Greg Laurie – Our Present Possession

August 25, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. —Colossians 1:19–20

Many of the blessings the Bible promises are still in our future. The hope of heaven and our new, wonderful resurrection bodies is still ahead. But the peace of God? That is our present possession. That is something that belongs to us here and now. From the first moment that we place our faith in Christ, we can begin to experience the peace of God.

Philippians 4:7 promises, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”I know this peace in my life, and if you belong to Jesus, I’m sure you know it as well. I can think back to the day when I put my faith in Christ at age seventeen. One of the first things I remember is a sense of peace filling my heart. It was as though someone had slipped a heavy backpack from my shoulders. It wasn’t until later when I read that the Bible promises peace.

Many people think that peace is simply an absence of conflict or anxiety. To imagine it on a dial, they think if they could get the needle out of the negative red zone and up to “normal,”they would be experiencing peace. But biblical peace is much more than that. It is a strong, elevating, positive good in our lives. It isn’t just an absence of anxiety; it is the presence of something wonderful beyond our comprehension.

Peace has been given to us as a gift from God because we have been justified by faith. It isn’t describing a feeling; it’s describing a fact. It doesn’t come from what we are, but from what He has done.

It’s a cause and effect in our lives. The cause: being justified by faith in Christ. The effect: peace beyond any human explanation. But you can’t have the effect without the cause. In other words, you can’t have the peace of God until you first have peace with God. If we are fighting with God and continually resisting His plan and purpose for our lives, then we won’t experience His peace.

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – A Voluntary Act of Gratitude

August 25, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Worship happens when you are aware that what you’ve been given is far greater than what you can give. Worship is the awareness that were it not for God’s touch, you’d still be hobbling and hurting, bitter and broken. It is the glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim who discovers the oasis is not a mirage.

We have tried to make a science out of worship. We can’t do that! We can’t do that any more than we can sell love or negotiate peace. Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer. If you and I can go days without feeling an urge to say “thank you” to the One who saved, healed, and delivered us, then we would do well to remember what He did!

From In the Eye of the Storm

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – How to Turn Your Crisis into an Opportunity

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii 3 Comments

Trust that God is working everything in your life for your good.
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Believe that our heavenly Father is in control of everything.
“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Ps. 103:19).
Accept that the Lord’s ways are higher than ours.
“‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9).
Refuse to make quick judgments in the midst of a crisis.
“Thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength’” (Isa. 30:15)
Focus on the Father instead of the crisis.
“O our God . . . we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chron. 20:12).
Avoid dwelling on the pain.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Ps. 42:5).
Recall past crises and the opportunities that followed.
“They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. He also brought me forth into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me” (2 Sam. 22:19-20).
Let go of your anger immediately.
“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity” (Eph. 4:26-27).
Submit yourself to God’s will.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Pr. 3:5-6).
Demonstrate a spirit of gratitude.
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).
Determine to view the trial as a chance to see God at work.
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD” (Lam. 3:25-26).
Refuse to listen to unscriptural interpretations of your situation.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. . . . The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts” (Ps. 119:105, 110).
Remain in constant prayer, listening for the Father’s instructions.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).
Do not give in to fluctuating emotions.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26).
Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
“Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (Ps. 37:5-7).

Resources About Adversity

Our Daily Bread — Memory Loss

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Psalm 118:1-14

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. —Psalm 118:1

Sometimes when we face times of trouble, we may get spiritual amnesia and forget the grace of God. But a good way of reestablishing a thankful heart is to set aside undistracted time and deliberately remember God’s past provisions for us and give thanks.

When the children of Israel found themselves in a barren, hot desert, they developed memory loss about the grace of God. They began to wish they were back in Egypt, enjoying all its foods (Ex. 16:2-3) and later complained about their water supply (17:2). They had forgotten the mighty acts of God in their deliverance and how He had showered them with wealth (12:36). They were dwelling on their current circumstances and forgetting God’s gracious past provision.

The psalmist challenges us: “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 118:1). The word mercy means “steadfast love.” It refers to God’s faithfulness. He has promised to be present always to care for His children.

By remembering specific ways God has provided for us in the past, we can change our perspective for the better. God’s steadfast love endures forever! —Dennis Fisher

Wait on the Lord from day to day,

Strength He provides in His own way;

There’s no need for worry, no need to fear,

He is our God who is always near. —Fortna

Remembering God’s provision for yesterday gives hope and strength for today.

