Daily Archives: April 18, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – April Showers of Blessings: Requested

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Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14

Recommended Reading: 1 John 5:14-15

Guess how long it takes a raindrop to reach the ground? The height at which the drops fall from clouds varies, but the drops fall at an average speed of 14 miles per hour. So if the cloud is hovering at 2,500 feet above earth, it would take a raindrop about 2 minutes to hit you on the nose.1

How long does it take for God to send down the answers to our prayers? He hears us instantly, and sometimes He answers even before we’ve asked (Isaiah 65:24). Sometimes He answers instantly (2 Kings 20:1-6), and on other occasions we wait for His timing to coordinate all that is necessary to send down His showers of blessings (Psalm 27:14).

Enoch Edwin Byrum wrote, “There are many who occasionally receive blessings, and whose faith is honored by God, but they are living so far below the standard of truth that their showers of blessings are not very frequent.”2 Let’s pray consistently, continuously, and confidently. Ask God to meet your need today, and He will send His answers to you like rain from the sky.

The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
F. B. Meyer

  1. Brian Donegan, “7 Facts About Rain,” Fox Weather.
  2. E. E. Byrum, The Secret of Prayer (Anderson, IN: Revell, 1912), 95.

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Ends of the Earth

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You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Kiribati, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, is the only nation in the world that exists in all four hemispheres of the globe. The thirty-three islands of Kiribati straddle both the equator and the 180th meridian. It’s also one of the most remote nations in the world.

We serve a God who cares about these remote places. As Jesus prepared His disciples for His return to heaven, He told them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “To the ends of the earth” is a call to take the message of the gospel to the world’s most isolated spots. But the call wasn’t limited to remote places only. It included their current location of Jerusalem and the nearby regions of Judea and Samaria.

After Jesus gave these parting words to His disciples, “He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (v. 9). Two angels appeared and said, “This same Jesus . . . will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (v. 11).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important news anyone can ever hear. The challenge for us as His ambassadors is to share that news. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can see that everyone—near and far—gets a chance to hear.

Reflect & Pray

What does it mean to be Jesus’ witnesses “to the ends of the earth”? How does His command inspire you to share His love with others?

Dear Father, please give me a heart for those who don’t know You.

Today’s Insights

The plan that Jesus gave His disciples in Acts 1:8 unfolds throughout the book of Acts. In the very next chapter, the power that Christ promised would come to all the disciples who were gathered in the upper room (2:1-12). Immediately after this event, Peter proclaimed to thousands of listening ears in Jerusalem the story of Jesus and the promise of salvation through Him (vv. 14-39). Over the next several chapters, Peter would go to the believing Samaritans who’d heard Philip’s preaching, and they too would receive the power of the Holy Spirit (8:4-17). Finally, the gentile centurion Cornelius and his family would respond to the gospel and, through Peter’s preaching, they and all who heard the message and believed in Christ—both Jews and gentiles—were marked with the Spirit (ch. 10). When we embrace His call and follow His plan, we can carry the message of the gospel wherever we go in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Discover more about evangelism and reaching out through relationships.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resign from Congress

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Four ways to strive for justice

Tony Gonzales is a US Navy veteran and, as of Tuesday, April 14th, a former member of the US House of Representatives. He resigned. As of Tuesday, Eric Swalwell is also a former member of the US House of Representatives. He also stepped down.

One is a Republican, the other is a Democrat. But the reason why each of them stepped down transcends political parties or policy, and that’s my point today. We should not choose representatives as though they were robots, selecting or deselecting policies, but as moral agents and models—people we believe exemplify the character of a good American citizen.

Politicians don’t need to be perfect. The ballots would be blank if they did. Nevertheless, given the heated, divisive political climate of the states, I’ll argue character is even more important, not less.

Tony Gonzales’ adultery 

Let’s cover the fallout of Gonzales’ failings first. He represented Texas’s 23rd congressional district for five years and has a family with six kids. Gonzales committed adultery with a political aide named Regina Santos-Aviles. Her life fell apart when her husband found out.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales resign from Congress →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Pursuit of Happiness

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 Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. 

—Psalm 4:6–8

Scripture:

Dissatisfaction is the last of life’s headwinds that we’ll be talking about this week. It’s also one of the most common. Even those of us who like to think of ourselves as low-maintenance and unassuming harbor certain hopes and expectations for this life. We want meaning and purpose, among other things. When life fails to deliver, we’re left feeling disappointed, dissatisfied, and maybe even a little cheated.

Only humans have a longing for meaning in life. I can assure you that my dog doesn’t sit around pondering the reason for his existence. He won’t be looking back on his life and saying, “You know, I tried it all as a dog. I chased cats. I drank toilet water. I tried bones. But deep inside of me, there was a void.” Dogs don’t think that way. They mainly think, “Food . . . sleep.”

Dogs, you see, aren’t made in the image of God. You and I are. We are living souls, designed to know God and to experience something more than a mundane, directionless existence.

From the time of our birth, we’ve been on a quest to discover that “something more.” And we keep searching until we discover that the answer to all our questions is found in a relationship with our Creator. God can give us a sense of joy and fulfillment that far surpasses the puny, fleeting pleasures this world offers. Even better, there’s no hangover in the morning. There’s no guilt or shame that accompanies it.

The psalmists understood this. Psalm 4:6–8 says, “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe” (NLT).

And Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (NLT). There’s pleasure in knowing God, not in chasing after happiness.

In fact, we’ll never find happiness by chasing it. But what we will find is that as we chase God—as we pursue and walk with Him—then one day we will realize that we’ve become happy people. Happiness doesn’t come through actively seeking it but by getting our lives into proper balance, by aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives. Happiness and joy are the byproducts of that balance and alignment.

Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). In other words, if you seek God and His plan first, everything else in life, including happiness and peace, will fall into place.

Reflection Question: What would seeking God and His plan first look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The First Day of the Week

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)

Given the fact that everything about God’s Word was specifically inspired by its Author, it is appropriate that this important phrase, “the first day of the week,” occurs exactly eight times in the Bible. The first six of these (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19) all stress the fact that it was on this day that the greatest event in history (since the creation) had taken place. The creation of the universe had taken place on the first day of the week, and its Creator conquered sin and death itself on that day. In the Bible, of course, the number seven represents completeness, so eight represents a new beginning—a new creation, a resurrection.

The last two references tell us just how the early Christians remembered this day. Our text verse tells us this was a day on which the disciples assembled together, had a preaching service, and then broke bread. This was not a special assembly called just for Paul, for he had already been waiting there six days (see the previous verse). This was about 25 years after the resurrection itself, and the Jewish believers were evidently still observing the seventh day as a rest day, but then they also observed the first day of the week as the time to commemorate the Lord’s death in breaking bread to celebrate His resurrection and especially to hear the preaching of His Word. The final reference tells us one other vital thing they did: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The first day of the week should always be a time of remembering Him in these joyful ways, for He is our living Lord and Savior. HMM

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Bear One Another’s Burdens

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Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

If you have ever had a heavy burden to carry in life, you know what a blessing it is to feel that someone cares about you and is willing to help you bear it.

When your soul is wounded, the enemy takes advantage of it in all kinds of ways, one of which is to try to get you overly self-focused. He wants you to think about all the things that are wrong with you and everything that is bad in your life. He will try to fill your mind with only three words: me, myself, and I.

One of the ways God heals the soul is by helping us get our minds off ourselves and onto what we can do for other people. In fact, thinking of others, helping and supporting them, are keys to healing and wholeness. We might say that helping others is the best way to help ourselves.

When we read the words bear one another’s burdens, it can seem like a difficult and weighty thing to do. But if we ask God to lead us, He will help us realize there are many ways to help people who are carrying heavy loads in life and that helping bear their burdens does not have to become burdensome to us. For example:

  • Do you know a single mother who struggles financially? Maybe you could give her a gift card to a restaurant, so she could take her children out to eat. Or maybe she would like a gift card for a massage or a manicure while you watch her children or pay a trustworthy babysitter.
  • Do you know someone who is caring for an elderly parent, day in and day out? Maybe you could give that person a break by offering to stay with the parent for several hours a week or by running errands. Perhaps the caregiver would also enjoy a free afternoon to just sit and read or have some quiet time to spend with God.
  • Do you have a friend struggling with illness or recovering from a major operation? He or she might need transportation to doctors’ visits, treatments, or therapy. Some people who are unable to participate in daily life due to health problems also appreciate visits from people who can let them know what is going on at church, at the office, or in the community. Asking people what they need and what they would like to talk about can be a great blessing.

Other simple ways to bear someone’s burden include taking time for a cup of coffee and offering a listening ear, praying for people, sharing encouraging truths from God’s Word, and other acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. Even one sentence such as, “I’m believing for God’s best for you!” can be very encouraging.

As you trust God to heal your soul, I hope you will also do whatever you can do to help others bear their burdens, and remember, “Every time you help someone else, you help yourself.”

Prayer of the Day: Lord, heal my heart and turn my focus outward. Show me how to serve, comfort, and support others, trusting that as I give love, You bring wholeness to my soul, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Seeking Refuge

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Read Ruth 3:6–9

In a story, when a character makes a bold and risky move, the reader wonders what the outcome will be. The suspense keeps us engaged! In the book of Ruth, we see this kind of suspense. After Naomi laid out her plan for Ruth to visit Boaz by night (vv. 1–5), Ruth went to the threshing floor and put the plan into action. The author emphasizes her complete obedience: “[She] did everything her mother-in-law told her to do” (v. 6).

Ruth remained hidden until Boaz finished eating and drinking. As he crossed to the far end of the grain pile—a more private location—he was “in good spirits” (v. 7). Literally, this phrase can be translated as “his heart was good,” implying being favorably disposed to do the right thing. He would be receptive to Ruth’s approach. After Boaz had fallen asleep, Ruth approached him, uncovered his legs, and lay down at his feet. This situation creates suspense. Will Boaz see her? How will he respond? Boaz was startled awake, and the narration changes to his point of view—putting us in Boaz’s shoes to discover a woman lying near him. His surprise was expressed in his incredulous question: “Who are you?” (v. 9). Ruth chose her response carefully. Perhaps Naomi had coached her on what to say. She identified herself and called herself his “servant,” using the word amah. This word communicated a slave’s vulnerability and need for protection, while still giving appropriate respect.

Ruth then made her bold request. She asked Boaz to spread the corner of his garment (kanaph) over her, using Boaz’s position as guardian-redeemer (go’el) as her justification. The term kanaph can refer to his clothing, but it can also be a general plea for protection. Boaz used kanaph in 2:12 for “wings.” It can also symbolically allude to marriage. Ruth’s intentions are clear. How will Boaz respond?

Go Deeper

Have you ever approached someone with a bold God-sized request? Did you see God work in the response?

Pray with Us

Lord, thank You for the wonderful picture of Your protection, revealed in the tender relationship between Ruth and Boaz. May we live without fear, with a knowledge of Your “wings” of mercy over us.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”Psalm 91:2

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/