Tag Archives: Bible

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Anchor

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Read: Genesis 18:22-33

Then Abraham approached him and said: Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Gen. 18:23

Abraham has been informed that the hour of judgment for Sodom has come. He is appalled by this, but it is very important for us to see what is really troubling him. If you ask, Is Abraham really trying to save these cities? the answer has to be, No, that is not really his concern. Abraham knows that God’s hour of judgment has struck, that there has been long record of his patience up to this point. He knows that it is only unrighteousness that will ultimately be judged, so he is not trying to save the cities. He expresses his concern in these words: Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Are you going to treat righteous people the same way you treat wicked people? That is what is troubling him.

There is a cold fist of fear gripping the heart of Abraham. He fears he is going to find that God is not quite who he thought he was. Perhaps he understood that righteous people have a way of salting the world, preserving it from corruption and from judgment. Perhaps he is troubled that if God destroys a whole city full of wicked people, with some righteous among them, the word will go out that righteousness is of no effect and a wrong impression will be left. Abraham has a troubled heart, questioning whether God really is the kind of God he has thought him to be.

Have you ever felt that way? In your prayers, or in your confrontation with life, have you suddenly seen God moving in ways you did not anticipate, allowing things to happen that you did not think he ought to allow? Have you thought, Lord, can you really do this? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? This is not right. We are getting very close to how Abraham felt at this point, when we sense that sudden horror that God is not going to act as we expected him to. Abraham is really raising the question here, Does righteousness make any difference? If God wipes out these cities filled with both wicked and righteous people, if they are all treated alike, isn’t it telling us that righteousness really does not make any difference?

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Anchor →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Bumpy Road Ahead

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Read: Psalm 73

I have made the Lord God my refuge (v. 28)

A friend of mine grew up in a large family where Mom ruled the kitchen. She fixed meals of her own creation throwing this and that into a big pot on the stove. Sometimes the boys would cry out, “Mom, you’re not putting that in the pot!” Then Mom would announce, “Get out of my kitchen.” Often times after the meal the boys would say in surprise, “Mom, that was really good!” A wise mother, she then said, “I want you boys to learn a lesson. Don’t judge something when it’s not finished.”

The road we travel as disciples of Jesus Christ includes many jarring bumps and unexpected curves; illnesses, accidents, painful disappointments. We’re tempted to judge our journey prematurely. Sometimes it feels like faith is not worth the struggle. Why is it, we ask, those who don’t seem to care—who aren’t trying to serve and love God and do what is right—why is it often such people seem to do better than I do? They have good jobs, make lots of money and always seem to be healthy and well? Why is it?

You’re not the first to ask such questions. You’ll be reassured by the answers in this psalm. As mom told her boys, “Don’t judge something until it is finished.” Read verses 21-28 again. “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (v. 28).

Prayer:

I take refuge in you, O Lord. Keep me close.

Author: Chic Broersma

 

https://woh.org/

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Five Steps of Temptation

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“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” —James 1:14–16

In James 1:14–16 we have the five steps of temptation:

  1. The temptation itself. “But each one is tempted . . .”

The evil thought knocks on the door of your imagination. As they say, “Opportunity knocks once, but temptation beats on the door every day.” It happens to the best of us; there are no exceptions. There is no sin here yet. It is not the bait that constitutes temptation, but the bite. There’s still a way out.

  1. You are now under its power and enjoying the experience.

“Drawn away by his own desires . . .”

You are now “taking it for a test drive.” It’s been said, “What makes temptation difficult for many people is they don’t want to discourage it completely.”

  1. You are almost hooked. “Drawn away . . . and enticed.”

Continue reading Greg Laurie – The Five Steps of Temptation →

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Gives Rewards

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One night as my family was walking into a store, we heard a woman yelling that her purse had been stolen. Just then, we saw a man in a green jacket run right past us carrying the stolen purse! Immediately my dad and another man took off chasing after the thief. Realizing he was going to be caught, the thief threw the purse underneath a parked car and continued fleeing the scene. My dad and the other man finally caught the thief and turned him over to the police.

While my dad was busy trying to catch the thief, a few kids found the purse and returned it to the woman. She was so happy to get her purse back that she started giving out money to reward the kids. But by the time my dad came back with the police the woman was all out of money, and my dad didn’t get anything as a reward!

