Tag Archives: nature

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Shocking Honesty

Leave a comment

Read: 1 Peter 3:7–12 | Bible in a Year: Job 5–7; Acts 8:1–25

Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 nlt

When the minister asked one of his elders to lead the congregation in prayer, the man shocked everyone. “I’m sorry, Pastor,” he said, “but I’ve been arguing with my wife all the way to church, and I’m in no condition to pray.” The next moment was awkward. The minister prayed. The service moved on. Later, the pastor vowed never to ask anyone to pray publicly without first asking privately.

That man demonstrated astonishing honesty in a place where hypocrisy would have been easier. But there is a larger lesson about prayer here. God is a loving Father. If I as a husband do not respect and honor my wife—a cherished daughter of God—why would her heavenly Father hear my prayers?

Our relationships affect our prayer life.

The apostle Peter made an interesting observation about this. He instructed husbands to treat their wives with respect and as equal heirs in Christ “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). The underlying principle is that our relationships affect our prayer life.

What would happen if we exchanged the Sunday smiles and the façade of religiosity for refreshing honesty with our brothers and sisters? What might God do through us when we pray and learn to love each other as we love ourselves?

Father, You love all of Your children, but so often we fight and disagree. Help us learn to interact with love and respect in all our relationships so the world will see the difference You make. Teach us to pray.

Prayer is simply an honest conversation with God.

INSIGHT:

Husbands are instructed to “be considerate . . . and treat [their wives] with respect” (1 Peter 3:7). Fellowship with God is hindered if a man does not give honor to his wife (v. 7). The apostle Paul instructed husbands not to be harsh with their wives (Col. 3:19), but to love them “just as Christ loved the church,” sacrificing their own interests for their wife’s growth, maturity, and holiness (Eph. 5:25–27). The husband is to “love his wife as he loves himself” (v. 33).

 

http://www.odb.org

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Integrity Enjoys Divine Resources

1 Comment

“Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, ‘Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?’ The king answered and said, ‘The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.’ Then they answered and spoke before the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.’ Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, ‘Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’ Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.’ And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel” (Daniel 6:12-17).

When human resources have been exhausted, God has only begun to work.

The ink had barely dried on Darius’ decree when Daniel’s enemies reappeared to accuse him of disregarding the order. Only then did Darius realize the grave consequences of his actions.

In his deep distress the king exhausted every legal effort to save Daniel, but to no avail. Even he could not revoke the death sentence he had unwittingly placed on his loyal and trusted servant. In his grief and humility he confessed that God Himself would deliver Daniel. He was right!

Suggestions for Prayer

What are you praying for that only God can do, so that when He does it, He alone will get the glory?

For Further Study

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. What was the apostle Paul’s attitude toward his own weaknesses?

 

http://www.gty.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Responsible Grace 

Leave a comment

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Romans 6:1-2

Grace is a gift from God, one that requires responsible and wise stewardship. Grace is not a license to sin but permission to live. Grace is all about living for God and walking with Him. It engages with eternity by approaching God’s throne of grace with gratitude, awe, and boldness. God’s grace is a guarantee of eternal life. It is absolutely amazing because Christ collateralizes it. There has never been a shortage of your Savior’s grace.No group or individual has ever made a run on heaven’s grace account. You can go to the bank with God’s grace. It is as everlasting as the Lord.

However, though unlimited in supply, it may be the most underused resource available. People miss grace when they thrash and stumble about in their own strength. They apply bad theology. They believe in salvation by grace through faith, but drift into living on their own strength. Demons must chuckle when they observe Christians applying dead works.Working to earn God’s favor after receiving salvation is as futile as it was before salvation. Do not fall into the trap of graceless living for grace is God’s remedy for the self-indulgent. Grace values community with people and communicating with Christ. There is a spirit of acceptance and peace with those who receive and apply God’s grace often.

Learn to use grace responsibly. Grace is not a safety net for your fall into sin, for sin still has its consequences. Grace is not an excuse to sin and is not your pass for disobedience. Judgment, both harsh and extreme, is the natural outcome for graceless Christians. Grace is, more than anything, an honorable motivation for your attitude and actions. Without grace, you gravitate toward pride for not sinning. Yes, grace is a governor on your behavior, while never promoting pride.

Grace means you have a stewardship of wise choices to manage for the Lord. It gives you permission to be free in Christ, but your freedom is for Him. His kingdom agenda is what drives grace. Grace integrates all of life around faith. Christ does not compartmentalize the sacred from the secular. Grace includes, it doesn’t exclude. It discloses rather than hides. Sin is subservient to your Savior’s grace.

Grace gives you the perspective and power for forgiveness and honesty. It is the delivery channel of truth. Grace is your excuse for extending forgiveness and second and third chances—and more—to culprits. Use grace to remove sin’s stain from the fiber of your faith. Indeed, as you extend grace, you are more likely to receive grace. Be responsible with grace and you will be trusted with more. Grace saved you from sin; so don’t go back to your pre-grace condition. Because of grace, you are free from sin, not free to sin. Therefore, be a responsible and gracious follower of Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing grace, I pray I apply it responsibility.

Home

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Nothing But Christ

Leave a comment

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. And I was in (passed into a state of) weakness and fear (dread) and great trembling [after I had come] among you. And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power. —1 Corinthians 2:2-4

I’ve tried to imagine what it would have been like to go to Corinth or other Greek cities at the time of Paul and try to speak to those wise, brilliant thinkers. After studying every parchment given to me, and gaining knowledge of all their arguments, I would have prayed for God to help me overcome their objections.

We don’t know what Paul did, but his answer is astounding. Instead of going after them with great reasoning and sharp logic, he went in exactly the opposite direction. He stayed in Corinth a year and a half, and many came to Christ because of him. Later, when he wrote 1 Corinthians, he said, “For I resolved to know nothing . . . among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified” (2:2). That’s amazing. If any man had the ability to reason with those Greeks and could show them the fallacies of their logic, surely that man was Paul. But, being led by the Holy Spirit, he chose a defenseless presentation—to let God speak through him and touch the hearts of the people.

Now, centuries later, I appreciate his approach—although I didn’t always feel this way. For a long time I wanted to explain and reason out everything, but when that didn’t work, I ended up feeling miserable.

I’ve always been curious, always wanted to know, and always wanted to figure out the answer. Then God began to work in my life. He showed me that my constant drive to figure it out caused me confusion and prevented me from receiving many of the things He wanted me to have. He said, You must lay aside carnal reasoning if you expect to have discernment.

I didn’t like loose ends, so I felt more secure when I figured things out. I wanted to be in control of every detail of every situation. When I didn’t understand or was unable to figure things out, I felt out of control. And that was frightening to me. Something was wrong—I was troubled and had no peace of mind. Sometimes, frustrated and exhausted, I would just give up.

Continue reading Joyce Meyer – Nothing But Christ →

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Knowledge and Wisdom

Leave a comment

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere” (James 3:17).

“Donkeys laden with books,” a phrase in rabbinical literature, is descriptive of those who know much but still remain fools.

Another expression says that “knowledge is power.” True, but how is the knowledge used – beneficially or malevolently? That is a vitally important question. We have more knowledge than ever before, but a few would claim that we have more wisdom.

Going faster and faster, we may be still going astray. Just as grapes are not picked from a bramble bush, neither can the good life be harvested from sowing wild oats.

For a nation of people, many of whom are “educated beyond their intelligence,” as an anonymous wit once observed, America sorely lacks a sufficiency of men with real wisdom – that which is given by the Lord Himself.

In our modern education, we seem to be preoccupied with the accumulation of knowledge, to the neglect of that wisdom which alone can save us from the misuse of knowledge.

William Lyon Phelps, famous English professor at Yale University and a godly statesman, once said, “If I could choose between a knowledge of the Bible and a college education, I would readily choose the knowledge of the Bible.”

If we lack wisdom, God’s wisdom, we need only ask of Him and He will grant it when we ask in faith, according to His promise in James 1:5.

Bible Reading: James 3:13-18

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: In order to live a supernatural life I’ll look for divine wisdom from the proper source – God, His Word, and His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Resources

Leave a comment

Read: 2 Chronicles 14:2-16:12

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you. 2 Chron 14:11

Have you ever felt like King Asa felt? Have you ever thought you were secure, with plenty of money in the bank, with good health and a future that looked bright and rosy, and then suddenly, Wham! Bam! — disaster looms? You realize you are outnumbered, outgunned and outclassed, up against a circumstance too big for you to handle. I’m sure there are some facing that very kind of thing.

