Daily Archives: August 26, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Be a Blessing

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He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
Proverbs 15:27

Recommended Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

The apostle Paul had appointed his young protégé Timothy to oversee the growing church in Ephesus. As a large, sophisticated, commercial center, Ephesus no doubt had a sizable population of wealthy people. That fact prompted Paul to write Timothy a lengthy passage about the dangers of pursuing wealth as a source of contentment or godliness and instructions for what wealthy people should do with their money (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19).

Solomon wrote that pursuing riches for the sake of gain alone would bring trouble into one’s life. And Paul wrote Timothy the same thing: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). Note that it is not money but the love of money that brings sorrow. What should wealthy people do instead? “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (verse 18). Instead of being greedy, be generous.

To the degree God has blessed you, look for ways to be a blessing to others (2 Corinthians 8:11-12).

It is the best riches not to desire riches.
Thomas Brooks

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Power of Consistent Prayer

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Three times a day [Daniel] got down on his knees, and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10

Today’s Scripture

Daniel 6:3-7, 9-11

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington encouraged a group of young actors to begin each day with prayer, suggesting they “put your shoes way under the bed at night” to ensure they “gotta get on your knees in the morning.”

Developing a regular habit of prayer might take some thoughtful and even creative planning, but it’s a practice that has sustained God’s people throughout history—especially in difficult times. We see this in the life of Daniel, who served in King Darius’ administration. He quickly distinguished himself as the top government advisor, which angered local officials (Daniel 6:3). Out of jealousy they plotted to oust the prophet, but quickly realized the only charge that would stick was related to Daniel’s devotion to the “the law of his God” (v. 5). Even after the officials tricked the king into making it illegal for Daniel to pray, Daniel still “got down on his knees, and prayed . . . just as he had done before” (v. 10).

A consistent prayer life was essential for Daniel to experience God’s sustaining strength and peace (Psalm 29:11). It helped him to triumph over the forces seeking to destroy him. In the same way, establishing a regular time to meet with God in prayer and making it a daily priority can help cultivate our relationship with Him. During each difficulty we face, it’s His strength that will sustain us.

Reflect & Pray

How has a regular pattern of prayer sustained you in difficulty? What example of prayer in the Bible encourages you?

Loving Father, please give me Your strength and mercy each morning.

Prayer is all about spending time with the one we love, Father God. To understand more about the joy of prayer listen to this video devotion: Luke 6:12 – A Master Class In Prayer| Our Daily Bread

Today’s Insights

Luke’s gospel includes snapshots of Jesus’ prayer life. As the news of His ministry spread, He “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (5:16). Prior to the selection of the twelve apostles, He “went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (6:12). And as was the case with Daniel, prayer was a prelude to a severe trial (Daniel 6:6-10). Before Christ faced the cross, He agonized in prayer in Gethsemane (see Luke 22:39-46). Being faithful in prayer cultivates our relationship with God, strengthens our soul, and helps us to be at peace during trials.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Is gambling the next pornography?

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In August of 1996, I headed off to college as a freshman with a “hi-tech” word processor in tow and little awareness or understanding of the Internet, much less access to it. Equally, I was largely unaware of or affected by the temptation of pornography. Sure, I knew of magazines or movies containing such material, but thankfully, I had limited access to it and was too embarrassed to even try.

Unfortunately, by the time I graduated four years later, I was stuck in a hidden addiction to pornography. Though shame told me otherwise, a majority of my generation was, in retrospect, in the same predicament.

A pattern of addiction

Humanity’s struggle with lust and pornography is just about as old as time. Sexual temptation has seemingly affected each generation within every culture.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Is gambling the next pornography? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Never Alone

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 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 

—Psalm 139:7–10

Scripture:

Psalm 139:7–10 

One of God’s perfections is His omnipresence. He is present everywhere all the time. The psalmist captured the essence and implications of God’s omnipresence when he wrote, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT).

If we extend that line of reasoning, it’s not hard to see that the omnipresence of God can be comforting or frightening, depending on your perspective. If you’re not right with God and you’re trying to get away from Him, His omnipresence creates a huge obstacle. The Old Testament prophet Jonah could testify to that.

God gave Jonah an assignment that Jonah found distasteful. The Lord wanted Jonah to warn the Ninevites that His judgment was coming if they didn’t repent. Jonah balked at the mission because the Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. He didn’t want them to repent. He was rooting for God’s judgment on them. So, he went down to Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, away from Nineveh and presumably away from God. But you know how the story ends. Jonah recognized the error of his ways and repented in the belly of a giant fish. Because God was there, too.

There’s an obvious lesson in there for anyone who’s trying to run from God. That is, you’re wasting your time and energy. It can’t be done. No matter where you go, God will be waiting for you. You can’t escape His presence.

On the other hand, if you’re walking with God, you’ll find great comfort in the knowledge that you’re never alone. When you face fiery trials, when you go through times of difficulty, when you have to weather life’s storms, God is with you every step of the way.

David memorably celebrated God’s presence in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verses 1–4 NLT).

You never need feel lost, scared, abandoned, or alone. If you’re walking with God, He will never leave you.

 

Reflection question: When do you most appreciate God’s presence?

Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Our Rock: The Creator

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” (Deuteronomy 32:18)

Just before his death, Moses predicted the coming apostasy of Israel in a prophetic “history” of Israel. Not only did his prophecy come true for the nation of Israel, but the same could be said for much of Western Christianity today.

Moses recounted the fact that Israel had been blessed greatly of the Lord, but instead of drawing closer to Him, they grew “fat, and . . . forsook God which made [them], and lightly esteemed the Rock of [their] salvation” (Deuteronomy 32:15). The use of the term “rock” refers to the rock that Moses struck, yielding water to sustain them in the parched desert region. The rock provided an ever-present reminder of God’s marvelous provision. (If one should further doubt the identity of the Rock, “that Rock was Christ” according to 1 Corinthians 10:4.) They totally forgot, however, the God of their creation and salvation. They sacrificed to demons, old gods, and to any new gods around (Deuteronomy 32:17).

God has given us life, and without His daily sustenance all life would cease. How foolish it is to attempt to live life without the One “that begat” us—who gave us life and even now maintains it. All too often the Creator God is excluded from our churches, our government, and our schools. Even many Christians live their lives as practical atheists, making decisions and living their lives just as if no God exists. Let us recommit ourselves to giving the rightful place in our lives and in our sphere of influence to “the Rock that begat” us.

“I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:3–4). JDM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Be Happy with What You Have

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You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Exodus 20:17 (NIV)

When you read today’s scripture, you may think, “My neighbor doesn’t have an ox or a donkey!” But the point of this verse, which is one of the Ten Commandments, is not as much about oxen or donkeys as it is about being happy with what we have instead of jealous of what others have.

Jealousy is a dangerous emotion. It makes us miserable on the inside and can do great damage to our relationships with the people around us. It can also have a negative impact on our health as well as on our relationship with God.

When we are jealous of others because of what they own—their houses, cars, jewelry, clothes, or other possessions—it is usually because we are unhappy with what we have (or don’t have). For example, someone who speaks badly of a person’s nice new car—commenting that it’s too expensive or that the owner must be frivolous or foolish—may really be saying, “I’m not happy with my car. I want your car.” The same can happen with houses, clothes, and talents other people have as well as other areas of life.

Have you ever heard about a blessing someone else received and thought, When is that going to happen to me? Instead of being unhappy or jealous when God blesses someone with something you would like to have, you can train your mind and emotions to be happy for them. You can let their blessing be an encouragement to you, believing that what God did for someone else, He can also do for you.

Prayer of the Day: Next time I am tempted to be jealous, Lord, remind me to be encouraged by the ways You bless other people, knowing that You will also bless me in the way that is best for me, according to Your perfect timing.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Prayer Changes 

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Elijah wasn’t equipped with unique-to-him abilities. He wasn’t embedded with superpowers. James says, “Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years!” (James 5:17 NCV). Elijah became Elijah by praying that way.

Let a man spend a night fasting and praying at the bedside of his sick child, and that father will not be the same man. Let a young mother pour out her complaint to God over the death of her young child, and that young mother will be forever changed.  Let a church challenge God to purge sin and send revival, and there is no way that church will be the same.

Prayer changes the heart of the one who prays. And prayer touches the heart of the One who hears it.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Rejoice and Give Thanks

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Read Philippians 4:1–9

“Intrapersonal communication” describes how we speak to ourselves—our thoughts, our self-talk, our reflection. It includes the way we process emotion, the lies we battle, and the truth we bring to bear. Philippians chapter 4 has much to say about the way we communicate within ourselves.

In Philippians 4, Paul calls the church to a communal life of joy and peace. First, he addresses them with gushing relational language—“my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown” (v. 1). The Philippian church was dear to Paul’s heart. They were his first church plant in Europe and had supported him throughout his ministry (v. 15).

Paul then focuses on a specific conflict between two women, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (v. 2). He had already stressed the importance of unity in his letter (1:27–30; 2:1–4). Now he names these women—not to shame them, but to restore them to right communion. Churchwide unity, Paul advised, is fostered one relationship at a time. Paul also invited others to mediate. As we saw in Matthew 18, reconciliation often involves the community.

Then Paul laid out a pathway to supernatural peace. It begins with rejoicing—a command repeated twice (v. 4). Rejoice is a verb, something we do rather than feel. We communicate rejoicing to God and to others. Our reason to rejoice is the Lord, who promises His presence (v. 5b).

Paul encourages us to look outward and care for others with gentleness (v. 5a), bring our concerns to the Lord in prayer (v. 6), rest in His peace (v. 7), and settle our minds on what is true, right, lovely, and so on (v. 8). Only God (v. 9), can provide the supernatural peace to govern our hearts and our minds.

Go Deeper

Do you struggle to find peace? Which part of Paul’s advice can you practice today?

Pray with Us

When we practice unity with other believers, we have true joy. Give us gentleness and love to live in community well. Thank you for the fellowship that You bring!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Philippians 4:4

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/