Bible in a year: Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19

Insight

Psalms 113–118, collectively known as psalms of praise or the “Egyptian Hallel,” are used in the Passover celebration commemorating the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 12–13). Psalms 113–114 are recited before and Psalms 115–118 after the Passover meal. The emphatic refrain “His mercy endures forever” (Ps. 118:1-4) reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness. In response, the psalmist calls for renewed trust in God (vv.8-9).

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Make Restitution

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution. Exodus 22:6

But what restitution can be made by one who throws the firebrands of error or stirs the coals of lust and sets the souls of men ablaze with the fire of hell? The guilt is beyond estimate, and the result is irretrievable. Even if such an offender is forgiven, he will still experience grief in recognizing that he cannot undo the effects of his foolish behavior! A bad example may kindle a flame that years of amended character cannot quench. To burn the harvest is bad enough, but how much worse to destroy the eternal harvest! It may be useful for us to consider how guilty we may have been in the past, and to consider whether, even in the present, there might not be evil in us that has a tendency to cause damage to the souls of our relatives, friends, or neighbors.

The fire of conflict is a terrible evil when it breaks out in a Christian church. Where there are converts, and God is glorified, you will discover jealousy and envy doing the devil’s work most effectively. Where the golden grain of blessing was being stored to reward the work of the servants, the fire of enmity comes in and leaves little else but smoke and a heap of blackness. Woe to those by whom offenses come. May they never come through us, for although we cannot make restitution, we shall certainly be the chief sufferers if we are the chief offenders.

Those who feed the fire deserve fair criticism, but the one who first kindles it is most to blame. Discord usually takes hold first among the thorns; it is nurtured among the hypocrites and empty professors in the church and leaps among the righteous, blown by the winds of hell, until no one knows where it may end. O Lord, the giver of peace, make us peacemakers, and never let us aid and abet the men of strife, or even unintentionally cause the slightest division among Your people.

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The family reading plan for August 24, 2014 * Lamentations 1* Psalm 32

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Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The comer’s conflict with Satan

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.” Luke 9:42

Suggested Further Reading: 1 John 5:13-21

“There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it.” “There,” says the devil, “the apostle did not say he could even pray for the man who has committed certain sins.” Then he reads that “sin against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven.” “There,” he says, “is your character: you have committed sin against the Holy Ghost, and you will never be pardoned.” Then he brings another passage: “Let him alone; Ephraim is joined unto idols.” “There,” says Satan, “you have had no liberty in prayer lately; God has let you alone; you are given unto idols; you are entirely destroyed;” and the cruel fiend howls his song of joy, and makes a merry dance over the thought that the poor soul is to be lost. But do not believe him, my dear friends. No man has committed the sin against the Holy Ghost as long as he has grace to repent; it is certain that no man can have committed that sin if he flies to Christ and believes on him. No believing soul can commit it; no penitent sinner ever has committed it. If a man be careless and thoughtless—if he can hear a terrible sermon and laugh it off, and put away his convictions—if he never feels any strivings of conscience, there is a fear that he may have committed that sin. But as long as you have any desires for Christ, you have no more committed that sin than you have flown up to the stars and swept cobwebs from the skies. As long as you have any sense of your guilt, any desire to be redeemed, you cannot have fallen into that sin; as a penitent you may still be saved, for if you had committed it, you could not be penitent.

For meditation: The devil is the father of lies, a murderer and sinner from the beginning (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). His attempts to be a Bible expositor are never to be trusted (Luke 4:9,10).

Sermon no. 100

24 August (1856)

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Covering Sin

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“[Love] bears all things” (1 Cor. 13:7).

Love confronts sin but protects the sinner.

In 1 Corinthians 13:7 Paul mentions four qualities of love that are closely related: bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. That might sound like love is indiscriminate and accepting of anything that comes along, but “all things” in that verse is qualified by the context. Love rejects jealousy, bragging, arrogance, and so on (vv. 4-6), but it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things that are within the parameters of God’s Word.

“Love bears all things” speaks of love’s willingness to cover sins and protect sinners from further harm. That’s opposite our tabloid-mentality society in which gossip is big business and people seemingly have an insatiable appetite for exposes and “true confessions.”

