Tag Archives: christianity

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Fives: The Pentateuch

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Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess.
Deuteronomy 4:5

Recommended Reading: Psalm 1

The Pentagon, a five-sided building constructed during World War II, was designed for an irregular plot of land bounded by roads that formed a rough five-sided shape. The Latin word for five is pent, and that’s also why the first five books of the Bible are called the Pentateuch.

The Jews called these books the Law or the Torah, and they contain core teachings foundational to biblical truth. When an observant Jew reads Psalm 1, for example, this is the way he reads it: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly … but his delight is in the [Torah] of the Lord. And in His [Torah] he meditates day and night” (verses 1-2).

Most of us like to read familiar biblical passages. But it all goes back to the Torah, and we would be wise to read it more often. Deuteronomy is especially rich. Read it, and you’ll find the Lord’s statutes and judgments that show us how to act in the land we are possessing with our souls.

Moses makes it clear that blessings come when the heart is right.
Warren Wiersbe

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Impacting Generations

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Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Today’s Scripture

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-10

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

During basketball practice, Enrique’s dad asked him and his friend to show the team how to pass the ball correctly. Enrique had practiced for weeks but feared messing up. He prayed, completed the drill, and said, “Thank You, God!” Later his dad said, “I’m proud of you for working hard, son. But I’m prouder that you prayed and praised God.” Enrique shrugged and said, “I just did what you do.”

Throughout history, God has worked through healthy, cross-generational relationships. Sharing His decrees and laws with the Israelites, He said not to add to them nor subtract from them (Deuteronomy 4:1-2). “Observe them carefully,” God said, “for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations” (v. 6). But God wasn’t only interested in how others perceived His people. He said, “Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (v. 9). Why? So that they “may learn to revere” God and teach “their children” about Him (v. 10).

We don’t have to be parents or serve in children’s ministry to share our Spirit-empowered faith with younger people. Whether we’re praying for a younger person or a young family, providing resources to nurture spiritual growth, or offering encouragement, God uses our healthy, cross-generational relationships to impact generations to come.

Reflect & Pray

How has God used older people to nurture you spiritually? How can you invest in the spiritual lives of a younger person or a young family?

Father God, please help me value, serve, and share You with people from all generations.

Today’s Insights

The Israelites were to pass on God’s truth to the next generation (Deuteronomy 4:9). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes to Timothy, who’d been impacted by women of faith from two different generations: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5). The apostle also noted how God’s truth had contributed to Timothy’s development: “From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:15). Today, we can ask God to help us nurture the spiritual lives of future generations.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Inside the CIA’s new task force targeting Cuba

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Why the fate of the Cuban people will not match the fate of their government

Shortly after US forces removed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power, many began looking closer to Cuba as the Trump administration’s next target for a change in leadership. President Trump even said as much back in March. And while the war with Iran has delayed such a move, recent reports indicate that Cuba’s time may be coming soon.

Earlier this week, news broke that the CIA has established a task force in Cuba in an attempt to pressure the government into accepting a number of political, economic, and social reforms. Should Raúl Castro and others decline, their secondary purpose is to lay the groundwork for a more forceful change in leadership. Coupled with the Justice Department bringing formal charges against Castro back in May, it’s an eerily similar playbook to the one used in the buildup to January’s assault in Venezuela.

A timeline for any such move remains unclear, with conflicting reports on whether the war in Iran would need to be wrapped up first. While fighting on two fronts would be far from ideal, President Trump is said to be “running out of patience with Cuba’s regime,” while the island remains a “huge priority” for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose family came from Cuba.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Inside the CIA’s new task force targeting Cuba →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Second Chance

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 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 

—Psalm 32:1

Scripture:

Psalm 32:1 

Without a doubt, one of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is that our God gives second chances. The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). But even if we’ve failed miserably, God gives us the opportunity to put it behind us. He can dramatically turn things around on our behalf. He can forgive us.

We have a choice in the course our lives take. We can either confess our sin and turn from it and know the happiness of being forgiven, or we can try to conceal our sin and then reap what we’ve sown. The Bible tells us that God will not bless people who try to hide their sin. Isaiah 3:9 says of such people, “They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves” (NLT).

