Daily Archives: June 4, 2017

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Blessings of Inadequacy

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2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Paul never claimed that he was capable of accomplishing all that God called him to do. He simply learned to look beyond his own inadequacy to the sufficiency of Christ. If we’ll adopt the same practice, we too can discover the blessings hidden in our own experiences of inadequacy.

Our insufficiency drives us to God. When we realize that a situation is bigger than we can handle, we must be quick to open the Bible and pray for guidance and power.

Inadequacy relieves us of the burden of self-effort and self-reliance. The Lord has us right where He wants us—at the end of our rope with nothing left to give.

Inability motivates reliance on divine power. God never intended for us to do certain things by ourselves. We’ll never be adequate until we draw from the Holy Spirit’s inexhaustible strength and let Him work in and through us.

By using inadequate people, God demonstrates what great things He can do. He actually delights in choosing unlikely individuals to carry out His plan. There’s no limit to what He can do through someone willing to give Him full control.

Inadequacy challenges our faith. The apostle Paul says, “Our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). Those who focus on the reliability of this promise and step out in obedience will grow in faith.

Why go through all the fear, pressure, and frustration that accompany feelings of inadequacy when there’s an alternative? Let the Lord make you adequate: Rely upon Him and allow Christ to live in and through you. He will replace your anxiety with a spirit of contentment.

Bible in One Year: Job 13-16

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Perfect Peace

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Read: John 14:25–31

Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 21–22; John 14

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.—John 14:27

A friend shared with me that for years she searched for peace and contentment. She and her husband built up a successful business, so she was able to buy a big house, fancy clothes, and expensive jewelry. But these possessions didn’t satisfy her inner longings for peace, nor did her friendships with influential people. Then one day, when she was feeling low and desperate, a friend told her about the good news of Jesus. There she found the Prince of Peace, and her understanding of true peace and contentment was forever changed.

Jesus spoke words of such peace to His friends after their last supper together (John 14), when He prepared them for the events that would soon follow: His death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Describing a peace—unlike anything the world can give—He wanted them to learn how to find a sense of well-being even in the midst of hardship.

Later, when the resurrected Jesus appeared to the frightened disciples after His death, He greeted them, saying, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19). Now He could give them, and us, a new understanding of resting in what He has done for us. As we do, we can find the awareness of a confidence far deeper than our ever-changing feelings. —Amy Boucher Pye

Heavenly Father, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on You. Help us to trust in You forever, for You are our Rock eternal.

Jesus came to usher peace into our lives and our world.

INSIGHT: Jesus repeatedly talks about peace in John 14, yet He would soon be arrested and His disciples would be hiding in fear. In verse 1 Jesus offered peace by encouraging them not to be troubled by the events that were coming on them. Instead, they were to look forward to reunion with Him and a home in the Father’s house. Then in today’s reading Jesus rooted this peace in the coming of the Holy Spirit—reminding us that, in part, the fruit of the Spirit is peace (Gal. 5:22-23). Jesus concluded His words to them with the promise of peace for everyday living: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). For now and forever, His great gift of peace carries us through all the seasons of life.How do you see Jesus’s peace present in your life today? Bill Crowder

 

http://www.odb.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – A Wandering, Wondering Mind

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Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:13 KJV

In the days when Peter wrote these words, men wore long, flowing robes that hindered fast progress or strenuous action. They wore broad belts (or girdles) about their waists, and when they wanted to move into action, they “girded up their loins”—that is, they shortened their robes by pulling them up inside their belts. That term is similar to what we mean when we say, “Roll up your sleeves.” Peter’s words here are a serious call to action—a reminder that when we lose our focus, it is time for us to do some serious thinking.

I’ve already talked about how staying too busy can result in an abnormal mind as opposed to a normal mind. Now I want to point out that another way the devil attacks your normal mind is by causing your thoughts to wander. It’s a mental attack. If you do not discipline your mind to remain focused on what is important, the devil will cause it to wander aimlessly to other things.

Continue reading Joyce Meyer – A Wandering, Wondering Mind →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Praise Brings Results

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“And at the moment they began to sing and to praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to begin fighting among themselves, and they destroyed each other!” (2 Chronicles 20:22).

The armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir had declared war on King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. So Jehoshaphat called the people together and prayed, “Oh, our God. Won’t you stop them. We have no way to protect ourselves against this mighty army. We don’t know what to do but we are looking to You.”

Then the Lord instructed the people, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be paralyzed by this mighty army for the battle is not yours, but God’s! Tomorrow, go down and attack them!…But you will not need to fight. Take your places; stand quietly and see the incredible rescue operation God will perform for you” (2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

After consultation with the leaders of the people, Jehoshaphat determined that there should be a choir, clothed in sanctified garments and singing the song, “His Loving kindness Is Forever,” leading the march. As they walked along praising and thanking the Lord, He released His mighty power in their behalf.

