Tag Archives: Truth

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Choose Humility over Pride

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..That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).

James 4:6 (AMPC)

Has God ever had to deal with you about pride? Here are some ways you can tell if you have an issue with pride: If you have an opinion about everything, if you are judgmental, if you can’t be corrected, if you rebel against authority, if you want to take all the credit for yourself, or if you say “I” too often. These are signs of pride.

It is hard to let God replace our pride with His humility, but it is vital. If we want to live in close relationship with God, we must come to Him with an attitude of humility. Pride relies on self, but humility relies on God. It is only in the place of humility that God can bless us.

The humble get the help! If we humble ourselves under God’s hand, He will exalt us in due time (James 4:10). Proud people think they deserve everything they want “now,” but humility says, “My times are in Your hands, Lord.”

Prayer of the Day: Lord, show me areas of pride in my life. Help me walk in humility, trust Your timing, and rely on You instead of myself in all things, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Prayer in it’s Purest Form 

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Mark 1:35 says, “Jesus went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

This dialogue must have been common among His friends: “Has anyone seen Jesus?”  “Oh, you know.  He’s up to the same thing.”  “Praying again?”  “Yep. He’s been gone since sunrise.”

Jesus would even disappear for an entire night of prayer. Prayer for most of us, isn’t a matter of a month-long retreat or even an hour of meditation. It’s a conversation with God while driving to work or waiting for an appointment. God will teach you to pray. We speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. It’s prayer in its purest form. God changes His people through such moments.

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Reverent Fear

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Read 1 Peter 1:17–21

As a teacher, one of the best things I can do for my students is hold them accountable. If they think there will be no consequences for late or sloppy work, they are ultimately the ones who will suffer because they won’t really learn the material.

Peter reminds us that God is both our Father and our judge (v. 17). Since God is all-knowing and completely just, we know His judgment will be thorough and fair (v. 17). This should lead us to hold a “reverent fear” of God (v. 17). Healthy fear of God can coexist with assurance of our salvation and love for the Lord. Just as healthy fear of a loving parent might keep a child from giving in to peer pressure, fear of the Lord can protect us from lesser fears that might derail our Christian life.

Another reason to have a reverent fear of God is because we belong fully to Him. In the ancient world, purchasing slaves was a regular part of the culture. A slave could also have their freedom purchased by a benefactor, which was called “ransoming” a slave. Peter uses this imagery as an analogy for what God has done for us through Christ. He freed us from our former way of life and slavery to sin, “with the precious blood of Christ” (v. 19). This was a price far more costly than any amount of silver or gold (v. 18). Jesus is the perfect Passover Lamb (Exod. 12:5). He took the judgment that we deserved upon Himself.

Even more astounding, Jesus was chosen for this role from “before the creation of the world” (v. 20). God had planned way in advance how He would redeem fallen humanity. Amazing love! Because of what He has done for us, we can have hope for the future (v. 21).

Go Deeper

What does having a healthy fear of the Lord look like? What does it not mean? How does this healthy fear change the way we live?

Pray with Us

Hallelujah! What a Savior You are, Jesus! Thank You for ransoming us and taking our judgment upon Yourself. Please give us a healthy fear that comes from love and adoration for You.

Live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.1 Peter 1:17

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – How Faith Comes

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Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17, NIV1984

Recommended Reading: Acts 14:8-10

The book of Acts illustrates the truths expressed by the apostles in their letters to the churches. One example is how Acts 14:8-10 illustrates the truth taught in Romans 10:17.

In Romans 10, Paul says Israel needs someone to preach the Gospel to them. He then says that “faith comes from hearing … the word of Christ.” “Word of Christ” can mean either the word(s) spoken by Christ as repeated by a preacher or words spoken about Christ by a preacher. The effect is the same—anyone preaching about Christ will no doubt quote some of Christ’s words. And those words produce faith. That’s what happened when Paul was in Lystra. A man who was crippled from birth, who had never walked, was listening to Paul preach. Paul looked at the man and saw “that he had faith to be healed” and told him to stand up—and he did (Acts 14:8-10)! The words of/about Jesus created faith in this man.

Do you need faith or know someone else who needs faith? Meditate on “the word of Christ” and trust God that faith will come.

Faith rests on the naked Word of God. That Word believed gives full assurance.
H. A. Ironside

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Freedom in God’s Love

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If we confess our sins, [God] . . . will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Today’s Scripture

1 John 1:5-9; 2:7-10

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Today’s Devotion

If you’ve ever heard the expression “albatross around my neck”—a phrase referring to a tiresome burden—you’ve heard an allusion to English poet Samuel Coleridge’s famous poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In the poem, a sailor shoots and kills a harmless, friendly albatross. The crew believes the mariner’s cruel deed curses their voyage and forces him to wear the dead bird around his neck as punishment.

Are there regrets in your life that feel like a heavy weight around your neck? All of us have moments we’d do anything to take back. It can feel like we’re cursed to carry the weight of our guilt and regret forever.

Yet God’s grace can free our hearts from even the most painful regret. We all have sin (1 John 1:8, 10), but when we honestly confess our burdens to God, we’re promised he “will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (v. 9). As His grace rushes in, His light and love can flow through us (2:10), freeing us to love those around us (3:14).

In Coleridge’s poem, the tormented mariner also eventually experiences this grace. When love for God’s creation rushes into his heart and compels him to pray, the albatross falls off his neck, vanishing forever “like lead into the sea.”

Reflect & Pray

What can feel like an “albatross” around your neck? What does it mean for you to accept God’s grace for your guilt?

Dear God, thank You that the guilt I carry doesn’t exclude me from experiencing Your beauty and grace. Please help me find freedom in Your love today.

Learn more about the power of forgiveness.

Today’s Insights

The apostles wrote during a tumultuous time in the history of the church. They had to correct misunderstandings of the gospel, including who were truly part of the church as well as a broad range of misunderstandings of what God’s grace really meant.

In his first letter, John addressed early church teachings that openly tolerated worldly sin while still claiming one could be in fellowship with Jesus. The apostle shuts that down by saying that only those who “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) have a true relationship with God. But that doesn’t mean believers in Christ don’t sin (v. 8). Instead, it means that because of their relationship with God, they can confess their sin and enjoy both forgiveness and fellowship no matter how heavy the burden of regret (v. 9).

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Nineteen drag queen story hours and nine LGBTQ comic books

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Why a biblical response to Pride Month is relevant to us all

In honor of Pride Month, the Boston Public Library has scheduled nineteen drag queen story hours across its branches, most of them designed for children ages eighteen months to five years old. There will also be a Pride-themed kids concert with a focus on “LGBTQ youth/family pride” and craft nights at which children can “make fidgets, keychain decorations, and wearable art with an LGBTQ+ Pride theme.”

Continuing the focus on children and teenagers, the New York Times is recommending nine comic books and graphic novels with LGBTQ protagonists timed for Pride Month. The decades-long drive to normalize LGBTQ ideology is working: GLAAD (an LGBTQ advocacy group) surveyed the ten largest entertainment distributors in the US, reporting that 23.6 percent of their films included an LGBTQ character, which is 2.5 times higher than the percentage of the LGBTQ population in the US.

A strategy on four levels

As I have often noted, this movement seeks to normalize LGBTQ activity, legalize it, stigmatize those who disagree, and criminalize such opposition. The first three stages have already been reached; if the so-called Equality Act or similar legislation becomes law, we’ll be at stage four.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Nineteen drag queen story hours and nine LGBTQ comic books →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – No-Excuse Evangelism

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 Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.’ 

—Jonah 3:1–2

Scripture:

Most believers have reasons not to evangelize. Some of these reasons might even seem compelling or legitimate. “I don’t want to make the friendship weird or awkward.” “I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer people’s questions.” “I don’t want to become a person that other people avoid.”

The Old Testament prophet Jonah had some pretty compelling reasons not to evangelize. At least, he thought they were compelling. He’d been given an assignment that no prophet in his day would have been excited about. God had called him to preach His Word in Nineveh, which was one of the most wicked cities on earth. The Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. Other prophets had warned Israel that one day the Assyrians would overtake them, and Nineveh just happened to be the capital of Assyria.

Jonah likely reasoned, “Wait a second! If I go and preach to them, they might repent. And if they repent, then God will spare them, and they will conquer us. But if I don’t preach to them, they won’t repent, and God will judge them. That will be one less enemy we have to deal with.”

So, Jonah tried to go in the opposite direction. He went down to Joppa, boarded a ship, and set sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. He would have saved himself a lot of trouble if he had remembered the words of David, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” (Psalm 139:7 NLT).

You probably know the rest of the story. God sent a great storm that threatened the lives of everyone aboard the vessel. Jonah admitted that he was the cause of the storm and was tossed overboard: “The LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17 NLT). Jonah repented, and the great fish—likely a whale—vomited him up on shore.

“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you’” (Jonah 3:1–2 NLT). This time, Jonah did what God had called him to do. God helped him recognize what all believers need to understand: The work of evangelism is far more important and pressing than any discomfort we may experience or any objections we may have.

We’ve been called to share the gospel, even with people we may not like. Nonbelievers aren’t the enemy; they’ve been taken captive by the god of this world to do what he wants them to do (see 2 Timothy 2:26). Until the end of our lives or until the Lord returns, our job is to reach them with the Good News of Christ.

Let’s embrace the work God’s given us so that others may experience His forgiveness, salvation, and love.

 

Reflection question: What seemingly compelling reasons might keep you from sharing the gospel?

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Four Reasons Jesus Owns the World

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by Brian Thomas, Ph.D.

“[God] hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” (Hebrews 1:2)

Hebrews exalts the Lord Jesus’ ownership of all things, including us. Scripture gives at least four reasons for this. First, the Son is the heir of all things (our text). That is, all things are destined to belong to Him. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand” (John 3:35).

Second, Jesus created all things in conjunction with His Father and the Holy Spirit, as Genesis 1:26 shows. And the New Testament makes Christ’s creative activity crystal clear, saying, “In the beginning was the Word . . . . All things were made by him,” and “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible” (John 1:1, 3; Colossians 1:16).

Third, “[Jesus,] being the brightness of [God’s] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). Thus, the Lord Jesus also has full rights over all creation because He sustains it continually. If His powerful word ceased to uphold it, all things would vanish.

Finally, Christ redeemed all of creation by His self-sacrifice, as though He did not already deserve it by right of inheritance, creation, and sustaining power. Moreover, His purging of our sins on the cross, and thus His right to all things by virtue of His sacrifice, was so perfectly completed that the Lord “sat down” (Hebrews 1:3).

He has done everything. The Lord Jesus has the right of inheritance, of creation, of sustenance, and of redemption over all things. Since He owns us four times over, what worship ought we to give Him? BDT

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – The Lord Our Provider

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The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.

Psalm 34:10 (AMPC)

It is important to develop what I call an “abundant mindset”—one that believes God will always provide what we need in every situation. This is God’s promise throughout Scripture, and part of His nature is to provide for His children. In fact, in the Old Testament, one of the Hebrew names of God is Jehovah-Jireh, which means the “Lord Our Provider.”

There is nothing we need that He is not able and willing to provide. He loves us and wants to take care of us. When we love Him and do our best to progressively learn and obey His ways, He will make sure our needs are met. In fact, there is no one He would rather share His blessings with than His children.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me trust You as my Provider. Strengthen my faith to believe You will meet every need and give me peace as I rely on Your care each day, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Jesus’ Example of Prayer 

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We can’t even get the cable company to answer us, yet God will?  The doctor’s too busy, but God isn’t?  We have our doubts about prayer!

Jesus raised people from the dead.  But a “How to Vacate the Cemetery” seminar? His followers never called for one. But they did want Him to do this– “Lord, teach us to pray.” Might their interest have something to do with the jaw-dropping promise Jesus attached to prayer? “Ask and it will be given to you.” When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He gave them a prayer.

Could you use the same?  Father, You are good.  I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer. Punctuate your day with it!

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Called to Be Holy

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Read 1 Peter 1:13–16

Have you ever been given the advice to “live in the moment”? The idea is to be fully present where you are and not obsessed with the future or the past. It is not bad advice as far as it goes. However, today’s reading reminds us that we are not to ignore the future either. In fact, our beliefs about the future shape how we live in the present.

After spending 10 verses celebrating the salvation we have in Christ, Peter turns to describe how that salvation should impact our life today. The opening phrase is a vivid one: “Therefore, with minds that are alert” (v. 13). In the original language, this reads, “gird up the loins of your mind,” an image drawn from an ancient way of dress. A man’s tunic would go down to his ankles. If he wanted to work hard or move quickly, he had to tuck the bottom portion of his tunic into his belt. This was called “girding up your loins.” Peter applies this image to our minds. As one commentator suggests, to “roll up the shirtsleeves of your mind.”

The way we are to prepare our mind is to, “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (v. 13). The way we live should be shaped by the reality that Jesus is coming back. We want to be ready. This means we won’t live as we used to before we knew Christ (v. 14); we will be different. That’s one way of thinking about what it means to be holy. As Peter challenges us, “just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (v. 15). Our example is always Jesus.

Go Deeper

What does it mean to be holy? How does living in the hope of Christ’s return change the way we think, speak, and act?

Pray with Us

Holy God, show us where to “roll up the shirtsleeves of our mind” and live for You. When it feels hard to be different, help us remember that we are following the example of Jesus Christ.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.1 Peter 1:15

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Birthed by God

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Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9

When describing the birth of a newborn, we never say, “The baby birthed himself at 3:00 p.m.” Likewise, when describing spiritual rebirth, Jesus said, “Unless you are born.” That is, both human birth and spiritual rebirth are passive events for the infant. Mothers give birth to physical babies; the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual babies (John 3:5-8).

This idea is behind Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Our spiritual rebirth is not something we do by ourselves, by our own efforts. If it was, we would be right to boast. Since it is of God rather than ourselves, we can only boast about God and His grace (1 Corinthians 1:27-31; 2 Timothy 1:9).

If you have been born again through faith in Christ, give thanks to God that He has birthed you for a purpose. As the Spirit brought you into God’s Kingdom, so He will lead you and transform you.

“Except a man be born again,” he will wish one day he had never been born at all. 
J. C. Ryle

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Power of Music

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David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul. 1 Samuel 16:23

Today’s Scripture

1 Samuel 16:14-23

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Today’s Devotion

On November 21, 1915, the hope of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his twenty-seven crew members sank, along with their ship Endurance, into the darkness below the Antarctic ice. They were stranded thousands of miles from home. Later, the crew shared several things that aided their survival, including a banjo. Embarking on their brutal trek, Leonard Hussey (the expedition’s meteorologist) was the only person allowed more than two pounds of personal gear. He was allowed to bring his twelve-pound Windsor banjo. “It’s vital mental medicine,” Shackleton told Hussey, “and we shall need it.” The crew’s journals explained the power of Hussey’s music. “The banjo does . . . supply brain food,” wrote one sailor. Another reflected on “Hussey’s indispensable banjo.”

The Bible presents music as one of God’s immense gifts, a way His healing and comfort enter the human heart. In the tragic story of King Saul, we hear how (due to his disobedience) he was oppressed by an “evil spirit” (1 Samuel 16:14). And what did Saul’s attendants believe the king needed to provide relief? Music. So they found young David with his harp: “David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him” (v. 23).

Music offers more than mere entertainment. It can bring joy, renew hope, and comfort weary souls. It’s truly one of God’s powerful gifts.

Reflect & Pray

What encouragement has music offered you? How has it deepened your relationship with God?

Dear God, thank You for the gift of music!

Today’s Insights

In the ancient Near East, it was common for court musicians to be hired for reasons such as entertainment or religious ceremonies. In the case of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16, his attendants believed his mental torment would be eased by lyre music (v. 16). Since David was a skilled lyre player as well as a warrior (v. 18), he became both a musician and armor-bearer—carrying Saul’s shield and weapons (vv. 21-23). David’s father, Jesse, sent gifts of food and wine with David (vv. 19-20), perhaps showing gratitude for the honor of having his son chosen to serve the king. Today, we can remember that God can use music to renew our hope and bring us joy.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – The New World screwworm and a warning for our souls

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Four common mistakes we make with sexual sin

If you’re looking for a nice devotional thought today, this isn’t it: A parasitic fly that eats animals alive has been found in Mexican sheep thirty-one miles south of the US border. The New World screwworm lays eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow through living flesh, eventually killing the host. An outbreak in Texas would cost the state’s ranching economy an estimated $1.8 billion.

I begin with this story because it illustrates the conversation we began yesterday. Like a screwworm that eats living flesh, sexual sin destroys our minds, marriages, society, and souls. Christians are by no means immune: 75 percent of Christian men and 40 percent of Christian women admit that they view pornography. In a recent survey, 23 percent of the pastors who responded admitted to sexually inappropriate behavior with someone other than their wives.

In what ways are Christians especially susceptible to sexual temptation? Let’s consider four common mistakes we make.

One: Not preparing to face temptation

Christians are a threat to Satan and thus the targets of his wrath (1 Peter 5:8). He wants to defeat us spiritually and destroy our witness.

Continue reading Denison Forum – The New World screwworm and a warning for our souls →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Your Choice

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 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 

—Romans 5:1–2

Scripture:

The arithmetic of the gospel is fascinating. If you’re born once, you’ll die twice. If you’re born twice, you’ll die once. If that seems confusing to you, you’re in good company. Nicodemus, a notable Jewish scholar and leader in Jesus’ day, asked, “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (John 3:4 NLT).

By “born once,” I mean the physical birth. By “born twice,” I mean a physical birth as well as a spiritual birth in which you’re born again, after having put your faith in Christ.

Just as there are two births, the Bible teaches that there are two deaths: One is physical, and the other is spiritual. Jesus warned that we are to fear the second death more than the first one.

Revelation 20:14 tells us, “Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death” (NLT). The second death is mentioned again in Revelation 21:8, which says, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (NLT). The second death is Hell.

It has been said, “The second death is the continuance of spiritual death in another and timeless existence.”

Thomas Watson wrote, “Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”

Jesus spoke of Hell in a very specific way. He warned of the fire of Hell (see Matthew 5:22). He warned about our bodies being thrown into Hell (see Matthew 5:29). And He warned of the soul and the body being destroyed in Hell (see Matthew 10:28).

The Bible teaches that all Christians—that is, sinners who have been forgiven and saved because they put their faith in Jesus Christ—will be in Heaven. And that offer of forgiveness and salvation is extended to everyone.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT).

Your eternal destination is really your choice. Not everyone will be saved in the end—only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. That’s the message God has entrusted to every believer. It’s a message we must spread.

 

Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear about the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus offers? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Secret of the Lord

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” (Psalm 25:14)

This is an amazing promise. The word for “secret” means the “inner counsel,” evidently of the triune God Himself.

But how can those who fear the Lord really know the secret counsels of the Godhead? The answer can only be by divine revelation to God’s prophets. Thus, the prophet Amos affirms, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [unless] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

When these ancient promises were given, however, much of God’s revelation, though already “settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89), was still not revealed to men. Then Christ came and promised His disciples, “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . shall teach you all things” (John 14:26).

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1–2). In addition to the 12 disciples, God then also called the apostle Paul, and through these men the Son conveyed to those who fear Him all the rest of His revelation. “By revelation he made known unto me the mystery; ( . . . whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:3–5).

Finally, “the secret of the LORD” was completed in written form by John, the last of the apostles, with nothing else to be either added or deleted (Revelation 22:18–19), that “the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7). All we shall ever need to know of God’s eternal counsels is now available in the Holy Scriptures to all who desire to know them. HMM

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Stronger Through Life’s Challenges

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Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

Romans 5:3 (AMPC)

We all face obstacles from time to time. God doesn’t remove every obstacle that stands in our way because we are often made stronger as we learn to overcome obstacles. When we deal with the difficulties of life, we are strengthened. But if we run from all of them, we will never grow and become stronger in our faith and abilities.

If God allowed us to go through all of life without any obstacles, it would harm us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. Many times, our obstacles are what God uses to give us the strength to succeed, as long as we refuse to quit when there seems to be no way to go on.

You can face your fears and overcome them, and when you do, you’ll often find they gave you the strength you needed for the next situation that comes.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, give me strength to face challenges without fear. Help me trust You in every obstacle and grow stronger through each situation. Teach me to keep moving forward with confidence, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Prayer 101 

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Play

When I pray, I think of a thousand things I need to do. I forget the one thing I set out to do: pray. Can you relate?

But wouldn’t we all like to pray… More? Better? Deeper? Stronger? With more fire, faith, or fervency? Yet we have kids to feed, bills to pay, deadlines to meet. We want to pray, but when? We want to pray, but why? We have our doubts about prayer, our checkered history of unmet expectations, unanswered questions. We aren’t the first. The sign-up for Prayer 101 contains familiar names: John, James, Andrew, and Peter. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – How Great a Salvation!

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Read 1 Peter 1:10–12

It is easy to take things for granted in this modern world. We can video chat with loved ones living thousands of miles away. We have good, effective treatment for many illnesses. Most of us do not have to labor in the fields for our food. Yet, these are relatively recent blessings provided by those who went before us.

Today’s reading is the second half of Peter’s long opening thanksgiving. Picking up on the theme of salvation, Peter reminds the church never to take for granted the privileged position we have. We live on the other side of Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, dying for our sin, rising again, and sending the Holy Spirit to indwell His people. Peter himself witnessed these events. As a disciple of Jesus for years, Peter was present at His trial and he saw the empty tomb. He was also there when the Holy Spirit came on believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). He does not want his readers to forget what a blessing it is to believe the gospel and be filled with the Spirit.

Even the most privileged people in the Old Testament—the prophets—did not have the same knowledge of God we have. The prophets carefully searched the Scriptures to try to understand when the Messiah would come (v. 10–11).

Peter tells us the “Spirit of Christ” directed the prophets to write about His future suffering and glory. Passages like Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Zechariah 9:9–10 are examples. Although the prophets knew in general that the Messiah was coming, would suffer, and be glorified, they did not know the details. They were writing for the benefit of future believers who could be assured by their prophecies that Jesus is the Messiah (v. 12).

Go Deeper

We are deeply grateful for the salvation we have in Christ. As one hymnwriter expressed, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” Write an expression of thanks to our Lord and Savior today.

Pray with Us

Jesus, help us never take Your Spirit for granted. We pray that when the Spirit prompts us, our hearts will be ready to listen and obey. Teach us how we can live for You each day.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.Colossians 1:13

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Hiding the Word

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Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:11

Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:16-17

It is estimated that around three hundred direct quotations from the Old Testament appear in the New Testament. References and allusions bring that number closer to one thousand. We often take for granted how often the New Testament writers incorporate a quotation or reference from the Old Testament—especially in their conversations where they appear to be quoting from memory. And we have to remember that they had no computers or complete copies of the Old Testament to work with when writing the New Testament.

Jesus appears to quote the Old Testament around 75 times in His teachings and verbal exchanges with others. Take, for example, His exchange with the devil during His 40-day sojourn in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Three times He refuted the devil’s temptations by quoting verses from Deuteronomy. Paul quotes or alludes to the Old Testament around 75 times just in the book of Romans. How did they do this? Memorization and in-depth familiarity with Scripture.

Consider setting a goal of memorizing one verse or passage of Scripture each week. After all, the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and the foundation of faith (Romans 10:17).

Memorization is the first step to meditation.
Jerry Bridges

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org