JANUARY 4
When Opportunity Knocks ... or Otherwise
"I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9
We need to practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. You're going to be tempted to rush into life because of the fast pace to which society is stepping. Many doors will open for you. Many doors will close. What will you do?
Remember that through it all, Jesus Christ will be behind each and every door as you seek Him with all your heart. He has promised never to leave you, nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6).
When the devil comes and knocks at your heart's door this next year, simply say, "Jesus, please go answer the door." The Lord is there with us to take care of us.
When the door of opportunity knocks for you today, take a moment to reflect on His goodness, His mercy, and His faithfulness. Trust in Him to give you what you need.
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online
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JANUARY 5
Finding Your Contentment in Jesus
"...and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' " Hebrews 13:5-6
As you face the New Year, I want you to find
¨ your contentment in Jesus,
¨ your companionship in Jesus,
¨ and your confidence in Jesus.
¨ Then you'll find your comfort and your courage in Jesus.
When you are contented in Jesus, and He is closer to you than anyone on earth could possibly be, when you are confident that He will provide in the midst of trials and testing, then and only then will you know the courage that comes from His comforting presence.
Pray, "Lord, with all my heart, with all I am, I want to know You. I want our relationship to be close and my faith to grow. Cleanse me and make me new that I may be all that You want me to be this year."
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online
FEATURED RESOURCE
Daybreak: Practicing the Presence of God
This devotional journal with daily applications was designed several years ago by Adrian Rogers. This leather-bound keepsake will be a treasured addition to start your day out right!
Each day you will begin with a nugget from one of his messages, a reading from God's Word, and a place to write your "Spiritual concerns and prayer requests." Order your copy today.
For more Adrian Rogers resources you may visit the Love Worth Finding bookstore at www.lwf.org.
:angel:
JANUARY 6
The Master Designer
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18
How did it happen? How did the Bible get written apart from divine inspiration?
Suppose we decided to build a monument to the 50 states in Washington and use native stone from each state. We would hammer out the stones from individual quarries in each state.
Then, ship them.
Uncrate them.
Then fit the stones together.
As the stones were assembled, we discovered that there was not one stone too many. Not one stone too few. When completed, we had a magnificently symmetrical monument.
The only answer to this perfection is that there was a master architect who designed everything. In the same way, you cannot explain the unity of the Bible apart from divine inspiration.
Praise God for His Master Design of the universe — of the stars, the planets, the skies, the seas...and you!
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online
FEATURED RESOURCE
Daybreak: Practicing the Presence of God
This devotional journal with daily applications was designed several years ago by Adrian Rogers. This leather-bound keepsake will be a treasured addition to start your day out right!
Each day you will begin with a nugget from one of his messages, a reading from God's Word, and a place to write your "Spiritual concerns and prayer requests." Order your copy today.
For more Adrian Rogers resources you may visit the Love Worth Finding bookstore at www.lwf.org.
JANUARY 7
The Treasure We Have in Jesus Christ
"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Many years ago, the Spanish Armada was sailing off the coast of Florida. A hurricane struck, and the ships laden with gold and silver ingots sunk to the bottom. People knew the treasure had been lost and believed one ship went down near Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fishermen fished over that spot, sometimes doubtless hanging a hook on a lump of gold.
One day some explorers went diving, and there it was in the shallow water. In fact the water was so shallow that any of us could have swum to the bottom and brought up millions of dollars. In the same way, I believe there are many of us yet to discover the full treasure we have in Jesus Christ.
Have you plunged your heart deep into the treasure of the Lord? Or are you living life in the shallow end, wondering if the treasure will ever come to you? :angel:
JANUARY 8
What's at the Heart
"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6
Have you ever gone to a sawmill and watched them process timber? They take a big log out of the woods that may have bumps and knots on it, and they lay it on a cradle, running it through a saw, cutting off one side. Then they bring it back, turn it, and run it through again to cut off another side. When they're finished, if you stand and look down it, it's perfectly straight. But if you look at the end of it, the heart is still crooked. That's the way it is with some individuals who are outwardly living the Christian life. But Jeremiah 17:9 warns the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. We need regeneration. We must be born again.
Read Psalm 19:14—
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Pray it from your heart — that today you would desire with everything within you to be pure in thought, word, and deed.
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online
FEATURED RESOURCE
Daybreak: Practicing the Presence of God
This devotional journal with daily applications was designed several years ago by Adrian Rogers. This leather-bound keepsake will be a treasured addition to start your day out right!
Each day you will begin with a nugget from one of his messages, a reading from God's Word, and a place to write your "Spiritual concerns and prayer requests." Order your copy today.
For more Adrian Rogers resources you may visit the Love Worth Finding bookstore at www.lwf.org.
:angel:
JANUARY 9
Believing In the Living God
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." 1 John 5:9
I've been asked, "Pastor Rogers, do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That's not enough for me."
I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.
God says, "If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true."
Don't tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Read Deuteronomy 4:29—
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart. :angel:
JANUARY 10
Discovering His Will for Your Life
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13
Nehemiah was a man who knew how to get alone with God. He fasted, prayed, and wept; then God told him what to do.
Have you done that? Have you sacrificed and surrendered to the Lord to discover His will for your life? Or are you just putting yourself into neutral and letting life happen to you? Do you have a focus?
God has something that He wants you to do. You are special to God. Nehemiah said, "God had laid something on my heart." If you'll listen, God will lay something on your heart.
Get alone with God this week. Discover what He wants from your life to do His will.
:angel:
JANUARY 11
Working Together In Unity
"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9
How powerful it is when we work together in unity! I was reading about how Canadian geese always fly in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why? Because the lead goose is moving the wind resistance for the rest of them. So while he is flapping real hard, the rest of them are cruising. After awhile, the lead goose gets tired and he falls back and the next goose moves up.
Do you know what scientists have discovered in the wind tunnel experiments? That geese flying in a "V" formation can fly 72% farther than one goose could fly by himself. Now who taught them to do that? God did.
What are you trying to do by yourself that could be more efficiently accomplished when the task is shared?
:angel:
JANUARY 12
Train Up A Child
"Train up a child in the way he should g and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
A little boy was riding around and around the block. A man asked him, "What are you doing?"
"I'm running away from home," he said.
"But you're just going around and around the block," said the man.
The little boy responded, "That's because my mom won't let me cross the street!"
Even in the earliest ages, there can be restraint in the heart of a child because of godly training by his or her parents. The only way I ever learned to play football was on the training field. The classroom wasn't enough. Parents must provide training and education for the lessons of life to be ingrained in their children.
Has God given you the divine responsibility of parenthood? Then, spend some time this week to train your child in one area of godly living.
:angel:
JANUARY 13
Bringing Children Into The World
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14
I would be afraid to bring children into this world if I did not know God. But because I know God, I am free to encourage you to have children.
Don't ever let the devil intimidate you. I've had couples ask me, "Pastor Rogers, the world is so dangerous today, do you think that we ought to have children?"
I respond with a hearty "Yes!"
God's people are the ones who ought to be bringing a godly seed into this world. What does the world need? Jesus. How are they going to hear if the light goes out?
Are you contemplating having children? Do you know someone who is? Encourage them with this devotional today. :angel:
JANUARY 14
God's Plan of Restoration in Your Life
"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Job 33:28
On the night of Jesus' arrest, Peter denied Jesus — three times! In spite of Peter's lack of loyalty, Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to him and said, "Come and dine."
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration. Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship — a kaleidoscope of emotions! He could not believe that he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before. And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus' covenant love is not exhausted when we sin. There is forgiveness and restoration.
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19. Rejoice over God's plan of restoration in your life.
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com
:angel:
JANUARY 15
Overcoming Fear and Worry
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
When we ought to be enjoying victorious, abundant lives...what happens? Fear creeps in and grips us cold. Many of us lose priceless opportunities because of this boa constrictor of fear.
When fear dominates, there is no room for Christ, Who can comfort us
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).
Worry is the noxious first cousin to fear. Fear and worry will do to you what grit does to machinery — shut you down. But God gives us the victory with His power, His love, and the gift of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is your Bodyguard. He walks with you. The man who can kneel before God can stand before any man.
Jesus has you in His sight. You are in God's right hand. Write that down and post it in a place where you can meditate on it throughout the day. Now, ask yourself, "Knowing this, can anything this week change those truths?"
:angel:
JANUARY 16
Ministers of Deception
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service, and the man in the pulpit will look like a minister, but he will be a minister of Satan. Isn't that frightening? You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. He's always wanted to be like God. His temptation to you is not to be ungodly, but to try to be like God, but in Satan's way. Satan is the master of deception.
Matthew 24:24 says, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. That's the reason we have to be discerners of truth.
This Sunday, don't just sit and soak in the service. Test the message against the Word of God and apply it to your life.
:angel:
JANUARY 18
People God Chooses to Do His Work
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."
1 Corinthians 1:27
The people God chooses to do His work are plain, simple folks. All you have to do is look at the twelve men Jesus chose to be His disciples. Fishermen, a tax collector, a "zealot." What a ragtag bunch! But they ended up "turning the world upside down." And those who watched them exclaimed, "Why, these are ignorant and unlearned men!" (Acts 4:13). Maybe you didn't make the "Who's Who," or worse still, you made the "Who's Not"! That's all right. God has a plan for you. God knows what He is doing. He turns the table on the world's idea of success. Wealth, fame, acclaim — none of these are necessary for you to be used of God.
What a glorious truth for you to share with someone today who may be feeling like they're not worth much. Ask God to lead you to that someone right now.
:angel:
JANUARY 19
Without Even Saying A Word
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." Psalm 32:8
I was talking to my son one day, and he reminded me of something that happened when he was a little boy. He said, "Dad, I was sitting in church, and you looked at me, and I knew I was going to get a whipping when I got home."
If you're married, you know how your spouse can give you that look that says, "Whatever you're talking about — stop!" That's the intimate relationship that people who know one another well establish. You're to have such an intimate relationship with God that He can just look at you and your heart is touched.
Throughout the day today, think of the eye of the Lord upon you...allow this to direct your steps and give you courage. :angel:
JANUARY 20
Never Another Like the Lord Jesus Christ
"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands." Hebrews 1:10
Nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, and yet His birth has divided all of history to A.D. and B.C. So far as we know, He never wrote a book, and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person. He never painted a picture or composed any poetry or music that we know of, and yet He has been the inspiration of the greatest music, art, and poetry that the world has ever known. He never had any formal education, yet more schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries have been founded in His name than any other person who ever lived.
That's who the Lord Jesus is, and never has there been another like the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read Hebrews 1:1-14. Marvel at His majesty! Praise His omnipotence!
:angel:
JANUARY 21
God's Holiness, Love and Mercy
"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
God will never overlook sin. He cannot. God is holy, and by His holiness He has sworn that sin will be punished. If God were to let one half of one sin go unpunished, God would no longer be holy.
The chief attribute of God is not love — it is holiness.
The cross is God's way to punish sin and forgive the sinner at the same time. "He who knew no sin," God has made to be sin for us. The price that Jesus paid, only the damned in hell can begin to know, but even they'll never know because they're only paying their sin debt. Jesus paid for all the sin of all of the people for all time.
Read Revelation 4:8. Let your anthem throughout the day be, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." :angel:
JANUARY 22
Nothing Less Than God's Optimum for Your Life
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11
Do you love Christ? Do you long to please Him with all your heart? Then remember this: God's delays are not God's denials.
Many a Christian feels he is out in the wilderness — that all he is doing is being led about in circles. Maybe God is grooming you. He is not ready to thrust you into heavy responsibilities as yet. He has you in a holding pattern for His holy purpose. Life is a journey that does not end. God is preparing something wonderful for you. He doesn't want you to settle for less than His optimum for your life and your work.
Commit Jeremiah 29:11-13 to memory this week, then share this truth with a friend!
:angel:
JANUARY 23
Where Is Your Treasure?
". . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21
There are many people who think they are wealthy who are not. We've seen the television series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and many times it should be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Foolish."
When is a rich man poor? When he tries to find satisfaction in his money. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
A man of modest income said to a man who was very rich, "I have more than you have." The rich man said, "How is that so?" He anwered, "Because I have all I want, and you don't."
When you set your goal to be wealthy, then money becomes your master rather than your servant. What is your goal with your finances?
:angel:
JANUARY 24
Complete Confidence in the Lord
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
There must be complete confidence in the Lord to take care of us because this complete confidence will lead to constant compliance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us we are to trust with all our heart (not just part of it), and we're to acknowledge Him in all our ways (not just some of our ways).
God won't take part of it. You can't say, "Lord, I want Your will in my social life, but I don't want Your will in my business life." Or, "I want Your will in my church life, but I don't want Your will in my relationships." You just can't do that. If He's worth part of it He's worth all of it.
What are you holding onto today? Give it all to Jesus. Instant obedience will bring incredible blessing.
:angel:
JANUARY 25
The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18
Suppose someone were to punch you in the nose? And suppose in an act of compassion you were to say to that person who punched you, "I forgive you." And suppose they responded, "There's no need for you to forgive me. I've already forgiven myself." You'd feel a little cheated. Only the one who was punched can forgive the hitter.
Sin is a clenched fist in the face of God, and only God can forgive sin. There's enough Gospel dynamite in 1 Peter 3:18 to blow the sin, the hatred, the sorrow, and the sickness out of anybody's life, but that dynamite must be ignited by the spark of faith.
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Maybe someone from whom you need to ask forgiveness? Go do it now. Tomorrow may never come.
:angel:
JANUARY 26
God's Provision in the Midst of Suffering
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20
Over and over again, people will ask me this question, "If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?" There's never an easy answer to that question when someone is grieving or suffering, but God has taught me that the universe has a disease. And God cannot remove the pain until the last vestige of sin is gone. The worst thing that could happen to human beings would be for us to live in a world cursed by sin, and yet the world seem to be a paradise. We would never come to God.
God has showered this world with immeasurable mercies. Focus today, not on the suffering, but on the provision of God's grace.
:angel:
JANUARY 28
Being Spirit-Filled
"...Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6
So many Christians want to be Spirit-filled, but have they ever asked why God should fill them with His Spirit?
I want you to imagine a man pushing a car into a service station. It has no battery in it. The car has four flat tires, a hole in the gas tank, and half the wires are disconnected. The attendant comes out, looks at this rattle trap, and says, "May I help you?"
The man says, "Yeah, fill 'er up."
What do you think that attendant would say? "What for?" would be appropriate.
I think God sometimes says, "What for?" to us. Instead, we need to just sign the contract at the bottom and say, "Lord, You fill it in."
Bow before the Lord, open your hands, and say, "Lord, It's all You. I am nothing but a vessel for You to use. Use me as You will."
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Friday, January 29, 2010
Authority in a Generation Gone Astray
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1
Our generation doesn't like the word authority. We don't like to be under anybody. We stick out our chests and talk about being free-born Americans.
If you're a baby boomer, you're of a generation of anti-authority figures. In your lifetime you've gone through the hula hoop, the Barbie doll, pop psychology, Dr. Spock, Donahue, and the Beatles. It was all anti-authority! Fathers were Archie Bunker. Preachers were Flip Wilson. The anthem was, "Do your thing. If it feels good, do it." Many of us dare not realize the vestiges of rebellion that still lurk down in our hearts.
Give some serious thought to the question: Who is on the throne of my life today?
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
JANUARY 30
One Way to Salvation
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6
Materialism says, "Buy your way out." The politician says, "Legislate." The army says, "Fight." Industry says, "Work." The philosopher says, "Think." But Jesus says, "There's no way out but through Me."
Jesus will save you by His grace, and He'll save you all by Himself or you won't be saved at all.
When you are saved by the grace of God, you are saved instantly, and you are saved eternally. Your goodness is not enough to save you, and your badness is not enough to keep you away. Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you.
Have you taken Jesus at His Word and followed His way of salvation? Maybe you have a friend who needs this truth today. Share it; don't suppress it.
:angel:
January 31
Light Obeyed Increases Light
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." Psalm 119:34
Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? It is revealed "from faith to faith." Here's how that works:
God gives you truth; you believe that truth; then God gives you more truth. The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light God has already given us. If you want to understand the part of the Bible that you don't understand, then begin to obey the part that you do understand. Then you'll begin to understand what you didn't understand. Understand?
Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.
:angel:
February 1
How to Know the Will of God
"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7
Do you want to know the will of God in your life? Here's a test: How much time do you spend reading the Bible?
Do you think God really believes us when we say we want to know His will if we don't take even 15 minutes a day to read the one Book above all books that He has specifically written to show us His will — to reveal His will to us, to unfold His will to us?
Your first step in knowing His will is the surrender principle — surrendering your will to His. Your second step is the scripture principle. Read His word, meditate upon it, share it, and study it. When you bow to His will and read His will, you'll know His will.
Commit to reading God's Word at least 15 minutes a day for 30 days. When the month is over, reevaluate what you have learned and ask God to help you be obedient to daily Bible reading from that day forward.
:angel:
February 2
Praying Vain Repetitions
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen d for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7
It was a very long, tiring day. I had preached three sermons and dictated a stack of letters. And at the close of each letter I ended it, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers."
A man came to me at the end of a service and said, "I must see you. I have a severe problem." I was bone weary but I said, "Very well, come on back and let's talk."
He talked and I listened. My heart was moved with compassion. I said, "Let me pray for you." And when I finished I said, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers." And then I thought, "Oh my! Did I say that? Did he hear me say that?" How easily we slip and rattle off our prayers.
Do you find yourself using repetitive phrases in your prayer life? Today, just talk with God. Don't think too much about your words. Follow your heart.
:angel:
February 3
Why Doesn't God Obliterate Evil?
"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine." 1 Chronicles 29:11
Have you ever wondered why God doesn't obliterate the devil and eradicate all sin?
If God destroyed evil, God would destroy every opportunity of choice, for we would no longer have the freedom to choose good over evil. And if God were to destroy every opportunity for choice, then God would destroy every opportunity for us to choose freely to love. Therefore, God would destroy the highest good.
For God to destroy evil would be evil. God doesn't destroy evil; instead God defeats evil. How? Through Calvary and the resurrection, God turns every hurt into a hallelujah. Every defeat into victory!
Spend some time today thinking about heaven and the glorious reunion you're going to have with Him one day :angel:
February 4
The Lesson of Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Some time ago I was invited to preach in another state, but my schedule was such that I could not go. When they offered to send a private plane, I agreed.
As we flew over Arkansas, the pilot asked me if I wanted to try my hand at flying the plane, and I said, "Yes!"
Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly the plane without me, but I couldn't fly it without him. He had his hands on his controls all the while, and he allowed me to participate with him.
That's the way prayer is.
God can do it without you, but God enables you to have fellowship with Him and teaches you a dependency upon Him through prayer.
Kneel before Him today. Meditate on 1 Chronicles 16:23-36. Glory in His presence.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5
Put on the Righteousness of Christ
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." Colossians 3:12
Sometimes people will ask if I'm a preacher.
How do they know I'm a preacher before I've said anything "spiritual"?
I don't want them to know that I am a preacher by the way I look. Now, I'm not ashamed that I'm a preacher, but I think a preacher ought to dress and act so that nobody will suspect he's a preacher. We ought to be transparent vessels of the Lord's anointing.
We're not posturing, posing, or somehow going through life trying to look holy or trying to act holy. We just simply are what we are by the grace of God.
What does your outer appearance say about who you are in Christ? Dress in His robes of righteousness and His countenance of glory today.
:angel:
February 6
The Light of God's Countenance
"Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us." Psalm 4:6
How easy it is to be deceived when we are not walking in the light of God's Word.
Charles Lindbergh tells about the time he was flying in a dense fog over Newfoundland. He noticed moisture beginning to freeze on the wings of his plane and thought, "This great adventure is going to come to an untimely end. What shall I do?"
Then he had a moment of inspiration. He pulled his plane up and out of the fog and burst into the dazzling sunlight.
Have you ever felt like you were living in a fog? Friend, He has a word of encouragement for you. You can get near to the heart of God today. His light can shine even in the darkest corner of your heart.
· Ask God to shine His light into the darkness of your heart.
· Ask Him to reveal your doubts and fears.
· Ask Him to reveal your sin that lies covetously in your heart.
Then get ready for a blessing. Draw up close, because when you repent, He'll reach in with healing forgiveness.
:angel:
February 7
The Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13
Whenever I walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I long to see Jesus walking there.
I would have loved to have seen Him walk on the water — planting His footsteps on the sea with the wind in His hair and His garments flowing.
I think I'd be a better preacher had I seen Him dying in agony and blood, and had I experienced that Easter morning.
Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have seen Him ascend into the glory?
Although we didn't see Him at any of those times, we are going to see Him! There is a blessed hope awaiting us as God's children. When Jesus returns, He's not coming as the carpenter; He's coming as the conqueror!
Thank God for this Good News right now. Then ask Him to bring you someone today with whom you can share this particularly Good News of Christ's return!
:angel:
February 8
He Alone Is Worthy
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12
There's an interesting story about how a gifted violinist named Fritz Kreisler acquired a Stradivarius violin.
Kreisler heard about the violin owned by an old Englishman and offered to buy it, but the old man said it wasn't for sale. One day Kreisler ventured to the old man's house and said, "If I can't buy it, may I touch it?" The old Englishman invited him in and even allowed him to begin making music with it. Great tears welled up in the old Englishman's eyes, and he said, "It is not for sale, but it is yours. You are the Master and alone are worthy of it!"
That is what worship is all about. God is the Master, and He alone is worthy.
Starting with the letter "A ", and going through the alphabet, find something to praise Him for with each letter. Praise Him for all that He is, has been, and will be!
:angel:
February 9
Burning Brightly for the Glory of God
"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush." Exodus 3:2
Major Ian Thomas has imagined Moses saying something like this when he encountered God in the burning bush, "Would you look at that bush? It just keeps on burning for God. I wish my life could burn for God like that and keep on burning."
Then Major Thomas imagined God replying, "Moses, you think this bush is so wonderful? Do you see that bush over there? I could do the same thing with it. Moses, it's not the bush; it's God in the bush. Any old bush will do."
It's not you! It's not me! We are only the vessels of God's anointing. As you surrender yourself to God today, He will fill you and use you for His glory.
Surrender yourself to God today, and, as you do, He will use you. Allow His flame to burn brightly for all to see.
:angel:
February 10
Gathering in His Name
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
There's something wonderful about the unity we experience when we are together. I heard about a fellow who courted a girl by writing her a beautiful love letter every day for two years. He thought that would be a wonderful way to court her.
Do you know what happened? She married the mail carrier! There's nothing like being there.
There is nothing like personal contact. There is a sense in which Jesus Christ is present when His people gather that cannot be experienced any other way. You cannot get it the same way at home.
Do you have a church home? If not, I encourage you to find one today.
If church attendance isn't that important, then I wonder: why does Satan work so hard to keep folks away? If you do have a church home, make a special effort this week to meet a new friend and find a need they have which you can meet.
:angel:
February 11
God the Father and God the Creator
"...that we may be partakers of the divine nature..." 2 Peter 1:4
Have you heard the phrase, "The universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men"? It sounds warm and fuzzy, but it is cold and barren of truth.
God is not the Father of all people; God is the Father of those who are born into His family. You say, "But, Pastor, didn't God create all human beings?"
Yes.
"And if God created all human beings, wouldn't that make God the Father of all human beings?"
No, it makes God the Creator of all human beings.
There's a difference between fatherhood and creation. God created rats, roaches, buzzards, and rattlesnakes. He's not their father. God becomes our Father not by creation but by conception when we're born into His family.
Read the story of creation in Genesis, making the distinction between the creations of God and the Creator called God. Go on a nature walk and thank God that He rules over creation, causing the sun to shine, the rain to water the earth, and for you to have your next breath.
:angel:
February 12
The Importance of Character and Integrity
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." Proverbs 20:7
This world says, "If we could just arrange conditions so that we never had any sorrow, pain, or hurts, then we could change men. If we can change conditions, then we can change character."
But the Bible teaches just the opposite. The world puts the emphasis on conditions. God puts the emphasis on character.
Someone has well said, "You can't purify the water by painting the pump." And yet that's what we try to do. We think that if we can change the exterior or make conditions such that we never have any hurts, then we're going to be okay. But Jesus put the emphasis upon character — on what you are, not what you have.
Is there someone in your life that you admire? Someone who is a person of integrity? Praise God for His work in that person's life and give him or her a word of encouragement today.
:angel:
February 13
Praying, "Thy Will Be Done on Earth ...."
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." Matthew 6:9-10
When you pray "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," do you realize that this prayer has not yet been answered, but it will be answered?
Jesus Christ is literally, actually, visibly, bodily coming back to this earth. Do you believe that? Do you think that Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray this prayer if it were not going to be answered? His kingdom has not come yet on earth. His will is not being done on earth. But it shall be; it will be because our Lord taught us to pray that.
When you read or watch the news today, how do you see God's will not being done on earth? Ask the Lord that His will would be brought to earth — praying for the people involved in each story — for their welfare and their salvation.
:angel:
February 14
You Are Loved!
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
Valentine's Day is a day for lovers. Did you know that Jesus is the lover of your soul? He is. You, as part of the church, are His bride...His chosen one.
Our Lord loves us with an infinite love, an everlasting love, and an indescribable love.
Are you without a valentine today? Take heart...His heart. He has set His affection on you. Jesus has purchased you, not with silver or gold as a bridegroom would have in Jesus' day, but our Lord has purchased you with the silver of His tears and with the gold of His blood.
You are loved!
Every time you get a Valentine or see an advertisement for Valentine's Day or hear someone say, "Happy Valentine's Day," remember that Jesus is the Lover of your Soul.
:angel:
February 15
God's Provision in Your Life
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
A philosopher once said, "To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough."
What most people want is to have some money in the bank — to have something there so whatever tomorrow brings, they'll not have to worry about it. We call that security.
Question: Is that really security? Who is more secure — the man who has a warehouse full of stale bread that the rats or thieves can get, or the man who has a father who is a very, very rich baker?
Begin your prayer time today with the Lord's Prayer and ask Him to help you to be content. Bow before Him in humble adoration of His provision in your life. Then share the Bread of Life with someone who is hungry today.
:angel:
February 16
The First Step to Setting Things Right
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15). You say, "He's the one who did wrong. If he wants forgiveness, let him come and ask for it." But Jesus said, "No, you go to him." Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual.
Isn't that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve had sinned against God, and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them. "Adam, where art thou?" That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.
Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his or her forgiveness. It's going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.
:angel:
February 17
In the Face of Discouragement and Ridicule
"...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
One evening I overheard my father and a friend of our family talking. The friend said, "What's Adrian going to do when he gets out of high school?" My dad replied, "Well, he wants to go off to college and study to be a preacher." That man just laughed and said, "He won't make it. He'll never stick it out. He'll quit."
This was a man I admired and respected very much. I almost felt like crying. That's what the world says about Christians: "They won't stick it out. They won't make it." You see, the devil hasn't changed his tactics. He's still mocking and throwing cold water on our walks with the Lord.
Get ready. If you don't feel the flames of ridicule now, just wait.
Have you ever told someone that they wouldn't amount to anything? Has anyone ever told you that? Send those lies back to the pit of hell and rest in the promises of His Word that you are deeply loved and bought with the price of the Savior's own blood.
:angel:
February 18
The Chief Tool of the Devil
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord..." Psalm 25:15
There's a story about the devil auctioning off his tools. He had a high price on pride, laziness, arrogance, hate, envy, and jealousy.
But there was one tool that had a sign under it that read, "Not For Sale." Someone said, "What is that tool? Why isn't it for sale?" "Well," he said, "I can't afford to get rid of that one. It's my chief tool, discouragement. With this tool, I can pry open a heart. And once I get in, I can do most anything I want."
Do you want me to tell you why you get discouraged? I'll give it to you in a nutshell - you've taken your eyes off God!
Are you discouraged? If not, praise God! Then find someone who is, so that you can give them the encouragement they need in Jesus Christ. Maybe it's your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's a co-worker. Maybe it's your spouse.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 19
Flourishing in Body, Soul and Spirit
"...dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves..." 2 Corinthians 7:1
You were created to know three worlds — the spiritual, psychological, and material worlds. These can be considered as the world above us, the world within us, and the world around us.
These worlds are related to the three parts of our human nature — spirit, soul, and body. When you are rightly related to the material world with your body, you are healthy. When you are rightly related to the psychological world with your soul, you are happy. And when you are rightly related to the spiritual world in your spirit, you are holy. God's aim is that ultimately you are to experience all three realities: health, happiness, and holiness.
Take a snapshot inventory of your life. Where do you need to start making changes to live a healthier lifestyle?
What is your emotional barometer telling you about how you see others and yourself?
Do you know of any area in your life where you are not living in obedience to the call of holy living?
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February 20
Truly Living the Christian Life
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17
The sign over the church door where I attended as a boy read, "The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent." I mistakenly took that to mean that I had just entered the holy temple and had better start acting religious.
The temple of God is not a building made of brick and mortar. We are the temple of God. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are to be doing all in the name of Jesus. The secular is to be sanctified so that Jesus will be glorified in everything. Because He lives in you, every day is a holy day, not just Sundays. The spiritual life is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all eternity.
Have you ever had a home appraised? Get a trusted friend or loved one to give you an appraisal of the home where the Holy Spirit dwells — you! Are there areas that need repair, restoration, or removal?
:angel:
February 21
Staying Focused on God's Plan for Your Life
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best.
Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, "This one thing I do!" Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!
Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement about your life focusing on "that one thing" (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life.
:angel:
February 22
Yielding Yourself to Christ
"...yield yourselves unto God..." Romans 6:13
I heard about a man who entered an interstate from a side road and did not even slow down. A big eighteen-wheeler pulled over, almost wrecking him. The truck driver leaned out of the window and yelled, "Hey, didn't you see that sign?" The man said, "What sign?" The trucker said, "That sign that said, 'YIELD'." "Oh," the man said, "I opened the window and 'yield' as loud as I could."
In the matter of victory, it is not your ability or your responsibility that counts. It is not even your response to His ability. You must choose to yield to Christ. You are to yield with all of your heart to the power, the presence, and the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
· Look up the definition of "yield".
· What does it say about the right of way?
· Who has the "right of way" in your life?
· Bow before the Lord and surrender all of you to all of Him today.
:angel:
February 23
True Hope for a World in Turmoil
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32
For the first time in history, man is afraid of what he knows. His head and his hands have outrun his heart, and we are being faced with things for which we have no answers. There's the plague of AIDS, the tinderbox in the Middle East, the outbreaks of famine, irregular weather disturbances, and much more.
But we don't have to wring our hands and say, "What is the world coming to?" We can look up and say, "Who is the world coming to?" It's coming to Jesus! Praise God!
Call your church today and ask if there is a place where you can volunteer in the area of community outreach. Perhaps there is a soup kitchen, a nursing home, a homeless shelter, or a children's center where you can serve.
:angel:
February 24
Hunger for the Word of God
"I rejoice at Thy Word." Psalm 119:162
Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). When God's Word is as important to you as your physical food, then you're going to start to grow in your Christian life.
I wonder if one day the dust on our Bibles is not going to testify against us. The following poetic lines sober my heart: "These hath God married and no man shall part, dust on the Bible and drought in the heart."
Oh, that we would hunger for the Word of God!
Fast from one meal today. Sense just a touch of the hunger our hearts are to have for the Word of God, and remember to pray for those who need the pure milk of His Word!
:angel:
February 25
Expressing Our Praise to the Lord
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1
There's nothing wrong with getting excited in church.
I heard about a man who came to a cold church. The preacher said something he agreed with and he said, "Amen." Everybody turned around and looked at him. After a while he said, "Praise the Lord." Then people arched their eyebrows. The next time he said "Amen," an usher tapped him on the shoulder to quiet him down. The usher said, "What is wrong with you?" He said, "Well, nothing. I've just got religion." To which the usher curtly replied, "Well, mister, you didn't get it here."
It's easier to cool down a zealot than it is to warm up a dead man.
· What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord?
· How do you make a joyful noise to Him, not just on Sundays in church, but all week long?
· Why not start by singing one of your favorite hymns throughout the day today?
:angel:
February 26
Controlling Your Thought Life
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
There was a sign in a business that said:
"We are not what we think we are; what we think — we are."
What are you allowing into your mind that is thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you so that you can't think two thoughts at one time. If you're thinking what's right, you can't be thinking what's wrong. And as you think, so you will become.
Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don't let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus and there won't be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.
Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Philippians 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
:angel:
February 27
Your Adversary, the Devil
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this world." Ephesians 6:12
Did you know there is a ruthless, cruel underworld system that wars against you?
The crime bosses are but amateurs compared to this syndicate, ruled by the Master of Deception. He's called the "destroyer," "liar," "accuser," "tempter," and "prince."
Satan is indescribably wicked, brilliantly stupid, and hideously beautiful.
If he can't convince you that he does not exist, then he tries to spread the lie that he is only in hell. He is not in hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but he is not there yet!
Be warned . . . Satan comes against you to obsess, depress, and possess. But be encouraged . . . Jesus has purchased your victory by His blood!
Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8. Put on the full armor of God and claim the victory that only faith in King Jesus can achieve. In Ephesians 6:10-18, look at the armor God has provided you. Suit up and be prepared for the battle.
:angel:
March 1
The Initiating Grace of God
"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
When I was in the sixth grade, I wrote a love note to Joyce Louise Gentry. Then she became my bride and my beloved. Do you know she still has that note? From that time on she began to take an interest in me. Do you know why? Because I first loved her.
Do you know what the Bible is? It is God's love letter to you. It is God saying to you, "I have set my eye upon you. I love you!"
You're not saved by doing good works. You're not saved by joining a church. You are saved by the grace of God that said, "I love you" first.
When was the last time you wrote a love letter?
When was the last time you received one?
Spend some time today and write a love letter to the Lord.
:angel:
March 2
Justice, Mercy and Grace
"...the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11
There are three words that came together at Calvary:
justice
mercy
grace
Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve.
But wait a minute; grace is more than that! It is grace that gives at great cost to the giver. It is not cheap. Grace cost the life of God's Son. Jesus gave freely of Himself in agony and blood.
Did you know that grace has to chase us down? If God didn't run faster than us, we would never be saved! Grace seeks to give to vile and wicked people that which they don't deserve and can never deserve.
Are you a grace-giver? Find someone today and do a favor for them - something for which they couldn't possibly repay you. Perhaps it will even be for a stranger you will never see again.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
March 3
Perfectionism Is a Thief
"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
Did you know that your performance doesn't make you any more or less acceptable in God's eyes?
If you think that God is going to accept you on the basis of your quiet time, your Bible study, or your service, you will fall into a trap of never knowing if you've done enough. You'll never truly feel accepted.
Perfectionism is a thief. It promises rewards, but it steals both joy and satisfaction. Why? Because perfection is an unattainable goal! If you are a perfectionist, you've set an impossible goal for yourself, and therefore you will constantly be faced with frustration and failure.
Two things about you are true, without your "performance"—
You are forgiven in Christ.
You are righteous in Christ.
Are you a perfectionist? Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the fear of failure. Now make a conscious decision that you can be less than perfect and still be loved by God
:angel:
March 4
Perfection Found in Jesus Alone
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
A perfectionist in the church is a miserable person. And not only that, but he makes everybody else miserable, too. The fellowship is never sweet enough. The teacher is never prepared enough. The music is never spiritual enough, and on and on it goes.
Jesus supplies the only perfection that we will ever attain until we get to heaven.
It is not perfection that God is looking for in His children; it is excellence.
God is working in you to achieve His purpose for His glory.
Memorize this statement, "I am worthy apart from my performance because Christ died for me and gave His life to me. My life is hidden in Him. Jesus loves me."
:angel:
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
March 5
Defining Your Personal Value
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3
Do you try to be the best or do you simply try to do your best? The perfectionist has to be the best. He has to be #1. He can't accept himself.
The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him, and it humbles a man without debasing him. The person who strives for excellence says, "I am what I am by the grace of God."
Do you value yourself by what you do or by what you are? You have a choice. You can either choose to see yourself as God sees you, or you can choose to see yourself as the world sees you. Whose opinion will you listen to today?
Is there someone in your life whose opinion matters deeply to you? Instead of defining who you are by their opinions, measure yourself by God's standard in His Word.
:angel:
March 6
Just As I Am
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians1:6
Do you have a "know-so" salvation? What I mean is, do you know that you are saved and have the assurance that if you died tonight, you'd spend eternity with the Lord in heaven?
Many folks don't have that assurance, and in some cases it is not a spiritual problem. It is a psychological problem. They cannot accept the fact that God has accepted them.
Charlotte Elliott penned these words to a timeless hymn of assurance:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!"
You are accepted just as you are. It is all grace.
Find the hymn "Just As I Am" and sing it to the Lord. Make it your song throughout the day when Satan tries to make you doubt God's love and eternal gift of salvation.
:angel:
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online
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:angel:
March 7
The Misunderstood Principle of Submission
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3
Submission is a term that has been grievously distorted because there are men who have used the word as a weapon to club their wives rather than as a hammer to build their homes.
When God tells a wife to submit to her husband, He also tells the husband to love his wife "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22-25).
When God tells children to obey their parents, He also instructs the fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
When God tells you to submit to Him, it is for your good (James 4:7). Jesus is the head of the church, and He leads by love. The same should be true in the home.
Discuss the principle of submission with your family and friends this week. Contrast what the world would say it means to submit with what God desires for us.
:angel:
March 8
Can You Lose Your Salvation?
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3
There are some people who think that you can lose your salvation once you have it. I have one truth that will dispel that idea.
Whether or not you can lose your salvation depends upon how you got it. If you were saved by your good works, then you could lose your salvation by your bad works.
But God's Word is very clear on this point. Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
How is someone saved? By grace. And if it is by grace, then you're kept by grace. Salvation is not rooted in the merit of man, but in the mercy of God.
Praise God for the regenerating work of His Holy Spirit, for the atoning blood of His Son, and for His calling upon your life.
:angel:
March 9
Who You Are in Christ
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
The key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ. Many Christians have never discovered this. They remind me of the man who had an identity problem and an energy crisis at the same time. He didn't know who he was and he was too tired to find out.
God doesn't work from the outside in. He works from the inside out. God doesn't modify our behavior in order to change us. He changes us in order to modify our behavior.
You're never going to purify the water by painting the pump. That's legalism, and that's a dead end to discovering who you are in Christ.
Take God's Word and find the phrase "in Christ." As you find phrases that apply to your life, write those down. Begin with phrases such as "no condemnation" now that you are "in Christ."
:angel:
March 10
A Legacy of Love
"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed." Psalm 112:2
A woman came to her pastor and said, "When should I start the religious training of my child? When will he be old enough? Is it too early to start at six years of age?" The pastor said, "No, that's too late." She said, "Well how about six months?" He said, "That's too late." She said, "Then when should I start?" He said, "With his grandparents."
We can live for our grandchildren; we can live for our great-grandchildren. The greatest gift you can give your children is to teach them to worship the Lord, to love the Lord, and to serve the Lord at any age.
If you are a grandparent, share what God has taught you about His grace and faithfulness in your life. And share what God has taught you about worshipping Him and serving others.
:angel:
March 11
What Is Your Top Priority?
"And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." Psalm 35:9
Do your children believe that the most important thing to you is God? We must celebrate God in front of our children.
Let me tell you what my children think and what they know.
They know that their Daddy's imperfect. They know that I love God. I wouldn't be ashamed for you to ask them that. You can ask any one of them, "What's the most important thing to your Dad and Mom?" They would say, "The most important thing to our parents is their relationship with God."
Are you a parent? Then ask your children what they think the most important thing is to you. If they say anything other than your relationship with the Lord, make some changes in your life to reflect your top priority.
:angel:
March 12
To Tell the Truth
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25
When I was in college, I pastored a little church 130 miles away. One night as I was driving back home, I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped when a highway patrolman pulled me over.
He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir."
When I got back in the car, the Holy Spirit said, "Adrian, you lied." I said, "No, I didn't lie. I told the truth." He said, "You lied."
If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home.
I want you to play a game of catch today, but this will only involve one person - you! When temptation urges you to lie, catch yourself and tell the truth.
:angel:
March 13
Be Angry and Sin Not
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
God's Word tells us to be "slow to wrath" (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There's nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won't be flattering.
First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "For anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp's nest.
Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it to the Lord. Don't let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself, "What need is not being met?" Give that need to the Lord.
:angel:
March 14
Praise the Lord!
"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever." Revelation 7:12
I heard about a man who got a little excited in church. He kept shouting, "Praise the Lord!" One day some of "the brethren" called on him while he was plowing his fields.
When they were finished talking, he hung his head and said, "I know it's the truth. I have disturbed the services. But you know, I sit there and think of what the Lord has done for me . . . how He died in agony and blood for me upon the cross . . . how He's forgiven all of my sins . . . how He's filled me with the Spirit and . . . here, hold this mule while I shout!"
If being a Christian and going to heaven doesn't excite you, you have calluses on your soul. It's exciting to know the Lord Jesus Christ!
When was the last time you raised your hands and shouted "Praise the Lord!" Maybe right now is a good time to do just that!
:angel:
March 15
The Truth Shall Make You Free
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Have you ever been to a circus and seen an elephant chained to a stake in the ground? Why doesn't he break free? Because as a young elephant he was tied to a tree. And try as he might, he couldn't break free. Now the thought that he cannot break free is ingrained.
How true that is of you and me who have ingrained thought patterns in our lives. We say, "I am chained to this habit and I can't break free." Or we say, "I'm not good enough." All kinds of lies keep us in bondage, but real truth is what God says, not what we think.
Are there any strongholds in your life that keep you chained to the past? Write down these verses and memorize them.
2 Corinthians 10:4
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"
Galatians 5:1
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Now break free from the lies of the past as you tell yourself the truth!
:angel:
March 16
The Whole World in His Hands
"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Colossians 1:17
We sing about the Lord having the whole world in His hands. But do you know what is more remarkable than that? He has the whole universe in His hands.
He's the One who spoke it into existence. He's the One who keeps it going. He's the One who is going to fold it up like a garment and tuck it away in a drawer somewhere. He regulates it; He rules it and He runs it.
When you pick up the newspaper and read something alarming, you don't need to panic. Instead, remember Who has it under His control. He who flung the stars in space has the whole universe in His hands!
Take the hand of a child today and look at the stars twinkling in the night sky or a flower beginning to bloom. Then share about the awesome Creator and Sustainer of all.
:angel:
March 17
Is It Clean Enough?
"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:31-32
A man was in the back bedroom of his home getting dressed while his wife was in the living room talking to a friend. He called out to his wife, "Darling, is this shirt clean enough for me to wear?"
Without hesitation she said, "No."
He said, "How did you know it wasn't clean enough to wear? You didn't even come back to look at it."
She answered, "If you had to ask, it wasn't clean enough!"
When it comes to the question of whether you should do something or not, if it's doubtful, it's dirty. Unfortunately, most of us don't give God the benefit of the doubt. We just go ahead and do it.
Are you in doubt about something today? If you have even the smallest doubt in your heart that it might be sin or lead to sin, be strong and choose to say "No." He will be your peace.
:angel:
March 18
The Value of a Soul
"Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was talking to a man who sold real estate and asked him, "What determines the worth of a piece of property?"
He said, "What a person is willing to pay for it."
In other words, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it yourself. It's what another person is willing to pay to have it for himself or herself.
That makes me want to shout! You and I must be worth something if Jesus would pay His life to have us for His own. Jesus is the proof of how much we're worth.
Do you know how much you weigh? Call a jeweler or a bank today and ask how much your weight is worth in gold. Then realize there's no comparison to your worth in blood ... the blood of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
March 19
Grumbling or Grateful?