Later I asked Dad if it bothered him that the kids got reward money for returning the purse when he didn’t get anything for catching the thief. I’ll never forget his answer. He said that it had bothered him for a minute, but then he remembered that we are here to serve God and that God gives rewards for service to Him.

Throughout the Bible, God’s rewards are often referred to as crowns. Let’s look at what the Bible says about God and His rewards.

God rewards those who are waiting for Him to come back (2 Timothy 4:8). Jesus is coming back someday. You need to be looking forward to that day and be ready for that day to come.

God rewards pastors (1 Peter 5:4). Your pastor has the responsibility to protect you from danger and to teach you God’s Word. It is a tough job – you need to pray for him.

Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – God Gives Rewards →

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – A New Heart

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

One of the best descriptions of this initial act of God in sanctification is found in Ezekiel 36:26-27 where God makes this gracious promise: “and I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Note the changes God brings about in our inner being when he saves us. He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit within us—a spirit that loves righteousness and hates sin. He puts his own Spirit within us and causes us to follow his decrees and obey his law. God gives us a growing desire to obey him. We no longer have an aversion to the commands of God, even though we may not always obey them. Instead of being irksome to us, they have now become agreeable to us.

David said in Psalm 40:8, “I delight to do your will, o my God.” Why did David have this delight? It was because, as the remainder of the verse says, “your law is within my heart.” David found a law written in his own heart corresponding to the law written in God’s Word. There was an agreeableness between the spiritual nature within him and the objective law of God external to him.

It’s that way with a person who’s a new creation in Christ. There’s a basic though imperfect correspondence between the law written in a believer’s heart and the law written in Scripture. (Excerpt taken from Transforming Grace)

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Serving God

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Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 33-36

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. – 1 Corinthians 3:6

In 1956, Dawson Trotman asked my wife and me to move to the Midwest and begin the Navigator ministry there. We invited a young mechanical engineer named Ron Rorabaugh to join us, rented a U-Haul trailer, and moved to Omaha, Nebraska.

As I searched the Scriptures for a plan of attack, the Lord led me to Ezekiel 36:37-38 which said the Lord would fill the ruined cities with flocks of people, and they would know that He is the Lord.

Ron and I began praying every morning that God would raise up a flock of men to join us in starting a disciple-making ministry throughout those Midwestern states. God soon put us in touch with a young insurance executive in Des Moines, a veterinarian in Sioux City, and a manager of an electrical firm in Omaha. As Ron and I continued to pray, I met with these men to teach them how to have a walk of daily discipleship with Christ, and we began to see people come to Christ through their witness. Gradually, there were little flocks of people all over the place. When we had our first weekend conference about a year later, 125 people came.

Years later, when I asked a staff worker for The Navigators how many people in the Midwest were being touched by all aspects of Navigator ministries, including our publications and church training courses, he thought for a minute and said, “Oh, I suppose around 50,000.” Now, I didn’t make that happen and neither did Ron. God did it, just as He promised He would. God can do the same through you as you claim His promises by faith and make yourself available to Him.

Prayer

Lord, use me to help increase Your flock in my neighborhood and the surrounding areas. Amen.

To Ponder

If our testimony is faithful, God will take care of the multiplication.

 

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – GOD OF OUR FATHERS

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Read Genesis 32:1–21

The hymn “God of Our Fathers” was written by Daniel C. Roberts for the centennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Roberts was an Episcopalian rector serving in Brandon, Vermont. The hymn begins by celebrating God’s work of creation, and the fourth stanza is especially fitting in view of the events in today’s text: “Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way, / Lead us from night to never-ending day; / Fill all our lives with love and grace divine, / And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.”

After Jacob separated from Laban, he encountered a band of angels. We have no details about the encounter other than the name Jacob gave to the location. He called it Mahanaim, which meant something like “two hosts” or “two armies.” This vision was a reminder of God’s continued protection. But Jacob also took practical measures to protect what was most precious to him. He sent a message to Esau to warn him of his arrival. Then he divided his household into two groups, reasoning that if one were attacked the other might escape.

