Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Feel the Freedom

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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

Micah 7:18 (NIV)

No human being is perfect. Everyone sins at times (Romans 3:23), and when we do, we often feel bad about ourselves. Sometimes we even think we can punish ourselves if we feel guilty enough about our sin. This is not true. Sin does have a high price, but Jesus has paid it in full. When He died on the cross, He provided forgiveness for all our sins—past, present, and future.

When we ask God’s forgiveness for our sin, He forgives us immediately and even forgets our sins completely (Isaiah 43:25). He shows us mercy with no strings attached. Even if there are consequences of the sin, we can move forward free from guilt, regret, or shame because God’s forgiveness cleanses us thoroughly, and His mercy gives us a fresh start.

For years, I was a rigid, legalistic person. I had never experienced mercy, so I did not know how to receive it from God or give it to others. Thankfully, God has helped me in this area. Now when I sin, I repent and receive God’s mercy immediately. I do feel bad about the mistakes I make, and I am sorry for making them, but I refuse to live in bondage to guilt and condemnation.

Knowing that God has forgiven us and that His mercy is always available should empower us to resist negative emotions such as shame and guilt. Jesus came to give us a wonderful, abundant life, and God’s forgiveness and mercy set us free to enjoy it.

Prayer of the Day: Help me, God, to remember that You are merciful and to receive Your mercy and the freedom You offer me when I repent of my sins, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

News and Info, Uncategorized

JRR TOLKIEN DAY

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Whether you know the characters of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from the books or movies, you will enjoy celebrating JRR Tolkien Day on Jan. 3

 

J.R.R. Tolkien Day on January 3 is “The Lord of the Rings” author’s birthday and you’re encouraged to toast him in celebration. You may remember from the story that Frodo toasts his Uncle Bilbo on Bilbo’s birthday every year. Now, over sixty years after the trilogy’s original publication, The Tolkien Society asks fans to honor Tolkien’s birth, which itself was January 3, 1892. Come up with a few words of adulation on your own, or use the official Society phrase: “The Professor!” If you want to celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien Day with a few extra meals in addition to the toast, in true hobbit fashion, Frodo would certainly approve!

 

History of JRR Tolkien Day

Aside from the fact that “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” directly influenced the entire fantasy genre and opened the door for the creativity of writers like David Eddings, Robert Jordan, and Ursula K. LeGuin, among many more, many critics describe Tolkien’s magnum opus as an allegory combining the horrors of World War I with the sweeping societal change of pastoral life’s gradual crumbling under the weight of industrialism. Respectively, think of the sweeping battle scenes in LOTR, and then the hazy summer of the Shire compared with the blighted, tree-bare landscape of Saruman’s domain.

The clash of these opposing worldviews and the way Tolkien masterfully depicted it, amplified by the series of Peter Jackson films and their visual splendor, make it no surprise that the Tolkien Society, founded in 1969, is still around today.

The author interacted with the Society in its early days, his assistant phoning their leadership in 1972 after they sent him a container of top-shelf tobacco in honor of his becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire; she said that he’d considered the gift to be the highest honor of the whole to-do.

Of course, it was the Tolkien Society that declared their commitment to publicly celebrate Tolkien’s birthday with a toast each year on January 3. So after breakfast is out of the way, along with “second breakfast” and “elevensies,” lunch, and a puff of Longbottom Leaf, have a friend over and drink to the juggernaut of fantasy fiction. The professor!

 

HOW TO CELEBRATE J.R.R. TOLKIEN DAY

  1. Read the books, or watch the movies or both

    The best way to celebrate J.R.R. Tolkien Day is to read one of the classic books. If you’ve never read “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, that’s a good place to start. Granted, you probably won’t be able to read all three books in one day. So cheat a little and watch one of the movies instead, or if you have the entire day to celebrate, maybe tackle all three!

  2. Eat a few extra meals or snacks

    Hobbits certainly enjoy a good meal … or half a dozen meals. As the book says, hobbits would “enjoy six meals a day, if they could get them.” And the great thing about these pint-sized powerhouses is that they will eat just about anything that tastes good, so your extra meals can involve just about anything you like: cakes, bread, and ale, it’s all fair game. It’s a good thing hobbits aren’t worried about counting carbs!

  3. Work the words “my precious” into every conversation

    Gollum may be one of the creepiest characters in all of Middle Earth — heck, maybe in all of literature — but his referring to “the ring” as “my precious” is classic. So spend the day calling everything in sight “my precious”: your wedding ring, your spouse, your vehicle, the stapler on your desk, it doesn’t matter. Just be careful around the edges of any volcanic chasms…

 

 

FIVE AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THE FILMING OF THE “RINGS” MOVIES (GG):

  1. Taking a hike

    Sean Bean, “Boromir” in the films, is deathly afraid of flying, so he took to walking to locations in the early morning, which he had to do in full makeup and costume since there were no tents nor personnel for those things on-site at his destinations.

  2. Second fiddle?

    Irish actor Stuart Townsend (“Queen of the Damned,” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”) was originally cast as “Aragorn,” and when he was cut loose at the last minute, Viggo Mortensen was chosen, the seasoned actor accepting the role only because of his LOTR-fan son’s pleading.

  3. Don’t take your eyes off the screen

    Like the late Stan Lee in Marvel Comics movies, writer-director Peter Jackson has cameos in each of the three “Rings” films, and so do each of his children.

  4. Moth-man prophecy?

    The species of moth used in the shots of Gandalf summoning his insect ally whilst prisoner at the top of Orthanc only lives one day; it was born that morning and died right after the first successful take.

  5. “Don’t call me short”

    Ironically, John Rhys-Davies, who played the dwarf “Gimli” in the trilogy, was the tallest actor on the set, at six-foot-one.