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4
A preacher who was traveling by train one day noticed two fellow passengers, a well-dressed man and a magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. But the woman was complaining about everything—the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service.
The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in, and the man told him. Then he asked, "And what does your wife do?"
The man replied, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness."
You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us.
Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful
:angel:
March 20
Dead To Sin, Alive To Christ
"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11
A woman woke up one morning and noticed that she felt like she had just gone to sleep. She said, "It can't be six o'clock in the morning!"
But the radio said it was six. The clock said it was six. The sunrise said it was six. Now, I submit to you: it really didn't matter how she felt, did it?
Sometimes we respond the same way when it comes to our salvation. We need to get our salvation out of the realm of fickle emotions and begin to "reckon" (count on) God's facts.
Each morning when you wake up, begin by saying, "I am dead to sin. I am alive in Christ. I know it's a fact. He died for me. Now I reckon it!"
Look up the word "reckon" in the dictionary. Are you reckoning yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ? If not, begin to do so today.
:angel:
March 21
Why Is there Suffering in the World?
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36
"If there is a God, and that God is a good God, then why is there suffering?"
"What kind of a God is it that has created evil?"
Ever heard those comments before? Ever made them yourself?
You're not alone. Many people have thought the same thing. But that's not straight thinking. Let me tell you the way it truly is.
God did not create evil. God created perfection. God made man perfectly free. The freedom He granted man meant that he had to be free to choose to love. Then in order to choose to love, we must be able to choose not to love. This freedom of choice gave rise to evil, for man's freedom meant he could make a wrong choice.
Which kind of love do you want from others? A forced love or a free love? Which sounds better, "I love you" or "I have to love you"?
:angel:
March 22
Pray to Be Heard of God, Not Men
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:5
One time a young professional was waiting for a meeting when he heard someone walking down the hallway. Thinking that this might be a potential client for him, he picked up his telephone and pretended to be having a high-powered conversation.
Soon the footsteps stopped at his desk. Looking up he asked, "What may I do for you?" The man standing before him replied, "I'm from the telephone company. I've come to hook up your phone."
Prayer is the same way. The prayer that gets our Savior's attention comes from the heart and not from the head, "to be heard by men." Prayers to impress people are one-way conversations.
Find a quiet place in your home where you can be alone with the Lord every day for a special time of communion with the Him. He is waiting for you there.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Tuesday, March 23,
March 23
Patience Worketh Perfection
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4
"Patience worketh perfection." When was the last time you asked God to make you perfect? Maybe you should have asked for patience as well, because it is only through patient, abiding faith and trust in the Lord that we become "perfect."
A lot of people confuse this word "perfect" with "sinless." The Greek word for perfect in James 1:4 is teleios, and it refers to a maturing growth. For example, an oak tree is the teleios of an acorn. It is the perfection of an acorn.
So when you are discouraged and feeling a little blue,
Take a look at a mighty oak and see what a nut can do.
Take a walk this week enjoying the beauty of God's creation and ask Him to give you the patience and faith that can turn a little acorn into a mighty oak.
:angel:
March 24
What Is Justification?
"...and whom He justified, them He also glorified. "Romans 8:30
What does it mean to be justified? It means to be declared righteous.
Justification is not being good, though being good gives God glory. When you put your faith where God put your sins - on the Lord Jesus Christ - then God stamps "righteous" over your name in His "Book of Life."
It's not because of what you have done or ever can do, but because of His justification.
No court on earth can justify anybody. But what God does is take a guilty person and not only give that guilty person a pardon, but He makes that guilty person just as if he had never sinned. That's justification.
If you lived every moment believing in the justification that God has given you, how would your faith be strengthened? Would you be more vocal about the gift of God's love?
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com by clicking here.
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:angel:
March 25
Living By Promises Not Explanations
"Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Matthew 6:8
According to an article, Henry Ford asked some engineers to box the transmissions for his Model-T Fords in certain sized boxes. He gave meticulous dimensions and material instructions for these boxes. The builders were confused, but they did as they were told.
When the transmissions were delivered, the factory workers took apart the boxes and used them for the floorboards! Mr. Ford was thinking ahead!
That's what God does. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. We may not understand all of His ways, just like those workers who were boxing up the transmissions did not understand.
We do not live by our understanding; we live by His promises.
Is there something happening in your life right now that you don't understand? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust in the promise that He will direct your path.
:angel:
March 26
What Is Success?
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
You've heard it said, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?
May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That's what it is.
It's not how much money you have. It's not how famous you are. It's not how healthy you are. It's not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.
Do you want to know God's will? Do you want your heart's desire to come true?
Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you?
Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?
:angel:
March 27
Longing For His Return
"...we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Is your heart longing for Jesus to return? Are you looking for Him? I am. The coming of Jesus is really the only hope for this world.
And when will that be? I don't know. It may be at morning when the clouds break open with sunlight and shadows of night recede from the sky. It may be at noon when the world is hustling and bustling. It may be at dusk when the birds are singing their evening song. Or at midnight, when the stars will dim by the blaze of glory when He descends from the heavenlies.
What joy fills my heart! Does it fill yours as well to think of that moment? Are you ready?
Look up into the skies today and think about His return. Can you imagine the sound of the trumpets and the voice of the angels announcing His return?
:angel:
March 28
God's Providence
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land." Psalm 37:34
We talk about providence, but what is providence?
Providence means to see ahead of time and to make provision. This is what God does. He sees events before they ever get here and moves everything toward the goal that He has in mind.
Now there is a lot of evil in the world, so don't get the idea that everything that happens is God's will. Rape is not God's will. Murder is not God's will. Racial hatred is not God's will. Adultery is not God's will. Sodomy is not God's will.
Man has a will and man has an evil heart. And in God's grand design, He gave man a free will. Even when man does evil, where God does not rule, God overrules.
Read Psalm 37. Find a brother or sister in the Lord and discuss the presence of evil in this world and the providence of God in the lives of His children.
:angel:
March 29
Intimately Known By God
". . . the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:30
The Lord sees you. He knows all about you. And I guarantee you on the authority of the Word of God that He loves you.
This is amazing when you realize that we are just specks on a globe that's about the size of a grain of sand or less compared to the size of the universe. There's no more reason that the Lord of glory should be interested in us than that we should be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
And yet our Lord looks down and He sees us as cherished individuals that He loves, one by one. The great God Who runs the universe is concerned about you as though that were His only goal.
When was the last time you counted the hairs on your head? Can you trust a God who has them numbered?
:angel:
March 30
Virtual Reality
"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time when I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room!
Sometimes our minds tell us something is true when it's not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true. How critical it is for us to focus on the truth!
Jesus died for you.
He lives for you.
You died with Him.
You live for Him.
Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.
Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you!
:angel:
March 31
Reluctance Toward a Quiet Time
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18
Do you know what a quiet time is? It is fellowship with a holy God.
The reason some folks don't have a quiet time is that they feel uncomfortable. The reason they feel uncomfortable is that they don't want to look God in the face. The reason they don't want to look God in the face is because they have sin in their lives.
What did Adam do after he had sinned and God came walking in the Garden? Adam fled. Before that, Adam had that quiet time with God, didn't he? They had boundless, unending fellowship. But when there was sin in Adam's life, he did not want to look God in the face.
Are you reluctant to have a quiet time? Maybe it's because there is sin in your life. Ask God to shine His light into you. Then wait for His answer so you can repent.
:angel:
April 1
The Only One Who Ever Chose to Die
"I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11
Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one.
"Oh," you say, "Suicide pilots choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die."
But really no one has ever chosen to die except Jesus. Why? Because He was the only One who didn't have to die. Some people may choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has ever truly chosen to die except for One—Jesus.
It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross.
The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, may be a new concept to you. If so, it's probably new to someone else as well. Share it with someone today!
:angel:
April 2
Peace through the Blood of His Cross
"... having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:20
How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there?
At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted.
At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for.
God's greatest righteousness confronted man's greatest wickedness, and righteousness won. Peace was attained through the blood of the cross.
Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus!
During this time of year, as you celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.
:angel:
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com
April 3
The Resurrection - No Room for Neutrality
"He is not here: for He is risen." Matthew 28:6
It is a disturbing truth that Jesus Christ literally came out of the grave.
You just can't be neutral about the resurrection. If you are a thinking person, you're going to have to face the fact of the resurrection. Either it is true or it is not true. Either He came out of that grave or He did not.
Now which side are you on?
You can't simply say, "It doesn't really make any difference. Let's just put our arms around everybody. We all believe the same thing." No, no, no! When you take a stand for truth, you're going to have a head-on collision with the darkness that doesn't want the light shining in!
Pray for those in fulltime ministry as they proclaim the truth to a lost world.
Pray for God's protection as they go to the frontline and battle for souls!
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
April 4
O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said, "He could escape from anything except your memory."
Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died, and he did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you, there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape.
Jesus came out of that grave, and He arose! Praise God, Jesus is alive!
Who in your circle of friends does not know Jesus? Pray for them right now - that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
April 5
Born to Win
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
When you were born again you were born to win! Your new birth in Jesus Christ has fitted you for victory.
You can detect Satan's schemes and overcome his world system.
You can "march to the beat of a different drummer."
You can live with victory over the desires of your flesh.
Habits, attitudes, unclean desires, worries, and dissipation must yield as you exercise authority over your mind, emotions, and will.
You can actually put Satan and his demons to flight.
You don't have to be afraid of him—he will be afraid of you!
Are you feeling defeated about something? Say this out loud: "I was born to win!"
Now reflect on 1 John 4:4 knowing that, "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." Doesn't that feel good? Now, look in the mirror and say it again! "I was born to win!"
:angel:
April 6
Restoring the Years the Locusts Have Eaten
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." Joel 2:25
Hosea had a wife whose name was Gomer. She not only committed immorality, but she finally ended up as a prostitute on the street.
In the strength of the Lord, Hosea went to her, reclaimed her, forgave her, remarried her and restored her as his bride. What a picture of the restoration of our Lord with us!
God has promised to restore us from all the pains of our past, the heartaches from broken relationships, the struggles from defeat, and the frustrations of our lives. All the times that we've felt broken beyond repair, God has promised to restore.
God is in the business of restoring His children into beautiful works of His holiness.
Is there someone in your life who has wandered from the faith and felt the abandonment of friends and family? If so, go to that person today and encourage them in the love of Jesus.
:angel:
April 7
Intimately Known by God
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14
Ever feel like the little girl who was endeavoring to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer?" She said, "Our Father which art in Heaven, how does He know my name?"
I've felt that way, but, friend, He does know our names. He knows me. He knows you.
But you say, "How could God be interested in me? The great God who made the universe - how could He be interested in me, like a fleck of spray in an ocean of existence?"
Well, He is interested in you. You are not an accident. You are intimately known by God.
Read what Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:30: "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
What does this tell you about God?
What does this tell you about yourself?
:angel:
April 8
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
"...ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13
The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God seals you into Himself.
What does it mean to be sealed? It means to put the King's seal on you. The King's seal can be broken by no man. That means you are His for all time and eternity.
Second Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." You are sealed into a relationship with God by the Holy Spirit.
Read Daniel 6 and Matthew 27. Note the similarities in the accounts of Daniel and Jesus being sealed away for death and how He who is the Almighty God delivered them unto life!
:angel:
April 9
The Power of the Word of God
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33
We must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God's Word to our level of understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising our standard of tradition above the standard of His Word.
The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind.
You can argue with it, but why?
You can pick up and read any other book, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts like a scalpel. It burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has a life of its own. It is the voice of God to you.
You cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it.
When was the last time you studied the history behind the Word of God? Search the internet or go to a bookstore or your church's library and study how the translations were discovered and passed on.
:angel:
April 10
Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one.
I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do.
Cancer cannot shatter hope.
Cancer cannot corrode faith.
Cancer cannot eat away peace.
Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life.
Cancer cannot quench the Spirit of God and
Cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
That's how limited cancer is!
Is there someone in your life who is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you've read today and pray that they will know the Savior.
:angel:
April 11
Help Yourself to Happiness
"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2
Have you ever thought that if you lived according to God's laws, you were going to miss out? The truth is if you don't live according to God's laws you're going to miss out!
God's laws are for your welfare. God is not a tyrant in heaven making a bunch of laws to make you squirm like a worm in hot ashes as you try to keep those laws.
God loves you.
Every time God says "Thou shalt not," God is simply saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time God says, "Thou shalt," God is saying, "Help yourself to happiness."
God has something so wonderful for you.
Write the following down on some sticky notes and post them everywhere:
God loves me.
God knows better than I do.
God is in control.
God is good.
:angel:
April 12
The Secret of Life
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me." John 16:8-9
What would you think of someone who gave you the secret of life? Do you think you might instantly call him your best friend? You bet!
That's what the Holy Spirit did for you. The Holy Spirit gave you the secret to, not only life, but eternal life! He convicted you of your sin. He drew you to Christ (John 6:44).
Don't get the idea that anybody can simply come of his own will and his own volition to Jesus Christ. No one could come; no one would come except by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has given you the secret of life. And He has drawn you there Himself!
That's some best friend, wouldn't you say?
Don't keep quiet about your Best Friend today. He wants to be known and He's given you the privilege to be His messenger. Share Him with those you care about today.
:angel:
April 13
Share a Smile Today
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." Proverbs 15:13
What is a smile?
Here is something from an anonymous source:
A smile costs nothing, but creates much good.
It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away.
It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever.
No one is so rich that he can get along without it.
No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.
When you get dressed this morning, don't forget to put on a smile. Wear a smile all day from the inner joy that only Jesus can bring to your heart. Don't feel an inner joy? Then ask for one!
:angel:
April 14
Your Sense of Humor - a Gift from God
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
A merry heart has the ability to capture and enjoy those wonderful times of life and let them turn to laughter.
Your sense of humor is a gift from God.
Research studies have shown that laughter, along with a well-rounded sense of humor, is one of the sure signs of intelligence. It is also known to produce endorphins in your body that generate feelings of well-being.
Good, wholesome laughter is a gift from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "God must have meant for us to laugh, or else he would not have made so many mules, parrots, monkeys and human beings. God wants us to laugh."
Pass along the gift of laughter today to someone. Tell a good, wholesome joke. Send an email of a funny story to a friend that you haven't talked to in a while.
:angel:
April 15
Forgetting What's Behind, Reaching for What's Ahead
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow.
Paul exhorts in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We are to forget the past—the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges.
Paul was one who was guilty, along with others, for the stoning of Stephen. He said he was the chiefest of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God's forgetfulness.
Maybe you've done something so horrible that you're gripped with fear to think someone would find out what you've done. Have you repented? Then don't be haunted by the ghost of guilt.
:angel:
April 16
Blessed with Difficulties?
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Matthew 6:34
In the crucible of His wisdom and in the ecology of His grace, God has ordered some trouble for you today and every day of your life.
We've been blessed with difficulties. Yes, you read that right — blessed!
The worst thing that could happen to us would be not to have any difficulties. If that were the case, we'd never know our need of the Lord.
So God, in essence, says, "I'm going to give you sufficient difficulty for the day." God gives you enough difficulty to draw you close to Him, but then God gives you enough grace to meet those difficulties every day.
Is there a difficult circumstance in your life? If so, thank God that He's sending it your way to make you more like Jesus. Now, ask for His grace to be victorious through it!
:angel:
April 17
What Happens When You Worry?
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
What happens when you worry?
You bring tomorrow's difficulty into today. God didn't give you grace for tomorrow's difficulties. He only gives you grace for today.
When you reach into tomorrow's troubles, you overload today's circuit. Worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow; it takes the strength out of today. When you meet tomorrow, you're out of breath because you're already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future—it really makes you unready.
Yesterday is just a canceled check.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today has all the cash you can handle.
Spend it wisely.
Worry will eat your lunch! It'll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin because they are. Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.
:angel:
April 18
The Voice of the Lord
"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth." Psalm 29:3
Some people think it's a waste of time to simply sit at God's feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodchopper is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
Charles Hummel wrote a booklet entitled "Tyranny of the Urgent." In it he said:
When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him.
Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy...
The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase "the voice of the Lord" is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
:angel:
April 19
Procrastination Is a Sin
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes, "Put off until tomorrow what you could do today"? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that's pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin?
I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do.
Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin.
I heard a quote once that said it well:
When you have a job to do, begin this very hour.
You supply the will, God supplies the power.
That is the "will-power" we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don't hesitate.
Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow may never come.
Today is the day!
:angel:
April 20
Determining Your Course of Action
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said,
"He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places."
Keep yourself clean.
Keep yourself pure.
Watch what you set before your eyes.
There needs to be discipline. Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.
One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.
:angel:
April 21
The Sweetheart of Your Life
"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." Matthew 19:5
Today's message is for the men...If you don't love your wife now more than you loved her when you got married, you probably love her a lot less. Sir, I want you to learn to flirt — but not with any other woman — just with the girl you married!
Keep that flirtation going all throughout your life.
Never call the waitress "sweetheart." She's not your sweetheart. You have only one sweetheart. Never call someone else "dear." She's not your dear.
There is one who needs to know beyond a shadow of any doubt that she is your sweetheart, she is your darling, and she is number one.
Develop that love and keep it growing.
Are you a husband or dating someone? Let me ask you a question, then. When was the last time you bought your wife or girlfriend flowers or her favorite perfume or wrote her a love note? Stop right now and think of how you're going to show her that she's the only sweetheart in your life!
:angel:
April 22
More Blessed to Give than to Receive
"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows.
If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...
what you want,
what people are saying about you,
what you ought to have done for you,
how down you feel,
how good you feel.
Just focus on yourself. Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don't go hand in hand.
If you're thinking it's better to receive than to give, then you'll never be happy. You'll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now relax. Which feels better—the clinched fist or the relaxed and flexible hand?
Imagine that your spirit is tight like that fist and think of how severely that can quench His work in your life. Now relax and submit your spirit to the One who truly blesses.
:angel:
April 23
Experience the Abundant Life
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Do you know what is wrong with many of us? We are trying to get out of trouble rather than get into righteousness.
We are so focused on the defensive side of Christianity that we forget about offensive, positive approach.
Wouldn't you like to get up and stay up?
Wouldn't you like to experience the abundant life our Lord talks about?
Jesus came to give us eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says and "Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative."
Why don't you determine today that you are going to get right with God and stay right with God? Determine that you're going to take steps that lead to a life of obedience.
:angel:
April 24
The Enduring Beauty of the Word of God
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
The Bible is the incontestable, incorruptible, indestructible, and indispensable Word of God.
No one can argue with it.
Nothing can corrupt it.
Nothing can destroy it.
Nothing can replace it as the source and wellspring of life.
The late Dr. Robert G. Lee, a great preacher of the last generation, had this to say about the Bible:
All of its enemies have not torn one hole in its holy vesture, or stolen one flower from its wonderful garden, nor diluted one drop of honey from its abundant hive, nor broken one string of its thousand-stringed harp, nor drowned one sweet word in infidel ink.
Today, tell God how much your life has changed because of His Word. Meet together with a group of friends or your family and discuss the ways God has ministered to you through His Word.
:angel:
April 25
All Things Work Together for Good
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn.
He noticed that a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest.
When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it.
Finally, the little bird gave up.
I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working."
Well, there was an unseen hand that was doing something that the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice that the verse doesn't say all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that only God is good! He alone can work all things together for your good.
:angel:
April 26
Handling the Sting of Criticism
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
God loves you so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for you.
You are precious to God.
You are the object of God's love.
The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for you.
Friend, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism. What others say about you won't bother you. The cross sets you free.
He who died for you now lives in you. He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you.
When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn't just take away your sins, He took away yourself. You are crucified. So who can harm a dead man?
Have you felt the sting of criticism this week? Remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus' love. Give your critic to the Lord. Then ask God to teach you from what happened.
:angel:
April 27
Saving the Worst for Last?
"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." 1 Corinthians 12:31
Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. For example, Proverbs 20:17 says, "The bread of deceit is sweet, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." With Satan, it always starts sweet, but it does not end that way.
Satan is a counterfeiter and a deceiver, and he is guilty of false advertising.
He doesn't show the drunkard in the gutter covered with flies.
He doesn't show the addict shaking uncontrollably from another night of detox.
He doesn't show the ruined lives from sexually transmitted diseases.
He always gives the best first and the worst last. Jesus gives the best last.
Do you have a teenager in your home? Then, call a homeless shelter or prison and see if you can bring in your teen for a tour.
:angel:
April 28
Heaven, a Place on God's Map
"I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
Do you believe that there is a home in heaven waiting for you?
There is, because Jesus cannot lie. He is Truth incarnate. He always told the truth. He said, "if it were not so, I would have told you."
Jesus would not let the hope of heaven go on beating in your heart if it were simply a lie, a superstition, or a fond delusion.
Heaven is not merely a state of mind. It is not a condition. It is a place so real that Jesus is there in a literal, resurrected body. There is a body in this place called heaven. It is His resurrected body.
Heaven is a place on God's map.
Do you have a dream home? If you've never thought about what would be your perfect home, think about your heavenly home. Nothing could be more perfect!
:angel:
April 29
Keeping the Law
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Suppose you are driving down the road and a police officer stops you for running a red light.
You say to the officer, "I ran a red light, but you have no right to give me a ticket because I have stopped at all the other streets, and I have obeyed the speed limit."
He responds, "Don't tell me about all the things that you've done good. You've broken the law."
If you think that you're going to be saved by keeping the law, then you must keep all of it, because God demands perfection. No amount of obedience can make up for one act of disobedience.
If you keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, you are guilty of it all.
Read Romans 7:1 - 8:4. Can you relate to Paul's quandary about keeping the law and the war within his members concerning its requirement of absolute obedience?
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
Friday, April 30, 2010
April 30
Starting Your Day Out Right
"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
Christianity is a love relationship. You cannot love someone that you do not know, and you cannot know someone that you don't spend quality time with.
To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.
It begins with a quality, daily communication with the Lord.
Why is it best to spend time with the Lord in the morning? Because you are getting ready to go on a road trip through life. You don't take the trip and then read the map, do you?
How are you starting your mornings? With a cup of coffee and the paper? Or with the pure milk of the Word and the light of His Presence?
:angel:
May 1
Praying in Secret
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6
What did our Lord mean when He said, "Enter into your closet to pray"? The word "closet" simply means a place where you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven.
As you study the life of Jesus, you'll discover that Jesus sought times to be alone. Sometimes He would go to a mountain top, sometimes into the wilderness, and sometimes into a garden. It is the secret place that is the sacred place.
The mark of your prayer life is not really how well you pray in public but in private.
When you enter your closet to pray,
spend some time in silence
clear your mind
listen for His Words of edification, encouragement, and exhortation.
:angel:
May 2
Making Your Bible Come Alive
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Why is it that sometimes when we read the Bible we leave our common sense at the door? You don't just pick up a book, open it at random, and start reading in the middle of a paragraph. The book wouldn't make any sense.
In order to understand and get the full appreciation for the book, we read it sequentially and in paragraphs or units.
When you read the Bible, read for quality not quantity. Don't see how much of the Bible you can read. See how much of the Bible you can assimilate and apply! Maybe what you need to do is spend a week studying one verse.
In your Bible reading today, stop and ask yourself:
"What is God telling ME?"
Not "what does this say?"
But "what is God saying to me?"
Then seek to put that into practice today.
:angel:
MAY 3
The Reason We Are Stressed
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 6:30
Do you know the reason we're stressed? Because we think our needs are not going to be met. We say, "Oh my goodness, I'm not going to have what I need!"
Jesus tells us not to worry about what you are going to eat. And don't worry about what you are going to wear. He's saying only one thing is important - His righteousness. These things don't even take significance until your deepest needs are met. You are to find your satisfaction in Him. If you don't find your satisfaction in Him, you're going to be stressed.
Are you stressed out about something today? Turn it over to Jesus and turn your focus to Him. Let Jesus meet your needs and transform your heart today.
:angel:
MAY 4
God's Omnipotence in Creation
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1
An eloquent preacher said, "God stepped from behind the curtain of nowhere and stood upon the platform of nothing and spoke a world into existence." God is the creator of all that your hand can touch, your eye can see, your ears can hear, and your nose can smell. If you see a watch, I hope you assume there's a watchmaker. And if you see the precise atomic flux of the universe, I hope you don't believe that happened by chance. The evolutionists believe that if you take billions of years and add time plus chance, that you can turn frogs into princes. In school they call that fairy tales. In the laboratory they call it science.
God spoke your life into existence. His Word sustains your breath. His Word can silence your breath. Thank Him for your life today!
:angel:
MAY 5
It's All about Jesus
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don't get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don't find Jesus, you better go reread it.
Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, "I've read all sixty-six!"
From Genesis to Revelation,
It has the same villain - Satan.
It has the same hero - Jesus.
It has the same purpose - to present salvation in no other name but Jesus.
Read Isaiah 53. What are the prophecies that were fulfilled in the life of Christ?
:angel:
MAY 6
Biblical Hope, a Firm Certainty
"For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5
What does the word "hope" mean in the Bible? It doesn't mean "maybe." We may use it that way in Modern English, but that's not what the word "hope" means in the Bible.
"Hope" means certainty, but not just any certainty. It is rock-ribbed assurance with anticipation based on the Word of God.
When I was a little boy, my dad would take us out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. The kids would be in the back seat getting into squabbles. If things got too heated, my dad would turn around and say, "When you boys get home, I'm going to whip you." With my dad, I knew this was a rock-ribbed truth!
Our hope, however, is glad anticipation!
Share the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ with someone today. Maybe there's someone at the hospital who needs a word of hope. Maybe it's a member of your family!
:angel:
MAY 7
The Commandment That Comes with a Promise
"...in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"Without natural affection" literally means "without family love." If you claim to be a Christian but dishonor your parents, all you've got is a form of godliness. You don't have the real thing. Faith begins at home. If you can live for Jesus at home, you can live for Jesus anywhere. If you can't live for Jesus at home, it doesn't really matter where you try to live for Jesus.
God gave Ten Commandments, but the fifth, "Honor your father and mother," is the one with a promise: "that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live long on the earth." Before God tells us don't steal, don't kill, don't commit adultery, He tells us to honor father and mother. In my estimation, the respect and obedience a child shows his parents is a strong indication of how the child will turn out. Dwight Moody said, "I've lived 60 years, and I've learned one thing if I've learned nothing else. No man or woman who dishonors father or mother ever prospers."
:angel:
MAY 8
What Are Your Plans for Mother's Day?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12
The Bible says to "honor your father and your mother," so when we observe Mother's Day or Father's Day, we are obeying the Scripture. You can honor your father and mother three ways: Obey them when you're young, care for them when they are old, and honor them at all times. How do you give them honor?
¨ Show them respect.
¨ Express gratefulness. Give them thanks. Learn to develop the attitude of gratitude. Have you thanked your parents for all that they've done?
¨ Listen to their counsel.
¨ Show your parents love. Think of what you owe your parents. They gave you life. I'm convinced that the closest thing to God's love is the love of a mother.
Why don't you sit down and write a letter to your mother or father and tell them how grateful you are for them? I'll tell you one thing, they will read it over and over again. And when they die and you're going through their things, you'll find that letter tucked away in their most treasured possessions. Do it, rather than saying I wish that I had. And if your parents are not living, give them honor and thank God for their memory.
:angel:
MAY 9
Give Your Mother the Best Gift
"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad that she bear thee and she that bear thee shall rejoice." Proverbs 23:24-25.
Children are an extension of their parents. When I see my children do something good and godly and worthy, that gives me such great joy. Third John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Before my parents went to heaven, one of the greatest joys of my life was to do something that would cause them to rejoice and say, "Adrian, we're proud of you." I'm so grateful for that.
Reflect upon how you are living today. Does your life honor God and give your parents joy? Does it gladden the heart of God? Live in such a way as to cause your parents to stick out their chest a little bit—not in a prideful way, but in saying, "Thank God for my children." Your mother will have no greater joy than to know that you are walking in the truth.
:angel:
MAY 10
Happiness, the By-Product of Righteousness
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus. When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the by-product of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.
What you need is to drink of the Spirit.
It is to feed on the Word of God.
The deepest need of your heart will be met only in Jesus.
Ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, to fulfill the deepest need of your heart in Him and Him alone. Now trust Him to do it.
:angel:
MAY 11
Blessed Is the Man That Trusts in the Lord
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes - attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The Beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
:angel:
MAY 12
Poor in Spirit - What Does It Mean?
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally bankrupt spiritually and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
:angel:
MAY 13
What Is Meekness?
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so that a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or to the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
:angel:
MAY 14
Mourning with Purpose
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
We've done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neurosis, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us. But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus' heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.
Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It's time to be like Jesus.
:angel:
MAY 15
Surprising Qualities of a Peacemaker
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
I remember reading about a preacher boy who was in a class in a liberal college and the professor said, "Christians ought never to have any enemies. We ought never to be controversial." And then he said, "What we need to do is to follow the example of Jesus."
The boy lifted his hand and said, "If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified?"
Peace is not appeasement. It is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us into right relationships with others. Literally, peace is a fruit of righteousness. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.
Read Hebrews 12:14. Are there conflicts which you can resolve by becoming a peacemaker? If so, confidently place your hand in His and bring peace.
:angel:
MAY 16
Holy Spirit Conviction vs. Satanic Accusation
"Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10
You will be a miserable Christian if you don't learn the difference between Holy Spirit conviction and Satanic accusation.
When the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sin, He will not make you just feel bad all over. He will put His finger right on the sore spot and push. He will convict you specifically and He will convict you legitimately.
Now if the devil doesn't convict you of all your sins in general, he will try to accuse you of a specific sin for which you have already been forgiven. And he will fight a losing battle, because if you put your sin under the blood of Jesus Christ and it comes up again, it's not God bringing it up.
Are you under conviction or accusation today about an unconfessed sin? Read Revelation 12:9-11. Claim the powerful blood of Jesus to cover your sin. Repent and believe!
:angel:
MAY 17
The Greatest Event of All Ages
". . . and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14
The Second Coming of Jesus is going to be the greatest event of all of the ages. It is one of the grand theological truths taught in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
· The New Birth is vitally important, but it is mentioned only nine times in the New Testament.
· Baptism is vitally important, but it is mentioned only 20 times in the New Testament.
· Repentance is mentioned only 70 times in the Bible, as important and needful as that is.
· But the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's Word at least 380 times.
One out of every 25 verses points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you getting ready for His Second Coming? What if He came this very hour?
:angel:
MAY 18
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
:angel:
MAY 19
New Life, a New Creation in Christ
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you new life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
:angel:
MAY 20
Jesus Only
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16b
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
MAY 21
The Gospel, a Truth Worth Dying For
"...we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have any merit admit that, regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived!
There's no way to explain how the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here. What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that?
Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him." Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie? A man may live for a lie, but few would die for one.
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you...are you willing to die for Him?
:angel:
MAY 22
Governed by His Providence
"But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." John 6:20
When storms come into your life, I want you to remember this truth: "I am governed by His providence."
The storm did not take the wave walker, the Lord Jesus, by surprise. As a matter of fact, the Bible says He's the one that commandeth and raiseth stormy seas (Psalm 107:25).
Perhaps you're in the eye of a storm right now. It looks like your boat is sinking. Maybe it's so dark you can't see your hand before your face. I want you to know there is nothing that comes to you that He does not cause or allow. Whether I can see it or not, whether I can understand it or not, it is a fact that God has not relinquished His rule upon His universe.
Read Matthew 8:23-27. Does Jesus see the storm in your life? Bow before the One, the only One, who can calm your storm. Trust His ways. He is in control.
:angel:
MAY 23
Graced by His Prayers
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
Do you ever feel you are all alone when a struggle hits your life?
Tell yourself, "I am graced by His prayers."
Jesus is watching over you, and He is praying for you. The Savior. The Shepherd. The King. The Prince. He is praying for you! Do you feel encouraged? I do!
Just to know that the One who died for me "ever liveth to make intercession" for me is enough. He lives to stand in the gap for you and for me. What a mighty God we serve! What mercy we don't deserve! You are on Jesus' prayer list! You. He knows you. And He is praying you through the eye of the storm.
Do you have a prayer list? Go through that list today and pray for someone you haven't prayed for in awhile and trust God to answer, even today!
:angel:
MAY 24
The Life-Transforming Power of Christ
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:31
The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle working business. And His business is the business of transformation. And when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name.
Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.
What are you to trust Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Thank God for the miracle of life He has given you today.
:angel:
MAY 25
He Is the Great I Am
"And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
Have you ever noticed that the title God chose to describe Himself is an incomplete sentence? Now, most people would finish that sentence, "I am...," but not our Lord. He purposefully did not complete the sentence.
"I AM." He is.
Are you hungry? He is the bread. Are you in the dark? He is the light. Are you searching? He is the truth. Are you lost? He is the way. Are you in need? He is your Shepherd.
What are you looking to God to meet today? Trust Him right now to meet you there.
:angel:
MAY 26
True Friendship
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17
True friends will put an edge on your life. They will make you a sharper person. Not all my friends do that for me, but my best friends do.
Have you ever had a friend who loved you so much that he would even hurt you in order to help you? Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." What truer words of love can be spoken than from the heart of a friend who is going to spend an eternity with you? Even if those words hurt, they are words that will heal.
Do you have a friend who sharpens you as iron? Then forward this email to your friend as a word of thanks.
For encouragement in your Christian walk and/or additional resources by Adrian Rogers, click on the following link to visit the LWF web site at http://www.lwf.org
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MAY 27
Holy through Hardship
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him." Psalm 42:5
Here's an anchor for your soul in the storms of life: "I am growing by His plan."
What is God's plan for you? He wants to enlarge you, not indulge you. God is not so interested in making you happy and healthy as He is in making you holy. And so God will allow troubles to make you more like Christ.
Think about the times when you have grown the most. It is when your friend "Trouble" came along. I have grown the most in my own life in times of deepest despair.
Can you look at the troubles in your life, not as adversaries, but as friends? Take a second look and get a godly perspective of it. See how you can become holy through hardship.
:angel:
MAY 28
When Our World Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what is happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we are infertile as a couple and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act. We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe!
At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
Get in a position of humility. If you can, drop to your knees. If you cannot, bow your head and close your eyes. Imagine the cross of Christ. Meditate upon the shame Christ experienced, the pain He endured, and the victory He secured in His death.
:angel:
MAY 29
When Delays Are a Blessing
"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18
Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead. And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.
God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time. Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.
Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something and God hasn't answered? Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.
:angel:
MAY 30
He Has Overcome the World
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.
If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the water what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like is going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember what is over your head is under His feet.
:angel:
MAY 31
Remembering Those Who Have Sacrificed for Us
"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place." Exodus 13:3
Each year, Americans remember those brave-hearted souls who fought and gave their lives so that you and I would have the rights and privileges of living in a free country. Remembering is important. In fact, God instructs His people on many occasions in the Old Testament to remember from whence they came and to remember His providence.
It is by the mighty hand of God that we are saved, we are protected, and we are free to live in the Land of the Brave. Never take that freedom for granted, my friend. It is a precious commodity for which the world hungers, and it is a powerful charge for you and me to protect.
Do you know of someone in your life who has served in the armed forces of this country? Make it a point this week to express to them your gratitude for their service.
:angel:
June 1
Being a Man of Your Word
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation." James 5:12
In June, we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go and say to them with a remorseful spirit, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Then ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me, because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.
:angel:
JUNE 2
All Things Are Not Expedient
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12
If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from doing the best things.
Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically it's a choice between good and best.
Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word "expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to get rid of it.
Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to lay them aside!
:angel:
JUNE 3
Removing Debilitating Obstacles
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24
Runners not only need to untangle themselves from weights that may slow them down, but they need to also remove things from the track that may trip them up!
As a Christian, the good things in life may slow us down, but sin will stop us dead in our tracks - it will trip us up. You had better learn to treat sin as sin would treat you! Sin will be merciless to you, and you need to be merciless to sin.
2 Timothy 2:19 says "Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that is tripping you up today? Pray Psalm 139:23-24.
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JUNE 4
Running With Endurance
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." John 12:24
You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to "run with patience the race that is set before us." And this word "patience" is not used in the sense that we use the word. It literally means "endurance."
Everybody knows that a runner is going to win or lose primarily by his endurance. You cannot quit. When it hurts, you cannot quit. When your lungs are on fire, you cannot quit. When your feet feel like lead, you cannot quit. When your sides ache, you cannot quit! You'll never be a spiritual athlete if you're a quitter! No pain. No gain.
Thank God for His power that enables you to run the race and gain the victor's crown!
:angel:
JUNE 5
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22
I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay under the circumstances." How did you ever get there?
Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well.
The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look unto Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look unto Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. You see, it's not great faith in God; it is faith in a great God.
Do you have a hymnal in your home? Find the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" by Helen Lemmel or click on the title here to go to Cyber Hymnal and reflect on its message.
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JUNE 6
Keeping the Sabbath Holy
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Exodus 20:8
Is it okay to watch television on Sunday? Is it okay to go to a ball game on Sunday? Is it okay to eat out on Sunday? Is it okay to read the newspaper on Sunday? Can I play softball on Sunday? Can I go out on a boat on Sunday? Can I go to the store if we're out of milk on Sunday?
Good questions. I hear them all the time, but do you know what's wrong with these questions? You're asking the wrong man. It's not my day — it's the Lord's day. Ask Him.
Ask God, "How can I honor You on the Lord's Day, so that at the end of the day I can know that it was indeed Your day?"
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JUNE 7
Completing the Course God Has for You
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
When Jesus came to the end of His life, He said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
He stayed on the track, and so did Paul. They accomplished what God had set out for them to do.
Every man has a race that he must run. Every woman has a race set before her. God knows the course. And everything God commands of you, He will empower you to do. Whether you're nine or ninety, young or old, rich or poor, God has a plan for your life! God has a race He wants you to run!
What is the race God has set before you? Thank God for the power to finish the course.
:angel:
JUNE 8
More Than Fair-Weather Christianity
"If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
Are you a fair-weather Christian? There are some who, if their children get sick, will stop tithing. If they get a bad report from the doctor, they stop praising. If somebody hurts their feelings, they stop going to church.
You can tell the commitment level of a Christian by their "fair weather" gauge.
The test is, when everything goes wrong or doesn't add up, what will you do?
I'll give you some hints. Keep giving. Keep praying. Keep praising. Keep witnessing. Keep worshipping. Don't fail to be faithful.
Think of three things you can do today to bring the light of God's Son to someone who may be struggling with his or her faith. Then go do it!
:angel:
JUNE 9
His Name Is Holy
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy." Isaiah 57:15
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).
We all know that profanity is one way that you can take God's name in vain, but I'll tell you another way, and that's in frivolous talk.
That is, just taking the name of God carelessly or lightly. Ephesians 5:4 mentions "foolish jesting." What does that mean? God's name is holy. We are never, ever to use His name unless we are serious. Now if you use humor to illustrate something, that's fine, but it's repugnant to use the Holy name of God frivolously.
Begin the day by meditating on the holiness of God.
:angel:
JUNE 10
Dealing With Doubt in the Midst of Trials
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
When something bad happens to us, we may respond with, "What did I do? I must have done something terrible." Then we proceed down the trail of morbid introspection or what I call "navel gazing." We look down and into ourselves. We take ourselves apart piece by piece, examining and re-examining ourselves. Then we put ourselves back together trying to figure out what we did wrong.
It may be that you have done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith. You see, if we don't understand this, we may get discouraged.
The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Claim the promises of 1 Peter 1:3-9 for strength in the midst of your trial.
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JUNE 11
Tempted, But Not Beyond What We Can Bear
"For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14
A factory mechanic builds a truck. He knows the chassis of that truck and knows the load it can carry. In the same way, God knows your frame and He knows the load that you can carry.
God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able. Nothing comes to you but that which comes through God. Even what Satan does, he can only do as God allows it. And so you can say the temptation was so strong that you could not overcome it, but it won't be true. God will provide a way of escape.
When you are tempted today (notice I didn't say "if" but "when"), ask God to provide a way of escape. Then, trust His way and obey.
:angel:
JUNE 12
Strengthening Your Wings
"How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." 2 Corinthians 8:2
A man watched a butterfly trying to emerge from a cocoon. Thinking that he would help, the man took his penknife and slit the side of the cocoon, and the butterfly flopped out. It lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapsed and died.
"How tragic," you say, and you are right, because God had a plan for that butterfly. The struggle to break free built the strength he would need to fly. God doesn't want you to live weakly and to die feebly. He wants you to grow and mature.
Find the wings in your trial today.
Strengthen them by the promises in God's Word.
Venture on new heights of freedom in Christ today.
:angel:
JUNE 13
At the End of Your Rope
"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant... let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isaiah 50:10
I have always been amazed at the advice worldly people give to someone who is hurting. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Can you see someone dangling over a cliff, holding on to a rope, and trying to tie a knot? It takes two hands to do that!
The first thing we need to remember is "don't demand to understand." There are just some things in life you and I will never understand. When God allows darkness to overshadow your life, don't set about lighting your own fire. That's a recipe for heartache. Trust that His light will come and wait for it. He will come. Believe it.
There's someone out there who is hurting today and needs more than a pat answer of encouragement. Give them the light of Christ.
:angel:
JUNE 14
Light of Hope in a Dark World
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Isaiah 9:2
Imagine being in a cave without a flashlight. Can you see any shadows? You cannot even see your hand! Shadows are only visible in the presence of light.
Regardless of how dark, how large, how absolutely ominous a shadow appears, it is only there because there is light. David says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Why? Because "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
Jesus has taken the sting out of sin and the fear out of the grave. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit to give us confidence that He will always be with us and watch over us.
There are many today who are grieving because of a loss—the loss of a loved one, a job, a wayward child. Pray for them. Send them a note of hope and include 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
:angel:
JUNE 15
Loving Chastisement of the Father
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6
As a child, did you ever get a spanking you didn't deserve? Maybe now and then your dad or mom would just be in a "spanking mood," and they'd spank everyone they could get their hands on?
Talk about being indignant! There is nothing worse to a child than to realize "I got spanked, and I didn't deserve it."
You know what's funny? At that point, we never stop to think about all the times we deserved a spanking and didn't get one. Our Father is mercifully loving and graciously wise to give us what we need at all times in our lives. Sometimes we need His hand of love in comfort, and sometimes we need His hand of love in discipline.
Thank God that His hand of mercy extends to you when you don't deserve it and that His hand of discipline extends to you when you do.
:angel:
JUNE 16
True Peace and Satisfaction
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:16
I was witnessing to a man one day in front of his house. He said, "I've got a good income. You see that house? It's paid for. You see that car? It's paid for. My wife is in that house. She loves me." He seemed completely satisfied.
I said, "Sir, I want to ask you a question. Will you be absolutely honest with me? Do you have peace in your heart?"
His chin started to quiver. His eyes brimmed with tears. He said, "No, I don't have peace in my heart. How did you know?"
I said, "Because the Bible says, 'There is no peace, sayeth my God, to the wicked.' These things cannot fill the longing of your heart. You need Jesus."
Pray for an opportunity to share today the peace you have in Jesus with someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
JUNE 17
God Has Not Forgotten You
"And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:6
One preacher was in a church where he felt God had led him. But nothing seemed to be working out, so he wanted to go to another church.
He told a friend, "I know where God put me, and I know God put me here, but I just wonder if He remembers where He put me."
Yes, God remembers! He has not forgotten. He is never late. Don't rush God. Don't think He has abandoned you because your prayers are not answered. He will turn your midnight into a sunrise and your mourning into dancing.
Read Psalm 37:4-7 and rejoice in the hope of God's providence and provision in your life.
