Daily Archives: June 23, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Heart as Home

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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20

Recommended Reading: Galatians 2:20

In 1954, the late pastor Robert Boyd Munger published a 32-page pamphlet that has become a classic among writings on Christian discipleship: My Heart—Christ’s Home. He suggested that Christians should think of their heart and their life as their home into which Jesus is invited—even the dark closets we rarely open. What would Jesus find if He walked through the home of our heart?

Munger drew inspiration for his booklet from the fact that Christ does dwell in every believer through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Revelation 3:20 pictures Christ knocking on the door of the church in Laodicea, seeking entrance and fellowship. By extension, we can picture Christ desiring to enjoy intimate fellowship with everyone who believes in Him (John 14:23). The question is, do we have a reciprocal desire?

Your sanctification (holiness) is God’s will (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Make sure the home of your heart is a welcome place for the Holy Spirit.

A man’s heart is what he is.
R. B. Kuiper

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Shining Faces

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When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant. Exodus 34:30

Today’s Scripture

Exodus 34:29-35

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

“He has a sugar face!” our vet exclaimed as she gave our young dog his annual checkup. “A sugar face?” I asked. “It’s a term used for retrievers whose faces turn prematurely white,” she replied, smiling. “It’s just a sign of the sweetness inside.”

Reflecting on that moment later, I thought about what shows up on my face when others meet me. Do they catch a glimpse of “the sweetness inside,” the transforming power of Jesus’ love in my heart and life? The Bible tells of the breathtaking moments when Moses came down from Mount Sinai after spending days in God’s presence. Moses “was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord,” so radiant that the people “were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:29-30). To avoid frightening them further, Moses “put a veil over his face” and removed it when “he went in to speak with the Lord” (vv. 33, 35).

Moses was of course literally speaking with God “face to face” (33:11), a unique moment in the Bible. But Scripture also reminds us that we who know God through Christ “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). His presence within us can be winsome to others—a work of God’s love. Our faces may not shine like Moses’ did, but as we spend time in God’s presence, He’ll become increasingly evident in us.

Reflect & Pray

How is God’s love evident in your life? How might you share it with others today?

Please let my face shine with Your love, dear Father, that others may love You too!

Today’s Insights

In Exodus 34, Moses’ face was literally shining after his encounters with God captured the intensity of His glory. It revealed that God was truly with His people through Moses and that His revelation could be trusted. In the ancient Near East, shining faces were believed to indicate someone was divine. Aaron and the Israelites were frightened by Moses’ appearance (v. 30), perhaps thinking he’d become a god himself. By allowing his shining face to be seen only when delivering God’s instructions to the people and veiling it the rest of the time (vv. 34-35), Moses may have been trying to prevent the people from worshiping him instead of God.

In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul suggests that because of Jesus, anyone can encounter God’s glory like Moses did. Those who “contemplate” Christ’s glory are “transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (v. 18)—reflecting Him more and more. As we spend time with God, our faces will “shine” with His love.

God loves us even in our imperfect state. Learn more by watching this video.

 

http://www.odb.org

Uncategorized

Denison Forum – “Team Algae” protests Trump Administration at Reflecting Pool

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At least five people have been arrested on vandalism charges related to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The pool has been in the news in recent weeks due to a $16 million renovation timed to be completed prior to the July 4 America250 celebration.

It has been plagued with algae and peeling paint following the renovation, however. According to President Trump, the damage was the result of deliberate sabotage.

The Washington Post reports that a small group of activists calling themselves “Team Algae” has taken up position in front of the Lincoln Memorial, cheering on the algae as a symbol of resistance to the Trump administration.

If you’re thinking “only in America,” you’re mostly right. And your sentiment is mostly a good thing.

Druids and the First Amendment

Amid the headlines from Iran, Lionel Messi’s exploits at the World Cup, and turmoil in British politics, you could be forgiven for missing the Druid celebration at Stonehenge over the weekend. I was interested in part because I visited the prehistoric megalithic structure some years ago and have followed news related to the site. And because what happened there on Sunday is a reflection of our larger cultural ethos.

Continue reading Denison Forum – “Team Algae” protests Trump Administration at Reflecting Pool →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Last Thing God Wants

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 Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’ 

—Matthew 25:41

Scripture:

One of the most insidious lies in our spiritually contentious culture is that God is a vengeful Judge who gets a perverse pleasure from sending people to Hell. But it takes a very selective reading of carefully chosen passages of Scripture to support that view.

A full reading of God’s Word reveals that the last thing God wants is for anyone to go to Hell. More to the point, God has gone to unimaginable lengths to make sure that no one goes to Hell. And that’s the truth we want to highlight as we approach the Harvest Crusade coming up next month.

Jesus frequently spoke about Hell during His earthly ministry. He wanted people to understand the spiritual reality of God’s perfect justice. He warned His listeners about the torment of being separated from God for eternity. And then Jesus did everything He could do so that we would not have to experience such eternal separation and torment. Jesus Christ experienced Hell on earth so that we would not have to face it for eternity.

Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven. Jesus entered the darkness so that we might walk in the light. This was the very mission of His life. And on the cross, He bore our sin. He took the punishment we deserve. He sacrificed Himself so that everyone who believes in Him might be saved.

The cross stands as a reminder that a hellish afterlife is not the only option for people. No one has to endure the torment of eternity apart from God. We can change our eternal address. The gospel is a universal declaration that Hell is not God’s desire for anyone. Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:41: “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (NLT). Hell wasn’t prepared for people; it was prepared for the devil and his demons.

If you want to reject the offer of God, if you want to live in your sin and end up in Hell on that final day, then you’ll have no one to blame but yourself. God doesn’t want you to go there. But you have a free will. And to get to Hell, you will have to effectively step over Jesus because He’s blocking the way.

Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13–14 NLT).

Which road are you on today?

 

Reflection question: How would you react to someone who blamed God for sending people to Hell? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Not Many Wise Men

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (1 Corinthians 1:26)

For the most part, the rich and famous of this world, the wise and powerful, have looked down on the followers of Christ and the Scriptures. This seems increasingly true today, and many believers have been led to make compromises as a result. Rather than being discouraged by the intellectual snobbery of educated and powerful unbelievers, however, we should rejoice in this further proof of the prophetic inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

This passage is, in fact, a remarkably fulfilled prophecy, true for almost 2,000 years. Christians have founded great universities to train people in God’s truth, only to see them taken over, one after another, by the ungodly leaders of this present world. Missionaries have carried the gospel to heathen lands, only to be superseded by wealth-seeking materialists who exploit and subvert their converts.

Paul did not say “not any,” of course, but “not many.” God always has raised up a few brilliant or powerful men (such as Paul himself) who have devoted their abilities and influence to the Lord and His Word, but these have been the exception. There have been a few godly kings and generals, a few Christ-honoring artists and musicians of great talent, but they are far outnumbered by the others.

But we must remember that God said long ago that was the way it would be. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Don’t Let Distractions Pull You Away

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. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.

2 Timothy 2:4 (AMPC)

Do you ever find yourself not taking time to spend with God because you’re so busy with other things? In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul tells his protégé, Timothy, that a wise soldier avoids getting entangled in things that won’t satisfy the person who enlisted him. In other words, a child of God who wants to please God keeps his priorities straight and refuses to do things that could distract him from what is really important.

In order to grow closer to God on a daily basis, you’ll have to avoid some of the distractions and entanglements of the world. This may mean saying no to an opportunity you’d like to take but really don’t have time for. It could mean exercising good boundaries and not getting too wrapped up in other people’s problems. It’s important to help people, but there is a difference between godly involvement and entanglement. It may even mean being less focused on the stresses and cares that come up over the course of each day, because they certainly can distract us from God’s will and purpose for our lives.

God loves you and wants to be in relationship with you. Don’t let the entanglements of the world keep you from enjoying daily fellowship with Him.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me focus on what truly matters. Give me wisdom to set priorities, avoid distractions, and make time to grow closer to You each day, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Authority Over Your World 

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Most people have small thoughts about God. In an effort to see God as our friend, we have lost his immensity. In our desire to understand him, we have sought to contain him.

The God of the Bible cannot be contained. With a word he called Adam out of dust and Eve out of a bone. He consulted no committee; he sought no counsel. He has authority over the world, and he has authority over your world. He’s never surprised. He has never, ever uttered the phrase, “How did that happen?”

God’s goodness is a major headline in the Bible. If he were only mighty, we’d salute him. But since he is merciful and mighty, we can approach him. If God is at once Father and Creator, holy—unlike us—and high above us, then we at any point are only a prayer away from help.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Do You Remember?

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Read 2 Peter 1:12–15

“Look both ways before you cross the street” is advice most of us have heard since we were very young. But not long ago, while walking to the train station after work and listening to an audiobook, I realized I was standing in the middle of a busy street with cars speeding toward me. I was so absorbed in the story that I neglected to look before I crossed the street!

In today’s reading, Peter reminds his audience of the core truths of the gospel. He emphasizes this through repetition: “I will always remind you” (v. 12), “I think it is right to refresh your memory” (v. 13), and “I will make every effort to see that…you will always be able to remember” (v. 15). Much of the work of a Christian ministry is simply reminding others (and ourselves!) of what we have already been taught.

False teaching was creeping into the church. Peter knew that memory fades fast when new, attractive teaching appears. This was especially the case in a culture where believers did not have their own copies of Scripture or other Christian teaching. False teachers were often charismatic and engaging speakers.

Peter reminds these believers that they were “firmly established in the truth” (v. 12). This is a sobering warning for those of us who have grown up in the church and think we may be immune from being swayed by false gospels.

While we have easy access to Scripture and embarrassing riches of solid Christian teaching, we still face challenges. False teachers can make an inroad into our lives through social media. They package their teaching in very attractive ways. Social media algorithms even predict what kind of content will engage you. We need Peter’s reminders urgently today.

Go Deeper

Have you seen false teachers attempt to influence your thinking? Can you give an example? What can you do to stay grounded in truth?

Pray with Us

Lord, sometimes we struggle to keep our eyes fixed on You when we hear false teaching that sounds appealing. Help us recognize false gospels. We want to keep our eyes firmly on You.

I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.2 Peter 1:12

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/