Notice that the very first thing Asa does is to recognize the unique ability of God to give help — unique ability — because nobody helps like God does. The reason there is none like God to help, of course, is that God knows so much more about us than anyone else and there are a thousand and one things God can do to set us free. King Asa recognizes also that part of the uniqueness of God is that it does not make any difference whether you are mighty or weak. This phrase, to help the powerless against the mighty, reveals that human contribution to the victory is insignificant in God’s eyes. He can use armies if he wants to, or he can use a single individual.

The second thing King Asa did was to request specific aid for the present emergency. He prayed, Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. When you are confronted with a situation like that, you do not have time to pray around the world. I once heard of a man who was invited to pray for someone who was dying in a hospital. As he stood beside the bed, this man began his prayer, Bless the missionaries in China and India and Africa, etc. He continued in that vein until someone stopped him and said, I’m sorry. While you were in India the patient died. It is important to come to the point in our prayers, to deal with the specific situation, as King Asa did here. Do not tell God what to do. That is the mistake so many of us make. We have our prayer all outlined, written down even. We say, Lord, first do this. Then when that happens, do this. God’s best and most frequent answer to such a prayer is to check the square that says, None of the above. He has his own way of working. He will not give way to us. That is what makes us get so angry at God.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Resources →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Journey into Old Age

Leave a comment

Read: Psalm 71:1-9

Upon you I have leaned from before my birth. (v. 6)

Evelyn tells how at a health exposition she noticed a young woman standing to one side, a stack of papers in hand. She made no effort to give them out. Instead, her eyes searched the faces of the passersby. As Evelyn approached, she smiled and handed her a brochure. Evelyn was flattered at being singled out. Her smugness disappeared when she saw the literature: it advertised the services of a plastic surgeon!

You know you’re getting older when you thrill at watching a competition skater on TV do a triple axle, and then you head for the kitchen trip over a throw rug. Should I reconsider the TV ad promoting another deal? I can order exercise videos to tone up my sagging muscles. For only $19.95.

What’s going on? Commercial interests find it profitable to appeal to our desire to not get old. Yet it’s as inevitable as graying hair. At birth we begin to age.

Rather than another sales pitch this psalm shows us a better way. Knowing the Lord by faith gives us confidence, for the struggles and challenges of the middle years; and gives hope and courage for dealing with the final years. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (Ps. 1:3).

Prayer:

Lord, from birth I have relied on you. You have been my confidence since my youth. I place my hope in you for my remaining years. Amen.

Author: Chic Broersma

 

https://woh.org/

Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Cares for Me

Leave a comment

“For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14)

God cares about me even though I am nothing but dust.

Dust. It’s the stuff that accumulates under your bed or on your dresser. It’s on top of the refrigerator or other places that never seem to get cleaned. It’s the stuff your mom asks you to wipe off of the furniture around the house. Most people don’t like dust. It’s just annoying. Dust is certainly something you wouldn’t try to collect and take care of. You would not love or protect or even talk to dust. Most people would think you were strange if you did any of those things. After all, it’s just dust, it’s not important; it’s not worth anything.

But do you know that God describes human beings as dust? Psalms 103:14 says, “For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” The phrase “He knoweth our frame,” means that God knows what we are made of. And He should know what we are made of because He created us. Genesis 2:7 says God created man from “the dust of the ground.” You are nothing more important or significant than dust.

But even though you are dust and seemingly unimportant, God does love you, and care for you, and protect you. He does want to talk to you through His Word, and He also wants you to talk to Him through prayer. We should thank God that He cares so much about us. The whole point of Psalm 103 is that we should bless God for everything He has done for us such as forgiving and forgetting our sins, showing us mercy, healing us from sickness, and giving us strength. It’s great that we have a God that cares about us even though we are dust and don’t deserve it!

My Response:

» Do I thank God for caring about me?

» Do I remember that I’m nothing but dust and don’t deserve God’s love, or do I get proud and think more of myself more than I should?