 

WHY WE LOVE J.R.R. TOLKIEN DAY

  1. It’s a reminder that no obstacle is too tough

    The journeys and challenges described in Tolkien’s books are unforgettable for many reasons, but the idea of a group of people working together to complete a goal is just plain inspirational. Perhaps you aren’t doing anything quite as important as saving the world from evil, but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from some inspiration in your everyday life.

  2. You can discover a new book

    Although Tolkien is best known for “The Lord of the Rings,” he wrote several other books (some of them novel-length background stories of “Rings” characters), as well as scholarly papers. Tolkien’s son contributed to and published a few more of Tolkien’s writings after his death. So no matter what, there’s plenty more to unearth.

  3. The “little guy” wins

    The little guy winning is a common theme in literature. But there aren’t many “littler” guys in books than hobbits. And even though the hobbits in Tolkien’s books don’t really have any uncommon strength or special powers like the wizards and elves do, they still manage to be heroic, making tough choices and saving the day. Observe J.R.R. Tolkien Day by celebrating the victory of the underdog.

     

Source: JRR TOLKIEN DAY – January 3, 2026 – National Today

 

My Favorite Book About JRR Tolkien – Info from – wikipedia

 

 

Letters from Father Christmas, formerly known as The Father Christmas Letters, are a collection of letters written and illustrated by J. R. R. Tolkien between 1920 and 1943 for his children, from Father Christmas. They were released posthumously by the Tolkien estate on 2 September 1976, the 3rd anniversary of Tolkien’s death. They were edited by Baillie Tolkien, second wife of his youngest son, Christopher. The book was warmly received by critics, and it has been suggested that elements of the stories inspired parts of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.

Plot

The stories are told in the format of a series of letters, told either from the point of view of Father Christmas or his elvish secretary. They document the adventures and misadventures of Father Christmas and his helpers, including the North Polar Bear and his two sidekick cubs, Paksu and Valkotukka. The stories include descriptions of the massive fireworks that create the northern lights and how Polar Bear manages to get into trouble on more than one occasion.

The 1939 letter has Father Christmas making reference to the Second World War,[1] while some of the later letters feature Father Christmas’ battles against goblins, which were subsequently interpreted as being a reflection of Tolkien’s views on the German menace.[2]

Publication

The letters themselves were written over a period of over 20 years to entertain Tolkien’s children each Christmas. Starting in 1920 when Tolkien’s oldest son was aged three,[1] each Christmas Tolkien would write a letter from Father Christmas about his travels and adventures.[3] Each letter was delivered in an envelope, including North Pole stamps and postage marks as designed by Tolkien.[4]

Prior to publication, an exhibition of Tolkien’s drawings was held at the Ashmolean Museum. These included works from The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and the Letters from Father Christmas.[5][6] The first edition was published by Allen and Unwin on 2 September 1976 under the name The Father Christmas Letters, three years after Tolkien’s death. The Houghton Mifflin edition was released later that year on 19 October.[7] It was the third work by Tolkien to be released posthumously, after a collection of poems and the “Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings“.[8] Edited by Baillie Tolkien,[9] the second wife of Christopher Tolkien,[1] it includes illustrations by Tolkien for nearly all the letters; however, it omitted several letters and drawings.[10]

When the book was republished in 1999, it was retitled Letters from Father Christmas and several letters and drawings not contained in the original edition were added.[10][11] One edition in 1995 featured the letters and drawings contained in individual envelopes to be read in the manner they were originally conceived to be.[12]

Reception

The reception to the first two works published posthumously had been warm, which was subsequently thought to be due to Tolkien’s recent death. The response to the Letters from Father Christmas was much more measured and balanced.[8] Jessica Kemball-Cook suggested in her book Twentieth Century Children’s Writers that it would become known as a classic of children’s literature,[13] while Nancy Willard for The New York Times Book Review also received the book positively, saying “Father Christmas lives. And never more merrily than in these pages.”[1] In 2002, an article in The Independent on Sunday described the work as rivalling “The Lord of the Rings for sheer imaginative joy”.[3] In 2023, an extract from one of the Letters from Father Christmas was read out by actor Jim Broadbent at the televised ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service in Westminster Abbey on Friday 8 December, broadcast to the nation on Christmas Eve that year.[14]

Influence

Paul H. Kocher, whilst writing for the journal Mythprint, suggested that the creatures in the Letters from Father Christmas may have been a precursor to those which appeared in Tolkien’s later works such as The Lord of the Rings,[15] a view which was shared by Laurence and Martha Krieg in a review in the journal Mythlore (issue #14).[16] For example, the 1933 letter features an attack on Polar Bear by a band of goblins. The Kriegs suggested that the wizard Gandalf may have been developed from Father Christmas.[16]

 

References

  1.  Willard, Nancy (5 December 1976). “Christmas Letters”. The New York Times. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  2.  Walsh (2001): p. 63
  3.  “Grand Tours: Who Travels the World in a Single Night?”. The Independent on Sunday. 22 December 2002. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  4.  “Tolkien’s “Father Christmas Letters””. The New York Times. 7 December 2002. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  5.  Johnson (1986): p. 136
  6.  Lowe, Ian (13 January 1994). “Gazette: Diana Caithness”. The Independent. Retrieved 22 November 2012.[dead link](subscription required)
  7.  “The Father Christmas Letters”. The Tolkien Library. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  8.  Johnson (1986): p. 133
  9.  Drew (1997): p. 421
  10.  “Letters from Father Christmas paperback (16.08.09)”. The Tolkien Library. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  11.  Thompson (2007): p. 11
  12.  “Stocking Fillers”. The Independent. 19 November 1995. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.(subscription required)
  13.  Johnson (1986): p. 188
  14.  “Families celebrate Christmas at royal carol service”. Westminster Abbey. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  15.  Johnson (1986): p. 158
  16.  Johnson (1986): p. 159

Sources

 

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Wisdom for the Year: Ask God

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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Recommended Reading: 1 Kings 3:6-14

At the beginning of King Solomon’s reign over Israel, God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for whatever he wanted. Solomon asked God for a discerning heart in order to govern the multitudes of people over whom he now reigned. So God responded, “I have given you a wise and understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:12). Solomon’s wisdom became his defining characteristic.