Love seeks to protect, not expose. It confronts and disciplines sin but never broadcasts failures or wrongs. It feels the pain of those it loves and is willing to take that pain upon itself when necessary—as Christ did when He suffered for our sins.

In the Old Testament, the mercy seat was the place where the blood of atonement was sprinkled to cover the sins of the people (Lev. 16:14). That covering prefigured the perfect covering of sin that Christ brought through His death on the cross (Rom. 3:25-26). All who trust in Him are forever covered with the mantle of God’s love.

You cannot cover sins in the redemptive sense, but you can help protect and restore its victims. Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

When you hear of someone’s sin, what is your first reaction? Do you think the worst of him or even gloat over his failures? Or do you expect the best and want to protect him from further exposure, ridicule, or harm? Are you willing to confront sin when necessary and even help bear the burden that person might be carrying? How you react indicates the quality of your love.

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for covering your sins with Christ’s blood.
Commit yourself to loving others in a way that truly bears all things.

For Further Study; Read Isaiah 53:3-12.

How is Christ pictured?
What did He endure on your behalf?

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – You Can Handle Whatever Life Hands You

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. —Romans 8:37

For years, I have pondered what being “more than a conqueror” means. I’m sure other people have other perspectives, but I have come to the conclusion that being more than a conqueror means having such confidence that no matter what comes up in your life, you know that through Christ you can handle it. You know before you are ever faced with a problem that you’re going to have victory over it. So therefore, you don’t dread things, you don’t fear the unknown, you don’t live in anxiety about what’s going to happen in uncertain situations.

It doesn’t really matter what the specifics of the situation are, you know you can handle it through Christ. For you, defeat isn’t an option!

Begin to think every day, I can handle whatever life hands me. I can do whatever I need to do in life. I am more than a conqueror. I am equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me. Even before you get out of bed in the mornings, let these thoughts roll over and over in your mind, and your confidence will skyrocket and you will find that indeed, you can do whatever you need to do in life.

Right thinking is the first step toward a better life. Wishing won’t work. Being jealous of someone who has what you desire does no good. Self-pity is a waste of time and energy. Discovering God’s will through an accurate knowledge of His Word and beginning to think as He thinks is the beginning of a new life for anyone who desires one.

Trust in Him In what specific situation do you need to believe you are more than a conqueror? Trust that through Christ, you are equal to anything.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Reverence Brings Reward

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“If you belong to the Lord, reverence Him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs” (Psalm 34:9).

Roger had a heart for God. He wanted to be everything the Lord wanted him to be. But he was troubled over how to achieve the balance between being what God wanted him to be and doing what God wanted him to do.

As we talked together I reminded Roger that everything flows from our relationship with the Lord – that He has to be primary. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” As we follow Him, He enables us to become fishers of men.

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7, KJV). “Out of the heart are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV). That which is most on our hearts will be most on our lips. If we love the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, it will be impossible for us to remain silent.

At the same time, obedience is a confirmation of our walk with the Lord. Jesus said, “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21, KJV).

One of the most important commandments of our Lord is that we lead holy lives. Another is that we be fruitful in our witnessing for Christ. There is no substitute for reverence, worship, praise, adoration.

As we remember to reverence God by enlisting His guiding hand before we get into a predicament, He reaches out in love and extends a protecting hand in the midst of the trouble as we again invoke His divine care. If I am to live the supernatural life today, it will require divine enabling, and I must remain yielded to God’s indwelling Holy Spirit.

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:10-15

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will worship God today as a demonstration of my love and trust for Him by spending quality time with Him in His word and in prayer, and helping others to understand the importance of reverence for and worship of God.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Storybook Ending

August 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Though Naomi certainly had her moments of negativity, saying “the hand of the Lord has gone out against me” (Ruth 1:13) and “the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20), her daughters-in-law positively loved her and did not want to leave her side. Ruth loved Naomi so much she determined she’d follow her, no matter what: “May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (Ruth 1:17)

But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me?”

Ruth 1:11

Naomi served God faithfully, though she couldn’t understand why He would allow her husband and sons die, and seemed unaware of His loving kindness and His good intentions toward her. In the end, God turned Naomi’s misfortune into blessing when Ruth married Boaz and gave her a grandson who was in Christ’s lineage.