On the other hand, Psalm 32:1 says, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (NLT). Doesn’t that sound better? David, the writer of the psalm, understood this well.

David’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. David was a shepherd and a musician. He was overlooked even in his own family. When his brothers went off to war, David was given the role of delivery boy. When Samuel the prophet told Jesse, David’s father, that God had sent him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel, Jesse didn’t even include David in the lineup.

Yet David thrived in the role of underdog. He killed the giant Goliath. He succeeded Saul as the king of Israel. God gave David the chance of a lifetime, and David rose to the occasion.

Gradually, though, his attention wandered. His priorities shifted. According to 2 Samuel 11:1, King David sent his men to battle the Ammonites while he “stayed behind in Jerusalem” (NLT). While he was idling in Jerusalem, he saw a woman named Bathsheba taking a bath. David sent for her and slept with her, even though she was the wife of Uriah, one of his most faithful soldiers.

When he learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, David called Uriah back from battle, hoping that he would sleep with his wife. That way, people would assume that he was the father of her child. But Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were still camped on the battlefield. In desperation, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle so that he could marry the widow Bathsheba in time to make the baby’s birth seem legitimate.

David failed God spectacularly. He committed adultery and murder. And after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he felt the weight of his sin. He wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1–2 NLT). God heard his prayer, forgave his sins, and gave him a second chance.

And God will do the same for you, no matter what you’ve done, if you repent and ask for forgiveness.

 

Reflection question: How does knowing that God offers forgiveness and second chances change the way you respond when you fail? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Rejoice in the Lord

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

The Christian has a compelling duty to rejoice. Paul stresses the Christian need to rejoice by using the tense in the Greek that specifies a continuing and habitual action. This instruction follows his mention of otherwise faithful believers in the church who were unfortunately pursuing disharmony and dissension. Believers are reminded to restore broken relationships, follow after harmony, and rejoice.

Perhaps the best reason to rejoice is that all our names are written in the “book of life” (v. 3). This precious book was mentioned from old times as “a book of remembrance . . . written before him for them that feared the LORD” (Malachi 3:16). Christ mentioned this book as a cause to “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Our rejoicing will continue throughout eternity, for only “they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27) will be permitted into the Lamb’s presence. Our love for the brethren and our hope for eternity are reasons to rejoice, indeed.

Paul told the Philippian church they were among the reasons for his joy. “I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace” (Philippians 1:7). Those who had a heart for the things of God were important to him. Therefore, “fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (2:2). “For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me” (2:18).

Their joy of fellowship was rooted in the love and service of Christ, as well as His sufferings, “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (3:10). So, rejoice! JDM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Why Obedience Beats Emotion Every Time

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He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest].

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (AMP)

Aren’t you thankful that you and I don’t have to be led by our emotions? We can be led by God’s Spirit. All we need to do is be obedient to Him. When the Lord asks us to do something, any of us can be tempted to wait for a convenient season, a time when all conditions are perfect, as today’s scripture mentions. Human nature causes us to hold back sometimes as we walk with God, wanting to wait until following Him won’t be so difficult. Our emotions find all kinds of ways to delay doing what we know we should do.

I encourage you to be unafraid of facing challenges or taking on responsibilities, so that you won’t procrastinate when God speaks. If you only do what is easy and what your emotions want to do, you will remain weak and shallow as a Christian. But as you meet resistance and overcome it, you will build your strength and grow in your faith.

God expects us to be responsible and take care of what He gives us. He wants us to use all He’s given us to bear good fruit (John 15:16). If we do not use the gifts and talents He has given us when He directs us to, then we are not being responsible over what He has entrusted to us.

If you are a procrastinator, I urge you to heed the instruction of Ecclesiastes 11:4. You don’t have to wait until everything seems perfect and your emotions are excited to obey God. Do what He says to do when He says to do it, and you will reap the blessings of obedience.

Prayer of the Day: Help me, Lord, to follow You immediately instead waiting for more convenient timing. Help me to obey You promptly when You lead me to do something.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Heavens Declare

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Read Psalm 19:1–14

As I am writing, it is December in Illinois. All week long, the sunsets have been a particularly vibrant pink and orange, and people in our neighborhood chat have been posting photos of the flaming sky. While they might not give glory to God, I think of today’s psalm every time.

Psalm 19 describes the communicative nature of our God. Verses 1–6 celebrate His revelation through creation while verses 7–11 proclaim His revelation through His Word. As a whole, the psalm testifies to a God who makes Himself known in a myriad of ways.

The first half of the psalm focuses on the heavens as a primary mouthpiece. All of humanity merely has to look up to observe the “glory of God” and to appreciate “the work of his hands” (v. 1). This revelation is continuous and uninterrupted (v. 2), and it transcends the limitations of language. Without speech or sound, the intricate innerworkings of the world give nonverbal testimony throughout all the earth (vv. 3–4).

Then, verses 4–6 focus on the sun. Many ancient cultures worshiped the sun itself. But here the psalmist describes the Hebrew God as providing a home for the sun, which is depicted as a “bridegroom” or a “champion.” With joy, vitality, and strength, the sun crosses the sky, making known its Creator.

The second half of the psalm focuses on God’s revelation through His law—and the desired human response to it. His law is “perfect,” “refreshing,” and “trustworthy” (v. 7). It is a source of wisdom, righteousness, and joy (vv. 7–8). It enlightens our minds (v. 8) and demands our reverence and respect (v. 9). God’s law is to be cherished and savored (v. 10), heeded and obeyed (vv. 11–13).

Go Deeper

What does this psalm tell us about the ways in which God communicates? Where do you enjoy God’s revelation through creation? Why not share a photo of the beauty of God’s creation in our Facebook group?

Pray with Us

Heavenly Father, all creation sings Your praise! Give us eyes to see the beauty in everything You have made, and lips that are eager to join with creation in worship. There is none like You.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.Psalm 19:1–2

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Consequences

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A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 22:3, NLT

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 27:12-17

The high school student was an actor, and the blood was fake. But the emergency teams were real, and the trauma felt real too. Students listened as the intensive care doctors, nurses, and organ donor specialists tried to deal with the consequences of one fictional student’s risky behavior. The coordinator said, “We don’t want to stop young people from enjoying their independence, but we also want to give them a different perspective on the real-world consequences that can follow a rash decision.”1

Proverbs 22:3 also warns us of real-world consequences for risky behavior, and the message is so important the verse is repeated word for word in Proverbs 27:12.

When we sin, there is a spiritual price tag. God forgives, but He doesn’t take away the consequences. That’s why we have to think ahead, foresee danger, and take precautions. One of the precautions is to fill your heart with verses from God’s Word so that you can make good decisions on a daily basis.

As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgment upon our character and conduct.
Jerry Bridges

  1. “A Lesson in Consequences of Risky Behavior,” Coast Community News, March 31, 2026.

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – God Is Greater

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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Today’s Scripture

1 Peter 5:6-11

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Today’s Devotion

Before he became famous, the Mongolian warlord Genghis Khan (ca. ad 1162-1227) killed his own half brother to advance his position in the family. As he solidified his power, he began to build an empire more expansive than Alexander the Great’s, stretching from Asia’s Pacific coast to Eastern Europe. Ruthless in his tactics, the khan and his army left a trail of death and destruction everywhere they advanced. His devastating military forays are unparalleled in recorded history.

Today we face a vicious foe even more intimidating than a marauding army—an enemy who wants to conquer and devastate our souls. The apostle Peter cautioned, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This enemy is cunning and dangerous like a great warrior and is much more than we can handle on our own. But we have great reason for hope. The apostle John wrote, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This “one who is in you” is the Holy Spirit Himself. We need not fear the enemy of our souls.

As we rely on the Holy Spirit, we gain confidence that our lives are guarded from the one who’s trying to conquer our souls. Our God is greater. We can trust Him to be with us in everything.

Reflect & Pray

When have you sensed the enemy’s opposition? How did you respond?

Loving God, thank You that You’re greater than my enemy and have already defeated him. Please help me rely on Your Spirit.

Today’s Insights

What does the New Testament tell us about our “enemy the devil” (1 Peter 5:8)? First, it gives him a variety of names: “Satan,” which means “accuser” or “adversary” (Revelation 12:9-10); “Beelzebul, the prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24); “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4); “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2); “the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3); “the great dragon” (Revelation 12:9); and the “ancient serpent” (20:2; see 2 Corinthians 11:3).

Second, Satan’s mission is “to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is opposed to God and seeks to drive a wedge between Him and humans. Satan hopes to tear down our confidence and trust in God and deter us from our mission of spreading the gospel. James says, “Submit yourselves . . . to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The Holy Spirit will help us resist the devil and stand strong in Christ.

Learn more about spiritual warfare.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Are people getting dumber? Are smartphones to blame?

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I hope you’re not reading this article on your smartphone. New research shows conclusively that IQ scores have been declining in recent years. Social scientists focused on nearly four hundred thousand people aged eighteen to ninety who completed questions from an open-source intelligence test. Across the thirteen-year study period, they found that cognitive scores declined over time.

This decline began well before AI was commonly available and prior to the pandemic. But it aligns with the time smartphone use began to rise.

One analyst thinks the switch from reading in print to consuming content on smartphones has led to the degradation of intellect. “Print requires us to make a logical case for a subject,” he noted. “You can’t just assert things in the way you can on TikTok or on YouTube.”

He adds, “Print privileges a whole way of thinking and a whole way of processing the world that is logical, that is more rational, that is more dense information, that is more intellectually challenging.”

“We are God’s fellow workers”

Apart from reading content in print, I’m not sure what we can do about this trend. In fact, much of the day’s news, however we consume it, can make us feel impotent.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Are people getting dumber? Are smartphones to blame? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Just One Thing

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 The one thing I ask of the LORD—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. 

—Psalm 27:4

Scripture:

Psalm 27:4 

It’s been said that the greatest danger in life is to permit the urgent things to crowd out the important things. You see, the rabbit holes in life can cause us to lose sight of the one thing that matters: Jesus Christ.

It’s interesting to follow the phrase one thing through the pages of Scripture. Each time a biblical author uses this phrase, we find insights into the importance of making time for the Lord. For example, remember when Martha became agitated at her sister, Mary, for sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha did all the work? How did Jesus reply? He said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42 NLT, emphasis mine). Jesus was essentially saying, “Listen, Martha, I appreciate your desire to work. But there is a time to work and there is a time to sit at My feet. Mary has figured out that one thing is needful.”

Are Martha’s actions a good description of your life right now? Are you so busy with work and life’s nonessentials that you’ve forgotten the one thing? Unless we have a sense of priority, we can find ourselves distracted and quickly forget our purpose: to dwell with the Lord.

We must make the time to sit at the Lord’s feet. If we don’t make time for God’s Word, prayer, and church in our daily lives, we will fall apart spiritually. One thing is needful; pray for the strength and diligence to make time for it.

David had a real insight into who God is and set his heart to follow Him. In Psalm 57:7, he wrote, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!” (AMPC). David’s heart was totally focused on who God was. He was locked into what was right.

Paul made a similar statement in the book of Philippians: “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (3:13–14 NLT).

Everybody is living for something. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing—that is, to live by a clear set of priorities. What’s the one thing for you? What’s your clear focus in life?

God may not give you everything you hope for in life. Then again, He may give you more. You just leave that up to Him and put Him first.

 

Reflection question: How can you prioritize the things of God in your life?Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – He Knows Our Hearts

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men).” (2 Chronicles 6:30)

Eight times in Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, he beseeches God to “hear from heaven” (vv. 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39) when His people confess their sins and pray for deliverance. It is marvelous that God, whose “dwelling place” is in heaven (vv. 21, 30, 33, 39), can actually hear the prayers of people here on Earth, but we remember that He is omnipresent.

Even more marvelous, if possible, is the fact that He can hear prayers uttered only in our hearts. But He is also omniscient, so of course He knows the very thoughts of our hearts.

Then, as we read of Jesus’ wrath at the desecration of the temple by those who would commercialize their religion there, it was said that He “needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (John 2:25). This is direct confirmation that Jesus is God, for only God knows the thoughts of our hearts.

It is a wonderful day when we realize that God knows our hearts. It can be frightening, of course, if our hearts are not right with God, but it can also be a great comfort and exhilaration—it all depends on the thoughts and motivations of our hearts. As David wrote long ago, “Thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2).

We need, therefore, to guard our thought life just as much as our social life, “for he knoweth the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21). May God help us to be “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). It is a good thing if our thoughts please Him. HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – How to Release Your Cares and Trust God

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Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

Proverbs 16:3 (AMPC)

If we want to be in intimate relationship with God and live lives that are truly committed to Him, we have to take everything about ourselves and say to Him: “God, I give this to You. I give You this problem. I give You this situation. I give You this relationship. I completely release it and let it go. It is too much for me. I am going to stop worrying and trying to figure everything out—and I am going to let You take care of it. God, I also give myself to You because I can’t do anything about myself, either. I give it all to you.” I give you my strengths and weaknesses. I want to change, but You have to change me. It was a great day for me when I finally learned that it was God’s job to change me and my job to believe!

Psalm 37:5 says, Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass (NKJV). What does it mean to commit our ways to God? It means to “roll” them off of ourselves and onto Him. When we roll our problems and human reasonings on God, which means to trust them completely to Him, then He changes our thoughts and makes them agree with His will. In other words, His thoughts become our thoughts so that we want what He wants.

When that happens, our plans will succeed because they are in complete agreement with God’s plans. Release yourself and all your cares today and relax so you can hear God speak to you.

Prayer of the Day: Father God, I release my worries, my problems, and myself entirely into Your hands. In the name of Jesus, I ask You to change my thoughts so they align with Yours in order that I can trust You completely, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Divine Boot Camp 

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Play

God told Elijah to “hide in the Kerith Ravine…I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there” (1 Kings 17:2-4 NIV).

Why would God do this? To protect Elijah from Ahab and Jezebel for one thing. The crown had posted an APB. Search parties were dispatched. What better place for Elijah to hide than in the rugged landscape of his homeland?

And God sent Elijah to Kerith to prepare him for the future. Remember, the world had gone crazy. Abhorrent behavior—child sacrifice, worship of idols, temple prostitution—had been normalized. God needed a steadfast prophet to stand against such a tide.

To prepare Elijah for his assignment, God led him into the wilderness. It was there the prophet learned to radically trust God. Call it divine boot camp. Be patient. God is working on you.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – A Gentle Whisper

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Read 1 Kings 19:1–18

In my speech course, students employ a variety of methods to begin their speeches. They’ve used stories, statistics, pictures, videos, even music. One student slammed his fist on the podium, causing us to jump. In another memorable speech, the speaker took the stage and just stood in silence. This was even more effective at arresting our attention.

In 1 Kings, God communicated with His prophet Elijah in a similarly subdued way. Elijah had just experienced dramatic victory on Mount Carmel (18:20–46). The prophets of Baal had cried out to their god, begging for a flaming response and received none (18:26). Then Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—who answered with fire (18:38). The people fell on their faces in praise: “The LORD—he is God!” (18:39). When Elijah returned to Jezreel (18:46), he may have expected a spiritual revival. However, when Queen Jezebel heard about the Mount Carmel showdown, she immediately sent a messenger with a death threat (19:2). Elijah fled for his life. Alone in the wilderness, he collapsed under a tree and prayed, “I have had enough, LORD…Take my life” (v. 4b). The Lord sent an angelic companion with bread, water, and rest (vv. 5–6). God had heard Elijah’s cries, but He communicated—first of all— through His care.

The angel stayed with Elijah for forty days, until the Lord asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v. 9b). He didn’t silence Elijah’s sorrow. Instead, He drew it out with questions, allowing him to answer (v. 10). God came to Elijah in an unexpected form. He was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire. Instead, He spoke in the “gentle whisper” (v. 12). His most compelling communication is not always dramatic. To hear Him sometimes requires attentiveness and calm.

Go Deeper

How do you listen for God’s voice? What has He used to get your attention?

Pray with Us

Our gentle Lord, You give us unconditional love and care. When we are discouraged, You are our source of strength. Please remind us to seek You with humility in the stillness.

Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.1 Kings 19:11

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – God’s Law Is King

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NEW!Listen Now

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.
Daniel 2:20-21

Recommended Reading: Daniel 6:1-10

In seventeenth-century England the Protestant Reformation was in turmoil, and a civil war had erupted. The English king sought to impose his “divine right” to rule over the Protestant churches. A Scottish Presbyterian pastor Samuel Rutherford published a book in 1644, titled Lex, Rex (“The Law Is King”), to point out that the king is not above divine law. His theme was the same as that of the apostles who told the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

While the Bible is clear that secular rulers are to be obeyed, it is also clear that we are “to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). For example, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to obey the king’s law prohibiting prayer to God (Daniel 6). And Daniel’s three friends were subjected to a fiery furnace because they refused to worship the king’s golden image (Daniel 3).

If you are ever subjected to an ordinance that violates God’s law, seek the Lord for discernment. Remember that God establishes rulers for His purposes.

God is a totalitarian ruler who demands full allegiance from his subjects.
R. B. Kuiper

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Part of God’s Story

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Has not the Lord gone ahead of you? Judges 4:14

Today’s Scripture

Judges 4:4-9, 14

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Today’s Devotion

Archaeologist Jodi Magness and her team have been excavating a synagogue in the ancient village of Huqoq in Lower Galilee, where they’ve found an incredible collection of mosaics, paintings, and carvings. Particularly rare, however, is a mosaic telling the biblical story of Deborah and her role in Israel’s battle against the Canaanites; there’s no other known ancient depiction of this heroine.

During twenty years of oppression by Canaan, Deborah, a prophetess, “was leading Israel” (Judges 4:4). At God’s prompting, Deborah urged Israel’s general Barak to mount an attack on the Canaanite forces and their commander, Sisera. Barak heeded God’s instructions to “take . . . ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor” (v. 6), and Deborah lured the enemy’s army to the area. The Canaanite troops indeed fell in the battle, and though Sisera initially fled on foot, he too ultimately met his demise. “On that day God subdued . . . Canaan before the Israelites” (v. 23) through the courageous obedience of Deborah and Barak.

The Bible preserves for us a literary mosaic of historical events in the life of God’s people—collectively and individually. We can take courage from these examples to heed God’s instructions even in the face of hardship and struggle. We can trust Him to equip us with the strength to do so.

Reflect & Pray

When has God asked you to do something difficult? How did He equip and sustain you in that situation?

Heavenly Father, please give me the courage to heed Your instructions.

Today’s Insights

The book of Judges bridges the times between Joshua and the beginning of the monarchy under Saul (see 1 Samuel 9). It’s characterized by what some scholars call the “cycle of apostasy.” Each cycle begins when Israel falls away from God. Then He sends a neighboring nation to discipline them, followed by God’s provision of a judge to deliver them from that nation, and then a season of spiritual revival. Twelve different judges, from Othniel to Samson, are God’s instruments of rescue. Deborah is the fourth of those judges (Judges 4), whose season of leadership over Israel lasted about forty years, second only to Ehud, who judged for eighty years. Through the leadership and example of the judges, the people returned to God, and He enabled them to trust Him and obey His law afresh. Their example can remind us today that He’ll give us the strength to trust and obey Him no matter the circumstance.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Iran agrees to deal with Oman to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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Iran says an agreement with Oman on a route for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is “in the final stages.” Oil prices held steady this morning, however, as investors remained cautious over the outcome of the talks. The agreement would allow Iran to control ships entering the Persian Gulf through the strait, though such control is yet to be defined.

This deal could ease pressure on the global economy and perhaps help bring an end to the war. “A lot of progress has been made,” President Trump said recently. However, the current agreement represents just one factor with regard to one of the most complicated and conflicted waterways in the world. (For the website article I wrote yesterday explaining the history of the Strait of Hormuz, its global significance, attempts to close and reopen it, and biblical principles for negotiations, please go here.)

The Islamic Republic of Iran poses an ongoing threat to the Middle East and to Americans as well, but it is only one such threat in the news. For example, a new study warns that a major California earthquake could hit sooner rather than later, causing hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damage. And, according to the Washington Post, a biological attack “could trigger a global pandemic, mass death, widespread insurrection, and ultimately societal breakdown.”

If you’d like your bad news to be a little less catastrophic, consider the toxic caterpillars currently spreading across Europe. As the New Yorker reports, oak processionary caterpillars are covered in “wiry white hairs that look like the whiskers on a witch’s warts.” When threatened, they emit not only these visible hairs but also eight hundred thousand microscopic hairs. Contact with them causes severe rashes, itching, and stinging.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Iran agrees to deal with Oman to reopen Strait of Hormuz →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Laws of the Lord

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 Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. 

—Psalm 19:9–11

Scripture:

Psalm 19:9–11 

Solomon “had it all”—or so it seemed. When he succeeded his father David as king of Israel, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and offered to give him anything he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom, an understanding heart, so that he could govern God’s people well. The Lord was so pleased by Solomon’s request that He gave the young monarch not just an abundance of wisdom but also fame and fortune beyond measure.

And all was well, until Solomon began to ignore his God-given wisdom and rebel against the truth he had learned from the Lord. Solomon shifted his focus from governing God’s people well to sampling just about everything the world had to offer. With virtually unlimited resources at his disposal, he went on a sinful binge.

Afterward, he said that it was all vanity, like chasing after the wind. The book of Ecclesiastes records his analysis for us: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT). In other words, “Don’t fight against the laws of God. They were given to us for a reason.”

God, in His commandments, has given us the blueprint for a fulfilled life, a blueprint for happiness, if you will. As Psalm 1 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verses 1–3 NLT).

In contrast, the psalm continues, “But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind” (verse 4 NLT).

In Psalm 19, you’ll find these words: “Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them” (verses 9–11 NLT). Those words should have been familiar to Solomon. They were written by his father David.

And their truth remains unchanged. You can either find meaning, joy, and fulfillment by avoiding the things that will drag you down and embracing the truth and commandments of God—or you can chase after the wind, as Solomon once tried to do. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

 

Reflection question: Why does the freedom of God’s commandments often seem like a restriction? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Treasures of the Snow

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?” (Job 38:22)

It is interesting that this book, the oldest in the Bible, contains more references to snow, ice, and frost than any other book of the Bible. This is despite the fact that Job’s homeland was in what is now essentially a desert region. Possibly the effects of the post-Flood Ice Age were still strong in Job’s day.

In any case, the beautiful phrase “treasures of the snow” is both appropriate and prophetic. Its crystal structure, though mostly in the form of delicate six-pointed “stars,” is endlessly varied and always intricately symmetrical and incredibly beautiful.

The snow is a treasure in other ways as well. The winter’s snowpack in the mountains is often called white gold because of its indispensable water storage capacity, released in the melting season each spring to provide life to teeming cities and irrigation in the desert for needed food supplies. The snow also aids in maintaining the planet’s chemical cycles by returning various elements in the nuclei of its flakes back from the ocean to the lands from which they were leached and transported by rivers to the oceans. When the snowpack becomes a glacier, it can greatly assist in the breakup of rocks to form fertile soils.

In the Scriptures, its pure white color is often used to symbolize the cleansing of a sinful heart that trusts the Lord. “Wash me,” said David, “and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” the Lord promises those who come to Him for salvation (Isaiah 1:18).

As the snow comes down from heaven, so comes the Word of God to ask the soul as in today’s text: “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” HMM

 

 

 

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