Jacob asked for God’s protection, praying to the God of his fathers in a way that both reflected his sense of vulnerability and showed evidence of a changed character. In his prayer Jacob acknowledged God’s blessing and admitted that he was unworthy of His protection. Finally, Jacob sent gifts ahead to Esau in the hope that it might appease his anger. Once these measures had been taken, Jacob lay down to sleep. How should we view the gifts that Jacob sent on ahead to Esau? Perhaps they were a tactical maneuver of appeasement. Maybe they were proof that Jacob had changed. Perhaps they revealed Jacob’s inability to fully trust in God. But we might also view them as a form of restitution.

APPLY THE WORD

Are you finding it hard to trust God today? It is reasonable to take responsible measures to secure your future. You might take a few minutes to write down some action steps you need to take. But don’t forget to follow Jacob’s other example: cry out to God and ask for His protection and provision. Put that in writing too!

http://www.todayintheword.org

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert for Kids – For Our Own Good

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Hebrews 12:10

Have you ever seen a ski jumper fly off the ramp and thought, “I could do that”? Of course not. You know it takes hours and hours of practice to pull off a stunt like that. When you start something new, like ski jumping, a coach doesn’t just push you down a ramp and say, “Jump!” You first learn the basics. You practice fundamentals. You repeat what you learn over and over. And as you practice, you become a better jumper, eventually able to do things you thought you never could.

No matter what you pursue, practice takes time, energy, focus, and perseverance. As you pursue Jesus—talk to him, read what he said, consider what he did—you will eventually be able to do things you never thought you could. You might forgive a friend more easily than before. You might become more patient with a little sister who used to drive you nuts. You might be best able to comfort a new kid in school. Your practice and discipline will start to reflect your new heart and character borne through hours and hours of practice.

People will notice the changes in you—certainly your family will, everyone you show kindness to will, friends who are watching will. It may not be an Olympic sport, but your practice is enough to earn a medal.

Dear Lord, Help me pursue you with discipline. I want my character to reflect you. Amen.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Faith Versus Intellect

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1 Corinthians 1:18-25

In Paul’s day, unbelievers rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ as foolishness and tried to approach God purely through their intellect. Today many people still propose views of God and salvation that are contrary to what Scripture teaches. Their ideas sometimes sound so reasonable that they lead many astray. According to human logic, the man with the highest education, the most degrees, and the greatest intelligence should have the wisest plan to reach God. But, as the apostle explained, the “wisdom” of mankind is folly.

The Lord promised to destroy the false wisdom of the world (Isa. 29:14; 1 Cor. 1:19), and for good reason: Human wisdom is used to glorify man. Those who dismiss faith in favor of a strictly intellectual approach to God attempt to gain His approval by means of reasoning, rationalizing, or working. For instance, every religion other than Christianity has a plan or ritual by which one supposedly gains acceptance with that belief system’s god. Such plans all boil down to this: “If I do better, I will be better. If I am better, then I will be more acceptable to my god.” A person does the work and thereby earns the glory for being a good member of his or her religion. The end result of all that work, however, is death—eternal separation from the one true God.

Christianity, on the other hand, glorifies God and His work. We are considered faithful believers when we trust in Him alone and believe that Jesus gave His life so we could be free from the chains of sin. Only He has made a way for believers to be reconciled to the Father and righteous in His eyes.

Bible in a Year: Psalms 35-38

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Marathon Reading

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Read: Nehemiah 8:1–8 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 7–9; Acts 3

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. Nehemiah 8:8

When the sun came up on the first day of the seventh month in 444 bc, Ezra started reading the law of Moses (what we know as the first five books of the Bible). Standing on a platform in front of the people in Jerusalem, he read it straight through for the next six hours.

Men, women, and children had gathered at the entrance to the city known as the Water Gate to observe the Festival of Trumpets—one of the feasts prescribed for them by God. As they listened, four reactions stand out.

Lord, thank You for this amazing book we call the Bible.

They stood up in reverence for the Book of the Law (Neh. 8:5). They praised God by lifting their hands and saying “Amen.” They bowed down in humble worship (v. 6). Then they listened carefully as the Scriptures were both read and explained to them (v. 8). What an amazing day as the book that “the Lord had commanded for Israel” (v. 1) was read aloud inside Jerusalem’s newly rebuilt walls!

Ezra’s marathon reading session can remind us that God’s words to us are still meant to be a source of praise, worship, and learning. When we open the Bible and learn more about Christ, let’s praise God, worship Him, and seek to discover what He is saying to us now.

