Tag Archives: faith

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REST FROM OUR ENEMIES

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Read Luke 1:67-79

President Richard Nixon kept an infamous “enemies list,” detailed in a memo from former advisor Charles Colson. Nixon’s enemies were in fact people that he didn’t like—and this is probably true of many of the people we would consider to be our enemies today. They are either those we don’t like or those who don’t like us. For many Christians in countries around the world today, however, enemies are people who want to take their lives.

Divine protection is one of the blessings that Zechariah celebrates in his hymn of praise in today’s text. This song is often referred to as the Benedictus, a title that comes from the Latin translation of Zechariah’s first word, which is blessed.

Zechariah’s song is the counterpart to Mary’s hymn of praise in Luke 1:46–56 and expresses similar themes. The song begins with praise and then makes predictions about the life and ministry of Jesus and John the Baptist. Prior to this, Zechariah had been struck dumb for questioning God’s promise that he and his wife would have a son in their old age (see vv. 16–20). Zechariah’s song was more than a poetic composition. It was a prophetic utterance.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley –Imagine His Return

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Read | Acts 1:9-11

In our lives, we may have had opportunities to experience amazing things, see beautiful views, and hear wonderful music. But more marvelous than any earthly event is what Christians will experience at the return of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul urges believers to become familiar with what will occur at that remarkable time (1 Thess. 4:13). Just imagine…

What we will hear: Jesus “will descend from heaven with a shout” (1 Thess. 4:16). Perhaps the Lord will say something similar to the words He spoke when raising Lazarus back to life: “Come forth!” (John 11:43). The voice of the archangel Michael—the leader of the angelic host—and a heavenly trumpet will also be heard, calling the saints to assemble.

What we will see: Jesus will descend (Acts 1:11), to be met in the air by newly resurrected deceased saints and then, a moment later, by living believers. Continue reading Charles Stanley –Imagine His Return →

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Four Ways to Look

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Read: Psalm 77:1-15

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. —Psalm 77:12

Joan was struggling with some difficult issues with her children when she sat down for a worship service. Exhausted, she wanted to “resign” from motherhood. Then the speaker began to share encouragement for those who feel like quitting. These four thoughts that Joan heard that morning helped her to keep going:

Look up and pray. Asaph prayed all night long and even expressed feelings that God had forgotten and rejected him (Ps. 77:9-10). We can tell God everything and be honest about our feelings. We can ask Him anything. His answer may not come right away or in the form we want or expect, but He won’t criticize us for asking.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Measure of Grace

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“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

God will lavish grace upon sinners who are truly repentant.

Did you ever sin so terribly that you felt, I really blew it this time. There’s no way God would want to forgive me now? It’s easy sometimes to let our past sins be a constant burden to us, even after we’ve confessed and repented. Paul has comfort for those who feel this way, and that comfort is founded on the power and measure of God’s grace to us. Before his conversion, Paul (then known as Saul) persecuted the church mercilessly (see Acts 8:3 and 9:1-2). He was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Tim. 1:13; see also Gal. 1:13). If anyone could be beyond grace, it was Paul.

But God intervened and saved him (Acts 9:3-19). Why? “For this reason,” Paul says, “I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Tim. 1:16). If God would forgive Paul, He will forgive anyone who will confess their sins and repent. If He would show abundant grace to a violent unbeliever, He will also shower grace upon His penitent children.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Love Always Trusts 

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Love always trusts.    1 Corinthians 13:7

Love always trusts, for trust is a staple of love. If you are always suspicious and uncertain, then love is lacking. Love thrives in an environment of trust, but shrivels up in a spirit of distrust. It is very difficult to love without trust, for it is a lubricant for love. Trust calls out love like an engagement invitation. Trust is what it takes for a love relationship to flourish and take root. Therefore, look for the best in someone else and trust them, even though they may not have been trustworthy in the past. Love is all about second chances.

Of course, you must be a responsible steward of money and time. Don’t blindly believe everything everyone tells you. Have instead a policy of “trust and verify.” On the other hand, love does not write someone off when they fail to meet expectations, or when they blatantly experience failure. Love picks them up and says, “I will trust you again,” “I have not given up on you,” “You are on the team,” “You are a child of God, therefore you deserve another opportunity to succeed.”

