Tag Archives: nature

Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Someone to Talk To

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Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

Recommended Reading

Psalm 32:1-5

According to the federal government, Americans spent $135 billion on “behavioral health” services in 2005. That includes medicine, counseling, hospitalization, and more. Part of that big number represents people who just needed “someone to talk to.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated in 2010 that there were 156,300 mental health counselors—so the amount spent on face-to-face counseling is no small number.

And it can be money well-spent. Professional counselors can be objective and clear when life feels subjective and confused. But let us not forget that we have a “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6, NASB) in the person of Jesus Christ. Prayer to the Father through our Advocate-Counselor should be our first step when we lose clarity in life. The Spirit of God is also a Counselor (John 15:26; 16:7, NIV). Father, Son, and Spirit are available at any hour and for any reason with infallible guidance. The only cost is time in prayer.

Talk to friends and counselors when necessary. But don’t fail to talk to God in prayer and seek His counsel first.

Most Christians learned at an early age how to talk to God, but they did not learn to listen as well.

Gordon MacDonald, from Men of Integrity

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Jeremiah 1 – 3

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God’s Construction Crew

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We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual death]… – 1 John 3:14

Life in this verse is the life of God, or “life as God has it.” I don’t want to be one of what I call “the walking dead”—someone who lives and breathes, but never truly lives as God desires. Loving others is the only way to keep the God kind of life flowing through you. It has been given to us as a gift; it’s in us, but we need to release it to others through words and actions. Left dormant, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet.

Are you a part of God’s construction crew, or part of Satan’s destruc¬tion crew? Do you build people up with your words and action, or tear them down? Do you strengthen or weaken them? If you ask these ques¬tions and get the wrong answers, it is easy to fix. Just simply begin today by making a plan to be a blessing to others. Use your words, facial expressions, and voice tones to lift up others. Smile at people; it will be a sign of approval to them. Live to put smiles on others’ faces, and you will always have a smile on yours.

Love Others Today: Look for the needs around you and let God use you to meet those needs. Make sure you’re part of God’s construction crew!

From the book Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Let Go and Trust God

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Today’s Truth

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

Psalm 91:1-2

Friend to Friend

Babies fascinate me. They are so fresh from God. And have so much to learn! Think about it. Babies come into this world knowing nothing. For starters, they have to learn how to roll over, how to sit up, and eventually the biggie – learning to walk.

I had forgotten just how amazing the process of learning to walk really is until our grandson Justus reminded me. Justus was a speed crawler who could scoot along the floor almost as fast as I could walk. For the first 12 months of his life, Justus seemed content to explore the bottoms of tables and chairs, play with doorstops or inspect food crumbs on the floor.

But the day came when he was no longer satisfied to explore his world from the vantage point of his two little hands and knees, and began pulling up on various pieces of furniture. Evidently he liked what he saw, because he quickly graduated to the “One Step” method of walking.

Justus carefully pulled himself up on the living room sofa. Next came what I like to call The Toddler Shuffle as he tentatively positioned his stout and very determined little thirteen-month-old body between the sofa and loveseat. Pausing to catch his breath and gather his courage, Justus longingly stared at his goal, the armrest of the loveseat. His big brown eyes seemed to measure the size of the step needed to reach his final destination.

Justus eventually let go of the sofa cushion, took “a step” and quickly grabbed hold of the loveseat. Most of the time he then looked over his shoulder at whoever happened to be watching, a huge grin lighting up his face and the room. That was the cue for applause. And we always applauded.

Continue reading Girlfriends in God – Let Go and Trust God →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Authority Over the Enemy

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“And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy” (Luke 10:19).

By nature I am a very shy, reserved person. But I can look the world in the face and say, “I’m a child of the King. There is royal blood in my veins.”

Because of our identification with Christ, we are no longer ordinary people. The authority of God is available to those who believe in Christ. What a promise!

“Authority over all the power of the Enemy!” That is His promise, but it is something you and I must claim each time we face the enemy. We are to believe this; it is an intellectually valid fact. It is not exercising positive thinking and blindly hoping for the best; rather, it is claiming and leaning on the promises of God by faith.

