Tag Archives: christianity

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Becoming Holy

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“But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

God requires holiness and in Christ provides us the means to attain it.

As we have learned, God is holy, and absolute holiness is the standard for anyone who wishes to be in His presence. “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment” (2 Peter 2:4). In the same way, men who reject God are sent “into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).

How then can anyone become holy? There’s only one way: through faith in Jesus Christ. It is through Christ’s sacrifice for us that God can credit holiness to our account (2 Cor. 5:21). First Corinthians 6:11 says, “But you were washed, but you were sanctified [made holy], but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” We are now called saints, and the Greek word for this in Scripture actually means “holy ones.”

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – How’s Your Heart?

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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

“How’s your heart?”, this is the question he asked me almost every time we talked, which was often. But I will not hear these words from him anymore in this life. Yesterday, after a two and half year battle with cancer, Scott—my friend and Wisdom Hunter board member went to be with Jesus. I miss him and selfishly I need to hear his loving question, “Boyd, how is your heart?” Scott was a spiritual doctor to me, who cared about my heart’s condition. He knew the quality of my life depends on the health of my heart. He reminded me of my need for the Great Physician.

This teaching in Proverbs says everything in our life flows from our heart. Our hopes, our dreams, our fears, our anxieties, our anger, our forgiveness, our humility, our peace, our greed, our generosity, our love: yes everything, who we are is what’s in our heart. So, above all else our heart needs a guard—God is our guard. When the Holy Spirit fills our heart by faith—He flushes out sin and leaves room only for the fruit of the Spirit. Only a heart guarded by God can bear up under the influence of ungodliness. A heart submitted to Christ in prayer is protected by Christ with peace.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Spittin’ Image

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For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:9

Recommended Reading

Hebrews 1:3

The first known use of the English phrase “spitting image” was in the 1901 novel Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch by Alice Rice. In her book a character says, “He’s jes’ like his pa—the very spittin’ image of him!” But what does “spitting image” mean? For centuries, versions of the phrase evolved, all involving spittle as a measure of likeness. The earliest versions suggested one person was so like another, it was if he was spat out of the other’s mouth—meaning almost identical.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – A Lamp and a Light

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Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.—Psalm 119:105

There is nothing more supernatural than the Word of God, which is given to us by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit speaking through His prophets and disciples. The Bible has an answer for every question we might ever have. The Word of God is full of life principles, true stories of God’s mercy toward human behavior, and rich parables filled with important truths for every person on Earth.

The Bible is a personal letter to you and me. It tells us everything we need to know. There may be times when God speaks something to us that is not in a specific chapter or verse, but if He is truly speaking, then what we hear will always be in agreement with His Word. God will speak to us and lead us in every situation as we seek Him through His Word. When I need to hear from God about something specific, He frequently reminds me of a scripture that clearly gives me the answer I am seeking.

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Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – A Lesson from Dr. Seuss

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Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Colossians 4:6

Friend to Friend

Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite authors. I recently read an article that said the famed children’s author loved challenges. In 1959, the co-founder of his publishing company bet Dr. Seuss that he could not write an actual book with a good story using fifty words or less. Dr. Seuss quickly accepted the bet. The result? The beloved book, “Green Eggs and Ham.” To date it has sold over 200 million copies – using only 49 words in its entirety. Dr. Seuss might be on to something.

Less is often more. When it comes to words with impact, being long-winded is not a value. But speaking the right words can be life changing.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – He Hears Our Cries

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“Lord, You know the hopes of humble people. Surely, You will hear their cries and comfort their hearts by helping them” (Psalm 10:17).

Some time ago Nancy DeMoss, who with her beloved husband, Art (one of my dearest friends), had launched a fruitful ministry to executives, called to share an exciting experience. It had been raining all day, and a downpour was predicted for that evening. More than 1300 guests were coming to their home for a lawn dinner to hear the gospel presented by the well-known Christian leader, Charles Colson.

They prayed that the rain would stop, and – miracle of miracles – except for only a few drops of moisture, the rain was held back, though around them, they later learned, there had been a downpour. The gospel had been presented and hundreds had responded to the invitation to receive Christ, and as the guests were on their way home, the rain came – but the harvest was over. The God of nature had heard their prayers and responded.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – A Picture of Hope

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Read: Isaiah 11:6-9

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)

What a beautiful picture! Here is the time when the dreams of men will be fulfilled, when all the longings that reflect themselves in peace demonstrations and cries for disarmament will find their fulfillment. There is a deep hunger in mankind for this kind of a world, although we do not know how to achieve it. But there is coming One who does know how. Then, even the animals will lose their ferocity and lie down one with another. How would you mothers feel if you found your child playing with a cobra? But there is coming a time when it shall happen, when the animals shall lose their ferocity against one another, when the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Some people ask, Is this literal or is it only symbolic! Is this all metaphor? Some commentators say this is a picture of the work of Christ in human hearts today. I believe that. I believe this is metaphor, picturing spiritual peace.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Seeking God

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Read: Psalm 46

Be still, and know that I am God. (v. 10)

Here is a recap of our definition of spiritual formation so far: “Christian spiritual formation is the process of being conformed into the image of Christ, through an intimate relationship with God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in order to live a good and beautiful life . . .”

Spiritual formation is not a hobby for religious types. It is necessary work for each Christ-follower. Spiritual formation is first and foremost for me: I must become a “peculiar” person whose life is defined by humility, service, and submission before I am of any value to others. It’s a lifelong practice of letting go and allowing God to be in charge.

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Out of the Pit

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On October 14, 1987, Jessica McClure became America’s baby when, at 18 months old, she fell into a well behind her aunt’s Midland, Texas home. When her rescue made national news, President Ronald Reagan said all of America became Jessica’s godmothers and godfathers. Due to the nature of the small pipe in which Jessica was stuck and the rock surrounding it, rescue was complicated…but after 58 hours, the little girl was set free.

He drew me up…and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Psalm 40:2

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Prayer Is Surrender

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Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. —1 John 5:14

Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God. God will only answer the request He inspires. You see, prayer is surrender—surrender to the will of God. It’s cooperation with His will.

You might be thinking, Then why even pray?

Because God wants us to be a part of the process. Here’s how it works. God puts a burden on your heart. It may be for the salvation of someone, or it may be for some other thing. But when God puts a burden on your heart, you pray. And then you see God do the so-called impossible and answer that prayer.

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Hears

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“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2)

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who isn’t paying attention to you? You probably feel frustrated or discouraged if you think you aren’t being heard. It is encouraging, though, for God’s children to remember that God always hears them when they pray to Him. He is never too busy to listen to His children. And He is never uninterested in what they have to say. No matter what time of day it is or where you are, God always hears you.

Sometimes, though, God is the last person Christians go to when they’re having troubles. Instead of going to God, they sulk. Or they go to their unsaved friends. Their friends may be good listeners, but they have no power to give true answers. Maybe God’s children do go to a godly friend or parent with their problems. But the whole time, they may be resisting God, using Him as a “last resort” only.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Joy’s Stepping Stones

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:6

“You received the word . . . with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Joy is a fruit of the spirit, the effect of his ministry in our hearts. Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV). It’s by the power of the Holy Spirit that we experience the joy of salvation and are enabled to rejoice even in the midst of trials.

The Spirit uses his Word to create joy in our hearts. Romans 15:4 speaks of the endurance and encouragement that come from the Scriptures; the next verse says that God gives endurance and encouragement. God is the source; the Scriptures are the means. The same truth applies to joy. Verse 13 speaks of God filling us with joy and peace as we trust him. How would we expect God to do this? The reasonable answer is by means of the Scriptures.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Leading with Heart

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29-32

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. – Romans 12:11

Isn’t it good to see people give it all they’ve got, whatever they’re doing? That’s what we see in today’s section of Scripture concerning King Hezekiah. Second Chronicles 31:21 tells us, “And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (KJV).

This is God’s evaluation of Hezekiah’s life: he sought the Lord and served Him with all his heart.

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  Colson’s Speech: A Final Address, A Plan for Renewal

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Nearly four years ago, Chuck Colson walked onto the stage at the Colson Center’s Wilberforce Weekend. Chuck didn’t seem quite himself, as he had been recovering from an illness.

But the address he gave was vintage Colson. Surveying the cultural and political landscape, Chuck told the crowd, “What we are seeing now is the full fruits of 30 years of relativism, the death of truth, in the academy in particular, and in public discourse, and the coarsening of public discourse, [the] coarsening of politics.”

And in words that ring so true today, Chuck said, “Everybody looks to the elections and thinks the elections will settle this problem or settle that problem. Elections are important. Whoever serves in office, it makes a difference what kind of person that is and what that person believes.

“But elections can’t solve the problem we’ve got. The real problem that we’ve got is that our culture has been decaying from the inside for 30 or 40 years. And politics is nothing but an expression of culture. So . . . how do you fix the culture?”

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – A RESTING PLACE

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Read Hebrews 4:1-13

The American mentality is sometimes described as “work hard, play hard.” Who hasn’t heard someone returning from vacation complain, “I need a vacation to recover from my vacation!” Even when we have opportunities to rest, we often choose to fill our time with more busyness.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. In today’s passage, the writer of Hebrews warns of the danger of falling short of the promise of rest. This language is significant, and it comes from God’s promise to provide a place of rest for Israel after the Exodus from Egypt. Like the land that God promised to give to Israel, we must receive the rest of Christ as a gift.

Also like Israel, we must change our place of residence. Those who enjoy the rest of God are those who have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son (see Col. 1:13). This is more than a change of attitude—it is a change of venue. Those who come to Christ by faith enter a new realm of experience. We occupy a domain of redemption, forgiveness, and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – BRONCOS WIN SUPER BOWL 50: WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

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Last night the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50. Here are some facts about the teams and the game that you might not know:

  • Peyton Manning became the oldest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl.
  • He is also the first quarterback to reach the game with two different teams.
  • For the first time, two quarterbacks who were number-one picks in the NFL draft competed against each other in a Super Bowl.
  • The age gap between Manning (39) and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (26) was the largest in Super Bowl history.
  • John Elway, Denver’s general manager, became the first to win a championship as a player and as a GM.
  • Over the last fifteen championship games, the favorites won only three times.
  • A thirty-second Super Bowl ad cost at least $5 million.
  • Around 170 million people worldwide watched the game from 180 different countries.
  • People eat more food on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year except for Thanksgiving. Around 4,000 tons of guacamole were consumed yesterday, with the assistance of 13,500 tons of chips. Around 90 million pounds of chicken wings were eaten yesterday as well.

I admire the way Peyton Manning prepared for the game and handled victory afterwards. In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, he consistently deferred attention from himself and focused on his team. After last night’s win, he refused to answer questions about his possible retirement, lest his story overshadow his team’s victory.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Steps of Faith

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Deuteronomy 10:12-13

The Bible portrays the Christian life as a walk. It speaks of walking in the Spirit, in God’s ways, in love, and in truth. Our lives, then, shouldn’t be stagnant; they ought to move and develop to be increasingly like the life of Jesus. Scripture calls this sanctification. (See 1 Thess. 4:1-8.)

But what if you feel you’re going backward instead of forward? Turning around can happen only by faith in Christ. Here’s how to correct your course:

  • First, have assurance that God keeps every promise. The Bible contains an amazing number of guarantees for believers, including wisdom for the asking, God’s constant presence, and peace when we focus on Him.
    • Second, anticipate the Father’s response. In other words, joyfully expect that your confidence in His promises will lead to blessing.
    • Third, be aware daily of His involvement in your life. By spending time in the Word and prayer, you will become sensitive to what He is doing.
    • Fourth, pray boldly because you are God’s child (Heb. 4:16; Gal. 3:26). Approaching the Father in such a manner isn’t a prideful confidence, but an overflow of your assurance in Him.
    • Finally, obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is the true test of your belief. As James 2:17 says, faith without action is dead.

Can you sense that your life is progressing and you are maturing into Christ’s likeness? Or do circumstances and character traits seem to hold you back? God promises to continue making His children beautiful throughout their lives. You can resist Him or cooperate with His gracious work in you.

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 26-27

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — The Factory of Sadness

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Read: John 16:28-33

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. —Revelation 21:4

As a lifelong Cleveland Browns football fan, I grew up knowing my share of disappointment. Despite being one of only four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl championship game, the Browns have a loyal fan base that sticks with the team year in and year out. But because the fans usually end up disappointed, many of them now refer to the home stadium as the “Factory of Sadness.”

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – God’s Holiness Revealed

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“The Lord is righteous in all His ways” (Psalm 145:17).

God’s holiness is evident in everything He does, particularly in creation, the law, judgment, and salvation.

The whole purpose of the Old Testament is to reveal the holiness and righteousness of God, who is utterly perfect and pure. In fact, the Hebrew word for “holy” is used more than 600 times in the Old Testament to indicate moral perfection.

What are some areas in which we see God’s holiness? First, we see it in the original perfection of His creation: “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:31). All of creation was in tune with God’s holy character.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Road Less Traveled 

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Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13–14

What road do you travel in life? Is it the narrow road of trust in God and others, or is it the wide road of trust in you alone? Do you briskly travel down the road of life with the masses, or is your trip more measured and prayerful with a few companions? The wide road may seem more exciting in the beginning, but it is the narrow road that leads to fulfillment.

You may have been on the road of righteousness with Christ for a long time. Now it seems like your Savior is directing you in a direction that is less familiar. The level of faith required to digest the risk is much higher and more daunting. Even within the family of faith there are not that many who have gone where your heavenly Father is asking you to go. How will you respond? Do not be so cautious that you miss Christ’s new direction.

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