Love is all about making people successful. When you love someone, you trust them to carry out the plan. Love sees trust where others see distrust. Love sees potential where others see disqualification. Love sees success where others see failure. Love sees a hurting human being where others see someone who is angry. Love thinks the best, but distrust thinks the worst. Love and trust feed off each other; they propel one another to greater heights. Love always trusts. This is especially true with Almighty God. Love trusts God, for He is trustworthy. His track record of trustworthiness is without blemish. He can be trusted. If you love Him, you will trust Him. Your affection and love are meant to originate in heaven not on earth. Love leans on and listens to the Lord because it trusts Him.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Love Languages: Pray Your Love

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Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.

Romans 15:30

Recommended Reading

Luke 23:34a

In the sentencing phase of a trial, the judge will often allow individuals to address the court to influence the judge’s decision about the sentence. Some are there to ask for a harsh sentence. But others are there out of love. They understand the need for justice, but they also are there to ask for mercy and fairness.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Let God Interrupt You

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…And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? —Esther 4:14

Have you ever noticed that the men and women we read about in the Bible and consider “great” were all people who allowed God to interrupt their lives and were willing to make tremendous sacrifices for Him?

Joseph saved a nation from starvation, but not before God dramatically removed him from his comfortable home where he was his father’s favorite and allowed him to be imprisoned for many years. Joseph probably wasn’t planning a life of hardship and rejection, but God took him through those things in order to position him to be in the right place at the right time. But Joseph could only know that after the fact.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Exalting a Nation

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“Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:2) reminds us that we are to pray for those in authority over us, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.

We should pray daily for all those in authority over us, from the precinct to the White House, and we should seek through the writing of letters and personal appointments to communicate God’s love to each one of them, so that they may contribute to those qualities of godliness that will cause the blessing of God to continue to be poured out upon this nation.

One day I walked into a senator’s office in Washington, D.C. I had never met the man before, but a mutual friend had suggested that I drop by to see him.

Within a few minutes it seemed as if we had known each other for a lifetime. A natural opportunity arose for me to ask him if he were a Christian, and I was able to share the good news of the gospel with him through the Four Spiritual Laws. Before I left his office, the senator said he would like to receive Christ.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Turn To Me and Be Saved

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Read: Isaiah 45:9-25

Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, What are you making? Does your work say, The potter has no hands? (Isaiah 45:9)

It would be ridiculous if clay were to say to the potter, I don’t like the way you’re doing this. This design does not appeal to me at all. Listen to the irony of this passage: Woe to him who says to a father, What are you begetting? or to a woman, With what are you in travail? (Isaiah 45:10 RSV). This is the God with whom we have to deal. How incredibly arrogant of man to criticize the workings of a God like that! This passage is designed to humble man in his proud confidence and to show him how dependent he is upon the God whom he dares to criticize. C.S. Lewis once argued that to contend with God is to contend with the very One who makes it possible for us to contend in the first place, and how foolish we are to attempt that!

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Stop the Exodus

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Would it surprise you that some studies say up to 75 percent of Christian youth leave church after high school? Many polls and denominational reports reflect that the next generation of young people is giving up on the faith of their youth. Recent books such as Passing the Baton by John McElroy, The Last Christian Generation by Josh McDowell and Already Gone by Ken Ham examine this trend and highlight ways to win back the hearts and minds of the next generation.

For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100:5

God commands that knowledge of and love for Him should be taught to your children (Deuteronomy 6:7), and when that is not done, the consequences can be severe. Statistics indicate a mass exodus is happening – but today’s verse gives hope. It reminds you that God’s faithfulness never ends. It is given to all generations. Even though a generation might give up on Him, He never will give up on them.

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Difference between Public Speaking and Preaching the Gospel

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“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”—2 Timothy 4:2

Someone who had just done a public talk asked me for some tips about speaking. They asked me if I ever had panic attacks when addressing a crowd. My answer was no, and that is for two reasons:

  1. I have confidence in my message. I know that God’s Word, which I am proclaiming, will not return void. I know there is power in it and I expect it to do its work.
  2. There is an urgency to what I am saying, as life and death hang in the balance.

Compare it to the talk they give you on the plane before takeoff. They are calm and collected as they tell you what to do in case of an emergency landing:

“In the event of an emergency, please assume the bracing position. A life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When instructed to do so, open the plastic pouch and remove the vest. Slip it over your head. Pass the straps around your waist and adjust at the front. To inflate the vest, pull firmly on the red cord, only when leaving the aircraft. If you need to refill the vest, blow into the mouthpieces. Use the whistle and light to attract attention. Also, your seat bottom cushion can be used as a flotation device.”

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God expects us to think rightly toward others

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“And let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.” (Zech 7:10b)

It seems that brothers and sisters are naturally good at annoying their siblings. It is natural to love our family members, but sometimes it is hard to like them. Brothers and sisters seem to know just the right buttons to push in order to annoy one another. Our God is not like that. Think about it. What would we think of God if He were the kind of God Who would say “devise evil against your brother”? Our God does not say that. No way! He says, “let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart”! God is holy, and He has an opinion about the secret thoughts you have toward your brothers and sisters.

Right now, you may have no desire to be “pals” with your brother or sister. When they grow older, though, brothers and sisters often become the closest of friends. You might never dream that you could be good friends as grown-ups, even if your family ends up spread out all over the country. In fact, you might think, “No way! Impossible!” When you are in the middle of an argument, you can think only of ways to get back at that brother or sister. You might even feel tempted to think of him or her as your enemy!

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Propitiation? What’s That?

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Today’s Scripture: 1 John 2:2

“He is the propitiation for our sins.”

The Bible uses a strange word to describe what Christ did for us when he drank the cup of God’s wrath in our place: propitiation.

What does propitiation mean? I believe that the word exhausted forcefully captures the essence of Jesus’ work of propitiation. Jesus exhausted the wrath of God. He bore the full, unmitigated brunt of it. God’s wrath against sin was unleashed in all its fury on his beloved Son. He held nothing back.

Isaiah foretold this: “We esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:4-5). The italicized words describe the pouring out of God’s wrath on his Son. During those awful hours when Jesus hung on the cross, the cup of God’s wrath was turned upside down. Christ exhausted God’s wrath. For all who trust in him, there is nothing more in the cup. It is empty.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – A Picture of Grace

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Today’s Scripture: Ezekiel 12-15

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. – John 1:6-7

Years ago I was asked to lead a daily vacation Bible school program, so I began to look around for some means of making the gospel clear to the kids. One elderly lady suggested I use a flannelgraph, and she showed me how to explain the gospel in pictures. It was a smashing success, as thirteen children and three teachers came to Christ.

Now, the use of visual aids is not a new idea. In fact, God was using the concept in Ezekiel’s time to get people’s attention and communicate His message. In Ezekiel 12:3, the Lord said to Ezekiel, “Therefore, son of man, pack your belongings for exile and in the daytime, as they watch, set out and go from where you are to another place. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.” The Lord had him pack his belongings, leave his home, dig through a wall, tremble as he ate his food, and shudder in fear as he drank his water–all to foretell the confusion and fear that was about to come on the people.

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – DISCIPLINES OF REST: HOPE

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Read Romans 8:14-39

In common usage today, hope is synonymous with wishful thinking. When we say that we hope, we are usually only expressing a desire: “I hope it will not rain,” “I hope I get that job,” or “I hope you won’t mind.” These desires can go unfulfilled. We can also place our hope in things that are not strong enough to sustain the weight of expectation, and our hopes may be dashed.

The Bible has a view of hope that is stronger and more certain. The virtue of biblical hope depends on the power of God, who is the focus of our hope.

This is why Paul remained unshaken by the suffering he experienced. The decay of the created world was merely a signpost pointing to the hope of redemption (vv. 20–23). This was not wishful thinking. Paul was not “hoping” that everything would work out in the end. Rather, for Paul hope meant the certainty of resurrection and the redemption of all creation.