 

http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx

The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Old Way, New Way

Leave a comment

Today’s Scripture: Romans 7:6

“We serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”

Far too many Christians still serve in the old way of the law instead of in the new way of the Spirit:

  1. Old Way: External Code —God’s moral precepts are only an external code of conduct. New Way: Internal Desire —God’s moral precepts are written on our hearts. The Spirit inclines our hearts and gives us a desire to obey.
  2. Old Way: Commanding—The law commands but gives no enabling power for obedience. New Way: Enabling—The Spirit enables us to obey the law’s commands.
  3. Old Way: Hostility—Before our conversion, the commands of the law actually provoked and incited us to sin. New Way: Delight—By removing our hostility and writing the law on our hearts, the Spirit causes us to delight in God’s law.
  4. Old Way: Fear—The law produces a legalistic response to God. We try to obey because of fear of punishment for disobedience or to win favor with God. New Way: Gratitude—The Spirit, by showing us God’s grace, produces a response of love and gratitude. We obey out of gratitude for favor already given.
  5. Old Way: Working—We perform in order to be accepted by God. Since our performance is always imperfect, we never feel completely accepted by him. We’re always working from a position of weakness, feeling we never quite make it. New Way: Relying—The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we’re accepted by God through the merit of Christ. By relying solely on his perfect righteousness, we feel accepted by him. We work from a position of strength because we’ve been accepted through Jesus, and through him, we’ve “made it.” (Excerpt taken from Transforming Grace)

 

https://www.navigators.org/Home

The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Christ in Us

Leave a comment

Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 4:21-24

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word… I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:9,11

The people who were instrumental in my coming to Christ didn’t find their pleasure in the usual places or the usual ways. For instance, I was a gambler, and every Sunday afternoon a few of us would gather to play poker. They didn’t gamble. When something upset me, my usual response was a string of swear words that would peel the hide off a donkey. They would pray and commit the matter to the Lord. I enjoyed hanging out in bars. They enjoyed going to church. And frankly, I was intrigued.

It was through the lives of these people that God put it in my heart to buy a Bible and investigate the person of Jesus Christ for myself. After I turned to Christ in repentance and faith, I wanted my life to reflect the life of Christ as theirs did. Fellowship with God on a daily basis was foundational, and I learned that morning prayer and Bible reading were a solid way to start the day. My wife and I began attending church services and participating in a young couples’ Sunday school class.

After a year or so, the Lord called us to serve Him on a full-time basis. We moved to Minneapolis and attended Northwestern College, where we met up with The Navigators. They reinforced my Bible reading and church attendance with practical instruction in Scripture memory, personal Bible study, and the consistent practice of meditation on the Word of God.

This combination had a profound effect on my life. Old habits began to melt away under the spotlight of God’s Word as I learned to apply the Word to my life. Sin was replaced with a desire for a holy life.

Prayer

Lord, I rejoice that the old me is gone and that You have made me a new creation, empowered to follow Your will as a true disciple. Amen.

To Ponder

The Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in all His truth and beauty through yielded and caring disciples.

 

https://www.navigators.org/Home

Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – OUR TRUE FATHER

Leave a comment

Read 1 John 3:1–10

Singer Bing Crosby had the public image of a family man, but after his death Crosby’s son Gary published Going My Own Way, which painted his father in a very different light. According to Gary Crosby, his father verbally abused his children and whipped them until he drew blood. He characterized the Crosby home as “a house of terror all the time.”

Not everyone has a good example of parenting. Even the best families are flawed. If we cannot look to our own family for a healthy role model for parenting, where can we turn? We can look to the Lord.

It is no accident that the Bible refers to God as our Father. This intentional language uses our common experience to enable us to understand what God is like. For instance, Jesus described God as Father to illustrate His willingness to give “good gifts” to His children (Matt. 7:11). Not every parent is naturally inclined to show compassion, but most consider it their obligation to meet the most basic needs of their children. If this is true of sinful parents, how much more must it be true of our Heavenly Father?

In today’s passage John tells us that God has shown us His love by making us His children. This status is a gift that has come to us through Jesus Christ. It brings with it the promise of transformation. Now that we are part of His family, God is reshaping us into the image of His Son (v. 2). This promise also places an obligation upon us. Since we are being changed in this way, it is reasonable to expect a family resemblance. As John puts it: “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (v. 3).

