Billy Graham

Billy Graham – Only Jesus

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God . . . is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, even Christ our Lord.
—1 Corinthians 1:9 (TLB)

The question remains, “How can God be just—that is, true to Himself in nature and true to Himself in holiness—and yet justify the sinner?” Because each man had to bear his own sins, all mankind was excluded from helping, since each was contaminated with the same disease. The only solution was for an innocent party to volunteer to die physically and spiritually as a substitution before God. This innocent party would have to take man’s judgment, penalty, and death. But where was such an individual? Certainly, there was none on earth. There was only one possibility. God’s own Son was the only personality in the universe who had the capacity to bear in His own body the sins of the world. Only God’s Son was infinite and thus able to die for all.

Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Learn why.

Lea este devocional en español en es.billygraham.org.

Prayer for the day

Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, in adoration I thank You for the love that made You willing to suffer and die on the cross for my sin.

 

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GuidePosts

Guideposts – Devotions for Women – In Remembrance

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In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.—Romans 8:26 (NIV)

Today is the anniversary of the unimaginable tragedy of September 11, On this solemn day, we ask for God’s presence to surround and comfort all those affected by this tragedy. We pray for healing, harmony, peace and serenity.

Merciful God, comfort those who will never forget, and bring Your peace to the nations of the world.

 

 

https://guideposts.org/daily-devotions/devotions-for-women/devotions-for-faith-prayer-devotions-for-women/

Every Man Ministry

Every Man Ministry – Kenny Luck – After the Fall

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But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ––1 John 1:9, NLT

We’ve all been in at least one of these scenarios. The morning after a horrible argument with your spouse or friend where unfortunate words were spoken in the heat of the moment. That feeling of guilt and shame for a little too much “liquid joy,” or a moment of weakness that led us to “that website” when no one was around.

Here’s the dilemma that I see a lot of God’s men dealing with. The thinking goes like this: “I know that we are to be perfect just as Jesus is perfect, but of course, none of us are—it’s a goal; a destination to aim for. But when I sin, I’m strongly reminded of how far away I am from Jesus’ perfection. It’s really discouraging.”

From the moment we exit the womb, we are immersed in a culture that is radically transactional rather than relational. But the crux of the matter is that God is first and foremost, relational. I think it’s why so many of us struggle with the concept of unconditional acceptance without performance. We don’t see it in our culture (very often), and we were lucky if we had even one parent who practiced that type of unconditional acceptance.

But that’s the answer to getting back up after we fall (and we will all fall again): We endeavor to consciously and consistently focus on God’s unconditional nature—His acceptance of us with only a period after it. There’s no comma, semi-colon, ellipsis, or “but” after He says, “I love you, my child.”

Living as a reality-based man of God means we don’t quit when we fall. We seek help for sins that are addictive (porn, alcohol, opioids, food, money, etc.), and we ferociously attack the “shame-sin” cycle that keeps so many of us blocked off from God’s full destiny for us. Medicating ourselves for our sins just leads to increasing quantities of medication, right?

The enemy is so predictable—but also very powerful. How assuring to be reminded that the power in us is greater than the power that is in the world. It’s like waking up from a nightmare and realizing that we are on the winning side.

The next time you stumble or fall, get back up and enter back into relational connection with God as swiftly as you can. He hasn’t gone anywhere—it’s us who back away.

Father, thank You for the fact that You cast my sins as far as the east is from the west.

 

 

Every Man Ministries

News and Info

Don’t Be Silent: The 1st Amendment Was To Keep Government Out Of The Church, Not The Church Out Of Government

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Why is the church quiet? The revolutionary pastors fought and urged congregants to be involved. Why has the church lost its zeal today?