One wonders if the apostle James had Solomon’s request in mind when he encouraged his readers to ask God for wisdom when needed (James 1:5). As you begin a new year, it’s easy to imagine areas in which wisdom might be needed: personal issues, family matters, financial decisions, job prospects, and more. James likely had in mind the Hebrew notion of wisdom which was “skill” (Hebrew chokmah). When we ask God for wisdom, we are asking Him for skill to navigate a challenging situation. Thankfully, He will give generously and without criticizing.

Whether wisdom (skill) for a day or a year, ask God—He will give “liberally and without reproach.”

The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord; in every star Thy wisdom shines. 
Isaac Watts

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Friendship Bench

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We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6

Today’s Scripture

Nehemiah 3:6-12

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A young patient committed suicide because he couldn’t afford the bus fare to the hospital for mental health treatment. Distressed, Dr. Chibanda tested ways to make treatment more accessible. Friendship Bench was born, a program where therapists sit on discreetly placed benches, ready to counsel people with needs. And who did he train as therapists? Grandmothers! In an interview, Dr. Chibanda shared, “[Grandmothers] are rooted in their communities . . . they have an amazing ability to . . . make people feel respected and understood.”

In Nehemiah 3, we read of another project that involved unconventional groups of people. They understood that the city’s wall had to be rebuilt so they’d “no longer be in disgrace” (2:17). As Jerusalem lay in ruins, the surrounding nations mocked its defeat. And besides professional craftsmen like Uzziel, who was a goldsmith (3:8), others who may have had other talents—like Shallum, a district ruler—chipped in too (v. 12).

Just as Dr. Chibanda saw the influence and compassion of grandmothers to make a difference in mental healthcare in Zimbabwe, may God open our eyes to see the strengths of each person. God has gifted each of us with unique experiences, resources, and talents (Romans 12:6). Let’s allow Him to use us in building up the church and serving our community.

Reflect & Pray

What has God laid on your heart to do for the church or community? Who can you invite to join you?

 

Dear Father, please help me see the strengths in others so I may serve with them for good.

 

Discover more about being a serving church.

 

Today’s Insights

Centuries before the wall-building effort led by Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 3), Moses, as directed by God, oversaw the construction of the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God met with His people. This special initiative also allowed for broad participation by His people with a variety of gifts. Giving to the project was open to all: “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments” (Exodus 35:21). Furthermore, those with unique gifts were given assignments. Unnamed skilled women (v. 25) and leaders (v. 27) also participated in the effort, as did Bezalel and Oholiab (vv. 30-35). Today, God has given all of us gifts, and He’ll show us how to use them to build up the church and serve our communities.

 

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Make Time for God

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Come close to God and He will come close to you….

James 4:8 (AMPC)

Not everyone is willing to pay the price required to be close to God. Some aren’t willing to simply take the time or make the investments needed for spiritual growth. God doesn’t ask for all our time. He certainly wants us to do things we don’t consider “spiritual.” He designed us with bodies, souls (minds, wills, and emotions), and spirits, and He expects us to care for all these areas. Exercising our bodies and caring for our souls takes time and effort. Our emotions need to be ministered to; we need to have fun and be refreshed, and we need to enjoy being with other people. Our minds need to grow and be renewed daily. In addition, our spiritual nature needs attention. To stay balanced and healthy, we must care for our entire being.

I believe the whole issue of intimacy with God is a matter of time. We say we don’t have time to seek God, but the truth is that we make time for what matters most. Even though we all have to fight distractions every day, if knowing God and hearing from Him is important to us, we will find time to do it. Don’t try to work God into your schedule—work your schedule around time with Him.

Getting to know God is a long-term investment, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see instant results. Be determined to honor Him with your time, and you will reap the benefits.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me honor You with my time. Teach me to stay balanced—caring for my body, mind, and spirit—and to always make room in my schedule for You, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Living in Freedom

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Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1

Recommended Reading: Psalm 51:7-12

While we celebrate the uniqueness of every individual created in the image of God, there is one way in which all humans are alike. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). That means we have all experienced what happens when we do things we know we shouldn’t. We all experience the guilt, shame, and remorse that comes with disappointing ourselves, others, and especially disappointing God.

What would our lives be like if there was no way to remove the consequences of our failures? Guilt and shame would multiply and lead us to a life of despair. The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that our sins can be forgiven and we can have a clear conscience. “The Lord has laid on [Christ] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Those who have received God’s gift of forgiveness through faith in Christ can live a life of freedom from guilt and shame.

Experience today the blessing of God’s forgiveness for all your sins—past, present, and future.

Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.
G. Campbell Morgan

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – No More Debt

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He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal [debt]. Colossians 2:13-14

Today’s Scripture

Colossians 2:13-15

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A doctor decided to retire after treating cancer patients for nearly thirty years. While working with a billing company to resolve his clinic’s finances, he opted to forgive $650,000 of debt people still owed him. “I’ve always been rather uncomfortable with sick patients not only having to worry about their own health,” the physician explained in a related interview, “[but also] their families, and their jobs, [and] money. That’s always tugged at me.”

Even if we’ve never been deep in financial debt, all of us have experienced something similar in a spiritual sense. The Bible likens sin to “debts” (Matthew 6:12). It also says there’s no way for us to repay what we owe God. We can’t donate money to charity, serve others, or work out a deal with Him to cover what we owe. Jesus is our only hope. Through His death and resurrection, Christ “canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).

Accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for the wrong things we’ve done means waking up to a new day, completely free from the burden of sin. May God’s mercy and forgiveness shine into the world as He helps us lovingly address people and circumstances in our lives.

Reflect & Pray

Why do you think God cares whether or not you show mercy to others? How does your outlook on life reflect the freedom you have in Jesus?

Dear Jesus, thank You for paying the price for my sin.

Learn more here: odbm.org/personal-relationship-with-god

Today’s Insights

Physical death plays a central role in the story of our redemption from sin, as Paul highlights in Colossians. Why is death so key? The apostle wrote, “[God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith . . . and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel” (1:22-23). The apostle is combatting false teaching here—probably Gnosticism. Among its claims were that Christ didn’t have a physical body. This isn’t a biblical teaching, as it denies the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul warned, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy” (2:8). As he said, “You were dead in your sins” but now “God made you alive with Christ” (v. 13). When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for our sin, we become free from sin’s burden.

Visit go.odb.org/010226 to learn more about salvation through Christ.

 

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – A seminary professor predicted the cellphone a century ago

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Can you think of something you were afraid would happen this year but didn’t? Or that you were afraid would not happen but did?

The sixteenth-century French “seer” Nostradamus was thought to predict for 2025 that “a great pestilence from the past returns, no enemy more deadly under the skies,” leading some to claim that a pandemic worse than COVID-19 would arise during the year. Others found in his writings a prediction of an asteroid impact with apocalyptic consequences.

He’s been wrong so far.

A hundred years ago, other “experts” predicted that by 2025:

  • People would live to be 150 years old.
  • There would be only three nations: the United States, the “United States of Europe,” and China.
  • The Earth would utilize one common language.
  • New York City would build triple- and quadruple-decked streets to accommodate its traffic.
  • There would be world peace, a common world currency, and universal free trade.

And a seminary professor in Pennsylvania had the audacity to claim that people would use a pocket-sized apparatus for communications to see and hear each other without being in the same room. What a crazy idea.

“The end of the world as we know it?”

Speaking of communication devices, twenty-five years ago today, much of the world was focused on what seemed to be a calamitous threat. I remember well the “Y2K” (short for “year 2000”) scare: the claim that global computer and banking systems, power grids, transportation networks, and other critical infrastructure would fail when the year changed to 2000.

The reason: To save memory space, early computers used two-digit years (such as “97” for 1997), which could cause them to misread “00” as the year 1900 rather than 2000. No one was sure what might then happen, but there was no shortage of fearmongering. Time magazine ran a cover story titled “The End of the World As We Know It?” Survival guides proliferated. A movie imagined cascading Y2K catastrophes, from blackouts to nuclear meltdowns.

However, the day passed in relative calm, largely because governments and businesses spent an estimated $300 billion to $600 billion mitigating the glitch.

Now we have another computer cataclysm to worry about: Many older systems store time using a counter that maxes out on January 19, 2038. This could send clocks back to 1901, potentially crashing older software that depends on accurate dates.

If you’re like me, you’re thinking that this threat is thirteen years in the future, while you have enough fears to worry about today.

However, it’s understanding the true nature of the future that enables us to face our fears in the present.

The “uncertainty principle” of life

Everyone knows that the future is unknowable. What we sometimes fail to understand is that the present is unknowable as well. I could have terminal pancreatic cancer (such as former Sen. Ben Sasse has been diagnosed with) and not know it. Conversely, researchers could right now be perfecting treatments for my various physical challenges that will render them gone in the new year.

You may think your current job is secure, or you may think you’ll never find employment again. Right now, forces unknown to you could be at work that will render you right . . . or wrong.

Heisenberg’s “uncertainty principle” demonstrates that physicists cannot measure both the position and the speed of a particle at the same time. Something like this is at work in my present circumstances: as I sit in my home study writing this article this morning, I am ignoring the upstairs furnace that may in this moment be catching fire. If I were monitoring it, I could not be writing these words.

And there’s the matter of attitude. Henry Ford is often credited with saying, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” What you decide about your circumstances today will go a long way toward shaping them tomorrow.

“Courage is a choice”

I say all of that to say this: The omniscient God who created and transcends time is our best source for facing our fears of the future.

He sees tomorrow better than we can see today. Our Father can therefore prepare us now for what comes next while shaping our unseen circumstances for his greatest glory and our greatest good. All the while, he transfuses us with “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” when we trust our fears to him (Philippians 4:7).

The Christ who came at Christmas promised he would be with us “always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). His indwelling Spirit will never leave us (1 Corinthians 3:16). His all-conquering love will never abandon us (Romans 8:35–39). He will wade with us through every river and walk with us through every fire (Isaiah 43:2–3). He will open and close doors in accordance with his perfect will (cf. Acts 16:6–10) and lead us through each day until the day he leads us home (John 14:3).

Homer was therefore right: “All men have need of the gods.”

So name your greatest fear for the coming year and place it in his hands. Then claim his promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

David testified, “I sought the Lᴏʀᴅ, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). When we do the former, we can say the latter.

According to Winston Churchill,

“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a choice.”

What steps will you take to choose courage in Christ today?

Quote for the day:

“Christ liveth in me. And how great the difference—instead of bondage, liberty; instead of failure, quiet victories within; instead of fear and weakness, a restful sense of sufficiency in Another.” —Hudson Taylor

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Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – An Unexpected Obstacle to Prayer

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 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:25

Scripture: Mark 11:25 

Every so often in the news cycle, we get stories of huge problems that can be traced back to small, seemingly minor causes. For example, a computer glitch that delays flights at a single airport can lead to a national travel emergency.

In Mark 11:25, Jesus traces a significant spiritual issue—unanswered prayer—back to a seemingly unrelated problem. “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (NLT). If you sense that your prayers are not being answered, it may be due to a spirit of unforgiveness in your heart.

The Bible makes it clear that unresolved conflict with others can get in the way of our relationship with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23–24 NLT).

Unresolved conflict gets in the way of prayer—and the blessings that come from it— because it reveals a heart that isn’t aligned with God’s.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT).

God has forgiven Christians an incredible debt. He has wiped all our sins away. For us to harbor unforgiveness toward someone else is an offense against Him. Because we understand just how much forgiveness we’ve received, we should be the most forgiving people on the face of the earth.

Instead, many of us actively look for things to be offended by. Things to hold grudges for. We need an “other.” Someone to blame. Someone to look down on. Someone to judge. Someone to hold responsible for our unhappiness.

Is there someone you hate right now? Is there someone you’re bitter toward? Is there someone who causes you to seethe every time you see them? Is there someone you can’t stand to be around? Is there someone you’ve been plotting revenge against? Is there someone you gossip about?

If so, now is the time to deal with your spirit of unforgiveness. Depending on the circumstances, that might involve apologizing to someone you wronged—or someone who thinks you wronged them. It might mean reaching out to someone you’ve drifted apart from. It might mean starting a difficult but healing conversation with a friend or loved one.

The more sincerely you reconcile with the estranged, angry, and hurting people in your life, the more effective your prayers will become.

Reflection Question: What would an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Golden Rule

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

This command of Christ is the famous so-called Golden Rule of conduct. As He said, it succinctly summarizes and crystallizes all the instructions given in the Old Testament Scriptures dealing with human interrelationships. In fact, somewhat similar guidelines can be found even in certain ancient extrabiblical writings.

It should be stressed, however, that this maxim is not meant to be a prerequisite for salvation. No mere human being ever obeys this rule perfectly any more than one can keep perfectly the Ten Commandments.

It was included by Christ as a part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, which the Bible clearly states was a series of instructions given only to His disciples—that is, to people already following Him in faith. At the very beginning of this “sermon,” it says clearly that “seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth, and taught them” (Matthew 5:1–2).

Thus, the Golden Rule is especially for Christian believers. It is a standard by which Christians should seek to order their personal lives, not to be saved, but because they are saved. “Be ye therefore perfect,” said the Lord, “even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). No one—except Christ Himself, in His humanity—has ever perfectly kept the Golden Rule or been sinlessly perfect (note 1 John 1:8, 10). Nevertheless, our standard can be nothing less. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,” said the apostle Paul, “but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). And so should we. HMM

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God’s Comfort and Encouragement

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Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

We all go through hard times, but the good news is that when we do, God is always present to comfort and encourage us. When times are tough, remember that they won’t last forever. God will not allow more to come on you than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

You don’t have to be afraid, no matter what you may face today, because God is with you, and He loves you deeply and unconditionally. You may not know how to turn your situation around, but God does. He always has a good plan for you, and temporary problems don’t have the ability to cancel those plans.

What you are dealing with is temporary, but God is eternal, and He will never leave you or forsake you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You that You’re always with me. When I face hard times, remind me that Your love is eternal, Your plan is good, and Your strength sustains me, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – More to Your Story 

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Play

Everything changes when you know the rest of your story. In 2 Samuel 22:25 (MSG) David says, “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.” But what is the text of our lives? Self-help gurus and magazine headlines urge you to “find your narrative.” “Look inside yourself,” they say. But the promise of self-discovery falls short.

Your story indwells God’s. This is the great promise of the Bible. “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone” (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). In his story, you’ll find there’s more to your story.

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Genesis: Promise to Abraham

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Read Genesis 15:1–20

Have you ever used the “pinch and open” method to zoom in on a picture on your cell phone? Today, we will zoom in on one man, Abram, and his relationship with the God of creation.

In Genesis 12, God made Abram a promise. He told this man, older and childless, that he would have many descendants who would inherit the land of Canaan. More importantly, God promised that Abram would be a source of blessing to the whole world. And Abram believed Him!

Often students of the Bible use the word covenant to describe a promise made by God to a specific person or people. While the idea of such a promise, or agreement, is not unique to God (people make covenants with each other too), God’s covenant is special because His character is perfect. He will never change His mind, change the deal, or go back on His word. The covenant God made with Abraham involved promises that would have long reaching implications.

To Abram, a man without children into his 90s, and his wife Sarai, the promise of many children sounded preposterous. Yet their descendants, the Jewish people, would become the focus of God’s plan of redemption. Inheriting the land of Canaan was also difficult to imagine as they had spent their entire lives in tents without a land of their own. Yet in due time their descendants would move into Canaan and settle there. Finally, the idea that the whole world would be blessed by one of his descendants was incredible. When the time was right, God brought Jesus into the world, a son of Abraham, to save the world (Matt. 1:1). The Abrahamic covenant is a foundation of our faith!

Go Deeper

What promise did God give to Abram? Do you trust that the God of the Bible will fulfill the promises He has made to you in His Word? If you trust in Jesus, you are a beneficiary of the promise to Abram.

Pray with Us

Dear God, thank You for Your promises to Abraham, and thank You that we are the beneficiaries of these promises in Christ. Teach us how to follow You with courage and conviction. Give us the faith of Abraham!

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

News and Info

Are We Listening?: Rightly Dividing God’s Prophetic Word

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Paul’s admonition to his protégé, Timothy, offers wise counsel to followers of Christ still today: rightly divide the Word of God. The challenge throughout the Church Age has been to remain true to God’s Word—contending earnestly for the Truth it reveals in order to hand down the faith once delivered to future generations of saints.

The key to applying that wisdom lies in approaching the Word with fear and trembling—and without preconceived ideas sprung from the mind of man. That is especially true regarding the End Times.

Without besmirching the position of those who hold non-Pre-Tribulational and Pre-Millennial viewpoints, my experience is that most of them were taught to come to the Bible with a framework already established. For the Amillennialists, that tends to be an expectation that any prophecy dealing with Jesus’ Second Coming should be spiritualized. Some go so far as to say that although the First Advent prophecies were fulfilled literally, none of the Second Coming prophecies will be fulfilled in the same manner.

The same is true of Post-Millennial advocates. They elevate the role of the Church to the point that they believe the Church will usher in a golden age of peace, righteousness, and holiness on the earth—forgetting that while those characteristics should mark individual Christians and the Bride of Christ as a whole, the still-unrestrained Devil will continue to deceive and devour until Christ commands that he be confined for 1,000 years.

At the heart of the disagreement between the various eschatological viewpoints lies the Millennium. We have addressed the theological variance in those perspectives many times, but suffice it to say that anyone who simply opens the Book and reads God’s prophetic revelations will tend to come to a Pre-Tribulation, Pre-Millennial understanding.

Plain Sense Meaning

The golden rule of Bible interpretation is this: If the plain sense makes sense, don’t look for any other sense, lest you end up with nonsense. This method of interpretation makes a few key presumptions:

1. God intended to communicate with mankind.

2. In addition to His revelations about Himself and His plan of salvation, He provides prophetic insights into what lies ahead in His plan for the Ages.

3. God wants everyone who opens the Bible to have access to His truth—regardless of their education level or pedigree.

Those presumptions play out in a clear pattern of understanding. Let’s explore each in turn and be encouraged by God’s lovingkindness and self-disclosure.

He Knows How to Communicate

Ours is the God who speaks. Unlike the mute gods of wood and stone, and the false demonic gods who cannot gaze into the future, the living God speaks authoritative words that convey His power and intentions: “For as the rain and the snow come down from Heaven, and do not return there without watering the Earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

He revealed His intentions through His prophets. And, He sent His only Son to testify to the truth—namely, the Gospel of the Kingdom (John 18:37). Over 1,600 times in the Old Testament alone, the writers prefaced their God-ordained remarks with, “Thus saith the Lord.” Paul affirmed Him as the Source of the sacred writings handed down from on high: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The question is not whether God communicates, but whether we hear His voice—and are listening.

He is Close, and Will be Found by All Who Seek

Too many Christians have been infected by the same insidious poison that infected the ancient Israelites, metastasized throughout the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and spreads like a cancer even today. People believe that only men with lofty titles or advanced degrees can understand the Word of God.

Things got so bad in the Medieval period that merely owning a Bible (especially one printed in a language the common people could read) was a capital offense. Priests lorded over their congregations—isolating them from their actual Lord and Savior. Bibles were chained to the altar of the church, lest some inquisitive parishioner dare to take and read for themselves.

In such an environment, biblical understanding was limited, and abuses abounded. That is one of the reasons Martin Luther and others instigated the Reformation. We can rejoice that today the Bible is the most-published book in human history. Over 5 billion copies have been printed and distributed, in virtually every language in the world. The message of the Gospel—foolishness to those who are perishing but the power of God to those who are saved (1 Corinthians 1:18)—can be understood by a child. It can be communicated to people who are illiterate. And it continues to be studied and pondered by men and women with multiple advanced degrees. In short, it is for every sheep who will hear the voice of the Shepherd and respond in believing faith.

He Reveals Things to Come

God seems to delight in revealing what lies ahead. This is not only a source of encouragement and blessing for us, it is also a clear demonstration of His omniscience and power.

We can be encouraged by the fact that none of the pathologies of this world are a surprise to God. He foreknew them, just as He foreknew the fact that mankind would require a Savior. That is why it was His intention from the foundation of the world to offer salvation through the shed blood of the Lamb—His only begotten Son (Revelation 13:8). So, even as the world grows darker around us, we can be assured that God is still in control and that He will orchestrate every stray thread into a beautiful tapestry to His own glory.

The LORD God rightfully boasts about His foresight and power. Contrasting Himself with the deaf, mute, blind, and dumb gods that mankind fashions and follows, He mockingly challenged the false gods, saying, “Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell us the past events, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome, or tell us the future. Tell us the coming events, then we will know that you are gods. Indeed, do something good or bad, then we will be in awe when we see it. Look, you are nothing and your work is worthless. Anyone who chooses you is detestable” (Isaiah 41:23-25).

As Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a God in Heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known… what will take place in the last days” Daniel 2:28).

In addition to revealing what will take place, God also chose to provide warning signs for those with eyes to see. I’m reminded of the rumble strips cut into a road as it is nearing an end, or the warning track at the edge of a baseball field that is designed to alert outfielders that they are approaching the wall before a dangerous collision. Woven into His prophetic Word are signs that can be recognized. It’s as if God was absolutely determined that there would be ample indications that His patience will not abide forever and His Son is coming soon.

Jesus expressed great disappointment that the supposedly religious Jews He encountered were oblivious to the Signs of the Times. Reminding them of age-old signs of nature evident in the color of the sky in morning or evening, He said: “Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:3).

Do You Know What You are Reading?

At Lamb & Lion Ministries, we are great advocates of simply opening the Book and studying for yourself. We believe the Holy Spirit is faithful to guide us into all truth. Jesus promised as much: “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you” (John 16:13-14).

I can attest that there is a great blessing in coming to the Word of God with no preconceived notions, no skeletal preformed “outlines” or man-made eschatological systems. When I began studying God’s prophetic Word, the basic outline of what lies ahead was plain enough to see: Jesus promised to return, reign upon the Earth, and institute a thousand years of peace, righteousness, and holiness.

Some nuances and details remain mysterious, but some of them have become more obvious over time— like the provision for the regathering of the House of Israel from the four corners of the world.

Having said that, there are points at which any student of Bible prophecy can be stumped. This too is recognized and recorded in Scripture.

For example, when the Ethiopian eunuch was returning to his home country after coming to Jerusalem to worship (marking him as a man loyal to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), he was reading from the book of Isaiah (Acts 8). The Bible does not clarify whether the man was Jewish or Gentile, but the lack of specificity (contrasting with the account of Cornelius in Acts 10) suggests that he was likely Jewish. Led by the Spirit, Philip had traveled from Jerusalem down the desert road toward Gaza. The Spirit then commanded him to approach the eunuch and ask, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch’s answer, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” offered an opening for Philip to share Jesus with him.

Because Philip was obedient to the Holy Spirit and willing to engage, the eunuch accepted his offer of illumination and was saved that day.

Tim Moore is a retired Air Force Colonel, the CEO and Senior Evangelist of Lion & Lamb Ministries, and a Contributor to Harbinger’s Daily.

 

 

Source: Are We Listening?: Rightly Dividing God’s Prophetic Word – Harbinger’s Daily

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Resolve to Exercise!

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Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8

 

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Recommended Reading: 1 Timothy 4:6-11

You might think losing weight would be our top New Year’s resolution. But according to a 2024 YouGov survey, “saving more money” topped the list, followed by improving physical health, being happy, exercising more, eating healthier, and in sixth place, losing weight.1 The survey listed 23 top New Year’s resolutions, but one item wasn’t mentioned at all—exercising toward godliness.

It was at the top of Paul’s list, but exactly how do we do it? Well, let’s try increasing the repetitions of lifting our Bibles, flexing our faith muscles, and pressing forward in conditioning our souls to run the race before us with perseverance.

Perhaps the first step is finding a place for your daily time of personal Bible study. A small table or desk in a quiet corner, a workplace by the window, or a chair with a lap tray or swing-away tray. When you have a dedicated place for your quiet time, you can leave your Bible open there all day. That’s a good first step toward exercising yourself in godliness.

Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face-to-face with God.
Oswald Chambers

  1. Jamie Ballard, “What Are Americans’ New Year’s Resolutions for 2024?” YouGov, December 21, 2023.

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Can We Live Forever?

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When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered. Acts 17:32

Today’s Scripture

Acts 17:29-34

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Today’s Devotional

It’s risky to venture into the comments section of online news sites. Risky, but fascinating. Commenting on an interview with a millionaire endeavoring to live forever in this life, one reader posted this from Matthew 16:25: “ ‘Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.’ —Jesus.” Reacting to that comment, another reader posted, “Wasn’t there a book written about Him?” To which a third reader replied, “Yes, fiction.”

There are always those who will mock belief in Jesus. When the apostle Paul stood in a public forum to tell a large group of Athenians about Christ, results were mixed. “When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered” (Acts 17:32). Others, however, said, “We want to hear you again on this subject” (v. 32). And some believed (v. 34).

How others respond to the truth of the Bible is between them and God. But it’s the claim that we can live forever in this life that’s fiction. Our bodies are destined to die. In contrast, the Bible tells us of the one who is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Like Paul, it’s our task to share with anyone who will listen what this Man has done for us. We can trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

Reflect & Pray

How do you feel when others mock your faith? Why is it important to let them know what you believe about Jesus?

 

Dear Father, thank You for Your Son, who conquered death for us. I pray for those who don’t believe in You, that Your Spirit will draw them to You.

 

Learn more about being faithful despite being mocked.

 

Today’s Insights

Acts 17 shows how Paul did all he could to share the good news of Jesus. Being Jewish, when in Athens he naturally engaged with the Jewish people and “God-fearing Greeks” who frequented the synagogue (v. 17). But he also went to “the marketplace” each day, where he met with “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers” (vv. 17-18). These two groups saw life very differently and gathered to debate those differences. Yet Paul sought common ground with them (vv. 22-23), creating a basis to tell them about the God who “gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (v. 25). Our task is to share the truth of the gospel with those who’ll listen and then pray that the Spirit will draw them to Christ.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why the Times Square ball will drop three times this year

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My amazing editor gets up every morning at 5:30 a.m. to proofread the Daily Article, post it on our website, and distribute it via email. To give her today’s holiday off, we finished this article yesterday. As a result, I’m predicting what you now know to be true (or not):

  • Roughly one million people packed into New York City’s Times Square last night to watch a crystal ball drop from One Times Square as midnight approached.
  • The ball was new this year, adorned with 5,280 crystals and weighing about 12,350 pounds.
  • For the first time ever, it was relit and dropped again at approximately 12:04 am E.T. in anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The ball will drop a third time on the eve of the Fourth of July for the same reason.

Door County in Wisconsin dropped a giant cherry into a crowd of people, while Amelia Island, Florida, dropped a giant shrimp and Boise, Idaho, dropped a giant glowing potato at the state’s capitol. But I think beginning the new year with a lighted ball descending to a waiting crowd is especially appropriate. Consider these facts:

  • It’s dark at midnight, which makes the light more necessary, obvious, and powerful.
  • The light descends from the heavens above to the earth below.
  • Its light is available to all but experienced only by those who seek to do so.
  • It was anticipated when I wrote about it, but it became a reality at the proper moment—not a minute too soon or too late.

If you were reading about such light on Christmas rather than New Year’s Day, would any of this seem familiar?

“It is you who light my lamp”

Simeon called the baby Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). John’s Gospel says of God’s Son, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4–5).

When we trusted him as our Lord, our Father “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). In this kingdom, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Accordingly, we are called to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (v. 7).

Martin Luther warned: “The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands.” Conversely, David prayed, “It is you who light my lamp; the Lᴏʀᴅ my God lightens my darkness” (Psalm 18:28).

When we choose the former, we experience the latter.

Six practical resolutions

To walk in the transforming light of Christ this year, we must determine to do so. This is the New Year’s Resolution of all resolutions.

Jesus honors the free will with which we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), so he will not force us to walk in his light. To experience his transforming grace, let’s make six practical resolutions within the Resolution:

1: Start each day in the light of Christ. We cannot walk in the light unless we are in the light. Begin every day with Jesus in worship, prayer, and Bible study as you connect your heart with his and submit your life and day to his Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

2: Stay in the light through the day. When the enemy tempts you with darkness, leverage his evil for good by turning instantly to the Spirit for his guidance and power. If you step out of the light, confess your sin immediately, claim your Father’s forgiveness, and return to the light.

3: Focus on the present. We cannot walk the next mile while walking this mile. All of God there is, is in this moment.

4: Give thanks to God for all that is good. After her horrific captivity, a freed Israeli hostage named Emily Damari wrote:

I have … learned to value everything I do in my life. I open the fridge: I say thank you. I drink cold water: I say thank you. I am thankful for everything—big things and little things. Gratitude is very important. I am grateful that I have the privilege of being thankful.

5: Trust God to redeem all that is hard. Matthew Henry noted: “Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.” As the Roman philosopher Seneca observed, “You learn to know a pilot in a storm.”

6: Make Christlikeness your goal. Jane Goodall wrote: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” You can make no greater difference in the world than manifesting the light of Christ in our dark culture.

“You can do all that God has called you to”

If we make these daily resolutions, we will fulfill our life Resolution. We will “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). His Spirit will transfuse our minds and hearts with the light of Christ. His light will shine through our words and works and defeat the darkness wherever we go.

And neither our lives nor our world will ever be the same.

As you begin your year, I want to highly recommend First15, our ministry’s daily devotional resource. A recent article reminded us:

You can do all that God has called you to. Whether it be victory over sin, engaging in difficult confession, walking biblically rather than according to the world, seeking unity and fellowship with those that bother you, or simply seeking God with all your heart, the Holy Spirit will strengthen you today if you are willing to receive.

What next step into his light has God “called you to” today?

Quote for the day:

“Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because he loves us.” —Tullian Tchividjian

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Denison Forum

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – First Things First

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 Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.’ 

—Mark 12:29–31

Scripture:

Mark 12:29–31 

In this month’s devotions, we’re going to look at the Gospel of Mark. And we’re going to start with one of the key passages of the New Testament. According to Mark 12:28, “One of the teachers of religious law” asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (NLT).

He was testing Jesus. At that time, Jewish religious leaders recognized over 600 different laws. And they spent a lot of time ranking them according to importance. The questioner wanted Jesus to say something controversial so that Jesus’ enemies could use it against Him.

Instead, Jesus gave him the wisdom of the ages. “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT).

With those words, Jesus highlighted the connection between loving God and living in a way that pleases Him. He established the template of the Christian life.

If you really love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, then you will not want to break the other commandments. If you really love God as you ought to, then you will not take His name in vain, have other gods before Him, or make images that you bow down before. And if you really love your neighbor as yourself, you will not steal from him. You will not covet what belongs to him. And certainly, you will not kill him. So, if we master the basics of loving God and loving others as we ought to, then obeying other commandments will come naturally.

In daily life, this looks like resisting temptation instead of choosing what feels good in the moment. In fact, it looks like making daily choices that keep you away from tempting situations. It looks like studying God’s Word purposefully to become acquainted with what pleases Him. It looks like keeping open a line of communication with Him—a daily prayer routine through which you receive guidance, direction, and encouragement.

Augustine said, “Love, and do what you will.” It’s a provocative statement, but it makes sense. If you really love God as you ought to—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—then you will naturally do what He wants you to do.

Reflection Question: How do you know when you’re loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – A Fresh Start

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

Everyone deserves a fresh start. As we start the New Year with resolutions and lofty ideals, it is good to remember that we can all renew our commitments. We can all purpose to gain even loftier heights in our spiritual journey toward Christlikeness. No matter how far we have ascended, we can go further; no matter how low we have fallen, we can begin again.

How can this be accomplished? As the context of our text teaches, we must go back to school—the school of Christ. “But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20–21). “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

As our text verses explain, we must both “put off . . . the old man” and “put on the new man,” clearly speaking of our manner of life, just as if we were changing clothes. If we as believers are hanging on to a few old rags, let this new year see us obey this passage as an act of faith through the living Spirit of God: “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).

This act of submission and desire will result as we are “renewed in the spirit [or attitude] of [our minds]” (Ephesians 4:23). The old man will not be removed or changed into the new but will be brought under control. The new man is a new creation of God modeled after Him “in righteousness and true holiness.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). JDM

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – It All Starts in Your Mind

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Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:9 (AMPC)

Would you like to be in a good mood every day? Of course you would—who wouldn’t? I spent many years being controlled by a variety of moods and believing I had no choice in how I felt. But I do have a choice—and so do you! We all make choices about our thoughts and attitudes toward life.

Your mind, mouth, moods, and attitudes are all intricately connected. It starts with your thoughts, which then turn into the words you speak, shaping your emotional state and attitudes toward life. If you truly want to be in a good mood on a regular basis, it begins with deliberately focusing on good thoughts. You can start by choosing to think about things that will generate good emotions instead of bad ones.

If you desire greater emotional stability and the ability to maintain a consistently good attitude—no matter what your circumstances are—then make it a goal and don’t give up until you’ve reached it. No matter how old you are or how long negativity has controlled your life, it’s never too late for a fresh start. As you walk with God, you can always begin again. Your history does not have to be your destiny!

Prayer of the Day: God, help me begin again. No more sour, negative thoughts for me! Help me choose differently. I want to think and speak things that will keep me in a good mood, amen.

 

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