Lord, thank You for this amazing book we call the Bible. Thank You for inspiring its creation by the writers You chose to pen its words. Thank You for preserving this book through the ages so we can learn Your people’s story and the good news of Your love.

The goal of Bible study is not just learning but living.

INSIGHT:

Nehemiah was the “cupbearer to the king” (Neh. 1:11), a position of great trust and influence in ancient cultures. The cupbearer was responsible to serve wine at the king’s table and would be positioned at the king’s side as an advisor during times of deliberation. Since ancient monarchs were often assassinated by poison, the cupbearer was sometimes required to taste the wine before serving. The person who handled the king’s cup was important and needed to be trustworthy.

http://www.odb.org

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Myth and Fact

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In the last few centuries the cacophony of voices suggesting Christianity (and religion in general) is a tale on par with the tooth fairy continues to deepen. The story may well have beautiful components, some add charitably, but the story functions as a psychological crutch to comfort us through the uglier realities of real life. Often couched in the objection is the notion that time has moved forward such that we have outgrown the superstition, and along with it, the need to explain life and comfort ourselves with archaic religious myth. And though by equating Christianity with “myth” critics mean to suggest that religion is fanciful and untrue, the comparison between Christianity and the genre of myth is absolutely fascinating. In fact, it is a comparison C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and G.K. Chesterton found altogether relevant and revelatory.

A scholar of ancient and medieval literature, Lewis came to recognize the great Greek, Roman, and Nordic myths as being a genre of narrative that wrestled as fiercely as the human heart can wrestle with its yearning to know the gods. In this, he reasoned that what we glean from the myth is not truth but reality, for myths concern themselves with questions of ultimate reality and theological inquiry. Through the story of Sisyphus, for instance, we ask profoundly, does life have meaning? As he endlessly rolls the great rock up the hill, only to have it tumble down the hill before he reaches the top, we ask: Do the gods hate us? Are they indifferent? Do they care? Is life worth living in acknowledgment of their presence? Is life worth living at all? The genre of myth has concerned itself with the great and impenetrable questions of life, questions that every worldview must answer. As G.K. Chesterton comments in Everlasting Man, “Myth has at least an imaginative outline of truth.”

The modern mind argues that Jesus is just one more attempt at explaining what we merely wish were true. While I know where such a statement is usually going (and disagree), perhaps it is also right. There are elements in myth that we do want to believe—namely, that the gods do reveal themselves to us, that heavenly mysteries can be known on some real level, and that life really is saturated with purpose and meaning. Such qualities undeniably reach the deepest thirsts and longings of humankind; they are things many of us want to be true. But Christianity takes this one step further. It would argue that these are actually the stories that we knew on some real level had to be true. The want is an indication of something beyond the myth. For God has set eternity in our hearts; yet we cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Myth and Fact →

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Integrity Incurs the World’s Wrath

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“Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. And he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire” (Daniel 3:19-20).

Persecution is the world’s futile attempt to silence the voice of godly integrity.

King Nebuchadnezzar was a brilliant and powerful man who had built an enormous empire by bringing entire nations under his control. Yet when three youths refused to compromise their devotion to God, he lost rational control and flew into such an intense rage that his face became visibly distorted.

Wanting to vent his wrath upon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. You might expect him to have turned the fire down, thereby punishing them more severely by prolonging their pain. But the king was reacting emotionally, not logically, which often is the case when sinful people are confronted by righteousness.

We see the same pattern throughout Scripture. For example, King Herod’s wife hated John the Baptist and had him beheaded for confronting her sinful marriage to the king (Mark 6:19 ff.). Those who couldn’t cope with the wisdom and spirit of Stephen stirred up the Jews against him, which eventually led to his death by stoning (Acts 6:9 ff.). The Old Testament prophets and the Lord Himself were killed by those who were hostile to God. Similarly, the Thessalonian and Judean Christians endured angry persecution from their own countrymen (1 Thess. 2:14-15).

Continue reading John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Integrity Incurs the World’s Wrath →

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Lead Now Like You Want to Lead Later 

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He [God] chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. Psalm 78:70-72

Years ago I worked with a friend who managed two people: an administrative assistant and an intern. But he didn’t just manage them to do their job well—he led them to reach their personal and professional potential. Like a patient professor—my peer became a student of leadership,  leading his team and influencing his co-workers to do the same. As the years passed my friend was respected and looked to for leadership. Though not the formal leader with the CEO title, his passion was infectious and his clarity of vision compelling. He led like he was at the next level.

