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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Headship

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Read: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3

When the apostle uses the word head here he is speaking figuratively of that which sits on top of the neck. Even in the ancient world, it was understood to be the control center of the body. That is what the head of our body does; it runs the body; it is in charge; it is the direction setter of the body. Used, figuratively, therefore, the word head means primarily leadership, and thus it is used in this passage. This is clear from the threefold use of it that the apostle makes here.

The first one is, the head of every man is Christ. There is the declaration of Christ’s right to lead the whole human race. He is the leader of the race in the mind and thinking of God, and ultimately, as Scripture tells us, there will come a day when all humanity, without exception, shall bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:11). So whether we know it or not, Christ is our head, and we are responsible to follow him. That is the whole objective of life for any person who wishes to fulfill his humanity.

Move down to the third level of headship mentioned here, the head of Christ is God. Here we have a manifestation of headship demonstrated for us in history. Jesus, the Son of God, equal to the Father in his deity, nevertheless, when he assumes humanity, submits himself to the leadership of the Father. Everywhere Jesus went he stated that he always did those things which pleased his Father. He even said, My Father is greater than I, (John 14:28). That does not challenge the equality of the members of the Godhead, but when Christ became man he voluntarily consented to take a lower position than the Father. It is in that sense he says, My Father is greater than I.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – The End of Life

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READ: Job 19:25-27

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (v. 25)

Unless Christ returns first, each of us will face the end of life through death. We are reminded of this regularly as we experience the death of a loved one, read an obituary, or drive past a cemetery. We may discover ways to live longer, but we cannot avoid the reality that someday we will die. Death is a result of living in a sin-tainted world.

Thankfully, God sent Jesus Christ to make an atoning sacrifice for our sin. He came to pay the debt for our sin so we could be made right with God! Those who repent of their sin and believe in Jesus will still physically die, but they will also be raised up and live forever with him. First John 5:11-12 reminds us: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Job, in the midst of his earthly suffering, knew he would die and his skin would be destroyed. Yet, he also knew the hope of eternal life and that he would be raised up to see God with his own eyes. He knew that his Redeemer lives and in the end he will stand on the earth, forever defeating and overcoming death. We can have that hope, too. Do you?

PRAYER

Precious Redeemer, use me to share the good news so that many more can come to know and trust in you for eternal life. Amen.

 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – “Oh, I Tried Christianity, and It Didn’t Work for Me!”

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And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.—Philippians 1:6

So, you say you tried Christianity and it didn’t work for you?

My reply: Nonsense!

Let me ask you these questions:

  1. After you were “converted,” did you begin to study and memorize Scripture? Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) says, “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Paul exhorts us in 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP), “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved.”
  2. Did you actively and regularly get involved in a church? Not sporadically, but on a regular basis. We should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (see Hebrews 10:25 NKJV).
  3. Did you get baptized? I’m not saying this is essential for salvation, but it is commanded in Scripture! “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized” (Acts 2:38 NKJV). Why would you not do what God has clearly commanded you to do?
  4. Did you turn from all known sin? “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18 NKJV).
  5. Did you develop a prayer life? “Pray without ceasing . . . for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 NKJV).
  6. Did you deny yourself and take up the cross? Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 NKJV).
  7. Did you keep His commandments? “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked”(1 John 2:3–6 NKJV).

If “it” didn’t work, it’s your own fault—because we’re not dealing with an “it” but a “Him.”

The Bible promises, “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6 NKJV). Do you want your life to change? Jesus is saying to you, “Take your stand! Follow Me!”

“But I’ve tried and failed!” No, you haven’t. Jesus doesn’t work for some and not for others. He will change any person just as they are, immediately!

  1. K. Chesterton said, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and not tried!”

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Christ Is Our Advocate

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“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)

Johanna was not happy. She and her sister Donna had gotten in an argument, and Dad had walked into the living room to find them standing on either end of the couch, yelling at one another. Both Johanna and Donna had been sent to their rooms to think about what they had been fighting over, and why they thought it was “so worth fighting for.”

But Johanna already knew it wasn’t worth the kind of meanness she had let loose on Donna. It had just started out as a tiny disagreement – about whose doll would get to wear a favorite outfit for that day. But this was not the first time Donna’s attitude had gotten on Johanna’s nerves, so Johanna had decided to tell Donna what she really thought of her – and her doll. She never intended to end up on one side of the couch, throwing pillows at Donna and yelling mean things at her. But that’s what had happened.

She already regretted it, even before Dad finally came in to punish her. If only it could be easier to remember that she loved Donna – right during that very moment when Donna was getting on her nerves! But those annoying moments seemed like the hardest times to remember love. Johanna could only think about herself when she started to get angry like that.

She picked up her Bible and looked at the verse she had just studied that morning. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.” Well, I already blew that today, thought Johanna.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – God-Centered Holiness

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Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:16

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

If holiness is so basic to the Christian life, why do we not experience it more in daily living? Why do so many Christians feel constantly defeated in their struggle with sin? Why does the church of Jesus Christ so often seem to be more conformed to the world around it than to God?

Our first problem is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We’re more concerned about our own “victory” over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve God’s heart. We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it’s offensive to God.

  1. S. Plumer said, “We never see sin aright until we see it as against God. All sin is against God in this sense: that it is his law that is broken, his authority that is despised, his government that is set at naught. Pharaoh and Balaam, Saul and Judas each said, ‘I have sinned’; but the returning prodigal said, ‘I have sinned against heaven and before thee’; and David said, ‘against Thee, Thee only have I sinned.’” God wants us to walk in obedience—not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self. This may seem to be merely splitting hairs over semantics, but there’s a subtle, self-centered attitude at the root of many of our difficulties with sin. Until we deal with this attitude, we won’t consistently walk in holiness.

Victory is a by-product of obedience. As we concentrate on living an obedient, holy life, we’ll certainly experience the joy of victory over sin. Will you begin to look at sin as an offense against a holy God, instead of as a personal defeat only? (Excerpt taken from The Pursuit of Holiness)

 

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – A Compass for Life

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Today’s Scripture: Joshua 1-5

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. – Psalm 1:2-3

About all most people know of General Joshua is that he “fit the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumblin’ down” (usually as sung by a male quartet). But the first thing we’re told about this man in the Old Testament was that he was on speaking terms with God.

Joshua 1:1 says, “After the death of Moses…the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide…” Here is what God commanded of his newly appointed leader: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (1:8).

Joshua could have said: “What? Think about the words of the Bible, day and night? What about the invasion of Canaan? What about getting all these people across this swollen, rushing river?” But key to Joshua hearing the voice of God and getting his marching orders was his meditation on God’s Word.

Years ago, when I was asked to begin a campus ministry, I spent the better part of three weeks reading the Bible, praying, and seeking how God wanted to penetrate this campus with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Out of that time, I received a solid conviction and a strategy for effective evangelism and discipleship.

In our daily walk with Christ and in protracted times alone with Him, meditation on God’s Word is a key to opening the door of God’s guidance. Take another look at Joshua 1:8; memorize it, meditate on it, and claim it for your own life.

Prayer

Lord, I have no excuse for getting “lost” when Your Word gives such clear directions for daily walking with You. Amen.

To Ponder

Do you know how to get your direction from God?

 

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Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – PRODUCTIVE FAITH IN GOD

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Read 2 PETER 1:5–11

A man in China was delighted to get two puppies from a local farmer. Several months later, however, the puppies were exhibiting unusual behavior. They killed and ate his pet chickens. They had an insatiable appetite. And they were huge—each weighed over 100 pounds. But not until the man saw a pamphlet on endangered animals did he realize that his beloved dogs weren’t dogs at all: they were Asian black bears.

Behavior and growth often confirm identity. Puppies grow into dogs; if they don’t look like dogs or act like dogs, then they probably aren’t dogs at all. In the same way, we expect those who identify with Jesus Christ and “participate in the divine nature” to grow more like Him.

The qualities listed in verses 5 through 7 remind us of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23). Here, the exhortation is to “make every effort,” a phrase repeated twice (vv. 5, 10). This passage is not saying that our effort brings about our salvation. Rather, these pursuits should claim our attention. And as we saw in our reading yesterday, it is through God’s power and promises that we are able to live this way at all. Our daily concern should be to participate in the work that the Spirit is doing within us to make our identity as the children of God clearly evident to all (v. 10).

Finally, Peter includes another reference to the spiritual abundance that contrasts with the evil desires. These qualities, self-control and godliness and love, grow in our lives “in increasing measure,” a phrase that connotes a lavish outpouring and overflowing of goodness (v. 8). We can experience these blessings now, while we wait for our “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (v. 11).

APPLY THE WORD

Reflect on your life as a Christian, and consider how you’ve grown spiritually in these qualities. Do you see evidence of more self-control and perseverance? Do you have more love for God and others? Ask the Holy Spirit to convict and encourage you as you rejoice in His work in your life and continue to “make every effort” to be more like Jesus.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert for Kids – God’s Friend

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Genesis 18:22

Can you imagine what it would be like to be so close to God you were called “God’s friend”? That’s what Abraham was called. When God said to Abraham, “Take your family and leave the land of Ur,” Abraham gathered everybody up and started off to … well, he didn’t really know where. When he got to the land we now call Israel, he stopped and built an altar (which was often just a pile of rocks) to his Friend, God. God spoke to him and said, “I’m going to give you this land.” Then Abraham went on to other places and built more altars to his Friend.

Sometimes Abraham had a hard time trusting God, such as when God told him he’d become a dad at 100 years old. But Abraham’s faith grew until he trusted God completely. By the time God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac—the one God had promised him for such a long time—Abraham did not doubt God. He prepared to sacrifice his only son. Of course, God was only testing Abraham. The angel of God stopped Abraham from hurting his son.

Abraham was God’s friend. Would you like to be God’s friend? Friends of God can do mighty things for him. Friends of God can pray for others and see their lives changed. Friends of God trust him completely. Are you a friend of God?

Dear Lord, I’d like to be your friend. I know I will never be perfect, but I’d like to know you a lot better and I want my faith to grow. Teach me how. Amen.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Worldly Heart

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2 Peter 2:9-18

God warns us against misguided desires, because sinful passions can lead to emptiness, suffering, disappointment, pain, and even death. Wise believers let the Father direct their yearnings, and then they adjust their mindset accordingly.

Impure desires have been part of the “flesh” nature since the fall of man, and they can be hard to recognize in ourselves. Instead of obvious things like theft, drugs, or immorality, they often involve more subtle attitudes and behaviors, like hoping for a rival’s downfall, despising authority (2 Pet. 2:10), obsessing about wealth (1 Tim. 6:9), or even speaking arrogant and vain words (2 Pet. 2:18). Since worldly passions can cause great damage, believers are to deny them (Titus 2:11-12). But we can’t overcome these desires on our own. Submitting to God’s Spirit is the only way to live righteously.

The Lord knows what we really desire—and more importantly, what we need—even when our cloudy judgment leads us astray. And He understands honest mistakes. When a believer misinterprets the Spirit’s guidance or receives bad advice from a friend, God looks at the heart. He may allow the consequences of a poor choice to play out, but He won’t shame His children for an honest error. Scripture teaches that He can turn a bad situation into something good (Rom. 8:28).

God can save us from worldly desires, but we must be willing to commit ourselves to Him and trust that His response is the best thing for us. When we put our life entirely in the Father’s hands, we can claim the wonderful promises He has for us and then rest in His grace.

Bible in One Year: Luke 2-3

 

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Unfailing Love

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Read: Lamentations 3:21-26

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! —Psalm 63:3 nlt

On a recent airline flight the landing was a little rough, jostling us left and right down the runway. Some of the passengers were visibly nervous, but the tension broke when two little girls sitting behind me cheered, “Yeah! Let’s do that again!”

Children are open to new adventures and see life with humble, wide-eyed wonder. Perhaps this is part of what Jesus had in mind when He said that we have to “receive the kingdom of God like a little child” (Mark 10:15).

Life has its challenges and heartaches. Few knew this better than Jeremiah, who is also called “the weeping prophet.” But in the middle of Jeremiah’s troubles, God encouraged him with an amazing truth: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lam. 3:22-23 nlt).

God’s fresh mercies can break into our lives at any moment. They are always there, and we see them when we live with childlike expectation—watching and waiting for what only He can do. Jeremiah knew that God’s goodness is not defined only by our immediate circumstances and that His faithfulness is greater than life’s rough places. Look for God’s fresh mercies today. —James Banks

Lord, please help me to have the faith of a child so that I can live with expectation, always looking forward to what You will do next.

God is greater than anything that happens to us.

INSIGHT: Chapter 3 of this inspired book initiates a call for repentance in the people of God. Jeremiah has been rightly called “the weeping prophet.” Part of this had to do with a more sensitive temperament than, for example, the prophet Elijah, who felt quite comfortable delivering a fiery challenge. The record we have in the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations indicates that, at times, Jeremiah felt a deep call to the prophetic ministry but also felt emotional wounds from rejection. Jeremiah reflected on the gracious character of the living God he served in the context of the psychological suffering he incurred by faithfully delivering God’s message. Central to the comfort Jeremiah felt is God’s faithfulness. Dennis Fisher

 

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Between Dust and Mystery

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The dictionary defines the word “vacation” as “a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation.” Though I imagine it happens less often than not, it seems the ideal vacation would come to an end just as the life we left behind begins to seem preferable. Yet even if it is with reluctance that we let go of our last vacation day, most of us can imagine why we must. By definition, a vacation is something that must come to an end. To vacate life as we know it on a permanent basis would be called something different entirely.

Though we know that the days of a vacation or holiday are short-lived, we nevertheless enjoy them. Even as they fade away into the calendar, they are remembered (and often nostalgically). That they were few does not hinder their impact. On the contrary, a few days devoted to relaxation are made valuable because of the many that are not.

And we know this to be true of life as well—that it is fleeting, makes it all the more momentous.

Art installation by Gianfranco Angelico Benvenuto in Milan on April, 23 2012, in honor of those who died working on Milan Piazza Duomo, photo by Eugenio Marongiu.

The artists among us often give voice to the things we seem collectively to work at putting out of our minds, sometimes simply stating something obvious. Musician Dave Matthews admits, “There are arbitrary lines between bad and good that often don’t make a lot of sense to me. I don’t want to die, obviously, but really, the wonder of life is amplified by the fact that it ends.”(1)

Like withering grass and dwindling summers, fading flowers and holidays, life cannot escape its end. Like the seasons we live through, generations spring forth and die away. Like the vacations we take, so our days pass away into the calendar. If we refuse to look at any of these endings we live foolishly; if we look only to their ends we miss something about living.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Paying Sin’s Price

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“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Christ paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we could not pay.

In the scientific realm there are universal laws, such as the law of gravity. These laws are built into the creation by its all-wise Creator and keep it functioning normally.

Just as God has made inexorable laws to govern the physical dimension, so also has He decreed universal spiritual principles. The most significant of those spiritual laws is that sin demands death; death is the wages sin pays. The Greek word translated “wages” was commonly used to speak of giving compensation for service rendered. When God sentences sinners to Hell, He is merely giving them the compensation that they have earned and that His justice demands.

In sharp contrast to the inexorable law of sin and death is the gracious “free gift of God”—“eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life is not a wage but a gift, and hence it can’t be earned. Good works, church attendance, or religious rituals will not entitle anyone to it. After recounting his religious credentials—credentials unsurpassed in first-century Judaism (Gal. 1:14)—Paul dismissed them as “loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7).

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Poisonous Words 

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The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. Revelation 13:5

Poisonous words come from a proud heart. In our original state of sin, Satan, the old serpent, infected us with the venom of injurious words. We have to watch what we say, or we may regret what we say. In their anger, a person tends to say what their parents said in their anger. It is a vicious cycle of cynicism that only Christ can break. “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips” (Psalm 140:3).

Instead of lashing out with language that stings or is even slanderous, there needs to be a cooling down time for calm, clear thinking. Frustration tends to feed judgmental behavior. When our throat is dry and our blood pressure is up, it is not the best time to speak, because poisonous words pronounce judgments driven by anger and emotion.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

If you have been bitten by bitter words, then apply the balm of first bowing down to Christ. Jesus has just what the wounded soul and hurting heart needs. The Holy Spirit helps you discern how you can become better, and He gives you the patience and humility on when to wait, or when to confront. Victims of poisonous words need the serum of their Savior’s love and forgiveness. When applied liberally and regularly it allows you to handle harsh words with an understanding and non-defensive attitude.

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – The Final Chapter

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The devil, who deceived [the nations], was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

Recommended Reading

1 John 5:19

Two researchers in the University of California, San Diego’s psychology department wanted to know: Do people enjoy reading fiction more or less if they know how the story ends? That is, does it help to read the last chapter before starting the newest crime fiction novel? As it turns out, the subjects in the study reported enjoying the story more when they knew up front how the story would end.

That’s good news for Bible readers! We have been given a lengthy story to read with lots of plot twists and surprises along the way. It’s the story of good versus evil and we want to know who wins in the end (1 John 3:8; 5:19). Fortunately, the final chapters—Revelation 19-22—could not be more clear. Christ returns to earth with the armies of heaven and defeats Satan and his legions. He then rules the earth for 1,000 years, banishes Satan forever, and ushers us into everlasting peace and righteousness in the New Jerusalem.

Go ahead—read those four final chapters! They will shine the light of hopeful certainty when the days are dark.

Let’s keep our chins up and our knees down—we’re on the victory side!

Alan Redpath

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Luke 1–2

 

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Live in the Present

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So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34

There is a reason God called Himself I AM (see Exodus 3:14). Not “I was” or “I will be,” but “I AM.” The greatest gift anybody has is the present moment.

Be determined to give yourself and your mind completely to what you are doing (see Ecclesiastes 5:1). No matter where your body is, you are where your mind is. If your mind is somewhere else, you can’t enjoy where you are. For example, if you’re in church, but your mind is on your grocery list, then you aren’t getting anything spiritually from the sermon being preached.

Start doing everything you do unto the Lord—to Him, for Him, with Him—and you will be able to focus on each moment of the present and enjoy life.

Power Thought: I live in the present and enjoy each moment of the day.

From the book the book Power Thoughts Devotional by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – When Fear Rules Your Thoughts

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Today’s Truth

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

Friend to Friend

I can be pretty wimpy sometimes. I thrive on routine, and I don’t like change. Which means I have a difficult time dealing with trials as well. Often times I just simply shut down.

But recently I faced a situation I couldn’t wimp out on. I found out I was pregnant just three months after a traumatizing miscarriage. I was so unbelievably thankful for a baby I could hopefully hold earth side. However, this time I faced different complications, and the news that my baby could likely have disabilities. I found myself driving to a specialist every few weeks, feeling terrified all the time, and honestly, barely functioning.

It all felt like way too much, and I let it completely debilitate me. I didn’t face it with faith, praying and hoping in the Lord. Instead, I worried, and lost sleep, and let everything around me crumble. Yes, I prayed often for the health of my baby, but I didn’t let my faith lead me, I let fear rule my thoughts instead.

And at 29 weeks, after several long months of panic, I was told my baby was 100% healthy.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – When Fear Rules Your Thoughts →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – A Greater Harvest

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“He has already tended to you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you” (John 15:3).

My friend was in the process of pruning his vineyard, and it appeared to me – in my limited knowledge of vineyards – that the pruning was too severe. Only the main stump remained. I inquired, “Why have you pruned the vine back to just the main stump?”

“Because,” he said, “that is the way to ensure that it will produce a greater harvest. Otherwise the nourishment flowing up through the roots would be dissipate in keeping the vines alive. It could not produce the maximum number of grapes.”

It is my regular prayer that God will keep both me as an individual and the movement of which I am a part well pruned that we may not waste time, energy, talent and money producing beautiful foliage with no fruit. Our subjection to that pruning can be either voluntary or reluctant. How much better is it for us to invite the Lord to do the pruning than to have the pruning forced upon us over our protests.

The best possible way to cooperate in God’s pruning is to study His Word. Memorize and meditate upon His truths, obey His commandments and claim His promises. Jesus taught the disciples personally, by word and model, over a period of more than three years. Yet, Judas betrayed the Lord and committed suicide and the others denied Him and deserted Him at the cross. It was not until the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost that their lives were really transformed and the things He had taught them became a reality to them.

The same Holy Spirit who transformed their lives and gave them the courage to die as martyrs proclaiming God’s truth dwells within you and me. He wants to bear much fruit through us and He did through them. I encourage you to make that time, when you study the commands that Jesus gave us and apply His truths to your heart, the most important part of your day.

Bible Reading: John 15:1-5

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the pruning process of my life by spending much time studying, memorizing and meditating on the Word of God, applying its truths to my life as I claim the supernatural resources of the living Christ for supernatural living.

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Idolatry

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Read: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14

There were, of course, idol temples in Corinth. On the hill behind the city was the temple of Aphrodite where male and female prostitutes plied their trade in the name of the worship of Venus, the goddess of love. Within the city itself were scattered many temples; their ruins are still visible today. These Christians had once been idol worshipers, bowing down before these images, their lives being controlled by the fear and the philosophy of the Greek and the Roman pantheons of gods.

I do not think that the apostle is concerned that they are going to go back to bowing down to an idol. What he has in mind is not bowing and scraping before an image, but succumbing to the temptation to enjoy again the atmosphere found at the idol temple. There were many fun things going on regarding idolatry that some of the Corinthians were hoping to be able to hang onto. If you had lived in Corinth in that 1st century you would have recognized that everyone regarded the temple as the most exciting place in town. There you could get the best food, served up in the open-air restaurant. There they had the wildest music and all the seductive pleasures of wine, women and song. If you wanted to enjoy yourself in Corinth, you went to the temple.

Paul is concerned lest these Corinthians, in seeking to enjoy what would be normal pleasures of life, would be tempted to go back into it to such a degree that, ultimately, they would find themselves lured back into belief in these idols and their power. Idolatry is not something you do outwardly with your body. Idolatry occurs whenever anyone or anything becomes more important to you than the living God. This is the greatest temptation we all face. When we fall back into the place where something becomes of greater importance to us and more controlling in our life than God himself, we have succumbed again to idolatry.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Idolatry →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – The End of a Season

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READ: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (v. 1)

The seasons of nature change from spring to summer to fall to winter. Each season brings its own unique weather patterns, challenges, and opportunities.

We also transition through changing seasons of life and natural life cycles. It’s true for crops in the fields, children as they grow into adulthood, churches that develop from newly planted to established, and businesses that adapt to a changing environment.

The end of a season can be challenging or painful. Some find it difficult to see the leaves fall from trees, the fields emptied of their crops, and the daylight shorten in the fall. There are many challenging transitions in life too: watching your youngest child graduate from school and leave your home, seeing a church decline as it ages, retiring from regular employment, or caring for elderly parents.

Christians can celebrate God’s faithfulness and presence in the midst of changing seasons and life cycles. He promises in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” How do you need to hear this promise in your life as you face the end of a season?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for being with me to the very end of the age. Amen.

 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Equal in Effort

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Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. —Romans 12:6

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “I wish I had their talent. I wish I had their ability”?

The Bible says, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:5–6).

These verses are saying that if you are a committed Christian who has asked God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, then God has instilled gifts, or a gift, in your life as He has chosen. It’s not for us to pick and choose what gifts we want; it’s for God to decide. There are gifts in your life. There are abilities in your life. There are talents that God has given to you and that He has given to me. We are to take those talents and do something with them.

It is not a person’s talent that matters as much as how he or she uses it. God never demands from a person abilities they do not have. But He does demand that we should use to the full the abilities we do possess. We may not be equal in talent, but we should be equal in effort.

God can do a lot with a little. Jesus can take a little, He can bless it, and He can multiply it. He can use it beyond our wildest dreams.

You may say, “I don’t have a lot to offer.”

That’s all right. God is not looking for ability as much as He is looking for availability. He is looking for someone like you to say, “Lord, here I am. Send me.” Take what God has given to you and do the most that you can with it for His glory.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie