Tag Archives: christianity

The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Which Way?

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 24-26

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. – Proverbs 4:11

When Saul entered the cave where David and his men were hiding, David’s men reminded him this was what they had all longed for–a wide-open door to the throne of Israel. With Saul at their mercy, how easy it would have been to misinterpret the promises and the providence of God. David took guidance by two things: First, his belief that Saul was the Lord’s anointed. God had made Saul king, and God would have to remove him. Second, David was restrained by a proverb of the ancients, “From evildoers come evil deeds.” He depended on God to avenge the wrongs done to him by Saul.

It’s easy to mistake circumstances for the will of God. Just because events fall into place that enable us to do something doesn’t necessarily mean God wants us to do it.

Some years ago I was planning a preaching tour through Asia, and we were praying for the Lord to show us if my wife Virginia should go. During this process, a friend heard of the situation and sent Virginia a signed blank check with a note that said: “Why not?” We had the invitation, the money, and the desire. After several weeks of praying, Virginia still didn’t have peace in the matter. She tore up the check, thanked our friend for his kindness, and wrote the people overseas that she would not be coming.

I believe the key to knowing God’s guidance is for us to saturate our lives with the wisdom of the Word of God. Then, when we are faced with a decision, the blessed Holy Spirit of God can guide us with the Word we have laid up in our hearts.

Prayer

Lord, You have called me to have eyes of faith. Help me not to always equate the circumstances of my life with Your perfect will. Amen.

To Ponder

In discerning the will of God, circumstances are much less important than the Word of our Father in heaven.

 

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint – Angel Tree Restores Families: Get Your Church to Participate

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It was back in the 1990s when I was practically a kid writer here at BreakPoint that I first heard about Prison Fellowship’s amazing Angel Tree program.

I was moved by how much Chuck Colson and the Prison Fellowship staff poured themselves into making sure that thousands and thousands of prisoners’ children received gifts at Christmas time.

Everyone knew that Chuck was a tough guy, former Marine Captain, Nixon’s hatchet man, and even as a Christian, he was bold, decisive, and strong. But whenever he talked about delivering Angel Tree gifts and telling those precious children about Jesus and how much He loves them–well, even Chuck got a little teary eyed.

Since 1982, church volunteers across the country have delivered more than 10 million gifts and the Gospel message to many, many children of prisoners. This year, we have a big goal: to reach 300,000 children.

And I’m on the air today to urge you and your church to consider please joining the effort, to help gather and deliver gifts to reach every single one of those little ones.

So here’s how Angel Tree works: When you sign your church up to volunteer, you will receive a list of prisoners’ children and their caregivers’ contact information. A church volunteer will contact the caregivers to confirm gift wishes. You’ll place those children’s names and their gift wishes on paper angels, hang them on a Christmas tree—an Angel Tree—that you place in your church’s lobby. Members of your congregation then choose the paper angels, buy and wrap the gift or gifts, and return them to the church.

From there, a church volunteer will arrange a time to deliver the gifts and the Gospel materials provided by Angel Tree. Many churches host Angel Tree parties and invite the children and their caregivers to attend.

Yes, folks, it’s a fair amount of work. But if your church is looking for a hands-on ministry to the “least of these,” I cannot think of a more rewarding experience—for your church or for those children.

Continue reading BreakPoint – Angel Tree Restores Families: Get Your Church to Participate →

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE GREED OF FALSE TEACHERS

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Read 2 PETER 2:1–3

The term confidence man or con man was coined in the 1800s, a time one historian described as the “Golden Age of Schemes.” A.V. Lamartine perpetrated a strange con: he’d check into a hotel room and then pretend to ingest poison to commit suicide. After giving him medical treatment, kindhearted strangers would raise funds to help him on his way; it appears he made a living by “attempting suicide” for several years.

Hucksters, false prophets, and con artists today send emails from supposed Nigerian princes or promise health and wealth with one more donation. As Peter notes, false teachers infiltrated Israel and will try to distract and destroy the church (v. 1; see Jer. 23:16).

