Tag Archives: nature

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Understanding Who We Are

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“Walk . . . with all humility” (Ephesians 4:1-2).

The first step to humility is understanding our sinfulness.

I’ll never forget a meeting I had at my house with some seminary students. One student asked me, very seriously, “John, how did you finally overcome pride?” I said jokingly, “Well, it was two years ago when I finally licked it, and it’s never been a problem since then. It’s so wonderful to be constantly humble.” Of course, I have not completely overcome pride; it’s a battle I face every day. Satan makes sure we always struggle with it.

Overcoming pride in even one area is difficult, but Ephesians 4:2 requires “all humility.” Having some humility isn’t enough. We must have total, complete humility in every relationship, every attitude, and every act.

So we all have a lot of work to do. But where do we start? How can we become humble?

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Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Songs of Deliverance 

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And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are our deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are you ways, King of the ages.” Revelation 15:2-3

No Longer Slaves by Bethel has become my favorite praise and worship song. They reference  John 8 and Romans 7 where Jesus and Paul describe our freedom from sin and our sonship in Christ. Toward the end of the song the chorus grabs my heart, “You split the seas so I could walk right through it. You drowned my fears in perfect love. You rescued me so I will stand and say I am a child of God.” As followers of Jesus, we can sing a song of deliverance—for the Lord has liberated us by His love, freed us from fear and adopted us as His beloved child!

John describes with striking imagery the defeated beast who represents our fleshly (beastly) desires and our foe—whom the Lamb defeated with His sacrifice on the cross. Ultimately, we who worship the Lamb will celebrate at the seashore of our salvation—our final deliverance over the beast. We will sing the song of Moses, with lyrics from the Lord who freed His children from the bondage of the beast—Pharaoh. The Red Sea swallowed up the Egyptian army. Any adversaries of Almighty God are destined to defeat. We worship here anticipating our victory party there!

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Turning Point

Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah – Nothing Done for Christ Is Small

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And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

Recommended Reading

Galatians 6:6-10

We aren’t called to greatness, but to faithfulness. Most of our work is unheralded, and we’re often faced with thankless tasks known only to God. No one sees when we wrestle in prayer for a grandchild, when we place our tithes and offerings in the basket at church, when we rake the leaves for an elderly neighbor, or leave a New Testament at the bedside of a hospitalized friend. Even when we stand before others, the group we’re addressing has no idea how much time and prayer went into our preparation.

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Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Don’t Fret—Rejoice!

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Rejoice in the Lord always…again I say, Rejoice!…Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in…everything, by prayer and petition…with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. —Philippians 4:4,6

Twice in this passage the apostle Paul tells us to rejoice. He urges us not to fret or have any anxiety about anything but to pray and give thanks to God in everything—not after everything is over.

If you wait until everything is perfect before rejoicing and giving thanks you won’t have much fun. Learning to enjoy life even in the midst of trying circumstances is one way to develop spiritual maturity.

Live in the fullness of the joy of the Lord by finding something to be glad about besides your current circumstances. You must learn to derive your happiness and joy from the Lord who lives inside you.

Decide you will not fret or have anxiety about anything but will give thanks and praise to God, rejoicing in Him always.

From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Girlfriends in God

Girlfriends in God – Come and Rest in Him

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Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

Matthew 22:37

Friend to Friend

From the moment of birth, we are taught that successful people never give up. Yet, I have discovered the paradoxical secret that true success can only be found in complete surrender.

Dr. Billy Graham tells the story of a little child who was playing with a very valuable vase. The child put his hand into the vase but could not pull it out. His father tried to free the little boy’s hand, but couldn’t. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, “Son, let’s try one more time. Open your hand and hold your fingers out really straight and then pull.” The look of alarm on the boy’s face surprised the dad until the little boy explained, “Oh no, Dad. I can’t hold my fingers like that. If I did, I would drop my penny.”

Many of us are like that little boy – holding onto something that is keeping us from letting go and letting God have His way in our lives. It doesn’t really matter what that something is. If it is keeping us from surrendering to God, it is our jailer, and we are its prisoner.

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Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Thank Him for Answers

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“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7).

Some years ago there was an occasion when my world was crumbling. All that my associates and I had worked and planned for in the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ was hanging by a slender thread which was about to break.

Because of a series of unforeseen circumstances, we were facing a financial crisis which could bankrupt the movement and result in the loss of our beautiful facilities at Arrowhead Springs, California, acquired just a few years earlier.

Already thousands of students and laymen from all over the world were receiving training which would influence millions of lives for Christ. Now we were in danger of losing it all.

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Ray Stedman

Ray Stedman – The Way To Peace

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A daily devotion for March 11th

From your friends at RayStedman.org

Read: Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name… Phil 2:9

Our Lord Jesus was given in his resurrection and ascension that name which is above every other name that has ever been given in heaven and on earth. It is the name we call Jehovah. It is translated Lord in our English versions of the New Testament. That is exactly what Paul says: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Paul says Christ is the one who has won that position because he unhesitatingly and unreservedly committed himself to that attitude of his own heart that led him first to mortality, then to ignominy, and finally to unequalled glory.

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Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – Get Out Of the Boat

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Read: Matthew 14:22-33

So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (v. 29)

Ask yourself this question: “Where do I find myself in this sacred story?” Are you sitting in the boat, a place of safety and security? Are you striding boldly across the sea? Or maybe you’ve begun to sink, crying out, “Lord, save me!”

The most decisive moments of life happen when, trusting in Jesus, we step out of the boat. Perhaps you’ve been unhappy in your job for too long, and the time has come to step out of the security it offers and pursue the work you sense you were created to do. Perhaps you’ve avoided speaking up, afraid you might be rejected, or afraid to disagree with a powerful person, and the time has come to tell it like it is. Perhaps your church keeps declining, getting older, getting smaller, afraid to adapt, afraid to step out into the community, and you are beginning to realize that unless you change, you have no future.

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Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Focused on Forever

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Suppose you go for a checkup and your dentist makes this offer: “Your teeth are just fine,” he says, “but I have a dental student here today, and I would like her to perform a root canal on you so she can get some practice.” You’d surely jump out of the chair and be gone in a flash. But what if the dentist adds, “and we are going to reward you with one million dollars for this experience.” Suddenly, your thinking changes dramatically. Nobody wants a root canal, but for a million bucks? The pain would be short-lived – maybe a few days. But a million dollars would change your life for a long, long time.

For Christ also suffered once for sins…put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

I Peter 3:18

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Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Easter Is for Second Chances

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But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples–and Peter–that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”—Mark 16:6–7

Do you need a second chance today? On the first Easter morning, Peter needed one. There in the Upper Room, he had insisted that he would never deny Christ. But just as Jesus had predicted, Peter not only denied the Lord, but he denied Him three times. The last glimpse Peter had of Jesus before His crucifixion was in the glow of the fire in the high priest’s courtyard, where he actually made eye contact with Jesus. And then he went out and wept bitterly.

What kind of look do you think Jesus gave Peter when their eyes met? Do you think it was one of those I-told-you-so looks? Do you think it was one of scorn, as if to say, “How could you betray Me?” I don’t think it was either one. I think it was a look of love, a look of compassion that said, “I still love you, Peter.” And I believe that is why Peter went out and wept bitterly. He had failed the Lord so miserably. He probably thought there was no hope for him.

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Kids 4 Truth

Kids 4 Truth International – God Is Our Stronghold

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“Blessed be the LORD my strength…my goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust.” (Psalm 144:1-2)

There is a place in Israel near the Dead Sea called Masada (muh-SAH-duh). It looks like a mountain with a flat, square top. Masada was once a huge getaway palace for Herod the Great. In the first century after the time of Christ, Jewish people used it as a fortress. Men, women, and children lived there for three years, hiding from the Romans who had attacked and destroyed their cities. “The Romans cannot get to us here,” they thought. “We are safe in Masada.”

But they were not safe. The Roman army built a siege ramp all the way up the side of the mountain. Day after day, the Jews saw the Romans working on the ramp, and they knew that they had only a little time.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Jerry Bridges – Holiness Day by Day Devotional – Nehemiah’s Example

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Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4

“I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

Our prayers of dependence should be of two types: planned periods of prayer and unplanned, spontaneous prayer. We see both beautifully illustrated for us in the life of Nehemiah, who was one of the Jews in exile and was cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes. The book begins with Nehemiah learning of the sad state of affairs of the Jews back in Judah and the fact that the wall of Jerusalem was in ruins. Hearing this, Nehemiah sat down and wept, then fasted and prayed for a period of several months.

We can assume Nehemiah set aside a certain time or times of the day during which he earnestly besought God for the welfare of Jerusalem. Most likely he would have had to schedule his times of prayer around his daily duties, just as we have to do. Because he prayed over a period of several months, we can describe this part of Nehemiah’s prayer life as planned, protracted, persevering prayer.

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The Navigators

The Navigators – Leroy Eims – Daily Discipleship Devotional – Nothing But God

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 15-18

[I show] love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6

Have you ever been disappointed by the actions of people you love and depend on, and for whom you have the highest hopes and expectations? It hurts when a friend whispers about you or a child lies to you or a spouse breaks a promise.

But consider the life of David. Today’s passage is filled with his disappointments from family, associates, and friends. God told David He would punish him for his sin in the matter of Uriah by raising up evil against him out of his own household.

Immorality and murder were David’s sins and, although forgiven, those sins occurred among his children years later when Amnon defiled his sister Tamar and Absalom murdered Amnon in revenge.

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BreakPoint

BreakPoint –  Extraordinary Earth

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Astronomers have long searched the sky for evidence that we’re not alone. But new research is suggesting we may be one of a kind.

There’s an old joke about Sherlock Holmes and his assistant, Watson.

“Let’s go camping,” Holmes says to Watson one day. “Jolly good!” replies Watson. So the two pack up their gear, head into the woods, set up their tent and by nightfall, are sound asleep. Hours later, Watson is awakened by a nudge from Holmes.

“Watson!” says the detective, “look up! What do you see?” “I see the sky, full of stars,” says Watson, a little annoyed. “And what do you deduce from that?” asks Holmes. Watson thinks for a moment, and replies, “Well, given the thousands of stars, it’s improbable that ours is the only planet capable of sustaining life. Therefore, other beings like ourselves are likely out there somewhere, looking back at us. Is that what it means?”

“No, you nincompoop,” replies Holmes. “It means someone has stolen our tent!”

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Moody Global Ministries

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – JESUS, THE GREATER ELIJAH

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Read Luke 7

Before his death, Steve Jobs was known both inside and outside of Apple for his exacting standards. He involved himself in the design details of Apple products and frequently lambasted employees when their vision and execution fell short of his genius. Jobs may have been a brilliant CEO, but he was also a difficult boss.

As a boss himself, the Roman centurion in today’s story understood the dynamics of power. When he told his servants to come or to go, they obeyed him immediately for fear of reprisal. Strangely, however, though the centurion noted that he had the ability to give orders to his servants, he described himself as “under authority” (v. 8). He seemed to understand his authority less as self-derived power and more as delegated power. Others with greater authority (namely, the emperor) had invested him with his authority to command others.

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Denison Forum

Denison Forum – GIRL SURPRISES MAN WHO RAISED HER WITH ADOPTION PAPERS

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She wanted to make official what he has been doing unofficially for years. Earlier this week, a video went viral showing a young woman named Misty surprising her father figure, Ryan, with adoption papers.