:angel:
JUNE 18
The Mind vs. the Brain
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8
Did you know that there is a difference between your mind and your brain? The brain is what the mind thinks with. The relationship of the mind and the brain is very similar to the relationship of a pianist and a piano. The piano is the brain and the pianist is the mind.
The most dangerous thing in the world is a man with a bad mind and a good brain. He is a clever devil.
When you get saved, you don't get a new brain. You get a new mind. And the god of this world will do all he can to distort your mind. Why? Because Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Dwell today on the true, the honest, the just, the pure, the lovely—think on virtue and praise. Pray for missionaries serving the Lord in other countries - that they will dwell on the truths of the Lord and that their walks will be strong and undeterred from the Lord's mission.
:angel:
JUNE 19
With Prayer and Thanksgiving
"Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6
Sometimes we complain when we shouldn't. I remember an occasion when I was driving across the country with a gentleman. At the time, all of our children were in private schools, and Joyce and I were "dying of mal-tuition." I began complaining a little bit to the man about the great cost of sending a son to college. He looked at me and said, "I'd give anything in the world if my son would go to college." I thought, "Oh, what an ungrateful spirit I have!"
Do you ever complain about dirty dishes? There are lots of folks in Third World countries that would like to have some dirty dishes. We are to be thankful in all things.
Rejoice in God's blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today.
:angel:
JUNE 20
A Challenge for Fathers
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders." Proverbs 31:23
Once a year, we celebrate fathers. Maybe you are one. Let me give you a challenge. One father said, "If I had it to do all over again. I'd love my wife more in front of my children. I'd laugh with my children more. I'd listen more, even to the youngest child. I'd be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection. I would pray differently for my children. I would be more encouraging and bestow more praise. And finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to God."
Praise God for the impact of godly fathers in our lives!
If there's going to be music in marriage, the dad has to be the leader of the band.
Celebrate the dad in your life today!
:angel:
JUNE 21
God's Provision, a Living Testimony
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable?
Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him - only you're religious. Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then you're going to be believable.
How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship, and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.
:angel:
JUNE 22
Never Alone When We Pray
"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
There's an old song with the refrain, "Just keep on praying 'til light breaks through." When you don't feel like praying, that's when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you're not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing.
Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.
Stop and consider: How's your prayer life? Do you say grace before meals and squeeze in a quick prayer before you drop off to sleep each night? Take some time today to talk to the Lord.
:angel:
JUNE 23
The Cleansing, Healing Work of the Holy Spirit
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
There are two kinds of wounds to the human psyche. One is sorrow; the other is guilt.
Sorrow is a clean wound. Somehow your heart will heal as the Holy Spirit applies His healing balm. He will pour in "the oil of gladness." Time and the grace of God will heal.
But guilt is dirty and will never heal until it is confessed and cleansed by the antiseptic of Calvary. A slave only fears his master's whip, but a son fears his father's displeasure.
Are you suffering under a load of guilt? Allow the Holy Spirit to expose your sin. Then confess it and experience the joy of forgiveness in Christ.
:angel:
JUNE 24
Uprooting Toxic Bitterness
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
Bitterness is an emotional cancer that consumes many a person who once had the bloom of eternal springtime in his heart. Where does it come from? Usually from being hurt. Perhaps you were abused as a child, rejected by someone, fired from a job, or even bypassed at church.
Bitterness sets in when the hurt goes unresolved. There is a solution. If you've been wronged and bitterness has become so strong that you can almost taste its bile within your mouth, then it's time to pursue it with a holy vengeance. With the Spirit's spade, root it out. Draw a circle that takes in those who have wronged you. Forgive them for Christ's sake!
Bow before the Lord this morning and ask for grace and power to uproot the bitterness that has taken hold in your heart and is robbing you of the joy you desire.
:angel:
JUNE 25
Crown Him King of Kings
"Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." Psalm 2:6
The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King of kings!"
How many times have you prayed, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Do you think God's will is being done on earth as it is in heaven? Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that's God's will? Of course not. Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King!"
Read Psalm 2. What does the Psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that God will work in the hearts of the world's leaders.
:angel:
JUNE 26
True Joy & Peace Comes From the Lord Alone
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
You may admit that God is necessary, but do you honestly know that God is enough and that He is, in fact, more than enough?
To find out if God is enough for you, let me ask you a couple of questions. Where do you obtain your joy? Is it from the Lord or from somewhere else? If your joy is from your health and it goes, then your joy will fly out the window. Many a believer has lost his health, his business, his family, his reputation, but has still maintained his joy because the source of genuine contentment and peace is in God. Indeed one may not know that God is enough until God is all one has.
When was the last time you visited a hospital waiting room and shared Christ with those who are hurting? Maybe you could do that sometime this weekend.
:angel:
JUNE 27
What Real Faith Is
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
People join churches today with wrong expectations. They think that church membership guarantees blessings and no burdens. Some think that God is just a heavenly cafeteria. And if it doesn't work out as they wish, they say, "Well, it's not paying off! I thought if I gave my heart to Jesus, then He would supply everything I wanted and I'd have no more worries." People fall away because their expectations are not met. Let me tell you what real faith is. Real faith is not just receiving from God the things you want. Real faith is accepting from God the things He gives.
How are your spiritual eyeglasses? Are you looking at life with the eyes of the Lord and trusting that He will provide, not necessarily what you want, but what you need?
:angel:
JUNE 28
Meeting Social and Spiritual Needs
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." John 6:35
Sometimes people in large churches get a lot of grief from "the world" because of the great expenses of building and maintaining their church. I've heard, "Why didn't they take that money and feed the poor?"
Here's my answer, "People need Jesus." The social gospel thinks that all men need is food. If I had five billion dollars and bought everybody on earth a snack; in several hours, they'd all be hungry again. There's nothing wrong with feeding the poor. We ought to do that. But the social gospel puts an emphasis on what is temporary. The true gospel puts the emphasis upon what is eternal. Folks need more than soup and soap, they need salvation.
Think about ways that you can get involved with the needs to feed, clothe, and house the homeless. Then also find the open door to feed them with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
:angel:
JUNE 29
Where is Your Focus Today?
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
When a runner is in a race, he puts his eyes on the goal. He doesn't look at the grandstand or the other runners. Neither does he examine himself. He has his eyes on the goal. He looks away from everything else. The finish line is all he sees.
That's exactly what we're to do. The reason many Christians fail in the race is that they have not learned to look away from other things. They're trying to look in both directions at the same time, and James 1:8 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." And Matthew 6:22 says, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."
Where is your focus today? Has the world drawn you back into itself, luring you away from the command of our Lord? Read Matthew 28:19-20. That's your goal.
:angel:
JUNE 30
Assurance of Your Salvation
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
A Christian is not somebody who merely believes that Christ died for his sins. The devil believes that. A Christian is somebody who has repented of his sins and invited Christ into his heart to be his Savior and Lord. You can intellectually believe that an airplane can fly, but in order to fly you must try out its wings. In the same way, when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, He takes control of your life and begins to make you into the person He wants you to be. Your life doesn't have to be absolutely perfect for you to go to heaven. At the moment you trust Christ as your personal Savior, you are eternally saved, eternally secure, and God begins to work on you.
Isn't it wonderful to know you are saved? Now, spread the word of that assurance to a neighbor today.
:angel:
July 1
Would You Turn Down a Pardon?
"For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28
In 1829 George Wilson was adjudicated guilty and given the death sentence for murder. But Wilson had some friends who petitioned President Andrew Jackson for a pardon.
Jackson granted the pardon, and it was brought to prison and given to Wilson. To everyone's surprise, Wilson said, "I am going to hang."
There had never been a refusal to a pardon, so the courts didn't know what to do. Discussion went all the way to the Supreme Court, and Justice John Marshall gave this ruling: "A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon the acceptance by the person implicated. If he does not accept the pardon, then he must be executed."
God loves you and wants to pardon you, but if you refuse Him, you will die and go to hell. Cast yourself upon Him completely, and receive the free gift of His forgiveness today.
Have you repented of your sin and believed upon the atoning work of Christ's blood on the cross? Being good doesn't get you to heaven. It is only Jesus.
:angel:
July 2
Strengthened by Your Foes
"Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not." Numbers 14:9
Joshua and Caleb faced formidable foes in the Promised Land, and yet what was their response to their enemies? "They are bread for us." (Numbers 14:9).
What is bread? It is the staff of life. What happens when you eat bread? You are strengthened by it and you grow by it.
Paul also faced formidable foes. He wrote, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9).
Why isn't the door to victory easy? Because if it were easy, then you would become weak in your effort to work out your faith in God. God places obstacles in your path to give you strength. "Wheaties" is not the breakfast of champions— giants are. God wants you to feed upon your difficulties and depend upon Him to make you a conqueror.
What does it take to strengthen your body? What does it take to build your intellect? What does it take to grow love in relationships? Work. Read Philippians 2:12-13 and apply it to your life today.
:angel:
July 3
Renouncing the Rebel Inside
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20
Is there stirring in your heart a spirit of rebellion today? Maybe you don't even recognize it. But if you do, let me plead with you to do something about it right now.
Ask God to cleanse you from your desire to rebel.
Ask Him to root out the rebel in you. He is not going to remove it until you renounce it. It is your choice.
Ask Him to forgive you for the foolish and careless words you have spoken.
Ask Him to take out that spirit of rebellion against authorities.
Ask Him to teach you how to lovingly respect people when they are in the wrong.
Either you crown Jesus as Lord, or you crucify Him. Are you with Jesus today or are you against Him?
Is there someone who has wronged you and you seek revenge? Do you have a need to have your rights exalted above others? Read and apply the truth of Philippians 2:3-11.
:angel:
July 4
Fires of Rebellion or Fires of Revival?
"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation." Psalm 85:6-7
When I was a Boy Scout, a buddy and I took a seven-mile hike to earn a merit badge and decided to camp out. We pitched our tent, built a fire, cooked our dinner, and then went to sleep. The next morning we woke up, kindled another fire, fixed our breakfast, and then went out to explore the woods.
When we came back, the woods were on fire! A wind was blowing and I thought we'd never put out that fire.
Have you ever thought about the fire that came on the day of Pentecost? The Bible says there was a sound of a rushing mighty wind that spread His flame (see Acts 2:2). Let me ask you a question: Is America going to burn by the fires of rebellion or by the fires of revival?
How I pray that God will cause a mighty Pentecostal wind to sweep across America. Whether it does or not lies in the hands, hearts, minds, wills, prayers, ambitions, and aspirations of people like you and me.
Pray for America - for those who make and adjudicate the law of the land.
Pray for preachers and teachers of God's Word.
Pray for those who call themselves Christians.
Pray for the lost.
Pray 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Ask God to save.
Ask God to humble His people where we need humbling so that His glory may be known.
:angel:
July 5
He Will Never Abandon You
"For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." Deuteronomy 20:4
Do you remember the miracle that God performed when He brought the Israelites through the Red Sea, when they were being hunted down by Pharaoh's army? It was incredible.
Now, let me ask you: What happened three days later? The Israelites began grumbling because there was no water.
Do you think God would invest such a miraculous deliverance for them, and then abandon them just days later? Absolutely not! But what happens to us when we are down in the dumps and wondering where God is taking us? We become just like the Israelites!
And yet God did something more for you than He did for them! He sent His precious and only Son to die on Calvary's tree for you. God redeemed you. More than God bringing you out of a watery grave, He delivered you from eternal damnation into glorious communion with Him forever! God saved you! What more could you possibly want?
Are you down in the dumps today? Do you feel like the victim of a bad situation? Do you feel like God has abandoned you? Then write down Deuteronomy 20:4 on a piece of paper and meditate on it until you believe it.
:angel:
July 6
The Light of God's Countenance
"Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us." Psalm 4:6
How easy it is to be deceived when we are not walking in the light of God's Word.
Charles Lindbergh tells about the time he was flying in a dense fog over Newfoundland. He noticed moisture beginning to freeze on the wings of his plane and thought, "This great adventure is going to come to an untimely end. What shall I do?"
Then he had a moment of inspiration. He pulled his plane up and out of the fog and burst into the dazzling sunlight.
Have you ever felt like you were living in a fog? Friend, He has a word of encouragement for you. You can get near to the heart of God today. His light can shine even in the darkest corner of your heart.
· Ask God to shine His light into the darkness of your heart.
· Ask Him to reveal your doubts and fears.
· Ask Him to reveal your sin that lies covetously in your heart.
Then get ready for a blessing. Draw up close, because when you repent, He'll reach in with healing forgiveness.
:angel:
July 7
The Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13
Whenever I walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I long to see Jesus walking there.
I would have loved to have seen Him walk on the water — planting His footsteps on the sea with the wind in His hair and His garments flowing.
I think I'd be a better preacher had I seen Him dying in agony and blood, and had I experienced that Easter morning.
Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have seen Him ascend into the glory?
Although we didn't see Him at any of those times, we are going to see Him! There is a blessed hope awaiting us as God's children. When Jesus returns, He's not coming as the carpenter; He's coming as the conqueror!
Thank God for this Good News right now. Then ask Him to bring you someone today with whom you can share this particularly Good News of Christ's return!
:angel:
July 8
He Alone Is Worthy
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12
There's an interesting story about how a gifted violinist named Fritz Kreisler acquired a Stradivarius violin.
Kreisler heard about the violin owned by an old Englishman and offered to buy it, but the old man said it wasn't for sale. One day Kreisler ventured to the old man's house and said, "If I can't buy it, may I touch it?" The old Englishman invited him in and even allowed him to begin making music with it. Great tears welled up in the old Englishman's eyes, and he said, "It is not for sale, but it is yours. You are the Master and alone are worthy of it!"
That is what worship is all about. God is the Master, and He alone is worthy.
Starting with the letter "A," and going through the alphabet, find something to praise Him for with each letter. Praise Him for all that He is, has been, and will be!
:angel:
July 9
Burning Brightly for the Glory of God
"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush." Exodus 3:2
Major Ian Thomas has imagined Moses saying something like this when he encountered God in the burning bush, "Would you look at that bush? It just keeps on burning for God. I wish my life could burn for God like that and keep on burning."
Then Major Thomas imagined God replying, "Moses, you think this bush is so wonderful? Do you see that bush over there? I could do the same thing with it. Moses, it's not the bush; it's God in the bush. Any old bush will do."
It's not you! It's not me! We are only the vessels of God's anointing. As you surrender yourself to God today, He will fill you and use you for His glory.
Surrender yourself to God today, and, as you do, He will use you. Allow His flame to burn brightly for all to see.
:angel:
July 10
Gathering in His Name
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
There's something wonderful about the unity we experience when we are together. I heard about a fellow who courted a girl by writing her a beautiful love letter every day for two years. He thought that would be a wonderful way to court her.
Do you know what happened? She married the mail carrier! There's nothing like being there.
There is nothing like personal contact. There is a sense in which Jesus Christ is present when His people gather that cannot be experienced any other way. You cannot get it the same way at home.
Do you have a church home? If not, I encourage you to find one today.
If church attendance isn't that important, then I wonder: why does Satan work so hard to keep folks away? If you do have a church home, make a special effort this week to meet a new friend and find a need they have which you can meet.
:angel:
July 11
God the Father and God the Creator
"...that we may be partakers of the divine nature..." 2 Peter 1:4
Have you heard the phrase, "The universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men"? It sounds warm and fuzzy, but it is cold and barren of truth.
God is not the Father of all people; God is the Father of those who are born into His family. You say, "But, Pastor, didn't God create all human beings?"
Yes.
"And if God created all human beings, wouldn't that make God the Father of all human beings?"
No, it makes God the Creator of all human beings.
There's a difference between fatherhood and creation. God created rats, roaches, buzzards, and rattlesnakes. He's not their father. God becomes our Father not by creation but by conception when we're born into His family.
Read the story of creation in Genesis, making the distinction between the creations of God and the Creator called God. Go on a nature walk and thank God that He rules over creation, causing the sun to shine, the rain to water the earth, and for you to have your next breath.
:angel:
July 12
How to Know the Will of God
"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7
Do you want to know the will of God in your life? Here's a test: How much time do you spend reading the Bible?
Do you think God really believes us when we say we want to know His will if we don't take even 15 minutes a day to read the one Book above all books that He has specifically written to show us His will — to reveal His will to us, to unfold His will to us.
Your first step in knowing His will is the surrender principle — surrendering your will to His. Your second step is the scripture principle. Read His word, meditate upon it, share it, and study it. When you bow to His will and read His will, you'll know His will.
Commit to reading God's Word at least 15 minutes a day for 30 days. When the month is over, reevaluate what you have learned and ask God to help you be obedient to daily Bible reading from that day forward.
:angel:
July 13
Praying "Thy Will Be Done on Earth ...."
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name." Matthew 6:9-10
When you pray "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," do you realize that this prayer has not yet been answered, but it will be answered?
Jesus Christ is literally, actually, visibly, bodily coming back to this earth. Do you believe that? Do you think that Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray this prayer if it were not going to be answered? His kingdom has not come yet on earth. His will is not being done on earth. But it shall be; it will be because our Lord taught us to pray that.
When you read or watch the news today, how do you see God's will not being done on earth? Ask the Lord that His will would be brought to earth — praying for the people involved in each story — for their welfare and their salvation.
:angel:
July 14
Stepping out in Faith
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26
When you ask God for something, do you just sit back, do nothing and say, "Well, I'm going to show my faith by doing nothing"?
To the contrary, you will show your faith by doing something. For faith without works is what? Dead! (Also see James 2:20.)
Do you want a house? Pray for it. Then say, "Amen," with a hammer and saw.
Do you want a wife? Pray for one. Then go shave, put on some cologne, learn some manners, and learn how to be thoughtful and loving.
· What have you been praying earnestly about this week?
· What is your heart's desire?
· Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can put feet to that prayer.
· Then, walk the talk!
:angel:
July 15
God's Provision in Your Life
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
A philosopher once said, "To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough."
What most people want is to have some money in the bank—to have something there so whatever tomorrow brings, they'll not have to worry about it. We call that security.
Question: Is that really security? Who is more secure—the man who has a warehouse full of stale bread that the rats or thieves can get, or the man who has a father who is a very, very rich baker?
Begin your prayer time today with the Lord's Prayer and ask Him to help you to be content. Bow before Him in humble adoration of His provision in your life. Then share the Bread of Life with someone who is hungry today.
:angel:
July 16
The First Step to Setting Things Right
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15). You say, "He's the one who did wrong. If he wants forgiveness, let him come and ask for it." But Jesus said, "No, you go to him." Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual.
Isn't that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve had sinned against God, and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them. "Adam, where art thou?" That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.
Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his or her forgiveness. It's going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.
:angel:
July 17
In the Face of Discouragement and Ridicule
"...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
One evening I overheard my father and a friend of our family talking. The friend said, "What's Adrian going to do when he gets out of high school?" My dad replied, "Well, he wants to go off to college and study to be a preacher." That man just laughed and said, "He won't make it. He'll never stick it out. He'll quit."
This was a man I admired and respected very much. I almost felt like crying. That's what the world says about Christians: "They won't stick it out. They won't make it." You see, the devil hasn't changed his tactics. He's still mocking and throwing cold water on our walks with the Lord.
Get ready. If you don't feel the flames of ridicule now, just wait.
Have you ever told someone that they wouldn't amount to anything? Has anyone ever told you that? Send those lies back to the pit of hell and rest in the promises of His Word that you are deeply loved and bought with the price of the Savior's own blood.
:angel:
July 18
The Chief Tool of the Devil
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord..." Psalm 25:15
There's a story about the devil auctioning off his tools. He had a high price on pride, laziness, arrogance, hate, envy, and jealousy.
But there was one tool that had a sign under it that read, "Not For Sale." Someone said, "What is that tool? Why isn't it for sale?" "Well," he said, "I can't afford to get rid of that one. It's my chief tool, discouragement. With this tool, I can pry open a heart. And once I get in, I can do most anything I want."
Do you want me to tell you why you get discouraged? I'll give it to you in a nutshell - you've taken your eyes off God!
Are you discouraged? If not, praise God! Then find someone who is, so that you can give them the encouragement they need in Jesus Christ. Maybe it's your next-door neighbor. Maybe it's a co-worker. Maybe it's your spouse.
:angel:
July 19
Flourishing in Body, Soul and Spirit
"...dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves..." 2 Corinthians 7:1
You were created to know three worlds — the spiritual, psychological, and material worlds. These can be considered as the world above us, the world within us, and the world around us.
These worlds are related to the three parts of our human nature — spirit, soul, and body. When you are rightly related to the material world with your body, you are healthy. When you are rightly related to the psychological world with your soul, you are happy. And when you are rightly related to the spiritual world in your spirit, you are holy. God's aim is that ultimately you are to experience all three realities: health, happiness, and holiness.
Take a snapshot inventory of your life. Where do you need to start making changes to live a healthier lifestyle?
What is your emotional barometer telling you about how you see others and yourself?
Do you know of any area in your life where you are not living in obedience to the call of holy living?
:angel:
July 20
Truly Living the Christian Life
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17
The sign over the church door where I attended as a boy read, "The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent." I mistakenly took that to mean that I had just entered the holy temple and had better start acting religious.
The temple of God is not a building made of brick and mortar. We are the temple of God. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are to be doing all in the name of Jesus. The secular is to be sanctified so that Jesus will be glorified in everything. Because He lives in you, every day is a holy day, not just Sundays. The spiritual life is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all eternity.
Have you ever had a home appraised? Get a trusted friend or loved one to give you an appraisal of the home where the Holy Spirit dwells — you! Are there areas that need repair, restoration, or removal?
:angel:
July 21
Staying Focused on God's Plan for Your Life
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best.
Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, "This one thing I do!" Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!
Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement about your life focusing on "that one thing" (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life.
:angel:
July 22
Yielding Yourself to Christ
"...yield yourselves unto God..." Romans 6:13
I heard about a man who entered an interstate from a side road and did not even slow down. A big eighteen-wheeler pulled over, almost wrecking him. The truck driver leaned out of the window and yelled, "Hey, didn't you see that sign?" The man said, "What sign?" The trucker said, "That sign that said, 'YIELD'." "Oh," the man said, "I opened the window and 'yield' as loud as I could."
In the matter of victory, it is not your ability or your responsibility that counts. It is not even your response to His ability. You must choose to yield to Christ. You are to yield with all of your heart to the power, the presence, and the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
· Look up the definition of "yield."
· What does it say about the right of way?
· Who has the "right of way" in your life?
· Bow before the Lord and surrender all of you to all of Him today.
:angel:
July 23
True Hope for a World in Turmoil
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32
For the first time in history, man is afraid of what he knows. His head and his hands have outrun his heart, and we are being faced with things for which we have no answers. There's the plague of AIDS, the tinderbox in the Middle East, the outbreaks of famine, irregular weather disturbances, and much more.
But we don't have to wring our hands and say, "What is the world coming to?" We can look up and say, "Who is the world coming to?" It's coming to Jesus! Praise God!
Call your church today and ask if there is a place where you can volunteer in the area of community outreach. Perhaps there is a soup kitchen, a nursing home, a homeless shelter, or a children's center where you can serve.
:angel:
July 24
Hunger for the Word of God
"I rejoice at Thy Word." Psalm 119:162
Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). When God's Word is as important to you as your physical food, then you're going to start to grow in your Christian life.
I wonder if one day the dust on our Bibles is not going to testify against us. The following poetic lines sober my heart: "These hath God married and no man shall part, dust on the Bible and drought in the heart."
Oh, that we would hunger for the Word of God!
Fast from one meal today. Sense just a touch of the hunger our hearts are to have for the Word of God, and remember to pray for those who need the pure milk of His Word!
:angel:
July 25
Expressing Our Praise to the Lord
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1
There's nothing wrong with getting excited in church.
I heard about a man who came to a cold church. The preacher said something he agreed with and he said, "Amen." Everybody turned around and looked at him. After a while he said, "Praise the Lord." Then people arched their eyebrows. The next time he said "Amen," an usher tapped him on the shoulder to quiet him down. The usher said, "What is wrong with you?" He said, "Well, nothing. I've just got religion." To which the usher curtly replied, "Well, mister, you didn't get it here."
It's easier to cool down a zealot than it is to warm up a dead man.
· What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord?
· How do you make a joyful noise to Him, not just on Sundays in church, but all week long?
· Why not start by singing one of your favorite hymns throughout the day today?
:angel:
July 26
Controlling Your Thought Life
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
There was a sign in a business that said:
"We are not what we think we are; what we think — we are."
What are you allowing into your mind that is thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you so that you can't think two thoughts at one time. If you're thinking what's right, you can't be thinking what's wrong. And as you think, so you will become.
Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don't let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus and there won't be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.
Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Philippians 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
:angel:
July 27
Your Adversary, the Devil
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this world." Ephesians 6:12
Did you know there is a ruthless, cruel underworld system that wars against you?
The crime bosses are but amateurs compared to this syndicate, ruled by the Master of Deception. He's called the "destroyer," "liar," "accuser," "tempter," and "prince."
Satan is indescribably wicked, brilliantly stupid, and hideously beautiful.
If he can't convince you that he does not exist, then he tries to spread the lie that he is only in hell. He is not in hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but he is not there yet!
Be warned . . . Satan comes against you to obsess, depress, and possess. But be encouraged . . . Jesus has purchased your victory by His blood!
Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8. Put on the full armor of God and claim the victory that only faith in King Jesus can achieve. In Ephesians 6:10-18, look at the armor God has provided you. Suit up and be prepared for the battle.
:angel:
July 28
The True Gospel
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
How can you tell whether or not the gospel you have the true gospel? Paul gives you three tests.
First, the source of the gospel. Where did it come from? God gave it. It is direct and divine revelation. The gospel is authenticated by its source.
Secondly, by its salvation. Any gospel that is not the gospel of grace is not the true gospel. You can't beg it. You can't buy it. You can't borrow it. You can't steal it. You can't earn it. It was bought by Christ on the cross. It is the supernatural work of God.
The third test is its subject. It is the grace of Christ. Jesus is the subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus.
Take an hour or two this week and find the prophecies of Jesus in the book of Isaiah. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus is the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come!
:angel:
July 29
What is Salvation?
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 5:1
What is salvation?
Salvation is not a creed. You say, "Well, I believe the plan of salvation." You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell. You're not saved by the plan of salvation, you're saved by the man of salvation.
Salvation is not a code. You say, "Well, I believe if you live right, you'll go to heaven." If you could be saved by living right, then Calvary was a blunder.
Salvation is not a cause. You say, "I'm a member of a good, fundamental, Bible believing church." You can be a member of any church and many good causes and go straight to hell.
Salvation is not any of these things. It is found in Christ. Salvation is not "believing something," it is receiving Someone. The true gospel is one that centers in Jesus Christ.
Ask God to give you a divine opportunity to boldly share Jesus with someone today. Maybe it's a co-worker, maybe it's your child. Maybe it's a stranger that sits next to you at a restaurant. Be strong and of good courage. God will go before you to prepare the way.
:angel:
July 30
Fear Not
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9
The devil is the sinister minister of fear. When he clamps his icy fingers of fear on your heart, do you become afraid of what he'll do to you if you take a stand for God?
Don't be afraid. Fear is an insult to God who said, "I will be with thee."
Fear will destroy you. Are you a worrywart? One lady said, "Don't tell me it does no good to worry. Most of the things I worry about never come to pass."
Be not dismayed. God will take care of you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what your fears are, then confess them as sin. Repent, then reach up and take hold of His right hand that is outstretched to sustain you and give you the victory!
:angel:
July 31
The Powerful Influence of Music
". . . and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Satan is waging a battle to control the thought life of America's teenagers.
The typical teenager listens to an average of 10,500 hours of rock music from the seventh to the tenth grade. That's only 500 hours shy of all the time he/she spends in school from first through twelfth grade!
Do you have any idea of the fatalism that is bombarding the airwaves everyday into young people's heads? The National Education Association estimates that a percentage of the 5,000 teenage suicides we have in America every year are caused by the fatalistic music of today's youth.
Somebody has said, "You let me write the songs that a nation sings, and I don't care who makes its laws."
Is there a teen in your life? If so, spend some time this week talking with them about the music they listen to and the healthy choices they need to make to take back the ground that Satan is trying to conquer with his onslaught of fatalistic music.
:angel:
August 1
God's Grace Takes the Initiative
"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
When I was in the sixth grade, I wrote a love note to Joyce Louise Gentry. Then she became my bride and my beloved. Do you know she still has that note? From that time on she began to take an interest in me. Do you know why? Because I first loved her.
Do you know what the Bible is? It is God's love letter to you. It is God saying to you, "I have set my eye upon you. I love you!"
You're not saved by doing good works. You're not saved by joining a church. You are saved by the grace of God that said, "I love you" first.
When was the last time you wrote a love letter?
When was the last time you received one?
Spend some time today and write a love letter to the Lord.
:angel:
August 2
Justice, Mercy and Grace
"...the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11
There are three words that came together at Calvary:
justice
mercy
grace
Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve.
But wait a minute; grace is more than that! It is grace that gives at great cost to the giver. It is not cheap. Grace cost the life of God's Son. Jesus gave freely of Himself in agony and blood.
Did you know that grace has to chase us down? If God didn't run faster than us, we would never be saved! Grace seeks to give to vile and wicked people that which they don't deserve and can never deserve.
Are you a grace-giver? Find someone today and do a favor for them - something for which they couldn't possibly repay you. Perhaps it will even be for a stranger you will never see again.
:angel:
August 3
Perfectionism Is a Thief
"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
Did you know that your performance doesn't make you any more or less acceptable in God's eyes?
If you think that God is going to accept you on the basis of your quiet time, your Bible study, or your service, you will fall into a trap of never knowing if you've done enough. You'll never truly feel accepted.
Perfectionism is a thief. It promises rewards, but it steals both joy and satisfaction. Why? Because perfection is an unattainable goal! If you are a perfectionist, you've set an impossible goal for yourself, and therefore you will constantly be faced with frustration and failure.
Two things about you are true, without your "performance"—
You are forgiven in Christ.
You are righteous in Christ.
Are you a perfectionist? Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the fear of failure. Now make a conscious decision that you can be less than perfect and still be loved by God.
:angel:
August 4
Perfection Found in Jesus Alone
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
A perfectionist in the church is a miserable person. And not only that, but he makes everybody else miserable, too. The fellowship is never sweet enough. The teacher is never prepared enough. The music is never spiritual enough, and on and on it goes.
Jesus supplies the only perfection that we will ever attain until we get to heaven.
It is not perfection that God is looking for in His children; it is excellence.
God is working in you to achieve His purpose for His glory.
Memorize this statement, "I am worthy apart from my performance because Christ died for me and gave His life to me. My life is hidden in Him. Jesus loves me."
:angel:
August 5
Defining Your Personal Value
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3
Do you try to be the best or do you simply try to do your best? The perfectionist has to be the best. He has to be #1. He can't accept himself.
The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him, and it humbles a man without debasing him. The person who strives for excellence says, "I am what I am by the grace of God."
Do you value yourself by what you do or by what you are? You have a choice. You can either choose to see yourself as God sees you, or you can choose to see yourself as the world sees you. Whose opinion will you listen to today?
Is there someone in your life whose opinion matters deeply to you? Instead of defining who you are by their opinions, measure yourself by God's standard in His Word.
:angel:
August 6
Just As I Am
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6
Do you have a "know-so" salvation? What I mean is, do you know that you are saved and have the assurance that if you died tonight, you'd spend eternity with the Lord in heaven?
Many folks don't have that assurance, and in some cases it is not a spiritual problem. It is a psychological problem. They cannot accept the fact that God has accepted them.
Charlotte Elliott penned these words to a timeless hymn of assurance:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!"
You are accepted just as you are. It is all grace.
Find the hymn "Just As I Am" and sing it to the Lord. Make it your song throughout the day when Satan tries to make you doubt God's love and eternal gift of salvation.
:angel:
August 7
The Misunderstood Principle of Submission
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3
Submission is a term that has been grievously distorted because there are men who have used the word as a weapon to club their wives rather than as a hammer to build their homes.
When God tells a wife to submit to her husband, He also tells the husband to love his wife "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22-25).
When God tells children to obey their parents, He also instructs the fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
When God tells you to submit to Him, it is for your good (James 4:7). Jesus is the head of the church, and He leads by love. The same should be true in the home.
Discuss the principle of submission with your family and friends this week. Contrast what the world would say it means to submit with what God desires for us.
:angel:
August 8
Ministers of Deception
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." 2 Timothy 4:3
Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service and the man in the pulpit may look like a minister, but he will be transformed by Satan into a minister of deception. Isn't that frightening? The Apostle Paul says, "and no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan is the master of deception. You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. His chief platform is religion.
Next Sunday when you sit in church, put on your ears of discernment. Test the words of your pastor that they agree with the Word of God.
:angel:
August 9
Who You Are in Christ
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
The key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ. Many Christians have never discovered this. They remind me of the man who had an identity problem and an energy crisis at the same time. He didn't know who he was and he was too tired to find out.
God doesn't work from the outside in. He works from the inside out. God doesn't modify our behavior in order to change us. He changes us in order to modify our behavior.
You're never going to purify the water by painting the pump. That's legalism, and that's a dead end to discovering who you are in Christ.
Take God's Word and find the phrase "in Christ." As you find phrases that apply to your life, write those down. Begin with phrases such as "no condemnation" now that you are "in Christ."
:angel:
August 10
A Legacy of Love
"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed." Psalm 112:2
A woman came to her pastor and said, "When should I start the religious training of my child? When will he be old enough? Is it too early to start at six years of age?" The pastor said, "No, that's too late." She said, "Well how about six months?" He said, "That's too late." She said, "Then when should I start?" He said, "With his grandparents."
We can live for our grandchildren; we can live for our great-grandchildren. The greatest gift you can give your children is to teach them to worship the Lord, to love the Lord, and to serve the Lord at any age.
If you are a grandparent, share what God has taught you about His grace and faithfulness in your life. And share what God has taught you about worshipping Him and serving others.
:angel:
August 11
What Is Your Top Priority?
"And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." Psalm 35:9
Do your children believe that the most important thing to you is God? We must celebrate God in front of our children.
Let me tell you what my children think and what they know.
They know that their Daddy's imperfect. They know that I love God. I wouldn't be ashamed for you to ask them that. You can ask any one of them, "What's the most important thing to your Dad and Mom?" They would say, "The most important thing to our parents is their relationship with God."
Are you a parent? Then ask your children what they think the most important thing is to you. If they say anything other than your relationship with the Lord, make some changes in your life to reflect your top priority.
:angel:
August 12
To Tell the Truth
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25
When I was in college, I pastored a little church 130 miles away. One night as I was driving back home, I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped when a highway patrolman pulled me over.
He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir."
When I got back in the car, the Holy Spirit said, "Adrian, you lied." I said, "No, I didn't lie. I told the truth." He said, "You lied."
If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home.
I want you to play a game of catch today, but this will only involve one person - you! When temptation urges you to lie, catch yourself and tell the truth.
:angel:
August 13
Be Angry and Sin Not
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
God's Word tells us to be "slow to wrath" (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There's nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won't be flattering.
First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "For anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp's nest.
Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it to the Lord. Don't let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself, "What need is not being met?" Give that need to the Lord.
:angel:
August 14
Seeing the Cross from a New Viewpoint
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
A boy was having difficulty living the Christian life. He went to his pastor, who told him to go see a painting. The caretaker at the gallery took him to a large room where the painting adorned an entire wall. The young man was repulsed at what he saw. It was a painting of Christ on the cross but the perspective from which the artist painted it was off balance. It looked grotesque.
The caretaker said, "Son, you need to get closer." The young man came closer. "Son, you need to get lower." The young man got lower. "No, closer and lower." Before the young man knew what was happening, he was kneeling at the foot of the cross and when he looked up, he understood the entire painting.
Until you are willing to take your place at the foot of the cross, the Christian life will never make sense to you either.
Spend some time meditating on what Jesus experienced as He suffered the anguish, accusations, scourging, mocking, and actual crucifixion to make atonement for your sin.
:angel:
August 15
The Truth Shall Make You Free
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Have you ever been to a circus and seen an elephant chained to a stake in the ground? Why doesn't he break free? Because as a young elephant he was tied to a tree. And try as he might, he couldn't break free. Now the thought that he cannot break free is ingrained.
How true that is of you and me who have ingrained thought patterns in our lives. We say, "I am chained to this habit and I can't break free." Or we say, "I'm not good enough." All kinds of lies keep us in bondage, but real truth is what God says, not what we think.
Are there any strongholds in your life that keep you chained to the past? Write down these verses and memorize them.
2 Corinthians 10:4
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"
Galatians 5:1
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Now break free from the lies of the past as you tell yourself the truth!
:angel:
August 16
Saints in God's Sight through Christ
"Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7
Are you saved? If you are, then you are a saint.
Now you're probably saying, "But I can't say that. Christ wants me to be humble."
Let me tell you what real humility is. It is accepting what God says about you, and God says you're a saint. Now, that doesn't make you sinless; it makes you blameless. In God's sight (and that's the only sight that counts), you are a saint. God sees you as perfect because He sees you draped in the righteousness of His Son. Glory to God for His indescribable love to us!
Stand in front of the mirror and say out loud, "I am a saint." Spread the Good News to your family and friends who are saved—they are saints, too!
:angel:
August 17
Is It Clean Enough?
"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:31-32
A man was in the back bedroom of his home getting dressed while his wife was in the living room talking to a friend. He called out to his wife, "Darling, is this shirt clean enough for me to wear?"
Without hesitation she said, "No."
He said, "How did you know it wasn't clean enough to wear? You didn't even come back to look at it."
She answered, "If you had to ask, it wasn't clean enough!"
When it comes to the question of whether you should do something or not, if it's doubtful, it's dirty. Unfortunately, most of us don't give God the benefit of the doubt. We just go ahead and do it.
Are you in doubt about something today? If you have even the smallest doubt in your heart that it might be sin or lead to sin, be strong and choose to say "No." He will be your peace.
:angel:
August 18
The Value of a Soul
"Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was talking to a man who sold real estate and asked him, "What determines the worth of a piece of property?"
He said, "What a person is willing to pay for it."
In other words, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it yourself. It's what another person is willing to pay to have it for himself or herself.
That makes me want to shout! You and I must be worth something if Jesus would pay His life to have us for His own. Jesus is the proof of how much we're worth.
Do you know how much you weigh? Call a jeweler or a bank today and ask how much your weight is worth in gold. Then realize there's no comparison to your worth in blood ... the blood of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
AUGUST 19
Be Still and Know that He is God
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
I read in the newspaper about a fighter plane that fired off a weapon and was moving so fast that it overtook the bullet and shot itself down. Literally! There are a lot of folks I know doing the same thing. They are shooting themselves down.
They don't take time to slow down and to be still and know that God is God. They don't take time to experience His serenity and inner quietness. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
How much time do we take to be quiet before the Lord? If you don't have time to do this, you are too busy! You are going to miss life looking for it.
I have a question for you. Are you spending time alone with the Lord every day? If not, let this be your wake-up call.
:angel:
August 20
Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ
"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11
A woman woke up one morning and noticed that she felt like she had just gone to sleep. She said, "It can't be six o'clock in the morning!"
But the radio said it was six. The clock said it was six. The sunrise said it was six. Now, I submit to you: it really didn't matter how she felt, did it?
Sometimes we respond the same way when it comes to our salvation. We need to get our salvation out of the realm of fickle emotions and begin to "reckon" (count on) God's facts.
Each morning when you wake up, begin by saying, "I am dead to sin. I am alive in Christ. I know it's a fact. He died for me. Now I reckon it!"
Look up the word "reckon" in the dictionary. Are you reckoning yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ? If not, begin to do so today.
:angel:
August 21
Why Is there Suffering in the World?
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36
"If there is a God, and that God is a good God, then why is there suffering?"
"What kind of a God is it that has created evil?"
Ever heard those comments before? Ever made them yourself?
You're not alone. Many people have thought the same thing. But that's not straight thinking. Let me tell you the way it truly is.
God did not create evil. God created perfection. God made man perfectly free. The freedom He granted man meant that he had to be free to choose to love. Then in order to choose to love, we must be able to choose not to love. This freedom of choice gave rise to evil, for man's freedom meant he could make a wrong choice.
Which kind of love do you want from others? A forced love or a free love? Which sounds better, "I love you" or "I have to love you"?
:angel:
August 22
Pray to Be Heard of God, Not Men
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:5
One time a young professional was waiting for a meeting when he heard someone walking down the hallway. Thinking that this might be a potential client for him, he picked up his telephone and pretended to be having a high-powered conversation.
Soon the footsteps stopped at his desk. Looking up he asked, "What may I do for you?" The man standing before him replied, "I'm from the telephone company. I've come to hook up your phone."
Prayer is the same way. The prayer that gets our Savior's attention comes from the heart and not from the head, "to be heard by men." Prayers to impress people are one-way conversations.
Find a quiet place in your home where you can be alone with the Lord every day for a special time of communion with the Him. He is waiting for you there.
:angel:
August 23
To Be "in Christ Jesus"
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus?" First, think about what it was for Noah to be in the ark. The ark was waterproof. How do we know it was? Well, God told Noah, "put pitch on the inside and on the outside" (Genesis 6:14). The word "pitch" in the Hebrew is kapar, and it is exactly the same word translated as "atonement." You see, we are in Jesus as Noah was in that ark. Just as the storms of God's wrath beat upon that ark, the storms of God's wrath beat upon the Lord Jesus. But we are on the inside, and not one drop of judgment can come through.
Read Romans 8:35-39. Reflect on the things that Paul says will never separate you from God's love. Give glory to God that your sins have been atoned for by the righteous blood of the Savior.
:angel:
August 24
What Is Justification?
"...and whom He justified, them He also glorified. "Romans 8:30
What does it mean to be justified? It means to be declared righteous.
Justification is not being good, though being good gives God glory. When you put your faith where God put your sins - on the Lord Jesus Christ - then God stamps "righteous" over your name in His "Book of Life."
It's not because of what you have done or ever can do, but because of His justification.
No court on earth can justify anybody. But what God does is take a guilty person and not only give that guilty person a pardon, but He makes that guilty person just as if he had never sinned. That's justification.
If you lived every moment believing in the justification that God has given you, how would your faith be strengthened? Would you be more vocal about the gift of God's love?
:angel:
August 25
Living By Promises Not Explanations
"Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Matthew 6:8
According to an article, Henry Ford asked the engineers to box the transmissions for his Model-T Fords in certain sized boxes. He gave meticulous dimensions and material instructions for these boxes. The builders were confused, but they did as they were told.
When the transmissions were delivered, the factory workers took apart the boxes and used them for the floorboards! Mr. Ford was thinking ahead!
That's what God does. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. We may not understand all of His ways, just like those workers who were boxing up the transmissions did not understand.
We do not live by our understanding; we live by His promises.
Is there something happening in your life right now that you don't understand? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust in the promise that He will direct your path.
:angel:
August 26
What Is Success?
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
You've heard it said, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?
May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That's what it is.
It's not how much money you have. It's not how famous you are. It's not how healthy you are. It's not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.
Do you want to know God's will? Do you want your heart's desire to come true?
Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you?
Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?
:angel:
August 27
Longing For His Return
"...we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Is your heart longing for Jesus to return? Are you looking for Him? I am. The coming of Jesus is really the only hope for this world.
And when will that be? I don't know. It may be at morning when the clouds break open with sunlight and shadows of night recede from the sky. It may be at noon when the world is hustling and bustling. It may be at dusk when the birds are singing their evening song. Or at midnight, when the stars will dim by the blaze of glory when He descends from the heavenlies.
What joy fills my heart! Does it fill yours as well to think of that moment? Are you ready?
Look up into the skies today and think about His return. Can you imagine the sound of the trumpets and the voice of the angels announcing His return?