Supernatural authority belongs to the believer, and there is a difference between authority and power. A policeman standing at a busy intersection has no physical power that would enable him to stop cars coming from all directions. But that little whistle he blows and the uniform he wears represent authority, and because of that authority the drivers know that they had better stop.

You and I have authority – given to us by the Lord Himself – over all the power of the enemy. He may tempt us; he may attack us; he may sorely try us. But victory is assured us as we continue to trust and obey our Lord and claim by faith His supernatural resources for our strength.

Bible Reading: Luke 10:20-24

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Because I have been given authority over the enemy, by faith I will exercise that authority on behalf of others as well as myself, believing God for ultimate victory in each situation.

 

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Over Nations

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Read: Jeremiah 1:9-10

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant. Jeremiah 1:9-10

As with Isaiah, God touched Jeremiah’s mouth. Isaiah started the same way. God touched his mouth with the coals from the altar and gave him power in speaking. Jeremiah’s words, then, become the key to his power, for it is the living, burning, shattering, building, mighty power of the word of God.

Jeremiah was set over nations and kingdoms. This was no mere poetry. The messages of this book were addressed to all the great nations of the world of that day — to Egypt, to Assyria, even to Babylon in its towering might and strength. Jeremiah was given a word for all these nations. I believe this is repeated in every generation. Here are the nations of the world, with their obvious display of power and pomp and circumstance, with leaders who are well-known household names, marching up and down, threatening one another, acting so proud and assertive in themselves. But God picks out an obscure young man, a youth thirty years of age whom no one has ever heard of, from a tiny town in a small, obscure country, and says to him, Look, I have set you over all the nations and kingdoms of the earth. Your word, because it is my word, will have more power than all the power of the nations.

That is a remarkable description of what is our heritage as Christians in Jesus Christ. James says that the prayer of a righteous man releases great power. When you and I pray about the affairs of life we can turn the course of nations, as the word of Jeremiah altered the destiny of the nations of his day. When we preach and proclaim the truth of God, even though we are obscure and no one knows who we are, that word has power to change the course of nations.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Over Nations →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Preparing for God’s Call

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Read: Joshua 3:1-6

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (v. 5)

God gave Joshua a plan to enter into the Promised Land. Before the people of God could enter this land they needed to consecrate themselves, to formally dedicate themselves to God’s cause.

Signing up to serve on the Mexico mission trip was easy. After confirming God’s call I expected we would need a meeting or two to organize the trip and then be on our way. However, our pastor leading the trip required each of the participants to attend four training sessions in the months before the mission. During this time we prepared our mission plan. Whom were we going to be serving? What would be our attitude? What was our plan to get to the mission site? What was our plan once we were at the mission site? We needed to address all the logistical details. Most importantly, we needed to prepare our hearts, to consecrate ourselves to God’s service.

During the final training session our pastor showed videos of the families we would be helping. We learned their story, why they needed a home, and what circumstances they faced every day. Suddenly, the mission trip became much more than a task to be completed. It became an act of love towards real people with real needs.

Who is God asking you to love today? How are you preparing to answer this call?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for preparing me to be a blessing to others. Consecrate my heart with your love for those who need it.

Author: Rob Donoho

 

https://woh.org/

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – In Search of the Spiritually Hungry

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The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. —Lamentations 3:25

Have you ever lost something and searched endlessly for it? I lost my iPhone the other day. I looked everywhere for it but couldn’t find it. So I used a feature called Find My iPhone. As it turned out, the phone was eight feet from where I was sitting. I had dropped it in the cushion of a chair. When I mentioned this to my son Jonathan, he said, “I’ve done even worse. I used it, and my phone was in my shirt pocket.”

When you lose something, you search for it until you find it. God searches, too, although He doesn’t lose things like we do. He knows where everything is and where everyone is. Yet He is searching for people who want to grow spiritually. He is looking for fertile, receptive soil where He can plant the seed of His Word, soil in which His Word can take root in our hearts.

God won’t force His truth into our lives; He wants us to desire it. He doesn’t force-feed us. As 1 Peter 2:2 tells us, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

Healthy people are hungry people. If you are in good spiritual health, you will be hungry for the Word of God. A spiritual appetite is a good sign of a mature Christian. God is looking for soil like that. He is looking for people who want to hear His Word.

We are the ones who decide what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will move forward spiritually or whether we will go backward spiritually. It is really up to us. God wants us to grow, but we must want to grow as well. There is God’s part, and there is our part.

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – Jesus Christ Abolished Death

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“[God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, his goal was to abolish slavery. To emancipate means to set free, and President Lincoln wanted to set the slaves free from the rule of slavery. So he signed a new law to abolish the slavery way of life.

To abolish something means to do away with it, or to destroy it. Abolishing is the idea of wiping away something that has been going on for a long time. Can you think of any rules that your family used to have but do not have anymore? If your parents abolish a rule, they are getting rid of it once and for all.

Before Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, death had the victory. No human being had ever been able to raise someone from the dead by himself (whenever there were miracles, it was God Who gave the supernatural power, not man). Jesus was the only Person Who ever raised Himself from the dead in the history of mankind. Because He lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again, He showed the world He was totally God and totally man. He proved that He has the power to give eternal life to those who believe on Him. He abolished the rule of death.

If our trust is in the Savior Jesus Christ, our bodies may die, but our souls will have eternal life with God, because Jesus has the power to do away with death and to give eternal life. Back in the nineteenth century, President Lincoln made a new law to set slaves free from the bondage of slavery. But long before that, Jesus Christ did away with the rule of death and made it possible for sinners to be set free from the bondage of sin and from the punishment of eternal death. Single-handedly, our Savior abolished death and made possible the gift of eternal life.

Our Savior Jesus Christ did away with the power of death and made it possible for us to enjoy eternal life.

My Response:

» What do I think about the Savior Jesus Christ?

» If Jesus abolished death and set me free from bondage to sin, how should I be living?

 

http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Emboldened

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Today’s Scripture: John 6:37

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

We need the inner witness of the Spirit, not only at the time we come to Christ, but throughout our Christian lives, especially in times of severe temptation and failure. Once I was on my way to speak at a conference on the pursuit of holiness. The trip itself had been one of those stressful experiences when I did not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, and peace to airline personnel. I felt like an utter failure (which was true). How could I possibly speak to others about pursuing holiness when I had been so unholy myself?

Arriving at my hotel room late at night, I opened my Bible to try to find some encouragement. Soon I came to a short phrase in Colossians 2:13: “he forgave us all our sins” (NIV). My heart was flooded with joy. The Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins of that very day were forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ. I was emboldened with courage to speak at that conference, not because I was good enough, but because the Holy Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins were forgiven.

Once in a while I get discouraged about my Christian life when God gives me a glimpse of the sinfulness in my heart. At those times I’m tempted to ask, “am I really a Christian?” When those rare occasions do occur, I go back to these promises, especially John 6:37. I know that I have come to Jesus and that he has promised me that he will not drive me away. Thus I regain and strengthen my assurance. We have to let the promises of God drive away our doubts. (Excerpt taken from The Gospel for Real Life)

 

https://www.navigators.org/Home

The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Marching into the Enemy’s Camp

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10-13

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

During World War II, one of the greatest threats to Marines in the South Pacific was snipers. An enemy soldier, armed with a rifle and a telescopic sight, would hide himself in a tree and pick off our guys one by one. But in all my time in the Pacific, I never saw a sniper armed with a tank. First of all, it would be really tough to get a tank up a tree, and then it would be very difficult to hide it once you got it there. A tank is a powerful weapon, but it’s not the right weapon for a sniper.

In today’s passage, the apostle Paul pictures the Christian life as a spiritual warfare and says that in order to win, we must use the right weapons. Listen to his words in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

The strongholds of Satan include ignorance of the Word of God and prejudice against it, indifference to spiritual truth, and the allurements of the world. To overcome these powerful forces, we can’t rely on our own strength or wisdom; we must place our confidence in the spiritual weapons God has given us. Christian, we cannot win our spiritual battles with human ingenuity, human wisdom, or human strength. We must call on the mighty name of the Lord and find our strength in Him.

Prayer

Lord, I call on Your mighty name and the power of Your Word to fight my spiritual battles. Amen.

To Ponder

Jesus overcame the temptation of the Devil, not by any human effort, but by His total reliance on the Word of God.

https://www.navigators.org/Home

BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  The Faith of TNT’s Ernie Johnson: In Good Times and Bad

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We don’t usually wish people a “Happy Birthday!” on the air, but I’m going to make an exception in this case. On August 7, one of the most inspiring and just downright likable people in American sports turn 60, Ernie Johnson of TNT.

If you are unfamiliar with Johnson’s work and his story, let me fill you in.

Most people who have heard of Johnson know him through his work both as an announcer and as a studio host.

Between 1993 and 1996, Johnson, alongside his father, Ernie Johnson, Sr., was the TV announcer for the Atlanta Braves. In addition to his play-by-play work for the Braves, Johnson has also announced Major League playoff games, college and professional football, and PGA golf events, among many other things.

But he’s best known for his work in covering the NBA. He’s the host of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” which has won nine Emmy awards. Johnson and the show’s regulars—Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley—trade good-natured insults and basketball insights.

But what makes the show really work is Johnson. His gentle management of hugely outsized personalities keeps the show from descending into chaos while keeping the fun quotient high. But it’s more than astute people skills that makes Johnson so special. As Charles Barkley said in a 2015 ESPN profile of Johnson, he has “uncommon courage and a pure heart.”

This is true of Johnson both at home and in the studio.

Johnson and his wife, Cheryl, have four adopted children: Michael, who was born in Romania; Carmen, who was born in Paraguay; and Ashley and Allison, whom they adopted out of foster care.

This commitment to adoption sets the Johnsons apart all by itself, but the story doesn’t end there. Michael, who is 25, was born with a “progressive form of muscular dystrophy” and has been dependent on a ventilator for the past five years.

Continue reading BreakPoint –  The Faith of TNT’s Ernie Johnson: In Good Times and Bad →

Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – THE TRINITY AND JOSEPH’S FAITH

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Read MATTHEW 1:18–25

What does it mean to say that God is a Trinity? One source offers a concise definition of this important doctrine: “The one God exists in three Persons and one substance, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is one, yet self- differentiated; the God who reveals Himself to mankind is one God equally in three distinct modes of existence, yet remains one through all eternity.”

The Trinity is at the heart of the Christmas story. Just as all three Persons played distinctive roles in the lives of Zechariah and Mary, so also all three are present in the story of God’s intervention with Joseph. Intervention was needed because Joseph, as one might expect, just couldn’t believe his fiancée’s story of a virgin conception.

The Father once again sent an angel, this time in a dream, to tell Joseph it was true. Joseph responded in faith, which was consistent with his character.

He was, after all, faithful to the Law and a true worshiper of God. He received the angel’s message as authoritative because He knew that God had both the right and the power to do the impossible.

The angel also told Joseph that the baby in Mary’s womb was the Messiah, come to save people from sin (v. 21). More than that, He was Immanuel, “God with us,” the second Person of the Trinity (v. 23). God’s presence with His people always signifies His covenant faithfulness and love.

Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Holy Spirit (v. 18). Since God is the great, self-existent I AM, it could not have been otherwise. This also fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of a virgin birth (Isa. 7:14), which was authorized by the Father and inspired by the Spirit (v. 22). The entire Trinity participated in the birth of Christ— acting as separate Persons, but one in essence and purpose.

APPLY THE WORD

Many good theological sources are available to learn more about the Trinity. In addition to the recommendation in this month’s “Theology Matters” column, another brief article that covers basic biblical truths in a clear, concise manner

is “What is the doctrine of the Trinity?” by Matt Perman, found on the Desiring God website.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – 3 REASONS WHY PEOPLE STILL SUPPORT TRUMP AND CLINTON

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Humayun Khan was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. His father, Khizr Khan, spoke to the Democratic National Convention last week, criticizing Donald Trump for seeking to ban Muslim immigrants from the US. After Trump responded, a media firestorm resulted. Chris Christie is making headlines this morning as he joins other Republicans who have disagreed publicly with Trump’s remarks.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton continues to generate controversy over her emails. She told “Fox News Sunday” that FBI Director Comey called her answers on the issue “truthful.” The Washington Post found her statement so untruthful that it gave her its maximum “Four Pinocchios.” In addition, parents of servicemen killed in Benghazi continue to claim that she misled them as Secretary of State.

Despite these controversies, each candidate’s core supporters are still their core supporters. Why?

One: Each side is passionately opposed to the other.

In the latest CNN/ORC Poll, 42 percent of Clinton’s supporters say they will vote for her primarily to prevent Trump from being elected. Fifty percent of Trump’s backers say the same regarding Clinton. What their candidate does or says has little influence on those who are voting less for them than against the other option.

Two: Each side believes in its candidate.

Continue reading Denison Forum – 3 REASONS WHY PEOPLE STILL SUPPORT TRUMP AND CLINTON →

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Growing in Faith

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Hebrews 5:12-14

Our Heavenly Father desires that we grow spiritually from infancy to maturity. Yesterday, we talked about the discipline of listening to God. Today, let’s look at several more practices necessary for living a life in Christ.

  • The Lord desires that we obey Him. Some of His teachings are easy to follow, while others are difficult. Choosing our own way might feel good at first, but the end result is always regret. On the other hand, every act of obedience builds faith.
  • God teaches us to depend upon Him. In fact, He sometimes calls us to action in areas that seem humanly impossible. For instance, to forgive an atrocious act may feel beyond our ability. But when we cannot achieve what He requires, we rely on His strength to enable us.
  • Our Father wants us to wait upon Him. We, on the other hand, want everything to happen according to our preferences and timetable. So there’s a temptation to manipulate circumstances, which typically makes a mess. The Lord’s way is best, and He desires for us to trust and be patient.
  • Scripture teaches us to confess sin, repent, and learn from missteps. God doesn’t expect perfection, but He does want to see a healthy response to shortcomings.

The Lord longs for His children to have abundant, meaningful lives. For this reason, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell, equip, and empower believers to reach their God-given potential. We can choose to cooperate with this plan or to live independently of His best.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 43-45

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Never Give Up!

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Read: 2 Timothy 3:10–15 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 60–62; Romans 5

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Joop Zoetemelk is known as the Netherlands’ most successful cyclist. But that’s because he never gave up. He started and finished the Tour de France 16 times—placing second five times before winning in 1980. That’s perseverance!

Many winners have reached success by climbing a special ladder called “never give up.” However, there are also many who have lost the opportunity to achieve success because they gave up too soon. This can happen in every area of life: family, education, friends, work, service. Perseverance is a key to victory.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

The apostle Paul persevered despite persecution and affliction (2 Tim. 3:10–11). He viewed life with realism, recognizing that as followers of Christ we will suffer persecution (vv. 12–13), but he instructed Timothy to place his faith in God and the encouragement of the Scriptures (vv. 14–15). Doing so would help him face discouragement and endure with hope. At the end of his life, Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (4:7).

We too can allow the Scriptures to strengthen us to press on in the race marked out for us. For our God is both a promise-making and promise-keeping God and will reward those who faithfully finish the race (v. 8).

Heavenly Father, give me strength of character and perseverance to serve you better. Help me not to get discouraged when things get tough but to rely on You to see me through.

Faith connects our weakness to God’s strength.

INSIGHT:

Paul experienced great persecution in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. In Antioch, he faced aggressive opposition from the religious leaders (Acts 13:45; 15:1–2). In Iconium, Gentile and Jewish leaders conspired to have him killed (14:4–5). And in Lystra, he was stoned and left for dead (v. 19). Yet in his final letter to Timothy, Paul uses these three cities as examples of perseverance. He recounts these terribly painful events not to garner pity but to remind Timothy of God’s faithfulness during times of hardship and pain.

 

http://www.odb.org

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – The Impetus of Personhood

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In our contemporary world, a great deal of cultural discussion revolves around the nature of human dignity and human rights. Sadly, there is not a day that passes in which news concerning human trafficking, gross negligence, or large-scale violent oppression/suppression of human thriving arrests attention. International organizations like Human Rights Watch make it their mission to expose and bring to justice all those who would jeopardize the rights of the weakest members of human society. They act, in part, as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948 as a result of the experience of the Second World War. This Declaration called the international community to a standard that sought to prevent atrocities like those perpetrated in that conflict from happening again.

Unfortunately, conflicts and atrocities committed against the citizens of the world continue in our day. Yet, this standard assumption of basic human rights enables the international community to act when those rights are violated. And indeed, human rights—for most people—are a basic assumption in the concern for and treatment of others. One might ask from where the deep concern for human rights comes? How is it that the concern for human dignity has become a conversation—welcomed or suppressed—in all cultures? Is it simply the result of the Second World War?

In seeking to answer these questions, many would be incredulous if the suggestion came that the Judeo-Christian tradition grounds the concern for human rights today. After all, the pages of the Bible are filled with narratives of slavery and oppression, bloodshed and violence. How could this tradition be the ground for human rights?

Sadly, even those most familiar with the pages of the Bible often fail to see the significance of commands to care for the “foreigner and stranger” issued to the people of Israel. Sojourners or strangers in Israel were included in the law, and they were not to be oppressed or mistreated.(1) Given the brutalities present in the ancient world, these commands to care for strangers and sojourners are most remarkable. Indeed, to anyone familiar with the mindset of the ancient world, it is clear that Israel was to be distinctive in its treatment and care for the least in their midst: orphans, widows, and slaves.(2)

In the Roman world of Jesus’s day, slaves and servants of any kind, men and women, were classified as non habens personam—not having a persona, or more literally, not having a face.(3) Before the law, a slave was not considered a person in the fullest and most proper sense. Author David Bentley Hart notes, “In a sense, the only face proper to a slave, at least as far as the cultural imagination of the ancient world went, was the brutish and grotesquely leering ‘slave mask’ worn by actors on the comic stage: an exquisitely exact manifestation of how anyone who was another’s property was (naturally) seen.”(4) Simply stated, anyone without a noble birth was not given consideration with regard to human dignity or fair treatment as a fellow human being.

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – The Impetus of Personhood →

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – The Right Attitude Toward Money

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“But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

Believers should not have a self-centered preoccupation with money.

With all the attention modern society gives to money, what it can buy, and the dividends it can earn, Christians are continually challenged to view it properly. But Scripture provides us with much help and guidance in this area. It is replete with warnings and admonitions about how we are to act and think concerning money and wealth.

There are at least eight basic, biblical guidelines that when believed and followed will give us a God-centered view of money. First, having money in itself is not wrong (1 Sam. 2:7). Second, we ought to recognize that money is a gift from God and comes to us through His providence (Deut. 8:11-18). Third, we must be willing to lose our money, if that’s God’s will for us. Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). Fourth, we must not be partial toward those who have lots of money (James 2:1-10). Fifth, we must not arrogantly seek security from money (Prov. 11:28; 1 Tim. 6:17). Sixth, money-making pursuits should never be our highest priorities in life (Matt. 6:33). Seventh, we ought to use money for eternal purposes, namely, leading others to the Lord (Luke 16:9). Finally, we must not selfishly hoard or foolishly spend money. On the contrary, true generosity should characterize every believer (Prov. 11:24-25; Luke 6:38).

Just like a firearm, money can be used for good purposes and evil purposes, which means there is nothing inherently wrong with it. Therefore, the real issue does not concern money itself, but what our attitude is toward it. The Lord wants us to view money as He did and be content with what we have.

Suggestions for Prayer

Confess your sinful attitude in one or more of the eight areas mentioned today. Pray that God would replace those sinful attitudes toward money with His righteous attitudes.

For Further Study

Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18.

  • What divine favors does God remind the Israelites of?
  • What sin is sure to befall any believer who forgets that God is the One who makes wealth possible?

 

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Three Things to Remember When Experiencing Change

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  Psalm 32:8

Last year, my husband and I considered making some significant life changes which I knew would take both of us out of our comfort zone. As I talked with the Lord about our situation, three life lessons came to mind. If you are in the middle of making a life change you have chosen, or even if you are in the middle of one that has been thrust upon you that you didn’t want, I hope these three truths encourage you like they encouraged me.

You can never lose what really matters. For those who belong to Christ, nothing this world offers—when removed—really matters. And what does really matter, we can never lose. Therefore, we can be free from being consumed by the fear of loss. We can never lose His love. We can never lose His guidance, or presence, or faithfulness. These are steadfast and sure when the world around us is changing.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Peace follows obedience. As my husband and I began discussing our new plan, I wrestled with the decision. I cried a few times, scratched honest words in my journal, and prayed. But I sensed the Lord inviting me to surrender, so I gave in. I started saying things like, “I have made changes before and God has been faithful. I can do it again.” “We are the Lord’s servants. We do what He wants, when He wants.” Through surrender, I was reminded that where God rules, peace reigns. I honestly believe our trials are often more difficult than they need to be because we won’t give in to God’s way. When we rail against Him, we make it so much harder on ourselves. Give in and go with God.

Focus on what you are gaining. Jesus is so faithful. But sometimes we get so focused on what we are losing that we forget that God doesn’t just remove something from us; He removes us to something as well. We must remember that He has our best interest in mind, that He is working all things in light of His eternal purposes, and He never removes something from the believer without very good reason.

“Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose” (Psalm 25:12).

Prayer: Lord, thank you that everything that happens in my life is known by you, so I know you have made provision for me in every circumstance. Help me to rest in this truth and to trust you with the unknown. Amen.

Application: Write a letter to the Lord affirming your trust in Him.

Related Readings: Psalm 25:8; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 89:8

By Shana Schutte

 

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Read the Directions

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It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

Psalm 119:71

Recommended Reading

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

We have grown used to unboxing new digital appliances and using the “trial and error” method to discover how they work. Most of these tools and toys don’t even come with instruction booklets, opting instead for built-in “Help” menus. When we do eventually read the directions, we usually wish we had done so sooner.

Trials can drive us closer to God’s “instructions.” The psalmist learned that lesson, saying it was good to go through trials in order to learn more of God’s ways (Psalm 119:67, 71, 92). Throughout Scripture the same message is repeated: Trials build godly character (James 1:2-4), drive us to call on God for wisdom (James 1:5), build our faith (James 1:6), and give us the opportunity to display the character of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). For those reasons and more, we should “count it all joy when [we] fall into various trials” (James 1:2). But only if we want to discover more of God’s Word, will, and ways, and be conformed more to Christ’s image (Romans 8:28-29).

Don’t try to figure life’s trials out on your own. Read and follow life’s biblical instructions. You’ll be glad you did.

None of us can come to the highest maturity without enduring the summer heat of trials.

Charles H. Spurgeon

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Isaiah 64 – 66

 

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – How to Gain Wisdom

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If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. – Proverbs 1:23

We need to pray and obey God’s leading when He speaks to us. Obedience is not to be an occasional event for us; it is to be our way of life. There’s a big difference between people who are willing to obey God daily and those who are only willing to obey to get out of trouble. God certainly shows people how to get out of trouble, but He bestows abundant blessings on those who decide to live wholeheartedly for Him and who make obedience to Him their lifestyle. The only pathway to true peace is obedience to God.

Many people obey God in the big issues, but they aren’t aware that obedience in the little things makes a difference in His plan for their lives. The Bible says plainly that if we are not faithful in the little things, we will never be made rulers over much (see Luke 16:10). There is no reason for God to trust us with a major responsibility if we are not going to be faithful to do the little things He has asked us to do. I strongly urge you to be obedient to God even in the smallest of things. A sixteenth-century monk called Brother Lawrence was well known for walking continually in the presence of God. He said that He was pleased to pick up a piece of trash from the ground in obedience to God and because He loved Him.

In the verse for today, God says He will make known His words to us if we listen to Him when He corrects us. If we follow His guidance and are pleased to do each little thing He asks of us then He will open His wisdom to us, and we will have more revelation than we could ever imagine.

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org