Tag Archives: Truth

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Destiny of a Name

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Matthew 1:18-25

Today we generally pick children’s names based on preference. But in Old Testament times Jewish parents chose names according to what they desired that child to become or what was taking place at the time of birth. Names carried a sense of the child’s history or destiny. And this is true of Jesus’ name as well.

God the Father chose the name for His Son and communicated it to Joseph, saying, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The name literally means “Jehovah is salvation,” which is exactly what Jesus came to do. His work of salvation can be summed up in four words:

Atonement. Our sins have made us enemies of God, but His Son came to pay our penalty by shedding His blood. As a result, all who believe in Him can receive forgiveness and be reconciled to the Father (Rom. 5:10).

Access. Jesus opened the door so we can have a relationship with the Father and confidently come into His presence, knowing that He hears and loves us (John 14:6; Heb. 4:16).

Adoption. We have been adopted as children of God through Jesus Christ and are heirs with Him (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:16-17).

Assurance. Through Jesus, we have been given eternal life, which can never be lost (John 5:24). Our future is secure in His name.

Jesus’ destiny was death on a cross so that ours could be eternal life in glory. Whenever we say or hear His name, our hearts should overflow with love and gratitude for our gracious Savior, who sacrificed Himself to save us.

Bible in One Year: 2 Peter 1-3

 

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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — A Thrill of Hope

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Read: Luke 2:11–20

Bible in a Year: Habakkuk 1–3; Revelation 15

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.—Luke 2:11

Reginald Fessenden had been working for years to achieve wireless radio communication. Other scientists found his ideas radical and unorthodox, and doubted he would succeed. But he claims that on December 24, 1906, he became the first person to ever play music over the radio.

Fessenden held a contract with a fruit company which had installed wireless systems on roughly a dozen boats to communicate about the harvesting and marketing of bananas. That Christmas Eve, Fessenden said that he told the wireless operators on board all ships to pay attention. At 9 o’clock they heard his voice.

He reportedly played a record of an operatic aria, and then he pulled out his violin, playing “O Holy Night” and singing the words to the last verse as he played. Finally, he offered Christmas greetings and read from Luke 2 the story of angels announcing the birth of a Savior to shepherds in Bethlehem.

Both the shepherds in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago and the sailors on board the United Fruit Company ships in 1906 heard an unexpected, surprising message of hope on a dark night. And God still speaks that same message of hope to us today. A Savior has been born for us—Christ the Lord! (Luke 2:11). We can join the choir of angels and believers through the ages who respond with “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (v. 14). —Amy Peterson

God, we give You glory and thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior!

Without Christ there is no hope. Charles Spurgeon

INSIGHT: Luke’s telling of the birth of Christ is a study in contrasts. We are introduced to the Son of God in the weakness of an infant, while powerful world rulers play their part in moving the family to the city of David. The shepherds were likely guarding temple flocks that would supply the sacrificial system at Jerusalem’s temple. Yet though they were treated as unclean by the religionists of their day, they are invited into the presence of the ultimate Sacrifice. From the humble to the heavenly and everything in between, these contrasts launch the journey of the Son who came from the highest place to be the Lamb of God.

In what way does the coming of Jesus touch your heart?

 

http://www.odb.org

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert for Kids -No Money, No Worry

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Romans 4:18–19

More than a hundred years ago in England, there were many orphans with no one to care for them. A man named George Müller and his wife began helping orphans by inviting the children into their own home. Soon he had five orphanages where more than 2,000 children lived. George was a man of great faith and he never asked anyone for money to support his ministry or the orphanage. He never went into debt either. He believed God would give him what he needed, so he decided not to take a salary when he became the pastor of a small church. He trusted God to care for him and his family. God always provided for George’s needs and more, and that made his faith grow. Many times, there was no food at the orphanage, but George went right on believing God would provide. Food always showed up just in time to feed the children.

By the time he died, Müller had cared for and educated thousands of children. He had given away thousands of Bibles, even more New Testaments, and millions of other religious books. He also supported 150 missionaries. You see, he believed that God could meet all his needs even when there was nothing. He was like Abraham who hoped even when he couldn’t see how God would help him.

If God took care of George Müller and his orphans, he can take care of you. Is there something your family needs? Pray and believe God will meet your need. You will be surprised at the awesome things God will do for you too.

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us what we need as we do your work in the world. Amen.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Do Your Best!

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So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. — Philippians 1:10

God is excellent. As His representatives, we should be too. So it’s important that we do our best in everything we put our hands to. We must be motivated to do our very best in whatever we set out to accomplish. Paul urges us to learn to prize what is excellent and of real value (see Philippians 1:10). As we make excellence a way of life, we will have God’s joy and be good examples to the world.

You must sow excellence in order to reap an excellent harvest. We can’t expect excellent results in life when we don’t live a life of excellence. The Bible teaches us to develop diligence, steadfastness and determination—all of which will help us live lives of excellence.

I encourage you to do your best with any project or activity that God places in your path. Be diligent. Don’t leave things undone, but finish what you start to the best of your ability. Set your mind to be steadfast and determined. Commit yourself to excellent results.

God honors an attitude of excellence. Choose to do your best, and He will always empower you in the process.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – The Way Up Is Down

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“But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be a servant. And if you want to be right at the top, you must serve like a slave. Your attitude must be like My own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).

This is another one of those remarkable paradoxes of the Christian life. If you want to live, you must die. If you want to receive, you must give. If you want to lead, you must serve – contrary to the secular emphasis in the area of business, education, government and media. There the law of the jungle, the survival of the fittest, prevails. Do not worry about the mangled, mutilated bodies on which you tread as you climb the ladder of success. The important thing is to reach the top.

Not so with Jesus or for those who truly follow Him. The way up in the spiritual realm is down. To command is to humble yourself, then God will exalt you. Take the low seat and be invited to a higher place of honor, because there is strength in weakness and power in serving.

Much emphasis is placed on the importance of building leaders even in the Christian world. However, if we are going to follow the example of our Lord and obey the biblical concepts of leadership, by our attitudes and actions we must become servants. One of the byproducts of serving others is the law of sowing and reaping. The more you serve others, the more God blesses you. If you have a problem with feelings of inadequacy, poor self-image, undue introspection, or depression and frustration, one of the best remedies is to begin to serve others. Give someone else your time, your talent and your treasure. Inevitably, your life will be blessed and enriched and you will become more fruitful as a result of such service.

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:3-11

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will resolve with God’s help to be more of a servant to those around me, following the example of my Lord as one of the keys to supernatural living.

 

http://www.cru.org

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – PROMISED PRESENCE

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John 14:25–27; 16:7–14

In today’s technological age, family members can now easily stay in touch with each other even when they are separated by thousands of miles. Through WhatsApp, Skype, iMessage, and more, distance no longer needs to keep people from talking and seeing one another.

When Jesus announced to His disciples that He would be departing from Earth, He offered something far better than a video chat to stay in touch. His bodily presence would be replaced with the coming of “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit” (14:26). The name itself, Advocate, means “one who comes alongside.” With Christ’s departure, we now have one who remains with us. Our hearts should not be troubled, for Jesus has left us His peace (14:27).

The Holy Spirit brings us more than merely a sense of comfort and security. Jesus promised that He would “teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (14:26). The Spirit’s presence in the world opens our eyes to the truth of sin, the reality of Christ’s identity, and the assurance of a coming judgment in the world. In short, the Spirit makes it possible for us to know the truth (16:13). Far from God being absent, the Spirit is continually at work, making the gospel known in our own hearts and around the world.

As Jesus prepared to depart, He promised His presence in a new way. The Holy Spirit does not bring a different truth but the very same truth that belongs to the Father and the Son. As Christ said, “It is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine” (16:14–15). Thanks be to God, we are not left as orphans in the world.

APPLY THE WORD

During the holidays, many people struggle with depression and loneliness. Are there those in your church or neighborhood who might be alone—perhaps international students or the elderly? Invite them to share in your holiday celebrations. Sharing the gift of presence with them reflects God’s promise of presence with us through the Holy Spirit.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Why me, Lord? 

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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:28-30

From time to time I fear I am not up to the task of the Lord’s call on my life. I put pressure on myself to produce—though God’s Spirit reminds me to remain in His strength and not depend on my own energy. I feel the tug to tell the Lord I am tired and that it’s hard to trust Him during a time of transition. Thankfully, His sweet Spirit settles my soul with reassurance. He says, “Boyd, it’s not about your ability, but about Me and my favor. Be available, for I am able.”

Mary faced a similar circumstance in her crisis of faith. When the angel declared her to be highly favored by the Lord, she was troubled. Maybe she didn’t like being the center of attention. The thought of being a vessel of God’s blessing felt overwhelming. Perhaps she feared failure. She did not want to let down the Lord. She thought her modest background disqualified her, but in reality, it qualified her. The Lord highly favors the humble hearted for the glory of His son Jesus.

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13).

What is the Lord asking you to do that might move you out of your comfort zone? Pregnancy, job change, increased giving, missions, lead a Bible study or volunteer at your church? Be thankful, not afraid of the Lord’s favor on your life. Where He calls you, He will equip you. Where He leads you, He will love you through the process. Like grace, God’s favor is a gift to be managed well. Be grateful for any season of success by giving God the glory for His blessings.

False humility may cause us to say, “Why me, Lord?” But true humility bows in grateful praise to God and confesses, “Why not me, Lord?” Like an eager athlete sits on the bench next to the coach awaiting an opportunity to get into the game, so we anticipate our heavenly Father’s instructions to selflessly serve with Him. We steward well the favor of our Lord when we point people to Jesus through our words and deeds. During this Christmas season praise God for the gift of His son Jesus Christ. We testify of His saving faith in our lives. In Christ, we are highly favored!

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am available for You and I trust You to use me for Your glory.

Application: How can I better manage the opportunities I have been blessed with by God?

Related Readings: Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:12; Psalm 90:17; Luke 2:14, 52; James 4:6

 

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Jesus: What a Name!

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Luke 1:26-33

There has never been a birth announcement equal to that of the Lord Jesus. Who else’s birth has been proclaimed by angels—not just once, but three times? First, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, informing her that she would be the mother of the Son of God, who would sit on the throne of David and rule forever. Next, an angel came to tell Joseph that the child Mary carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18-21). And finally, a host of angels appeared to shepherds, announcing that the Savior had been born (Luke 2:8-14).

Not only that, but God Himself chose the name of this special child. Both Mary and Joseph were instructed to call Him “Jesus.” Although this was a common name in Israel at that time, it took on great significance when given to the Son of God. Philippians 2:9-10 says that “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name”—and a day will come when everyone bows at the name of Jesus and confesses Him as Lord.

Yet so often today, the precious name of Jesus is used in a derogatory or profane way. When I hear people abuse and misuse His name, my first reaction is to feel angry that He’s not treated with the reverence He deserves. But anger quickly turns to compassion because I realize they do not know Him or understand how much He means to me.

What about you? How do you feel when the name of your Savior is degraded by unaware, unbelieving people? What can you do to help them see the greatness of that name and the one who bears it?

Bible in One Year: 1 Peter 1-5

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — God with Us

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Read: Matthew 1:18–23

Bible in a Year: Nahum 1–3; Revelation 14

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.—Matthew 1:23

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left . . .” These hymn lyrics, written by the fifth-century Celtic Christian St. Patrick, echo in my mind when I read Matthew’s account of Jesus’s birth. They feel like a warm embrace, reminding me that I’m never alone.

Matthew’s account tells us that God dwelling with His people is at the heart of Christmas. Quoting Isaiah’s prophecy of a child who would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isa. 7:14), Matthew points to the ultimate fulfillment of that prophecy—Jesus, the One born by the power of the Holy Spirit to be God with us. This truth is so central that Matthew begins and ends his gospel with it, concluding with Jesus’s words to His disciples: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

St. Patrick’s lyrics remind me that Christ is with believers always through His Spirit living within. When I’m nervous or afraid, I can hold fast to His promises that He will never leave me. When I can’t fall asleep, I can ask Him to give me His peace. When I’m celebrating and filled with joy, I can thank Him for His gracious work in my life.

Jesus, Immanuel—God with us. —Amy Boucher Pye

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to be God with us. May we experience Your presence this day.

God’s love became Incarnate at Bethlehem.

INSIGHT: We can only imagine the emotions Joseph experienced when he discovered his fiancée was pregnant. But in a dream he was told that Mary’s child was conceived supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. In obedience to this divine revelation, Joseph took her as his wife and did not consummate the marriage until she had given birth to the child.

The Father, Son, and Spirit all share in our redemption. God took on human form and came to Earth to live among us. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and the Spirit now dwells within us (1 Peter 1:11; Gal. 4:6; 1 Cor. 6:19).

How does knowing Christ is present in your life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit encourage you? Dennis Fisher

 

http://www.odb.org

Today in the Word

Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – REJECTING THE GOD-IN-FLESH

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John 8:39–59

In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis notes that the same person might both be a fool and have a graduate degree. Being highly educated does not guarantee wisdom and spiritual insight. We see this combination of foolishness and education in the way that the religious leaders interacted with Jesus in today’s reading.

The identity of Jesus was abundantly clear. He had “come here from God” (v. 42), sent by the Father to teach His truth. More than that, Jesus had His life-giving power (v. 51). Jesus intensifies His bold claim about His true identity at the end of the passage when He declared: “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (v. 58). Using the very name of God given to Moses in Exodus 3:14, Jesus identified Himself as the God of Israel now standing before them.

The well-educated religious leaders displayed only foolishness and spiritual blindness in their response. Instead of receiving Christ’s teaching, they were trying to kill Him. Instead of loving and following Christ, they insulted Him and accused Him of being demon possessed. Ultimately Jesus identified the underlying cause of their rejection of His teaching: “The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (v. 47).

These stinging words should have brought humility and repentance. Instead, when Jesus revealed His full identity as the great “I AM,” their response deepened from hostility to attempted execution (v. 59). God had come in the flesh to bring light and life to His creation, and He was met with rejection. That rejection would ultimately lead to the cross, confirming the opening words of John’s Gospel: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

APPLY THE WORD

Many people “celebrate” Christmas while rejecting its true meaning. They are content to have a babe in the manger without recognizing Him as the coming of God in the flesh. Spend time in prayer today for your loved ones who need to accept Jesus as the Son of God, and ask the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to God’s love this Christmas.

 

http://www.todayintheword.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Discernment is the Key to a Clear Conscience

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Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men.— Acts 24:16

It’s critical to keep your conscience clear because nothing will keep you from enjoying life as much as guilt.

In Acts, Paul said that he pursued discipline and avoided worldly desires so that he could walk blameless and guilt-free before God. The same applies to us. Walking in the confidence of a clear conscience will keep us free and happy.

That sounds easy when it comes to clear-cut, right and wrong issues, but what about the “gray” areas of life? How do we keep our conscience clear when we’re unsure what the right or wrong choice is? What if we accidentally sin without realizing it? I’ve found that God’s discernment solves this problem.

Discernment is spiritual understanding, and it’s the key to living with a clear conscience. It takes practice, but it simply involves paying attention to your heart. God will let you know when you shouldn’t do something that will bring guilt later on.

I encourage you to live in a way that will keep your conscience clear. Don’t do things you know you shouldn’t, and rely on God’s discernment when you’re facing an issue you’re not sure about. He will never lead you wrong.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Power Over Discouragement

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“And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9).

“Yes, I do get tired inthe work, but I never get tired ofthe work.” I have heard many missionaries, ministers and other Christian leaders make such a statement. I echo their sentiments.

The first half of this wonderful verse is the sower’s imperative; the second half is the sower’s reward. The first half is my responsibility; the second is God’s – which of course means that I should concern myself only with the first half, since our faithful God always keeps His promises.

One of the enemy’s greatest weapons is discouragement. Years ago that great saint and prophet, A.W. Tozer, preached a sermon on this subject in which he recognized discouragement solely as a tool of the devil, hence one he would refuse to accept in his own life.

It is because of Satan’s wiles in this regard – in causing us to be discouraged and give up – that one of God’s greatest gifts to His children is the gift of exhortation and encouragement, with emphasis on the latter. How many believers have been strengthened to carry on because of the helpful, encouraging word of a friend! And how important that you and I become that kind of friend. Yet, God’s promise of encouragement is far more important.

To “keep on keeping on” is easier when we know that God is faithful.

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:1-8

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: With power from the Holy Spirit who lives within me, I will refuse to allow Satan’s trick of discouragement to hinder my work, my walk and my witness for the Lord.

 

http://www.cru.org

Words of Hope

Words of Hope – Daily Devotional – The Voice of Gabriel: Nothing Is Impossible with God

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Read: Luke 1:26-38

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. (v. 32)

The angel Gabriel appears to young Mary with an amazing promise. God is about to perform an extraordinary act that was prefigured in Isaac’s birth to Abraham and Sarah and Samuel’s birth to Hannah. Yet Luke wants us to know that this is a miracle of another kind. The wording parallels the creation account where God’s Spirit is “hovering over” the chaotic waters before the world is formed and filled (Gen. 1:2). The conception and birth of Jesus our Savior is a special miracle of God’s creative power. Just as the earth was initially “without form and void,” Mary’s womb is void until God, through the Holy Spirit, “overshadows” her so she conceives a child who is “called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

As Jesus came to Mary, he comes to each of us as a once-in-a lifetime gift of God’s creative grace. Our Lord brings order out of chaos and creates life where there is no life. If you are in Christ, you are God’s new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Yet we will never discover what God can do through our individual lives or our congregations until we are ready to respond like Mary. There are still empty places in our lives where chaos reigns, but that’s where the Spirit is eager to bring order and create new life. Are you open to God’s initiatives? —Ken Eriks

Prayer: Lord God, by your Spirit, bring forth new life in us this Christmas. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

https://woh.org/

Wisdom Hunters

Wisdom Hunters – Why me, Lord? 

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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:28-30

From time to time I fear I am not up to the task of the Lord’s call on my life. I put pressure on myself to produce—though God’s Spirit reminds me to remain in His strength and not depend on my own energy. I feel the tug to tell the Lord I am tired and that it’s hard to trust Him during a time of transition. Thankfully, His sweet Spirit settles my soul with reassurance. He says, “Boyd, it’s not about your ability, but about Me and my favor. Be available, for I am able.”

Mary faced a similar circumstance in her crisis of faith. When the angel declared her to be highly favored by the Lord, she was troubled. Maybe she didn’t like being the center of attention. The thought of being a vessel of God’s blessing felt overwhelming. Perhaps she feared failure. She did not want to let down the Lord. She thought her modest background disqualified her, but in reality, it qualified her. The Lord highly favors the humble hearted for the glory of His son Jesus.

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13).

What is the Lord asking you to do that might move you out of your comfort zone? Pregnancy, job change, increased giving, missions, lead a Bible study or volunteer at your church? Be thankful, not afraid of the Lord’s favor on your life. Where He calls you, He will equip you. Where He leads you, He will love you through the process. Like grace, God’s favor is a gift to be managed well. Be grateful for any season of success by giving God the glory for His blessings.

False humility may cause us to say, “Why me, Lord?” But true humility bows in grateful praise to God and confesses, “Why not me, Lord?” Like an eager athlete sits on the bench next to the coach awaiting an opportunity to get into the game, so we anticipate our heavenly Father’s instructions to selflessly serve with Him. We steward well the favor of our Lord when we point people to Jesus through our words and deeds. During this Christmas season praise God for the gift of His son Jesus Christ. We testify of His saving faith in our lives. In Christ, we are highly favored!

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am available for You and I trust You to use me for Your glory.

Application: How can I better manage the opportunities I have been blessed with by God?

Related Readings: Genesis 6:8; Exodus 33:12; Psalm 90:17; Luke 2:14, 52; James 4:6

 

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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Manifestations of the Teaching Gift

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Titus 2:7-8

We make effective use of our spiritual gift when we are filled with the Spirit; relying on ourselves will just send us off track. Let’s look at both godly and fleshly manifestations of the teaching gift.

Depending upon human reasoning leads to self-indulgence. But by faithfully absorbing and applying Scripture, a Christian gifted in teaching reaps the fruit of self-control (Gal. 5:23). Through one’s desire to learn, the Spirit develops dependability and diligence, yet unless the believer abides in Christ, he or she can become careless and inconsistent. The fruit of peace and patience grows as studies lead to deeper faith, whereas anxiety and impatience result if the focus shifts to “self.”

For those of us who don’t have this gift, it’s possible to incorrectly perceive the ones who do—we might assume they are overemphasizing their studies or being prideful because of their knowledge. However, the characteristics of the gift of teaching show that the opposite is true. These believers desire accurate, thorough understanding so they can share it with us for our benefit. At times, we might regard people with this ability as boring because of the quantity of information they present. We might even suspect that they rely more on knowledge than on God’s Spirit. And yet it is the Holy Spirit who helps them to learn and to speak. We should realize teachers want us to have enough truth so that we can live God’s way and please Him.

As you exercise your God-given gift, pray for the Spirit’s leading. That is how to have the greatest impact for the kingdom.

Bible in One Year: James 1-5

 

http://www.intouch.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Silent Night of the Soul

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Read: 2 Corinthians 5:14–21

Bible in a Year: Micah 6–7; Revelation 13

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone; the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:17

Long before Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber created the familiar carol “Silent Night,” Angelus Silesius had written:

Lo! in the silent night a child to God is born,

And all is brought again that ere was lost or lorn.

Could but thy soul, O man, become a silent night

God would be born in thee and set all things aright.

Silesius, a Polish monk, published the poem in 1657 in The Cherubic Pilgrim. During our church’s annual Christmas Eve service, the choir sang a beautiful rendition of the song titled “Could but Thy Soul Become a Silent Night.”

The twofold mystery of Christmas is that God became one of us so that we might become one with Him. Jesus suffered everything that was wrong so that we could be made right. That’s why the apostle Paul could write, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone; the new is here! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17–18).

Whether our Christmas is filled with family and friends or empty of all we long for, we know that Jesus came to be born in us.

Ah, would thy heart but be a manger for the birth,

God would once more become a child on earth. —David C. McCasland

Lord Jesus, thank You for being born into this dark world so that we might be born again into Your life and light.

God became one of us so that we might become one with Him.

INSIGHT: At the heart of the concept of becoming one with Christ is His work of reconciliation in us. In today’s passage, Paul weaves several themes together—life, love, new creation, and the ministry of reconciliation—all framed by a call to act with urgency. It is because of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection that we can be reconciled to God. Those who accept Christ’s gift of reconciliation must “no longer live for themselves” (2 Cor. 5:15). Instead, we are compelled to view everyone differently (v. 16), as people in dire need of Christ’s reconciliation. And what is this reconciliation? God will no longer “[count] people’s sins against them” (v. 19). With urgency, Paul tells us that we are now Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation and says, “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (v. 20, emphasis added).

With whom can you share this offer of reconciliation today? Tim Gustaftson

 

http://www.odb.org

Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Claimed or Rejected

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There are some stories that move us whether we hear them at five or fifty-five. The 1965 release of the first Peanuts movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas, was instantly loved by adults and children alike. But it almost did not make it past the television executives who hated it. The movie was criticized for everything from being too contemporary in music, to being too religious in tone. But audiences everywhere confidently disagreed. Having aired every year since its debut in 1965, it is now the longest-running cartoon special in history.

One of my predictably favorite scenes finds Charlie Brown on a hunt for the perfect “great big, shiny, aluminum tree—maybe even a pink one” as instructed by Lucy for their Christmas pageant. At the tree lot, Charlie Brown walks through row after row of flashing, shiny spectacles of color, trying his best to choose well and please his friends. But then he sees a small, natural tree, nearly overshadowed by the flash and glitter of the rest. It is pitiful and loosing its needles, but it is the only real tree on the lot. In an unlikely moment of confidence, Charlie Brown chooses the pitiful sapling over all the others (and is thus the target of laughter and mockery by all).

Even as children, we seem to know intuitively that there is something remarkable—perhaps something even sacred—about being selected long before we understand the implications of choice at all. That someone saw anything worth choosing in this sickly little tree is a turn in the plot that quiets us. Charlie Brown claims the unlikely, pathetic tree as his own, and there is a part of us that feels claimed too.

The Christian story of God among the world is filled with the language of claiming and calling, gathering and choosing. Yet, stripped of the story and its characters, these words often offend us. We speak of the injustice of a God who claims anyone, who shows signs of favoritism, or calls anyone particularly. We forget what we felt deeply as children—namely, that being claimed among a group of the prettiest and the smartest and the fastest is not about deserving it at all.

Continue reading Ravi Zacharias Ministry – Claimed or Rejected →

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Wisdom is Calling Out to You

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I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and ordained from everlasting, from the beginning, before ever the earth existed.— Proverbs 8:23

Along the way on our journey through life, we will have to make many decisions, and we will always get into trouble if we make them emotionally or according to what we think or want.

God wants us to make wise decisions. I believe having wisdom is choosing to do now what we will be happy with later.

Proverbs says that wisdom is calling out to us. You must walk in God’s wisdom and realize that the choices you make today will affect your tomorrow. So many people never enjoy life because they’re always dealing with messes resulting from a lack of wisdom.

Don’t do something selfish, gambling that things will turn out right. Wisdom does not gamble; it invests in the future. Wisdom doesn’t settle for instant gratification. Instead, it follows God into a better tomorrow.

So what about you? Are you walking in wisdom today? If you’re not, the good news is that wisdom is already calling out to you. God’s ready and willing to provide you with His wisdom. Just ask Him for it and make the decisions that will invest in a godly future.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – Proof of His Love

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“For when He punishes you, it proves that He loves you. When He whips you it proves you are really His child” (Hebrews 12:6).

Most of us prefer more pleasant ways of having others prove their love for us. Children, for example, never particularly relish the idea of having the “board of education” applied to the “seat of learning,” but sometimes the disciplinary spanking is necessary.

We do that to our children because we love them. How much more important that our heavenly Father discipline us to keep us in line with His perfect plan and will for our lives. Sometimes that discipline is tough and painful.

This does not mean, of course, that God sends chastisement which is not deserved, or that He sends it for the mere purpose of inflicting pain. But it does mean that He is showing His paternal, loving care for us as His children when He punishes us.

As a child, a practical illustration helped me with this concept, so much so that it still sticks with me. When I allow my life to be flexible, like putty or soft clay, God can take it and mold it as He chooses. When I decide to be stubborn and resistant – hard like concrete – He sometimes has to smooth the rough edges, and that always hurts.

We sing a chorus about the Spirit of God falling afresh on us. “Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.” When you and I are like putty in His hands, yielded and committed to Him, He can indeed mold us in His image.

Bible Reading: Revelation 3:19-22

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will surrender to God’s disciplinary action in my life realizing that as a kind, loving heavenly Father He must take such action for my own good and benefit, when I am in need of correction.

 

http://www.cru.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – An Unlikely King

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Listen to Today’s Devotion

In Bethlehem, the human being who best understood who God was and what He was doing, was a teenage girl in a smelly stable. As Mary looked into the face of the baby, her son, her Lord. His majesty—she couldn’t take her eyes off Him. Somehow Mary knew she was holding God. So this is He.

And she remembered the words of the angel when he said, “His kingdom will never end!” He looked like anything but a King. His cry, though strong and healthy, was still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter. God came near! And Luke 1:33 says, “His kingdom will never end!” May you be a part of it.

Read more God Came Near

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

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