:angel:
August 28
God's Providence
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land." Psalm 37:34
We talk about providence, but what is providence?
Providence means to see ahead of time and to make provision. This is what God does. He sees events before they ever get here and moves everything toward the goal He has in mind.
Now there is a lot of evil in the world, so don't get the idea that everything that happens is God's will. Rape is not God's will. Murder is not God's will. Racial hatred is not God's will. Adultery is not God's will. Sodomy is not God's will.
Man has a will and man has an evil heart. And in God's grand design, He gave man a free will. Even when man does evil, where God does not rule, God overrules.
Read Psalm 37. Find a brother or sister in the Lord and discuss the presence of evil in this world and the providence of God in the lives of His children.
:angel:
August 29
Searching Frantically for Your Life?
"In Him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4
I heard about a lady who was looking in her purse for her keys. She looked casually at first, then seriously, then frantically. Do you know what she discovered? She was looking in the wrong purse! I don't know everything about you, but I know this much: you would like to have a full, meaningful, fulfilling life. Am I right? I think most people feel that way.
But no matter how much you search, you'll not find it apart from Jesus Christ. Now, I'm not talking about life as in breathing and heart beating. You have that. I'm talking about the rich, abundant life that Christ died to give you. Life is in Christ. Only Christ can give you life.
It's time to turn your eyes to Jesus and look full in His wonderful face. Click here to go to Cyber Hymnal and sing along or simply meditate with the hymn by Helen Lemmel "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus."
:angel:
August 30
Stepping Out
"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." John 5:8
In the Gospels we learn about a man who languished by a pool for 38 years, hoping for someone to put him in when the waters stirred, so he could be healed (see John 5:1-9).
He had a place in line, but someone always stepped in front of him. What was Jesus response? Step out of line, take up your bed and walk!
Suppose a man had been standing in line for Super Bowl tickets for 38 years. His buddy comes up to him and says, "I have two tickets on the 50-yard line. Come on." If he steps out of line, he puts all his trust into this guy's word that he has two tickets on the 50-yard line. Do you know what a lot of us do? We want to make a provision for our flesh, or we want to keep our spot in line. Jesus says, "Leave it behind."
What are you holding onto in your life that God wants you to give up so you can live the life He died to give you? Can't think of anything? Maybe there's not anything, but just in case, why don't you spend a little time talking to God about it?
:angel:
August 31
Simply Resting
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11
Do you depend upon Jesus Christ? I mean totally depend upon Him? Here's the way you can tell: Are you resting in Him today?
You see, when you are totally committed to Jesus Christ, you rest in Him. You realize your every need is something for Him to supply.
Have you ever looked at a branch? It has no other source of life than the vine. If you asked that branch, "What's your secret for your healthy leaves and fruit?" he would say, "My secret is that I'm resting in the vine."
"But what about your needs?" you ask.
"I know I have needs, but that's not my responsibility. My response is to rest in the vine's ability to provide. I don't produce the fruit. I just bear it."
Are you resting in the Lord today?
Take a walk outside over the next couple of days if you can and take a close look at the trees, shrubs, and vines. Meditate on what it means to abide in Christ "that your joy might be full."
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 1
All Things Work Together for Good
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed that a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up.
I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working."
Well, there was an unseen hand that was doing something that the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice that the verse doesn't say all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that only God is good! He alone can work all things together for your good.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 2
Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one.
I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do.
Cancer cannot shatter hope.
Cancer cannot corrode faith.
Cancer cannot eat away peace.
Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life.
Cancer cannot quench the spirit of God and
Cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
That's how limited cancer is!
Is there someone in your life who is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you've read today and pray that they will know the Savior.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 3
Help Yourself to Happiness
"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2
Have you ever thought that if you lived according to God's laws, you were going to miss out? The truth is if you don't live according to God's laws you're going to miss out!
God's laws are for your welfare. God is not a tyrant in heaven making a bunch of laws to make you squirm like a worm in hot ashes as you try to keep those laws.
God loves you.
Every time God says "Thou shalt not," God is simply saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time God says, "Thou shalt," God is saying, "Help yourself to happiness."
God has something so wonderful for you.
Write the following down on some sticky notes and post them everywhere:
God loves me.
God knows better than I do.
God is in control.
God is good.
:angel:
September 4
The Secret of Life
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me." John 16:8-9
What would you think of someone who gave you the secret of life? Do you think you might instantly call him your best friend? You bet! That's what the Holy Spirit did for you.
The Holy Spirit gave you the secret to, not only life, but eternal life! He convicted you of your sin. He drew you to Christ (John 6:44).
Don't get the idea that anybody can simply come of his own will and his own volition to Jesus Christ. No one could come; no one would come except by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has given you the secret of life. And He has drawn you there Himself! That's some best friend, wouldn't you say?
Don't keep quiet about your Best Friend today. He wants to be known and He's given you the privilege to be His messenger. Share Him with those you care about today.
:angel:
September 4
The Secret of Life
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me." John 16:8-9
What would you think of someone who gave you the secret of life? Do you think you might instantly call him your best friend? You bet! That's what the Holy Spirit did for you.
The Holy Spirit gave you the secret to, not only life, but eternal life! He convicted you of your sin. He drew you to Christ (John 6:44).
Don't get the idea that anybody can simply come of his own will and his own volition to Jesus Christ. No one could come; no one would come except by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has given you the secret of life. And He has drawn you there Himself! That's some best friend, wouldn't you say?
Don't keep quiet about your Best Friend today. He wants to be known and He's given you the privilege to be His messenger. Share Him with those you care about today.
:angel:
September 8
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
"...ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13
The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God seals you into Himself.
What does it mean to be sealed? It means to put the King's seal on you. The King's seal can be broken by no man. That means you are His for all time and eternity.
Second Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." You are sealed into a relationship with God by the Holy Spirit.
Read Daniel 6 and Matthew 27. Note the similarities in the accounts of Daniel and Jesus being sealed away for death and how the Almighty God delivered them unto life!
:angel:
September 9
The Power of the Word of God
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33
We must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God's Word to our level of understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising our standard of tradition above the standard of His Word.
The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind.
You can argue with it, but why?
You can pick up and read any other book, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts, burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has a life of its own. It is the voice of God to you.
You cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it.
When was the last time you studied the history behind the Word of God? Search the Internet or go to a bookstore or your church's library and study how the translations were discovered and passed on.
:angel:
September 10
Heirs Together of the Grace of Life
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21
First Corinthians 11:3 says that "the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."
Sometimes we get confused about what it means to be the "head" of the family. Anything with no head is dead and anything with two heads is abnormal.
Just because the man is the head doesn't mean that the wife is inferior. Both men and women bear the image of God. Both are heirs of the grace of life. Both are equal before God.
But while male and female are equal, God has given them different roles. In the family, men have been given the role of leader. How would our world function if no one was in charge? How would your body function without your head?
Pray for leaders in your home, community, church, state, and nation.
:angel:
September 11
Two Funerals and One Wedding
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Ephesians 5:25
Do you know what most marriages need? Two funerals and one wedding where both the husband and the wife die to themselves and come alive to Jesus Christ.
You see, when a man loves his wife passionately, there's nothing too precious for that man to give up for his wife, except his relationship to Almighty God. When there's that kind of love shown to a woman, I dare say the topic of submission wouldn't be an issue.
Most women don't mind submitting to the leadership of a man who loves her enough to die for her and shows it by the way he lives for her.
Are you married? Then go on a date this week with your spouse.
Are you single? Pray that God would prepare you to be the spouse your mate will need.
:angel:
September 12
86,000 Gifts from God
"My times are in Thy hand." Psalm 31:15
God's great gift to you is Jesus. His second greatest gift is time.
Every second we have life is a gift from God. Has it ever occurred to you that for you to cease living, God would not have to take your life? All God would have to do is stop giving you life!
Your time is in His hands.
You are a steward of the time He has given you.
We have 86,000 seconds in the day no more, no less. The difference is stewardship.
Today is check-up day. How are you redeeming your 86,000 seconds each day to the glory of God? Are you lagging behind God or running ahead of Him?
:angel:
September 13
Share a Smile Today
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." Proverbs 15:13
What is a smile?
Here is something from an anonymous source:
A smile costs nothing, but creates much good.
It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away.
It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever.
No one is so rich that he can get along without it.
No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad and nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.
When you get dressed this morning, don't forget to put on a smile. Wear a smile all day from the inner joy that only Jesus can bring to your heart. Don't feel an inner joy? Then, ask for one!
:angel:
September 14
Your Sense of Humor - a Gift from God
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
A merry heart has the ability to capture and enjoy those wonderful times of life and let them turn to laughter.
Your sense of humor is a gift from God.
Research studies have shown that laughter, along with a well-rounded sense of humor, is one of the sure signs of intelligence. It is also known to produce endorphins in your body that generate feelings of well-being.
Good, wholesome laughter is a gift from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "God must have meant for us to laugh, or else he would not have made so many mules, parrots, monkeys and human beings. God wants us to laugh."
Pass along the gift of laughter today to someone. Tell a good, wholesome joke. Send an email of a funny story to a friend that you haven't talked to in a while.
:angel:
September 15
Forgetting What's Behind, Reaching for What's Ahead
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday. The other is tomorrow.
Paul exhorts in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We are to forget the past — the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges.
Paul was one who was guilty, along with others, for the stoning of Stephen. He said he was the chiefest of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But, Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God's forgetfulness.
Maybe you've done something so horrible, that you're gripped with fear to think someone would find out what you've done. Have you repented? Then, don't be haunted by the ghost of guilt.
:angel:
September 16
Blessed with Difficulties?
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Matthew 6:34
In the crucible of His wisdom and in the ecology of His grace, God has ordered some trouble for you today and everyday of your life.
We've been blessed with difficulties. Yes, you read that right—blessed!
The worst thing that could happen to us would be not to have any difficulties. If that were the case, we'd never know our need of the Lord.
So God, in essence, says, "I'm going to give you sufficient difficulty for the day." God gives you enough difficulty to draw you close to Him, but then God gives you enough grace to meet those difficulties every day.
Is there a difficult circumstance in your life? If so, thank God that He's sending it your way to make you more like Jesus. Now ask for His grace to be victorious through it!
:angel:
September 17
What Happens When You Worry?
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
What happens when you worry?
You bring tomorrow's difficulty into today. God didn't give you grace for tomorrow's difficulties. He only gives you grace for today.
When you reach into tomorrow's troubles, you overload today's circuit. Worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow—it takes the strength out of today. When you meet tomorrow, you're out of breath because you're already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future, it really makes you unready.
Yesterday is just a canceled check.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today has all the cash you can handle.
Spend it wisely.
Worry will eat your lunch! It'll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin because they are. Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.
:angel:
September 18
The Voice of the Lord
"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth." Psalm 29:3
Some people think it's a waste of time to simply sit at God's feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodchopper is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
Charles Hummel wrote a booklet titled "Tyranny of the Urgent." In it he said:
When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him....
Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy...
The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase, the "voice of the Lord" is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
:angel:
September 19
Procrastination Is a Sin
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes, "Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today"? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that's pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin?
I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin.
I heard a quote once that said it well:
When you have a job to do, begin this very hour.
You supply the will, God supplies the power.
That is the will power we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now; don't hesitate.
Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow may never come.
Today is the day!
:angel:
September 20
Determining Your Course of Action
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said,
"He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places."
Keep yourself clean.
Keep yourself pure.
Watch what you set before your eyes.
There needs to be discipline. Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.
One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.
:angel:
September 21
The Sweetheart of Your Life
"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." Matthew 19:5
Today's message is for the men...If you don't love your wife now more than you loved her when you got married, you probably love her a lot less. Sir, I want you to learn to flirt — but not with any other woman — just with the girl you married!
Keep that flirtation going all throughout your life.
Never call the waitress "sweetheart." She's not your sweetheart. You have only one sweetheart. Never call someone else "dear." She's not your dear.
There is one who needs to know beyond a shadow of any doubt that she is your sweetheart, she is your darling, and she is number one.
Develop that love and keep it growing.
Are you a husband or dating someone? Let me ask you a question, then. When was the last time you bought your wife or girlfriend flowers or her favorite perfume or wrote her a love note? Stop right now and think of how you're going to show her that she's the only sweetheart in your life!
:angel:
September 22
More Blessed to Give than to Receive
"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows.
If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...
what you want,
what people are saying about you,
what you ought to have done for you,
how down you feel,
how good you feel.
Just focus on yourself. Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don't go hand in hand.
If you're thinking it is better to receive than to give, then you'll never be happy. You'll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better — the clinched fist or the relaxed and flexible hand?
Imagine that your spirit is tight like that fist and think of how severely that can quench His work in your life. Now relax and submit your spirit to the One who truly blesses.
:angel:
September 23
Experience the Abundant Life
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Do you know what is wrong with many of us? We are trying to get out of trouble rather than get into righteousness.
We are so focused on the defensive side of Christianity that we forget about offensive, positive approach.
Wouldn't you like to get up and stay up?
Wouldn't you like to experience the abundant life our Lord talks about?
Jesus came to give us eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says, and "Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative."
Why don't you determine today that you are going to get right with God and stay right with God? Determine that you're going to take steps that lead to a life of obedience.
:angel:
September 24
The Enduring Beauty of the Word of God
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
The Bible is the incontestable, incorruptible, indestructible, and indispensable Word of God.
No one can argue with it.
Nothing can corrupt it.
Nothing can destroy it.
Nothing can replace it as the source and wellspring of life.
The late Dr. Robert G. Lee, a great preacher of the last generation, had this to say about the Bible:
All of its enemies have not torn one hole in its holy vesture, or stolen one flower from its wonderful garden, nor diluted one drop of honey from its abundant hive, nor broken one string of its thousand-stringed harp, nor drowned one sweet word in infidel ink.
Today, tell God how much your life has changed because of His Word. Meet together with a group of friends or your family and discuss the ways God has ministered to you through His Word.
:angel:
September 25
The Only One Who Ever Chose to Die
"I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11
Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one.
"Oh," you say, "Suicide pilots choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die."
But really no one has ever chosen to die except Jesus. Why? Because He was the only One who didn't have to die. Some people may choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has ever truly chosen to die except for One — Jesus.
It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross.
The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, may be a new concept to you. If so, it's probably new to someone else as well. Share it with someone today!
:angel:
September 26
Handling the Sting of Criticism
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
God loves you so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for you.
You are precious to God.
You are the object of God's love.
The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for you.
Friend, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism. It won't bother you what others say about you. The cross sets you free.
He who died for you now lives in you. He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you.
When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn't just take away your sins, He took away yourself. You are crucified. So who can harm a dead man?
Have you felt the sting of criticism this week? Remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus' love. Give your critic to the Lord. Then, ask God to teach you from what happened.
:angel:
September 27
Saving the Worst for Last?
"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." 1 Corinthians 12:31
Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. For example, Proverbs 20:17 says, "The bread of deceit is sweet, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." With Satan, it always starts sweet, but it does not end that way.
Satan is a counterfeiter and a deceiver, and he is guilty of false advertising.
He doesn't show the drunkard in the gutter covered with flies.
He doesn't show the addict shaking uncontrollably from another night of detox.
He doesn't show the ruined lives from sexually transmitted diseases.
He always gives the best first and the worst last. Jesus gives the best last.
Do you have a teenager in your home? Then, call a homeless shelter or prison and see if you can bring in your teen for a tour.
:angel:
September 28
Heaven, a Place on God's Map
"I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
Do you believe that there is a home in heaven waiting for you?
There is, because Jesus cannot lie. He is Truth incarnate. He always told the truth. He said, "if it were not so, I would have told you."
Jesus would not let the hope of heaven go on beating in your heart if it were simply a lie, a superstition, or a fond delusion.
Heaven is not merely a state of mind. It is not a condition. It is a place so real that Jesus is there in a literal, resurrected body. There is a body in this place called heaven. It is His resurrected body.
Heaven is a place on God's map.
Do you have a dream home? If you've never thought about what would be your perfect home, think about your heavenly home. Nothing could be more perfect!
:angel:
September 29
Keeping the Law
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Suppose you are driving down the road and a police officer stops you for running a red light.
You say to the officer, "I ran a red light, but you have no right to give me a ticket because I have stopped at all the other streets, and I have obeyed the speed limit."
He responds, "Don't tell me about all the things that you've done good. You've broken the law."
If you think that you're going to be saved by keeping the law, then you must keep all of it because God demands perfection. No amount of obedience can make up for one act of disobedience.
If you keep the whole law and yet offend in one point you are guilty of it all.
Read Romans 7:1 - 8:4. Can you relate to Paul's quandary about keeping the law and the war within his members concerning its requirement of absolute obedience?
:angel:
September 30
Starting Your Day Out Right
"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
Christianity is a love relationship. You cannot love someone that you do not know, and you cannot know someone that you don't spend quality time with.
To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.
It begins with a quality, daily communication with the Lord.
Why is it best to spend time with the Lord in the morning? Because you are getting ready to go on a road trip through life. You don't take the trip and then read the map, do you?
How are you starting your mornings? With a cup of coffee and the paper? Or with the pure milk of the Word and the light of His presence?
:angel:
OCTOBER 1
Praying in Secret
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6
What did our Lord mean when He said, "Enter into your closet to pray"? The word "closet" simply means somewhere you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven.
As you study the life of Jesus, you'll discover that Jesus sought times to be alone. Sometimes He would go on a mountain, sometimes into the wilderness, and sometimes into a garden. It is the secret place that is the sacred place.
The mark of your prayer life is not really how well you pray in public, but in private. When you enter your closet to pray, spend some time in silence. Clear your mind. Then listen for His Words of edification, encouragement, and exhortation.
:angel:
OCTOBER 2
Making Your Bible Come Alive
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Why is it that sometimes when we read the Bible, we leave our common sense at the door? You don't just pick up a book, open it at random, and start reading in the middle of a paragraph. The book wouldn't make any sense! In order to understand and get the full appreciation for the book, we read it sequentially and in paragraphs or units.
When you read the Bible, read for quality not quantity. Don't see how much of the Bible you can read. See how much of the Bible you can assimilate and apply! Maybe what you need to do is spend a week studying one verse.
In your Bible reading today, stop and ask yourself, "What is God telling ME?" Not "What does this say?" But "What is God saying to me?" Then seek to put that into practice today.
:angel:
OCTOBER 3
The Wake-Up Call
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11
Do you know what Napoleon said about China? "There lies a sleeping giant, and let him sleep, because if he awakens, he will shake the world."
I believe the devil says that about the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe the church is just that: a sleeping giant. We're asleep because we have been chloroformed by the spirit of this age.
We're bombarded on every side by all kinds of amusement. Do you know what amuse means? It's a combination of two words. Muse means to think, and the alpha prefix in front of it means "not to." We are a generation that is amusing ourselves into oblivion. And it's time to wake up!
Are you taking the Christian life seriously? If this were your last day on earth, how would you spend it? In amusement? Or in evangelism?
:angel:
OCTOBER 4
Peace with God—Because of the Cross
"... having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:20
How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there?
At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted.
At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for.
God's greatest righteousness confronted man's greatest wickedness, and righteousness won! Peace was attained through the blood of the cross.
Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus!
Take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.
:angel:
OCTOBER 5
The Only One Who Conquered Death
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could escape from anything, except your memory.
Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive!
Who in your circle of friends doesn't know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.
:angel:
OCTOBER 6
Jesus in All Sixty-Six
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don't get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don't find Jesus, you better go re-read it.
Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, "I've read all sixty-six!"
From Genesis to Revelation,
It has the same villain - Satan.
It has the same hero - Jesus.
It has the same purpose - to present salvation in no other name but Jesus.
Read Isaiah 53. What are the prophecies that were fulfilled in the life of Christ?
:angel:
OCTOBER 7
Biblical Hope, a Firm Certainty
"For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5
What does the word "hope" mean in the Bible? It doesn't mean "maybe." We may use it that way in modern English, but that's not what the word "hope" means when used in Scripture.
"Hope" means certainty, but not just any certainty. When the Bible says "hope," it means a rock-ribbed assurance with anticipation, based on the Word of God.
When I was a little boy, my dad would take us out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. We kids would be in the back seat, getting into squabbles. If things got too heated, my dad would turn around and say, "When you boys get home, I'm going to whip you." With my dad, I knew this was a rock-ribbed truth! We could anticipate it, but not with gladness!
Our hope, however, our rock-ribbed assurance, comes with glad anticipation!
Share the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ with someone today. Maybe there's someone at the hospital who needs a word of hope. Maybe it's a member of your family!
:angel:
October 9
Happiness, the By-Product of Righteousness
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus.
When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the by-product of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.
What you need is to drink of the Spirit.
What you need to feed on the Word of God.
The deepest need of your heart will be met only in Jesus.
Ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, to fulfill the deepest need of your heart in Him and Him alone. Now trust Him to do it.
:angel:
OCTOBER 10
Letting Your Shepherd Set Your Pace
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2
Sometimes I hear folks tell young people, "Make all the money you can, just so you make it honestly." That's not good advice.
If you make all the money you can, you are going to be making money when you should be doing something else. You are going to be making money when you ought to be alone with God.
I'm not against making money. I'm simply saying that we need to stop and prioritize our lives. Do you know what I think God does with some of us? He makes us to lie down. We won't do it unless He makes us.
Why not stop right now and pray, "Lord Jesus, You don't have to make me lie down. I'd rather slow down. I want to be still and know that You are GOD! Show me how."
:angel:
OCTOBER 11
Blessed Is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes - attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
:angel:
OCTOBER 12
Poor in Spirit - What Does It Mean?
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally spiritually bankrupt and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
:angel:
OCTOBER 13
What Is Meekness?
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
:angel:
OCTOBER 14
Mourning with Purpose
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
We've done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neuroses, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.
But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus' heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.
Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It's time to be like Jesus.
:angel:
OCTOBER 15
Seeing Him Who is Invisible
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
Let me tell you how to experience God: Get your heart pure, and you will see God with the eyes of faith.
You see, Jesus is not talking about your physical body. You get your spiritual heart right and your spiritual eyes will see. Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses "endured as seeing Him who is invisible." You get your heart right and you'll see the invisible God...
...in circumstances
...in nature
...in the face of your spouse, your child, your grandchild.
You'll see Him in the Scriptures. God will become a bright, living reality to you.
Put on the eyes of faith today and find God creating and sustaining life. Maybe there is a tree ablaze with the red and gold of fall. Do you see the hand of God?
:angel:
OCTOBER 16
Surprising Qualities of a Peacemaker
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
I remember reading about a preacher boy who was in a class in a liberal college and the professor said, "Christians ought never to have any enemies. We ought never to be controversial." And then he said, "What we need to do is to follow the example of Jesus."
The boy lifted his hand and said, "If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified?"
Peace is not appeasement. It is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us into right relationships with others. Literally, peace is a fruit of righteousness. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.
Read Hebrews 12:14. Are there conflicts which you can resolve by becoming a peacemaker? If so, confidently place your hand in His and bring peace
:angel:
OCTOBER 17
Trusting His Love to Provide
"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." Psalm 9:10
After World War II, a group of humanitarians placed orphan boys in tent cities to care for them. But the boys would wake up in the night from nightmares. A psychiatrist surmised that their fear was because they had such an uncertain future.
He decided to feed the boys a big meal each night, then give them each a piece of bread. He instructed them to hold the bread in their hands so it could be their breakfast. Somehow just holding in their hand a piece of bread helped them to sleep all night.
When you go to bed tonight, I want you to have bread, not in your hand, but in your heart. He is the Bread of Heaven and His name is Jesus!
Take a walk with the Lord today. Tell Him your fears. Confidently place them before the Lord. Trust in His love to provide.
:angel:
OCTOBER 18
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about, then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
:angel:
OCTOBER 19
The Life-Transforming Power of Christ
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:31
The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle-working business. And His business is the business of transformation. When we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name.
Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, the penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.
What are you to trust Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Thank God for the miracle of life He has given you today
:angel:
OCTOBER 20
Jesus Only
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
OCTOBER 21
The Gospel, a Truth Worth Dying For
"...we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have any merit admit that regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived!
There's no way to explain how the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here. What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that?
Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him." Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie? A man may live for a lie, but few would die for one.
:angel:
OCTOBER 22
Moving His Son Into King's Row
Psalm 2:6 - "Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion."
The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King of kings!"
How many times have you prayed, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven"?
Do you think God's will is being done on earth as it is in heaven?
Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that's God's will? Of course not.
Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King!"
Read Psalm 2. What does the Psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that God will work in the hearts of the world leaders!
:angel:
New Life, A New Creation in Christ
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you new life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
:angel:
OCTOBER 24
True Friendship
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17
True friends will put an edge on your life. They will make you a sharper person. Not all my friends do that for me, but my best friends do.
Have you ever had a friend who loved you so much that he would even hurt you in order to help you? Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." What truer words of love can be spoken than from the heart of a friend who is going to spend an eternity with you? Even if those words hurt, they are words that will heal.
Do you have a friend who sharpens you as iron? Then forward this email to your friend as a word of thanks.
For encouragement in your Christian walk and/or additional resources by Adrian Rogers, click on the following link to visit the LWF website
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online.
:angel:
OCTOBER 25
He Has Overcome the World
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.
If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like it's going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember: what is over your head is under His feet.
:angel:
OCTOBER 26
Governed by His Providence
"But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." John 6:20
When storms come into your life, I want you to remember this truth: "I am governed by His providence."
The storm did not take the wave walker, the Lord Jesus, by surprise. As a matter of fact, the Bible says He's the one that "commandeth and raiseth stormy seas." (Psalm 107:25)
Perhaps you're in the eye of a storm right now. It looks like your boat is sinking. Maybe it's so dark you can't see your hand before your face. I want you to know there is nothing that comes to you that He does not either cause or allow. Whether I can see it or not, whether I can understand it or not, it is a fact that God has not relinquished His rule upon His universe.
Read Matthew 8:23-27. Does Jesus see the storm in your life? Bow before the One, the only One, who can calm your storm. Trust His ways. He's in control.
:angel:
OCTOBER 27
Holy through Hardship
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? ... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him." Psalm 42:5
Here's an anchor for your soul in the storms of life: "I am growing by His plan."
What is God's plan for you? He wants to enlarge you, not indulge you. God is not so interested in making you happy and healthy as He is in making you holy. And so God will allow troubles to make you more like Christ.
Think about the times when you have grown the most. It is when your friend "Trouble" came along. I have grown the most in my own life in times of deepest despair.
Can you look at the troubles in your life not as adversaries, but as friends? Take a second look and get a godly perspective of it. See how you can become holy through hardship.
:angel:
OCTOBER 28
Graced by His Prayers
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
Do you ever feel you are all alone when a struggle hits your life?
Tell yourself, "I am graced by His prayers."
Jesus is watching over you, and He is praying for you. The Savior. The Shepherd. The King. The Prince. He is praying for you! Do you feel encouraged? I do!
Just to know that the One who died for me "ever liveth to make intercession" for me is enough. He lives to stand in the gap for you and for me. What a mighty God we serve! What mercy we don't deserve! You are on Jesus' prayer list!
You.
He knows you. And He is praying you through the eye of the storm.
Do you have a prayer list? Go through that list today and pray for someone you haven't prayed for in awhile and trust God to answer, even today!
:angel:
OCTOBER 29
When Delays Are a Blessing
"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18
Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead. And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.
God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time. Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.
Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something...and God hasn't answered? Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.
:angel:
OCTOBER 30
When Your World Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what is happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we are infertile as a couple and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act. We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe!
At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
Get in a position of humility. If you can, drop to your knees. If you cannot, bow your head and close your eyes. Imagine the cross of Christ. Meditate upon the shame Christ experienced, the pain He endured, and the victory He secured in His death.
:angel:
OCTOBER 31
He Is the Great I Am
"And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
Have you ever noticed that the title God chose to describe Himself is an incomplete sentence? Now, most people would finish that sentence, "I am... (something)." But not our Lord. He purposefully did not complete the sentence.
"I AM." —He is.
Are you hungry? He is the Bread. Are you in the dark? He is the Light. Are you searching? He is the Truth. Are you lost? He is the Way. Are you in need? He is your Shepherd.
What are you looking to God to meet today? Trust Him right now to meet you there.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 1
They're Cheering for YOU!
Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
A soft-spoken woman went to a high school football game. She'd been quiet the entire game until there was a fumble on the field. The substitute quarterback, a little scrawny kid, picked up the ball and started running past the other players toward the goal.
And this little lady exploded! She jumped up and said, "Run, baby, run! Run, baby, run!" He was her son.
That's what the saints are saying, as they watch us on the playing field of life. They are cheering us on from the Heavenly grandstand to "run with patience, the race that is set before us."
Do you need a lift today? Imagine a grandstand the size of heaven cheering you on to victory!
:angel:
NOVEMBER 2
All Things Are Not Expedient
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12
If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from doing the best things.
Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically it's a choice between good and best.
Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word "expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to get rid of it.
Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to lay them aside!
:angel:
NOVEMBER 3
Removing Debilitating Obstacles
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24
Runners not only need to untangle themselves from weights that may slow them down, but they need to also remove things from the track that may trip them up!
As a Christian, the good things in life may slow us down, but sin will stop us dead in our tracks - it will trip us up. You had better learn to treat sin as sin would treat you! Sin will be merciless to you, and you need to be merciless to sin.
2 Timothy 2:19 says "Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that is tripping you up today? Pray Psalm 139:23-24.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 4
Completing the Course God Has for You
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
When Jesus came to the end of His life, He said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
He stayed on the track, and so did Paul. They accomplished what God had set out for them to do.
Every man has a race that he must run. Every woman has a race set before her. God knows the course. And everything God commands of you, He will empower you to do. Whether you're nine or ninety, young or old, rich or poor, God has a plan for your life! God has a race He wants you to run!
What is the race God has set before you? Thank God for the power to finish the course.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 5
Running With Endurance
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." John 12:24
You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to "run with patience the race that is set before us." And this word "patience" is not used in the sense that we use the word. It literally means "endurance."
Everybody knows that a runner is going to win or lose primarily by his endurance. You cannot quit. When it hurts, you cannot quit. When your lungs are on fire, you cannot quit. When your feet feel like lead, you cannot quit. When your sides ache, you cannot quit! You'll never be a spiritual athlete if you're a quitter! No pain. No gain.
Thank God for His power that enables you to run the race and gain the victor's crown!
:angel:
NOVEMBER 6
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22
I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay under the circumstances." How did you ever get there?
Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well.
The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look unto Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look unto Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. You see, it's not great faith in God; it is faith in a great God.
Do you have a hymnal in your home? Find the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" by Helen Lemmel or or go to the cyber hymnal address here and reflect on its message. http://www.lwf.org/site/r?i=cg-9wmj-9vjc8xnqb_amcq
:angel:
NOVEMBER 7
More Than Fair-Weather Christianity
"If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
Are you a fair-weather Christian? There are some who, if their children get sick, will stop tithing. If they get a bad report from the doctor, they stop praising. If somebody hurts their feelings, they stop going to church.
You can tell the commitment level of a Christian by their "fair weather" gauge.
The test is, when everything goes wrong or doesn't add up, what will you do?
I'll give you some hints. Keep giving. Keep praying. Keep praising. Keep witnessing. Keep worshipping. Don't fail to be faithful.
Think of three things you can do today to bring the light of God's Son to someone who may be struggling with his or her faith. Then go do it!
:angel:
NOVEMBER 8
Exodus 20:8 - "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Is it okay to watch television on Sunday? Is it okay to go to a ball game on Sunday? Is it okay to eat out on Sunday? Is it okay to read the newspaper on Sunday? Can I play softball on Sunday? Can I go out on a boat on Sunday? Can I go to the grocery store if we're out of milk on Sunday?
Good questions. I hear them all the time. But do you know what's wrong with these questions? You're asking the wrong man. It's not my day — it's the Lord's day. Ask Him.
Ask God, "How can I honor You on the Lord's Day so at the end of the day I can know that it was indeed Your day?"
:angel:
NOVEMBER 9
His Name Is Holy
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy." Isaiah 57:15
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).
We all know that profanity is one way that you can take God's name in vain, but I'll tell you another way, and that's in frivolous talk.
That is, just taking the name of God carelessly or lightly. Ephesians 5:4 mentions "foolish jesting." What does that mean? God's name is holy. We are never, ever to use His name unless we are serious. Now if you use humor to illustrate something, that's fine, but it's repugnant to use the Holy name of God frivolously.
Begin the day by meditating on the holiness of God.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 10
Dealing With Doubt in the Midst of Trials
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
When something bad happens to us, we may respond with, "What did I do? I must have done something terrible." Then we proceed down the trail of morbid introspection or what I call "navel gazing." We look down and into ourselves. We take ourselves apart piece by piece, examining and re-examining ourselves. Then we put ourselves back together trying to figure out what we did wrong.
It may be that you have done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith. You see, if we don't understand this, we may get discouraged.
The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Claim the promises of 1 Peter 1:3-9 for strength in the midst of your trial.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 11
Tempted, But Not Beyond What We Can Bear
"For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14
A factory mechanic builds a truck. He knows the chassis of that truck and knows the load it can carry. In the same way, God knows your frame and He knows the load that you can carry.
God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able. Nothing comes to you but that which comes through God. Even what Satan does, he can only do as God allows it. And so you can say the temptation was so strong that you could not overcome it, but it won't be true. God will provide a way of escape.
When you are tempted today (notice I didn't say "if" but "when"), ask God to provide a way of escape. Then, trust His way and obey.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 12
Strengthening Your Wings
"How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." 2 Corinthians 8:2
A man watched a butterfly trying to emerge from a cocoon. Thinking that he would help, the man took his penknife and slit the side of the cocoon, and the butterfly flopped out. It lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapsed and died.
"How tragic," you say, and you are right, because God had a plan for that butterfly. The struggle to break free built the strength he would need to fly. God doesn't want you to live weakly and to die feebly. He wants you to grow and mature.
Find the wings in your trial today.
Strengthen them by the promises in God's Word.
Venture on new heights of freedom in Christ today.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 13
At the End of Your Rope
"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant... let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isaiah 50:10
I have always been amazed at the advice worldly people give to someone who is hurting. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Can you see someone dangling over a cliff, holding on to a rope, and trying to tie a knot? It takes two hands to do that!
The first thing we need to remember is "don't demand to understand." There are just some things in life you and I will never understand. When God allows darkness to overshadow your life, don't set about lighting your own fire. That's a recipe for heartache. Trust that His light will come and wait for it. He will come. Believe it.
There's someone out there who is hurting today and needs more than a pat answer of encouragement. Give them the light of Christ.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 14
Loving Chastisement of the Father
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6
As a child, did you ever get a spanking you didn't deserve? Maybe now and then your dad or mom would just be in a "spanking mood," and they'd spank everyone they could get their hands on?
Talk about being indignant! There is nothing worse to a child than to realize "I got spanked, and I didn't deserve it."
You know what's funny? At that point, we never stop to think about all the times we deserved a spanking and didn't get one. Our Father is mercifully loving and graciously wise to give us what we need at all times in our lives. Sometimes we need His hand of love in comfort, and sometimes we need His hand of love in discipline.
Thank God that His hand of mercy extends to you when you don't deserve it and that His hand of discipline extends to you when you do.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 15
True Peace and Satisfaction
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:16
I was witnessing to a man one day in front of his house. He said, "I've got a good income. You see that house? It's paid for. You see that car? It's paid for. My wife is in that house. She loves me." He seemed completely satisfied.
I said, "Sir, I want to ask you a question. Will you be absolutely honest with me? Do you have peace in your heart?"
His chin started to quiver. His eyes brimmed with tears. He said, "No, I don't have peace in my heart. How did you know?"
I said, "Because the Bible says, 'There is no peace, sayeth my God, to the wicked.' These things cannot fill the longing of your heart. You need Jesus."
Pray for an opportunity to share today the peace you have in Jesus with someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 16
God Has Not Forgotten You
"And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:6
One preacher was in a church where he felt God had led him. But nothing seemed to be working out, so he wanted to go to another church.
He told a friend, "I know where God put me, and I know God put me here, but I just wonder if He remembers where He put me."
Yes, God remembers! He has not forgotten. He is never late. Don't rush God. Don't think He has abandoned you because your prayers are not answered. He will turn your midnight into a sunrise and your mourning into dancing.
Read Psalm 37:4-7 and rejoice in the hope of God's providence and provision in your life.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 17
The Mind vs. the Brain
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8
Did you know that there is a difference between your mind and your brain? The brain is what the mind thinks with. The relationship of the mind and the brain is very similar to the relationship of a pianist and a piano. The piano is the brain and the pianist is the mind.
The most dangerous thing in the world is a man with a bad mind and a good brain. He is a clever devil.
When you get saved, you don't get a new brain. You get a new mind. And the god of this world will do all he can to distort your mind. Why? Because Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Dwell today on the true, the honest, the just, the pure, the lovely—think on virtue and praise. Pray for missionaries serving the Lord in other countries - that they will dwell on the truths of the Lord and that their walks will be strong and undeterred from the Lord's mission.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 18
Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14
A little boy was trying to roll a rock as his father watched from a distance. The boy was heaving and sighing, but he couldn't turn the stone over.
His dad, with a smile said, "Son, are you using all of your strength?" He said, "Yes, Daddy, I'm using all my strength." And the father said, "No, you're not because you have not asked me to help you. My strength is your strength."
Sometimes we wrestle with problems and say, "I don't know what to do." Our Father wants us to say, "I've run out of my strength," and run into His. He is there.
There is no problem too big for Jesus to solve.
Do you believe that? I hope so.
Is there a problem too big for you to solve? Give it to Jesus. He can handle it.
:angel:
November 19
God's Provision, a Living Testimony
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable?
Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him - only you're religious. Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then you're going to be believable.
How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship, and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 20
Letting God Work In and Through You
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13
One of the greatest secrets I have ever learned is this: God doesn't want me to do anything for Him. He wants to do something through me.
People say, "Well, I just serve God in my poor, little, old weak way." I feel like saying, "Well, quit it." He doesn't want you to serve Him in your poor, little, old weak way. He wants you out of the way, so He can flow through you!
We need to make ourselves available to God and say, "God, I'm tired of being inhibited. I want to be inhabited by You. I want You to live Your life through me."
Where have you been standing in the way of God instead of surrendering to God and letting Him live through you?
:angel:
NOVEMBER 21
Calling Good Evil and Evil Good
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
People can become so warped in their thinking that they don't know the difference between right and wrong.
I was listening to the radio one morning, and they were talking about what scientists want to do with the tissue of aborted babies. They said that some women are thinking about having babies, aborting them, then selling the tissue for research. The scientific community is promoting this propaganda because of the good they say the research will have on the whole of humanity! But what about the whole of humanity that begins in the womb?
People today will play enough tricks on their minds that they will literally approve evil with a good conscience.
Where do you stand on this issue? What is right and what is wrong?
Take some time this morning to read Psalm 139 and ask God to show you His truth.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 22
God Will Always Answer
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3
I read about some children in a Sunday School class who wrote a missionary to let him know that they were praying for him. The teacher of the class said, "Now, children, the missionary is a very busy person, so don't expect him to write you back." One little girl's letter read, "Dear Brother Brown, We're praying for you. We don't expect an answer."
Sadly, this is how we pray! We don't really expect an answer. But God has promised He will answer us when we call upon His name. Psalm 91:15 says, "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him."
· What are you praying for today?
· Do you believe that God can answer?
· Do you believe that He will answer?
· Then thank Him now for answering.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 23
No Offense, No Effect
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34
A pulpit committee approached me one time and said, "We need a pastor for our church."
I said, "I know just the guy. He is a fantastic preacher and has a fiery evangelistic spirit, but he has health problems and he's kind of old." I continued, "He's also been in jail several times."
They began to shake their heads, and one said, "Well, we don't know whether he's the man we want or not."
I said, "Well, don't worry; you couldn't get him. He's already in heaven, and his name is Paul."
You don't want a guy who can rub shoulders with the people of this world and not rub any salt in their wounds. Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
Pray for the men who occupy the pulpits in our churches that they would not water down the truth of God's Word, but be strong to proclaim its power.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 24
Proving God in Finances
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10
You can say all you want about getting right with God, but if you don't get right with God in your finances, you are not right with God. The kind of repentance that does not reach the bank account, has never reached the heart.
In Malachi 3:7, God says, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you." And the people said, "Wherein shall we return?" God's answer in verse 8 reveals that they were to return in tithes and offerings.
The point of return is the point of departure. If you're going to come back to God and if you're going to renew your fellowship, you're going to have to begin with the tithe.
It's time to put the good book to the checkbook!
How are you doing in the area of your tithes and offerings to the Lord?
:angel:
NOVEMBER 25
With Prayer and Thanksgiving
"Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6
Sometimes we complain when we shouldn't. I remember an occasion when I was driving across the country with a gentleman. At the time, all of our children were in private schools, and Joyce and I were "dying of mal-tuition." I began complaining a little bit to the man about the great cost of sending a son to college. He looked at me and said, "I'd give anything in the world if my son would go to college." I thought, "Oh, what an ungrateful spirit I have!"
Do you ever complain about dirty dishes? There are lots of folks in Third World countries that would like to have some dirty dishes. We are to be thankful in all things.
Rejoice in God's blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today.
Rejoice in God's blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today
:angel:
NOVEMBER 26
The Heavens, a Testimony of Creator God
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20
Can intellectuals believe in God? Absolutely! Many intellectuals believe in God. As a matter of fact, your intellect has very little to do with your belief in God.
Out of all of the secular professional groups, do you know what professional group has the highest number of believers in God? The astronomers do. Over 90% of the world's great astronomers believe in God. Why? Because they have studied the heavens.
It's not a sign of intelligence not to believe in God. If you're intelligent, you have to say, "Somebody created all of this."
Take a walk with your family under the canopy of the night sky. Praise God for His handiwork in the heavens.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 27
Are You Looking Through the Right Eyeglasses?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
People join churches today with wrong expectations. They think church membership guarantees blessings and no burdens. Some think that God is just a heavenly cafeteria. And if it doesn't work out as they wish, they say, "Well, it's not paying off! I thought if I gave my heart to Jesus, then He would supply everything I want. And I'd have no more worries."
People fall away because their expectations are not met. Let me tell you what real faith is. Real faith is not just receiving from God the things you want. Real faith is accepting from God the things He gives.
How are your spiritual eyeglasses? Are you looking at life with the eyes of the Lord? And trusting that He will provide, not necessarily what you want, but what you need?
:angel:
NOVEMBER 28
Putting the Emphasis on the Eternal
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." John 6:35
Sometimes people in large churches get a lot of grief from "the world" because of the great expenses of building and maintaining their church. I've heard, "Why didn't they take that money and feed the poor?"
Here's my answer, "People need Jesus." The social gospel thinks all men need is food. If I had five billion dollars and bought everybody on earth a snack of food, in several hours they'd all be hungry again.
There's nothing wrong with feeding the poor. We ought to do that. But the social gospel puts an emphasis on what is temporary. The true gospel puts the emphasis upon what is eternal. Folks need more than soup and soap, they need salvation.
Think about ways that you can get involved with the needs to feed, clothe, and house the homeless. Then find the open door to feed them with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 29
Secure in the Arms of Jesus
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
A Christian is not somebody who merely believes that Christ died for his sins. The devil believes that. A Christian is somebody who has repented of his sins and invited Christ into his heart to be his Savior and Lord.
You can intellectually believe that an airplane can fly, but in order to fly you must try out its wings. In the same way, when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, He takes control of your life and begins to make you into the person He wants you to be.