Hope is a discipline because we must choose to take God at His word. Importantly, though, we should note that it is not a mere act of the will. The kind of hope that Paul speaks of in these verses is strengthened by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prays for us and testifies to the truth of God’s promises within our own spirit (v. 16). The Spirit is God’s guarantee of what is to come (see 2 Cor. 1:22). As a result we can face the future with a hope that is marked by certainty.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Hearing the Call

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Read | Acts 6:4

God has issued some dramatic calls to service. For example, Moses heard His voice from a burning bush, and Isaiah saw a vision of heaven’s throne room (Ex. 3; Isa. 6). But a spectacle is the exception rather than the rule. For most who follow God to the mission field, His call is a tug on the heart, persistently whispering, “How will they know God unless someone tells them?” (See Rom. 10:14.)

It’s better if the Lord doesn’t have to use drama to get our attention. Consider Saul, who needed a serious talking to and temporary blindness to get him on the mission field (Acts 9:3-9; Acts 26:13-18). I know I’d rather hear the Lord’s still small voice (1 Kings 19:12)!

People can try to ignore the heart tug, block the ever-present call with activity, or satisfy it by giving money rather than themselves. Some say no outright. But the call persists. God’s will is set and His plan is steadfast. Though we may run, we can’t escape His call to obey (Jonah 1:1; Jonah 3:1).

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Solitude and Service

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Read: Luke 9:1-2,10-17

Bible in a Year: Leviticus 23-24; Mark 1:1-22

He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. —Luke 9:11

Comedian Fred Allen said, “A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well-known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized.” Fame often brings loss of privacy along with a relentless frenzy of attention.

When Jesus began His public ministry of teaching and healing, He was catapulted into the public eye and thronged by people seeking help. Crowds followed Him wherever He went. But Jesus knew that having regular time alone with God was essential to maintaining strength and perspective.

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – In Pursuit of Happiness

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Recently, an interesting article caught my attention: “The Golden Triangle of Happiness” by William Verity and Yasmin Parry. The article attests that all over the world, people of all persuasions are in pursuit of happiness. It cites the latest findings of the Australian Wellbeing Index that involved more than sixty thousand participants. Conducted twice a year over the last fifteen years, the study concludes that besides genetics, there are three simple indicators of a happy life. Being part of an intimate relationship is the most vital component in contributing to a person’s sense of wellbeing. Second, people are happiest when they are active, when they have a goal and a sense of purpose in life. And third, people are happiest when they have financial control. While money alone cannot make us happy, a lack of stability can make us miserable.

To phrase it simply, the three components that define happiness according to this study are relationship, meaning, and security. In a world that constantly tries to project power, pleasure, and more pleasure as indispensable to human happiness, this may well offer a refreshing counter-perspective. I wonder if it might also reaffirm the truth of the Christian gospel? For relationship, meaning, and security are the very things God offers us through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – God’s Sacrificial Love

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“‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life’” (John 3:16).

God’s love is vicarious and sacrificial.

Today we continue a short study of a topic that brings joy to every Christian: God’s love. Both Paul and John call His love “great” (Eph. 2:4; 1 John 3:1), because only great love would provide such a sacrifice as God did in Christ.

We have already seen that God’s love is unconditional, unrequited, and righteous. God’s love is also vicarious; it bears the pain of others. In a prophecy about Christ, Isaiah wrote: “Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried” (53:4). Christ bears our earthly sorrows, and, infinitely more significant, He bore the pain and punishment for our sins.

True love is a sacrificial love that gives without expecting anything in return. God gives so many good things to everyone, and He gave the greatest gift of all, His Son. As John 3:16 teaches, love was His motive for sending Christ to die; He wanted to provide salvation for us.

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Image and Likeness  

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Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Genesis 1:26

One of the most remarkable aspects of being a human being is that, as an image bearer of God, you, in your body and in your relationships, have the capacity to reflect the very nature of God Himself. You are able to live your life in such a way that it can point beyond itself, encountering the love of God and sharing that love with the world.

Throughout the history of Christianity, this passage from Genesis has been one of the central verses to our entire understanding of what it means to be human. Rather than seeing “image” and “likeness” as two ways of making the same point, it has often been interpreted as making two separate statements. Simply put, every single human being who has ever lived is made in God’s image, yet the Scriptures remind us that not all humans equally reflect his likeness.

The image of God can never be lost. It is the very basis of what it means to be human. It is the source of our understanding of human rights and the universal dignity of every human being, regardless of anything they can do or say.

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