In her letter to him, she wrote: “You’ve raised me my whole life . . . putting my hair in tight Princess Leia buns . . . I know we are so weird together, but that’s what makes you you, and I cannot imagine not having you in my life. I’m so grateful to be able to call you Dad.”

In the eyes of the state, Ryan may not have been her legal father. But that did not keep him from acting like a father. Such can be said of God.

He is a Father regardless of whether someone acknowledges it or not. As Flannery O’Connor noted, “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.”

God draws near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), extends grace generously (2 Corinthians 9:8), and loves lavishly (1 John 3:1). Contrary to cultural belief, God is not mad at us, but is madly in love with us. He quite literally has loved us to death. And Christ’s death and resurrection is an invitation to be adopted as sons and daughters of the King.

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Impact of a Godly Influence

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 Daniel 6:1-28

Daniel had the rare opportunity to influence four kings and their kingdoms with godly principles. Remaining true to God often meant putting himself in danger, but he never once wavered in his convictions. The record of his life shows us what is required of someone who wants to have a godly impact on those around him.
Complete confidence in the Lord’s ability to protect and provide empowered Daniel to make bold decisions. He delivered bad news to kings, even though such an act could have gotten him killed (Dan. 2:26-44; Dan. 5:17-28). What’s more, he challenged a law requiring him to violate God’s command to worship only Him (Dan. 6:7-11).

Daniel wasn’t intent on being popular; he was committed to doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. And when he had to face consequences for choosing the unpopular course of action, he did so with a calm and Christ-like spirit. Offering no complaint, Daniel accepted the punishment of being thrown into a den of lions—he had, in fact, broken the law.

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Strangers and Foreigners

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Read: Hebrews 11:8-16

Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 11-13; Mark 12:1-27

He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. —Hebrews 11:10

I parked my bicycle, fingering my map of Cambridge for reassurance. Directions not being my strength, I knew I could easily get lost in this maze of roads bursting with historic buildings.

Life should have felt idyllic, for I had just married my Englishman and moved to the UK. But I felt adrift. When I kept my mouth closed I blended in, but when I spoke I immediately felt branded as an American tourist. I didn’t yet know what my role was, and I quickly realized that blending two stubborn people into one shared life was harder than I had anticipated.

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Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Between Shadow and Reality

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In an interesting encounter between Jesus and the paralytic given to us by Luke, we see a defining reminder of the relationship between soul and body, the temporal and the eternal. The friends of this paralyzed man did everything they could to bring him within the sight and touch of Jesus.(1) They even disfigured the property of the person in whose house Jesus was visiting in the hope that he would perform a miracle for their friend. I suspect they must have reasoned that if Jesus could make a paralyzed man walk again, then replacing a roof would be a minor problem. But as they lowered this man within reach of Jesus, they were not expecting an apologetic discussion.

“Which of the two is harder,” asked Jesus, “to bring physical healing or to forgive a person’s sins?” The irresistible answer was self-evident, was it not? To bring physical healing is harder because that would be such a miraculous thing, visible to the naked eye. The invisible act of forgiveness had far less evidentiary value. Yet, as they pondered and as we ponder, we discover repeatedly in life that the logic of God is so different to the logic of humanity. We move from the material to the spiritual in terms of the spectacular, but God moves from the spiritual to the material in terms of the essential. The physical is the concrete external—a shadow comparatively. The spiritual is the intangible internal—the objective actuality.

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John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Strength for Today – Humility on Display

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“Walk . . . with all humility” (Ephesians 4:1-2).

Christ showed us humility by becoming a man and living as a servant.

Humility is not a very popular concept in our society, is it? We are taught to pursue honor and recognition from a young age. When my children were young, they stacked up trophies to the point of absurdity. Award shows are commonplace on television. We seem to have prizes for everything.

Humility is an elusive quality. The moment you think you are humble is the moment you forfeit it. But humility is the heart of the worthy walk; that’s why Paul listed it here first. No matter how elusive it is, we must keep striving for it.

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