Speaking of revolutionary pastors, back in 1776, a pastor in Woodstock, Virginia, John Peter Muhlenberg, stood up in front of his congregation and preached from Ecclesiastes chapter 3. When he got to verse 8, he talked about how there was a “time for war and a time for peace,” and he unzipped his black clerical robe to reveal an officer’s uniform in the Continental Army. He marched to the back of his church, and he called the men of his congregation to fight. They formed the 8th Virginia Brigade, which is still in active duty today.

James Madison, one of the great founding fathers in Virginia, was running for the first Congress in 1789. While he was running for the fifth district to sit in Congress, he met with the Virginia Baptists in Richmond. They told him that he wouldn’t get their support unless he wrote a Bill of Rights for the First Amendment protecting religious Liberties. Madison did just that, and he won that seat in Congress.

My point is that the church has always been involved in the past, so why be silent today? I think there are a few reasons.

Some have misinterpreted the First Amendment—the idea of a separation of church and state. The First Amendment was intended to keep government out of the church, not the church out of government.

When Thomas Jefferson wrote his letter in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists in Connecticut, he was interpreting the constitutional rights that churches had to be involved in politics. The separation of church and state was intended to help churches and Christians realize that the government can’t intrude, not the other way around.

Then, in 1959, the Johnson Amendment came into law. It muzzled Pastors in the Pulpit from endorsing candidates.

Today, you have pastors who just don’t want to be controversial. Let me tell you something: anytime you step into the arena of truth, it will sound controversial to some people. As pastors, we must continue to urge our congregations. And as Christians, you must be active, not silent, in the pews. Get out and make your voices heard and your values known.

Be involved in the political process today. We’re called to be salt and light. Get out there, please, and be salt and light to this world.

Gary Hamrick is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA. Pastor Gary is also on the Advisory Board for The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and serves as the Chief Chaplain for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: Don’t Be Silent: The 1st Amendment Was To Keep Government Out Of The Church, Not The Church Out Of Government – Harbinger’s Daily

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Spiritual Royalty

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Bible in a Year :

To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

Today’s Scripture & Insight :

John 1:9-13

When Jay Speights of Rockville, Maryland, took a DNA test, nothing could have prepared him for the results he received. They contained a big surprise—he was a prince of the West African nation of Benin! Soon he boarded a plane and visited the country. When he arrived, the royal family greeted and showered him with a festive homecoming—dancing, singing, banners, and a parade.

Jesus came to earth as God’s good news announcement. He went to His own people, the nation of Israel, to give them the good news and to show them the way out of darkness. Many received the message with apathy, rejecting the “true light” (John 1:9) and refusing to accept Him as Messiah (v. 11). But unbelief and apathy weren’t universal among the people. Some people humbly and gladly received Christ’s invitation, accepted Him as God’s eventual sacrifice for sin, and believed in His name. A surprise awaited this faithful remnant. He “gave [them] the right to become children of God” (v. 12)—to be royal children of His through spiritual rebirth.

When we turn from sin and darkness, receive Jesus, and believe in His name, we discover we’re children of God, adopted as royalty into His family. May we enjoy the blessings as we live up to the responsibilities of being the King’s kids.

By:  Marvin Williams

Reflect & Pray

How should being a child of God affect you? What will you do this week to live out your status and responsibility as His child?

Father, it’s amazing that through Jesus’ death You invite me into spiritual royalty. I’m humbled and grateful.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

 

 

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Build Your Life on God’s Certainties

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The works of His hands are [absolute] truth and justice [faithful and right]; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy).

Psalm 111:7 (AMPC)

Because of the promises in the Word of God, there are some things we can be sure of. Not maybe, not probably…we can be sure they are true.

  • We can be sure we are children of God, and that we are loved, called, anointed, and appointed by Him.
  • We can be sure that we have righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
  • We can be sure that we are forgiven for all of our sins and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
  • We can be sure that we have been guaranteed an inheritance, for it was purchased with the blood of Jesus.
  • We can be sure that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us in heaven.

These promises (and many others) are certainties that we can build our lives upon. They are sure to be true!