At times, you may feel God has forgotten you. Serve Him anyway. Regardless of your circumstances, He is always worthy. As America goes through turmoil, pray God will work in this country for the good of His people. Remember the words of Habakkuk when things went wrong: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:18)

Charles Stanley – A Model for Prayer

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Colossians 1:10-14

Let’s continue using Paul’s prayer for the Colossians as a model. Yesterday, we studied his first two requests—understanding God’s will and living a worthy life. Now let’s consider the other four:

To bear fruit in every good work (v. 10). The Lord desires for our actions to bring Him glory. We all seem to be very busy, but are the activities that fill our time eternally valuable?
To grow in the knowledge of God (v. 10). Through books, sermons, and technology, a wealth of information about the Bible is available. But the apostle’s request is not only for believers to gain facts regarding Christ. He speaks of an understanding in the heart, not simply a mental grasp of knowledge.
To be strengthened according to His power (v. 11). We are weak when relying on our own strength. Sometimes it takes being driven to our knees before we will relinquish control and instead trust in the Lord’s awesome power. Maintaining endurance and focus in the midst of our difficulties requires energy beyond our own.
To walk in gratitude (v. 12). When we realize where all good gifts originate, we can live with thankfulness. Contentment and joy come from a grateful heart, not from circumstances.

In the busyness of today’s world, prayer often gets squeezed out of our schedules. But communion with the Lord is vital to a healthy, vibrant relationship with Him. Remember that lifting our loved ones before God’s throne is far more important than many tasks which seem more pressing.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Keeping Darkness At Bay

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Matthew 5:11-16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father. —Matthew 5:16

In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, the wizard Gandalf explains why he has selected a small hobbit like Bilbo to accompany the dwarves to fight the enemy. He says, “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

That’s what Jesus teaches us as well. Warning us that we would live in dark times, He reminded us that because of Him we are “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14) and that our good deeds would be the power against the darkness for the glory of God (v.16). And Peter, writing to believers in Christ who were facing severe persecution, told them to live so that those accusing them would “by [their] good works which they observe, glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

There is one force that the darkness cannot conquer—the force of loving acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name. It is God’s people who turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and forgive and even love their enemies who oppose them who have the power to turn the tide against evil. So look for the privileged opportunity to perform acts of kindness today to bring the light of Christ to others. —Joe Stowell

Lord, teach me the folly of trying to repay evil for

evil. May I be so grateful to You for the loving acts

of kindness that You have shown me that I gladly

look to share good deeds with others as well!

Light up your world with an act of kindness.

Bible in a year: Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6

Insight

Taken from the Sermon on the Mount, today’s passage presents some of the behavioral expectations of the kingdom of God and stresses authenticity. Using the recognizable images of salt and light, Jesus tells His listeners that they cannot follow Him in secret. Salt must be salty and light must illuminate. However, we must be careful not to assume that it is goodness for goodness’ sake that is expected of God’s people. Good deeds are what bring God glory and reflect His character to the world (v.16).

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Dwell in Your Hearts

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

…so that Christ may swell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:17

It is desirable beyond measure that we, as believers, should keep the person of Jesus constantly before us, to stir up our love for Him and to grow in our knowledge of Him. I would to God that my readers were all entered as diligent scholars in Jesus’ college, students of Corpus Christi, or the body of Christ, resolved to get a good degree in the learning of the cross. But to have Jesus ever near, the heart must be full of Him, welling up with His love and even running over; so the apostle prays “that Christ may dwell in your hearts.” Look at how close he wants Jesus to be! You cannot get a subject closer to you than to have it in your heart. “That Christ may dwell”; not that He may call upon you sometimes, as a casual visitor may stay overnight, but that He may dwell; that Jesus may become the Lord and permanent resident of your inmost being, never to leave again.

Observe the words: that He may dwell in your heart, the best room in the house! Not in your thoughts alone, but in your affections; not merely in the mind’s meditations, but in the heart’s emotions. We should long to love Christ in an enduring way—not a love that flames up and then dies out into the darkness of a few embers, but a constant flame, fed by sacred fuel, like the fire upon the altar that never went out.

This cannot be accomplished except by faith. Faith must be strong or love will not be fervent; the root of the flower must be healthy or we cannot expect the blossom to be glorious. Faith is the plant’s root, and love is the plant’s blossom. Now, reader, Jesus cannot be in your heart’s love unless you have a firm hold of Him by your heart’s faith; and, therefore, pray that you may always trust Christ in order that you may always love Him. If love is cold, be sure that faith is faltering.

