Tag Archives: reading ii

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Standing Faithful

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More than likely, they always accompanied her…perhaps for protection, perhaps to keep her company. Any way you look at it, Pharaoh’s daughter had ladies in waiting – always beside her, attending her every need. What a privilege!

Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river.  Exodus 2:5

Few people have others who answer their beck and call. But you are blessed if you have a friend who stands beside you…to comfort you, help you finish a job, or simply fellowship with you. A faithful friend will remain with you in difficult times, especially those periods when all others flee. Is it not a gift of God that He is one friend that will never, ever fail you?

It is possible that a person may abandon the Lord, but the opposite is never true for the believer. Know that God will “never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) He desires an ever-developing relationship with you – a relationship won by Christ and accepted by faith.

Take time to know Him. Walk beside Him in His Word. Let your prayer time be a heartfelt conversation. Listen to His guidance. Then intercede for this nation and its leaders that they might return to the Lord.

Recommended Reading: II Thessalonians 2:15-3:5

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – To Be Approved

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“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

Most of all of my adult life has been centered around the university world – as a student, a teacher, and one who works with students, professors and administrators in the intellectual realm. I count many of the leading scholars of our time as beloved friends, yet if I had to choose between a Ph.D. from the most prestigious university in the world and a thorough knowledge of and comprehension of the Word of God, I would gladly choose the latter. Fortunately, it is not necessary to choose because one can have both academic training and a knowledge of God’s Word.

A recommendation which I have made to our two sons and to thousands of our staff and students with whom we work is that degrees are very important in today’s world, but they will not only be meaningless and worthless in terms of eternity, but can contribute to one’s moral and spiritual disintegration unless at the same time one is studying to show himself approved unto God. In all of our academic pursuits and in our commitment to excellence in the business and professional realms, we must be careful to give God and His Holy inspired Word their rightful place in our daily schedule. Ultimately, it is our knowledge of God learned through the study of Scripture and our response to Him that makes all the difference in our life-style. It makes the difference in the choosing of our mate, in the rearing of our children, in the choosing of our friends, our business or professional career, in all of our attitudes and actions and in the contribution which we make to society. Let us give priority to priorities, the highest of which is to seek after God through the diligent study of His holy revelation to man and to encourage others to join with us in rightly dividing the word of truth.

Bible Reading: II Timothy 2:19-25

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: With God’s help I will seek not only to be a student of God’s Word but also to acquire the ability to teach His word to others.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Give It Up!

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Faith, mercy, grace…it’s a gift – all of it! Don’t nonchalantly dismiss this, saying that you know this already. Stop and consider that very few things in this world deserve the description of “awesome,” but these three things do.

This is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.  I Peter 5:12

Even more, God is the one person who graciously provides them. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Why faith alone? It may be because faith is the one attitude of the heart that is the exact opposite of depending on self. Faith requires that you give up – determine that you can do nothing on your own to stand righteous before God.

Your sins deserve severe punishment, especially when held next to the purity and holiness of the Lord. Mercy saves you. On top of that, He gives you grace – transforming life now into a personal relationship with Him and giving the promise of an exciting life in the hereafter.

Receive it all as His gift. In difficult and unsettling times such as what this nation is experiencing, remember God’s love and faithfulness. He will keep you. Stand firm!

Recommended Reading: II Thessalonians 3:1-5, 13-18

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Riches in Glory

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“And it is He who will supply all your needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us” (Philippians 4:19).

God has faithfully met the needs of this great worldwide ministry since its inception. He met our needs when there were only two of us – Vonette and I – on the staff. He meets our needs today (1983) with more than 16,000 full-time and associate staff members serving in most communities of America and in 151 other countries.

He met our needs when our budget was a few thousand dollars a year. He continues to meet our needs when our budget is approximately $100 million a year. During this exciting, incredibly rich and rewarding adventure with our gracious Lord, we have never had an extra dollar at the end of any day. We get only what we need – and no more.

During these years, there have been many dramatic demonstrations of His faithfulness, when He has led us to undertake major and frequently expensive projects. He has always supplied the funds to pay for what He orders. We have learned many lessons concerning God’s faithfulness.

First, whatever He leads us to do He will enable us to do by supplying the manpower, the finances and the know-how – oftentimes dramatically – if we continue to trust and obey Him.

Second, “we have not because we ask not” (James 4:2 KJV).

Third, we do not receive when our motives are impure.

But of this we can be sure: if our hearts are pure, our motives are pure and we do what we do for the glory of God – to help fulfill the Great Commission through the winning and discipling of men for Christ throughout the world -we can always be assured that God will supply our needs. Not to do so would be a contradiction of His attributes, for the idea of the Great Commission began with our Lord.

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 9:6-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will examine my heart to determine my motives and relate my needs to the scriptural commands with the confidence that God will supply all of my needs from His riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for me. I will thank Him in advance for meeting my needs, and encourage others to trust Him also. This is a part of my commitment to supernatural living.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Rescue from Temptation

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“So also the Lord can rescue you and me from the temptations that surround us, and continue to punish the ungodly until the day of final judgement comes” (2 Peter 2:9).

Charles G. Finney was one of America’s most outstanding evangelists. One day while he was still a young lawyer, he sat in his village law office in the state of New York. It was early in the day, and the Lord began to deal with him.

“Finney,” an inner voice asked, “what are you going to do when you finish your course?”

“Put out a shingle and practice law.”

“Then what?” the voice persisted.

“Get rich.”

“Then what?”

“Retire.”

“Then what?”

“Die.”

“Then what?”

This time the words came tremblingly, “The judgement.”

Young Finney ran for the woods half a mile away. As he prayed, he vowed that he would not leave until he had made his peace with God. After a long struggle, he discovered that he could not resist God’s call, and he came out of the woods that evening with the high purpose of living the remainder of his life to the glory of God, enjoying Him forever.

Like that great preacher and evangelist you and I can be rescued from the temptations of the world so that we will not resist any clear call from God.

Bible Reading: II Peter 2:10-17

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: When the world tries to squeeze me into its mold, I’ll not resist the clear call from our Lord Jesus Christ to follow Him.

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Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Inspiration of God

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“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, KJV).

Recently, it was my privilege to be chairman of a national congress on the Bible, which was held in San Diego, California. Thousands of Christian leaders came from across the nation and from other countries. More than fifty leading scholars addressed the various plenary and seminar sessions.

We were there to affirm our confidence that the Word of God is holy, inspired and without error. God’s Word is unlike any other book ever written. It is full of power and transforms the lives of all who read and obey its commandments. Many scholars read it without understanding, while others with little or no formal education comprehend its truths and are transformed in the process because they walk with God in humility and in the fullness and control of the Holy Spirit.

The story is told of a famous actor who attended a party one evening. A minister, who was also present, asked him if he would be kind enough to recite the 23rd Psalm. The actor, a famous and eloquent star of stage and screen, agreed on one condition – that the minister, a man in his eighties who had served God faithfully and humbly for half a century, would also recite the psalm.

The minister agreed, and the actor began. The words came like beautiful music, and everyone was enthralled at his beautiful presentation of the 23rd Psalm. A standing ovation greeted him at the finish.

Then the minister stood. He was not polished or eloquent. But as he began to recite the 23rd Psalm, a holy hush fell over his listeners and tears began to fill their eyes. When he finished, there was no applause – only silence. The actor stood to his feet. “I have reached your eyes and your ears and your emotions,” he said. “But this man of God has reached the very depths of your being.”

Bible Reading: II Peter 1:19-21

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will seek to become familiar with God’s Word, and obedient to its precepts, that my life will reflect its teachings. I will encourage others to join me in this great adventure of getting to know God and His holy, inspired Word.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Dictatorial Delusions

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Many world leaders have harbored ambitions to rule the world. One of them was Joseph Stalin, the notorious Soviet dictator, who was willing to eradicate millions of innocent people on his path to power. He was also not beyond shooting his own soldiers if they proved unwilling to press forward at all costs. “In the Soviet army,” he once said, “it takes more courage to retreat than advance.” But Stalin’s empire is now gone, sharing the destiny of all other kingdoms built by men with delusions of grandeur.

He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. Job 12:23

The fate of every nation is decided by God, not by individual courage, wars or crazed despots. This is a comfort to the Christian, but also a caution. America’s past is a proud one, but her future is by no means assured.

As you intercede for your country today, do so with the humble realization that God alone determines the destiny of nations and individuals. He has made clear in His Holy Word the things He will reward and the things He will punish. Pray that America’s leaders will honor the Lord today – for that is the only true path to power.

Recommended Reading: II Chronicles 12:5-12

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Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Protected From Satan

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“But the Lord is faithful: He will make you strong and guard you from satanic attacks of every kind” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

As a lad I grew up in a rural community on a ranch five miles from the nearest town. I received the first seven years of my formal education in a one-room, country school. I was often the only student in my class and there were never more than three of us. It was not unusual for some big bully to pick on a student smaller than himself and fights would ensue.

I had been taught never to run from a fight because that was not the manly thing to do and so I sometimes found myself in such a situation. I was encouraged by a brother, several years older, who would stand by to insure that the fighting was fair and that I would not be taken advantage of. The Lord Jesus Christ is our elder brother. He stands by to help us, to make us strong and guard us from the attacks of Satan who is like the big bully.

Two thousand years ago Satan was defeated at the cross. He has no control over us except that which God allows and which we by our disobedience and unbelief enable Him to have. Why then, you ask, does the average Christian have such a tough time living the Christian life? It is because he does not understand that the battle has already been won! Victory is ours and nothing can touch us or harm us whether we are criticized, persecuted or even martyred for the sake of the kingdom, for we are not of this world. We are citizens of the heavenly kingdom. While here on this earth, Christ will envelop us and surround us with His supernatural peace and power, turning tragedy to triumph, heartache and sorrow to joy. This is our heritage if only we keep on trusting and obeying Him.

Bible Reading: II Thessalonians 3:1-5

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will remember that Jesus Christ is not only my Savior and Lord, but my older brother and that He will protect me against satanic attacks of every kind. The battle has already been won! Through His enabling supernatural resources, I will live a supernatural life for His glory today.

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Rebounding from Betrayal

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It’s not unusual to see a lawyer in a courtroom, but normally you would expect the lawyer to be wearing a suit. But in a Pembroke Pines, Florida courtroom recently, attorney Mark Dickson was attired in prison garb. Dickson wasn’t there to represent anyone, but was appearing at a bond hearing after being charged with stealing $800,000 from his clients. Unfortunately, it’s not just attorneys who sometimes let the people down who trust them most. It’s physicians, politicians, plumbers, and even the preacher on occasion.

This God – his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true. Psalm 18:30

David, who wrote Psalm 18, was no stranger to betrayal – and he had played roles as both perpetrator and victim. Perhaps you have, too. But Scripture shows you what to do when your inclination is to strike out in revenge or wallow in defeat: focus on the One whose way is perfect. He will always be true and never fail you.

Today, pray for power to keep your mind and heart oriented to Christ, and ask Him to guide your nation’s leaders to follow His perfect way also…so they can discover Him, and not let the American people down.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 2:3-11