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for the promises found in Your Word. Help me to trust that all those promises are for me and my life, as I wait for Your leading and guidance, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Catherine completes chemotherapy and Johnny Gaudreau’s widow is pregnant

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A reflection on the privilege and urgency of sharing God’s love

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, announced yesterday that she has completed chemotherapy for her cancer. However, she added, “My path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

In other news, the widow of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau announced her pregnancy with their third child at yesterday’s memorial service for Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. Matthew’s widow is pregnant with their first child. The brothers were killed while riding their bikes the day before their sister was to be married.

These stories remind us that life is fragile and unpredictable for us all. Royalty and celebrity are no guarantee that the hardest parts of our broken world will not find us.

But in those hard places, God will.

How?

“To meet people where they are”

The Baltimore Orioles recently held their first-ever Faith Night event. Six players shared the story of their commitment to Christ and a band led thousands of fans in worship. At least eighteen Major League Baseball teams hosted similar nights last year.

The media campaign “He Gets Us” is working with many of these events and advertises at various games as well. A spokesman explains that their goal is “to reintroduce people to the Jesus of the Bible and his confounding love and forgiveness.” He adds: “The best way to do that is to meet people where they are. That is why you see our ads at a variety of events, including sporting events.”

Christian filmmakers are following a similar strategy. The Wall Street Journal reports that “religious movies are sweeping Hollywood,” surprising the world with “a series of box office hits.” From The Chosen, one of the most popular series in the world, to a variety of films about various aspects of faith, such content is becoming so popular that “rich investors are pouring in millions.”

And, as Ryan Denison reports in a recent Denison Forum article, Christian music is also growing in remarkable ways at a time when many in secular radio are struggling. He notes that when Christians record music with excellence, this “earns the chance for [their] message to be heard.”

When the church will change the culture

Yesterday, we discussed the privilege of using our personal influence to take the gospel to our broken culture. The urgency of doing so is highlighted by this day in history.

On September 10, 2001, nineteen jihadists were making final preparations for launching the deadliest terrorist attack in US history. Obviously, none of their victims had any idea on this day that they would die in such a horrific manner.

This fact should cause us to ask: What about tomorrow don’t we know today?

The answer: everything.

One day will be the last day for each of us, either because of our death or our Lord’s return. None of us knows when that day will come. But all of us can know that we are one day closer than ever before.

The best way to prepare for eternity tomorrow is to live for eternity today. It is to love our Lord so fully that his love transforms and empowers us to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37–39). Such transforming love is vitally urgent for this simple reason:

The church will change the culture to the degree that Christ changes the church.

Why is this?

When “missions will be no more”

Noted pastor and author John Piper famously wrote: “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.” He explained:

Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.

Piper is right, as any reading of Revelation 7 and other biblical glimpses of heaven will demonstrate. But I think his oft-quoted words can be taken another way as well: If we truly worship Jesus, we will love him so deeply that we will share him with the world out of the natural overflow of our lives. The programs and strategies we call “missions” will then be less needed because billions of Christians will be missionaries where they live, as they live.

As a result, we will become the change we need to see. Our lives will be the powerful and persuasive proof of our message, drawing others to Christ through his magnetic and magnificent work in and through us (cf. Colossians 1:27).

And we will be empowered to share the gospel sacrificially. When we truly love Jesus, we love everyone he loves—and he loves everyone. We then pay any price to share his grace with those we love.

A closing question

How can we love Jesus in such a transforming way? When we submit fully to his Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), he manifests “love” in our lives as the first of his “fruit” (Galatians 5:22). And this love is not only for our neighbor—it is also for our Lord.

So, when last did you invite the Holy Spirit to help you love Jesus more deeply than ever before?

Why not today?

NOTE: The countdown is on! North Texas Giving Day is September 19, and through your generous donation, you’ll help provide biblically grounded and civil content that inspires, informs, and transforms lives for Christ. And remember, you don’t have to live in North Texas to make a difference! Your generous donation will be DOUBLED by a $75,000 Matching Grant to guide more Christians through these challenging times with a steady, nonpartisan voice. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact and help reclaim our culture for Christ!