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The family reading plan for August 23, 2014 * Jeremiah 52 * Psalm 31

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Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – Five fears

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.” Ecclesiastes 8:12

John MacArthur – Maintaining Doctrinal Purity

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii 1 Comment

“[Love] rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).

Love never compromises God’s Word.

Paul has just given us a list of things that love does not do: become jealous, brag, act arrogantly or unbecomingly, seek its own, become provoked, keep track of wrongs suffered, or rejoice in unrighteousness. Now he comes to the first of five things love does: “[Love] rejoices with the truth” (v. 6).

The contrast in verse 6 is between love’s inability to rejoice in unrighteousness and its joy when truth prevails. “Truth” refers to God’s Word, which is the standard of righteousness. Paul could have said, “Love doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with righteousness,” but he went beyond the mere deeds of righteousness and addressed its standard and motive.

Love won’t tolerate false doctrine or sinful behavior, but it rejoices when God’s Word is taught and obeyed. The psalmist said, “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies. . . . I have more insight than all my teachers . . . . I understand more than the aged. . . . I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word. I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances, for Thou Thyself hast taught me. How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Ps. 119:97-104). That’s the testimony of one who rejoices in the truth.

Often Christians are willing to compromise sound doctrine for the sake of loving others. They believe that doctrinal precision is somehow divisive and unloving. But Scripture says, “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. . . . For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward” (2 John 6-8).

Biblical love always operates within the parameters of God’s Word and spiritual discernment (Phil. 1:9-10). The most loving thing you can do is live according to biblical truth. Doctrinal compromise simply diminishes the quality of love and plays into the hands of the evil one.

Suggestions for Prayer; Ask God for wisdom and discernment to keep your love within its proper biblical bounds.

For Further Study; Memorize Philippians 1:9-11.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Too Much Talk Leads to Sin

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. —Proverbs 10:19

We all need to learn how to establish and maintain boundaries with our words. Proverbs 10:19 in the NIV states, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” In other words, people who talk a lot will often find themselves in trouble.

Because our words carry so much power, we need to learn to say only what needs to be said. Almost every time we have a problem with somebody, it’s over something we have said or that person said. There may be other elements—something somebody is doing, for example—but the main cause of the argument most of the time is something that was said. If we learn to speak only what is wise and necessary, then we will have much more peace.

Power Thought: I speak words of wisdom that are filled with God’s power.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Does Glorious Things

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Thank the Lord for all the glorious things He does; proclaim them to the nations. Sing His praises and tell everyone about His miracles” (Psalm 105:1,2).

How long has it been since you have taken time to meditate upon and list all the glorious things the Lord has done for you and how long has it been since you have shared them with your family, your neighbors or even strangers? Of course, your list may differ from that of your neighbors or of fellow believers in your local church or from mine. But among those glorious things that He has done are: He has, by His Holy Spirit, drawn us all to Himself; He has created within our hearts a hunger for His love; and through faith in Christ we have become His children; our sins have been forgiven and we now have the joy of living every moment of every day in vital union and fellowship with Him – all this with the certainty that we shall spend eternity with Him. Mere human words could never express the gratitude that wells up within one’s heart at the thought of God’s great gifts. The word “alleluia” is universal and is spoken in all languages as an expression of praise to God and no word is more appropriate.

My personal list of blessings also includes a godly, praying mother who lived her Christianity and dedicated me to Christ before I was born, and followed me – as she did all her other children – with her daily prayers; a wonderful father who, I had the privilege of introducing to Christ after I became a Christian and seeing him begin to experience that peace which comes from knowing Christ; a godly wife who loves the Lord Jesus Christ and shares my commitment to serve Him as our Lord and Master whatever the cost, wherever He leads us.

I thank Him for sons who love Him, and who have committed their lives to serving Him wherever He leads; a daughter-in-law who shares the love and conviction of her husband; a marvelous staff of thousands of godly men and women who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and hundreds of thousands of co-laborers who undergird me and this ministry.

The glorious things that He has done are without number. Yes, we must sing His praises and tell everyone about His miracles. We must proclaim the glorious things he has done to all the nations!

Bible Reading: Psalm 113

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today I will meditate upon the glorious things God has done for me and I will sing His praises and tell everyone about His miracles. I will give my prayer and financial support to helping proclaim His greatness to all the nations of the earth.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Unshakable

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Tertullian, an early Christian author, once wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” It can be said that Saul, later called Paul, was affected by the dying testimony of martyred Stephen. He stood by and approved it. But on the road to Damascus, Jesus revealed Himself to Saul and called him to account for it.

For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

Acts 22:15

Blinded for three days, Saul must have rehearsed all the Scripture he had learned as a boy, searching for the truth. Ananias, a disciple of Christ, brought a message to him: “The Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” The scales fell from his eyes; Saul believed and was baptized. He immediately “proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues.” (Acts 9:10-21) His faith in the person of Christ became unshakable and unalterable, leading him to witness to everyone.

Paul’s greatest joy was to win souls for the Lord. This should be your desire as well. The world will war against you, but be faithful…pray for neighbors and leaders alike, that they may know the Lord and rejoice.

Greg Laurie – Homing Instinct

August 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. —Philippians 3:20

An old chorus begins, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.” That is literally true. The Bible says that when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you become a citizen of heaven because that is your real home.

That is why we find ourselves with a deep-down longing for something this earth can never deliver. And that is also why we always will be a bit out of tune with this world and all it celebrates. Have you noticed? Sometimes the world will parade its toys and its so-called pleasures before you, and you’ll find yourself saying, deep down in your spirit, “That just leaves me cold. That is not what I desire. That is not what I want at all.” As followers of Jesus, we’ve tasted much, much better things than these.

S. Lewis described this longing with these words: “There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.” He went on to say of heaven, “It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want.”

I liken it to a homing instinct that God has placed inside some of His creatures. We all know that some animals have a mysterious ability to migrate or travel great distances to very specific locations. It’s like a natural GPS system that God has placed inside them.

One of these days we’ll be going home too — home to a place we’ve never been. Heaven is more real to me than it has ever been because of those who are already there. My son Christopher is there, as is my mom, and the father who adopted me. Friends I have known through the years are on the other side now, and so are many familiar faces from our church.

Don’t get me wrong: There is much wonder, beauty, joy, and fulfillment in this life God has given us on earth. But what makes all these things even better is the sure knowledge that the best is yet to come.

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Pattern of Powerful Prayer

August 22, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Colossians 1:9-10

Praying effectively isn’t something we naturally know how to do—for most Christians, it must be learned. In fact, one of the disciples who walked with Jesus asked for help in this area (Luke 11:1).

So often we hear requests to bless, protect, and provide for a person. While these are fine to ask of the Lord, there is another, more powerful way to pray: When we use Scripture to speak to the heavenly Father, our conversation contains His own divine authority.

The apostle Paul is the author of today’s passage. It shows us the specific requests he brought before God concerning the Colossian church. These apply to us today as well. Let’s focus on the first two requests today, and we’ll look at the remaining four over the weekend.

Paul prayed that the Christians at Colossae would . . .

Understand God’s plan for their lives. While the Lord often does not reveal everything at once, He will give seeking hearts enough information to trust and follow His way.
Conduct themselves in a manner worthy of Christ and pleasing to Him. Paul longed to see the Colossians’ lives prove consistent with their true spiritual identity: A follower of Jesus is evident to other people because of lifestyle and spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). One of the greatest gifts we can give is to lift a person in prayer. And there is no more powerful way to do this than to speak Scripture on his or her behalf. Colossians 1:9-14 is a beautiful example of a passage to pray as we bring loved ones and ourselves before God’s throne.

DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION

Greg Laurie – Our Present Possession

Max Lucado – A Voluntary Act of Gratitude

Charles Stanley – How to Turn Your Crisis into an Opportunity

Our Daily Bread — Memory Loss

Alistair Begg – Make Restitution

Charles Spurgeon – The comer’s conflict with Satan

John MacArthur – Covering Sin

Joyce Meyer – You Can Handle Whatever Life Hands You

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Reverence Brings Reward

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Storybook Ending

Charles Stanley – A Model for Prayer

Our Daily Bread — Keeping Darkness At Bay

Alistair Begg – Dwell in Your Hearts

Charles Spurgeon – Five fears

John MacArthur – Maintaining Doctrinal Purity

Joyce Meyer – Too Much Talk Leads to Sin

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Does Glorious Things

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Unshakable

Greg Laurie – Homing Instinct

Charles Stanley – The Pattern of Powerful Prayer

Scriptures, Lessons, News and Links to help you survive.