One of the greatest lessons I have ever learned about the Christian life is the importance of praise and thanksgiving. The greater the problem, the more difficult the circumstances, the greater the crisis, the more important it is to praise God at all times, to worship Him for who He is; for His attributes of sovereignty, love, grace, power, wisdom and might; for the certainty that He will fight for us, that He will demonstrate His supernatural resources in our behalf.

As in the case of Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah when they began to praise God and He caused the three opposing armies to fight against each other and destroy one another, God will fight for us if we trust and obey Him. There is no better way to demonstrate faith and obedience than to praise Him and to thank Him, even when our world is crumbling around us and the enemy is threatening to destroy. God honors praise. Hebrews 13:15 reminds us, “With Jesus’ help, we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of His name.”

Bible Reading: Psalm 136:1, 21-26

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today I will continue to praise God and give thanks to Him for who He is. When difficulties arise, I will praise Him all the more and thank Him for His faithfulness. I will depend upon the supernatural resources of God which enable me to live the supernatural life, regardless of the circumstances.

 

http://www.cru.org

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

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Read 1 JOHN 2:12-17

When a worried child expresses doubts about their own worth or their parents’ love, what does any responsible parent do? They comfort the child by repeating over and over again a message of reassurance and encouragement. The same seems to be the case in the first part of today’s reading. Speaking to a community whose confidence about their own relationship with God may have been shaken, John offers a repeated message of reassurance and encouragement. And while the “children,” “fathers,” and “young men” may be specific age groups, these designations may also be a way of addressing the entire community. Regardless of their spiritual progress, whether new to the faith or longtime Christians, the truth is the same.

First, they “have been forgiven on account of his name” (v. 12). The problem of sin has been dealt with once and for all. Second, because of the forgiveness they have in Christ, they “know him who is from the beginning” (vv. 13a, 14b). Despite any doubts, their relationship with God is genuine. Finally, because they have been strengthened by forgiveness and relationship with God, they “have overcome the evil one” (vv. 13b, 14c). The victory that belongs to Christ is theirs by virtue of their relationship with Him.

As a result, the last part of our reading spells out the practical implications: “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (v. 15). The warning about the “world” here refers to the domain of Satan: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (v. 16). Because we belong to God, our loyalty and love should be with Him, not with the sinful lusts and possessions of the world. Only the one who abides in God will “live forever” (v. 17).

APPLY THE WORD

Do you know people who need Scripture’s reminder that they can find forgiveness in Christ? That He offers genuine relationship and spiritual victory? Encourage and reassure someone today about the truth of the gospel. Consider writing a note, making a phone call, or even stopping for a visit to make God’s message to them real.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Led by the Spirit

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Read: Mark 1:12-13

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matt. 4:1)

Like yesterday, today’s reading may seem a bit unusual at first. After Jesus is baptized, he is led (Matthew) or driven (Mark) into the desert to be tempted. Really? You would think that the Holy Spirit would comfort Jesus and encourage him. After all, aren’t we told that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23)? Isn’t the Spirit called the “Comforter” (Jn. 14:16, KJV)?

He is that. But from these verses it seems that the Holy Spirit can also lead us into some trying situations. Here we see that the Spirit can lead us to challenging places not to ruin us but to make us stronger. Certainly Jesus emerged from his temptations committed to God’s calling upon his life. It is true that our Lord uses all kinds of things—good and bad—in our lives to mold us and make us more like him. And he never abandons us. In this case, he sent his angels to help his Son.

The apostle Paul wrote: “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). That is one of my favorite verses, one that assures us that our loving God is always in control and will work things out for our good. —John Koedyker

Prayer: Lord, assure us of your presence and your protection as we undergo all kinds of difficulties, problems, and challenges in life. Amen.

 

https://woh.org/

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Never Changes

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Julie was sad. Sarah, her sister, had always been her best friend, but now Sarah was too busy to play. Every fall Julie and Sarah made big piles of leaves and jumped in them with their dog, Taffy. But this year every time Julie asked Sarah to play in the leaves she had to study or to go to basketball practice or call one of her friends.

Now all the leaves were gone, and Julie wondered whether Sarah would be too busy to play in the snow this year, too. When Julie asked her mother why Sarah didn’t play with her anymore, Mother said that Sarah was growing up and changing. Mother said that everyone changes and that Julie would change one day, too. “The only person who never changes is Jesus,” Mother said. Julie was glad that Jesus never changed.

Have you ever been sad because someone changed? Maybe you have a brother or a sister who is growing up, or a grandpa or grandma who is getting older. Nobody can keep people from changing, but the Bible tells us that Jesus will never change. Jesus will always be reliable. He promises never to leave you, and He listens to everything you want to say to Him all the time. Isn’t it good to know that He will always be the same!

Although other people change, Jesus will never change.

My Response:

» Do I trust Jesus all the time, knowing that He never changes?

» Do I thank Jesus for never changing?

 

http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx