingness, the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth from it.” The Greek word translated “thing” implies that false wisdom produces nothing of any practical value. At its best it produces worthless things; at its worst it produces vile things.

Which kind of life do you prefer? One that is characterized by love and unity, or by instability and chaos? A life with fulfillment and meaning, or with emptiness? If you want a life that satisfies and has eternal value, choose divine wisdom!

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for giving you His Word so you can know how to live wisely and avoid the negative results of man’s wisdom.

For Further Study

Following human wisdom leads only to evil. Memorize Proverbs 4:27 to help you stay on the path of true wisdom.

 

http://www.gty.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Leadership Maturity Takes Time 

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He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.   1 Timothy 3:6

Leadership in the world does not automatically guarantee leadership in the church or ministry. In fact, if you are a new believer, you need not sign up for highly visible leadership in a spiritual environment. Your character more than likely needs sanitizing from the stains of sin. You do not want to bring into a leadership role any baggage that may burden you. Take your time and get to know the current leadership. Serve them and allow them to get to know you. It is tempting to jump right in soon after becoming a Christian. After all, you are so grateful and energized to do good works. Your business experience seems fitting for service on the board of a church or ministry, but this may the worst thing for you. There is the very real chance that your premature elevation to spiritual leadership will lead to pride and conceit. Why put yourself in a position to fail?

Be patient, and let leadership opportunities come to you. Serve in the nursery and love on little babies and children. Park cars, write a check, volunteer in the kitchen, greet people, or help stuff envelopes. The point is to crawl before you walk. Develop a reservoir of humility that can douse any flames of conceit. A new believer is not fit for significant leadership in the Christian community. It is neither fair to the person, nor to the people he is attempting to lead. Leadership in the church and ministry requires much more than passion and availability. It requires a seasoned walk with Christ that leads with grace, truth, and wise judgment that only comes through experience and maturation in the application of knowledge.

So there is a warning to those who are responsible for recruiting and placing leaders in roles of responsibility. Do not do a disservice to someone by assigning responsibilities to them when they are not ready. There is always room for growth and learning, but in situations requiring mature faith and character, be very prayerful and patient. It is better to have an empty leadership position than to have the wrong person filling a slot. Pray for God-called leaders to lead. Pray for leaders who understand the grace of God and the judgment of God. Pray for leaders who lead by example. Pray for leaders who lead by serving. Pray for leaders who point people to Jesus, not to themselves. Pray for leaders who will not superimpose slick sales techniques, but instead challenge people to look to the Holy Spirit for their direction and confirmation.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Leadership Maturity Takes Time  →

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Don’t Lose Focus

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For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.—2 Corinthians 10:4

Sometimes we lose our focus. We can be walking in love all day, going along fine, until someone comes along and offends us. As soon as we forget our focus of love, we stop making progress and come to a standstill—aggravated, upset, and offended.

Understand that the mind is a battlefield. If you don’t stop Satan when he gets into your thoughts, you are not going to stop him from getting into your life. Stay focused. Ask God to help you remain full of love, no matter what comes your way today.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Wonderful Friendship

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“God will surely do this for you, for He always does just what He says, and He is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with His Son, even Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

You and I do not always prove faithful, but the apostle Paul wants us to know, by way of his letter to the believers in Corinth, that our God will surely do what He has promised; in this case, make us “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 8).

The apostle wants the Corinthians to know that they can depend upon the faithfulness of God, who had begun a good work among them, and certainly would see them through to the end. He did the inviting; He would do the keeping.

Christians are able to participate with Christ in several ways. First in His trials and sufferings, for we are subjected to temptations and trials similar to His: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings” (1 Peter 4:13, KJV).

Second, in His feelings and views (Romans 8:9).

Third, in His heirship to the inheritance and glory which awaits Him: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17, KJV).

Fourth, in His triumph in the resurrection and future glory: “Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28, KJV).

Are you not glad for that kind of friendship?

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: When I look for a faithful friend, my first thought will be of Christ Himself, who truly qualifies as my very best friend

 

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – God and Government

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Read: Romans 13:1-5

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

When Paul refers to governing authorities, he uses a phrase that can best be translated the powers that be. He is not just talking about heads of state; he is talking about all levels of authority, all the way down to the local police. He tells us that the thing we must think about these governmental offices is that they are, in some way, brought into being by God himself.

I often hear people ask, Which form of government is the best? Which is the one God wants us to have? We Americans would love to think that democracy obviously is the most God-honored form of government. But I don’t think you can establish that from the Scriptures. In fact, the Scriptures reflect various forms of government. So when you ask, Which government is the best kind? Is it a monarchy? An oligarchy? Is it a republic? A democracy? The answer of Scripture is not necessarily any of these. It is whatever God has brought into being. That is best for that particular place and time in history. God has brought it into being, considering the makeup of the people, the degree of truth and light which is disseminated among them, and the moral conditions that are prevailing. For that condition, for that time and place, God has brought into being a particular government.

Now, that government can change. God doesn’t ordain any one form of government to be continued forever. If the people grow toward understanding of truth, and morality prevails in a community, the form of government may well take on a democratic pattern. Where truth disappears, government seems to become more autocratic. But, in any case, the point the apostle makes is that whatever form of government you find, God is behind it. Don’t ever think of any state or any government as something that in itself is opposed to God, because it isn’t.

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