Daily Archives: August 12, 2017

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley –Humility and Greatness

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Matthew 20:20-28

What do you want Christ to do for you? That’s essentially the same question Jesus asked the mother of James and John. Before we look down on her for asking Him to give her sons a place of prominence and authority, we must consider what we would ask of Jesus. Would there be any selfishness in our request?

We are born with a self-centered nature, which remains present even after salvation and comes out in a variety of ways. Furthermore, we live in a culture that clamors for greatness and constantly tells us to assert ourselves so we can move up the ladder of success or get what’s rightfully ours. But what Jesus taught about greatness is the exact opposite: Become a servant to others (Mark 9:35).

True greatness is measured not on earth but in eternity. When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, He’ll be looking for humility rather than impressive earthly accomplishments. This doesn’t mean Christians should turn down positions of prominence; rather, we should accept such roles as opportunities to be a steward for Christ and a servant of all.

Humble people understand who they are—and who the Lord is. They recognize Him as the source of their life and every possession and ability they have. Their assignment while on earth is to use whatever He has entrusted to them, whether great or small, in a way that glorifies Him and benefits others. Though it’s doubtful anyone will praise us for our humility in this life, we must remember that the reward of a true servant comes only in eternity.

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 12-14

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Grateful for Everything

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Read: Deuteronomy 8:6–18

Bible in a Year: Psalms 84–86; Romans 12

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.—Deuteronomy 8:10

In Australia, it can take hours to drive between towns and fatigue can lead to accidents. So at busy holiday times rest stops are set up on major highways with volunteers offering free coffee. My wife, Merryn, and I grew to enjoy these stops during our long drives there.

On one trip, we pulled in and walked over to order our coffee. An attendant handed the two cups over, and then asked me for two dollars. I asked why. She pointed to the small print on the sign. At this stop, only the driver got free coffee; you had to pay for passengers. Annoyed, I told her this was false advertising, paid the two dollars, and walked off. Back at the car, Merryn pointed out my error: I had turned a gift into an entitlement and become ungrateful for what I received. She was right.

When Moses led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he urged them to be a grateful people (Deut. 8:10). Thanks to the blessings of God, the land was abundant, but they could easily treat this prosperity as something they deserved (vv. 17–18). From this, the Jews developed a practice of giving thanks for every meal, no matter how small. For them, it was all a gift.

I went back to the woman and apologized. A free cup of coffee was a gift I didn’t deserve—and something for which to be thankful. —Sheridan Voysey

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. A Jewish thanksgiving prayer for meals

Be grateful to God for even the smallest gift.

INSIGHT: Why do we sometimes find it difficult to be grateful? How can a sense of entitlement hinder a thankful spirit?

 

http://www.odb.org

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert for Kids – Watch Out!

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Habbakuk 2:1

In Bible times, one of the main defenses of the cities was a wall that extended around the perimeter of the town. Along the wall were watchtowers where watchmen stood guard. It was their duty to “watch” everything that went on both inside and outside the city. They were vital to the city because they were the first to spot messengers, visitors, good news, and approaching danger. When a watchman saw danger, he blew a horn to sound an alarm. The gates could be closed to keep out the enemy. If an important visitor was coming to the city, then the watchman would quickly alert the right people.

Ezekiel, one of the great prophets of the Bible, had quite a bit to say about the responsibility of a watchman. He said, “But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner” (Ezekiel 33:6, The Message).

We are watchmen too. It is our job as Christians to watch for God’s happenings and to tell people there is an enemy who wants to destroy our souls. The Bible says Satan roams around looking for someone to destroy. So we need to always be on the lookout for the good and the bad. When you tell others about what God is doing or to beware of approaching danger, then pray that they will listen.

Dear Lord, Help me to be a faithful watchman for my friends. There is so much bad stuff we can get into—stuff that can destroy us. I know the Devil would like us to go that direction, but I also know you are stronger than he is. Please help me to see the things you are doing and share those as well. Amen.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – At Home in Your Heart

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May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! – Ephesians 3:17

If you are born again Jesus dwells on the inside of you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Your inner life—your attitudes, thoughts, and emotions—is holy ground where the Spirit of God wants to make His home. This inner life is of more serious interest to God than your outer life.

If you want to be a comfortable home for God, you must give up grumbling, complaining, faultfinding, and murmuring. The Bible says God inhabits the praises of His people (see Psalm 22:3). He is comfortable in the midst of your praises. You need to wake up every morning and say, “Oh, good morning Jesus. I want You to be comfortable in me today. Praise You, Father. I love You, Lord.” And you need to go to bed every night and say, “Thank You for all the good things You’ve done today and will be doing tomorrow.” Before you do anything else, invite Jesus to make Himself at home in your heart.

From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – A Blameless Watchman

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“If you refuse to warn the wicked when I want you to tell them, You are under the penalty of death, therefore repent and save your life – they will die in their sins, but I will punish you. I will demand your blood for theirs. But if you warn them and they keep on sinning, and refuse to repent, they will die in their sins, but you are blameless – you have done all you could” (Ezekiel 3:18-19).

One of the most sobering messages I find in all the words of God is this terrible warning found in the book of Ezekiel. God commanded Ezekiel to warn the people of Israel to turn from their sins. Some would argue that this has no application for the Christian. I would disagree. In principle this is exactly what our Lord commands us to do – to go and make disciples of all nations, to preach the gospel to all men, to follow Jesus and He will make us to become fishers of men.

It is a sobering thing to realize that all around us there are multitudes of men and women, even loved ones, who do not know the Savior. Many of them have never received an intelligent, Spirit-filled, loving witness concerning our Savior. Who will tell them? There are some people whom you and I can reach whom nobody else can influence.

I am writing this day’s devotion while in Amsterdam where I am speaking at an international gathering of Christian evangelists. During the course of my days here I have talked with many taxi drivers, maids, waiters and other employees of the hotel. Only one professed to be a believer and we had good fellowship together. Some were openly defiant, even angry at the name of Jesus. But in each case I have shared the gospel, constrained by the love of Christ out of a deep sense of gratitude for all that He has done for me, and as an act of obedience to His command to be His witness.

I pray that God will give me a greater sense of urgency to warn men that unless they turn to Christ they will die in their sins. I do not want to be responsible because I failed to warn them. They must know that there is a heaven and a hell and that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved but the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3:15-21

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will ask the Holy Spirit to quicken within my heart, out of a deep sense of gratitude for all He has done for me and from a desire to obey our Lord’s commands, a greater sense of urgency to be His witness and to warn men to turn from their wicked ways and receive Christ, the gift of God’s love.

 

http://www.cru.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – What Keeps Us From Sinning?  

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Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”    Exodus 20:20

Sin has a feared enemy: the fear of God. The fear of God is not the only a remedy for sin, but it is a potent vaccine. Sin and the fear of God cannot coexist for long. The fear of God extinguishes sin’s combustible character. The fear of God repels sin and keeps it at bay. This is why the devil attempts to devalue the fear of God. He knows if we do not take seriously the fear factor of our heavenly Father, then we are exposed to sin’s influence. Without the fear of God, we are set up for serious sin problems. Cultures crumble without a moral fabric, flush with the fear of God. Families fall into severe dysfunction when the fear of God is not lived out or understood. Individual lives lose their meaning and purpose when the fear of God is placed on the shelf.

God’s remedy for sin is fear of Him.

The fear of God is a force to be reckoned with by all who come in contact with their Creator. We can dismiss it as an old-fashioned doctrine (though it has been around since Adam and Eve), or we can embrace it as necessary for successful living. When we fear God, we find God. When we fear God, we love God and He loves us. When we fear God, we understand that some things are off limits and we avoid them. When we fear God, we trust God. When we fear God, we run toward God in worship and away from sin in disgust. The fear of God is our friend, and it enhances our friendship with our heavenly Father.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – What Keeps Us From Sinning?   →

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – CHRIST IS THE DAWNING LIGHT OF HISTORY

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LUKE 1:67-79

Christian musicians have been singing of the light of God throughout the church’s history. Last year, Josh Garrels released a Christmas album titled The Light Came Down. The title track celebrates: “The light came down / Cast the darkness away / He appeared / A helpless child / The light of God came down / There is a light / A new day dawning / Old things pass / All things made new.”

The Incarnation of Christ is the dawning light of history! Without Him, humanity has no hope.

This is what Zechariah realized and prophesied in his song of praise following the birth of his son, John the Baptist. The climactic verses of this prophecy are given in terms of light and darkness: “Because of the tender mercy of our God . . . the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (vv. 78–79).

This is all about God’s plan of redemption (v. 68). The “rising sun” is the “horn of salvation” from the line of David (v. 69), the Messiah, Jesus Christ, for whom John the Baptist will prepare the way (v. 76). Sent by God the Father, God the Son will come in order to “give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins” (v. 77). Only then can we have peace with God.

Zechariah spoke as part of a great tradition. Isaiah and Malachi were among those who had looked forward to this day: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isa. 9:2). “The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays” (Mal. 4:2).

APPLY THE WORD

Without the light of Christ, we would remain eternally lost in spiritual darkness. Because of our sins we stand condemned, but by trusting in His name we can receive God’s gift of life and salvation. Have you believed on the name of Jesus and stepped into the light? If not, take this important step today!

 

http://www.todayintheword.org