Your life doesn't have to be absolutely perfect for you to go to heaven. At the moment you trust Christ as your personal Savior, you are eternally saved, eternally secure, and God begins to work on you.
Isn't it wonderful to know you are saved? Now, spread the word of that assurance to a neighbor today
:angel:
NOVEMBER 30
Jesus, the Bridge Spanning the Great Divide
"And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." Ephesians 2:16
Up in heaven is the holy God.
Down below is the sinful man.
And sin is the dividing rod that separates.
Without God, man has an empty void in his life he knows he must fill, so man is constantly trying to reach God. But he keeps rebounding off the sin barrier.
Then God, moved in mercy by the pitiful plight of sinful man, said, "I will do something."
God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to make a way. And upon the rough-hewn timbers of a cross, Jesus gave His life so you and I could live forever and live forgiven. Jesus built a bridge between man and God. It's a bridge man could never build. And a bridge that man can never take away.
God made a way that we couldn't make... for me... and for you.
Since Jesus built a bridge of love for you to be reconciled to God, it's your turn to build a bridge of love to someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
DECEMBER 1
Character—It's An Inside Job
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." Proverbs 20:7
This world says if we can arrange conditions where we never have any sorrow, pain, or hurts, then we could change men. If we can change conditions we can change character.
But the Bible teaches just the opposite. The world puts the emphasis on condition - God puts the emphasis on character. Someone has well said you can't purify the water by painting the pump. And yet that's what we try to do.
We think that if we can change the exterior or make conditions such that we never have any hurts, then we're going to be okay. But Jesus put the emphasis upon character. On what you are, not what you have.
Is there someone in your life you admire? Someone who is a person of integrity? Praise God for His work in that person's life and give him or her a word of encouragement.
:angel:
DECEMBER 2
Praying Vain Repetitions
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen d for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7
It was a very long, tiring day. I had preached three sermons and dictated a stack of letters. And at the close of each letter I ended it, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers."
A man came to me at the end of a service and said, "I must see you. I have a severe problem." I was bone weary but I said, "Very well, come on back and let's talk."
He talked and I listened. My heart was moved with compassion. I said, "Let me pray for you." And when I finished I said, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers." And then I thought, "Oh my! Did I say that? Did he hear me say that?" How easily we slip and rattle off our prayers.
Do you find yourself using repetitive phrases in your prayer life? Today, just talk with God. Don't think too much about your words. Follow your heart.
:angel:
DECEMBER 3
"Why Doesn't God Obliterate Evil?
"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine." 1 Chronicles 29:11
Have you ever wondered why God doesn't obliterate the devil and eradicate all sin?
If God destroyed evil, God would destroy every opportunity of choice. And if God were to destroy every opportunity for choice, then God would destroy every opportunity for love. Therefore, God would destroy the highest good.
For God to destroy evil would be evil. God doesn't destroy evil; instead God defeats evil. How? Through Calvary and the resurrection, God turns every hurt into a hallelujah. Every defeat into victory!
Spend some time today thinking about heaven and the glorious reunion you're going to have with Him one day.
:angel:
DECEMBER 4
The Lesson of Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Some time ago I was invited to preach in another state, and my schedule was such that I could not come. When they offered to send a private plane, I agreed.
As we flew over Arkansas, the pilot asked me if I wanted to try my hand at flying the plane, and I said, "Yes!"
Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly the plane without me, but I couldn't fly it without him. He had his hands on his controls all the while, and he allowed me to participate with him.
That's the way prayer is.
God can do it without you, but God enables you to have fellowship with Him and teaches you a dependency upon Him through prayer.
Kneel before Him today. Meditate on 1 Chronicles 16:23-36. Glory in His presence.
:angel:
DECEMBER 5
Put on the Righteousness of Christ
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." Colossians 3:12
Sometimes people will ask if I'm a preacher.
How do they know I'm a preacher before I've said anything "spiritual"?
I don't want them to know that I am a preacher by the way I look. Now, I'm not ashamed that I'm a preacher, but I think a preacher ought to dress and act so that nobody will suspect he's a preacher. We ought to be transparent vessels of the Lord's anointing.
We're not posturing, posing, or somehow going through life trying to look holy or trying to act holy. We just simply are what we are by the grace of God.
What does your outer appearance say about who you are in Christ? Dress in His robes of righteousness and His countenance of glory today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 6
The Master Designer
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18
How did it happen? How did the Bible get written apart from divine inspiration?
Suppose we decided to build a monument to the 50 states in Washington and use native stone from each state. We would hammer out the stones from individual quarries in each state.
Then, ship them.
Uncrate them.
Then fit the stones together.
As the stones were assembled, we discovered that there was not one stone too many. Not one stone too few. When completed, we had a magnificently symmetrical monument.
The only answer to this perfection is that there was a master architect who designed everything. In the same way, you cannot explain the unity of the Bible apart from divine inspiration.
Praise God for His Master Design of the universe — of the stars, the planets, the skies, the seas...and you!
:angel:
DECEMBER 7
The Treasure We Have in Jesus Christ
"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Many years ago, the Spanish Armada was sailing off the coast of Florida. A hurricane struck, and the ships laden with gold and silver ingots sunk to the bottom. People knew the treasure had been lost and believed one ship went down near Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fishermen fished over that spot, sometimes doubtless hanging a hook on a lump of gold.
One day some explorers went diving, and there it was in the shallow water. In fact the water was so shallow that any of us could have swum to the bottom and brought up millions of dollars. In the same way, I believe there are many of us yet to discover the full treasure we have in Jesus Christ.
Have you plunged your heart deep into the treasure of the Lord? Or are you living life in the shallow end, wondering if the treasure will ever come to you?
:angel:
DECEMBER 8
What's at the Heart
"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6
Have you ever gone to a sawmill and watched them process timber? They take a big log out of the woods that may have bumps and knots on it, and they lay it on a cradle, running it through a saw, cutting off one side. Then they bring it back, turn it, and run it through again to cut off another side. When they're finished, if you stand and look down it, it's perfectly straight. But if you look at the end of it, the heart is still crooked. That's the way it is with some individuals who are outwardly living the Christian life. But Jeremiah 17:9 warns the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. We need regeneration. We must be born again.
Read Psalm 19:14—
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Pray it from your heart — that today you would desire with everything within you to be pure in thought, word, and deed.
:angel:
DECEMBER 9
Believing In the Living God
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." 1 John 5:9
I've been asked, "Pastor Rogers, do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That's not enough for me."
I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.
God says, "If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true."
Don't tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Read Deuteronomy 4:29—
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart.
:angel:
DECEMBER 10
Discovering His Will for Your Life
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13
Nehemiah was a man who knew how to get alone with God. He fasted, prayed, and wept; then God told him what to do.
Have you done that? Have you sacrificed and surrendered to the Lord to discover His will for your life? Or are you just putting yourself into neutral and letting life happen to you? Do you have a focus?
God has something that He wants you to do. You are special to God. Nehemiah said, "God had laid something on my heart." If you'll listen, God will lay something on your heart.
Get alone with God this week. Discover what He wants from your life to do His will.
:angel:
DECEMBER 11
Working Together In Unity
"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9
How powerful it is when we work together in unity! I was reading about how Canadian geese always fly in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why? Because the lead goose is moving the wind resistance for the rest of them. So while he is flapping real hard, the rest of them are cruising. After awhile, the lead goose gets tired and he falls back and the next goose moves up.
Do you know what scientists have discovered in the wind tunnel experiments? That geese flying in a "V" formation can fly 72% farther than one goose could fly by himself. Now who taught them to do that? God did.
What are you trying to do by yourself that could be more efficiently accomplished when the task is shared?
:angel:
DECEMBER 12
Train Up A Child
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
A little boy was riding around and around the block. A man asked him, "What are you doing?"
"I'm running away from home," he said.
"But you're just going around and around the block," said the man.
The little boy responded, "That's because my mom won't let me cross the street!"
Even in the earliest ages, there can be restraint in the heart of a child because of godly training by his or her parents. The only way I ever learned to play football was on the training field. The classroom wasn't enough. Parents must provide training and education for the lessons of life to be ingrained in their children.
Has God given you the divine responsibility of parenthood? Then, spend some time this week to train your child in one area of godly living.
:angel:
DECEMBER 13
Bringing Children Into The World
"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:4-5
I would be afraid to bring children into this world if I did not know God. But because I know God, I am free to encourage you to have children.
Don't ever let the devil intimidate you. I've had couples ask me, "Pastor Rogers, the world is so dangerous today, do you think that we ought to have children?"
I respond with a hearty "Yes!"
God's people are the ones who ought to be bringing a godly seed into this world. What does the world need? Jesus. How are they going to hear if the light goes out?
Are you contemplating having children? Do you know someone who is? Encourage them with this devotional today.
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DECEMBER 14
God's Plan of Restoration for Your Life
"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Job 33:28
On the night of Jesus' arrest, Peter denied Jesus — three times! In spite of Peter's lack of loyalty, Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to him and said, "Come and dine."
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration. Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship — a kaleidoscope of emotions! He could not believe that he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before. And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus' covenant love is not exhausted when we sin. There is forgiveness and restoration.
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19. Rejoice over God's plan of restoration for your life.
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DECEMBER 15
Overcoming Fear and Worry
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
When we ought to be enjoying victorious, abundant lives...what happens? Fear creeps in and grips us cold. Many of us lose priceless opportunities because of this boa constrictor of fear.
When fear dominates, there is no room for Christ, Who can comfort us.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).
Worry is the noxious first cousin to fear. Fear and worry will do to you what grit does to machinery — shut you down. But God gives us the victory with His power, His love, and the gift of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is your Bodyguard. He walks with you. The man who can kneel before God can stand before any man.
Jesus has you in His sight. You are in God's right hand. Write that down and post it in a place where you can meditate on it throughout the day. Now, ask yourself, "Knowing this, can anything this week change those truths?"
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DECEMBER 16
Ministers of Deception
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service, and the man in the pulpit will look like a minister, but he will be a minister of Satan. Isn't that frightening? You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. He's always wanted to be like God. His temptation to you is not to be ungodly, but to try to be like God, but in Satan's way. Satan is the master of deception.
Matthew 24:24 says, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. That's the reason we have to be discerners of truth.
This Sunday, don't just sit and soak in the service. Test the message against the Word of God and apply it to your life.
:angel:
DECEMBER 17
Our Abba Father
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6
Do you know what "Abba" means? It means "Daddy Father." Have you ever thought about God as your Daddy? When Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father" in Matthew 6:9, the same word in Greek is the word "Pater" - "Abba Father."
American children say, "Da-da." But in the Middle East they say, "Abba - Abba." Jesus says that we can call the great God of the universe "Daddy."
I'm so glad that our Heavenly Father never gets too busy running this universe and commanding the angels that He forgets us. He wants to be with you like there is no one else on earth and nothing else for Him to do.
Do you wish you had a hug right now? You can crawl up into the lap of your Daddy Father and He has nothing better to do than to give you a hug.
:angel:
It is All Coming to Jesus
DECEMBER 18
"For by Him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him; And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17
One week from today we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "All things were created by Him and for Him..." (v. 16). In this sentence the word "for" is a preposition that speaks of direction. It's the Greek word for "moving in the direction of."
We in America have been invaded by Eastern religions. Eastern religions believe that it's all circular. Everything goes round and round. But it's not circular. It is all headed in a direction. The Bible is linear. We're moving—moving to the time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ.
Friend, it is all headed to Jesus. It is all for Him, for the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the key to the mystery of history.
People ask, "What is the world coming to?" Answer: "It's coming to Jesus."
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DECEMBER 19
Without Even Saying A Word
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." Psalm 32:8
I was talking to my son one day, and he reminded me of something that happened when he was a little boy. He said, "Dad, I was sitting in church, and you looked at me, and I knew I was going to get a whipping when I got home."
If you're married, you know how your spouse can give you that look that says, "Whatever you're talking about — stop!" That's the intimate relationship that people who know one another well establish. You're to have such an intimate relationship with God that He can just look at you and your heart is touched.
Throughout the day today, think of the eye of the Lord upon you...allow this to direct your steps and give you courage.
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DECEMBER 20
Never Another Like the Lord Jesus Christ
"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands." Hebrews 1:10
Nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, and yet His birth has divided all of history into B.C. and A.D. So far as we know, He never wrote a book, and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person. He never painted a picture or composed any poetry or music that we know of, and yet He has been the inspiration of the greatest music, art, and poetry the world has ever known. He never had any formal education, yet more schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries have been founded in His name than any other person who ever lived.
That's who the Lord Jesus is, and never has there been another like the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read Hebrews 1:1-14. Marvel at His majesty! Praise His omnipotence!
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DECEMBER 21
Who Is the Babe of Bethlehem?
"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins; Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature." Colossians 1:14-15
Of all the people who have walked planet Earth, only a handful have made any real, lasting impression or changed the world. And of that handful of people, there is One who stands head and shoulders above all the others. His name is Jesus. More attention has been given to Him, more devotion, more criticism, more adoration, more opposition than all of the others.
Every recorded word He said has been sifted, analyzed, scrutinized, and debated, more than all the historians, philosophers and scientists put together. The great historian Kenneth Scott Latourette said, "Jesus has had more effect on the history of mankind than any other of its race who ever existed."
To explain Jesus Christ is impossible. To ignore Jesus Christ is disastrous. To reject Him is fatal. Understand who Jesus Christ is. Jesus reveals the Father.
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DECEMBER 22
The Child in the Manger—Image of the Invisible God
"...His dear Son...Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature...that in all things He [Jesus] might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." Colossians 1:13,15, 18, 19
God is Spirit, invisible, unfathomable, unapproachable. How are we going to know God? Jesus is the image of the invisible God. The visible Jesus makes the invisible God known.
How are you going to know God?
Not by reason.
Not by religion.
Not by ritual.
You're going to know God only by revelation.
And Jesus Christ has come to reveal God to you. You can never fully know God the Father apart from God the Son, "...who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature." All of God was in Bethlehem's babe. He is the express image of God.
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DECEMBER 23
The Revelation of God
"All things are delivered unto Me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father except the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." Matthew 11:27
Do you want to know God? Friend, Jesus Christ has cornered the market. He has a monopoly on revealing the Father. Jesus Christ Himself said, "...neither knoweth any man the Father except the Son, and he to whomsoever the son will reveal Him."
Either that's true or it's not true. Jesus has said, "Nobody knows My Father but Myself, and you can't know Him unless I introduce Him to you."
You want to know what the great, invisible God is like? Would you like to know His heart? Friend, Jesus reveals the Father.
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DECEMBER 24
Jesus Christ: Son of God and God the Son
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35
Who was this baby? Who is Jesus Christ?
Think about it. Here's a person who lived in a tiny little land two millenniums ago, and yet after 2,000 years, there is never one minute on this earth that millions are not studying what He said. Libraries could be filled with the volumes that have been written about the Lord Jesus. He never traveled far from His birthplace, yet His testimony has gone around the world.
He only had a handful of followers and a ministry of only three short years, yet 2000 years later, we are still saying, "Jesus, Your name is wonderful."
To know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to be radically, dramatically, and eternally changed. To be transformed.
Human speech is too limited to describe Him, the human mind too small to comprehend Him, and the human heart can never completely, totally absorb who Jesus Christ is. He is God, manifest in the flesh.
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DECEMBER 25
The Great "I AM'—Cradled in a Manger
"She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger..." Luke 2:7
"This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased." Matthew 3:17
"This is My beloved Son...hear ye Him." Matthew 17:5
Jesus never had an identity crisis. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Note Jesus didn't say, "I am one way to God." He didn't say, "I am a life." Jesus said, "I am the way, I am the life." And God says, "He is my dear Son."
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am." Not "I was," but "I am." He is the great I AM. He never had a beginning. He has always existed. He didn't have His beginning at Bethlehem.
"For by Him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him; And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17
The One who created the universe not only has this whole world in His hands, but He has the past, the present, and the future in His hands.
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DECEMBER 26
Christianity, More Than a Creed or Code
"...and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
Are Christians fools for believing in Jesus? Are we serving a false God?
If you go to the tomb of Confucius, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Buddha, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Jesus, you'll find it empty. He is a risen Savior. Now that's very important, because you can take Confucius out of Confucianism and still have Confucianism, and you can take Buddha out of Buddhism and still have Buddhism. But you cannot take Jesus Christ out of Christianity and still have Christianity because Christianity is not a code. It's not a creed. It's not a cause. It is Christ Himself.
You have a hope that the world needs to hear. Who can you share that hope with today?
:angel:
DECEMBER 27
God's Provision in the Midst of Suffering
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20
Over and over again, people will ask me this question, "If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?" There's never an easy answer to that question when someone is grieving or suffering, but God has taught me that the universe has a disease. And God cannot remove the pain until the last vestige of sin is gone. The worst thing that could happen to human beings would be for us to live in a world cursed by sin, and yet the world seem to be a paradise. We would never come to God.
God has showered this world with immeasurable mercies. Focus today not on the suffering, but on the provision of God's grace.
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DECEMBER 28
Being Spirit-Filled
"...Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6
So many Christians want to be Spirit-filled, but have they ever asked why God should fill them with His Spirit?
I want you to imagine a man pushing a car into a service station. It has no battery in it. The car has four flat tires, a hole in the gas tank, and half the wires are disconnected. The attendant comes out, looks at this rattle trap, and says, "May I help you?"
And the man says, "Yeah, fill 'er up."
What do you think that attendant would say?
"What for?" would be appropriate.
I think God sometimes says, "What for?" to us. Instead, we need to just sign the contract at the bottom and say, "Lord, You fill it in."
Bow before the Lord, open your hands and say, "Lord, It's all You. I am nothing but a vessel for You to use. Use me as You will."
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DECEMBER 29
Authority in a Generation Gone Astray
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1
Our generation doesn't like the word authority. We don't like to be under anybody. We stick out our chests and talk about being free-born Americans, and if you're a baby boomer you are of a generation of anti-authority figures. In your lifetime you've gone through the hula hoop, the Barbie doll, pop psychology, Dr. Spock, Phil Donahue, and the Beatles. It was all anti-authority! Fathers were Archie Bunker. Preachers were Flip Wilson. The anthem was, "Do your thing. If it feels good, do it." Many of us do not realize the vestiges of rebellion that still lurk down in our hearts.
Who is on the throne of your life today?
:angel:
DECEMBER 30
One Way to Salvation
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6
Materialism says, "Buy your way out." The politician says, "Legislate." The army says, "Fight." Industry says, "Work." The philosopher says, "Think." But Jesus says, "There's no way out but through Me."
Jesus will save you by His grace, and He'll save you all by Himself or you won't be saved at all. When you are saved by the grace of God, you are saved instantly, and you are saved eternally. Your goodness is not enough to save you, and your badness is not enough to keep you away. Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you.
Have you taken Jesus at His Word and followed His way of salvation? Maybe you have a friend who needs this truth today. Share it, don't suppress it.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
DECEMBER 31
Light Obeyed Increases Light
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." Psalm 119:34
Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? It is revealed from faith to faith. God gives you truth; you believe that truth; then God gives you more truth. The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light that God has already given us.
If you want to understand the part of the Bible that you don't understand, then begin to obey the part that you do understand. Then you'll begin to understand what you didn't understand. Understand?
Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.
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January 1
A Vision for Your Life in the New Year
"...which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...even Jesus." Hebrews 6:19-20
A New Year is like an ocean. There will be untested winds and waves. We'll meet ships we never knew and we'll have all kinds of opportunities as we sail into an uncharted sea.
In our quest to discover the good life this year, we must be careful that we do not drift into an aimless life. The worst thing that could happen to us this coming year is that we just let this year happen to us rather than charting a course and getting into God's appointed harbor. More than likely, you won't decide to drift. It'll just happen. You'll be coasting along at a good clip, and then before you know it you're drifting away. . . that is, unless you have an anchor.
Take a few minutes to reflect on this past year. What were some things you did right... what were some things you would do differently this next year?
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January 2
Setting Sail for a New Year
"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18
Helen Keller was born blind, but she had vision. A reporter asked Miss Keller, "Is there anything worse than being born blind?"
"Yes," she said, "It is to have sight and no vision."
Do you have a vision for your life at the threshold of a new year? On New Year's Day, I review the goals for my life. These are spiritual, relational, intellectual, physical, and financial goals. I pray over these and ask for God's will to be done in each one. I hold them in an open hand and ask that God would give me wisdom as to the direction He wants for my life. I don't want to be a man without vision. I don't you to be one, either.
Begin to think about some goals you would like for your life. Pray and seek the Lord's face as you ponder the future.
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January 3
Setting God-Given Goals
"We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Hebrews 2:1
Have you ever written down some God-given goals to keep you from being a drifter? Without goals, you're a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure.
Most people don't plan to fail. They simply don't plan. How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God-given goal? First, have you prayed over it and asked for God's blessing? Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled? Third, does it demand the very best in you? Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out-of-bounds from God.
Take some time to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.
:angel:
January 4
When Opportunity Knocks
"I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9
We need to practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. You're going to be tempted to rush into life because of the fast pace to which society is stepping. Many doors will open for you. Many doors will close. What will you do?
Remember that through it all, Jesus Christ will be behind each and every door as you seek Him with all your heart. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.
When the devil comes and knocks at your heart's door this next year, simply say, "Jesus, please go answer the door." The Lord is there with us to take care of us.
When the door of opportunity knocks for you today, take a moment to reflect on His goodness, His mercy, and His faithfulness. Trust in Him to give you what you need.
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January 5
Finding Your Contentment in Jesus
"...and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'" Hebrews 13:5-6
As you face the new year, I want you to find your contentment in Jesus, your companionship in Jesus, and your confidence in Jesus. Then you'll find your comfort and your courage in Jesus.
When you are contented in Jesus and He is closer to you than any one on earth could possibly be; when you are confident in the midst of trials and testing that He will provide...then, and only then, will you know the courage that comes from His comforting presence.
Pray, "Lord, with all my heart, with all I am, I want to know you. I want our relationship to be close and my faith to grow. Cleanse me and make me new that I may be all that You want me to be this year."
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January 6
The Light of God's countenance
"Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us." Psalm 4:6
How easy it is to be deceived when we are not walking in the light of God's Word. Charles Lindbergh tells about the time he was flying in a dense fog over Newfoundland. He noticed moisture beginning to freeze on the wings of his plane and thought, "This great adventure is going to come to an untimely end. What shall I do?" Then he had a moment of inspiration. He pulled his plane up and out of the fog and burst into the dazzling sunlight.
Have you ever felt like you were living in a fog? Friend, He has a word of encouragement for you. You can get near to the heart of God. His light can shine even in the darkest corner of your heart.
Ask God to shine His light into the darkness of your heart. Ask Him to reveal your doubts and fears. Ask Him to reveal your sin that lies covetously in your heart. Then, get ready for a blessing. Draw up close because when you repent, He'll reach in with healing forgiveness.
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January 7
The Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13
Whenever I walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I long to see Jesus walking there. I would have loved to see have seen Him walk on the water - planting His footsteps on the sea with the wind in His hair and His garments flowing. I think I'd be a better preacher had I seen Him dying in agony and blood, and to have experienced that Easter morning. Wouldn't it have been wonderful to see Him ascend into the glory!
I didn't see Him any of those times, but I'm going to see Him. And you're going to see Him! There's a blessed hope awaiting us as God's children. When He returns, He's not coming as the carpenter, He's coming as the Conqueror!
Thank God for this Good News right now. And ask Him to bring you someone today with whom you can share this particularly Good News of Christ's return!
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January 8
He Alone Is Worthy
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12
There's an interesting story about how a gifted violinist named Fritz Kreisler acquired a Stradivarius violin. Kreisler heard about the violin owned by an old Englishman and offered to buy it, but the old man said it wasn't for sale.
One day Kreisler ventured to the old man's house and said, "If I can't buy it, may I touch it?" The old Englishman invited him in and even allowed him to begin making music with it. Great tears welled up in the old Englishman's eyes and he said, "It is not for sale, but it is yours. You are the Master and alone are worthy of it!" That is what worship is all about. God is the Master and He alone is worthy.
Starting with the letter "A ", and going through the alphabet, praise Him for all that He is, has been, and will be!
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January 9
Burning Brightly for the Glory of God
"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush." Exodus 3:2
Major Ian Thomas has imagined Moses saying something like this when he encountered God in the burning bush, "Would you look at that bush? It just keeps on burning for God. I wish my life could burn for God like that and keep on burning." Then Major Thomas imagined God replying, "Moses, you think this bush is so wonderful? Do you see that bush over there? I could do the same thing with it. Moses, it's not the bush - it's God in the bush. Any old bush will do."
It's not you! It's not me! We are only the vessels of God's anointing. As you surrender yourself to God today, He will fill you and use you for His glory.
Surrender yourself to God today. And as you do, He will use you. Allow His flame to burn brightly for all to see.
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January 10
Gathering in His Name
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
There is something wonderful about unity. I heard about a fellow who courted a girl by writing her a beautiful love letter every day for two years. He thought that would be a wonderful way to court her. Do you know what happened? She married the mail carrier!
There is nothing like being there. There is nothing like personal contact. There is a sense in which Jesus Christ is present when His people gather that's not in any other sense. You cannot get it the same way at home.
Do you have a church home? If not, I encourage you to find one today. If church attendance isn't important, I wonder why Satan works so hard to keep folks away. If you do have a church home, make a special effort this week to meet a new friend and find a need they have which you can meet.
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January 11
God the Father and God the Creator
"...that we may be partakers of the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:4
Have you heard the phrase, "The universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men"? It sounds warm and fuzzy, but it is cold and barren of truth.
God is not the Father of all people, God is the Father of those who are born into His family. But you say, "But pastor, didn't God create all human beings?"
Yes.
"And if God created all human beings, wouldn't that make God the Father of all human beings?"
No, it makes God the creator of all human beings.
There's a difference between fatherhood and creation. God created rats, roaches, buzzards, and rattlesnakes. He's not their father. God becomes our Father not by creation, but by conception when we're born into His family.
Read the story of creation in Genesis - making the distinction between the creations of God and the Creator called God. Go on a nature walk and thank God that He rules over creation causing the sun to shine, the rain to water the earth, and for you to have your next breath.
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January 12
How to Know the Will of God
"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7
Do you want to know the will of God in your life? Here's a test: how much time do you spend reading the Bible?
Do you think God really believes we want to know His will when we don't take even 15 minutes a day to read the one book above all books that God has specifically written to show you His will, to reveal His will to you, to unfold His will to you?
Your first step in knowing His will is the surrender principle - surrendering our will to His. Your second step is the scripture principle. Read His word, meditate upon it, share it, and study it. When you bow to His will and read His will, you'll know His will.
Commit to read God's Word at least 15 minutes a day for 30 days. When the month is over, reevaluate what you have learned and ask God to help you be obedient to daily Bible reading from this day forward.
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January 13
Praying, "Thy Will Be Done on Earth ...."
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name." Matthew 6:9-10
When you pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . . on earth as it is in heaven" do you realize that this prayer has not yet been answered, but it will be answered?
Jesus Christ is literally, actually, visibly, bodily coming back to this earth. Do you believe that? Do you think that Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray this prayer if it would not have been answered? His kingdom has not come yet on earth. His will is not being done on earth. But it shall be, it will be, because our Lord taught us to pray that.
When you read or watch the news today, how do you see God's will not being done on earth? Ask the Lord that His will would be brought to earth - praying for the people involved in each story for their welfare and their salvation.
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January 14
Faith without Works Is Dead
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26
When you ask God for something, do you just sit back and do nothing and say, "Well, I'm going to show my faith by doing nothing." To the contrary, you will show your faith by doing something. For faith without works is what? Dead! (see James 2:20)
Do you want a house? Pray for it. Then say "Amen" with a hammer and saw.
Do you want a wife? Pray for one. Then go shave, put on some cologne, learn some manners, and learn how to be thoughtful and loving.
What have you been praying earnestly about the last week? What is your heart's desire? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can put feet to that prayer. Then, walk the talk!
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January 15
God's Provision in Your Life
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
A philosopher once said, "To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough." I know what I want and I know what you want. I want to have some money in the bank and I want to have something there so that when tomorrow comes, I don't have to worry about it. Isn't that what you want? We call that security.
Question: is that really security? Who is more secure - the man who has a warehouse full of stale bread that the rats or thieves can get, or the man who has a father who is a very, very rich baker?
Begin your prayer time today with the Lord 's Prayer and ask Him to help you be content. Bow before Him in humble adoration of His provision in your life. Then share the Bread of Life with someone who is hungry today.
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January 16
The First Step to Setting Things Right
"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15). You say, "He's the one that did wrong. If he
wants forgiveness let him come and ask for it." But Jesus said, "No, you go to him." Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual. Isn't that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve sinned against God and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them: "Adam, where art thou?" That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.
Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his/her forgiveness. It's going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.
:angel:
January 17
In the Face of Discouragement and Ridicule
"...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
One evening I overheard my father and a friend of our family talking.
"What's Adrian going to do when he gets out of high school?" the friend asked.
My dad replied, "Well, he wants to go off to college and study to be a preacher." That man just laughed and said, "He won't make it. He'll never stick it out. He'll quit."
This was a man I admired and respected very much. I almost felt like crying. That's what the world says about Christians, "They won't stick it out. They won't make it." You see, the devil hasn't changed his tactics. He's still mocking and throwing cold water on our walk with the Lord. Get ready. If you don't feel the flames of ridicule now, just wait.
Have you ever told someone that they wouldn't amount to anything? Has anyone ever told you? Send those lies back to the pit of hell and rest in the promises of His Word that you are deeply loved and bought with the price of the Savior's own blood.
:angel:
January 18
The Devil's Most Prized Tool
"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord..." Psalm 25:15
There's a story about the devil auctioning off his tools. He had a high price on pride, laziness, arrogance, hate, envy, and jealousy. But there was one tool that had a sign under it: "Not For Sale."
Someone said, "What is that tool? Why isn't it for sale?"
"Well," he said, "I can't afford to get rid of that one. It's my chief tool, discouragement. With this tool, I can pry open a heart and once I get in I can do most anything I want."
Do you want me to tell you why you get discouraged? I'll give it to you in a nutshell - you've taken your eyes off God!
Are you discouraged? If not, praise God! Then find someone who is, so that you can give them the encouragement they need in Jesus Christ. Maybe it's your next-door neighbor, maybe it's a coworker, maybe it's your spouse.
:angel:
January 19
Flourishing in Body, Soul and Spirit
"...dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves...." 2 Corinthians 7:1
You were created to know three worlds - the spiritual, psychological, and material worlds. These can be considered the world above us, the world within us, and the world around us.
These worlds are related to the three parts of our human nature - spirit, soul, and body. When you are rightly related to the material world with your body, you are healthy. When you are rightly related to the psychological world with your soul, you are happy. And when you are rightly related to the spiritual world in your
spirit, you are holy. God's aim is that ultimately you are to experience all three realities: health, happiness, and holiness.
Take a snapshot inventory of your life. Where do you need to start making changes to live a healthier lifestyle? What is your emotional barometer telling you about how you see others and yourself? Do you know of any area in your life where you are not living in obedience to the call of holy living?
:angel:
January 20
Truly Living the Christian Life
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17
The sign over the church door where I attended as a boy read,
"The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent."
I mistakenly took that to mean that I had just entered the holy temple and had better start acting religious.
We are the temple of God, not a building made of brick and mortar. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are to be doing all in the name of Jesus. The secular is to be sanctified so that Jesus will be glorified in everything. Because He lives in you, every day is a holy day, not just Sundays. The spiritual life is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all eternity.
Have you ever had a home appraised? Get a trusted friend or loved one to give you an appraisal of the home where the Holy Spirit dwells - you! Are there areas that need repair, restoration, or removal?
:angel:
January 21
Staying Focused on God's Plan for Your Life
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best. Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, "This one thing I do!" Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!
Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement about your life focusing on "that one thing" (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life
:angel:
January 22
Yielding Yourself to Christ
"...yield yourselves unto God..." Romans 6:13
I heard about a man who entered an interstate out of a side road and did not even slow down. A big eighteen-wheeler pulled over, almost wrecking him. The truck driver leaned out of the window and yelled, "Hey, didn't you see that sign?" The man said, "What sign?" The trucker said, "That sign that said, Y-I-E-L-D." "Oh," he said, "I opened the window and yield as loud as I could."
In the matter of victory, it's not your ability or your responsibility that counts. It is not even your response to His ability. You must choose to yield to Christ. You are to yield with all of your heart to the power, the presence, and the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Look up the definition of "yield". What does it say about the right of way? Who has the "right of way" in your life? Bow before the Lord and surrender all of you to all of Him today.
:angel:
January 23
True Hope for a World in Turmoil
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32
For the first time in history man is afraid of what he knows. His head and his hands have outrun his heart and we are being faced with things for which we have no answers - the plague of AIDS, the tinderbox in the Middle East, the outbreaks of famine, the irregular weather disturbances, and much more.
But we don't have to wring our hands and say, "What is the world coming to?" We can look up and say, "Who is the world coming to? It's coming to Jesus! Praise God!"
Call your church today and ask if there is a place where you can volunteer in the area of community outreach. Perhaps there is a soup kitchen, a nursing home, a homeless shelter, or a children's center where you can serve.
:angel:
January 24
Hunger for the Word of God
"I rejoice at Thy Word." Psalm 119:162
Job said, "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). When God's Word is as important to you as your physical food, then you're going to start to grow in your Christian life. I wonder if one day the dust on our Bibles is not going to testify against us.
The following verse sobers my heart, "These hath God married and no man shall part, dust on the bible and drought on the heart." Oh, that we would hunger for the Word of God!
Fast one meal today. Sense just a touch of the hunger our hearts are to have for the Word of God. And remember to pray for those who need the pure milk of His Word!
:angel:
January 25
Expressing Our Praise to the Lord
"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." Psalm 100:1
There's nothing wrong with getting excited in church. I heard about a man who came to a cold church. The preacher said something he agreed with and he said, "Amen." Everybody turned around and looked at him. After awhile he said, "Praise the Lord." Then people arched their eyebrows. Next time he said "Amen," an usher tapped him on the shoulder to quiet him down. The usher said, "What is wrong with you?" He said, "Well, nothing. I've just got religion." To which the usher curtly replied, "Well, mister, you didn't get it here."
It's easier to cool down a zealot than it is to warm up a corpse.
What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? How do you make a joyful noise to Him . . . not just on Sundays in church, but all week long? Sing one of your favorite hymns throughout the day today.
:angel:
January 26
Controlling Your thought Life
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
There was a sign in a business that said, "We are not what we think we are; what we think - we are."
What are you allowing into your mind and thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words?
God made you where you can't think two thoughts at one time. If you're thinking what's right, you can't be thinking what's wrong. And as you think, you will become.
Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don't let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus, and there won't be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.
Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Phil. 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought.
:angel:
January 27
Your Adversary, the Devil
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this world." Ephesians 6:12
There is a ruthless, cruel underworld system that wars against you. The crime bosses are but amateurs compared to this syndicate, ruled by the Master of Deception. He's called the "destroyer," "liar," "accuser," "tempter," and "prince."
Satan is indescribably wicked, brilliantly stupid, and hideously beautiful. If he can't convince you that he does not exist, then he tries to spread the lie that he is only in hell. He is not in hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but he is not there yet!
Be warned . . . Satan comes against you to obsess, depress, and possess. But, be encouraged . . . Jesus has purchased your victory by His blood!
Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8. Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and claim the victory that only faith in King Jesus can achieve.
:angel:
January 28
The True Gospel
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
How can you tell whether or not you have the true gospel? Paul gives you three tests.
First, the source of the gospel. Where did it come from? God gave it. It is direct and divine revelation. The gospel is authenticated by its source.
Secondly, by its salvation. Any gospel that is not the gospel of grace is not the true gospel. You can't beg it. You can't buy it. You can't borrow it. You can't steal it. You can't earn it. It was bought by Christ on the cross. It is the supernatural work of God.
The third test is its subject. It is the grace of Christ. Jesus is the subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus.
Take an hour or two this week and find the prophecies of Jesus in the book of Isaiah. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus is the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come!
:angel:
January 29
What is Salvation?
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." 1 John 5:1
What is salvation?
It's not a creed. You say, "Well, I believe the plan of salvation." You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell.
You're not saved by the plan of salvation, you're saved by the man of salvation.
Salvation is not a creed.
It's not a code. You say, "Well, I believe if you live right you'll go to heaven." If you could be saved by living right, then Calvary was a blunder.
It's not a cause. You say, "I'm a member of a good, fundamental, Bible believing church." It's not any of these things. It's Christ.
Salvation is not believing something, it is receiving Someone. The true gospel is one that centers in Jesus Christ.
Ask God to give you a divine opportunity to boldly share Jesus with someone today. Maybe it's a co-worker, maybe it's your child. Maybe it's a stranger who sits next to you at a restaurant. Be strong and of good courage. God will go before you to prepare the way.
:angel:
January 30
Fear Not
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9
The devil is the sinister minister of fear. When he clamps his icy fingers of fear on your heart, do you become afraid of what he'll do to you if you take a stand for God?
Don't be afraid. Fear is an insult to God who said, "I will be with thee." Fear will destroy you.
Are you a worrywart? One lady said, "Don't tell me it does no good to worry. Most of the things I worry about never come to pass."
Be not dismayed. God will take care of you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what your fears are, then confess them as sin. Repent, then reach up and take hold of His right hand that is outstretched to sustain you and give you the victory!
:angel:
January 31
The Powerful Influence of Music
". . . and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Satan is waging a battle to control the thought life of America's teenagers.
The typical teenager listens to an average of 10,500 hours of rock music from the seventh to the tenth grade. That's only 500 hours shy of all the time he/she spends in school from first through twelfth grade!
Do you have any idea of the fatalism bombarding the airwaves everyday into young people's heads? The National Education Association estimates that a percentage of the 5,000 teenage suicides we have in America every year are caused by the fatalistic music of today's youth.
Someone has said, "You let me write the songs that a nation sings, and I don't care who makes its laws."
Is there a teen in your life? If so, spend some time this week talking with them about the music they listen to and the healthy choices they need to make to take back the ground Satan is trying to conquer with his onslaught of fatalistic music.
:angel:
February 1
God's Grace Takes the Initiative
"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
When I was in the sixth grade, I wrote a love note to Joyce Louise Gentry. Then she became my bride and my beloved. Do you know she still has that note? From that time on she began to take an interest in me. Do you know why? Because I first loved her.
Do you know what the Bible is? It is God's love letter to you. It is God saying to you, "I have set my eye upon you. I love you!"
You're not saved by doing good works. You're not saved by joining a church. You are saved by the grace of God that said, "I love you" first.
When was the last time you wrote a love letter?
When was the last time you received one?
Spend some time today and write a love letter to the Lord.
:angel:
February 2
Justice, Mercy and Grace
"...the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11
There are three words that came together at Calvary:
justice
mercy
grace
Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve.
But wait a minute; grace is more than that! It is grace that gives at great cost to the giver. It is not cheap. Grace cost the life of God's Son. Jesus gave freely of Himself in agony and blood.
Did you know that grace has to chase us down? If God didn't run faster than us, we would never be saved! Grace seeks to give to vile and wicked people that which they don't deserve and can never deserve.
Are you a grace-giver? Find someone today and do a favor for them - something for which they couldn't possibly repay you. Perhaps it will even be for a stranger you will never see again.
:angel:
February 3
Perfectionism Is a Thief
"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
Did you know that your performance doesn't make you any more or less acceptable in God's eyes?
If you think that God is going to accept you on the basis of your quiet time, your Bible study, or your service, you will fall into a trap of never knowing if you've done enough. You'll never truly feel accepted.
Perfectionism is a thief. It promises rewards, but it steals both joy and satisfaction. Why? Because perfection is an unattainable goal! If you are a perfectionist, you've set an impossible goal for yourself, and therefore you will constantly be faced with frustration and failure.
Two things about you are true, without your "performance"—
You are forgiven in Christ.
You are righteous in Christ.
Are you a perfectionist? Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the fear of failure. Now make a conscious decision that you can be less than perfect and still be loved by God.
:angel:
February 4
Perfection Found in Jesus Alone
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
A perfectionist in the church is a miserable person. And not only that, but he makes everybody else miserable, too. The fellowship is never sweet enough. The teacher is never prepared enough. The music is never spiritual enough, and on and on it goes.
Jesus supplies the only perfection that we will ever attain until we get to heaven.
It is not perfection that God is looking for in His children; it is excellence.
God is working in you to achieve His purpose for His glory.
Memorize this statement, "I am worthy apart from my performance because Christ died for me and gave His life to me. My life is hidden in Him. Jesus loves me."
:angel:
February 5
Defining Your Personal Value
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3
Do you try to be the best or do you simply try to do your best? The perfectionist has to be the best. He has to be #1. He can't accept himself.
The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him, and it humbles a man without debasing him. The person who strives for excellence says, "I am what I am by the grace of God."
Do you value yourself by what you do or by what you are? You have a choice. You can either choose to see yourself as God sees you, or you can choose to see yourself as the world sees you. Whose opinion will you listen to today?
Is there someone in your life whose opinion matters deeply to you? Instead of defining who you are by their opinions, measure yourself by God's standard in His Word.
:angel:
February 6
Just As I Am
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians1:6
Do you have a "know-so" salvation? What I mean is, do you know that you are saved and have the assurance that if you died tonight, you'd spend eternity with the Lord in heaven?
Many folks don't have that assurance, and in some cases it is not a spiritual problem. It is a psychological problem. They cannot accept the fact that God has accepted them.
Charlotte Elliott penned these words to a timeless hymn of assurance:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!"
You are accepted just as you are. It is all grace.
Find the hymn "Just As I Am" and sing it to the Lord. Make it your song throughout the day when Satan tries to make you doubt God's love and eternal gift of salvation.
:angel:
February 7
The Misunderstood Principle of Submission
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3
Submission is a term that has been grievously distorted because there are men who have used the word as a weapon to club their wives rather than as a hammer to build their homes.
When God tells a wife to submit to her husband, He also tells the husband to love his wife "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22-25).
When God tells children to obey their parents, He also instructs the fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
When God tells you to submit to Him, it is for your good (James 4:7). Jesus is the head of the church, and He leads by love. The same should be true in the home.
Discuss the principle of submission with your family and friends this week. Contrast what the world would say it means to submit with what God desires for us.
:angel:
February 8
Ministers of Deception
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." 2 Timothy 4:3
Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service, and the man in the pulpit will look like a minister, but he will be a minister of Satan. Isn't that frightening? You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. He's always wanted to be like God. His temptation to you is not to be ungodly, but to try to be like God, but in Satan's way. Satan is the master of deception.
Matthew 24:24 says, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. That's the reason we have to be discerners of truth.
This Sunday, don't just sit and soak in the service. Test the message against the Word of God and apply it to your life.
:angel:
February 9
Who You Are in Christ
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
The key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ. Many Christians have never discovered this. They remind me of the man who had an identity problem and an energy crisis at the same time. He didn't know who he was and he was too tired to find out.
God doesn't work from the outside in. He works from the inside out. God doesn't modify our behavior in order to change us. He changes us in order to modify our behavior.
You're never going to purify the water by painting the pump. That's legalism, and that's a dead end to discovering who you are in Christ.
Take God's Word and find the phrase "in Christ." As you find phrases that apply to your life, write those down. Begin with phrases such as "no condemnation" now that you are "in Christ."
:angel:
February 10
A Legacy of Love
"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed." Psalm 112:2
A woman came to her pastor and said, "When should I start the religious training of my child? When will he be old enough? Is it too early to start at six years of age?" The pastor said, "No, that's too late." She said, "Well how about six months?" He said, "That's too late." She said, "Then when should I start?" He said, "With his grandparents."
We can live for our grandchildren; we can live for our great-grandchildren. The greatest gift you can give your children is to teach them to worship the Lord, to love the Lord, and to serve the Lord at any age.
If you are a grandparent, share what God has taught you about His grace and faithfulness in your life. And share what God has taught you about worshipping Him and serving others.
:angel:
February 11
What Is Your Top Priority?
"And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." Psalm 35:9
Do your children believe that the most important thing to you is God? We must celebrate God in front of our children.
Let me tell you what my children think and what they know.
They know that their Daddy's imperfect. They know that I love God. I wouldn't be ashamed for you to ask them that. You can ask any one of them, "What's the most important thing to your Dad and Mom?" They would say, "The most important thing to our parents is their relationship with God."
Are you a parent? Then ask your children what they think the most important thing is to you. If they say anything other than your relationship with the Lord, make some changes in your life to reflect your top priority.
:angel:
February 12
To Tell the Truth
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." Ephesians 4:25
When I was in college, I pastored a little church 130 miles away. One night as I was driving back home, I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped when a highway patrolman pulled me over.
He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir."
When I got back in the car, the Holy Spirit said, "Adrian, you lied." I said, "No, I didn't lie. I told the truth." He said, "You lied."
If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home.
I want you to play a game of catch today, but this will only involve one person - you! When temptation urges you to lie, catch yourself and tell the truth.
:angel:
February 13
Be Angry and Sin Not
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
God's Word tells us to be "slow to wrath" (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There's nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won't be flattering.
First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "For anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp's nest.
Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it to the Lord. Don't let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself, "What need is not being met?" Give that need to the Lord.
:angel:
February 14
You Are Loved!
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jeremiah 31:3
Valentine's Day is a day for lovers. Did you know that Jesus is the lover of your soul? He is. You, as part of the church, are His bride...His chosen one.
Our Lord loves us with an infinite love, an everlasting love, and an indescribable love.
Are you without a valentine today? Take heart...His heart. He has set His affection on you. Jesus has purchased you, not with silver or gold as a bridegroom would have in Jesus' day, but our Lord has purchased you with the silver of His tears and with the gold of His blood.
You are loved!
Every time you get a Valentine or see an advertisement for Valentine's Day or hear someone say, "Happy Valentine's Day," remember that Jesus is the Lover of your Soul.
:angel:
February 15
The Truth Shall Make You Free
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Have you ever been to a circus and seen an elephant chained to a stake in the ground? Why doesn't he break free? Because as a young elephant he was tied to a tree. And try as he might, he couldn't break free. Now the thought that he cannot break free is ingrained.
How true that is of you and me who have ingrained thought patterns in our lives. We say, "I am chained to this habit and I can't break free." Or we say, "I'm not good enough." All kinds of lies keep us in bondage, but real truth is what God says, not what we think.
Are there any strongholds in your life that keep you chained to the past? Write down these verses and memorize them.
2 Corinthians 10:4
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"
Galatians 5:1
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Now break free from the lies of the past as you tell yourself the truth!
:angel:
February 16
Saints in God's Sight Through Christ
"Thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7
Are you saved? If you are, then you are a saint.
Now you're probably saying, "But, I can't say that. Christ wants me to be humble."
But let me tell you what real humility is. It is accepting what God says about you, and God says you're a saint. Now, that doesn't make you sinless; it makes you blameless. In God's sight (and that's the only sight that counts) you are a saint. God sees you as perfect because He sees you draped in the righteousness of His Son. Glory to God for His indescribable love to us!
Stand in front of the mirror and say out loud, "I am a saint." Spread the Good News to your family and friends who are saved - that they are saints, too!
:angel:
February 17
When in Doubt, Let Jesus Be Your Peace
"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." Matthew 14:31-32
A man was in the back bedroom of his home getting dressed while his wife was in the living room talking to a friend. He called out to his wife, "Darling, is this shirt clean enough for me to wear?"
Without hesitation she said, "No."
He said, "How did you know it wasn't clean enough to wear? You didn't even come back to look at it."
She answered, "If you had to ask, it wasn't clean enough!"
When it comes to the question of whether you should do something or not, if it's doubtful, it's dirty. Don't. Unfortunately, most of us don't give God the benefit of the doubt. We just go ahead and do it.
Are you in doubt about something today? If you have even the smallest doubt in your heart that it might be sin or lead to sin, be strong and choose to say "No." He will be your peace.
:angel:
February 18
The Value of a Soul
"Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was talking to a man who sold real estate and asked him, "What determines the worth of a piece of property?"
He said, "What a person is willing to pay for it."
In other words, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it yourself. It's what another person is willing to pay to have it for himself or herself.
That makes me want to shout! You and I must be worth something if Jesus would pay His life to have us for His own. Jesus is the proof of how much we're worth.
Do you know how much you weigh? Call a jeweler or a bank today and ask how much your weight is worth in gold. Then realize there's no comparison to your worth in blood ... the blood of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
February 19
Be Still and Know that He Is God
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
I read in the newspaper about a fighter plane that fired off a weapon and was moving so fast that it overtook the bullet and shot itself down. Literally! There are a lot of folks I know doing the same thing. They are shooting themselves down.
They don't take time to slow down and to be still and know that God is God. They don't take time to experience His serenity and inner quietness. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
How much time do we take to be quiet before the Lord? If you don't have time to do this, you are too busy! You are going to miss life looking for it.
I have a question for you. Are you spending time alone with the Lord every day? If not, let this be your wake-up call.
:angel:
February 20
Dead To Sin, Alive To Christ
"Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:11
A woman woke up one morning and noticed that she felt like she had just gone to sleep. She said, "It can't be six o'clock in the morning!"
But the radio said it was six. The clock said it was six. The sunrise said it was six. Now, I submit to you: it really didn't matter how she felt, did it?
Sometimes we respond the same way when it comes to our salvation. We need to get our salvation out of the realm of fickle emotions and begin to "reckon" (count on) God's facts.
Each morning when you wake up, begin by saying, "I am dead to sin. I am alive in Christ. I know it's a fact. He died for me. Now I reckon it!"
Look up the word "reckon" in the dictionary. Are you reckoning yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ? If not, begin to do so today.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 21
Why Is there Suffering in the World?
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36
"If there is a God, and that God is a good God, then why is there suffering?"
"What kind of a God is it that has created evil?"
Ever heard those comments before? Ever made them yourself?
You're not alone. Many people have thought the same thing. But that's not straight thinking. Let me tell you the way it truly is.
God did not create evil. God created perfection. God made man perfectly free. The freedom He granted man meant that he had to be free to choose to love. Then in order to choose to love, we must be able to choose not to love. This freedom of choice gave rise to evil, for man's freedom meant he could make a wrong choice.
Which kind of love do you want from others? A forced love or a free love? Which sounds better, "I love you" or "I have to love you"?
:angel:
February 22
Pray to Be Heard of God, Not Men
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:5
One time a young professional was waiting for a meeting when he heard someone walking down the hallway. Thinking that this might be a potential client for him, he picked up his telephone and pretended to be having a high-powered conversation.
Soon the footsteps stopped at his desk. Looking up he asked, "What may I do for you?" The man standing before him replied, "I'm from the telephone company. I've come to hook up your phone."
Prayer is the same way. The prayer that gets our Savior's attention comes from the heart and not from the head, "to be heard by men." Prayers to impress people are one-way conversations.
Find a quiet place in your home where you can be alone with the Lord every day for a special time of communion with the Him. He is waiting for you there.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 23
To Be "in Christ Jesus"
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus?" First, think about what it was for Noah to be in the ark. The ark was waterproof. How do we know it was? Well, God told Noah, "put pitch on the inside and on the outside" (Genesis 6:14). The word "pitch" in the Hebrew is kapar, and it is exactly the same word translated as "atonement." You see, we are in Jesus as Noah was in that ark. Just as the storms of God's wrath beat upon that ark, the storms of God's wrath beat upon the Lord Jesus. But we are on the inside, and not one drop of judgment can come through.
Read Romans 8:35-39. Reflect on the things that Paul says will never separate you from God's love. Give glory to God that your sins have been atoned for by the righteous blood of the Savior.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 24
What Is Justification?
"...and whom He justified, them He also glorified." Romans 8:30
What does it mean to be justified? It means to be declared righteous.
Justification is not being good, though being good gives God glory. When you put your faith where God put your sins - on the Lord Jesus Christ - then God stamps "righteous" over your name in His "Book of Life."
It's not because of what you have done or ever can do, but because of His justification.
No court on earth can justify anybody. But what God does is take a guilty person and not only give that guilty person a pardon, but He makes that guilty person just as if he had never sinned. That's justification.
If you lived every moment believing in the justification that God has given you, how would your faith be strengthened? Would you be more vocal about the gift of God's love?
:angel:
FEBRUARY 25
Living By Promises Not Explanations
"Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Matthew 6:8
According to an article, Henry Ford asked some engineers to box the transmissions for his Model-T Fords in certain sized boxes. He gave meticulous dimensions and material instructions for these boxes. The builders were confused, but they did as they were told.
When the transmissions were delivered, the factory workers took apart the boxes and used them for the floorboards! Mr. Ford was thinking ahead!
That's what God does. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. We may not understand all of His ways, just like those workers who were boxing up the transmissions did not understand.
We do not live by our understanding; we live by His promises.
Is there something happening in your life right now that you don't understand? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust in the promise that He will direct your path.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 26
What Is Success?
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
You've heard it said, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?
May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That's what it is.
It's not how much money you have. It's not how famous you are. It's not how healthy you are. It's not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.
Do you want to know God's will? Do you want your heart's desire to come true?
Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you?
Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?
:angel:
FEBRUARY 27
Longing For His Return
"...we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Is your heart longing for Jesus to return? Are you looking for Him? I am. The coming of Jesus is really the only hope for this world.
And when will that be? I don't know. It may be at morning when the clouds break open with sunlight and shadows of night recede from the sky. It may be at noon when the world is hustling and bustling. It may be at dusk when the birds are singing their evening song. Or at midnight, when the stars will dim by the blaze of glory when He descends from the heavenlies.
What joy fills my heart! Does it fill yours as well to think of that moment? Are you ready?
Look up into the skies today and think about His return. Can you imagine the sound of the trumpets and the voice of the angels announcing His return?
:angel:
FEBRUARY 28
God's Providence
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land." Psalm 37:34
We talk about providence, but what is providence?
Providence means to see ahead of time and to make provision. This is what God does. He sees events before they ever get here and moves everything toward the goal that He has in mind.
Now there is a lot of evil in the world, so don't get the idea that everything that happens is God's will. Rape is not God's will. Murder is not God's will. Racial hatred is not God's will. Adultery is not God's will. Sodomy is not God's will.
Man has a will and man has an evil heart. And in God's grand design, He gave man a free will. Even when man does evil, where God does not rule, God overrules.
Read Psalm 37. Find a brother or sister in the Lord and discuss the presence of evil in this world and the providence of God in the lives of His children.
:angel:
MARCH 1
When We Don't Understand
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good!
:angel:
MARCH 2
What Cancer Cannot Do
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do. Cancer cannot shatter hope. Cancer cannot corrode faith. Cancer cannot eat away peace. Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life. Cancer cannot quench the spirit of God and cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. That's how limited cancer is!
Is there someone in your life that is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you've read today. And pray that they will know the Savior.
:angel:
MARCH 3
The True Way to Happiness
"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2
Have you ever thought that if you lived according to God's laws, you were going to miss out? Truth is, if you don't live according to God's laws you're going to miss out! God's laws are for your welfare.
God is not a tyrant in heaven making a bunch of laws to make you squirm like a worm in hot ashes as you try to keep those laws. God loves you. Every time God says "Thou shalt not," God is simply saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time God says, "Thou shalt," God is saying, "Help yourself to happiness." God has something so wonderful for you.
Write the following down on some sticky notes and post them everywhere ... "God loves me."
"God knows better than I do."
"God is in control."
"God is good."
:angel:
MARCH 4
Secrets Only the Holy Spirit Can Give
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me." John 16:8-9
What would you think of someone who gave you the secret of life? Do you think you might instantly call him your best friend? You bet!
That's what the Holy Spirit did for you. The Holy Spirit gave you the secret not only to life, but to eternal life! He convicted you of your sin. He drew you to Christ (John 6:44).
Don't get the idea that anybody can simply come of his own will and his own volition to Jesus Christ. No one could come. No one would come, except by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given you the secret of life. And He has drawn you there Himself! That's some best friend, wouldn't you say?
Don't keep quiet about your Best Friend today. He wants to be known and He's given you the privilege to be His messenger. Share Him with those you care about today.
:angel:
MARCH 5
You Are Born to Win!
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
When you were born again you were born to win! Your new birth in Jesus Christ has fitted you for victory. You can detect Satan's schemes and overcome his world system. You can "march to the beat of a different drummer." You can live with victory over the desires of your flesh. Habits, attitudes, unclean desires, worries, and dissipation must yield as you exercise authority over your mind, emotions, and will. You can actually put Satan and his demons to flight. You don't have to be afraid of him—he will be afraid of you!
Are you feeling defeated about something? Say this out loud, "I was born to win!" Doesn't that feel good? Now, look in the mirror and say it again! "I was born to win!"
:angel:
MARCH 6
God Is in the Restoration Business
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." Joel 2:25
Hosea had a wife whose name was Gomer. She not only committed immorality, but she finally ended up as a prostitute on the street.
In the strength of the Lord, Hosea went to her, reclaimed her, forgave her, remarried her and restored her as his bride. What a picture of the restoration of our Lord with us!
God has promised to restore all the pains of our past, the heartaches from broken relationships, the struggles from defeat, and the frustrations of our lives. All the times we felt broken beyond repair, God has promised to restore.
God is in the business of restoring His children into beautiful works of His holiness.
Is there someone in your life who has wandered from the faith and felt the abandonment of friends and family? If so, go to that person today and encourage them in the love of Jesus.
:angel:
MARCH 7
Yes—He knows Your Name
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14
Ever feel like the little girl who was endeavoring to pray what we call The Lord's Prayer when she said, "Our Father which art in Heaven, how does He know my name?" I have.
But friend, He does know our names. He knows me. He knows you.
You say, "But how could God be interested in me? The great God who made the galaxies—how could He be interested in me? I'm like a fleck of spray in an ocean of existence." Well, He is interested in you. You are not an accident. You are intimately known by God.
Read Matthew 10:30. What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about yourself?
:angel:
MARCH 8
Signed, SEALED, Delivered!
"...ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." Ephesians 1:13
The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God seals you into Himself.
What does it mean to be "sealed"? It means the King's seal has been placed on you. The King's seal can be broken by no man. That means you are His for all time and eternity.
Second Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." You are sealed into a relationship with God by the Holy Spirit.
Read Daniel 6 and Matthew 27. Note the similarities in the accounts of Daniel and Jesus being sealed away for death—and how the Almighty God delivered them unto life!
:angel:
MARCH 9
The Book That Reads You
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33
We must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God's Word to our level of understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising the standards of our traditions above the standard of His Word. The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind. You can argue with it, but why?
You can pick up any other book and read it, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts, burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has a life of its own. It is the voice of God to you. You cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it.
When was the last time you studied the history behind the Word of God? Go to a bookstore or your church's library and study how the translations were discovered and passed on.
:angel:
MARCH 10
"Headship" and Equality Between Men and Women
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21
First Corinthians 11:3 says, "the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." Sometimes we get confused about what it means to be the "head" of the family. Anything with no head is dead and anything with two heads is abnormal. Just because the man is the head doesn't mean that the wife is inferior. Both men and women bear the image of God. Both are heirs of the grace of life. Both are equal before God. But while male and female are equal, God has given them different roles. In the family, men have been given the role of leader.
How would our world function if no one was in charge? How would your body function without your head? Pray for leaders in your home, community, church, state, and nation.
:angel:
MARCH 11
Two Funerals, One Wedding
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Ephesians 5:25
Do you know what most marriages need? Two funerals and one wedding where both the husband and the wife die to themselves and come alive to Jesus Christ.
You see, when a man loves his wife passionately, there's nothing too precious for that man to give up for his wife, except his relationship to Almighty God.
When there's that kind of love shown to a woman, I dare say the topic of submission would not be an issue.
Most women don't mind submitting to a man who loves her enough to die for her and shows it by the way he lives for her.
Are you married? Then go on a date this week with your spouse. Are you single? Pray that God would prepare you to be the spouse your mate will need.
:angel:
MARCH 12
86,000 Seconds Each Day
"My times are in Thy hand." Psalm 31:15
God's great gift to you is Jesus. His second greatest gift is time. Every second we have life is a gift from God.
Has it ever occurred to you that for you to cease living, God would not have to take your life? All God would have to do is stop giving you life.
Your time is in His hands. You are a steward of the time He has given you. We have 86,000 seconds in the day no more, no less. The difference is stewardship.
Today is check-up day. How are you redeeming your 86,000 seconds each day to the glory of God? Are you lagging behind God or running ahead of Him?
:angel:
MARCH 13
Don't Forget to Wear It!
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." Proverbs 15:13
What is a smile? Someone once wrote:
"A smile costs nothing, but creates much good. It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away. It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever. No one is so rich that he can get along without it. No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and nature's best anecdote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen."
When you get dressed this morning, don't forget to put on a smile. Wear a smile all day from the inner joy that only Jesus can bring to your heart. Don't feel an inner joy? Then ask for one!
:angel:
MARCH 14
Pass Along the Gift of Laughter
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
A merry heart is the ability to capture and enjoy those wonderful times of life and let it turn to laughter.
Your sense of humor is a gift from God. Research studies have shown that laughter, along with a well-rounded sense of humor, is one of the sure signs of intelligence. It is also known to produce endorphins in your body that generate feelings of well-being.
Good, wholesome laughter is a gift from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "God must have meant for us to laugh, or else he would not have made so many mules, parrots, monkeys and human beings. God wants us to laugh."
Pass along the gift of laughter today to someone. Tell a good, wholesome joke. Send an email of a funny story to a friend you haven't talked to in awhile.
:angel:
MARCH 15
Free from the Ghost of Guilt!
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12
There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow.
Paul exhorts in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We are to forget the past—the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges. Paul was one who was guilty, along with others, for the stoning of Stephen. He said he was the chiefest of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God's forgetfulness.
Maybe you've done something so horrible that you're gripped with fear to think someone would find out what you've done. Have you repented? Then don't be haunted by the ghost of guilt.
Have you done something worse than being an accessory to the murder of one of the leaders of the New Testament Church?If Paul can be forgiven, my friend, youcan be forgiven!
:angel:
MARCH 16
Equal Parts of Difficulty and Grace
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Matthew 6:34
In the crucible of His wisdom and the ecology of His grace, God has ordered some trouble for you today. And every day of your life.
We've been blessed with difficulties. Yes, you read right—blessed! The worst thing that could happen to us would be not to have any difficulties. If that were the case, we'd never know our need of the Lord. So God in essence says, "I'm going to give you sufficient difficulty for the day."
God gives you enough difficulty to draw you close to Him, but then God gives you enough grace to meet those difficulties every day.
Is there a difficult circumstance in your life? If so, thank God for sending it your way to make you more like Jesus. Now ask for His grace to be victorious through it!
:angel:
MARCH 17
What Happens When You Worry
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7
What happens when you worry? You bring tomorrow's difficulty into today.
God didn't give you grace for tomorrow's difficulties. He only gives you grace for today.
When you reach into tomorrow's troubles, you overload today's circuit. Worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow, it takes the strength out of today. When you meet tomorrow, you're out of breath because you're already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future, it really makes you unready.
Yesterday is just a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today has all the cash you can handle. Spend it wisely.
Worry will eat your lunch! It'll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin (because they are). Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.
:angel:
MARCH 18
Wait...and Listen for God to Speak to You
"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth." Psalm 29:3
Some people think it's a waste of time to simply sit at God's feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodsman is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
In his booklet "Tyranny of the Urgent," Charles Hummel wrote, "When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him....Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy...The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations."
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase "voice of the Lord" is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
:angel:
MARCH 19
You Supply the Will, God Supplies the Power
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes "Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today"? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that's pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin. I heard a quote once that said it well: "When you have a job to do, begin this very hour. You supply the will, God supplies the power." That is the will power we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now. don't hesitate. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the day!
:angel:
MARCH 20
Making a Covenant with Your Eyes
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said, "He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places. Keep yourself clean. Keep yourself pure. Watch what you set before your eyes." There needs to be discipline.
Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be. One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.
:angel:
MARCH 21
Your Sweetheart for Life
"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." Matthew 19:5
Today's message is for the men...If you don't love your wife now more than you loved her when you got married, you probably love her a lot less.
Sir, I want you to learn to flirt—but not with any other woman. Just the girl you married! Keep that flirtation going through all of your life. Never call the waitress "sweetheart." She's not your sweetheart. You have only one sweetheart. Never call someone else "dear." She's not your dear. There is one who needs to know beyond a shadow of any doubt that she is your sweetheart, she is your darling, and she is number one. Develop that love and keep it growing.
When was the last time you brought your wife flowers or her favorite perfume? Stop right now and think of how you're going to show your wife that she's the only sweetheart in your life!
:angel:
MARCH 22
The Recipe for Misery
"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows.
If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...what you want, what people are saying about you, what you ought to have done for you, how down you feel, how good you feel. Just focus on yourself.
Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don't go hand in hand. If you are thinking it is better to receive than to give, you'll never be happy. You'll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better? Now imagine if your spirit is tight and how that will quench His work in your life.
:angel:
MARCH 23
Playing on the Offense
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Do you know what's wrong with many of us? We're trying to get out of trouble rather than get into righteousness.
We're so focused on the defensive side of Christianity that we forget about the offensive, positive approach.
Wouldn't you like to get up and stay up? Wouldn't you like to experience the abundant life our Lord talks about? Jesus came to give us the eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says, "Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative."
Why don't you determine today that you are going to get right with God and stay right with God? That you're going to take steps to lead a life of obedience.
:angel:
MARCH 24
The Incomparable Word of God
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
The Bible is the incontestable, incorruptible, indestructible, and indispensable Word of God. No one can argue with it. Nothing can corrupt it. Nothing can destroy it. Nothing can replace it as the source and wellspring of life.
The late Dr. Robert G. Lee, a great preacher of the last generation, said this about the Bible:
"All of its enemies have not torn one hole in its holy vesture, or stolen one flower from its wonderful garden, nor diluted one drop of honey from its abundant hive, nor broken one string of its thousand-stringed harp, nor drowned one sweet word in infidel ink."
Tell God how much your life has changed because of His Word. Meet together with a group of friends or your family and discuss the ways God has ministered to you through His Word.
:angel:
MARCH 25
Love, Not Nails, Held Him to the Cross
"I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11
Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one.
Oh, you say, suicide pilots choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die.
No one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, because He was the only one who didn't have to die. Some people may just choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has chosen to die except One.
It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross.
The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus may be a new concept to you. If so, it is probably new as well to someone else. Share it with someone today!
:angel:
MARCH 26
Free from Your Critics!
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
God loves you so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for you.
You are precious to God. You are the object of God's love. The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for you. Friend, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism. It won't bother you what others say about you. The cross sets you free. He who died for you now lives in you. He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you. When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn't just take away your sins, He took away your self. You are crucified. So who can harm a dead man?
Have you felt the sting of criticism this week? Remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus' love. Give your critic to the Lord. Then ask God to teach you from what happened.
:angel:
MARCH 27
Jesus Saves the Best for Last
"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." 1 Corinthians 12:31
Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. For example, Proverbs chapter 20 verse 17 says, "The bread of deceit is sweet, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." With Satan, it always starts sweet, but it does not end that way.
Satan is a counterfeiter and a deceiver, and he is guilty of false advertising. He doesn't show the drunkard in the gutter covered with flies. He doesn't show the addict shaking uncontrollably from another night of detox. He doesn't show the ruined lives from sexually transmitted diseases. He always gives the best first and the worst last. Jesus gives the best last.
Do you have a teenager in your home? Then call a homeless shelter or prison to see if you can bring your teen for a tour.
:angel:
MARCH 28
Heaven Is Not a State of Mind
"I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
Do you believe that there is a home in heaven waiting for you? There is! Because Jesus cannot lie. He is Truth incarnate. He always told the truth. He said, "if it were not so, I would have told you."
Jesus would not let the hope of heaven go on beating in your heart if it were simply a lie, a superstition, or a fond delusion. Heaven is not merely a state of mind. It is not a condition. It is a place so real that Jesus is there in a literal, resurrected body. There is a body in this place called heaven. It is His resurrected body. Heaven is a place on God's map.
Do you have a dream home? If you've never thought about what would be your perfect home, think about your heavenly home. Nothing could be more perfect!
:angel:
MARCH 29
Safe by Keeping the Law?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Suppose you're driving down the road and a police officer stops you for running a red light. And you say to the officer, "I ran a red light, but you have no right to give me a ticket because I stopped at all the other streets and I have obeyed the speed limit."
He responds, "Don't tell me about all the things that you've done good. You've broken the law."
If you think you're going to be saved by keeping the law, then you must keep all of it, because God demands perfection. No amount of obedience can make up for one act of disobedience. If you keep the whole law and yet offend in one point you are guilty of it all.
Read Romans 7:1 to 8:4. Can you relate to Paul's quandary about keeping the law and the war within his members concerning its requirement of absolute obedience?
:angel:
MARCH 30
Meet Him in the Morning
"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3
Christianity is a love relationship. You cannot love someone that you do not know. And you cannot know someone that you don't spend quality time with.
To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.
It begins with a quality, daily communication with the Lord. Why is it best to spend time with the Lord in the morning? Because you are getting ready to go on a road trip through life. You don't take the trip and then read the map, do you?
How are you starting your mornings? With a cup of coffee and the paper? Or with the pure milk of the Word and the light of His presence?
:angel:
MARCH 31
Are You Too Uncomfortable to Have a Quiet Time?
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18
Do you know what quiet time is? Fellowship with a holy God. The reason some folks do not have a quiet time is they feel uncomfortable. The reason they feel uncomfortable is that they don't want to look God in the face. The reason they don't want to look God in the face is because they have sin in their life.
What did Adam do after he had sinned and God came walking in the Garden? Adam fled. Before that, Adam had quiet time with God, didn't he? They had boundless, unending fellowship. But when there was sin in Adam's life, he did not want to look God in the face.
Are you reluctant to have a quiet time? Maybe it's because there is sin in your life. Ask God to shine His light into you. Then wait for His answer so you can repent.
:angel:
APRIL 1
Praying in Secret
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6
What did our Lord mean when He said, "Enter into your closet to pray"? The word "closet" simply means somewhere you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven.
As you study the life of Jesus, you'll discover that Jesus sought times to be alone. Sometimes He would go on a mountain, sometimes into the wilderness, and sometimes into a garden. It is the secret place that is the sacred place.
The mark of your prayer life is not really how well you pray in public, but in private. When you enter your closet to pray, spend some time in silence. Clear your mind. Then listen for His Words of edification, encouragement, and exhortation.
:angel:
APRIL 2
Making Your Bible Come Alive
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Why is it that sometimes when we read the Bible, we leave our common sense at the door? You don't just pick up a book, open it at random, and start reading in the middle of a paragraph. The book wouldn't make any sense! In order to understand and get the full appreciation for the book, we read it sequentially and in paragraphs or units.
When you read the Bible, read for quality not quantity. Don't see how much of the Bible you can read. See how much of the Bible you can assimilate and apply! Maybe what you need to do is spend a week studying one verse.
In your Bible reading today, stop and ask yourself, "What is God telling ME?" Not "What does this say?" But "What is God saying to me?" Then seek to put that into practice today.
:angel:
APRIL 3
The Wake-Up Call
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11
Do you know what Napoleon said about China? "There lies a sleeping giant, and let him sleep, because if he awakens, he will shake the world."
I believe the devil says that about the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe the church is just that: a sleeping giant. We're asleep because we have been chloroformed by the spirit of this age.
We're bombarded on every side by all kinds of amusement. Do you know what amuse means? It's a combination of two words. Muse means to think, and the alpha prefix in front of it means "not to." We are a generation that is amusing ourselves into oblivion. And it's time to wake up!
Are you taking the Christian life seriously? If this were your last day on earth, how would you spend it? In amusement? Or in evangelism?
:angel:
APRIL 4
Biblical Hope, a Firm Certainty
"For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5
What does the word "hope" mean in the Bible? It doesn't mean "maybe." We may use it that way in modern English, but that's not what the word "hope" means when used in Scripture.
"Hope" means certainty, but not just any certainty. When the Bible says "hope," it means a rock-ribbed assurance with anticipation, based on the Word of God.
When I was a little boy, my dad would take us out for a ride on Sunday afternoon. We kids would be in the back seat, getting into squabbles. If things got too heated, my dad would turn around and say, "When you boys get home, I'm going to whip you." With my dad, I knew this was a rock-ribbed truth! We could anticipate it, but not with gladness!
Ourhope, however, our rock-ribbed assurance, comes with glad anticipation!
Share the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ with someone today. Maybe there's someone at the hospital who needs a word of hope. Maybe it's a member of your family!
:angel:
APRIL 5
The Reason You Are Stressed
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 6:30
Do you know the reason we're stressed? Because we think our needs are not going to be met. We say, "Oh my goodness, I'm not going to have what I need!"
Jesus tells us not to worry about what you are going to eat. And don't worry about what you are going to wear. He's saying only one thing is important – His righteousness. These things don't even take significance until your deepest needs are met. You are to find your satisfaction in Him. If you don't find your satisfaction in Him, you're going to be stressed.
Are you stressed out about something today? Turn it over to Jesus and turn your focus to Him. Let Jesus meet your needs and transform your heart today.
:angel:
APRIL 6
Happiness, the By-product of Righteousness
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus.
When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the by-product of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.
What you need is to drink of the Spirit.
What you need to feed on the Word of God.
The deepest need of your heart will be met only in Jesus.
Ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, to fulfill the deepest need of your heart in Him and Him alone. Now trust Him to do it.
:angel:
APRIL 7
Letting Your Shepherd Set Your Pace
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:2
Sometimes I hear folks tell young people, "Make all the money you can, just so you make it honestly." That's not good advice.
If you make all the money you can, you are going to be making money when you should be doing something else. You are going to be making money when you ought to be alone with God.
I'm not against making money. I'm simply saying that we need to stop and prioritize our lives. Do you know what I think God does with some of us? He makes us to lie down. We won't do it unless He makes us.
Why not stop right now and pray, "Lord Jesus, You don't have to make me lie down. I'd rather slow down. I want to be still and know that You are GOD! Show me how."
:angel:
APRIL 8
Blessed Is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes – attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
:angel:
APRIL 9
Poor in Spirit – What Does It Mean?
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally spiritually bankrupt and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
:angel:
APRIL 10
What Is Meekness?
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
:angel:
APRIL 11
Mourning with Purpose
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
We've done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neuroses, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.
But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus' heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.
Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It's time to be like Jesus.
:angel:
APRIL 12
Seeing Him Who is Invisible
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
Let me tell you how to experience God: Get your heart pure, and you will see God with the eyes of faith.
You see, Jesus is not talking about your physical body. You get your spiritual heart right and your spiritual eyes will see. Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses "endured as seeing Him who is invisible." You get your heart right and you'll see the invisible God...
...in circumstances
...in nature
...in the face of your spouse, your child, your grandchild.
You'll see Him in the Scriptures. God will become a bright, living reality to you.
Put on the eyes of faith today and find God creating and sustaining life. Maybe there is a tree ablaze with the red and gold of fall. Do you see the hand of God?
:angel:
APRIL 13
Surprising Qualities of a Peacemaker
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
I remember reading about a preacher boy who was in a class in a liberal college and the professor said, "Christians ought never to have any enemies. We ought never to be controversial." Then he said, "What we need to do is to follow the example of Jesus."
The boy lifted his hand and asked, "If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified?"
Peace is not appeasement. It is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us into right relationships with others. Literally, peace is a fruit of righteousness. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.
Read Hebrews 12:14. Are there conflicts which you can resolve by becoming a peacemaker? If so, confidently place your hand in His and bring peace.
:angel:
APRIL 14
Trusting His Love to Provide
"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." Psalm 9:10
After World War II, a group of humanitarians placed orphan boys in tent cities to care for them. But the boys would wake up in the night from nightmares. A psychiatrist surmised that their fear was because they had such an uncertain future.
He decided to feed the boys a big meal each night, then give them each a piece of bread. He instructed them to hold the bread in their hands so it could be their breakfast. Somehow just holding in their hand a piece of bread helped them to sleep all night.
When you go to bed tonight, I want you to have bread—not in your hand, but in your heart. He is the Bread of Heaven and His name is Jesus!
Take a walk with the Lord today. Tell Him your fears. Confidently place them before the Lord. Trust in His love to provide.
:angel:
APRIL 15
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about, then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
:angel:
APRIL 16
True Friendship
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17
True friends will put an edge on your life. They will make you a sharper person. Not all my friends do that for me, but my best friends do.
Have you ever had a friend who loved you so much that he would even hurt you in order to help you? Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." What truer words of love can be spoken than from the heart of a friend who is going to spend an eternity with you? Even if those words hurt, they are words that will heal.
Do you have a friend who sharpens you as iron? Then forward this email to your friend as a word of thanks.
For encouragement in your Christian walk and/or additional resources by Adrian Rogers, click on the following link to visit the LWF web site at http://www.lwf.org
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online.
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APRIL 17
Jesus Only
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16b
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words—Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
APRIL 18
Holy through Hardship
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? ... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him." Psalm 42:5
Here's an anchor for your soul in the storms of life: "I am growing by His plan."
What is God's plan for you? He wants to enlarge you, not indulge you. God is not so interested in making you happy and healthy as He is in making you holy. And so God will allow troubles to make you more like Christ.
Think about the times when you have grown the most. It is when your friend "Trouble" came along. I have grown the most in my own life in times of deepest despair.
Can you look at the troubles in your life not as adversaries, but as friends? Take a second look and get a godly perspective of it. See how you can become holy through hardship.
:angel:
APRIL 19
When Delays Are a Blessing
"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18
Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead. And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.
God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time. Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.
Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something...and God hasn't answered? Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.
:angel:
APRIL 20
The Only One Who Conquered Death
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:55
Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could escape from anything, except your memory.
Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive!
Who in your circle of friends doesn't know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.
:angel:
APRIL 21
Jesus in All Sixty-Six
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don't get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don't find Jesus, you better go re-read it.
Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, "I've read all sixty-six!"
From Genesis to Revelation,
It has the same villain – Satan.
It has the same hero – Jesus.
It has the same purpose – to present salvation in no other name but Jesus.
Read Isaiah 53. What are the prophecies that were fulfilled in the life of Christ?
:angel:
APRIL 22: GOOD FRIDAY
Peace with God—Because of the Cross
"... having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:20
How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there?
At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted.
At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for.
God's greatest righteousness confronted man's greatest wickedness, and righteousness won! Peace was attained through the blood of the cross.
Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus!
Take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.
:angel:
APRIL 23
Moving His Son Into King's Row
Psalm 2:6 – "Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion."
The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King of kings!"
How many times have you prayed, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven"?
Do you think God's will is being done on earth as it is in heaven?
Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that's God's will? Of course not.
Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King!"
Read Psalm 2. What does the psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that god will work in the hearts of the world leaders!
:angel:
APRIL 24
He Is Risen!
"He is not here: for He is risen." Matthew 28:6
It is a disturbing truth that Jesus Christ literally came out of the grave. You just can't be neutral about the resurrection. If you are a thinking person, you're going to have to face the fact of the resurrection. Either it is true or it is not true. Either He came out of that grave or He did not. Now which side are you on? You can't just ball it all up and say, "It doesn't really make any difference. Let's just put our arms around everybody. We all believe the same thing." No, no, no! When you take a stand for truth, you're going to have a head-on collision with the darkness that doesn't want the light shining in!
Pray for those in fulltime ministry as they proclaim the truth to a lost world. Pray for God's protection as they go to the frontline and battle for souls!
:angel:
APRIL 25
New Life, a New Creation in Christ
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you New life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
:angel:
APRIL 26
He Has Overcome the World
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.
If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like it's going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember: what is over your head is under His feet.
:angel:
APRIL 27
The Gospel, a Truth Worth Dying For
"...we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have any merit admit that regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived!
There's no way to explain how the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here. What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that?
Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him." Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie? A man may live for a lie, but few would die for one.
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you...are you willing to die for Him?
:angel:
APRIL 28
Governed by His Providence
"But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." John 6:20
When storms come into your life, I want you to remember this truth: "I am governed by His providence."
The storm did not take the wave walker, the Lord Jesus, by surprise. As a matter of fact, the Bible says He's the one that "commandeth and raiseth stormy seas." (Psalm 107:25)
Perhaps you're in the eye of a storm right now. It looks like your boat is sinking. Maybe it's so dark you can't see your hand before your face. I want you to know there is nothing that comes to you that He does not either cause or allow. Whether I can see it or not, whether I can understand it or not, it is a fact that God has not relinquished His rule upon His universe.
Read Matthew 8:23-27. Does Jesus see the storm in your life? Bow before the One, the only One, who can calm your storm. Trust His ways. He's in control.
:angel:
APRIL 29
Graced by His Prayers
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
Do you ever feel you are all alone when a struggle hits your life? Tell yourself, "I am graced by His prayers." Jesus is watching over you, and He is praying for you. The Savior. The Shepherd. The King. The Prince. He is praying for you! Do you feel encouraged? I do!
Just to know that the One who died for me "ever liveth to make intercession" for me is enough. He lives to stand in the gap for you and for me. What a mighty God we serve! What mercy we don't deserve! You are on Jesus' prayer list! You. He knows you. And He is praying you through the eye of the storm. Do you have a prayer list? Go through that list today and pray for someone you haven't prayed for in awhile and trust God to answer, even today!
:angel:
APRIL 30
When Your World Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what is happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we are infertile as a couple and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act. We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe!
At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
Get in a position of humility. If you can, drop to your knees. If you cannot, bow your head and close your eyes. Imagine the cross of Christ. Meditate upon the shame Christ experienced, the pain He endured, and the victory He secured in His death.
:angel:
MAY 1
They're Cheering for YOU!
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
A soft-spoken woman went to a high school football game. She'd been quiet the entire game until there was a fumble on the field. The substitute quarterback, a little scrawny kid, picked up the ball and started running past the other players toward the goal.
And this little lady exploded! She jumped up and said, "Run, baby, run! Run, baby, run!" He was her son.
That's what the saints are saying, as they watch us on the playing field of life. They are cheering us on from the heavenly grandstand to "run with patience, the race that is set before us."
Do you need a lift today? Imagine a grandstand the size of heaven cheering you on to victory!
:angel:
MAY 2
All Things May Be Lawful, But...
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12
If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from doing the best things.
Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically it's a choice between good and best.
Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word "expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to get rid of it.
Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to lay them aside!
:angel:
MAY 3
Removing Trip-Ups from the Track
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Corinthians 9:24
Runners not only need to untangle themselves from weights that may slow them down, but they need to also remove things from the track that may trip them up!
As a Christian, the good things in life may slow us down, but sin will stop us dead in our tracks—it will trip us up. You had better learn to treat sin as sin would treat you! Sin will be merciless to you, and you need to be merciless to sin.
2 Timothy 2:19 says "Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that is tripping you up today? Pray Psalm 139:23-24.
:angel:
MAY 4
Rounding Third and Heading for Home
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
When Jesus came to the end of His life, He said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
He stayed on the track, and so did Paul. They accomplished what God had set out for them to do.
Every man has a race that he must run. Every woman has a race set before her. God knows the course. And everything God commands of you, He will empower you to do. Whether you're nine or ninety, young or old, rich or poor, God has a plan for your life! God has a race He wants you to run!
What is the race God has set before you? If you are not certain, inquire of Him. What He asks of you, He will empower you to do. Thank God for the power to finish the course.
:angel:
MAY 5
Running With Endurance
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." John 12:24
You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to "run with patience the race that is set before us." And this word "patience" is not used in the sense that we use the word. It literally means "endurance."
Everybody knows that a runner is going to win or lose primarily by his endurance. You cannot quit. When it hurts, you cannot quit. When your lungs are on fire, you cannot quit. When your feet feel like lead, you cannot quit. When your sides ache, you cannot quit! You'll never be a spiritual athlete if you're a quitter! No pain. No gain.
His power will enable you to run the race and gain the victor's crown
:angel:
MAY 6
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22
I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay—under the circumstances." How did you ever get there?
Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well.
The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look to Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look to Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. You see, it's not great faith in God; it is faith in a great God.
Do you have a hymnal in your home? Find the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" by Helen Lemmel and make it your anthem!
:angel:
MAY 7
More Than Fair-Weather Christianity
"If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13
Are you a fair-weather Christian? There are some who, if their children get sick, will stop tithing. If they get a bad report from the doctor, they stop praising. If somebody hurts their feelings, they stop going to church.
You can tell the commitment level of a Christian by their "fair weather" gauge.
The test is, when everything goes wrong or doesn't add up, what will you do?
I'll give you some hints. Keep giving. Keep praying. Keep praising. Keep witnessing. Keep worshipping. Don't fail to be faithful.
Think of three things you can do today to bring the light of God's Son to someone who may be struggling with his or her faith. Then go do it!
:angel:
MAY 8
Thanking God for Godly Mothers
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12
One time I had the privilege of speaking with the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, about his salvation and personal relationship with Christ and prayed with him about that. He looked me in the eyes and said, "I want to tell you, my mother was the most godly person I have ever known." He then went on to tell me about her influence in his life.
Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother." This time every year we celebrate our mothers. Oh, the power of a mother's love!
Do you know what children need? A – B – C:
Acceptance
Belonging
Confidence
Thank God for magnificent mothers!Thank God for the impact of godly mothers in the lives of children.
:angel:
MAY 9
Questions About The Lord's Day
Exodus 20:8 – "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Is it okay to watch television on Sunday? Is it okay to go to a ball game on Sunday? Is it okay to eat out on Sunday? Is it okay to read the newspaper on Sunday? Can I play softball on Sunday? Can I go out on a boat on Sunday? Can I go to the grocery store if we're out of milk on Sunday?
We hear questions like these all the time. But do you know what's wrong with them? You're asking the wrong man. It's not my day—it's the Lord's day. Ask Him.
Ask God, "How can I honor You on the Lord's Day so at the end of the day I can know that it was indeed Your day?"
:angel:
MAY 10
Are We Taking His Name in Vain?
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy." Isaiah 57:15
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).
We all know that profanity is one way that you can take God's name in vain, but I'll tell you another way, and that's in frivolous talk. That is, just taking the name of God carelessly or lightly.
Ephesians 5:4 mentions "foolish jesting." What does that mean? God's name is holy. We are never, ever to use His name unless we are serious. Now if you use humor to illustrate something, that's fine, but it's repugnant to use the Holy name of God frivolously.
Begin the day by meditating on the holiness of God.
:angel:
MAY 11
Dealing With Doubt in the Midst of Trials
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
When something bad happens to us, we may respond with, "What did I do? I must have done something terrible." Then we proceed down the trail of morbid introspection or what I call "navel gazing." We look down and into ourselves. We take ourselves apart piece by piece, examining and re-examining ourselves. Then we put ourselves back together trying to figure out what we did wrong.
It may be that you have done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith. If we don't understand this, you see, we may get discouraged.
The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Claim the promises of 1 Peter 1:3-9 for strength in the midst of your trial.
:angel:
MAY 12
Tempted, But Not Beyond What We Can Bear
"For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14
A factory mechanic builds a truck. He knows the chassis of that truck and knows the load it can carry. In the same way, God knows your frame and He knows the load you can carry.