Tuesday news to know:

*Denison Forum does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in these stories.

Quote for the day:

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” —Corrie ten Boom

 

Denison Forum

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Power of the Gospel

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

In this verse we are told that God’s power resides in the gospel and that the purpose of this power is the salvation of both Jew and Greek. This passage is intended to incorporate spreading the gospel to all humanity, which is specifically commanded by the Lord Jesus: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Evidently, the event that takes place when one is twice-born is nothing less than a supernatural “creation” by the Creator Himself (Ephesians 4:24)! There is no need for salesmanship or psychology or finesse or technique; the dunamis (power) of the living God is transmitted, applied, and exercised as the gospel is spoken and a person listens.

  • Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
  • Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  • John 6:63: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
  • 1 Peter 1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

To be successful (not to mention obedient) to the Lord’s command, we must most surely use the power of God that has been made available to us in the Scriptures! HMM III

 

 

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

My Utmost for His Highest

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers – Worshipping as the Occasion Arises

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I saw you while you were still under the fig tree. — John 1:48

We imagine that we’ll rise to the occasion when a big crisis comes along. But a big crisis only reveals what we’re made of; it doesn’t put anything new into us. Are you telling yourself that you’ll do what’s necessary if God gives the call? You won’t—not unless you’re already rising to the occasion. You have to be the real thing with God before the big event, in the workshop of your private life with him.

Every day, God is giving you small, seemingly insignificant things to do, things which may go entirely unnoticed by the world. If you don’t believe God has engineered these things and therefore you aren’t using them as opportunities for worship, you’ll be revealed as unfit when the crisis comes. Crises always reveal character.

A private worshipping relationship with God is the great essential of spiritual fitness. The time will come when you have to step out from “under the fig tree”—out from your sheltered, private place—and go forth into the glare and the crowd. If you haven’t been worshipping in private, as the occasion arises, you’ll find you have no value to God in the outside world. But if you have been worshipping in private, you will be ready when God sends you out, because in the unseen life—the life no one saw but God—you’ve become perfectly fit. When the strain arrives, God will know he can rely on you.

Do you think you have no time for worshipping or praying or reading the Bible? Do you say to yourself, “I can’t be expected to live a worshipful life in the circumstances I’m in right now; my opportunity hasn’t come yet. When it does, of course I’ll be ready”? You won’t be. If you haven’t been worshipping where you are right now, as the occasion arises, then in the crisis you’ll be useless to yourself and an enormous hindrance to those around you. The workshop of the disciple’s life is the hidden, personal time spent worshipping God.

Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3

Wisdom from Oswald

Am I learning how to use my Bible? The way to become complete for the Master’s service is to be well soaked in the Bible; some of us only exploit certain passages. Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples. Approved Unto God, 11 L

 

 

https://utmost.org/

Billy Graham

Billy Graham – Dream Great Dreams

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Be thou faithful unto death . . .
—Revelation 2:10

In our day much of the world believes little or nothing. People are broad but shallow. Agnosticism, anxiety, emptiness, meaninglessness, have gripped much of the world—and even the church. Our youth are desperately searching for a purpose and a meaning in their lives. They are searching for fulfillment which they are not finding in sex and drugs. By contrast, our Pilgrim forebears stand as shining examples of men who were narrow but deep, certain of what they believed, unswerving in their loyalty, and passionately dedicated to the God they trusted, and for whom they would willingly have died. I say to you, more than 350 years after the Pilgrim Fathers landed in the New World: Dream great dreams, embrace great principles, renew your hope, but above all, like them, believe in the Christ who alone can give total meaning and an ultimate goal to your life. “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

Listen: Billy Graham shares there is hope for the future.

Lea este devocional en español en es.billygraham.org.

Prayer for the day

May I always be faithful to my belief in You, Lord Jesus Christ. Where there is despair, use me to bring Your hope.

 

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GuidePosts

Guideposts – Devotions for Women – God Is on Your Side

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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.—Psalm 20:7 (NIV)

When you feel overwhelmed with stress, repeat, “God is on my side.” Be confident and ready to face any situation that life presents, knowing that He has designed your life’s journey specifically for you. Embrace each moment and every lesson that the experience offers.

Heavenly Father, everything will be okay because You are on my side.

 

 

https://guideposts.org/daily-devotions/devotions-for-women/devotions-for-faith-prayer-devotions-for-women/

Every Man Ministry

Every Man Ministry – Kenny Luck – Hearing His Voice

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After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ––1 Kings 19:12

Holy hunches, sensing the Spirit, trusting insight over eyesight, all this talk sounds ethereal and spooky to a lot of men because it requires faith––and risk.  If you are God’s man, author and speaker Malcolm Gladwell’s research confirms what you should already know: God’s Spirit is not failing in your life. In fact, He is constantly providing direction and communication.

So when we think He’s silent or not listening, the problem is not with Him; it’s with us. God speaks to our minds and provides opportunities for spiritual rapid cognition. The disparity between intuition and impulse lies in our familiarity with His voice. If we’re hearing His voice, we cannot give in to our impulses. He might be speaking loudly, but we often press the mute button out of the habit of serving impulses rather than spiritual intuition.

Here’s how to know you are keeping in step with the Holy Spirit: You’re saying no to impulses and feelings and yes to your intuition – you’re taking God at His Word without delay — You’re experiencing freedom from habits that frees your relationships — You’re recognizing rather than rejecting the conviction of the Spirit.

Great decisions do not require great deliberation. For God’s man, great decisions require simple cooperation in the first few seconds. That voice will always say, “Honor God and love people.” So the next time you encounter a complex situation, listen to your godly instinct and obey it––quickly.

Father, thank You for Your still, small voice.

 

 

Every Man Ministries

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Remaining in Jesus

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Bible in a Year :

I will build my church.

Matthew 16:18

 

Today’s Scripture & Insight :

Matthew 16:13-19

A fire burned Balsora Baptist Church to the ground. As emergency workers and community members gathered after the blaze subsided, they were surprised to see a charred cross standing upright amidst the smoke and ashes in the air. A firefighter commented that the fire “took the structure, but not the cross. [This is a reminder] that the building was just that, a building. The church is the congregation.”

The church is not a building, but a community united by the cross of Christ—the One who died, was buried, and rose again. When Jesus lived on earth, He told Peter He’d build His worldwide church, and nothing would destroy it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would gather believers from all over the globe into a group that would continue throughout time. This community would face intense difficulty, but they’d ultimately endure. God would dwell within them and sustain them (Ephesians 2:22).

When we struggle to establish local churches only to have them stagnate and sputter, when buildings are destroyed, or when we’re concerned about believers struggling in other parts of the world, we can remember that Jesus is alive, actively enabling God’s people to persevere. We’re part of the church He’s building today. He’s with us and for us. His cross remains.

By:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Reflect & Pray

In what ways might you support fellow believers? How does sharing the good news relate to God’s plan for the church?

Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Pray for Those Who Hurt You

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But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great….

Luke 6:35 (NIV)

One of the reasons we find forgiving others difficult when we are offended is because we have told ourselves probably thousands of times that forgiving is hard to do. We have convinced ourselves and set our minds to fail at one of God’s most important commands, which is to forgive and pray for our enemies and those who hurt and abuse us (see Luke 6:35–36). We meditate too much on what the offensive person has done to us, and we fail to realize what we are doing to ourselves when we take Satan’s bait.

Though praying for our enemies and blessing those who curse us may seem extremely difficult or nearly impossible, we can do it if we set our minds to it. Having the proper mindset is vital if we want to obey God. He never tells us to do anything that is not good for us or to do anything we cannot do. He is always available to give us the strength we need to accomplish the task. We don’t even need to think about how hard it is; we just need to do it!

God is just! Justice is one of His most admirable character traits. He brings justice as we wait on Him and trust Him to be our Vindicator when we have been hurt or offended. He simply asks us to pray and forgive—and He does the rest. He makes even our pain work out for our good (see Rom. 8:28). He justifies, vindicates, and recompenses us. He pays us back for our pain if we follow His commands to forgive our enemies and even says that we will receive “double for our trouble” (see Isaiah 61:7).

Prayer of the Day: Father God, help me to renew my mind with Your Word, so that I can forgive quickly and freely. Help me to trust You to bring justice and healing in my life, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why I’m cheering for NFL quarterback Trevor Lawrence this year

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“A platform and opportunity to put God on display”

The National Football League has begun its 105th season. If you’re looking for a player to follow this year, allow me to nominate Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Not because he makes $55 million a year, which was tied for the highest in the league until the Dallas Cowboys signed Dak Prescott yesterday for $60 million a year. Or because the Jaguars have a good shot at making the playoffs even though they lost to Miami yesterday.

Not even because he is very public about his commitment to Christ, telling a reporter recently, “It’s something I really want to be known about me.” Several other high-profile quarterbacks, including Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, and C. J. Stroud, are also deeply committed to Christ.

Rather, it is because of something his wife, Marissa, said regarding the visibility of their lives:

Knowing that this life and fame is something [God] has trusted us with makes it seem like such an honor. It’s something we fail at a lot, but ultimately all we want is to be able to be a light and glorify God with the things he’s given us, and fame is one of those platforms for us to do that.

I’d say we navigate fame by choosing not to see it as fame but as a platform and opportunity to put God on display.

Mother of Georgia suspect called school before shooting

Several stories in today’s news highlight the significance of sharing God’s word as urgently as we can.

  • According to reporting by the Washington Post, the mother of the suspected Apalachee High School gunman called the school on the morning of the shooting and warned a counselor about an “extreme emergency” involving her fourteen-year-old son.
  • Authorities are still searching this morning for a gunman in rural Kentucky who shot five people Saturday afternoon on Interstate 75.
  • A Jordanian terrorist killed three Israelis yesterday morning at the Allenby crossing between Jordan and Israel.

What happened in Georgia and Kentucky is happening across the country. I have been through the Allenby crossing several times over the years and continue to grieve for my Israeli friends as attacks on their nation continue.

In a world as broken as ours, we might think that people would naturally understand their need for help beyond themselves. But we have been conditioned by our society to think just the opposite.

Science has solved so many of our problems that we think it will solve them all. Medicine has cured so many diseases that we think it will cure them all. We can add clergy abuse scandals, denominational conflicts, and the escalating claim that biblical morality is “dangerous” to society.

If we want people to think biblically and live redemptively, we cannot wait for society to take the lead. Like Trevor and Marissa Lawrence, we will need to see our lives and work as “a platform and opportunity to put God on display.”

This is obviously true given the secularized, post-Christian state of our nation today. But it is also true of all societies, even those whose ethical standards are relatively high.

Why we are in “continuous conflict” with society

The Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian Albert Schweitzer noted in The Philosophy of Civilization that “the system established by society for its prosperous existence” will always transcend the individual, regulate behavior for its own ends, and adjust to the times. Consequently, he warned, “the ethical personality cannot surrender to it, but lives always in continuous conflict with it.”

His observation is especially true for evangelical Christians. In contrast to the state, we believe that society exists to serve individuals made in God’s image. We believe behavior should be regulated ultimately in obedience to God’s word and will. And we believe biblical morality to be absolute, not relative.

Consequently, we will need to be “fishers of men” who go to those who need to come to Christ (Matthew 4:19). Like Jesus, we will meet felt needs to meet spiritual needs. We will earn the right to be heard by those we influence through our personal character and public compassion.

Then we will share the good news of God’s saving grace, “speaking the truth in love” as the Spirit leads us (Ephesians 5:18). This is not, as skeptics claim, an imposition of our subjective beliefs on others. Rather, it is the offer of eternal life shared in the knowledge that “whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death” (James 5:20).

The power of Ronald Reagan’s faith

Using our influence to help our nation turn to God is vital not just for Americans but for America.

Ronald Reagan is in the public eye again with the release of the biographical movie Reagan in theaters. The film focuses especially on our fortieth president’s faith journey, beginning with his mother’s influence and continuing through his historic career.

Mr. Reagan was convinced that such faith is vital to our national character and future. For example, in 1982, he stated in a message to Congress, “Our liberty springs from and depends upon an abiding faith in God.” Two years later, speaking at Eureka College, he quoted from the autobiography of Time magazine editor Whittaker Chambers:

“The crisis of the Western world exists to the degree in which it is indifferent to God.”

How will you meet this crisis today?

Monday news to know:

*Denison Forum does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in these stories.

Quote for the day:

“Without absolutes revealed from without by God himself, we are left rudderless in a sea of conflicting ideas about matters, justice, and right and wrong, issued from a multitude of self-opinionated thinkers.” —John Owen (1616–83)

 

Denison Forum

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Christ: Our Example

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Some have tried to pattern their lives after that of Jesus simply by asking in every situation, “What would Jesus do?” But in the context of our text, the primary “example” that He left us was nothing less than His own sacrificial death!

Note the context: “For this is thankworthy [same word as ‘grace’], if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully…if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, yet take it patiently, this is acceptable [also the same word as ‘grace’] with God” (1 Peter 2:19-20).

To follow Christ’s example, therefore, is to be willing to endure unjustified suffering—even defamation and persecution—with grace and patience.

But that is not all; we must also do it in silence! “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not” (1 Peter 2:23). “As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

It is a natural reaction to want to strike back at one who has slandered or injured us, especially when such an act is an insulting response to kindness. But such a “natural” reaction was not Christ’s reaction. He could have called “twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53) to His defense, but He chose to suffer in silence.

And why would He do such a thing? First, if He had not done so, we would have been lost in our sins forever. He “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

Second, He left us an example, that we “should follow his steps.” He was not just silent in His sufferings; He “suffered for us”! If we would really be like Him, we must be willing to suffer quietly on behalf of others, even when they are the ones who deserve it. This is acceptable with God! HMM

 

 

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

My Utmost for His Highest

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers – Determinedly Discipline Other Things

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We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience. — 2 Corinthians 10:5–6

These verses point to the strenuous nature of Christian discipleship. Paul writes that he takes every thought captive, knowing that “every act of disobedience” to Christ will be punished. So much Christian activity today has never been disciplined in the way Paul describes; it has simply sprung into being on impulse. In our Lord’s life, every project was disciplined according to the will of his Father. There was not a single impulsive movement of the Son’s own will apart from his Father’s: “Whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19).

Think how different we are from the example set by Jesus. We start projects because we’ve had a vivid religious experience and felt the thrill of inspiration, not because we’re living in obedience to God’s will. We’d rather take impulsive action than be imprisoned and disciplined to obey Christ, because we overvalue practical work. Meanwhile, disciples who aren’t caught up in busywork and who do bring every project into captivity for the Lord are criticized and told they’re not sincere about God or souls.

True sincerity is found in obeying God, not in obeying the inclination to serve him; obeying an inclination is born of an undisciplined human nature. It’s inconceivable yet true that many Christians are motivated to work for God by their own human nature, a nature which has never been spiritualized by determined discipline.

We are prone to forgetting that, as Christians, we must be committed to Jesus Christ not only for salvation but for his point of view. We must commit ourselves to Jesus Christ’s view of God, of the world, of sin, and of the devil. When we do, we will understand that we have a responsibility to renew our minds, so that they may be transformed and brought into complete captivity for him.