APPLY THE WORD

The call to purify ourselves implies that we are continuing to grow more like Christ. We should be characterized by truth and holy living. If you are frustrated with your current progress, take heart! You are still a child of God, beloved by your Father, and He will not give up on you until the work is complete (see Phil. 1:6).

http://www.todayintheword.org

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – A Healthy Body

1 Comment

1 Corinthians 6:19

Take a good, long look at yourself. What is your attitude about your body? How concerned are you with healthy eating and regular exercise? These are important questions that many believers never ask themselves. In fact, some may separate the spiritual life from the physical life altogether. However, this is not the view that the Lord intended.

God, who carefully crafted every one of us, places a high value on our bodies (Ps. 139:13). The human form represents the masterpiece of creation, and God entrusted our bodies to our care. Just as with any other resource—such as relationships or money—the Father expects wise stewardship from us.

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians provides a clear picture of followers of Christ mistreating their bodies. Many people in the church had been engaging in various unacceptable practices, including gluttony and sexual misconduct (1 Cor. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:21). Because of their low view of the physical body, they incorrectly regarded this behavior as completely separate from their spiritual life. They believed they could do anything they wanted with their bodies and still be considered “good Christians.”

In verse 16 of chapter 3, Paul declares, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 16:3). The apostle reminds us God’s Holy Spirit has come to live in the heart and life of every believer.

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then He has taken up residence in your life. In effect, your body has become a walking testimony. What is your body saying about your relationship with the heavenly Father?

Bible in a Year: Psalms 76-78

 

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — A Firm Place to Stand

Leave a comment

Read: Psalm 40:1–5 | Bible in a Year: Job 3–4; Acts 7:44–60

He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

The historic riverwalk area of Savannah, Georgia, is paved with mismatched cobblestones. Local residents say that centuries ago the stones provided ballast for ships as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. When cargo was loaded in Georgia, the ballast stones were no longer needed, so they were used to pave the streets near the docks. Those stones had accomplished their primary job—stabilizing the ship through dangerous waters.

The days in which we live can feel as turbulent as the high seas. Like sailing ships of old, we need stability to help us navigate our way through the storms of life. David faced danger as well, and he celebrated the character of God for providing him with stability after he had endured a desperate time. He declared, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand” (Ps. 40:2). David’s experience was one of conflict, personal failure, and family strife, yet God gave him a place to stand. So David sang “a hymn of praise to our God” (v. 3).

When the world around us is crumbling, Christ is the solid Rock on which we stand.

In times of difficulty, we too can look to our powerful God for the stability only He brings. His faithful care inspires us to say with David, “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us” (v. 5).

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’s name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand. Edward Mote

When the world around us is crumbling, Christ is the solid Rock on which we stand.

INSIGHT:

Psalm 40 is a beautiful song of thanksgiving to God for His deliverance. The key to understanding and appreciating this psalm is seen in the simplicity of the opening words. David knows and celebrates the deliverance of the Lord because he “waited patiently” for Him (v. 1). In our times of trial and struggle, we want to be delivered quickly and in ways that are simple to see. But David reminds us that God’s deliverance comes in God’s timing. We, like David, must wait patiently for the Lord if we are to see His wonders (v. 5).

 

http://www.odb.org

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Integrity Is Devoted to Prayer

1 Comment

“Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God” (Daniel 6:10-11).

There is a direct link between prayer and integrity.

It is no coincidence that those whom God uses most effectively are those who are most fervent in prayer. David, for example, called upon the Lord in the morning, at noon, and at night, and the Lord heard his prayers (Ps. 55:17). Daniel followed the same pattern, praying three times a day from his roof chamber, where he could look out above the rooftops of Babylon toward Jerusalem.

Houses in Babylon often had latticework over their windows to allow ventilation, and Daniel would be visible through that latticework as he faced Jerusalem, prayed for its restoration, and gave thanks to God. He knew that Darius had issued a decree making it illegal to pray and that violating the decree would give his enemies opportunity to accuse him, but he would not forsake prayer or compromise his convictions. He would continue to call upon the Lord and leave any consequences to Him.

That was a bold decision for Daniel to make, especially in light of the punishment he would face. Would you be as bold if you knew that your prayers would lead to persecution and possible death? Perhaps more important, are you that committed to prayer even when you aren’t facing persecution? I trust that you are. The seriousness of the spiritual battles you face requires faithfulness in prayer. That’s why Paul said, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2).

Suggestions for Prayer

Are you devoted to prayer? If not, begin today to set aside a specific time daily to commune with the Lord and meditate on His Word. You might try keeping a written record of your prayer requests, noting the specific ways God answers them.

For Further Study

What was our Lord’s pattern of prayer, and how did He instruct His disciples to pray (see Luke 5:16; 6:12; Matt. 6:5-13)?

 

http://www.gty.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Midlife Crisis 

1 Comment

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”    Ecclesiastes 1:2

Midlife is a natural time to do a life audit. This is the season to do a performance review of your passion and your life’s productivity. You measure how well you have amassed money and acquired assets. You grade the success of your life on your position in the work place, your educational advancement, your character development, and the quality of your relationships, especially those in your family. Midlife is a time for reflection, regrouping, and recalibrating big goals. If, by God’s grace, you have implemented His plan up until now, you look forward to what He has for you during the second half of life. But a midlife crisis comes from meaningless living. You may have drifted from what God intended for you from your youth. You scoffed at His plan and purpose and replaced it with your own.

Go back to your original God-given purpose and redirect the  midlife crisis missile to keep it from crashing into your home. Revisit your God-given purpose for living. A proper purpose precludes meaningless living. Yet, every day, men and some women meander into a midlife crisis. They think it is a release from responsibility, but midlife is meant to be a time of terrific transition, not terrible torture. It is created for celebration, not regret. Midlife is meaningful if rooted in the purpose of God and a future hope in Him. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Maybe you lived the first half of your life off purpose, but you were successful by the world’s standards. You may have more wealth than you ever dreamed of, but your spouse and children do not really know you. You are relationally poor. Or maybe you have been a good Christian, but you always seem to encounter bad things. Christianity feels like a farce; it is not what was promised to you when you started out in gleeful obedience. The hardness and insensitivity of some Christians is confusing. You are ready to toss it all out the window and start over with convenient obedience and lukewarm faith. But now is not the time to bail on Divine Providence. Yes, you may be tired and even sick, but stick with your Savior.

Continue reading Wisdom Hunters – Midlife Crisis  →

Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Follow the Son This Summer: A Must-Have for Summer

Leave a comment

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:12

We live our lives by lists—especially in the summer. Think of planning a summer road trip to visit relatives or a summer vacation at the beach—or especially a camping trip where the conveniences of home are missing. In every case, we make lists. Do we have clothes, snacks, tickets, someone to collect our mail and care for our pets? Do we have money, directions, first-aid kit, a credit card for emergencies, cell phones (and chargers)?

Recommended Reading: John 3:14-16

Even on normal days, we are likely to make lists: “Do I have my grocery list, clothes to drop at the cleaners, and gas in the car?” But how often do we ask when we are making our lists, “Do I have the Son of God?” It’s okay to assume we do if we are a Christian. We don’t need to cross-examine ourselves every moment about whether Christ is with us. But the apostle John wrote to a group of Christians on that subject for a reason: “He who has the Son has life.” It is healthy for us to be sure that we have life because we have the Son of God.

Whether starting out on an errand or for a week-long vacation, don’t forget to include the Son of God on your list of “must-haves.” Life without Him isn’t really life at all.

For the Christian, all of life is sacred.

Paul B. Smith

Read-Thru-the-Bible: Psalms 112 – 119

 

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Follow God’s Leading

Leave a comment

Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.—Proverbs 16:3

Trying to figure everything out before you obey God will steal your joy. God doesn’t have to answer you when you ask, “Why God, why?” Trust means that you won’t always have 11 answers when you want them. Sometimes you just have to get to the other side of a situation to see the whole picture of what God is doing in your life.

God may be trying to separate you from some influence in your life that is keeping you from receiving the better plan He has for you. He may be “pruning” you to encourage new, healthier growth (See John 15:1-8). Use uncertain times to demonstrate your faith by trusting Him.

From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Crown of Life

Leave a comment

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12, KJV).

In Christian art, the crown is usually pictured entwined with the cross. This suggests that endurance of trial leads to victory, as the above verse indicates.

Temptation often comes at our weakest – rather than our strongest – moments. When we have reached the limit of our love and our patience, for example, we are tempted to be unlike Christ in one way or another. Remember, Jesus’ temptation began after forty days of fasting.

People usually are impressed – favorably or unfavorably – when they see how we act under pressure. It is possible for one weak act to spoil a whole lifetime of witness.

The beatitude, or blessing, in Matthew 5:10; says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (KJV). The crown of life is promised to those who successfully stand up under the testing of their faith. The Christian life is a spiritual conflict from the moment of birth until we go to be with the Lord. The flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. There is absolutely no hope for victory until one discovers the availability of the supernatural resources of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

A young student who came to me for counsel said, “I have given up. I can’t live the Christian life. There is no hope for me.”

“Good,” I replied. “At last you have recognized that you cannot live the Christian life. Now there is hope for you, for the Christian life is a supernatural life and the only one who can live it is Jesus Christ Himself.”

Surrender your life totally, completely to Him and recognize moment by moment, day by day, that the Holy Spirit is the only one who will enable you to endure temptation. By faith you must draw upon His supernatural resources to live a supernatural life. Only then will you be victorious and fruitful for the glory of God.

Bible Reading: James 5:7-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: Today and every day I will remember to draw upon the supernatural resources of the indwelling Christ who will enable me to be victorious over temptation and to live the supernatural life as a testimony to His faithfulness.

 

http://www.cru.org

Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Relationships

Leave a comment

Read: Job 42:5-10

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

In the book of Job, we are given very clear evidence of when Job’s physical problems began. They began when, after having destroyed Job’s home and his wealth and killed all his children, Satan obtained permission from God to afflict him with a terrible siege of boils from head to foot. An awful series of painful, suppurating boils had turned him into a dreadful, revolting sight. This, of course, was shattering to Job’s sense of self-esteem, and he groveled in the ash heap. The whole book is an account of how Job cries out in agony and despair week after week after week because of this. His friends come and torment him with accusations, blaming him for everything, so that he is mentally and physically tormented. But if you ask yourself, When did Job’s pain stop? this verse is the only one which gives you the answer. God reversed the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends. Even during Job’s great encounter with God, recorded in Chapters 40 and on, there is no mention there that his agony had ceased. He is asked all these searching questions by God, but he is still feeling the awful pain in his body. When he prays for his friends, however, it all ends.

That indicates that, in order for this to happen, Job has to deal with his natural resentment against these men. If we put ourselves in Job’s place, we can understand how he must have felt. At best, he would see these men as a trio of self-righteous windbags who were just blowing hot air. At worst, Job would see them as a group of malicious slanderers who were out to destroy his reputation, because they accused him of things he never did, of attitudes he did not possess, of actions he never dreamed of doing. Those were the reasons for all his trouble, they said. They assaulted him, they insulted him, they outraged him. He had every right by natural standards to be angry, and upset, and bitter against these three so-called friends. But you cannot pray for somebody when you think of him in that way. To obey God, Job had to forgive these men. He had to set aside all the bitterness, the resentment and the anger he might have felt and deal with them as sinners, just like himself. That is the beauty of this passage, because the moment Job did that his own healing began.

Continue reading Ray Stedman – Prayer’s Relationships →

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Singing As We Go

Leave a comment

Read: Psalm 137

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (v. 4)

My two-room school house is long gone, my high school building too. Grandpa’s farm was cut in half by an expressway. My boyhood church was sold and became, for a time, an antique store. As you read these words I dare say you’re thinking about changes in your own life. To be alive is to deal with change.

The world about us has changed so radically in recent decades that we find it a less congenial place than before to sing the Lord’s song. Our hymns, our professions of faith, celebrate an orderliness, a comforting rhythm of life that we don’t find once we step outside the church door. Still we go on singing expressing faith. No matter what things look like, our God is still in control. For some of us, the changes are close to home. A nagging physical ailment, a painful personal relationship, financial worries, or concerns for our children may quiet the music in our hearts. Yet we sing the Lord’s song by giving him our love and loyalty. We sing by believing God has a good plan for us, as he did for his people of old.

Not a few Hebrew captives believed they would again worship the Lord in the temple in Jerusalem. They did. The day came after 70 years. They returned to the Promised Land and rebuilt the temple. If we remain faithful to our Savior in our day, we too will sing the Lord’s song at home in heaven.

Prayer:

Redeemer God, my faith is in you.

Author: Chic Broersma

 

https://woh.org/