Tag Archives: faith

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Nerves and Knees

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He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!
1 Samuel 25:17, NLT

Recommended Reading: 1 Samuel 25:14-19

According to a 2024 survey, 85% of all employees have had an experience with a coworker who annoyed them, and 41% wish they could tell their annoying coworker what they think about them.1

When David was a young man running for his life, he encountered an ill-tempered man named Nabal. David almost went to war against him. Only the intervention of Nabal’s wife, Abigail, kept the two men from bloodshed. God gave her the grace to be a peacemaker.

What do we do with people who get on our nerves? First, we have to look at ourselves and ask if we are the cranky and irritable one. Sometimes fatigue can create friction, and neglecting Bible study can cause our love to ebb. Second, we have to look at the other person and see if they have a need behind their nuisance. We are to consider their souls and remember that we are all children of God.

When people get on our nerves, we should get on our knees.

We are all in relationships, we all face conflicts, and we all have to learn how to navigate them so that we, and our relationships, can truly thrive.
Gary Chapman

  1. Julia Belak, “Survey Reveals 85% of Workers Have to Deal With Annoying Colleagues,” KickResume, June 19, 2024.

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Be Patient

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Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

Today’s Scripture

Ephesians 4:1-6

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Shiro Oguni once visited a group home for adults with dementia. Heartbroken at their isolation from the hum of society, he felt there ought to be a better way. Oguni’s creative genius led to what is known as the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, an actual restaurant with this added twist—all the wait staff struggle with memory loss. Yes, you read that correctly. Every person in that pivotal role, which requires a strong memory, suffers in that exact area. Now, from the usual business perspective, the results were poor—thirty-seven percent of the time, the guests did not receive what they ordered. But those guests also expect such problems, so they understand. After these “surprises,” apologies and hearty laughter ensue, and customers leave happy.

Paul writes, “Be patient” (Ephesians 4:2)—and we all know that’s so much easier said than done because it involves bearing with each other, a word that can mean everything from “carrying” to “enduring” to “supporting.” In other words, effort is involved. Yet if the effort has its source in God’s love as opposed to our own strength, the burden is lightened and leads to a lighthearted way of living, full of surprises and apologies and even laughter. It’s a way of living where you may not get what you asked for, but you end up getting what we all really want—“a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1).

Reflect & Pray

Who are two people you have little to no patience for? How will you show them patience this week?
Dear God, I want to be patient. Please help my impatience.
For further study, read Speaking in the Love of the Spirit at odbm.org.

Today’s Insights

At the start of his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul reminds us how much God loves us: “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ . . . to adopt us into his own family” (1:4-5 nlt). To this undeserved love, the apostle urges us “to live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received” (4:1) and to manifest the Christlike virtues of humility, gentleness, patience, and love (v. 2). In humility, we “value others above [ourselves], not looking to [our] own interests but . . . to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). In gentleness and patience, “we bear with each other and forgive one another . . . as the Lord forgave [us]” (Colossians 3:12-13). Because “God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12 nlt), He’ll help us demonstrate His love to others by being patient with them.

For further study, read: Speaking in the Love of the Spirit

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why is everyone suddenly worried about an AI apocalypse?

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“There is no subject now but artificial intelligence. Nothing else is as crucial, nothing carries dangers so imminent or implications so great for the human future.” This is how Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan, a former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and one of the most even-handed commentators I know, begins her latest article.

She closes it: “The stakes are high, couldn’t be higher.”

Artificial intelligence has been in the news for years. Why all the fervor in recent days?

“America’s Great AI Freakout”

On September 9, AI engineer Jacob Coxon posted on X: “I resigned from Anthropic today.” He warned that AI developers “are racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.” His post sparked headlines across the week and has generated more than 170 million views as of this morning. It is notable that Coxon gave up equity in the company when he resigned, demonstrating the urgency of the crisis in his view.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Why is everyone suddenly worried about an AI apocalypse? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Pursuit of Weightlessness

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 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

—Hebrews 12:1

Scripture:

Hebrews 12:1 

A professional concert violinist once was asked about the secret to her amazing performances. She replied, “Planned neglect. Anything that would keep me from practicing and playing well must be neglected.”

At first, this may seem like a harsh regimen. After all, many of the things being neglected might bring her enjoyment or temporary satisfaction. But those things weren’t her priority. What she prized most of all was being able to maximize her gift so that its impact was as powerful and as memorable as it could be.

And there’s a wisdom in her approach that shouldn’t be lost on believers. I believe that many of us could use some planned neglect in our lives because there’s a lot more junk in them than we may realize. If you don’t believe me, then try moving from one house to another. Isn’t it amazing how much junk we collect over time? The same is true in our lives. We take on things we don’t need. Periodically, we need to jettison this excess weight and let it go.

When the race of life gets difficult, we like to blame circumstances, other people, or sometimes even God. But we need to remember that if we stumble or fall, it’s our own fault.

Second Peter 1:3 says, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence” (NLT).

Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (NLT). Think of it as a more active approach to planned neglect.

Periodically, we need to take stock of our lives as believers and look at the things that we’re doing with our time. We need to ask ourselves, “Is it helping me run, or is it weighing me down? Is it speeding me on my way spiritually, or is it slowing me down? Is it increasing my spiritual appetite, or is it dulling it?”

David had the right idea when he prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24 NIV).

Are you race-ready?

 

Reflection question: What are some things that might be slowing you down as you run the race God has set before you? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Riches of His Grace

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

The attributes of God are characterized by the “riches of His grace.” This amazing grace led Him to shed His blood as the price of our redemption.

No wonder men have developed the familiar acrostic for GRACE—God’s riches at Christ’s expense. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Paul seems again and again to try to find descriptions for these riches. To the Romans he wrote of “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering” (Romans 2:4) and of His plan to “make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of [his] mercy” (Romans 9:23). Speaking of God’s mercy, he exclaims, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33).

The inexhaustibility of these infinite depths of grace and mercy led Paul to call these attributes “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Desiring that all believers learn to appreciate the tremendous future they have in Christ, he prayed that “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” so we may appreciate even now “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18).

Yet, marvelously rich and full though His grace is now, there is much more to come. “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4–5, 7). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – An Excellent Life

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As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land, they are the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 16:3 (AMP)

David writes about godly people in today’s scripture, describing them as the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones. If we want to live up to this description, we begin in the mind. A noble and excellent life starts with noble, excellent thoughts. Paul echoes this idea in Philippians 4:8: Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart] (AMP).

God has called all of us to be excellent in all we do. In this way, we represent Him well to the people around us. Examine your thoughts today and embrace only the ones that are excellent.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to think excellent thoughts so I can live an excellent life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – The Distant Cloud 

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The promises of God glitter like diamonds on the pages of Scripture. Will we gather them? claim them? delight in them? pursue them?  Elijah did. He prayed, not just once, but seven times!

Bible study guide

Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant.  And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (1 Kings 18:43-44). God’s answer came as a cloud the size of a hand.  That was enough to excite Elijah.

Faith sees the distant cloud.  Faith sees promises as though they were fulfilled.  Can you see the hint of an answer to your prayer?

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Comeback Story

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Read Ezra 4:17–24

There’s a reason they don’t make movies about sports teams that dominate every opponent. That would be boring! By contrast, everyone loves a great comeback story. The team must overcome an initial obstacle, stiff opposition, or even apparent failure before the triumphant conclusion.

The chronology at the end of Ezra 4 is a bit confusing. Verses 17–23 relate to the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem. Verse 21 states, “Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.” This order came from the Persian king Artaxerxes, who ruled from 464 to 424 BC. He is the king who received the letter recorded in verses 11–16.

The final verse in today’s reading (v. 24) jumps back several decades to discuss the status of the temple rebuilding project. It states, “Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Temple construction had begun in 538 BC when the exiles first returned. That’s what Ezra 1:1–4:5 is all about. Temple reconstruction would stop the next year and not start again until Darius’s second year, that is, 520 BC.

To summarize, these two sections lump together two instances of successful opposition to God’s people. In 4:17–23, opposition to rebuilding the city itself succeeded. That occurred somewhere during 464 to 424 BC. In Ezra 4:24, the author reminds us of successful opposition to rebuilding the temple, which ceased for eighteen years, several decades before King Artaxerxes ordered that city construction stop. Ezra 4:17–23 sets us up for the comeback story recorded in the book of Nehemiah. And verse 24 prepares us for the comeback story starting in chapter 5. The temple will be rebuilt!

Go Deeper

What setbacks can you remember in your spiritual life? How did you respond? How did God come through?

Pray with Us

Serving You comes with certain challenges and oppositions, God. But when people oppose us, You give us grace and courage to carry on. You are worth every difficulty we endure.

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.Genesis 28:15

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Dr Fell

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Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8

Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

What do you do about people you simply don’t like? It may be the person you sat beside on the airplane last week, but at least you won’t have to see him again. But what if that person is your relative? Or a coworker? Or someone in your church? They may be nice enough, but something about them rubs you the wrong way. It’s like the old nursery rhyme, “I do not like thee, Dr. Fell; the reason why I cannot tell.”

These are the very people God wants us to love, to pray for, to bless, and to serve. Their personalities might be different from ours. But remember how Jesus managed to love people of every temperament, in every place, at all times, and under all circumstances.

It comes down to a little prayer: Lord, give me Your love just now. It’s as simple as that. When we confess that our human affection is insufficient to care for a certain person, we must ask the Lord to give us His love, and then we have to act on it.

Jesus never fails to help you love others, even Dr. Fell.

Love is service rather than sentiment.
John R. W. Stott

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The God Who Helps

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[The Israelites’] cry for help because of 
their slavery went up to God. Exodus 2:23

Today’s Scripture

Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-10

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Today’s Devotion

While driving her nine-year-old son to camp, a mother got lost after taking a wrong turn and getting the car stuck on a rural forest road in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Her GPS and phone quit working because of the remote area, so they were unable to retrace their way back. In desperation after being stranded for more than twenty-four hours and sleeping in their car overnight, they began to walk. They left a trail of notes along the way: “HELP. Me and my son are stranded with no service and can’t call 9-1-1.” Because they didn’t arrive at the camp on time, search-and-rescue teams went out looking. They discovered the car, the notes, and then quickly found them.

The Israelites desperately cried out to God for help because they were being severely mistreated by the Egyptians, who had enslaved them (Exodus 1:11-12). Working them ruthlessly, “they made their lives bitter with harsh labor” (vv. 13-14). The Israelites must have wondered if they’d even survive the cruelty. But God heard their cries and raised up Moses to deliver them (3:4-10). Eventually God used him to rescue them and lead them out of Egypt (see Exodus 14-15).

Whether we’re feeling lost or mistreated, God is always near and His ear is open to our cries. In His time and in His way, He’ll send the help we need.

Reflect & Pray

How can you learn to share your desperate cries with God? What desperate cry might you need to pray right now?

Please help me, loving God. I’m always in need of Your mercy. I bring my heart’s burdens to You now.

Today’s Insights

God worked through Joseph to preserve His people, who at the time of their migration to Egypt four hundred years earlier had been seventy in number (Exodus 1:5). Now, as the King James Version so poetically renders it, “There arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph” (v. 8). This pharaoh enslaved the Hebrews, who were now numerous, and he began to commit infanticide against them (v. 22). But Pharaoh’s murderous net failed to get the baby Moses (2:1-10). As God had used Joseph to establish His people, He’d now use Moses to deliver them. But it would take time. Forty years would pass before Moses futilely tried to help his own people (Acts 7:23), and forty more would go by until God called him out of the desert (v. 30). Still another forty years would transpire as God corrected and instructed His disobedient people (v. 36; Deuteronomy 2:7; Joshua 5:6). As God was faithful to His people, He’ll also be near to us in our trials.

For further study, read: The Mercy of God

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Pleasing Faith

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 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 

—Hebrews 11:6

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:6 

In this week’s devotions, we’ll focus on the New Testament book of Hebrews. Today’s passage contains some crucial wisdom regarding faith, but first we need a biblical definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1 offers a great starting point for understanding this topic: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (NLT).

Faith plays a key role in the Christian walk not just in a lofty spiritual sense, but also in a practical, rubber-meets-the-road way. For example, faith is essential to prayer. To put it more bluntly, sometimes our prayers aren’t answered in the affirmative because we simply don’t believe. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (NLT).

When we approach God thinking, “I don’t really believe this can happen,” then we essentially cancel our own prayer. To not believe what God’s Word says is true is to effectively call God a liar. James tells us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:5–7).

We must pray with faith. And if we lack faith, then we must follow the example of the man who said to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). That prayer works. We don’t need to have super faith, but we do need to have some faith—and we need to apply that faith in prayer.

Faithful prayer involves a sense of expectation. That’s not to say that we should have a smug assurance that God will give us everything we ask for when we ask for it. Rather, we should approach God knowing that our heavenly Father will give us His full attention. He is deeply concerned about our lives, our circumstances, and our needs. He promises to respond to our prayers according to His will. And His will is far greater than anything we can conceive of. Ultimately, His answers to our prayers will result in our increased wisdom, preparation, joy, fulfillment, and peace.

That’s how we please God with our faith. And that’s how we unlock the full potential of prayer in our lives.

 

Reflection question: How can you unlock the full potential of prayer in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Guard against Pride

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by Brian Thomas, Ph.D.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:18)

Jesus promised to make Paul “a minister and a witness” (Acts 26:16) to “turn [unbelievers] from . . . the power of Satan unto God” (our text). And Paul did this through his living and teaching for the rest of his life, teaching the exact opposite of what caused Satan’s downfall and what led Paul to persecute believers: pride.

Scripture reveals the devil’s proud heart in the famous five “I wills” of Isaiah 14. Here are two: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). This mere creature believes he deserves praise fit only for the uncreated Lord. So do we! Why else do we want others to know how good we are, like Paul before he encountered Christ? When we try to wrest glory from the infinitely more deserving Lord, we follow in the steps of Satan. How can we escape this “darkness” (our text)? Live like the living Light: Jesus.

Instead of expecting and demanding the treatment due Him as Lord, Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and . . . humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7–8). The result? “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (v. 9). The way up is to give ourselves up to the will of the Lord. “So the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16).

Will you obey your self-exalting flesh or “set your affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2)? Peter admonished, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). Each day affords a gracious opportunity to turn “from the power of Satan unto God” (our text). BDT

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Being God’s Friend

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And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

James 2:23 (NIV)

Do you have a friendship with God? I pray that you do, for that is God’s desire! Yes, He wants to be your friend! We may see God in many different ways. Perhaps as a Father, a Master, our Lord, our Helper—and He is all of these things, but He uses the term “friend” as a way of saying that He desires a close and intimate relationship with each of us.

I think a lot about this invitation of friendship, and I’ve gathered all the biblical information I can about what that means and how to develop it. I like the thought of “doing life with God.” We should involve Him by inviting Him into all that we do and developing a conversational relationship with Him. God wants to talk to you, and He will talk back. He speaks to us in many ways and through many different avenues, but He does speak, and we should expect Him to. How can we possibly be the friend of God if we don’t have conversation?

The Bible is filled with records of people who prayed, and it is also filled with numerous accounts of God speaking to His people. Jesus said that His sheep know and hear His voice (John 10:27). We learn to hear from God by studying His Word and by experience. I encourage you not only to talk to Him about everything, but to learn to listen and expect Him to speak to you.

God is your friend, and He has promised to be with you always, until the end of time! You are never alone!

Prayer of the Day: My God and my Friend, thank You for inviting me into a close friendship with You. Help me and guide me into a deep, personal, and intimate relationship with You. Teach me what it means to be Your friend and help me grow in this friendship each day. Draw me closer to You, help me know You more deeply, and teach me to love You more fully, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – The Filter of Faith 

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Play

Christ followers hear a language that others miss.  In  2 Kings chapter 6 we see this truth played out in dramatic fashion.  Elijah’s protégé, Elisha, followed in his mentor’s footsteps and upset the powers of the age.  The king of Aram decided to take the young prophet out.  He sent a kill squad.  They surrounded the city by night.  It appeared to be the end.

But the man of God saw what his frightened servant could not.  “And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see’” (v. 17).  One saw through the filter of fear.  The other, the filter of faith.  Elisha learned this lesson from Elijah.  We’d be wise to do the same.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Twisting the Truth

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Read Ezra 4:6–16

The New Testament confirms that Satan “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). We see evidence of this in the very first book of the Bible. In the garden of Eden, the serpent twisted God’s words to deceive Eve (Gen. 3:1). And in Ezra 4:6–16, we see another example of the enemy twisting the truth in order to harm God’s people.