Because David was faithful to lovingly and skillfully shepherd animals prone to stubbornness—God could trust him to shepherd His people with the same patient care. This sensitive shepherd protected his herd from the hungry lion and the pesky bear—while leading the small and trusting beasts to be refreshed by still waters and feast on green pastures. David led as a courageous shepherd, like he would one day lead as a brave warrior. A leader who loved God, he leveraged his experience of fighting ferocious animals—by serving on the front lines and slaying the giant.

“David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45-46).

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Lead Now Like You Want to Lead Later  →

Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – “Not Resentful”

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Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

Job 5:2 (NIV)

Recommended Reading

2 Timothy 2:22-26

The word resentment comes from the Latin term sentire, which means “to feel.” When you put the “re-” in front of it, it means “to feel again.” When someone offends us, we feel anger or shame. As we recall the event, we keep dredging up those emotions, and they harden into resentment. Sometimes the memories get stuck in our heads and we replay them over and over. When this happens, it destroys love, tears down marriages, ruins friendships, and devastates our internal peace of mind.

If that’s happening to you, study how Paul advised Timothy to handle his conflicts with false teachers: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Timothy 2:23-24, NIV).

We can’t avoid feelings of anger when we’re offended or hurt, and it takes time to process difficult emotions. But don’t replay the offense over and over in your mind. Give the hurt to the Lord, learn to release the bitterness, and uproot resentment before it uproots you.

Resentment makes us permanently angry; it carves deep lines on our faces. It adds a heaviness to our very steps. This is no way to live.

David Jeremiah

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Psalms 69 – 72

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – From the Pit to the Palace

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And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent and discreet and understanding and wise as you are. You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word . . . Only in matters of the throne will I be greater than you are.—Genesis 41:39-40

A pit is a ditch, a trap, or a snare. It refers to destruction. Satan always wants to bring us into the pit.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. They actually threw him into a pit and intended to leave him there to die, but God had other plans. Joseph ended up being sold into slavery in Egypt, where he was thrown in prison for refusing to compromise his integrity. Yet everywhere Joseph went, God gave him favor. Ultimately, Joseph was promoted to the palace, second in command to Pharaoh.

How did Joseph get from the pit to the palace? I believe it was by remaining positive, refusing to be bitter, and choosing to boldly trust God. Even though it looked like he was defeated on many occasions, he refused to give up on trusting God.

Joseph had a right attitude. He knew God was in control even when it looked like the circumstances of his life were spinning out of control. The same is true in your life. If you’ll keep a positive attitude, knowing that God is in control, He can take you from the pit to the palace in ways you never imagined.

No matter where you started, you can have a great finish!

From the book Closer to God Each Day by Joyce Meyer.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – God Loves You No Matter What

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“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Friend to Friend

Most of us live in a world of performance-based acceptance. We make good grades and mommy is proud. We look pretty and daddy smiles. We do a good job at work and the boss is pleased. We serve at church and congregation thinks we are “good Christians.”

Unfortunately that same sense of having to perform well to be accepted by people can easily roll over into our relationship with God. We falsely believe that we must perform well to be loved and accepted by Him, when nothing could be further from the truth. As a result, we strive to obtain something that we already have…God’s unconditional love.

Anabel Gillham was a woman who loved God, but had trouble accepting that God could love her. Sure, she knew the Bible verses that talked of God’s unconditional love for her. And yet she knew herself and doubted a God who knew her innermost thoughts would approve of her.

Then God used a very special person to help Annabel understand the depths of His love for her – her second child, Mason David Gilham, who was extremely mentally challenged. Let’s let Anabel tell you her story.

I never doubted for a moment that Jesus loved that profoundly retarded little boy. It didn’t matter that he would never sit with the kids in the back of the church and on a certain special night walk down the aisle, take the pastor by the hand, and invite Jesus into his heart. It was entirely irrelevant that he could not quote a single verse of Scripture, that he would never go to high school, or that he would never be a dad. I knew that Jesus loved Mason.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – God Loves You No Matter What →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Spiritually Minded

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“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6, KJV).

I believe the truth of this verse may speak to a common cause of depression among Christians who allow their minds to dwell on ungodly thoughts and/or over-introspection.