Notice the red flags of false teaching. First, they question the nature of God. Is He the sovereign Lord? Are His power and love the bedrock of our faith? Or do we need to do something to help Him out? Perhaps we need access to a magic formula or someone else to connect us with God. These “destructive heresies” attempt to undermine our confidence in the truth that the Lord is sovereign, He is trustworthy, and His promises are good.

Second, false teaching rejects the truth about how we should live (v. 2). As we’ve seen, the life of a Christian should demonstrate the saving power of God through goodness and self-control, not a life of depraved passions. The unbridled pursuit of human pleasure contradicts the truth of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE GREED OF FALSE TEACHERS →

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – STUDENTS SURPRISE TEACHERS AND VIDEO GOES VIRAL

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Teachers’ significance is only exceeded by their patience. Holding one of the most important jobs in our communities today, teachers see potential, put up with antics, and relentlessly seek to bring out the best in every student. They work tirelessly in the present, yet not always seeing the fruit of their labor. However, the people at SoulPancake have sought to change this.

SoulPancake invited five teachers together to share their struggles and difficulties. Little did they know that instead of only sharing struggles, former students surprised their teachers by reading letters describing the impact their teachers made in their lives. The video has since gone viral, joining the likes of the color of a dress, Ken Bone, and the keyboard cat.Side note: the dress is blue.

The classroom is where curiosity meets knowledge. But lurking in the shadows is discouragement. The teacher is the caring curator who leads students on the journey to truth. Unfortunately, myself included, some of us weren’t the most willing participants. I surprised my teachers when I actually turned in my homework on time and didn’t talk for the entire class time.

Incidents such as this, among other things, can often bring discouragement. But what sets apart the teacher is their ability to get the best even when we give them the worst. The Cubs may have won the pennant, but day in and day out teachers win small victories for our future.

I am forever indebted to Mrs. Hall, Dr. Speck, and Dr. Welty. I almost failed kindergarten, but Mrs. Hall’s careful attention to me and care for me changed me. Dr. Speck’s demand for excellence made me want to be better even if my grade couldn’t get any higher. And Dr. Welty’s love for the Scriptures saturated his lectures on Western philosophy and forever changed the way I look for signposts of eternity in the everyday. Despite discouragement, they refused to settle.

Continue reading Denison Forum – STUDENTS SURPRISE TEACHERS AND VIDEO GOES VIRAL →

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – You Can Trust God

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Romans 4:16-21

As we all know too well, life oftentimes confronts us with unexpected or painful circumstances. Sometimes these situations leave us feeling fearful, discouraged, and frustrated. Consequently, we may question whether the heavenly Father truly is reliable.

During such troubling moments, we can rest on this essential truth: The Lord is perfect in His love. Consider verse 5 from first John 1: “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). In other words, everything our heavenly Father does is righteous. And if He is a God of love, then it is impossible for Him to mistreat any of His children. We can be assured that whatever He places or permits in our lives is good and that His motives are pure.

Jesus demonstrated this deep care for us when He offered His blood on the cross—there exists no greater display of love than giving one’s life for someone else (John 15:13). Our sin debt could be paid only with a flawless sacrifice (Deut. 17:1). Christ, the perfect lamb, was willing to die in our place so that we could have an eternal relationship with the Father. If God gave us His Son—the most precious and amazing gift He could possibly give—to take care of our greatest need, then we can trust Him to provide for all areas of our life.

When difficulty arises, remember how much God loves you. He proved this by willingly giving His Son to take the penalty for your sin. Even when circumstances are painful, you can be confident that you are held in the capable and caring hands of your heavenly Father, because of His love for you.

Bible in One Year: Luke 6-7

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — I Am With You

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Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you.—Jeremiah 1:8

When I served as an intern for a Christian magazine, I wrote a story about a person who had become a Christian. In a dramatic change, he said goodbye to his former life and embraced his new Master: Jesus. A few days after the magazine hit the street, an anonymous caller threatened, “Be careful, Darmani. We are watching you! Your life is in danger in this country if you write such stories.”

That was not the only time I have been threatened for pointing people to Christ. On one occasion a man told me to vanish with the tract I was giving him or else! In both cases, I cowered. But these were only verbal threats. Many Christians have had threats carried out against them. In some cases simply living a godly lifestyle attracts mistreatment from people.

The Lord told Jeremiah, “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you” (Jer. 1:7), and Jesus told His disciples, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves” (Matt. 10:16). Yes, we may encounter threats, hardships, and even pain. But God assures us of His presence. “I am with you,” He told Jeremiah (Jer. 1:8), and Jesus assured His followers, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).

Whatever struggles we face in our attempt to live for the Lord, we can trust in the Lord’s presence. —Lawrence Darmani

Lord, we’re grateful that You are near to us in everything we face. Please protect Your people around the world.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

INSIGHT: The promise of God’s presence with His people is reiterated in a number of places; for example, Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:18-20; and John 15:1-17. And David also reminds us of God’s intimate knowledge of our lives (Ps. 139). God indeed does know us intimately and His promised presence is always with us. How does knowing this to be true encourage you today? J.R. Hudberg

 

http://www.odb.org

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Joined to Christ

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“. . . That you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).

No longer married to the law, the believer is now married to Jesus Christ.

Of the many New Testament metaphors used to describe the church, the most intimate is that of the bride of Christ. Paul describes that relationship in Ephesians 5:24-27: “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.”

By describing Christ as “Him who was raised from the dead,” Paul stresses the believer’s union with Jesus not only in His death but also in His resurrection (Rom. 6:4-5). Thus, our marriage bond with the living Savior will last forever.

The result of our union with Christ is “that we might bear fruit for God.” It is the goal of every believer’s life to glorify God by bearing fruit. There is no such thing as a Christian who bears no fruit, because the inevitable result of salvation is a transformed life. Jesus continues that process of transformation throughout our lives, continually pruning us so that we may produce even more fruit to His glory (John 15:1-2).

Spiritual fruit may be defined as any righteous act that glorifies God. It may consist of godly, Spirit-produced attitudes (Gal. 5:22-23), praise to God (Heb. 13:15), others led to Christ (Rom. 1:13), giving to those in need (Rom. 15:26-28), and righteous living (Phil. 1:11).What a great privilege is ours, to be eternally “one spirit” (1 Cor. 6:17) with the Lord of Glory!

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray that God would enable you to do all things for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).

For Further Study

Read the list of the fruit of the Spirit Paul gives in Galatians 5:22-23.

  • Using a concordance, Bible dictionary, or other reference tools, study each aspect of fruit listed.
  • Look for ways to implement into your daily life what you learn.

 

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Best Effort 

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She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.   Mark 14:8

God expects your best—nothing more, nothing less. Your best plus God’s best is a productive combination, but be careful  not to fall into the false belief that God will take care of everything without your effort or that you can take the stress of everything on your shoulders without inviting  God in. Neither is healthy nor right. He simply expects your best and He understands your limitations. Your stage of life, giftedness, experience, availability, and wisdom all determine your capacity. The capacities of others will be more or less than yours; so do not make them your standard. Instead, steward extremely well what God has given you.

There will always be opportunities, so consider each activity alongside your ability to give it your best. Do not commit under duress, knowing that your ability to deliver is sorely limited. Instead, have confidence in God to say no now in preparation for yes later. Your best will dwarf some other’s best, while it will look like a pygmy in the shadow of someone else’s best. One scenario of superiority leads to pride and the other of perceived underachievement leads to discouragement. Self-flagellation will not gain you points with God or people. They will replace respect for you with pity. On the other hand, do not become puffed up over your best. There is always another person who has done or will do better. Rest in the fact that you have glorified God and brought others into His intoxicating influence.