Verse 6 gives helpful historical context: “at the beginning of the reign of Xerxes.” Xerxes ruled Persia from 485 to 465 BC. The next verse refers to “the days of Artaxerxes,” who ruled from 464 to 424 BC. The author is emphasizing that God’s people faced opposition for an extended time—decades! This was not a one-time occurrence cleared up in a few days.

The letter to Artaxerxes called Jerusalem a “rebellious and wicked city” (v. 12). It stated that “this city was destroyed” because it “is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces” (v. 15). That was all true. The city was rebellious and wicked. Most significantly, God exiled His people because they consistently worshiped false gods and refused to obey Him. But the letter writer was not concerned with Jerusalem’s idolatry or mistreatment of the poor, the orphans, or the widows. Those opposing God’s work in Jerusalem twisted the truth of God’s people’s sins in order to manipulate the earthly ruler Artaxerxes into stopping the rebuilding project.

In short, the letter did not technically lie, but it left out the whole truth. Namely, God’s people had rebelled against God Himself. They had experienced God’s discipline for their sin, repented of their sin, and now God had restored them to the land He had already given them. The accusations lodged against God’s people didn’t tell the whole story. In fact, they left out the most important parts: sin, repentance, and God’s glorious grace.

Go Deeper

Have you experienced someone telling half-truths about you? How did it feel be misrepresented and to have your past used against you?

Pray with Us

We repent of the lies we have told that have hurt others, Jesus. Please keep our mouths from deceit and help us always to speak in truth and kindness. Let our tongues build others up.

An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.Proverbs 12:17

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Partnering in Ministry

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Read Ezra 4:1–5

Determining who to partner with in ministry can be tricky. For example, what level of theological alignment is necessary to lock arms with others in common causes? In Ezra 4, we read that a group of people living in Israel attempted to join the temple-rebuilding efforts, but the returnees refused their help. Why?

These verses indicate that opposition from the people living in the land had persisted for many decades. Verse 5 states, “They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.” Cyrus is the Cyrus mentioned at the beginning of Ezra, the one who decreed that the exiles should return to Jerusalem to rebuild. Darius I—not the Darius in the book of Daniel—came to power in Persia in 522 BC. Ezra 4:6–7 mentions opposition during the reign of Xerxes (485–465 BC) and the reign of Artaxerxes (464–424 BC). These few verses outline a period of opposition to God’s work that spanned at least 70 years (537–464 BC)!

The “enemies of Judah and Benjamin” (Ezra 4:1) who offered to help say they “have been sacrificing to [God] since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here” (v. 2). Esarhaddon ruled Assyria from 680 to 669 BC. So these people had been in the promised land for more than a century. Though they claimed to worship God like the returnees, at most they worshiped Him as one of many gods. We know this from 2 Kings 17:14–24, which details the syncretism and false worship of the people whom the Assyrians brought to Israel. The returnees refused to compromise by allowing unfaithful people to join in the rebuilding of the LORD’s temple.

Go Deeper

How have you determined who to partner with in ministry? How would you have responded to the offer of help we read about in Ezra 4?

Pray with Us

Serving You alone, O God, matters immensely. You are the one true God. We keep our eyes on You alone; keep our hearts faithful to You.

God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.Ephesians 5:6–7

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Deadly Confusion

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There is a way that appears to be right, 
but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 16:25

Today’s Scripture

Proverbs 16:20-25

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Today’s Devotion

A loud thump came from a window in the classroom where I was teaching and startled the students. Then another thump! A bird had flown headlong into the glass and bounced off, only to make another run for yet another crash. Later, I read that more than a billion birds die each year from hitting windows in the United States alone. Collisions happen when they catch reflections of vegetation in the window and go after them, convinced they see food or nesting material. Sometimes they also catch their own reflection and think another bird needs to be fended off. They’re sure they see clearly, but they’re confused.

It’s dangerous to think that we always see what’s true—that we possess internal clarity about our lives. However, we suffer from a deadly confusion and repeatedly demonstrate that even our best wisdom—left to itself—eventually yields misery. “There is a way that appears to be right,” Proverbs says, “but in the end it leads to death” (16:25). We think we see what’s real, but too often we’re confused. Even our keenest insight is riddled with misperceptions. Even our clearest vision is still cloudy, imperfect, and often ruinous.

That’s why we need God’s wisdom (vv. 20-21). We need Him to illuminate the truth and guide us into what’s real. We need Him to lead us out of our deadly confusion and into wholeness and life.

Reflect & Pray

When has false perception led you into confusion? How does God’s wisdom offer a better way?

Dear God, I need Your wisdom. Please show me the way out of confusion and into life.

Today’s Insights

Proverbs 16 emphasizes our dependence on God in all things (vv. 1-3, 10, 11, 33). In verses 20-25, the focus narrows to hearing and speaking words wisely. The two are closely related. Verse 20 spells it out: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” That is, a person who’s living in humble, trusting reliance on God is also someone who’s able to listen to wise instruction from others. Their reliance on God’s wisdom to illuminate truth equips them to be “discerning” and to speak “gracious words” that “promote instruction” (v. 21). Those who humbly learn from Him and others are able to speak words that flow from His wisdom (v. 23) and bring healing (v. 24).

For further study, read: Satan: Master of the Almost True

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – All Means All

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by Michael J. Stamp

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

“All” is a tiny word, but its all-encompassing meaning indicates its great importance, especially when in reference to Jesus.

Consider its use in relation to creation. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth . . . all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16–17). There was never a time when all things were not in Christ’s mighty hands.

As the Father’s heir, Jesus received all these things from the Father. “[The Father] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand” (John 3:35). The Father has also made Jesus the judge of all. “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). Jesus Himself states that “all power is given unto me” (our text).

With this power, Jesus redeems humanity and makes a new creation! “Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him” (John 17:2). “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

Jesus desires “all men to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4), so He directs us to “teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

We need not look anywhere else for help. Jesus has all things in His hand and has all authority! What a great comfort to know that, “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). MJS

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Keep Your Love Warm

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And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)

Today’s scripture comes from a passage in which Jesus is talking about signs of the end times. Some may be familiar to us, such as wars and rumors of wars…famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (Matthew 24:6–7 NKJV). But He also says that the love of many will grow cold (v. 12 NKJV) because of lawlessness and wickedness on earth.

The pressures of rampant evil, difficult circumstances, and frightening situations, and the stress of living under such tumult produce an atmosphere charged with strife and trouble. This causes us to turn inward, trying to protect ourselves and solve the problems that affect us. It also makes it easy to allow ourselves to become hard-hearted and ignore Jesus’ instruction to Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34 NIV).

When love grows cold, negative emotions take over. We become angry, resentful, jealous, suspicious, fearful, and susceptible to other negative feelings. We become self-focused rather than focused on how we can help the people around us.

In many verses of Scripture, we read that we are to love other people. Loving one another is one way the world will know we are Christians (John 13:35).

In the midst of a wicked and stressful world, let’s be sure to keep our love relationship with God strong. That will not only help us, but it will also empower us to keep our hearts tender and our love warm for others. When love is warm, we feel peace and joy, and we can share that peace and joy with others. This is what the world needs.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, no matter what happens in the world around me, help me keep my heart from growing cold and help me stay stirred up in my love for others.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Great Reunions: Jacob and Esau

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NEW!Listen Now

Then [Jacob] crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet [Jacob], and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Genesis 33:3-4

Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:23-24

The word estranged comes from a Latin word that meant “not belonging to the family; a stranger.” Family members can sometimes be estranged from one another due to a conflict in the past. But when they meet and are reconciled, their reunion is watered by tears of joy.

That was the situation with the two sons of Isaac—Esau and Jacob. As the older brother, Esau was in line to receive Isaac’s blessing as the firstborn. But Jacob tricked Isaac into bestowing the blessing on him instead. Esau’s grudge against Jacob caused Jacob to flee for his life to the home of a family relative in a distant land (Genesis 27:41-45). Many years later, Jacob returned to Canaan with his own family. When Esau saw his younger brother coming, he ran to him and embraced him—and they wept together.

Reconciliation and reunion don’t have to take years of estrangement to heal. Be the first to build a bridge if estrangement has taken place (Matthew 5:23-24).

The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.
William Blake

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org