God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able. Nothing comes to you but that which comes through God. Even what Satan does, he can only do as God allows it. You can say, "The temptation was so strong I couldn't overcome it," but it won't be true. God will provide a way of escape.
When you are tempted today (notice I didn't say "if" but "when"), ask God to provide a way of escape. Then trust His way and obey.
:angel:
MAY 13
Strengthening Your Wings
"How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." 2 Corinthians 8:2
A man watched a butterfly trying to emerge from a cocoon. Thinking that he would help, the man took his penknife and slit the side of the cocoon, and the butterfly flopped out. It lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapsed and died.
"How tragic," you say, and you are right, because God had a plan for that butterfly. The struggle to break free built the strength he would need to fly. God doesn't want you to live weakly and die feebly. He wants you to grow and mature.
Find the wings in your trial today.
Strengthen them by the promises in God's Word.
Venture on new heights of freedom in Christ today.
:angel:
MAY 14
At the End of Your Rope
"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant... let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isaiah 50:10
I have always been amazed at the advice worldly people give to someone who is hurting. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Can you see someone dangling over a cliff, holding on to a rope, and trying to tie a knot? It takes two hands to do that!
The first thing we need to remember is "don't demand to understand." There are some things in life you and I just will never understand. When God allows darkness to overshadow your life, don't set about lighting your own fire. That's a recipe for heartache.
Trust that His light will come and wait for it. He will come. Believe it.
There's someone out there who is hurting today and needs more than a pat answer of encouragement. Give them the light of Christ.
:angel:
MAY 15
Loving Chastisement of the Father
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:6
As a child, did you ever get a spanking you didn't deserve? Maybe now and then your dad or mom would just be in a "spanking mood," and they'd spank everyone they could get their hands on?
Talk about being indignant! There is nothing worse to a child than to realize "I got spanked, and I didn't deserve it."
You know what's funny? At that point, we never stop to think about all the times we deserved a spanking and didn't get one. Our Father is mercifully loving and graciously wise to give us what we need at all times in our lives. Sometimes we need His hand of love in comfort, and sometimes we need His hand of love in discipline.
Thank God that His hand of mercy extends to you when you don't deserve it and that His hand of discipline extends to you when you do.
:angel:
MAY 16
True Peace and Satisfaction
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:16
I was witnessing to a man one day in front of his house. He said, "I've got a good income. You see that house? It's paid for. You see that car? It's paid for. My wife is in that house. She loves me." He seemed completely satisfied.
I said, "Sir, I want to ask you a question. Will you be absolutely honest with me? Do you have peace in your heart?"
His chin started to quiver. His eyes brimmed with tears. He said, "No, I don't have peace in my heart. How did you know?"
I said, "Because the Bible says, 'There is no peace, sayeth my God, to the wicked.' These things cannot fill the longing of your heart. You need Jesus."
Pray for an opportunity to share today the peace you have in Jesus with someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
MAY 17
God Has Not Forgotten You
"And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Psalm 37:6
A preacher was in a church where he felt God had led him. But nothing seemed to be working out, so he wanted to go to another church.
He told a friend, "I know where God put me, and I know God put me here, but I just wonder if He remembers where He put me."
Yes, God remembers! He has not forgotten. He is never late. Don't rush God. Don't think He has abandoned you because your prayers are not answered. He will turn your midnight into a sunrise and your mourning into dancing.
Read Psalm 37:4-7 and rejoice in the hope of God's providence and provision in your life.
:angel:
MAY 26
The Heavens, a Testimony of Creator God
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20
Can intellectuals believe in God? Absolutely! Many intellectuals believe in God. As a matter of fact, your intellect has very little to do with your belief in God.
Out of all of the secular professional groups, do you know what professional group has the highest number of believers in God? The astronomers do. Over 90% of the world's great astronomers believe in God. Why? Because they have studied the heavens.
It's not a sign of intelligence not to believe in God. If you're intelligent, you have to say, "Somebody created all of this."
Take a walk with your family under the canopy of the night sky. Praise God for His handiwork in the heavens
:angel:
MAY 27
Are You Looking Through the Right Eyeglasses?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
People join churches today with wrong expectations. They think church membership guarantees blessings and no burdens. Some think that God is just a heavenly cafeteria. And if it doesn't work out as they wish, they say, "Well, it's not paying off! I thought if I gave my heart to Jesus, then He would supply everything I want. And I'd have no more worries."
People fall away because their expectations are not met. Let me tell you what real faith is. Real faith is not just receiving from God the things you want. Real faith is accepting from God the things He gives.
How are your spiritual eyeglasses? Are you looking at life with the eyes of the Lord? And trusting that He will provide, not necessarily what you want, but what you need?
:angel:
MAY 28
Putting the Emphasis on the Eternal
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." John 6:35
Sometimes people in large churches get a lot of grief from "the world" because of the great expenses of building and maintaining their church. I've heard, "Why didn't they take that money and feed the poor?"
Here's my answer, "People need Jesus." The social gospel thinks all men need is food. If I had five billion dollars and bought everybody on earth a meal, in several hours they'd all be hungry again.
There's nothing wrong with feeding the poor. We ought to do that. But the social gospel puts an emphasis on what is temporary. The true gospel puts the emphasis upon what is eternal. Folks need more than soup and soap, they need salvation.
Think about ways that you can get involved with the need to feed, clothe, and house the homeless. Then find the open door to feed them with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
:angel:
MAY 29
Secure in the Arms of Jesus
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
A Christian is not somebody who merely believes that Christ died for his sins. The devil believes that. A Christian is somebody who has repented of his sins and invited Christ into his heart to be his Savior and Lord.
You can intellectually believe that an airplane can fly, but in order to fly you must try out its wings. In the same way, when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, He takes control of your life and begins to make you into the person He wants you to be.
Your life doesn't have to be absolutely perfect for you to go to heaven. At the moment you trust Christ as your personal Savior, you are eternally saved, eternally secure, and God begins to work on you.
Isn't it wonderful to know you are saved? Now, spread the word of that assurance to a neighbor today.
:angel:
MAY 30
Remembering Our Heroes
"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place."Exodus 13:3
Each year, Americans remember those brave-hearted souls who fought and gave their lives so that you and I would have the rights and privileges of living in a free country.
Remembering is important. In fact, God instructs His people on many occasions in the Old Testament to remember from whence they came and to remember His providence.
It is by the mighty hand of God that we are saved, we are protected, and we are free to live in the Land of the Brave. Never take that freedom for granted, my friend. It is a precious commodity for which the world hungers. And it is a powerful charge for you and me to protect.
Do you know of someone in your life who has served in the armed forces of this country? Make a point this week to express to them your gratitude for their service.
:angel:
MAY 31
Jesus, the Bridge Spanning the Great Divide
"And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." Ephesians 2:16
Up in heaven is the holy God.
Down below is the sinful man.
And sin is the dividing rod that separates.
Without God, man has an empty void in his life he knows he must fill, so man is constantly trying to reach God. But he keeps rebounding off the sin barrier.
Then God, moved in mercy by the pitiful plight of sinful man, said, "I will do something."
God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to make a way. And upon the rough-hewn timbers of a cross, Jesus gave His life so you and I could live forever and live forgiven. Jesus built a bridge between man and God. It's a bridge man could never build. And a bridge that man can never take away.
God made a way that we couldn't make . . . for me . . . and for you.
Since Jesus built a bridge of love for you to be reconciled to God, it's your turn to build a bridge of love to someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
JUNE 1
Character—It's An Inside Job
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." Proverbs 20:7
This world says if we could just arrange conditions where we never have any sorrow, pain, or hurts, then we could change men. If we can change conditions we can change character. But the Bible teaches just the opposite.
The world puts the emphasis on condition—God puts the emphasis on character. Someone has well said you can't purify the water by painting the pump. And yet that's what we try to do. We think that if we can change the exterior or make conditions such that we never have any hurts, then we're going to be okay. But, Jesus put the emphasis upon character. Upon what you are, not what you have.
Is there someone in your life you admire? Someone who is a person of integrity? Praise God for His work in that person's life and give him or her a word of encouragement.
:angel:
JUNE 2
Praying from the Heart—Not on Auto-Pilot
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7
It was a very long, tiring day. I had preached three sermons and dictated a stack of letters. And at the close of each letter I ended it, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers."
A man came to me at the end of a service and said, "I must see you. I have a severe problem." I was bone weary but I said, "Very well, come on back and let's talk."
We talked and I listened. My heart was moved with compassion. I said, "Let me pray for you." And when I finished I said, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers." And then I thought, "Oh my! Did I say that? Did he hear me say that?" How easy we slip and rattle off our prayers.
Do you find yourself using repetitive phrases in your prayer life? Today, just talk with God. Don't think too much about your words. Follow your heart.
:angel:
JUNE 3
"Why Doesn't God Obliterate Evil?"
"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine." 1 Chronicles 29:11
Have you ever wondered why God doesn't obliterate the devil and eradicate all sin? If God destroyed evil, God would destroy every opportunity for choice. And if God were to destroy every opportunity for choice, then God would destroy every opportunity for love. Therefore, God would destroy the highest good. For God to destroy evil would be evil.
God doesn't destroy evil, instead God defeats evil. How? Calvary and the resurrection! God turns every hurt into a hallelujah. Every defeat into victory!
Spend some time today thinking about heaven and the glorious reunion you're going to have with Him one day.
:angel:
JUNE 4
The Lesson of Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Some time ago I was invited to preach in another state, but my schedule was such that I couldn't arrange it. When they offered to send a private plane, I could do it.
As we flew over Arkansas, the pilot asked me if I wanted to try my hand at flying the plane, and I said, "Yes!"
Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly the plane without me, but I couldn't fly it without him. He had his hands on his controls all the while, and he allowed me to participate with him.
That's the way prayer is. God can do it without you, but God enables you to have fellowship with Him and teaches you a dependency upon Him through prayer.
Kneel before Him today. Meditate on 1 Chronicles 16:23-36. Glory in His presence:
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.
:angel:
JUNE 5
Put on the Righteousness of Christ
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." Colossians 3:12
Sometimes people will ask if I'm a preacher.
How do they know I'm a preacher before I've said anything "spiritual"?
I don't want them to know that I am a preacher by the way I look. Now, I'm not ashamed that I'm a preacher, but I think a preacher ought to dress and act so that nobody will suspect he's a preacher. We ought to be transparent vessels of the Lord's anointing.
We're not posturing, posing, or somehow going through life trying to look holy or trying to act holy. We just simply are what we are by the grace of God.
What does your outer appearance say about who you are in Christ? Dress in His robes of righteousness and His countenance of glory today.
:angel:
JUNE 6
The Master Designer
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18
How did it happen? How did the Bible get written apart from divine inspiration?
Suppose we decided to build a monument to the 50 states in Washington and use native stone from each state. We would hammer out the stones from individual quarries in each state.
Then, ship them.
Uncrate them.
Then fit the stones together.
As the stones were assembled, we discovered that there was not one stone too many. Not one stone too few. When completed, we had a magnificently symmetrical monument.
The only answer to this perfection is that there was a master architect who designed everything. In the same way, you cannot explain the unity of the Bible apart from divine inspiration.
Praise God for His Master Design of the universe — of the stars, the planets, the skies, the seas...and you!
:angel:
JUNE 7
The Treasure We Have in Jesus Christ
"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Many years ago, the Spanish Armada was sailing off the coast of Florida. A hurricane struck, and the ships laden with gold and silver ingots sunk to the bottom. People knew the treasure had been lost and believed one ship went down near Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fishermen fished over that spot, sometimes doubtless hanging a hook on a lump of gold.
One day some explorers went diving, and there it was in the shallow water. In fact the water was so shallow that any of us could have swum to the bottom and brought up millions of dollars. In the same way, I believe there are many of us yet to discover the full treasure we have in Jesus Christ.
Have you plunged your heart deep into the treasure of the Lord? Or are you living life in the shallow end, wondering if the treasure will ever come to you?
:angel:
JUNE 8
What's at the Heart
"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6
Have you ever gone to a sawmill and watched them process timber? They take a big log out of the woods that may have bumps and knots on it, and they lay it on a cradle, running it through a saw, cutting off one side. Then they bring it back, turn it, and run it through again to cut off another side. When they're finished, if you stand and look down it, it's perfectly straight. But if you look at the end of it, the heart is still crooked. That's the way it is with some individuals who are outwardly living the Christian life. But Jeremiah 17:9 warns the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. We need regeneration. We must be born again.
Read Psalm 19:14—
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Pray it from your heart—that today you would desire with everything within you to be pure in thought, word, and deed.
:angel:
JUNE 9
Believing In the Living God
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." 1 John 5:9
I've been asked, "Pastor Rogers, do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That's not enough for me."
I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.
God says, "If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true."
Don't tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Read Deuteronomy 4:29—
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart.
:angel:
JUNE 10
Discovering His Will for Your Life
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13
Nehemiah was a man who knew how to get alone with God. He fasted, prayed, and wept; then God told him what to do.
Have you done that? Have you sacrificed and surrendered to the Lord to discover His will for your life? Or are you just putting yourself into neutral and letting life happen to you? Do you have a focus?
God has something that He wants you to do. You are special to God. Nehemiah said, "God had laid something on my heart." If you'll listen, God will lay something on your heart.
Get alone with God this week. Discover what He wants from your life to do His will.
:angel:
June 11
Working Together In Unity
"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9
How powerful it is when we work together in unity! I was reading about how Canadian geese always fly in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why? Because the lead goose is moving the wind resistance for the rest of them. So while he is flapping real hard, the rest of them are cruising. After awhile, the lead goose gets tired and he falls back and the next goose moves up.
Do you know what scientists have discovered in the wind tunnel experiments? That geese flying in a "V" formation can fly 72% farther than one goose could fly by himself. Now who taught them to do that? God did.
What are you trying to do by yourself that could be more efficiently accomplished when the task is shared?
:angel:
June 12
Train Up A Child
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
A little boy was riding around and around the block. A man asked him, "What are you doing?"
"I'm running away from home," he said.
"But you're just going around and around the block," said the man.
The little boy responded, "That's because my mom won't let me cross the street!"
Even in the earliest ages, there can be restraint in the heart of a child because of godly training by his or her parents. The only way I ever learned to play football was on the training field. The classroom wasn't enough. Parents must provide training and education for the lessons of life to be ingrained in their children.
Has God given you the divine responsibility of parenthood? Then, spend some time this week to train your child in one area of godly living.
:angel:
June 13
Should We Bring Children Into Such a Chaotic World?
"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:4-5
I would be afraid to bring children into this world if I did not know God. But because I know God, I am free to encourage you to have children.
Don't ever let the devil intimidate you. I've had couples ask me, "Pastor Rogers, the world is so dangerous today, do you think that we ought to have children?"
I respond with a hearty "Yes!"
God's people are the ones who ought to be bringing a godly seed into this world. What does the world need? Jesus. How are they going to hear if the light goes out?
Are you contemplating having children? Do you know someone who is? Encourage them with this devotional today.
:angel:
June 14
God's Plan of Restoration for Your Life
"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Job 33:28
On the night of Jesus' arrest, Peter denied Jesus — three times! In spite of Peter's lack of loyalty, Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to him and said, "Come and dine."
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration. Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship — a kaleidoscope of emotions! He could not believe that he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before. And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus' covenant love is not exhausted when we sin. There is forgiveness and restoration.
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19. Rejoice over God's plan of restoration for your life.
:angel:
June 15
Overcoming Fear and Worry
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
When we ought to be enjoying victorious, abundant lives...what happens? Fear creeps in and grips us cold. Many of us lose priceless opportunities because of this boa constrictor of fear.
When fear dominates, there is no room for Christ, Who can comfort us.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(John 16:33).
Worry is the noxious first cousin to fear. Fear and worry will do to you what grit does to machinery — shut you down. But God gives us the victory with His power, His love, and the gift of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is your Bodyguard. He walks with you. The man who can kneel before God can stand before any man.
Jesus has you in His sight. You are in God's right hand. Write that down and post it in a place where you can meditate on it throughout the day. Now, ask yourself, "Knowing this, can anything this week change those truths?"
:angel:
June 16
Faithful in Your Words
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." – James 5:12
In June we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many of them harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go and say to them with a remorseful spirit, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Then ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.
:angel:
June 17
Our Abba Father
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6
Do you know what "Abba" means? It means "Daddy Father." Have you ever thought about God as your Daddy? When Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father" in Matthew 6:9, the same word in Greek is the word "Pater" – "Abba Father."
American children say, "Da-da." But in the Middle East they say, "Abba - Abba." Jesus says that we can call the great God of the universe "Daddy."
I'm so glad that our Heavenly Father never gets too busy running this universe and commanding the angels that He forgets us. He wants to be with you like there is no one else on earth and nothing else for Him to do.
Do you wish you had a hug right now? You can crawl up into the lap of your Daddy Father and He has nothing better to do than to give you a hug.
:angel:
June 18
Without Even Saying A Word
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." Psalm 32:8
I was talking to my son one day, and he reminded me of something that happened when he was a little boy. He said, "Dad, I was sitting in church, and you looked at me, and I knew I was going to get a whipping when I got home."
If you're married, you know how your spouse can give you that look that says, "Whatever you're talking about — stop!" That's the intimate relationship that people who know one another well establish. You're to have such an intimate relationship with God that He can just look at you and your heart is touched.
Throughout the day today, think of the eye of the Lord upon you...allow this to direct your steps and give you courage.
:angel:
June 19
A Challenge for Fathers
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders." Proverbs 31:23
Once a year we celebrate fathers. Maybe you are one. Let me give you a challenge. One father said,
"If I had it to do all over again, I'd love my wife more in front of my children. I'd laugh with my children more. I'd listen more, even to the youngest child. I'd be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection. I would pray differently for my children. I would be more encouraging and bestow more praise. And finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to God."
Praise God for the impact of godly fathers in our lives!
If there's going to be music in marriage, the dad has to be the leader of the band. Celebrate the dad in your life today!
:angel:
June 20
Never Another Like the Lord Jesus Christ
"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands." Hebrews 1:10
Nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, and yet His birth has divided all of history to A.D. and B.C. He never, so far as we know, wrote a book, and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person. He never painted a picture or composed any poetry or music that we know of, and yet He has been the inspiration of the greatest music, art, and poetry that the world has ever known. He never had any formal education, yet more schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries have been founded in His name than any other person who ever lived.
That's who the Lord Jesus is, and never has there been another like the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read Hebrews 1:1-14. Marvel at His majesty! Praise His omnipotence!
:angel:
June 21
God's Holiness, Love and Mercy
"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
God will never overlook sin. He cannot. God is holy, and by His holiness He has sworn that sin will be punished. If God were to let one half of one sin go unpunished, God would no longer be holy.
The chief attribute of God is not love — it is holiness.
The cross is God's way to punish sin and forgive the sinner at the same time. "He who knew no sin," God has made to be sin for us. The price that Jesus paid, only the damned in hell can begin to know, but even they'll never know because they're only paying their sin debt. Jesus paid for all the sin of all of the people for all time.
Read Revelation 4:8. Let your anthem throughout the day be, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
:angel:
JUNE 22
Nothing Less Than God's Optimum for Your Life
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11
Do you love Christ? Do you long to please Him with all your heart? Then remember this: God's delays are not God's denials.
Many a Christian feels he is out in the wilderness — that all he is doing is being led about in circles. Maybe God is grooming you. He is not ready to thrust you into heavy responsibilities as yet. He has you in a holding pattern for His holy purpose. Life is a journey that does not end. God is preparing something wonderful for you. He doesn't want you to settle for less than His optimum for your life and your work.
Commit Jeremiah 29:11-13 to memory this week, then share this truth with a friend!
:angel:
JUNE 23
Where Is Your Treasure?
". . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21
There are many people who think they are wealthy who are not. We've seen the television series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and many times it should be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Foolish."
When is a rich man poor? When he tries to find satisfaction in his money. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
A man of modest income said to a man who was very rich, "I have more than you have." The rich man said, "How is that so?" He anwered, "Because I have all I want, and you don't."
When you set your goal to be wealthy, then money becomes your master rather than your servant. What is your goal with your finances?
:angel:
JUNE 24
Complete Confidence in the Lord
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
There must be complete confidence in the Lord to take care of us because this complete confidence will lead to constant compliance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us we are to trust with all our heart (not just part of it), and we're to acknowledge Him in all our ways (not just some of our ways).
God won't take part of it. You can't say, "Lord, I want Your will in my social life, but I don't want Your will in my business life." Or, "I want Your will in my church life, but I don't want Your will in my relationships." You just can't do that. If He's worth part of it He's worth all of it.
What are you holding onto today? Give it all to Jesus. Instant obedience will bring incredible blessing.
:angel:
JUNE 25
The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18
Suppose someone were to punch you in the nose? And suppose in an act of compassion you were to say to that person who punched you, "I forgive you." And suppose they responded, "There's no need for you to forgive me. I've already forgiven myself." You'd feel a little cheated. Only the one who was punched can forgive the hitter.
Sin is a clenched fist in the face of God, and only God can forgive sin. There's enough Gospel dynamite in 1 Peter 3:18 to blow the sin, the hatred, the sorrow, and the sickness out of anybody's life, but that dynamite must be ignited by the spark of faith.
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Maybe someone from whom you need to ask forgiveness? Go do it now. Tomorrow may never come.
:angel:
JUNE 26
God's Provision in the Midst of Suffering
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20
Over and over again, people will ask me this question, "If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?" There's never an easy answer to that question when someone is grieving or suffering, but God has taught me that the universe has a disease. And God cannot remove the pain until the last vestige of sin is gone. The worst thing that could happen to human beings would be for us to live in a world cursed by sin, and yet the world seem to be a paradise. We would never come to God.
God has showered this world with immeasurable mercies. Focus today, not on the suffering, but on the provision of God's grace.
:angel:
JUNE 27
Christianity, More Than a Creed or Code
"...and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
Are Christians fools for believing in Jesus? Are we serving a false God? If you go to the tomb of Confucius, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Buddha, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Jesus, you'll find it empty. He is a risen Savior. Now that's very important, because you can take Confucius out of Confucianism and still have Confucianism, and you can take Buddha out of Buddhism and still have Buddhism. But you cannot take Jesus Christ out of Christianity and still have Christianity because Christianity is not a code. It's not a creed. It's not a cause. It is Christ Himself.
You have a hope that the world needs to hear about. Who can you share that hope with today?
:angel:
JUNE 28
Being Spirit-Filled
"...Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6
So many Christians want to be Spirit-filled, but have they ever asked why God should fill them with His Spirit?
I want you to imagine a man pushing a car into a service station. It has no battery in it. The car has four flat tires, a hole in the gas tank, and half the wires are disconnected. The attendant comes out, looks at this rattle trap, and says, "May I help you?"
The man says, "Yeah, fill 'er up."
What do you think that attendant would say? "What for?" would be appropriate.
I think God sometimes says, "What for?" to us. Instead, we need to just sign the contract at the bottom and say, "Lord, You fill it in."
Bow before the Lord, open your hands, and say, "Lord, It's all You. I am nothing but a vessel for You to use. Use me as You will."
:angel:
JUNE 29
Authority in a Generation Gone Astray
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1
Our generation doesn't like the word authority. We don't like to be under anybody. We stick out our chests and talk about being free-born Americans.
If you're a baby boomer, you're of a generation of anti-authority figures. In your lifetime you've gone through the hula hoop, the Barbie doll, pop psychology, Dr. Spock, Donahue, and the Beatles. It was all anti-authority! Fathers were Archie Bunker. Preachers were Flip Wilson. The anthem was, "Do your thing. If it feels good, do it." Many of us dare not realize the vestiges of rebellion that still lurk down in our hearts.
Give some serious thought to the question: Who is on the throne of my life today?
:angel:
JUNE 30
One Way to Salvation
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6
Materialism says, "Buy your way out." The politician says, "Legislate." The army says, "Fight." Industry says, "Work." The philosopher says, "Think." But Jesus says, "There's no way out but through Me."
Jesus will save you by His grace, and He'll save you all by Himself or you won't be saved at all.
When you are saved by the grace of God, you are saved instantly, and you are saved eternally. Your goodness is not enough to save you, and your badness is not enough to keep you away. Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you.
Have you taken Jesus at His Word and followed His way of salvation? Maybe you have a friend who needs this truth today. Share it; don't suppress it.
:angel:
JULY 1
Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8
A man named Solomon Peas died. His tombstone in London reads:
"Beneath these clouds and beneath these trees
Lies the body of Solomon Peas.
But this ain't Peas - it's just the pod.
Peas shelled out and went to God."
I like that. That's what your body is. It's just a pod. What happens to a child of God who has trusted Christ as his personal Savior? When he closes his eyes in this life, he opens them in the next. Jesus did not say, "After two or three thousand years, you'll be with Me in paradise." Jesus said, "Today, truly, you'll be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Are you confident that, if you died today, you'd be with Jesus in paradise? If not, then confess your sins and believe upon His name to save you. Now, go and tell someone!
:angel:
JULY 2
This World Is Not My Home
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1
First Peter 2:11 says that we are aliens and strangers in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people, and we're going to find ourselves going against the tide most of the time.
It's like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren't linked to his life supply above. That's the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life.
The Bible says we're not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1)
It's time to check your lifeline...are you trusting in anything in this world? Are you making friends with the things of this world?
:angel:
JULY 3
Bringing Up Godly Children in an Ungodly World
"O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works." Psalm 71:17
Satan is on a killing spree — he wants to kill our memory and set us awash in the sea of forgetfulness without any recollection of our Christian heritage as a nation.
Tragically, he's aiming his artillery at our children, and particularly in the place where they used to grow in the knowledge of good things — the public school. Prayer is out. Police are in. Bibles are out. Values clarification is in. The Ten Commandments are out. Social engineering is in. Creation is out. Evolution is in. History is out. Revisionism is in. God says we need to remember the generation to come.
You have an important job — to influence the lives of those who will come after you. Teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord and against the tide of the world.
:angel:
JULY 4
Remembering Our Spiritual and Political Heritage
"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." Psalm 78:7
On June 8, 1845, Andrew Jackson said, "The Bible is the rock upon which our Republic rests." Just a few years prior, in 1820, another of our forefathers, Daniel Webster, said, "Let us not forget the religious character of our origin." In the days of our founding fathers, people didn't quibble about the Bible's importance. Our forefathers brought hither their high veneration for the Christian religion, being journeyed in its light and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate, listen to, and infuse its influence through all their institutions: civil, political, and literary.
American heritage is important, but so is your personal spiritual heritage as a believer and as a family. Why not take some time this week to write down the spiritual heritage of your family?
:angel:
JULY 5
Jesus Lives Forevermore
"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." Revelation 1:18
I went to see Lenin's tomb when I was in Moscow. He is sealed in a crystal case. You can see his waxen face and his trimmed beard, and on that tomb these words are written: "He was the greatest leader of all peoples of all countries of all times. He was the lord of the new humanity. He was the savior of the world."
Do you notice it's all past tense? He was. Jesus is alive. He is the great I AM. It is an encounter with the living Christ that makes the difference in our lives. We serve a Savior who is alive and listening to our every prayer. He is bottling every tear and rejoicing with every victory.
Thank God for His plan of love that sent His Son to die for you. Praise Him that Jesus lives forevermore!
:angel:
JULY 6
Surrender First
". . . now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." Romans 6:19
After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. Dressed in all his regalia, the admiral approached Nelson to surrender.
With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander.
Lord Nelson stepped back and said, "Your sword first."
There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, "Your sword first." Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender.
Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word "yield" is written. What does Paul want us to yield?
:angel:
JULY 7
Only One Life Ever Lived to Perfection
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8
There has never been a man like the Lord Jesus. I was deeply stirred by these words, written by John Phillips about Jesus:
"He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid. . . He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary."
If you're looking for a hero, let me suggest mine. His name is Jesus.
:angel:
JULY 8
Are You in the Secret Service?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Romans 1:16
Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you?
A little boy had a dog, and someone asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, "Well, he's a police dog." The friend said, "He doesn't look like a police dog." The little guy replied, "He's in the secret service."
I'm afraid there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others.
:angel:
JULY 9
Not Allowing Past Sins to Silence Our Witness
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
A young preacher was called out of a life of sin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in the pulpit one day, he received a note in which someone had written all his past sins. In addition it read, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? And you're up there telling people to get right with God!"
Do you know what the young preacher did? He read that note, bowed his head in prayer, stood up and said, "Ladies and gentleman I have received a note, and here is what it says." Then, in front of that whole crowd, he read every one of those sins. Then he said this: "Yes, I am ashamed of myself, but I am not ashamed of my Savior!"
What are some past sins in your life that are holding you back from fully proclaiming God's power to others? Confess them and bury them in His sea of forgetfulness.
:angel:
JULY 10
Ready to Give an Answer
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
Sometimes during an interview a reporter may ask me, "Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?" If I say, "Yes," then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, "No," then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ who died for the sins of all people. So, how do I answer?
I say, "Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn't matter whether he's a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That's why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ."
What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.
:angel:
JULY 11
Real Faith: What It Is—What It's Not
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
It's faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not.
Faith is not a hunch.
Faith is not positive thinking.
Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders.
Faith is not believing that God can do something.
Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is deaf to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need.
What kind of faith do you have? Do you have the faith that is small as a mustard seed, but can move a mountain? Ask God for it today.
:angel:
JULY 12
The Forgiveness of the King
"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Romans 4:7
There was a king who asked slaves on a ship, "Why are you in chains?" One replied, "I don't know. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed. I am innocent." He asked another who said, "I am not guilty, but am a victim of false witnesses." The king proceeded to ask each man the same question and each had a reason why he was innocent. That is, until one man responded, "I am here because I deserve to be here. I have sinned against my God and against my king. And now I am paying the penalty."
The king stepped back and said, "What are you doing here among so many honest men? Guards, release him!"
Not until we admit our sin are we going to know the mercy and the forgiveness of the King. Bow before Him today and admit you are lost without Him.
:angel:
JULY 13
Restore Such a One
"If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1
As a young boy in Florida, I loved to collect coconuts and sell them. One day while up a tree, I was using my right hand to disconnect a coconut when the palm frond let go. I fell on the grass, but my left arm fell on the sidewalk. It was a bad situation. My brother was there, and he saw what happened to me.
As I was lying there, having fallen, what did I need? Well, I didn't need a lecture. I didn't need my brother to go around to the community and say, "Did you hear about Adrian?" I didn't need for him to come along and shoot me to put me out of my misery. What I needed was restoration.
Do you have a brother or a sister in Christ who is overtaken with a fault? If so, go and restore him; restore her.
:angel:
July 14
You Are Valuable—Because You Are Loved!
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Grace is the most beautiful word in the Bible other than Jesus. Grace is why God loves us when there is nothing lovely about us. We are not loved because we are valuable. We are valuable because we are loved. 1 John 4:10 says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." That, friend, is God's amazing grace. We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I love Him for His grace. It is all Jesus. It's not the church. It's not good deeds. Amazing grace is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you. He died for you.
Thank God for the justification you have through Jesus Christ. Thank God for the grace He has abundantly given you.
:angel:
Freedom from the Bondage of Sin
"Therefore, as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."
Romans 5:18
One day Abraham Lincoln was in a slave market and saw a beautiful young slave girl being auctioned. Lecherous men were bidding on her, so Lincoln began to bid. Finally, she was sold to Lincoln. He took the certificate of sale and handed it to her saying, "You're free."
She asked, "What do you mean, free?" He said, "You are free." She said, "Free to do what I want to do?" He said, "Yes." "Free to say what I want to say?" He said, "Yes." "Free to go where I want to go?" He said, "Yes." She said, "Then I am going with you."
Friend, Jesus made you free. You have been redeemed by His precious blood. And in gratitude, your life is to be devoted to Him.
Do you know someone who is in bondage to sin today? Share with them the free, redeeming love of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
In Collusion or Collision?
JULY 16
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16
A farmer and his farmhand went duck hunting. The farmer said to his friend, "You're always talking about fighting with the devil. I'm not a Christian, and I never have to fight with the devil."
The farmhand answered, "Boss, if you and I shot two ducks, one was wounded and one was dead, which one would you go after first?"
The farmer said, "Well, I guess the wounded duck."
"That's right. The devil knows you're a dead duck."
If the devil doesn't bother you, it's because he doesn't have to bother you since you and he are traveling in the same direction. If you turned around, you'd have a collision with him. Right now, you are in collusion with him.
Are you a child of God? Then praise Him that He has given you the power over Satan and placed you on the pathway to see Him face to face!
:angel:
The Fire of Affliction
JULY 17
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
God wants to build spiritual steel and rock-solid faith into you. And the way He will do this is through the fire of affliction. Why? To test you. The faith that can't be tested, can't be trusted.
The times I have grown the most were not when everything was going fine. The times when we go through sorrow, pressure, and trouble are the growing pains of our lives with Christ. Isn't that true? Someone wrote these lines,
"I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she.
But oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me."
Are you in the fire of affliction? Trust that He will see you through and make you stronger when the test is over.
:angel:
Doubting Our Salvation
JULY 18
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13
A woman told the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody, "I've been saved twenty-five years, and I've never had one single doubt."
He responded, "Madam, I doubt you've been saved."
That would be like a couple saying they've been married 50 years and never had an argument. I'd say, "I doubt you've been married."
We all have doubts. You see, doubt is to your spirit what pain is to your body. It is a signal that something is wrong. And just as you seek to find a remedy for your pain, you should seek to find a remedy for your doubts. Jesus is your remedy. Get into His Word and know the assurance of your salvation. It's not you, it's Jesus that makes it possible.
Are you doubting your salvation? Then run to Jesus. Soak yourself in these truths from God's Word:
Romans 10:13,
Ephesians 2:1-10
Titus 3:5.
We also invite you to read "You Can Be Sure" at lwf.org.
:angel:
19
Grumbling or Grateful?
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4
One day a preacher was riding on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything – the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service.
The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, "And what does your wife do?"
The man replied, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness."
You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us.
Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful.
:angel:
JULY 20
A Chain of Ten Links
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10
So many people have the idea that God is going to grade on the curve. We say to ourselves, "We're bad, but we're not as bad as so-and-so."
But God doesn't grade on a curve. He grades on an absolute standard of holiness. Can anybody say that they've kept all of God's Ten Commandments? Of course not. But let's suppose you had only broken one. What would happen? Well, let me illustrate. If a man was dangling over a fire by a chain of ten links and nine of those links were made of forged steel and one was made of crepe paper, what would happen?
Use this illustration with someone today as a testimony of God's mercy in sending His Son for the salvation of all mankind.
:angel:
JULY 21
Strong Faith Glorifies God
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust." Psalm 18:2
Do you know the greatest thing you could do to give God glory? It's not to give a million dollars. It's not to give your body to be burned. It's not to go overseas as a missionary.
The greatest thing you could do to glorify God is to believe God. Faith says, "God, You are trustworthy." Don't just sing about your belief in a great God or pray about your belief in a great God or even read about your belief in a great God. You must believe Him. A strong faith glorifies God!
Meditate on the names of God today: Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bright and Morning Star, Dayspring, The Good Shepherd, Messiah, Alpha and Omega. We also invite you to read more about the Names of God at http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dis_NamesOfGod
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JULY 22
Mountains Need Moving
"Jesus answered and said...if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." Matthew 21:21
When a nation loses its ability to discern morality, it embarks on a slippery slope toward self-destruction, especially when it comes to basic sexual morality.
When a nation turns its back on the commands of God, He will say, "That's the last step. I wash My hands. You asked for it. You got it."
Americais in a crisis, and unless we have a moral rebirth, we will join the graveyard of the nations—it's time to wake up. Time is passing—it's time to look up. Jesus is coming—it's time to sober up. Satan is working—it's time to pray up. Mountains need moving.
Ask the Lord to heal our land, forgiving the iniquities of the wicked by bringing salvation to their souls.
:angel:
JULY 23
Jesus Paid It All
"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). Ephesians 2:5
Suppose your best friend offered to buy you a new car. You tell him that you can't accept it outright and offer to help pay for the car. Then you say, "Here's a quarter. Thank you!"
Now you're driving around, and somebody compliments you on your new car. You say, "Thanks! My friend and I bought this car."
Wouldn't that be ridiculous? Well, that's what we're doing with God when we add our two bits-worth of self-effort to His grace. If you do that, you take the glory from Almighty God. When you get to heaven, all you're going to be able to say is, "Jesus paid it all."
Spend some time reading Ephesians 2 today and praise God for His divine plan of salvation.
:angel:
JULY 24
The Enduring Word of the Lord
"The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
Many centuries ago there was a Roman emperor named Diocletian who was known for his hatred of Christianity. He hated the Bible so much that he took a Bible and burned it. Then on top of that burned Bible he erected a monument.
Chiseled on that monument were these words:
"Extincto nomini christianorum" — "The name of Christian is extinct."
Over the years many like Diocletian have sought to eradicate the Bible and Christianity, but for naught. The Bible is the incorruptible Word of God, and the foul breath of time and the gnawing tooth of decay cannot destroy the Word of God!
Purchase a Bible this week for the sole purpose of giving it away. Then ask God to find that special someone for you to give it to.
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
:angel:
JULY 25
The Penetrating Power of the Word of God
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." Hebrews 4:12
I have found that when you don't apologize for the Bible but accept and teach the Bible, it goes through the devil's lies like a white-hot cannonball through a crate of eggs.
There is power in the Word of God, and Satan does not want you to understand the authority of the Word of God. He doesn't want you to get the power that will divert his fiery attacks away from your heart — his prime target. When the Word of the Lord and the Lord of the Word become your authority, then Satan and all of his demonic forces will flee, and you are going to have authority for your life.
How is the Word of God penetrating your heart? Are you even allowing it to do so? Take a few minutes and ask God to begin a mighty work in you through the power of His Word.
:angel:
JULY 26
Charting Our Course by His Word
"But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." 1 John 2:5
The word "keepeth" in 1 John is a derivative of a word that sailors used years ago to refer to their practice of steering their course by "keeping" the stars.
This did not mean, of course, that a sailor would not be blown off course or that he might not over-steer. It didn't mean that he might not nod at the wheel or somehow be distracted, or fail to keep a perfect chart. But the goal, the aim, the desire, and the controlling principle in his life were those stars. He knew that in them he could find direction to his destination.
In the same way, John says God's commandments are to be the standard by which you and I chart our courses in life.
What is determining your steps today? God's Word? Or your word?
:angel:
JULY 27
Failure Is Not Final
"O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful." Psalm 31:23
Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth were two of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ty Cobb was known for his record number of stolen bases, and Babe Ruth was known for his record number of home runs. What you may not know is that Ty Cobb was also thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases. And Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in baseball! These fellows didn't let their failures stop them, and neither should you!
Fix your goal.
Face your faults.
Forget your failures.
Failure in the Christian life is not final.
Maybe you or someone you know is feeling discouraged today. Remind them or yourself of the promise in Philippians 4:13.
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
:angel:
JULY 28
One Burning Focus
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that.
You say, "But wait a minute. I've got other things to do! I've got a job. I've got to rest. I've got to have recreation. I've got to have friends. I can't just narrow my interests to one." When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing.
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus, and you've made it!
:angel:
July 29
You Are Not a Speck—You Are Cherished!
". . . the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:30
The Lord sees you. He knows all about you. And I guarantee you on the authority of the Word of God, that He loves you.
This is amazing when you realize that we are just specks on a globe that's about the size of a grain of sand or less compared to the size of the universe.
There's no more reason that the Lord of Glory should be interested in us then we should be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And yet our Lord looks down and He sees us as cherished individuals that He loves one by one.
The great God that runs the universe is concerned about you as though that were His only goal.
When was the last time you counted the hairs on your head? Can you trust a God who has them numbered?
:angel:
July 30
Your Virtual Reality—Newness of Life!
"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4
I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time. I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room!
Sometimes our mind tells us something is true when it's not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true!
How critical it is for us to focus on the truth! Jesus died for you. He lives for you. You died with Him. You live for Him. Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.
Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you! You are buried with Him. You rose with Him. You can walk in newness of life!
:angel:
How Do I Get More Light?
July 31
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." Psalm 119:34
Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? "From faith to faith." How does that work? God gives you truth...you believe that truth...God gives you more truth.
The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light God has already given us! If you want to understand the part of the Bible you don't understand, begin to obey the part you do understand and you'll understand what you didn't understand. Do you understand?
Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.
:angel:
One Body in Christ
August 1
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." Romans 12:5
My left hand is a member of my body. So is my right hand. The right hand cannot direct the left hand and vice versa. But both hands can receive instruction from the head. If one hand is connected to the head and the other hand is connected to the head, then it simply follows that our hands are going to submit one to another. They're not going to fight one another.
It's the same way in the Body of Christ—the church. Who is the head of the body? The Lord Jesus Christ. Who are the members of the body? You and I. God put us in the church together that we might have a spirit of submission in the fear of the Lord.
Is there someone in the church with whom you're having difficulties? Submit yourself to the Lord and allow Him to give you grace to submit one to another.
:angel:
August 2
Carrying Our Own Burdens
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Psalm 55:22
A man was carrying a heavy load of grain down a country road. Another man in a wagon being pulled by a horse saw the man walking and said to him, "Mister, you need a ride?" And so the man got in the wagon. But he kept the load of grain on his shoulder. The wagon driver said, "Man, put that down and relax!" The rider said, "Oh no. It's enough for you to carry me without having you carry this too."
Have you ever done that to the Lord? You say, "Lord, I'll let You save me, but I'll carry my own burdens." How foolish we are to do this with the God who hung the stars and planets.
If you can trust God to save you from hell, don't you think you can cast your burden upon the Lord right now?
:angel:
August 3
When It Comes to the Devil...How to Think
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
There are two mistakes people make about the devil. One, they get into demonology—always studying, wondering, and talking about demons. Their focus rests on Satan rather than on the Lord Jesus. The Bible says we're to resist the devil; it doesn't say we're to chase him.
On the other hand, there are those who are flippant about the devil. They have nicknames for him and think he's a cartoon or fantasy.
The truth is, we have a powerful adversary, the devil. Peter likens him to a roaring lion! A mature Christian recognizes that he has an enemy. He respects the power of the enemy. Then he clings to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome this great adversary.
Is the lion prowling around your life? Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and break free from his jaws of destruction.
:angel:
August 4
Happiness vs. Joy
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4
Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. So it's cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, "Smile and be happy." Better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow.
The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.
There is someone in a nursing home that longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
August 5
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15
In Florida where I was raised, we had a lot of hurricanes. Even as a child I learned that in the center of the worst hurricane, there's a calm called the "eye" of the storm. When the storm passes over, there is a calm like a mill pond on a summer evening.
Friend, in your storm today there is a center that is calm. It's the heart of God. He is there. He is the "I AM" in the midst of your storm.
As someone has well said, "God gives peace that the world can't take away." It is supernatural peace.
Do you have the peace of God in your heart? Claim the promise of Psalm 29:11, Isaiah 26:3, and Romans 5:1 today.
:angel:
August 6
The Trying of Faith Works Patience
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4
What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you're like most people, probably not. We become like children who don't know the difference between "No" and "Not yet." If you say, "Wait a while," to them that is, "No." They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, "Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child." Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.
What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.
:angel:
August 7
Abiding in the Vine
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:4-5
You'll never see a fruit factory. Now, you'll see factories for making clothing, cars, and computers, but not a fruit factory. Instead fruit is grown in an orchard. It is dependent upon life.
There is no fruit without life. The only way that fruit is going to ripen and grow is in the right climate and with the right nutrients. Just like we can't grow bananas in Alaska, we can't grow and produce the fruit of the Spirit unless we're in the place where the Spirit can produce His fruit in us. And that place is walking and abiding in the Spirit.
