Tag Archives: theology

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Positional and Practical Relationship

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Blameless…how is that possible? If you are honest with yourself, you can see where you go amiss in so many ways. But don’t let this condition dishearten you. Old Testament believers like David wrote of his own blamelessness: “I have kept the ways of the Lord…I was blameless before him.” (Psalm 18:21, 23) He based this thought on his motives for his actions. He sought to live God’s way and reject wickedness…but if he did not, he confessed and sacrificed to have restoration.

You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.  Deuteronomy 18:13

Sacrifices are not required today because Jesus was your sacrifice on the cross. He suffered the punishment for all the times you have fallen – and will fall short – of God’s commands for you. Christ has positioned Himself between you and the Father; His view of you is through the spotless, blameless Savior. The practical part of this relationship is that you live with ethical and moral uprightness. The Lord desires it of you.

Today’s cultural climate in government, and maybe even at your workplace, abounds in wickedness and selfish desires. Pray that you would not be drawn into it. Trust God. Then intercede for those who lead…that they may seek the Lord and walk blameless before Him.

Recommended Reading: Philippians 2:3-15

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – A Lot to Sing About

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Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. —Acts 16:25

If we were to rate Christianity on the basis of music only, it is clear that Christians own music. My friend Marty Goetz says that as a young Jewish boy, he envied Christians because while he was celebrating Hanukkah, Christians were celebrating Christmas with songs like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” and “Joy to the World.” He admired our music.

But we are not rating our faith on the basis of music; it is on the basis of what we believe and Whom we believe in. Christians sing a lot because we have a lot to sing about.

When a believer can praise God in the midst of trials and suffering, a lost world takes notice. When you are going through hardship and can still praise God, nonbelievers will pay attention.

Case in point: Paul and Silas were thrown into a dungeon for preaching the gospel. They had been severely beaten and their feet were in stocks, but Acts 16:25 says, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”

In Revelation 15, we find the martyrs from the Tribulation “singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb” (verse 3). They have come through the worst fire imaginable: they had put been put to death for their faith. Yet they are in heaven, singing their songs.

Worship music is not for our entertainment. The musicians and vocalists in church want to lead us in worship. You may say, But I don’t have a great voice. That hasn’t stopped thousands of people from auditioning for American Idol, so it shouldn’t stop you. You aren’t performing for anyone. When you worship, you are singing for an audience of one: God. So get into practice.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Lessons from a Man on the Run

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Charles Stanley

Jonah 1:1-17

We are told that the prophet Jonah bought a ticket to Tarshish in an effort to escape from the presence of the Lord and thereby avoid a God-given assignment. Probably none of us would book a flight to a distant land in order to escape from God’s presence. Nonetheless, good people actually try to run from God in many different ways and end up experiencing miseries similar to Jonah’s.

While running from the Lord, the prophet overlooked some essentials that we should all keep in mind. In the first place, he incorrectly assumed that fleeing from God would release him from having to obey. He probably never imagined how persistent the Lord can be when He calls us to a duty station. Eventually Jonah found it is impossible to run from God successfully—His love will pursue us, even to the depths of the sea in order to conform us to His will and His plan for our lives. God simply will not be deterred by our slippery disobedience.

Jonah had also overlooked the fact that the direction of disobedience is always downward. Scripture tells us that the reluctant prophet initially went down to Joppa. There he found a ship and proceeded down into it. And the next thing you know, he is plunging down into the depths of the sea—even down to the roots of the mountains (Jonah 2:6).

When you run from God, there is no hiding place, even in the bottom of the sea. Our entire life is always visible to the Lord. So instead of trying to flee from His presence, welcome it.

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Heaven’s Marriage

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Alistair Begg

I am your master. Jeremiah 3:14

Christ Jesus is joined unto His people in marriage-union. In love He espoused His Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the yoke of bondage. Full of burning affection He toiled, like Jacob for Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid; and now, having sought her by His Spirit and brought her to know and love Him, He awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb.

The glorious Bridegroom has not yet presented His betrothed, perfected and complete, before the Majesty of heaven; she has not yet actually entered upon the enjoyment of her dignities as His wife and queen. She is as still a wanderer in a world of woe, a dweller in the tents of Kedar;1 but she is even now the bride, the spouse of Jesus, dear to His heart, precious in His sight, written on His hands, and united with His person.

On earth He exercises toward her all the affectionate offices of Husband. He makes rich provision for her wants, pays all her debts, allows her to assume His name and to share in all His wealth. Nor will He ever act otherwise to her. The word divorce He will never mention, for He hates it. Death inevitably severs the conjugal tie between the most loving mortals, but it cannot divide the links of this immortal marriage. In heaven they marry not but are as the angels of God; yet there is this one marvelous exception to the rule, for in Heaven Christ and His Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials.

This affinity, as it is more lasting, so is it more near than earthly marriage. The love of husband, no matter how pure and fervent, is but a faint picture of the flame that burns in the heart of Jesus. Passing all human union is that mystical cleaving unto the Church, for which Christ left His Father and became one flesh with her.

1 – Psalm 120:5

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – Continental tour H3

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Suggested Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

I was allowed to stand in the pulpit of John Calvin. I am not superstitious, but the first time I saw this medal bearing the venerated effigy of John Calvin I kissed it, imagining that no one saw the action. I was very greatly surprised when I received this magnificent present, which shall be passed round for your inspection. On the one side is John Calvin with his visage worn by disease and deep thought, and on the other side is a verse fully applicable to that man of God. “He endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” That is the very character of the man. That glorious man, Calvin! I preached in the cathedral. I do not think half the people understood me in the Cathedral of St. Peter’s; but they were very glad to see and join in heart with the worship in which they could not join with understanding. I did not feel very happy when I came out in full clergyman’s dress, but the request was put to me in such a beautiful way that I could have worn the Pope’s tiara, if by so doing I could preach the gospel more freely. They said,—“Our dear brother comes to us from another country. Now, when an ambassador comes from another country, he has a right to wear his own costume at Court; but, as a mark of very great esteem, he sometimes condescends to the manners of the country which he visits, and wears the Court dress.” “Well,” I said—“yes, that I will, certainly, if you do not require it, but merely ask it as a token of my Christian love. I shall feel like running in a sack, but it will be your fault.” But it was John Calvin’s cloak, and that reconciled it to me very much. I do love that man of God, suffering all his life long, enduring not only persecutions from without but a complication of disorders from within; and yet serving his Master with all his heart.

For meditation: The advice “When in Rome do as the Romans do” may lead the believer into unhealthy compromise. When in Geneva Spurgeon willingly became as a Genevan for the sake of the gospel. Does the same thought motivate us to be adaptable, without compromise, in order to win all sorts and conditions of men?

Part of nos. 331-332

22 July

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Praising God for Your Eternal Inheritance

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John MacArthur

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:3).

The source of your eternal inheritance is God, whom Peter described in several ways. First, He is our blessed God (1 Pet. 1:3). The Greek word translated “blessed” in that verse speaks of that which is worthy of blessing, adoration, praise, or worship. Peter’s praise for God is an example for us to follow. Our God is especially worthy of our praise in light of the glorious inheritance He has granted us in His Son (v. 4).

“Father” to the Jewish people of Peter’s day was one designation for God. The most common Jewish blessings emphasized God as Creator of all things and Redeemer of His people from Egypt, but not as Father (e.g., Gen. 14:20; 24:27; Ex. 18:10). Yet now through Christ, we “have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! [Daddy!] Father!'” (Rom. 8:16).

As wonderful a reality as the fatherhood of God is, Peter’s reference was not primarily to God as our Father, but as Christ’s Father. Their unique relationship affirms Christ’s deity (cf. John 10:30-33). God is the Father of believers in a secondary sense because He has redeemed us through Christ and adopted us into His family (Gal. 4:4-6).

In referring to Christ as “our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:3), Peter amplifies His redemptive work. “Lord” speaks of His sovereign rulership; “Jesus” is His name as God in human flesh; and “Christ” identifies Him as the Messiah, the anointed King.

Peter’s final description of God is seen in the pronoun “our.” He is “our Lord Jesus Christ,” a personal Lord and Savior–not some distant, impersonal deity. He created and redeemed you because He loves you and wants to be intimately involved in every aspect of your life.

What a glorious God we serve! Worship Him today as He deserves to be worshiped.

Suggestions for Prayer:

Bless God, who is your Father, your Redeemer, your constant companion, and the source of your eternal inheritance.

For Further Study:

Read John 4:1-26. What did Jesus say about the fatherhood of God?

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Glorious Future

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“As for the one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; he will be secure, and will go out no more; and I will write my God’s Name on him, and he will be a citizen in the city of my God – the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven from my God; and he will have my new Name inscribed upon him” (Revelation 3:12).

You and I shall some day be in that beautiful temple in Jerusalem – to rule and reign with the King of kings and Lord of lords forever and forever.

Can you see it now? While we do not know – and need not know – all the incidental details and circumstances, we know enough from God’s holy Word to know that some day we shall be with Him, never to be separated. That is the cause for shouting and rejoicing.

And we need not be terrified by the condition that we must be conquerors before we qualify for any of these promised blessings. Has He not told us that we are already “more than conquerors?”

Here again we have that promise of the new name, thought by some to be the very name of Christ Himself – certainly worthy of attainment, whatever its true meaning.

To be “heirs with God and joint-heirs with Christ” holds all the wonderful promise that the human mind can imagine. Just to be with Him is enough; to know that He adds blessing upon blessing as we rule and reign with Him – that is unparalleled joy indeed.

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:7-13

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: With a quick look at the future, I’ll do my best to make this day all that God intends for me, especially in my outreach to others.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – No, You Can’t Have It All

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In 1985 Michelob’s light beer commercial proclaimed that “You can have it all!” Other Madison Avenue advertising messages tell you to “Go for the gusto,” or “Have it your way.” They’re enticing offers to a promised richer, fuller life.

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? James 4:4

But James warns there are necessary choices to be made. He says friendship with the world is the wrong decision if you want peace with God. The Greek verb “phileo” is the root of friendship, and it means “to love, or to have affection for.” It isn’t a casual word. When you have great affection for something, it holds your attention – whether that something is a better career, financial security, a retirement cabin in the mountains, or two rounds of golf each weekend. Whatever it is in the world’s egocentric system, you must not allow its siren song to draw you away from the Lord.

God reacts with holy jealousy when you are enamored with anything other than Him. Do a self-check. Let your love for Jesus and the Father be your priority. As you pray for the nation, intercede that Americans will seek God and experience the blessings He has for those who want all He offers as they submit to His Lordship.

Recommended Reading: James 4:1-10

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Remembering Your Inheritance

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John MacArthur

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3- 4).

One amazing privilege you have as a Christian is to be the beneficiary of a rich and exciting spiritual inheritance. Jesus gave us a glimpse of its magnitude when He said, “The King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'” (Matt. 25:34). The kingdom itself is part of your inheritance!

This inheritance is shared by every child of God. Hebrews 9:15 says that Christ “is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that . . . those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Jesus commissioned Paul to preach to the Gentiles “so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in [Him]” (Acts 26:18).

No one can fully understand “all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). Consequently, at times you might forget that you’re a child of the King and begin to act like this world is all you have to live for. God may even have to discipline you from time to time to correct your behavior. But someday you will be all God created you to be and will know the full glory of your inheritance. In the meantime, be diligent to “set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Focus on your inheritance and praise God for it. That will help you see beyond your present circumstances to the glory that awaits you when Jesus calls you home.

Suggestions for Prayer:

Thank God for the rich inheritance that is yours in Christ.

For Further Study:

Read 1 Peter chapter 1.

What spiritual privileges did Peter mention?

What commands did he give?

Is there any connection between those privileges and commands? Explain.

 

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God Is Always Working

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FURTHERMORE, BRETHREN, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. —1 Thessalonians 4:1

In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul wrote, “When you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]” (emphasis mine).

The Bible says that God’s Word works in those who believe it. So no matter what you see today, believe that God is working on your breakthrough.

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – His Spirit Tells Us

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“That is what is meant by the Scriptures which say that no mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord. But we know about these things because God has sent His Spirit to tell us, and His Spirit searches out and shows us all of God’s deepest secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9,10).

For many years, on every populated continent, I have asked millions of Christians this question: “What is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you since you became a Christian?”

The answer invariably has been: “To experience the reality, power, control and fruit of the Holy Spirit.” There is no other truth that so transforms the life of the Christian and enables him to be fruitful for the glory of God.

Two strangers were viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids one day and one said to the other, “Come and I’ll show you the greatest unused power in the world.”

Taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, he said, “There is the greatest unused power in the world!”

“Oh, no my friend,” came the reply, “not so. The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God.”

Christ’s strength is given to us through the Holy Spirit to meet our every need. How do we receive that strength, that supernatural power?

As Christians, we have the potential within us, in the person of God’s Holy Spirit, but sin hinders the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

By confessing all our known sin and appropriating that supernatural power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can, by faith, be filled and continue to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, according to God’s Word, the Holy Spirit ministers to our every need.

When we by faith are filled with the Holy Spirit, He guides us, empowers us, makes us holy, bears witness in our lives, comforts us, gives us joy, gives discernment, bears fruit in and through our lives and gives us spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 2:11-16

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will by faith appropriate the greatest unused power in the world today, the supernatural power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit who enables me to live a supernatural life. I will share with someone today how he, too, can live a supernatural life.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Ultimate Say

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Here’s a new word for today: “primogeniture.” While you probably won’t use this word much in conversation, its meaning has impacted you and your world in unimaginable ways.

Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. Revelation 1:5

Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn son to inherit the entire estate. In its various forms, every culture owes countless marriages, wars, intrigues and alliances to this concept. The role of a firstborn, even today, still determines how inheritance is governed around the globe.

In the Bible, Jesus Christ is presented as the first and only son of God. And when He allowed Himself to be sacrificed at the hands of men, He also became the first one to conquer death. His inheritance is a foundational, universal and all-encompassing power. He has complete authority to rule over everyone and everything in the created universe.

America is not governed solely by elected officials. Christ as ruler of the universe has ultimate say in what is allowed to be. Today, pray fervently for America as a nation. Ask that its people and leaders may find favor in God’s generous mercy…and that the abundant grace of the inherited Son of God, Jesus Christ, will abide upon each one.

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 1:1-8

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Our Helper in Prayer

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Charles Stanley

Romans 8:26-27

As Jesus neared the time of His death, He frequently referred to the Helper He would be sending to His disciples—and ultimately to all believers. The Holy Spirit was promised to indwell, enable, and instruct followers of God. Often called the Comforter, or Parakletos in Greek, He is the one who comes to stand by us and assist in whatever the Lord calls us to do.

One of the Holy Spirit’s most significant responsibilities is to be our Helper in prayer. The burden we feel to pray comes from Him. He knows about temptations lurking ahead or harsh experiences that may befall us, so He prompts us to talk to our Father. When you sense a need to pray, the last thing you should do is ignore it. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, we are told not to “quench the Spirit”; in other words, to ignore that divine prodding is actually a sin.

By burdening us to pray for someone else, the Holy Spirit frequently offers Christians the opportunity to participate in God’s work. On many occasions, I have received calls asking if I was going through a tough time. Invariably, my caller had been praying for me at the behest of the Holy Spirit.

This burdening of our hearts to pray for ourselves or for others is a special demonstration of God’s love. By calling us to prayer, He can begin the delicate work of sensitizing us to our surrounding circumstances or preparing us for a battle that He knows is coming. Listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and allowing ourselves to be prepared is how we display our love in return.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Don’t Forget

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Our Daily Bread

Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God. —Deuteronomy 8:11

I don’t agree with those who rail against material things and say that owning stuff is inherently evil. And I have to admit that I’m a consumer—often tempted to pad my pile of treasures with items I think I need.

But I do recognize that one of the dangers of owning a lot of stuff is that it can lead to spiritual loss. The more we have and the more we feel as if we have all we need, the more prone we are to forget our need for God and even our desire for Him. Yet, ironically, everything we have comes ultimately from God, who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).

Sadly, our enjoyment of God’s provisions might just mean that we end up loving the gift and forgetting the Giver. This is why, when God was getting ready to give His people a life full of bounty in the Promised Land of good and plenty, He warned, “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God” (Deut. 8:11).

If God has allowed you to enjoy material abundance, remind yourself where it came from. In fact, all of us, whether rich in this world’s goods or not, have much to be thankful for. Let’s heed the warning not to forget the Lord and praise Him for His abundant goodness. —Joe Stowell

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

—Rhea F. Miller. © Renewal 1950. Chancel Music.

Love the Giver more than the gifts!

Bible in a year: Psalms 23-25; Acts 21:18-40

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – Substitution

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“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Suggested Further Reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Of this God in Christ, our text says that he knew no sin. It does not say that he did not sin; that we know: but it says more than that; he did not know sin; he knew not what sin was. He saw it in others, but he did not know it by experience. He was a perfect stranger to it. It is not barely said, that he did not take sin into his heart, but he did not know it. It was no acquantance of his. He was the acquaintance of grief; but he was not the acquaintance of sin. He knew no sin of any kind,—no sin of thought, no sin of birth, no original, no actual transgression; no sin of lip, or of hand, did ever Christ commit. He was pure, perfect, spotless; like his own divinity, without spot or blemish, or any such thing. This gracious person, is he who is spoken of in the text. He was a person utterly incapable of committing anything that was wrong. It has been asserted lately, by some ill-judged one, that Christ was capable of sin. I think it was Irving who started some such idea, that if Christ was not capable of sinning, he could not have been capable of virtue. “For,” say they, “if a man must necessarily be good, there is no virtue in his goodness.” Away with their ridiculous nonsense! Is not God necessarily good? And who dares deny that God is virtuous? Are not the glorified spirits in heaven necessarily pure? And yet are they not holy because of that very necessity? Are not the angels, now that they are confirmed, necessarily faultless? And shall any one dare to deny angelic virtue! The thing is not true; it needs no freedom in order to create virtue. Freedom and virtue generally go together; but necessity and virtue are as much brother and sister as freedom and virtue. Jesus Christ was not capable of sin.

For meditation: It would have been awful for the sinless Christ to suffer just for one sin of one man. But for him to suffer for all the sins of a countless multitude past, present and future must have been appalling beyond all imagination. How God must hate sin! How he must love poor sinners! Did Christ die for you (Galatians 2:20)?

Sermon nos. 141-142

19 July (1857)

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – Receiving Compassion

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John MacArthur

“You once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Pet. 2:10).

Hosea had a unique role among the prophets. God used him and his adulterous wife, Gomer, as living illustrations of His love for unfaithful Israel. When Gomer gave birth to a daughter, the Lord told Hosea to name her Lo-ruhamah, which means “No mercy,” because His mercy for Israel would soon come to an end. When Gomer later gave birth to a son, the Lord said to call him Lo-ammi, which means “Not mine,” for He no longer considered Israel His people. Yet He offered this hope, saying, “It will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the sons of the living God'” (Hos. 1:10).

In our Scripture for today, Peter applied that Old Testament text to the New Testament church, just as Paul did in Romans 9:25-26: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not beloved, ‘Beloved.’ And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.” God rejected unbelieving Israel, but extended His compassion to anyone willing to trust in Christ. It is particularly true that Gentiles in the church were once not the people of God, but now have received mercy and are God’s beloved children.

God’s mercy includes His general providential care for all mankind, but Hosea, Peter, and Paul were speaking of His special compassion–first in salvation, then in daily blessings–for those who belong to Him. By it He withholds the punishment we deserve for our sins and grants us His lovingkindness instead.

As you reflect on God’s mercy in your own life, let Psalm 136:1 be the song of your heart: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever” (KJV).

Suggestions for Prayer:

Memorize Psalm 59:16-17. Recite it often in praise to the Lord.

For Further Study:

What do these verses teach about God’s mercy: Psalm 103:11, 2 Corinthians 1:3, and Titus 3:5?

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – In the Book of Life

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“Everyone who conquers will be clothed in white, and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and His angels that he is Mine” (Revelation 3:5).

Perhaps you have rejoiced – as I have – at the reminder that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, God’s heavenly record of the redeemed.

Here are two more promises to the conqueror, the overcomer, the victorious Christian – one having to do with future reign, the other with our security in Him.

Not only to the believers in Sardis who should be victorious, but also to those in every age and every land, lies the hope – indeed the promise – of appearing with Christ in white robes expressing holiness and joy in that future day when He shall rule and reign on this earth.

If you are a believer in Christ, your name is in the that book which contains the names of those who are to live with Him throughout eternity. Not to have our names erased, of course, means that the names will be found there on the great day of final account, and forever and ever.

What better way could we use our time today – and tomorrow – and the next day – than to add names to the Book of Life, by faithfully witnessing to others about the good news of the gospel? Our privilege and responsibility is to share; God’s Holy Spirit does the work of convicting and saving.

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:1-6

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: “Dear Lord, help me to add names to Your Book of Life by sharing my faith in You at every possible opportunity.”

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – His Replica

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“Like father, like son” can be a good thing…or not! Sometimes positive traits of a parent are passed on to a child, interspersed with some unbecoming characteristics. So how does a child learn these things? Many say that the most effective way it’s taught is by example.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.   I Corinthians 4:17

Today’s verse indicates that Paul taught Timothy well. Paul’s attitudes and actions were right in line with the principles he espoused. He became Timothy’s spiritual father, and had confidence that his faithful son would disciple the Corinthians in the way he had. Timothy was his replica. His Christlike demeanor, character and conduct would remind the people of Paul’s admonitions to live by as imitators of Jesus.

What model are you displaying before your children or to the people with whom you are in contact? Can you truthfully say that you disciple others by living the principles set forth by God? Take time today to pray that you might be the witness for the Lord that He desires…one who is faithful to Him. Let your light shine in this nation – in your neighborhood – where good examples are hard to find.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:3-11, 14-16 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – The Last Song in Scripture

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And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.” —Revelation 15:3

In Revelation 15 the saints who have died for their faith sing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The song of Moses is what the Israelites sang after they were delivered from Pharaoh and safely crossed the Red Sea (see Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32). This song will be sung again in heaven. It is the last song in Scripture.

The martyrs in this passage have come through the fire of persecution, yet they have not lost their song. They sing, “Just and true are your ways. . . .” It is an acknowledgment that God knows what He is doing.

There are things in life that don’t make sense. Tragedies befall us. Injustices are committed. Bad things happen, even to Christians. It is at times like these that we need to trust God and honestly worship Him—not because things aren’t going well, but because God is good. We cannot control our circumstances, but we can control our reaction to them.

Job went to bed one night, and everything seemed to be going well. Then he got up the next morning and essentially lost everything he had. Worst of all, he lost his children. And what do we read? “Job . . . fell to the ground to worship. He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’ ” (Job 1:20–21).

What calamity are you facing? What trial is before you? Worship God, not because of your hardship, but because of His sovereignty and glory. When you get to heaven, it will all be explained. Until that day, we live on promises and not on explanations.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Creating Your Life

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Our Daily Bread

Mark 10:35-45

Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. —Mark 10:44

The advice that I read in a self-help book sounded good: Do only what you’re great at because that’s when you’ll feel most fulfilled. The author was trying to help readers create the kind of life they wanted. I don’t know about you, but if I did only what I was great at, I wouldn’t accomplish much!

In Mark 10, we read about two disciples, James and John, who had some plans for the kind of life they wanted for themselves someday. They asked to be at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom (v.37). The other 10 disciples were “greatly displeased” with them for asking (v.41). (Possibly because that was the kind of position they wanted for themselves!)

But Jesus used the opportunity to teach His followers about another kind of life—one of serving others. He said, “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all” (vv.43-44). It appears that service for others is God’s design for us.

Even Jesus, the Son of God, “did not come to be served, but to serve” (v.45). As we look at Christ’s example and depend on the Holy Spirit’s help, we too can be servants and will create a fulfilling life. —Anne Cetas

I admit, Lord, that my eyes do get focused on

myself. But I really do want to live from a

heart of love for You. Teach me to be a servant

and to look for my fulfillment in You.

Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.

Bible in a year: Psalms 20-22; Acts 21:1-17