Paul writes: “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to.

“For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires” (Galatians 5:16,17).

Our minds are susceptible to the influence of our old sin- nature and, as such, can pose real dangers to us. As soon as we get out of step with the Holy Spirit and get our focus off the Lord, our minds begin to give us trouble.

“The Christian life is really simple,” I heard a pastor say recently. “It’s simply doing what we’re told to do.” And he is right. We will be spiritually minded, not carnally minded, if we obey the simple commands of God’s Word.

Bible Reading: Romans 8:5-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, I will give the spiritual mind priority over the carnal mind in my life.

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – The Beginning of Prayer

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Read: Genesis 3:8-13

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, Where are you? Gen. 3:8-9

This is the beginning of prayer. It is suggested here that this was a habitual thing in the lives of Adam and Eve. It is rather remarkable, but the first prayer is recorded only after the fall. Yet the account suggests very plainly that prayer had been a continual delight and blessing to Adam and Eve, and was daily a part of their experience. This seems to be a habitual action on God’s part. He comes into the garden in the cool of the day to converse with the two that had come from his creative hand, and together they talked in the garden.

The most remarkable thing about this incident is that the initiative for beginning this prayer comes from God. It is the Lord who comes into the garden. It is the Lord who calls out for man. Prayer, therefore, begins with God. In many ways, that is the greatest truth about prayer that we can learn from this incident, because all through the rest of Scripture that truth underlies every prayer that is ever uttered from here on. So we must always read the accounts of Scripture from that point of view.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – The Beginning of Prayer →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Travel Without Fear

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Read: Psalm 46

We will not fear though the earth gives way. (v. 2)

Imagine you’re looking forward to the birth of your second child. There are problems—multiple birth defects: the heart, spleen, and liver. Months of daily vigil, ceaseless travel between home and hospital. Finally you’re able to take the little tyke home. Twenty-four-hour nursing care will be required. After taking your son home, you report to your pastor (in this case me), “Our son is doing well but on my way home yesterday I was rear-ended. I sprained my neck, roughed up my knee, and injured my stomach a bit. As you know, I’m on kidney dialysis. The car was totaled.” Then this young, caring parent adds, “But we haven’t lost our faith.”

How is it possible to maintain faith and courage in such a world? Where is God when we need him? Recall Jesus asleep in the boat with his fearful disciples, in the midst of a violent storm. It seemed God was asleep (Mark 4:35-41). Yet doesn’t the psalm say our God is “a very present help in trouble” (v. 1)? Why does God do this to us? Well, as we struggle, we learn our limitations. We learn everything depends upon God’s grace and power. God’s seeming absence prompts us to exercise our faith.

Are you going through storms just now? Call upon Jesus. He holds all things together. Be of good courage. One greater than sickness and accidents is with you—one greater even than the forces of nature. Jesus will bring you safely through earth’s storms to heaven’s shores.

Prayer:

Jesus Savior, pilot me.

Author: Chic Broersma

https://woh.org/

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – God’s Wake-Up Calls

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Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.—Psalm 119:67

Sometimes God will allow suffering and sickness in our lives to get our attention. We may be rebelling against Him, and He wants us to change our direction. He wants it to stop.

We see an example of this in the life of Jonah. God told Jonah to go preach to the Ninevites, but Jonah went in the opposite direction instead. He was disobeying the Lord. And because the Lord loved Jonah, He went after him. God will not let His children run too far. He got Jonah’s attention, turned things around, and turned the prophet around.

As the psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:67). Sometimes God will allow a situation in our lives to wake us up to our real need.

Maybe you have had a wake-up call recently. Maybe you’ve received a call from a doctor who said, “I am concerned about these tests. I want you to come back in. I want to run some more.”

Suddenly you’re filled with panic. You’re saying, “God, I love You. I’m going to follow You and serve You. I’m going to go to the mission field. I will do anything.” Then you go in and they run the other set of tests. Everything looks good. You’re okay. And suddenly you’re back to your old ways again. What happened to all of those vows?

If you’ve had a wake-up call, then wake up.

Maybe God is allowing you to go through something that doesn’t make any sense right now. But one day it will make sense.

The Devil can do nothing in the life of the believer without God’s permission. The Lord is ultimately in control. He is in control of all circumstances that surround the life of the believer.

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie