Tag Archives: Bible

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

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Read: Judges 3:1-8

They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord. (v. 4)

In seeking a one-sentence definition of sin I asked another professor of theology and received a more traditional answer: “Sin is violating God’s law, which immediately results in alienation from God, self, neighbors, and creation.”

Certainly this is the situation Israel found itself in as Judges 3 opens. The conquest of the Promised Land had devolved into an accommodation with the people already living there. The author of Judges tells us these people remained in the land to test Israel, and Israel failed the test by worshipping their pagan gods. The nation of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord’s anger kindled against them. Once again, Israel went into slavery.

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Advance Praise

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Lori “Lolo” Jones is an American track and field and bobsled athlete who specializes in the 60- and 100-meter hurdles. Jones has won both United States and World Championships in hurdle events and competed at the 2008, 2012, and 2014 Olympic Games. Jones continually seeks to trust God despite the personal hurdles she faces. When the 33-year-old athlete had to have hip surgery, she set goals for her recovery and chose to “praise Him in advance” for whatever lay ahead in her rehabilitation.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart.

Psalm 86:12

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is Our Stronghold

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Psalm 144:1-2 “Blessed be the LORD my strength… my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust.”

God is a stronghold for us when Satan tempts us to sin.

There is a place in Israel near the Dead Sea called Masada. It looks like a mountain with a flat, square top. Masada was once a huge getaway palace for Herod the Great. In the first century after the time of Christ, Jewish people used it as a fortress. Men, women, and children lived there for three years, hiding from the Romans who had attacked and destroyed their cities. “The Romans cannot get to us here,” they thought. “We are safe in Masada.”

But they were not safe. The Roman army built a siege ramp all the way up the side of the mountain. Day after day, the Jews saw the Romans working on the ramp, and they knew that they had only a little time.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Why We Worry

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Today’s Scripture: Matthew 6:25

“Do not be anxious about your life.”

Why do we worry? Because we don’t believe. We’re not really convinced the same Jesus who can keep a sparrow in the air knows where our lost luggage is, or how we’ll pay that car repair bill. Or if we believe he can deliver us through our difficulties, we doubt if he will. We let Satan sow seeds of doubt in our minds about God’s love and care for us.

The great antidote to anxiety is to come to God in prayer about everything. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Nothing’s too big for him to handle or too small to escape his attention. Paul said we’re to come to God “with thanksgiving.” We should thank him for his past faithfulness in delivering us from troubles. We should thank him for the fact that he’s in control of every circumstance of our lives and that nothing can touch us that he doesn’t allow. We should thank him that in his infinite wisdom he’s able to work in this circumstance for our good. We can thank him that he won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The promised result is not deliverance, but the peace of God. One of the reasons we don’t find this peace is that all too often we won’t settle for anything other than deliverance from the trouble. But God, through Paul, promises us peace, a peace that is unexplainable. It will guard our hearts and minds against the anxiety to which you and I are so prone.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Dispelling the Darkness

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Today’s Scripture: Leviticus 24-27

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” – Matthew 5:15

In today’s passage about the tabernacle, we read that the lamps were to burn continually. They were to be tended and supplied with oil so their light would never go out. Throughout the Bible, lamps are used to picture our lives as believers.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Where does a lamp do the most good? Outside at high noon or in a dark place where there is no other source of illumination? Yet how many times we complain when God puts us in a situation where we are about the only source of light.

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint – Christian Colleges & Gender Identity: The Next Assault on Religious Freedom?

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You’ve probably heard of Title IX, the federal law signed by President Nixon in 1972 “that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.” Title IX is probably best known for its effect on women’s athletics by mandating equitable treatment with men’s teams.

Of course, discrimination against women and girls on the basis of their sex is a bad thing, and so Title IX—though not a perfect piece of legislation—has done a lot of good. But the federal government has a habit of extending legislation beyond its intended reach, and that’s what is happening right now with Title IX.

The Department of Education, under pressure from LGBT groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and some legislators, has agreed to create a public, searchable database of Christian colleges and universities that obtained Title IX waivers based on claims of religious freedom.

These exemptions—which, for example, allow religious schools to provide male-only or female-only dorms—have been granted routinely since the law’s passage, but all that may be beginning to change. According to a report in WORLD magazine, the HRC has “accused Christian institutions of ‘hidden discrimination’ for obtaining Title IX waivers.”

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – DISCIPLINES OF REST: SABBATH

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Read Isaiah 58:1-14

The church has never held a uniform view of the Sabbath. One scholar notes, “The early church had no single answer to the question of the relevance of the Sabbath commandment to Christians. The churches of the New Testament period included a variety of views.”

The apostle Paul warned the Colossians not to let anyone judge them when it came to religious festivals, new moon celebrations, or Sabbath days (Col. 2:16). These were all associated with the Mosaic Law. New Testament believers could still observe sacred days if they chose. Paul’s own practice after his conversion to Christ was to visit the synagogue on the Sabbath. This seems to have been driven more by evangelistic intent, however, than by any continued devotion to the day itself. On the first day of the week Paul gathered with other Christians for worship, the regular practice of the New Testament church.

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – APPLE VS. THE FBI: IT’S COMPLICATED

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The FBI wants Apple to create software that would enable authorities to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. Apple has refused. When I saw this news story, I wondered why the company wouldn’t want to help.

However, the more I read, the more complex the debate became.

According to Apple’s engineers, the software it would develop for this purpose would threaten the security of all iPhones and could be used on any number of devices. However, according to prosecutors, the new software would affect only the terrorist’s phone.

According to legal scholars, if the FBI can compel Apple to do this, perhaps it could force Facebook or other tech companies to do the same. However, according to terrorism authorities, unbreakable technology could enable terrorists to escalate attacks against us.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Biblical Love

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Read | 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

In today’s passage, Paul talks about love and its preeminence over speech, knowledge, generosity, and self-sacrifice (1 Cor. 13:1-3). The apostle then describes the nature of biblical love, which is patient, kind, humble, and slow to anger (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

However, we often struggle as we try to practice this model of unselfish affection. One reason is that the godly expression of caring doesn’t come naturally to us. Pure Christian love puts the other person ahead of our own interests, even when our human inclinations clamor to place self first (1 Cor. 13:5).

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — The Ease of Ingratitude

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Read: Hebrews 12:18-29

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. —Hebrews 12:28

Thwip, thwap. Thwip, thwap.

The windshield wipers slamming back and forth trying to keep up with the pelting rain only added to my irritation as I adjusted to driving the used car I had just purchased—an old station wagon with 80,000+ miles and no side-impact airbag protection for the kids.

To get this station wagon, and some badly needed cash for groceries, I had sold the last “treasure” we owned: a 1992 Volvo station wagon with side-impact airbag protection for the kids. By then, everything else was gone. Our house and our savings had all disappeared under the weight of uncovered medical expenses from life-threatening illnesses.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Lonely But Not Alone 

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A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. John 16:32

In some seasons of my life I have felt very lonely. At age 12, after hearing of my mom and stepfather’s divorce—I crawled into my bunk bed and wept. I prayed to God and asked why I couldn’t have a dad like my friends. I felt very alone—my fledgling faith offered little comfort. At age 19, after becoming a Christian, my fellow college students could not comprehend or accept my new behavioral boundaries. I felt abandoned, left alone. I looked for others who loved Jesus. As an adult I’ve had similar times of unsolicited isolation. Though I felt lonely—I was not alone.

Jesus described this scenario of being left alone, but not being alone. He verbalized to His disciples how they were about to be scattered and how Jesus would be left by Himself to face His accusers. In Christ’s greatest time of need those He needed most fled from His presence. As Jesus faced His arrest, trial and death, the disciples’ fear superseded their loyalty to Christ. Jesus was left alone by many who loved Him the most, yet He was not alone. His Father was with Him. Loneliness can strike down the most devout followers of the Lord, but they are not alone.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Bless Somebody

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And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.—Galatians 6:9

The Word says, Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually] (Romans 15:2).

This tells me that we need to have our mind full of ways to bless people. Early in the day, think up something you want to do to bless someone. Think up something you can do to surprise somebody or to make somebody happy. You will be amazed at how quickly the Lord leads you to something good you can do for someone. Joy comes from giving on His behalf.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Deliverance from Fears

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“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4, KJV).

Susie seemed outwardly to be a well-poised, lovely young wife and mother with everything under control. She was active in her church and attended other Christian gatherings during the week. But secretly she was filled with fear from which psychologists and psychiatrists with whom she consulted were unable to set her free.

She became very discouraged and depressed. “What can I do?” she asked through her tears. “I have everything to live for and no real reason to be afraid, but my days are consumed with worry and dread and fear, as I anticipate all kinds of evil things happening to me, to my husband , to my children.”

“Do you believe that God in heaven has the power to remove your fears, Susie?” I asked.

“Yes, of course,” she replied.

“Do you believe He loves you?”

“Yes, I believe that.”

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – The With-God Life

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Read: John 15:1-8

I am the vine; you are the branches. (v. 5)

Spiritual formation has also been called the “with-God” life. The goal of our with-God life is personal transformation that leads to the transformation of the world around us. The notion of being spiritually formed seems radical to those have seen the Christian life as only intellectual assent to the lordship of Jesus and adherence to ethical rules and moral living. The discipleship Jesus requires is costly, but as Dallas Willard has said, the cost of nondiscipleship is even more costly. It costs the abundant life that Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10).

In his book Practicing the Way of Jesus, Mark Scandrette notes that when people hear about becoming like Jesus, they often begrudgingly think or ask, “What do I have to do?” or “How far do I have to go?” or “How much do I have to give up?” Yet he says, “A better question is, ‘How free and alive am I willing to be?’” (p. 47).

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is Our Refuge

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“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)

In the news, we hear a lot about refugees. We talk about those people, and we see pictures of them on TV. But who are they really? They are people who are looking for safety and help. For one reason or another they have been put out of their homes and villages – usually because of war – and are seeking a new place to live and a brand new start in life. We have refugees come to the United States sometimes because they can’t live in their own countries anymore. Just as those people are looking for a safer, better place to live and raise their families, you and I are spiritual refugees. We are searching for a safe place, a refuge – and we find it in God.

The dictionary defines refuge as “a source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.” How is God my refuge? Psalm 91:2 refers to a spiritual refuge, not necessarily a physical one. When we are tempted to sin, what do we do? We need to find a place to get away from the temptation so that we don’t sin. God provides that place. When we are tempted to sin we can run to Him, pray, and ask His help – and He will be our refuge, our source of help and comfort, our safe place.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Humility

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Today’s Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. – Daniel 5:20

We were on our way to Steamboat Springs for a few days of skiing. The road was icy, and the wind was blowing so hard we went gliding right off the road into the snow. Some of us got out and tried to push the car back onto the road. The combination of slickness and a large snow bank was too much resistance for us. The car wouldn’t budge.

Eventually, a good Samaritan in a four-wheel-drive truck came along and pulled us out.

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REST WRECKERS: IMPATIENCE

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Read 1 Samuel 13:1-15

Patience is a virtue, but impatience might be a national trait. Timex asked people how long they would wait before taking action; they learned that most would wait thirteen seconds before honking at a car in front of them stopped at a green light, twenty-six seconds before taking the seat of someone who has walked away, thirteen minutes for a table at a restaurant, and twenty minutes for the last person to show up for Thanksgiving dinner before beginning the meal.

In Saul’s case, impatience was more than a personality trait. It was a sin. Saul sent his son Jonathan to attack the Philistine garrison at Geba and summoned the people to assemble at Gilgal for a sacrificial ceremony. The prophet Samuel had commanded Saul to wait at Gilgal when he anointed him to be king (see 1 Sam. 10:8).

Samuel had been emphatic that Saul must wait for his arrival, but Jonathan’s foray against the Philistines provoked such a hostile response that the troops remaining with Saul began to defect (vv. 6–7). Saul waited for seven days, and still Samuel did not appear. He decided that extreme measures were necessary: he began to offer the burnt

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – No Greater Love

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Read | John 15:12-14

One of the most intense expressions of human love is the protective instinct parents have toward their children. There is little most moms and dads wouldn’t do for a baby. If a truck posed a threat to the little one, it wouldn’t surprise us if they jumped in front of the moving vehicle without a second thought.

Wouldn’t you like to be cared for with this kind of intensity? You are. In fact, the Lord’s love toward you is far deeper and more secure than that of even the most caring, tuned-in human parent. And what God did for us is proof. Romans 5:8 says that while we were living in disobedience, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us.

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Ice Flowers

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Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-14

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. —1 Corinthians 12:4

Fifteen-year-old Wilson Bentley was captivated by the intricate beauty of snowflakes. He looked with fascination through an old microscope his mother had given him and made hundreds of sketches of their remarkable designs, but they melted too quickly to adequately capture their detail. Several years later, in 1885, he had an idea. He attached a bellows camera to the microscope and, after much trial and error, took his first picture of a snowflake. During his lifetime Bentley would capture 5,000 snowflake images and each one was a unique design. He described them as “tiny miracles of beauty” and “ice flowers.”

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Evidences of God’s Power

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“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know . . . what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” (Ephesians 1:18-19).

God’s power is seen in creation, preservation, redemption, and resurrection.

Think of all the energy we get from the sun, and multiply that by the innumerable stars in space. But God by His great power created all the stars with no effort whatsoever: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host” (Ps. 33:6). He just spoke, and they were made.

God’s power also preserves the universe. Christ “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3), and “in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). Chaos would result unless His sustaining hands were directing the orderliness of creation (Ps. 104; Jer. 31:35-36).

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