Your best mixed with God’s best is dynamic. Yes, you have limitations and you can only do what you can do but with God, all things are possible. He can arrange circumstances, relationships, and resources that intersect with your best. Suddenly, your best plus God’s best plus the best of others leverages outcomes you never dreamed possible. Your $1,000 given to teach abstinence to teens will yield one result, but that same gift combined with $100,000 will far exceed a one-hundredfold result.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Best Effort  →

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Stay Expectant Every Day

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He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. – Acts 1:7

He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

I always believe for things. I am goal-oriented and always need something to look forward to. Many years ago, I was letting what I thought was faith frustrate me. I attempted to use my faith to get what I wanted. When it did not arrive on time, I felt I had failed in the faith department or that some demon power was blocking my blessing.

Now, after almost twenty years of experience working closely with God, I know that I can and should use my faith, but God has an appointed time. In due time, (1 Peter 5:6), at the appointed time (Genesis 18:14), at the proper time (Galatians 4:4)—these are things the Bible says about God’s timing.

Jesus Himself made it clear that it is not for us to know what these times are. Remaining expectant every day, no matter how long it takes, is one of the things that will keep you and me flowing in joy. When a pregnant woman is waiting to deliver her child, people say that she is “expecting.”

I am sure most of us are expecting. I know I am expecting. There are things God has spoken to me—things He has placed in my heart—that I have not seen manifested yet. Some of them have been there as long as fifteen or sixteen years. Other things He spoke around the same time have come to pass. I used to be confused. Now, I am no longer confused, I am expecting. My time can come at any moment, any day—maybe today—and so can yours.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Can Be Found

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“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, KJV).

Halfhearted efforts, I have found from personal experience, seldom bring success and victory. The difference between a successful person and a failure is that the successful person is always willing to do more than the unsuccessful person is willing to do.

In spiritual matters, in particular, this is true, as evidenced scores of times in the Word of God. This is one of the most expressive of those passages that major on this theme.

Another is: “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6, KJV).

But one point needs to be made abundantly clear: This promise is not only to the unbeliever, though it is often taken that way. It applies equally to the believer, who may be searching after God for a variety of reasons.

The key word here, of course is heart. “As [a man] thinketh in his heart,so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). “Out of the abundance of the heartthe mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34, KJV).

What do you need from God today? Wisdom? Peace? Courage? Love? To find God in such a real way that you know He is meeting that need for you, you must really mean business with Him. Then He will indeed do business for you.

A doubter, or an unbeliever, reading this has a wonderful assurance: He can find God if he truly seeks Him with his whole heart.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:10-14

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I’ll begin right at home by personally seeking God for myself with my whole heart,and I will remind others how God can be real to them.

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – The Lord’s Supper

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Read: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Paul passes on to them and to us our Lord’s emphasis upon two remarkable symbols, the bread and the cup. Deliberately, after the Passover feast, Jesus took the bread, and when he had broken it, to make it available to all the disciples, he said to them, This is my body. Unfortunately some have taken that to mean that he was teaching that the bread becomes his body, but as you look at the story of the Upper Room, it is clear that he meant it in a symbolic sense. If it was literal, then there were two bodies of Christ present in the Upper Room, one in which he lived and by which he held the bread, and the bread itself. But clearly our Lord means this as a symbol. This represents my body which is for you.

Not broken for you, as some versions have it. That is not a very accurate rendering. It is not broken for us. The Scriptures tell us that not a bone of his body would be broken. Rather it is intended for us to live on; that is the symbolism. Thus when we gather and take the bread of the Lord’s Table, break it and pass it among ourselves, we are reminding ourselves that Jesus is our life: He is the One by whom we live. As Paul says, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me, (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

This is what the bread symbolizes — that he is to be our power by which we obey the demands of God, the Word of God, to love one another, to forgive one another, to be tender and merciful, kind and courteous to one another, to not return evil for evil but to pray for those who persecute us and mistrust us and misuse us. His life in us enables us to be what God asks us to be. We live by means of Christ.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – The Lord’s Supper →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Hope Through It All

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READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (v. 16)

We all grieve the sadness that many endings cause us to feel. We grieve the death of a loved one and feel the loneliness of life without their presence. We grieve what might have been if our dreams were not broken. We grieve the struggles of living in a fallen world tainted by sin.