Proverbs 6-7; 2 Corinthians 2

Wisdom from Oswald

There is nothing, naturally speaking, that makes us lose heart quicker than decay—the decay of bodily beauty, of natural life, of friendship, of associations, all these things make a man lose heart; but Paul says when we are trusting in Jesus Christ these things do not find us discouraged, light comes through them.
The Place of Help

 

 

https://utmost.org/

Billy Graham

Billy Graham – Science & Faith

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He . . . has given you a full understanding of the truth.
—1 Corinthians 1:5 (TLB)

There is never any conflict between true science and our Christian faith. It is my own feeling that when all of the truth is known, it will be found that the Genesis story is a wonderfully accurate record of what took place when the world was created. This may be a telescoped record, giving only major points, but I believe it is scientifically accurate. To discard the Bible because we do not understand everything in it, or in the world, would be a foolish thing to do. Let me also suggest that teachers should confine themselves to those areas in which they are qualified. I have known unbelievers to attack the Christian faith through their teaching, even when they did not have the remotest idea of what true Christianity is. For instance, one does not send an art critic to write up a football game, or a sports writer to evaluate a painting. Ask God to give you the wisdom to keep things in their proper perspective, and—above all—faithfully read your Bible and pray every day. If you do, God will give you the faith and wisdom you need to meet any problem.

Billy Graham explains why it is possible to be a faithful Christian and a scientist.

Lea este devocional en español en es.billygraham.org.

Prayer for the day

Father, each day as I read the Bible You reveal to me more of the reality of Your love and wisdom. I delight in Your Word!

 

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GuidePosts

Guideposts – Devotions for Women – Renew Your Mind

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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Every moment is an opportunity to renew your mind, change your perspective and see the good in a situation. When you frame your thoughts through the positive lens of love and trust that God will lead you to your best life, good things happen.

Dear Lord, guide me to follow Your will and focus on what is good, acceptable and perfect.

 

 

https://guideposts.org/daily-devotions/devotions-for-women/devotions-for-faith-prayer-devotions-for-women/

Every Man Ministry

Every Man Ministry – Kenny Luck – Cybernetics 

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In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. ––Proverbs 3:6-8

Cybernetics (loosely translated from the Greek): “a helmsman who steers his ship to port.”

In 1960, Maxwell Maltz wrote a book called Psycho-Cybernetics talking about Cybernetics, the study of trajectory. Trajectory is the origin of the system that guides rocket ships from one heavenly body to another. The study revealed the need for mid-course corrections in a rocket’s trajectory as it sped across space from one moving object to another moving object.

Amazingly, in our flight, it’s possible for even the inertia created by our salvation to be manipulated and thrown off course. Though we might fully embrace the gospel and God’s power in our lives, slight trajectory and velocity changes of the mind, over enough time, can pull us way off course. Think not-so-sound advice, or faulty beliefs about God’s Word. Just like an imperiled space capsule has to fire its engines at exactly the right times to keep the right trajectory, God’s man must employ constant vigilance to listen to the right voices and use the indicators to steer toward an authentic, Christ-centered life.

Satan makes well-calculated attempts to take advantage of our spiritual passion and momentum to slingshot us away from God’s highest purposes and toward his own target of synthetic “Christian” living. That target, as the name suggests, has the look of faith but none of its power.

The Devil can’t take away our salvation or connection to Jesus. True, but he can still do his best to make that connection as unhealthy and toxic as possible. His aim with us is simple: take an authentic conversion and attempt to make it shallow, synthetic, and full of contradictions.

For God’s man, course corrections include check-ins with trusted friends, transparency with spouse of family, consistent time with the Father and His Word. As we check our trajectory against His coordinates, our cybernetics remain true and secure.

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit and His promptings.

 

 

Every Man Ministries

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