Read: Hebrews 5:11-14
Bible in a Year: Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11
Anyone who lives on milk . . . is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. —Hebrews 5:13
The axolotl (pronounced ACK suh LAH tuhl) is a biological enigma. Instead of maturing into adult form, this endangered Mexican salamander retains tadpole-like characteristics throughout its life. Writers and philosophers have used the axolotl as a symbol of someone who fears growth.
“Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Your relationship with God allows you to enjoy genuine contentment.
In view of yesterday’s lesson, you may be asking, “But how can I enjoy contentment and be satisfied with what I have?” You can begin by realizing God’s goodness and believing that He will take care of you since you are one of His children. You can claim again the promise in Romans 8: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (v. 28).
Continue reading John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Contentment: How to Enjoy it
I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart. 1 Kings 3: 12
The wisdom of God goes beyond your ability to understand right and wrong. It gets to the heart of the matter. Wisdom asks: Why do you want to do what you want to do? What is your motive? Are you third? Are your priorities God first, others second, and you third?
Opportunities should become options to further God’s Kingdom, rather than a way to exploit your power and status. This is the motive God looks for to pour out his blessing of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:26). He is looking for centered people whose heart’s desire is to obey God and follow His ways. Yes, books can increase your knowledge, but only God can bestow wisdom upon you. In fact, knowledge can work against you if it just feeds your ego and pride. Knowledge can even be a turn-off. People are attracted to what you do with what you know. They want to see you apply the truth you have acquired. This is wisdom. Wisdom is taking the perspective of God and transforming the human worldview.
When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled….
Judges 7:22
Recommended Reading
Judges 7:1-9
Today’s world is run by numbers. Television shows are produced or cancelled depending on ratings. Politicians rise or fall depending on polls. If we’re not careful, we can evaluate God’s work the same way. Numbers, in their proper place, aren’t wrong. After all, an entire book of the Bible is named Numbers.
Continue reading Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Strength in Numbers: Gideon
Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.—Galatians 6:9 KJV
Do you ever feel like giving up? Perhaps you’re discouraged about your finances or you’re facing problems with your health, your marriage, or your children. Sometimes problems seem so overwhelming the road ahead seems too steep to climb.
We all go through these times. I’ve wanted to give up and quit many times through the years. But when I realized I had nothing to go back to, I determined to keep pressing on.
“With Jesus’ help we will continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by telling others of the glory of His name. Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to Him” (Hebrews 13:15,16).
Sometimes, in my busy schedule which takes me from country to country and continent to continent, my body is weary, my mind is fatigued, and if I am not careful, my heart will grow cold. I have learned to meditate on the many blessings of God and to praise Him as an act of the will. As I do so, my heart begins to warm and I sense the presence of God.
The psalmist often catalogued the blessings of God and found new reason to praise Him. I would like to share with you several reasons why I believe praise of God is so important in the life of the believer.
Continue reading Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – The Supernatural Power of Praise
Read: John 6:16-21
A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, It is I; don’t be afraid. (John 6:18-20)
Those are very wonderful words for us, because our Lord is saying these same things for our benefit. This whole incident of the storm and their precarious condition in their boat is designed to teach his disciples the resources they have in their risen Lord. This is why John follows immediately by saying, they were glad to take him into the boat. Their fear was immediately relieved when they realized it was indeed Jesus who was walking on the water, and he was in control of all events, so they willingly received him into the boat. Immediately there was further demonstration of the power of Jesus, for they were instantly on the other side of the lake, to where they were going. The three or four remaining miles of the journey was suddenly accomplished, and they found themselves at the dock in Capernaum.
Read: Luke 18:9-14
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (v. 13 NIV)
We’ve now come to the second preliminary to knowing Christ, namely, humility. That, in fact, is really the first and most important preliminary, because at the root of our unwillingness is pride. From that first sin in the garden, pride has been the chief barrier between us and the God we used to know face to face. “You will be like God,” hissed the serpent. The self-centeredness of that lie is the deep cause of our less than intimate knowledge of Christ.
Continue reading Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Humility and Knowing Christ
One Bible commentary states that “many hidden beauties burst into view upon the pages of the Bible, when faith’s open eye looks through it on the face of Jesus.” Today’s verse talks of the love and faithfulness of God who supplied the person who paid the price for your sin…that man, Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) That is exactly what Christ did. Sin is forgiven. The wise man, as a result, will fear the Lord, having great awe and reverence for the One who provided the way for salvation.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for…by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
Proverbs 16:6
Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.K.- Guarding Character
“My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits.”—Psalm 71:15
How did you come to know Jesus Christ?
That is your testimony, and every Christian has one. Some stories are more radical than others, but every testimony is significant.
Perhaps you have heard the testimony of some person who came from an extreme background tell of how they were delivered from drugs or alcoholism. They were a gang member or a prostitute. They served time in prison.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” (1 John 5:13)
Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior from sin? Do you ever wonder whether you have really believed on Him? Do you know that you have eternal life with Him in heaven when you die someday? Some people spend a large part of their lives doubting and wondering whether they are really saved.
God does not want you to live in doubt. One of the books in His Word is written just so that true believers can know that they are saved. The book of 1 John gives us some tests to see whether we have really come to know God. Here are some questions you can ask yourself: Do I obey God’s Word? (1 John 2:3). Do I love other Christians? (1 John 2:9-10). Do I have a hatred for worldly things – wrong desires, pride, selfish pleasure? (1 John 2:15). Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 2:22-23). Do I have consistent habits of sin in my life, or do I give up sin with God’s help? (1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:9).
Continue reading Kids 4 Truth International – God Wants You To Know You’re Saved
Today’s Scripture: Revelation 22:21
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
John Newton, the debauched and dissolute slave trader, after his conversion, wrote the wonderful old hymn “Amazing Grace.” He never tired of contemplating with awed amazement the wonder of a grace that would reach even to him. But the person who grew up in a godly Christian family, who trusted Christ at an early age, and who never indulged in any so-called “gross” sins should be just as amazed at the grace of God as was John Newton.
Continue reading The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Amazing for All
Today’s Scripture: Exodus 7-10
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” – 1 Samuel 3:10
Have you ever tried to reason with someone and had them mock you and turn you down flat? When Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh with the message from God: “Let my people go,” the demand was met with scorn and ridicule. Pharaoh said he didn’t know the Lord, wouldn’t obey His voice, and wouldn’t let Israel go.
Pride. Defiance. Self-confidence. Arrogant spirit. I’m sure it was beneath Pharaoh’s dignity to enter into a contest with this Lord who claimed to be the God of a rag-tag gang of slaves who were under Pharaoh’s absolute control. Pharaoh was certain that if push came to shove, he would be the victor. He had wealth in abundance. He had a standing army of thousands of well-trained warriors and hundreds of chariots. And what did this Lord, about whom Moses spoke, have going for Him? Nothing. No money. No army. Nothing. Or so it appeared.
Continue reading The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Lord of Your Heart
Read 1 Samuel 1:19-2:11
Versions of the Cinderella story are found in cultures around the world. The tale of a heroine brought from rags to riches and from ashes to beauty resonates with universal human desires. Justice has been done! Evil has been defeated! We cheer when the worthy underdog shines and the arrogant antagonist has to eat humble pie.
Hannah’s story stands as a prototype for all of these. She who was “as good as dead” because of her barrenness ended up having her “horn lifted high” over her antagonistic co-wife (2:1). The long period of waiting and despair served to increase Hannah’s joy over the answer to her prayers, so much so that the birth of one son was as fulfilling to her as giving birth to seven.
Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word –HANNAH: REVERSAL OF SHAME
The more skilled you are at a task, the more you enjoy it. When an orchestra adeptly plays a masterpiece, an accomplished musician will derive greater pleasure from listening than would a person with an untrained ear. You might be surprised to learn the same is true of giving.
God has many reasons for us to give. First, returning a portion of our wealth to the Lord acknowledges that everything actually belongs to Him (Ps. 50:10). Second, giving is a way to demonstrate that we are obeying Him (Deut. 16:17). Third, contributing to a ministry or helping the needy is participation in kingdom work, which brings us deep joy. Fourth, our offerings are an opportunity for God to reveal His character to us and those around us; as we demonstrate generosity, He faithfully provides for our needs and blesses us abundantly (2 Cor. 9:8). Over and over again, the saying “You can’t outgive God” proves true.
Read: Ephesians 2:4-7
Bible in a Year: Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10:21-42
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. —Hebrews 4:16
In the winter of 2009, a large passenger plane made an emergency landing in New York’s Hudson River. The pilot, Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who landed the plane safely with no casualties, was later asked about those moments in the air when he was faced with a life-or-death decision. “One way of looking at this,” he said, “might be that for 42 years I’ve been making small, regular deposits in this bank of experience, education, and training. And on [that day] the balance was sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal.”
“April is the cruellest month…” begins the first line of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. The poem is thought to be a portrayal of universal despair, where we lie in wait between the unrelenting force of spring and the dead contrast of winter, and the casualty of the warring seasons is eventually hope. In the bold display of life’s unending, futile circles, one can be left to wonder at the point of it all. Does everything simply fade into a waste land? Is death the last, desperate word? Perhaps it was somewhere between the war of winter and spring when the prophet reeled over life’s abrupt and senseless end. “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years? For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise. The living, the living—they praise you as I am doing today.”(1)
Though differing in degree and conclusions, art and literature are unapologetically full of a sense of this deep irony, often expressing itself in futility. Euripides, writing in the fifth century, remarks,
“…and so we are sick for life, and cling
On earth to this nameless and shining thing.
For other life is a fountain sealed,
Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Where Death Stings
“Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Your relationship with God allows you to enjoy genuine contentment.
In view of yesterday’s lesson, you may be asking, “But how can I enjoy contentment and be satisfied with what I have?” You can begin by realizing God’s goodness and believing that He will take care of you since you are one of His children. You can claim again the promise in Romans 8: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (v. 28).
Second, you should truly realize that God is omniscient—He knows all things and all your personal needs. He recognizes your individual needs long before you do and even before you pray about them. Jesus affirms, “Your Father knows that you need these things” (Luke 12:30).
Continue reading John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Contentment: How to Enjoy it
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37, NKJV
From time to time I play mind games that become mentally exhausting and relationally unhealthy. Because of my need for approval and my fear of rejection—I can choose the path of least resistance—harmony—over a vulnerable course of action: healthy conflict. A short term false humility only masks my pride—instead of revealing my scared soul to those who can help me and learning to rest in a long term reliance on the Lord. A person with humble candor frees others to be real, while those who cover up their true feelings create a culture of false security.
Jesus addresses the wisdom of sincere conversations, which then become seeds that grow into authentic living. Truth spoken in love makes the recipient of what can be cold, hard facts—feel the relational warmth of feeling understood and valued. Wise and gracious words promote instruction. Prayerful directness addresses the real issues, while offering ways to help solve the problem. Jesus’ words—full of the Spirit—spoke to the heart and mind with life-giving clarity.
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I [Jesus] have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7
Recommended Reading
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Anthropologists say the Agricultural Revolution began about 10,000 years ago. Man began to plant and harvest crops which allowed him to form towns and develop societies. Behind this revolution was a foundational principle of God’s creation: God gives more than is given. We plant one kernel of grain and harvest hundreds of new kernels. Some are eaten, some are saved for next year’s planting, some are sold, and some are shared with those in need.
Continue reading Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Blessed for Giving
DAILY DEVOTIONS, NEWS AND INFORMATION 