Yet, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 reminds us that Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope. Christians have hope. We know Jesus died and rose again. We know Jesus is coming again and all things will be made new. We know how the story of Scripture ends, how Christ has been victorious, and how the power of his resurrection enables us to live for him every day.

Grieving is a necessary part of life. God enables us to grieve, weep, and feel sadness. First Thessalonians 4:13 does not say “do not grieve.” Rather, it reminds Christians not to grieve with hopelessness. There is hope through it all for believers! As the psalmist affirmed in Psalm 71:5, “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.” Don’t let go of the hope you have in Jesus.

PRAYER

“My hope is built on nothing less / than Jesus blood and righteousness; / I dare not trust the sweetest frame, / but wholly lean on Jesus name.” Christ my solid rock, thank you for that hope! Amen.

 

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is Unchanging

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed…. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:5-6, 17)

With a heavy heart, Hillary stared out the window. Here it was already late October, and the leaves on the trees had not even changed color yet. But the grey sky outside matched her mood. She watched the swaying of the branches (still so full of green leaves) as a damp, cold wind blew through them. Hillary wished the leaves would just fall off. She also wished her tears would fall down, too. If only she could have a good cry, she thought maybe she would feel better.

But there wasn’t time for crying. Caroline – Hillary’s best friend and closest cousin – was all ready to move to China this week. Uncle Dave’s company was sending him and Aunt Britt and Caroline to Shanghai for two years, and Hillary was going to be left behind in plain, boring old Iowa – with only the teen-aged neighbors and the baby cousins to play with. Caroline had promised to write, but Hillary knew things would never be the same after they were gone.

“We know this is going to be especially tough for the two of you girls,” Uncle Dave had said to them. He gave Caroline and Hillary each a pretty jade ring that he and Aunt Britt had bought for them the last time they were visiting in China. “I want both of you to wear your rings every day,” he said. “When you look at them, I want you to remember that you have someone you love on the other side of the world thinking about you. Let your rings remind you to pray for each other every day.”

Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – God Is Unchanging →

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Falling into the Trap

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Today’s Scripture: John 14:13

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.”

I struggle with legalistic tendencies even though I know better. Several years ago I was scheduled to speak at a large church on the West Coast. Arriving about fifteen minutes before the Sunday morning service, I learned that one of the pastoral staff had died suddenly the day before. The staff and congregation were in a state of shock and grief.

Sizing up the situation, I realized the “challenge to discipleship” message I’d prepared was inappropriate. The congregation that day needed comfort and encouragement, not challenge. Knowing I needed a new message, I silently began to pray, asking God to bring to my mind something suitable for the occasion. Then I began to add up my merits and demerits for the day: had I had a quiet time that morning? Had I entertained any lustful thoughts or told any half-truths? I’d fallen into the performance trap.

I quickly recognized what I was doing. “Lord,” I said, “I don’t know the answer to those questions, but it doesn’t matter. I come to you today in the name of Jesus and, by his merit alone, ask for your help.” A verse of Scripture came to my mind and with it a brief outline for an appropriate message. I went to the pulpit and literally prepared the message as I spoke. God did answer prayer.

Why did God answer? Was it because I had a quiet time that morning or fulfilled other spiritual disciplines or hadn’t entertained any sinful thoughts that day? No, God answered my prayer for only one reason: Jesus Christ had already purchased that answer to prayer two thousand years ago on a roman cross. God answered on the basis of his grace alone, not because of my merits or demerits.

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Meditating on the Word

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Today’s Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. – 1 Timothy 4:15

I have a friend named Sam who for years has practiced meditation. He used to be part of a cult–an Eastern religion that promised inner tranquility. It was supposed to make one serene, confident, joyful. But Sam admitted his meditations resulted in none of those things. As he sat for hours in jeans and bare feet–chanting and meditating–a disturbing question tugged at his heart. What about my sin?

One day he met a man who spoke of his own release from the burden of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. Much to Sam’s surprise, the man said he, too, practiced meditation, but of a different kind. He meditated on the Bible to find deeper, clearer insight into its teachings. Through the continued witness of this friend, Sam came to Christ, abandoned his former practice of meditation, and adopted the practice of meditation on the Word of God.

Friend, God says that if you meditate on His Word, then you will be prosperous and have success! (Joshua 1:7). The promise is plain: God’s hand of blessing will be on that person’s life in an extraordinary way.

The psalmist said, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long” (Psalm 119:97). Meditation flows from a love for the Word of God. Ask God to give you a love for His Word and you will think on it.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to love Your Word. Amen.

To Ponder

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

 

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Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE TRUE WORD OF GOD

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Read 2 PETER 1:12–21

Earlier this year The Atlantic published overwhelming evidence that what the papyrus scholars had named “The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife” was in fact an elaborate forgery and hoax created by a man in Florida. Forged historical documents have included diaries allegedly by Hitler, Mussolini, Howard Hughes, and Jack the Ripper, and “The Donation of Constantine” that supposedly documented the emperor’s transfer of much of Italy to the Pope.

Throughout much of this letter, Peter urges the churches to distinguish between truth and lies. They needed to remember what and whom to trust. From indications in the letter, these readers were established in the faith (v. 12). But since the assault of deception never ceases, it’s important to “refresh your memory” about God’s promises and power (v. 13). Standing strong against the temptation to embrace the world’s values requires an ongoing commitment to remember the truth of God’s Word and His work in our lives.

As Peter neared the end of his earthly life, he was committed to “make every effort” to strengthen the faith of believers (vv. 14–15). Look at the evidence for trusting the message of the gospel! It begins with Jesus, and eyewitnesses could attest to His teaching and miracles. God the Father pronounced that He was indeed the Son of God, who was doing God’s will (v. 17).

Next, we can trust the message of Scripture. The Word of God helps to shine a light to guide us through the darkness of this world (v. 19; see Psalm 119). Reading, studying, and remembering Scripture will help us stay grounded in truth. Finally, we have the Holy Spirit, who inspired the prophets as they penned the letters and poetry and history of Scripture. We have the truth, and a God whom we can trust.

APPLY THE WORD

How can you refresh your memory about the truth of God? One way is to keep a spiritual journal in which you keep a record of answered prayers and times God has worked in your life. Another is to memorize Scripture, even just a verse or two at a time. Listening to sermons that focus on teaching God’s Word can also encourage you to stand strong in your faith.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Godly Heart

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Psalms 37:1-8

The Lord promises to give us the desires of our hearts. But many people take this passage out of context, forgetting that their own mindset plays a vital part in bringing it to fruition. As my mother once said, “Where your mind goes, your feet go, so be careful what you think about.”

What is your responsibility when it comes to claiming promises from God?

Delight Yourself in the Lord (Ps. 37:4). Christians should rejoice in God and desire to walk in obedience. The Lord must have first place in your life before you can claim the promise in this verse.

Commit your way to the Lord (Ps. 37:5). Allow God to change any aspect of your ambition that is not His will. Remember that when He doesn’t answer a prayer as you wished, it is for a reason.

Trust in Him (Ps. 37:5). God is merciful, all-knowing, kind, and generous. You can trust Him with your hopes and dreams.

Rest in Him (Ps. 37:7). Resting in the Lord means trusting Him to answer prayers in His timing or transform your aspirations so they conform to His will.

Wait upon the Lord patiently (Ps. 37:7). Jesus waited three decades before beginning His three-year ministry on earth. According to His example, waiting is one of the key principles of Christian living.

Do your desires align with God’s purpose and plan for your life? He longs to give His followers abundant blessings and fullness of joy. So allow your dreams to be conformed to the Lord’s will, and follow His guidance faithfully. Only when you surrender to Him will you experience God’s best for your life.

Bible in One Year: Luke 4-5

 

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — My Brothers and Sisters

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Read: Matthew 25:31-40

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.—Matthew 25:40

Several years ago when the Southern California economy took a downturn, Pastor Bob Johnson saw not only difficulty but also opportunity. So he scheduled a meeting with the mayor of his city and asked, “What can our church do to help you?” The mayor was astonished. People usually came to him for help. Here was a minister offering him the services of an entire congregation.

Together the mayor and pastor came up with a plan to address several pressing needs. In their county alone, more than 20,000 seniors had gone the previous year without a single visitor. Hundreds of foster children needed families. And many other kids needed tutoring to help them succeed in school.

Some of those needs could be addressed without much financial investment, but they all required time and interest. And that’s what the church had to give.

Jesus told His disciples about a future day in which He would say to His faithful followers, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance” (Matt. 25:34). He also said they would express surprise at their reward. Then He would tell them, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (v. 40).

God’s kingdom work gets done when we give generously of the time, love, and resources He has provided us. —Tim Gustafson

What lonely person is the Spirit bringing to your mind right now? Can you visit them, call, or write? What young person in your life could use some of your time and attention?

Giving isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s for all of us.

INSIGHT: Jesus’s theme of caring for others in need was part of Paul’s teaching and practice as well. In his letters, he encouraged the Gentile churches he founded to contribute generously to help meet the needs of the church in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-3). In fact, part of the purpose of his final journey to Jerusalem was to deliver those gifts. The call to share with those in need is still one of the ways we can impact our world. In showing love, concern, and generosity to those in need, it may provide an opportunity for sharing the message of the cross. Bill Crowder

 

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Dead to the Law

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“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ” (Romans 7:4).

The law can no longer punish those who have died with Christ.

It’s an axiomatic truth that laws don’t apply to dead people. No policeman would issue a ticket to a drunk driver who was killed in an accident. Nor was Lee Harvey Oswald tried for killing President Kennedy, since he himself was killed by Jack Ruby. In Romans 7:2-3 Paul uses marriage to illustrate that truth: “For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then if, while her husband is living, she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, though she is joined to another man.” Paul’s point is simple: death ends a marriage because the laws regarding marriage don’t apply to the dead.

The same principle holds true in the spiritual realm. Since believers have died with Christ (Rom. 6:3-7), the law can no longer condemn them; it no longer has authority over them. Paul’s use of a passive verb (“were made to die”) indicates that believers don’t make themselves dead to the law; they were made dead to the law through a divine act.

The only provision for paying the penalty the law demands is the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. To the Corinthians Paul wrote, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). The apostle repeated that truth in Galatians 2:19-20: “For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.”

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God that you are no longer under the law’s condemnation (Rom. 8:1).

For Further Study

Read Romans 3:20; 7:12; Galatians 3:24-25. Since the law can’t save anyone, what is its purpose?

 

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Retain Relationships 

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Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now.  2 Samuel 19:7

Encourage your best people, and be careful not to take them for granted. It is tempting to give all of your attention to problems and leave nothing for those who have stood by your side. Just because a person requires little leadership does not mean they are not needy. Someone who seems okay may be suffering in silence; they may not want to be a burden, so they keep quiet. They know you are busy with bigger matters, and they don’t want to be a bother. But this lack of attention can only last for a short season. Everyone needs personal care and encouragement. Low maintenance people still need love and positive feedback.

Therefore, make it a priority to praise those who have been with you the longest. Love them or you may lose them. We all know our most fulfilling relationships are the ones that have stood the test of time. Something special happens relationally when you endure hardships together. There is a bond built that is hard to break, but even this quality of relationship needs nurturing. Old relationships become cold relationships, if they are not given attention. So take the time today and thank God for your most loyal friends and work associates. Pray specifically for their personal and professional needs.

Moreover, manage by walking around. Step into their offices and listen to them with no agenda other than to understand what they need to be successful. Be as engaged with their interests as you expect them to be with yours. This line of thinking and encouragement especially applies to your family. Go out of your way to be with your spouse and children. Love and respect your spouse in a large way, as a child’s love and respect for mom or dad will not rise any higher than the level they observe between their parents. Furthermore, make sure not to neglect your less needy child in favor of your needy one. Your compliant child still needs encouragement and her obedient heart needs reassurance. She needs to know she is doing well. Otherwise she will gradually grow discontent, and tire of being “the good kid.”

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