Read Galatians 5:22-25 today and ask God to help you abide in the Spirit to produce the fruit He desires in your life.
:angel:
August 8
God Keeps the Score
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
I read something that deeply touched my heart about a PGA golfer named DiVensenzo. As he was leaving a golf course with his winnings, a woman approached him and said, "I have a baby who is dying." Moved with compassion, he endorsed the check and gave it to her saying, "Take this, and try to buy some happiness for yourself and your child."
A week later he was in the clubhouse having lunch, and one of the PGA officials came up to him and said, "Did you know that the woman who approached you last week didn't have a baby dying of an incurable disease!" And DiVensenzo said, "There's no baby dying? That's the best news I've heard all week!" What an attitude!
Do you ever feel like people are going to take advantage of you? Be thankful today that God keeps the score.
:angel:
August 9
Evaluating True Riches
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:17
Do you want to know how rich you are? Add up everything you own that money cannot buy, that death nor disaster cannot take away, and then you'll know just how rich you are. What did you discover? Hopefully, you discovered that it's time you started laying up true riches. Because all the rest will burn away. If you are putting all of your labor in this world, it's like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.
Read Matthew 6:19-21. Where is your heart? Where is your treasure?
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
August 10
The Voice of Conscience from Within
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
After David had sinned and done the terrible thing that he had done by committing adultery, he said in Psalm 51:3, "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." Can you imagine what it would be like for your sin to "ever" be before you? The deed would reverberate through your consciousness unendingly. You see, the conscience is an inner judge that God puts in you that accuses or excuses you. It cannot make you do right, but it shows you what is right or what is wrong. And when your conscience is right, you have tremendous freedom. A good conscience will do something for you that a sleeping pill could never do.
What is your conscience "telling" you this morning? Are you right with God?
:angel:
August 11
Making Sense of What We Don't Understand
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts." Psalm 139:23
A little boy had a jigsaw puzzle that on one side had a map of the world and on the other side had a picture of a man. His mother asked him to try and work it and before long the little fellow had put the puzzle together. The mother was surprised to find that the little fellow knew so much about geography. She asked him, "How on earth did you do that?"
"Oh," he said, "I worked the other side first. When I got the man right, the world was right."
How true that is! We will never fix this world until we get the man right – the man Jesus Christ, that is.
Are things in your world confusing you these days? Turn to Jesus and trust Him to make sense of what you don't understand.
:angel:
August 12
Jesus as Lord and Savior
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
Have you ever thought that salvation was like a cafeteria where you can pick and choose the aspects of Jesus you want? "I'll have a little Saviorhood, but please, no Lordship today." If Jesus is not your Lord, Jesus is not your Savior. What's the difference?
Well, suppose I perform a wedding ceremony and say to the young man, "Would you take Susan to be your lawfully wedded wife?" And he responds, "Well, I'll take Susan as housekeeper." And then I say to her, "Would you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband?" And she says, "Well, I'll take him as provider." We can't pick and choose what we want from Jesus. We take Jesus as Lord over all!
Is Jesus Christ Lord of every area of your life? Take time to today to examine your life – your finances, your relationships, your hopes and dreams.
:angel:
August 13
Knowing Jesus
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9
Years ago my wife gave me a little card to carry in my billfold. On it she had written her dress size, shoe size, glove size and more. That was nice to have so I could know all about her when I went to do some shopping. But it didn't provide much companionship or encouragement when I was away from her.
It's one thing to have the facts about Jesus, it's another thing to have a relationship with Jesus.
Do you know Jesus...really know Him? Or are you just gathering facts about Him?
:angel:
August 14
The Law of Life in Christ
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2
I've always found airplane flight amazing. They are so heavy, yet they fly! The pilot gets behind the controls, moves the throttle, and those great engines begin to roar. And the first thing you know, you're flying.
Has the law of gravity been canceled? No, but there's another law that comes into effect called the law of aerodynamics, which is a greater law than the law of gravity. When you get right with God, the law of sin and death is still there. But there's a new law. It's the law of life in Christ Jesus that sets you free from the law of sin and death. As long as you abide in Jesus Christ, then you are free from the law of sin and death.
Have you been set free? Then, it's your turn to set another captive free with the Good News. Go out and share this free gift with someone today.
:angel:
August 15
Faithful in Little and Much
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10
What would you do if you had a million dollars? Well, let me tell you a good test of what you would do—it's what you're doing with that hundred dollars you have right now. Are you saving it? Spending it? Sharing it?
The test of what you would do in the spiritual realm is seen by what you do in the physical realm. Many of us do not have spiritual blessings because we simply haven't been faithful with the small things in our lives.
Are you hoping for something in your life? How could you be faithful in something little so that you'll be faithful when the other comes along?
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
August 16
Be Merciful to Me, A Sinner
"Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation." Psalm 85:7
There's a story about a lady who went to a photographer to have her picture made. When she saw it, she didn't like it. She took it back and told the photographer, "You'll have to take this over." He asked, "What's wrong with it?" She said, "It doesn't do me justice." He looked at it and looked at her and said, "Lady, you don't need justice, what you need is mercy."
God is just, but we need mercy. If you have never come to place where you have seen yourself as a sinner lost before Almighty God and cried out to Him for mercy, you've never been saved.
You may have joined a church, but have you thrown yourself on the mercy of the court? Have you said, "Lord God be merciful to me, a sinner?"
:angel:
August 17
Casting Our Burdens at His Feet
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn't come. He called him several times; he wouldn't come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master's feet.
It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can't get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master's feet.
Is your heart aching today? Cast your burden at His feet and allow His peace to fill your heart.
:angel:
August 18
Exercise Discernment with Entertainment
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
The most dangerous thing on television in my estimation today is the sitcom. Do you know what they're doing? They're getting you to laugh at sin. In fact, a Christian television and film writer attended a producers' workshop one day. One of the keynote speakers was one of TV's most successful producers of sitcoms. In his address, he stated that in order to have a commercially successful production, the characters in a sitcom must violate at least three of the Ten Commandments. How tragic. But what an opportunity for people like you and me to take a stand for the truth and for the glory of God in the film and television industry.
Pray Joshua 1:7 for those who are in the television and movie industries—that they will be strong and courageous.
:angel:
August 19
True Freedom in Christ
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." Romans 6:22
When Jesus Christ comes into your life, He changes you. Maybe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Maybe you struggle with lust, fear, doubt, or self- pity. Maybe you're a slave to public opinion or perfectionism. But I want to tell you that the Jesus Christ who set Adrian Rogers free is the Jesus Christ who will set you free.
Our freedom in Jesus Christ isn't the privilege to do what we want. Instead it is the glorious, abundant, supernatural power to do what we ought.
It is saving grace that sets us free. It is sustaining grace that keeps us free.
Bow before the Lord and thank Him for the freedom you've been given through the great price of Calvary.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
August 20
The Sacrificial Quotient of Giving
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Ephesians 5:25
A little boy was looking through the family picture album, and he came to a picture of his mother when she was a very young girl. It was taken just after they'd gotten married. The boy asked his father, "Is that when Mother came to work for us?"
Does this ring true in your home? Let me set the record straight. The husband, if he loves his wife as Christ loves the church, is going to love his wife sacrificially. He is going to love her in such a way that he would be willing to lay down his life for her. He's going to protect her. He's going to provide for her. He's going to do what he can to present his wife and family as holy vessels for the Lord's use.
Are you married? Then how are you doing on the sacrificial quotient of giving to your spouse? If you had to, would you be willing to lay down your life for your spouse?
:angel:
August 21
When These Things Begin to Come to Pass
"Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50
If we get into an auto accident and come out alive, we typically thank God for sparing our lives. But do you ever just thank God for saving your life as you drove home from work and didn't have an accident? Isn't that even better?
I heard a story that poignantly illustrates this. One Sunday a husband and wife heard that a person in their church whose son died on the battlefield gave a significant love offering in his memory. On the way home, the wife asked her husband, "Why don't we give an offering for our son?"
"Why?" he answered. "Our son wasn't killed."
She said, "Don't you think that's a good reason?"
What should you do in all things? Whether you are safe or sorry?
:angel:
August 22
Peace, Be Still
"Keep me as the apple of the eye...hide me under the shadow of Thy wings." Psalm 17:8
Charles Wesley was walking through the woods on a stormy day when a lightening storm broke out and the rain began to come down in torrents. A bolt of lightening flashed, and a little bird was so frightened that it flew down to Wesley and it tried to hide in his coat.
He was so moved by the scene that he wrote a song we often sing: "Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, 'til the storm of life is past; safe unto the haven guide me, O receive my soul at last." That's what our Lord does. He hides us, sustains us, and keeps us.
Are the storms of life raging around you? Hide yourself in the dark clouds—they are just the shadow of His wing.
:angel:
August 23
How Passionate Is Our Love for the Lord?
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." Matthew 16:25
When I was a little boy and I found something that didn't belong to me, I'd say, "Finders keepers, losers weepers!"
But do you know what the apostle Paul said? "Keepers weepers, losers finders."
He said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:7).
Religion does not save us. Jesus saves us. And He's calling us to not only turn from our sins, but to turn from our righteousness.
What are you holding onto in your life that brings you security? Let it go to the glory of God! You can trust Him to provide for all your needs.
:angel:
August 24
That I May Know Him
"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." Philippians 3:10
One day I was making a call on a businessman with a friend of mine. This dear man of God began giving his testimony of how the Lord saved him. But then he said something that really shocked me. I was speechless. He said, "I used to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and that He was buried and rose again. But I don't believe it anymore."
I was stopped dead in my tracks. Then with a smile on his face he said, "I don't believe it anymore. Now, I know it!"
Oh, to go from believing to knowing the Savior! What a change of thought. What a change of heart. What a glorious revelation and transformation!
Do you know him? Really know Him today? Or do you just believe that He died, was buried, and rose again?
:angel:
August 25
To Be Found in Christ
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Corinthians 1:30
Paul thought it was the greatest of blessings to be found "in Him" (see Philippians 3:9). Paul exchanged a set of rules for a friend.
Hadn't you rather have a friend than a set of rules? Before this, Paul had the law. Now, he has the Lord. And what a difference! What a safe place—to be found in Jesus Christ.
You're not just a church member if you are saved, you are in Christ. You are in His body and He is in you. Talk about fellowship divine! You may be alone, but you'll never be lonely again because the Lord Jesus Christ is in you and you are in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you have a hymnal in your home, find the hymn "In The Garden" and meditate on its truth, that "He tells me I am His own."
:angel:
August 26
More Than We Can Ask or Think
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20
To be found in Jesus, Paul says, is worth more than all of his religion, race, and ritual. It is a relationship with the Almighty God. It is Jesus. Paul says, "I'm tired of trying. I'm going to start trusting."
Basically, Paul lived a life of working his way to heaven before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9). Legalism is a terrible thing. It is a harsh task master under which no one can succeed.
Liberty, not legalism, is what the Lord Jesus Christ offers. Freedom, not bondage. Relationship, not religion. We give up nothing for which Jesus will not abundantly offer more than we could ever hope or dream.
Read Colossians 3:11. What does it mean for Christ to be your "all in all"?
:angel:
August 27
Take It to the Lord in Prayer
"Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows." Job 22:27
Have you ever disagreed with someone and felt you were in the right? I have. What started out as a conversation turns into a confrontation. And the tension becomes so thick you can cut it with a knife. At that point, it's time to separate before things disintegrate.
And when you separate, it's time to communicate with the Lord. It's when you get alone with God that the communion of conviction comes, and what seemed to be confusion becomes crystal clear in His light. More often than not, the Holy Spirit has shown me that I was in the wrong and needed to ask forgiveness.
Have you had a disagreement with someone lately? It's time to retreat, reflect, and receive what the Lord wants to tell you. Enter your prayer closet today.
:angel:
August 28
God Is Your Best Purity.
". . . it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." 1 Corinthians 7:1-2
Premarital sex always endangers future marital happiness. It follows as night follows day. Surveys have shown that those who were sexually pure when they went to the marriage altar have the greatest opportunity to have a happy marriage.
You can understand why. Suppose a man says to a woman "I love you so much, I just can't wait." He talks her into giving in to his desires. Now think about a man who loves and respects a woman by keeping her pure. Do you see the trust that this builds? God has a wonderful plan for you. Sex is so bad outside marriage because it's so good inside marriage.
Are you single? Take courage from knowing God's best is your purity. Though it may be hard to wait, God will honor your obedience.
:angel:
August 29
Fidelity, a Multi-Facetted Trait of Character
"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4
I'm continually amazed at the apathetic responses to surveys where people are asked, "Does it make any difference to you whether a candidate is faithful to his wife or not?" Or, "Would you vote for a man that was unfaithful to his wife?" And they say, "It doesn't matter."
Well, friend, it makes a difference to me. And more importantly, it makes a difference to God. When couples break solemn vows—unless they repent with every ounce of their hearts—trust is broken. Put it down big, straight, and plain: People who treat sex lightly will treat other people lightly.
Are you married? Find some time today to express to your spouse your love and faithful commitment to him or her.
:angel:
August 30
Imputing Righteousness to Your Account
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." Romans 4:6
God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does "impute" mean? To put on your account. At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8 says, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved and she replied, "It feels as though I am standing in Jesus' shoes and He is standing in mine." A scholar or theologian couldn't have said it any better.
"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).
Thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn't impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He imputes—puts into your account— that to you!
:angel:
August 31
"After His Kind," Not Another Kind
"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created." Psalm 148:5
In Genesis 1:11-12 we read, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (italics mine).
If evolution is true, then one specie would have to involve into another specie, and if that is true, then you would expect to find transitional forms of life. You hear talk about the "missing link." May I tell you, the whole chain is missing!
What do you believe about the origin of creation?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 1
The Trial of Your Faith
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7
James 1:13 says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man."
Some people get confused between temptations and trials, and the difference between the two is this:
Trials are sent by God to cause us to stand.
Temptation to sin is sent by the devil to cause us to stumble.
One is meant for our maturity. The other is meant for our misery. James used this word interchangeably. While God does not cause both kinds, God allows both kinds, and He will use both to make us more like Jesus.
Are you in the furnace of affliction? Do you feel you're being tempted? Trust in God to see you through.
:angel:
September 2
Ready to Face Trials and Temptations
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Winston Churchill was speaking to the House of Commons one day when he gave this advice, "We must always be ready to meet at our average moment, the thing that any possible enemy could hurl against us at his selected moment."
Satan could hurl a deadly temptation at you at any given moment. The phone could ring with terrible news about a friend. A police officer could knock on your door to inform you of a tragedy in your family.
Trials can come with such a force that they blow you off course. Temptation can strike at your backside and almost give you whiplash!
It is not God's will that you have a vacancy of temptation or trials but that you have victory in temptation and trials.
Are you ready at this moment to meet what the devil may throw at you or what God may allow to come your way? Get ready by spending time in His precious word today.
:angel:
September 3
All Things Are Under His Feet
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him." 1 Corinthians 15:27
God has given us kingdom authority. Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19).
When problems get over your head, remember they are under His feet.
You need not be discouraged when troubles strike. It is the pathway your Savior has walked before you. It is the way of the cross, and He has won the victory!
· Write down the hardest thing you have to deal with today.
· Now, put that paper on the floor.
· Look down on it.
Now you have a glimpse of God's vantage point over the problems in your life.
Remember ... "He hath put all things under His feet."
:angel:
September 4
God's Omnipotence in Creation
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1
An eloquent preacher said, "God stepped from behind the curtain of nowhere and stood upon the platform of nothing and spoke a world into existence."
God is the creator of all that your hand can touch, your eye can see, your ears can hear, and your nose can smell. If you see a watch, I hope you assume there's a watchmaker. And if you see the precise atomic flux of the universe, I hope that you don't believe that happened by chance.
Evolutionists believe that if you take billions of years and add time plus chance, that you can turn frogs into princes. In school they call that fairy tales. In the laboratory they call it science.
God spoke your life into existence. His Word sustains your breath. His Word can silence your breath. Thank Him for your life today!
:angel:
September 5
Praising the Lord for Who He Is
"I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." Psalm 104:33
· We have a God who is simply presented in all of creation; we should recognize Him.
· We have a God who is sovereignly powerful; we should respect Him.
· We have a God who is surely purposeful; we should reverence Him.
· We have a God who is savingly personal; we should receive Him.
All of that is in Genesis 1:1 which says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
We have an obligation to God. We are twice His. First, we are His because of creation, and secondly, we are His because of redemption. He made us and He bought us.
Have you ever had something very precious and lost it? Then gratefully, it was restored to you again? That's just an inkling of the treasure you are to God!
:angel:
September 7
The Meaning of Everything
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse. And the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16).
There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only. People say, "the world needs saving." But what the world really needs is redemption. And where is redemption going to come from? Not from a creed, code, or cause, but Jesus only.
The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
September 8
The Impending Great Tribulation
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Matthew 24:21
General Omar Bradley said this about our generation:
· We know more about war than about peace.
· We know more about killing than about living.
· This is our 20th Century's claim to progress – knowledge of science outstrips capacity for control.
· We have too many men of science, too few men of God.
· The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience.
· We are a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.
I think he said a mouthful. Jesus said there's coming a time like never before seen in history – the Great Tribulation – when all our progresses and advances will come down to one thing – Jesus Christ.
Where will you be on the day of Tribulation?
Where do you want to be?
:angel:
September 9
The Blessing Book
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3
When I was in seminary, my wife Joyce told me, "You're going to flunk if you don't start hitting your school books."
Instead I was reading books on prophecy and told her, "I've got to find out what this is all about. They're not teaching it in school." And as I would study these things, I felt God building me.
There is a blessing to be found in a study of prophecy. It would be better for you not to know these things than to know them and to be idle about them.
There's nothing that fuels the flames of evangelism like a proper understanding of prophecy.
When was the last time you read the book of Revelation? Maybe you can start on it today!
:angel:
September 10
It's Getting Gloriously Dark!
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28
I wonder what would happen if scientists began making a human being from the cell of another human being. We are living in strange days, are we not? But I want to tell you our hope is not to be found in science. There's no blessing in the book of science. Friend, the blessing is in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
When I see things like cloning come to pass they do not shake me. Sometimes they grieve me or sadden me, but they do not shake me because I know God's Word. I know it is the fulfillment of prophecy, and I can say with all of the saints, "Praise God! It's getting gloriously dark."
Next time you read something in the paper that shadows the end times, use it as an open door to share the Second Coming of Jesus with someone.
:angel:
September 11
Into The Storm—With Jesus
"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm Mark 4:39."
Remember when Jesus was with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came upon them? The lightning began to play in the wind. The sea churned. And the gentle winds turned into a cruel gale. The little ship was tossed and turned like a cork. The disciples despaired and said to the Lord Jesus Christ who was asleep, "Don't You care if we perish? Do something!" And Jesus said, "Peace, be still." And the winds ceased and the sea calmed. This world is headed into a storm and the spiritual barometer is dropping. And our world will not know peace until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes and says, "Peace, be still."
Read the full account of what happened to the disciples in Mark 4:36-41. What application can you give to your life?
:angel:
September 12
Lukewarmness—a Form of Blasphemy
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Revelation 2:4
In Revelation 2:1-7, we read about the Lord's charge that the church at Ephesus had left their first love. It wasn't that they didn't love the Lord Jesus. It was that they didn't love Him like they used to. If there ever was a time when you loved Jesus more than you do at this moment, you're backslidden. G. Campbell Morgan said that lukewarmness is the worst form of blasphemy. I believe he's right. Lukewarmness is a way of saying, "God, I believe in You, but You just don't excite me." Oh, how we ought to stay in love with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Have you left your first love? Has your love for Jesus became lukewarm? Pray Psalm 26:2 and seek His face.
:angel:
September 13
The Rapture of the Church
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thessalonians 4:16
I believe there will be seven years of terrible tribulation. It will be a time of tyranny and persecution. It will be a time when all nature will be out of joint and when demon spirits will infest the world. It will be a time when the Anti-Christ will rule and reign.
But before the tribulation comes, the Church is going to be raptured out. You might find it interesting to note that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible, but the word "caught up" is, and that's literally what the word "rapture" means. We will be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Do your loved ones know what the rapture means? Why not ask them what they think this next week and open the door for a candid discussion about the future?
:angel:
September 14
"Praise the Lord!"
"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever." Revelation 7:12
I heard about a man who got a little excited in church and kept shouting, "Praise the Lord!"
One day, some of the brethren called on him while he was plowing his fields. When they were finished talking, he hung his head and said, "I know it's the truth. I have disturbed the services, but you know, I sit there and think what the Lord has done for me, how He died in agony and blood for me upon the cross, how He's forgiven all of my sins, how He's filled me with the Spirit, and – here, hold this mule while I shout!"
If being a Christian and going to heaven doesn't excite you, then you have calluses on your soul. It's exciting to know the Lord Jesus Christ!
When was the last time you raised your hands and shouted "Praise the Lord!" Maybe right now is a good time!
:angel:
September 15
Holy Spirit Conviction vs. Satanic Accusation
"Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10
You will be a miserable Christian if you don't learn the difference between Holy Spirit conviction and Satanic accusation.
When the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sin, He will not make you just feel bad all over. He will put His finger right on the sore spot and push. He will convict you specifically and He will convict you legitimately.
Now if the devil doesn't convict you of all your sins in general, he will try to accuse you of a specific sin for which you have already been forgiven. And he will fight a losing battle, because if you put your sin under the blood of Jesus Christ and it comes up again, it's not God bringing it up.
Are you under conviction or accusation today about an unconfessed sin? Read Revelation 12:9-11. Claim the powerful blood of Jesus to cover your sin. Repent and believe!
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 16
The Whole World in His Hands
"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Colossians 1:17
We sing about the Lord having the whole world in His hands. But do you know what is more remarkable than that? He has the whole universe in His hands.
He's the One who spoke it into existence. He's the One who keeps it going. He's the One who is going to fold it up like a garment and tuck it away in a drawer somewhere. He regulates it; He rules it and He runs it.
When you pick up the newspaper and read something alarming, you don't need to panic. Instead, remember Who has it under His control. He who flung the stars in space has the whole universe in His hands!
Take the hand of a child today and look at the stars twinkling in the night sky or a flower beginning to bloom. Then share about the awesome Creator and Sustainer of all.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 17
The Law of the Harvest
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. . ." Luke 6:38
When God created the herbs of the field, He said, "Let them bring forth after their kind" (Genesis 1:12).
Whatever we sow, we're going to reap. If you sow to the flesh, then you're going to reap what you sow. On the other hand, if you sow to the spirit, you cannot fail to reap good things. You can't even give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple and lose your reward.
Every seed you plant for Jesus is going to sprout. Whatever it is you want, plant it, sow it, give it, "and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together."
Would you like to have better relationships? Then start sowing seeds of encouragement and good deeds.
:angel:
September 18
Valleys and Mountains in the Life of a Christian
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? They are beautiful complements in God's grand creation.
The valley is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection.
The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong.
If you find yourself in a valley, it is because you have come down from a mountain. If you're on a mountain, you came to that place by way of the valley.
Are you in the valley or on the mountaintop? Read Psalm 46 about the strength of the Lord. Rest and rejoice in His strength, wherever God has you right now.
:angel:
September 19
Seizing Opportunities to Serve
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on a journey but stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn't make excuses saying, "It's none of my business." It was a golden moment, and he took it.
All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you to see their pain as a golden opportunity to serve them in the name of Jesus.
The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, our duties, our responsibilities, and we're too busy. But if we're too busy to be kind, we're too busy.
What's on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix it? If someone called and needed a ride to the hospital, could you take them? Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.
:angel:
September 20
Longing for His Return
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17
God chose the analogy of a wedding to describe the moment when we become one with the Lord Jesus Christ. When we become one with God for all eternity, we'll know Him in a more intimate way than we know Him now, and God calls that "the marriage of the Lamb." When I think about the fact that being swept up to meet the Lord in Glory and meeting Him face to face is so fulfilling that the Bible describes it as the consummation of a marriage, I don't mind telling you that really excites me!
Does the Second Coming of our Lord make your heart pound with excitement? Do you long for His return and reign?
:angel:
September 21
Espoused to Christ
". . . Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God." Revelation 19:1
I've never performed a wedding where there wasn't a beautiful bride, but no bride can compare in beauty to the one we'll behold when Jesus returns to claim us, the Bride of Christ.
You see, when we were saved, we were espoused to Christ, and an espousal is a little bit stronger than an engagement. An engagement is a promise to marry, but an espousal is a promise that you belong to this person even though the marriage has not yet been consummated.
Every child of God already belongs to Him. When we become espoused to Christ, He gives us something better than an engagement ring. He gives us the Holy Spirit.
Read Revelation 19, then spend a few moments worshipping Him.
:angel:
September 22
Seeing Problems as Potentialities
". . . the God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build. . ." Nehemiah 2:20
Do you have any problems today? You do? Well, I just have one word for you: "Congratulations!"
I don't want to sound flippant, but I am very serious about my comment. You see, a problem really is an opportunity in disguise. You need to learn that God wants you to see your problems as potentialities and your adversaries as opportunities.
A Christian is not someone who sees a difficulty in every opportunity, but to the contrary, he's one who sees an opportunity in every difficulty.
Think of a problem you are struggling through today. Now, get on your knees. Ask God to show you the opportunity hidden away in your struggle that will bring Him glory.
:angel:
September 23
Driven to the Heart of Our Lord
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1
The worst thing that could happen to sinful people would be to live in a perfect environment.
If God had left Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam would not have known that he had the fatal infection of sin, and he would not have sought the remedy for sin, which he found in the shedding of blood.
Problems are designed not to crush us, but to crowd us to Christ who provided the remedy for sin by shedding His blood on the cross. The problem of sin is real and terrible, but it brings with it the possibility that we can be forgiven and clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
When was the last time you thanked God for the problems in your life? Think of them as vehicles that drive you to the heart of your Lord.
:angel:
September 24
Don't Try to Hurry the Harvest
". . . the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." James 5:7
Sometimes the things that count the most seem to take the longest to get here.
Some giant sequoias in California are 300 feet tall. That's the height of a 30 story building! Yet each one began with the smallest of seeds that began growing and maturing since before the time of Christ! That's a long time.
You may say that you're going to serve God. Then you start to do something for Him, but when you don't reap a harvest immediately, you get discouraged. Don't try to hurry the harvest. In due season, you will reap.
Have you shared Christ with people and yet they haven't been saved? Read Isaiah 55:11 and Romans 10:13 and receive His encouragement.
:angel:
September 25
Looking to God, Our Provider
"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." Psalm 50:10
Do you remember when it was rare to hear of someone whose job was either threatened, or actually lost, due to changes or cutbacks? Well, that's hardly news anymore.
These days it seems that almost everyone is struggling with financial problems related to job security.
You may be struggling and asking, "What good can possibly come from my financial problems?" They are wonderful opportunities to trust your Heavenly Father for your daily bread. I've always said that it's better to have a Father who owns a bakery than to have a warehouse full of bread!
Are you having financial woes? Do you know someone who is? Share with them the Good News of God's provision and faithfulness.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 26
The Law and the Gospel of God's Grace
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all." Romans 4:16
There are more than six billion people on the face of this earth. If you extracted from each one the very best character traits and put those things into one man, that one man would still have to bow before God and cry out for mercy to be saved.
We've got to quit trying to be saved by doing good things or being a moral person or even by keeping the Ten Commandments.
The law says "if." The gospel says "therefore."
The law says you must earn salvation. The gospel says salvation is a gift.
The law demands holiness. The gospel provides holiness.
The law says run, but it doesn't give us legs.
The gospel says fly, and it gives us wings of grace.
Read Romans 10. What application can you gain for your life from this chapter?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 27
Fully Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
John G. Patton was a Bible translator in the South Sea Islands. While translating, he came to the word "believe" and searched for a word that the native people could truly understand. He wanted something that meant commitment and trust, but he couldn't think of a word. Then one day, a messenger rushed into Mr. Patton's room out of breath. Needing to rest, he flung himself into a big chair and leaned back in complete relaxation. Patton asked the native for a word to describe what he did when he sat down and completely trusted in the chair to hold him so he could relax. That's the word he used for "believe."
When a person quits trying and begins to trust the Lord Jesus, that's "belief."
Who have you been sharing Christ with that hasn't yet been saved? Ask God to give you a word that will break through the barriers and bring salvation to this person.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 28
Not Ashamed of the Lordship of Christ
"O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me." Psalm 25:2
Have you ever noticed that some people get a little embarrassed in a restaurant if you bow your head and mention Jesus as you ask His blessing? They rub their eyebrows or forehead when you pray. Have you ever asked yourself why they're ashamed? I think it is because they don't know what they're missing in Jesus. You see, salvation is a wonderful gift. God sent His Son to die for us. He rose from the grave for us. He ascended into heaven for us. He's coming again for us! How can we be ashamed of this?
Next time you go to a restaurant, let your prayer of blessing turn into an evangelistic opportunity with your unsaved friend.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 29
Loving God with All Your Mind
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . ." Mark 12:30
Jesus said of Satan, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).
Satan is a clever liar. In fact, many of his lies sound like the truth. He plays with our minds to confuse us. He lies about the biggest subject of all – God. Satan wants to deceive you about God. If he can distort your idea of God, then beyond the shadow of any doubt, he has you in everything else.
What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 30
The Comfort of the Holy Spirit
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the Comforter."
Whenever peace enters your heart in the midst of grief...
Whenever joy enters your heart in the midst of a trial...
Whenever you see evidence of His life in yours...
.....you can be sure the Holy Spirit is flowing through your life.
Can He forget you? Never. The seal of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is on your life if you are His child. Whenever you pass through a room or walk through a crowd, His oil of gladness sends a sweet aroma of Christ through the air!
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. How can you show the comfort of Christ to someone who is hurting?
:angel:
October 1
Facing Temptation
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
When you face temptation, remember it is not a sin to be tempted. Temptation to sin is not sin.
If temptation were a sin, then Jesus would be a sinner, because Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus felt what you feel. He was just as much a man as though He were not God at all, and He was as much God as though He were not man at all. He was the God-Man, and praise God, Jesus never sinned though He knew those temptations.
Are you facing a temptation today that you feel no one has ever faced? Turn to Jesus and He will meet you there.
:angel:
October 2
The Testing of Your Faith
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." 1 Peter 4:12
Has something bad happened to you and you said, "Oh me. What did I do? I must have done something terrible. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened!"
And before you knew it, you fell headlong into a pity party of morbid introspection—taking yourself apart piece by piece to see where you went wrong. If you're like most people, you have.
But have you ever thought that maybe you've done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith? This is an important truth for you to understand, because if you don't, you may get discouraged. The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Read Exodus 16 about the testing of the Lord in the lives of the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. What applications can you give to your life?
:angel:
October 3
Humbly Grateful, Not Grumbly Hateful
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James 1:2
Sometimes we have to admit that it's hard to "count it all joy." Sometimes we complain and rather than being humbly grateful, we become grumbly hateful.
Oh, how I wish that, beginning today, we would emulate the faith of the saints that have gone before us—saints like Fannie Crosby, the great hymn writer.
For most of her life Fannie Crosby was blind, and yet, at the tender age of eight, Fannie wrote:
"Oh! What a happy soul am I, although I cannot see,
I am resolved that, in this world, contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don't.
To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't."
And do you know what? .... She didn't.
· How can you apply this truth to your life today?
· How can you share this truth with someone else?
:angel:
October 4
The Greatest Event of All Ages
". . . and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14
The Second Coming of Jesus is going to be the greatest event of all of the ages. It is one of the grand theological truths taught in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
· The New Birth is vitally important, but it is mentioned only nine times in the New Testament.
· Baptism is vitally important, but it is mentioned only 20 times in the New Testament.
· Repentance is mentioned only 70 times in the Bible, as important and needful as that is.
· But the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's Word at least 380 times.
One out of every 25 verses points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you getting ready for His Second Coming? What if He came this very hour?
:angel:
October 5
Patience Worketh Perfection
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4
"Patience worketh perfection." When was the last time you asked God to make you perfect? Maybe you should have asked for patience as well, because it is only through patient, abiding faith and trust in the Lord that we become "perfect."
A lot of people confuse this word "perfect" with "sinless." The Greek word for perfect in James 1:4 is teleios,and it refers to a maturing growth. For example, an oak tree is the teleios of an acorn. It is the perfection of an acorn.
So when you are discouraged and feeling a little blue,
Take a look at a mighty oak and see what a nut can do.
Take a walk this week enjoying the beauty of God's creation and ask Him to give you the patience and faith that can turn a little acorn into a mighty oak.
:angel:
October 6
True Beauty
". . . even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4b
Are you a woman struggling with the way you look? We all know that women want to be beautiful, especially to their husbands and boyfriends, but so often women think that beauty is found at a cosmetics counter, on a dress rack, or in a jewelry box. Those things are corruptible, and what's in vogue today is out of fashion when next year's supermodels hit the runway.
The only thing that will make you more beautiful, day after day, is what you nurture within yourself - serenity.
The ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit is worth far more than even the most expensive jewel you can wear around your neck.
Stand in front of the mirror today. Imagine Jesus by your side, and ask Him to create in you a gentle and quiet spirit of love.
:angel:
October 7
God's Plan for the Man
"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15
God gave women a nurturing instinct, but God gave men a different gift and task—to dress the garden. God equipped men with a hard exterior to be the providers and protectors, and because of this, men want to be admired by women. I want to be admired by my wife. I get more blessing when she admires me and says, "You are wonderful," and she gets a blessing when I am romantic, loving, and tender toward her.
1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
How can you show your wife a little tender loving care today? Now that you've thought of something, go do it!
:angel:
October 8
Taming the Tongue
"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19
Your tongue can get you into a lot of trouble. There is nothing that can do more damage to your relationships than your words.
Proverbs 17:27 says, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words." That is, if you're smart, you won't talk so much. When you do talk, keep your words warm and sweet because you may have to eat them later.
There's an old saying I heard a Rabbi use once that reminds us:
"The ears are open and out. They're unguarded, but the tongue is behind ivory bars."
When you're talking, you're not learning.
When you're not learning, you're not communicating.
When you're not communicating, there will be no intimacy in your relationships.
In what ways has your mouth gotten you into trouble this week? Confess those times before the Lord and ask for strength and wisdom to be a better communicator.
:angel:
October 9
Inclining Our Ears to Hear
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22
Several years ago, the investment firm of E. F. Hutton had a slogan: "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." If only people had this respect and reverence for God and His Word! That is the kind of ear we ought to have for the matchless Word of the living God.
If you do not incline your ear, you might miss something! It has been said that God will not only hold us accountable for what we hear but also for what we would have heard if we had listened.
Do you take notes when your pastor teaches? Maybe it's time you started. It's a great tool for those teachable moments during the week with your friends and family.
:angel:
October 10
A "Know-So" or a "Hope-So" Salvation?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
If you think you're going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you've done enough. You will not have a "know-so" salvation. You will have a "hope-so" salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it's all by grace.
Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can't run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can't read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.
Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read "You Can Be Sure" for more insights on the eternal security of the believer. Just visit us at: http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dis_YouCanBeSure
:angel:
October 11
Thankful in Trials
"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people." 1 Chronicles 16:8
If you are a child of God, you ought to be able to thank God every moment of every day no matter what happens to you.
Have you ever stopped to thank God for the water that you drink? Did you know that in some countries in the world, the majority of the population doesn't have reasonably pure drinking water? Millions of people die annually just from water-related diseases.
If you wear a hearing aid, do you ever thank God for that? Some people wish they had a hearing aide.
If you are a student in the midst of final exams, do you thank God that you have an exam to take? There are many who wish they could afford college.
Do you thank God for your next breath?
Take whatever it is that looks like a trial in your life today and thank God for it! Thank Him every time the thought enters your mind to grumble or complain.
:angel:
October 12
One Plus One Equals One
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:6
Do you know what's wrong with many marriages? Husbands treat their wives like a new car. When it's new, he shows it off; and then when it gets old and the paint fades a little bit, he trades her in for a new model.
Are you a married man? Then you are to satisfy her needs and share your life with her. That means all that you are and all that you have is for her! God's arithmetic is one plus one equals one! There's no part of our lives that we do not share.
Are you the strong, independent type? Then you're not like Jesus, who shared unconditionally and sacrificially with you.
This week, make it a priority to give something sacrificially to your wife. It may be your time. It may be a possession. It may be a word of encouragement that she needs
:angel:
October 13
Don't Be a Flabby Christian
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
I'm amazed at the little bit it takes to stop some Christians from accomplishing the tasks the Father has given them to do. This thing of being a Christian is not a Sunday afternoon stroll! Shining God's light in a dark world is a full‑time job.
We must pray over it, weep over it, and study over it to show ourselves approved. Most of us in America get up on Sunday mornings and sit in an air conditioned church with beautiful stained glass windows and sit in streamlined comfort. The truth is we're flabby, undisciplined, and exhibit no determination.
Friend, God does business with those who mean business.
Do you mean business in this Christian life? Then, begin something today for the building up of God's Kingdom to the glory of God.
:angel:
October 14
Honoring Our Parents Always
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Exodus 20:12
Whether you are young or old, you can honor your parents. How? By showing respect. Leviticus 19:3 says, "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." Now that word "fear" doesn't mean to quake in the presence of your parents. That is, you are to have a holy respect for your father and your mother.
You may say, "But my parents are not worthy of respect." With all due respect, you aren't either. None of us are worthy. Only perfect children can demand perfect parents, and no children are perfect. Our parents are imperfect. We are imperfect. But God is holy, and He says that we are to respect our parents.
What's your relationship like with your parents? If you've been showing less than the type of biblical respect God requires, then begin today to turn that around for His glory!
:angel:
October 15
The Sun of Righteousness
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings. . ." Malachi 4:2
Since Jesus is the S-O-N of God, He is also the S-U-N of righteousness. Let me tell you something about the sunrise. The sunrise never comes ahead of time, and it is never late. Isn't that right? The sunrise operates according to the power of God and the authority of God. You can't hurry it up, and you can't stop it!
It is the same with the Second Coming of Jesus. He is coming at a time known only to God. You can't hurry it up and you can't stop it.
One day the Lord Jesus Christ shall come with trumpet sound. He will pull back the shade of the night and pin it with a star. Then He'll open the door of the glorious morning of His millennial reign and flood the world with light.
Tomorrow morning, get up with the sunrise and praise God that His timing is perfect and that He is coming again!
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com.
Watch Adrian Rogers and Love Worth Finding Video Online.
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:angel:
October 16
Making Your Own Idol
Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
What is an idol? A man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands, and then he begins to worship it. What he is really worshiping is himself.
You may say, Well, Im not guilty of idolatry. Lets just see...is there anything that you love more than God? Anything you fear more than God? Anything you serve more than God? Anything you trust more than God? Am I getting hot?
You say, Well, I give God a place in my life. God doesnt want a place in your life. Then, you say, Well, I give God prominence in my life. God despises prominence in your life. God demands preeminence in your life. He will take nothing less.
Is there anyone or anything in your life that takes precedence over God? Confess it and repent of it. Now, put on the throne the rightful Masterthe Lord Jesus!
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
:angel:
Love Worth Finding
October 17
Obedience in Tithing
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21
A man spoke to his pastor one day and said, "I don't know what's wrong, but God is not real to me anymore." The wise pastor asked, "Is there any sin in your life?" In a moment of honesty the man responded, "Years ago I was tithing regularly to God, but one day I thought, 'God doesn't need the money as much as I do,' so I stopped."
The pastor said, "Will God say, 'My child has disobeyed Me. He cannot trust Me with his resources, so I think I'll bless him with even more financial resources.' Will God do this?"
Absolutely not. If you're not faithful with little, He won't bless you with any more.
Are you faithfully tithing your income to the work of the Lord? If not, it's time to.
:angel:
October 18
Made White as Snow
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow . . ." Isaiah 1:18a
I heard of a man giving his testimony at a Salvation Army meeting. There was a heckler in the crowd shouting, "Would you shut up? You're just dreaming!"
The heckler felt a tug at his coattail and a little girl said, "That's my daddy up there. He used to be a drunkard and beat up my mommy. We didn't have enough food to eat. But then he got saved, and my daddy's life is changed. See that woman over there? See how happy she is? That's my mommy. Mister, if my daddy's dreaming, don't wake him up!"
What a Savior who can take a poor lost sinner and wash him, save him, and make him new. Hallelujah!
When was the last time you shared Christ with a homeless person? Avail yourself and allow God to use you to shine His light in that direction.
:angel:
October 19
The Miracle of the New Birth
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
Nicodemus was so impressed with the miracles Jesus had done that he wanted to find out more. He asked Jesus about miracles, and Jesus began to talk to him about births. It's as if Jesus were saying, "Nicodemus, if you want to understand miracles, you're going to have to become a miracle."
Now Nicodemus was an intelligent man. He was a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhedrin. Yet with all of his learning, he heard Jesus say to him, "Except you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God." People simply can't understand spiritual things until the Holy Spirit of God turns the light on in their souls.
Do you know someone who has a lot of education but no salvation? I challenge you to share this same Good News with him or her today.
:angel:
October 20
Clean Before the Lord
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7
I heard of a missionary whose wife was very fastidious. They moved into a small hut, and soon she noticed that the floor was filthy. The first thing the wife wanted to do was to scrub that floor, so she scrubbed and scrubbed but to no avail. She began to wonder if she would ever get the floor clean. Finally, somebody told her the problem. It was a dirt floor! The more she scrubbed the more dirt she scrubbed up.
In the same way, we can never scrub off our sinful nature. All we do is reveal more of what is there.
I hate to tell you this, but we're rotten to the core.
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
How dirty are you this morning? How clean must you be before you can talk with your heavenly Father? Claim the blood of Jesus and commune freely with your Father who loves you.
:angel:
October 21
Faith in Our Great God
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
How do you have faith? You look to Jesus, and faith is produced in your heart.
You don't have to work up faith.
Suppose I needed to cross the Mississippi River and I wasn't sure whether the bridge could hold me up or not. I could do one of two things. I could stand on the banks of the Mississippi and try to work up enough courage to make myself believe in that bridge, then timorously walk over that bridge. Or I could look at the semi-trucks traveling across the mighty steel and concrete of that bridge, believe, and boldly walk across in faith! In this case, faith is the by-product of seeing the strength of the bridge itself. In the same way, it's not great faith in God that you need; it is faith in a great God!
Attempt something so great in your life today that is doomed to failure unless God be in it.
:angel:
October 22
Born Again, Saved for All Time
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:7
Have you ever known anyone who was physically born twice?
Have you ever known someone who was spiritually born twice?
Nowhere in the Bible will you find a passage that describes anyone being saved twice. Once you come into the family, you're in the family.
Now there were times when I disappointed my parents. There were times when my father had to chastise me, but I am a Rogers. I will be a Rogers for all eternity. It's the same way with your spiritual life. When you are born into the family of God, your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. It is fixed. It is done.
Do you know a brother or sister in Christ who is doubting his/her salvation? Encourage him/her with this Good News today.
:angel:
October 23
The Just Shall Live by Faith
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17
Is God righteous? Yes. And how is the righteousness of God revealed? It is revealed from faith to faith. God gives you truth. You believe that truth; God gives you more truth.
The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is that we haven't been living up to the light God has already given us. It's time we began taking God at His Word and obeying it. If we begin obeying the small things we understand, God will enlighten our path to help us understand the things we don't understand.
Ask God today to give you understanding into the depths of His Word so that you can begin to share His truth in greater ways with the lost around you.
:angel:
October 24
Embracing God's Light by Faith
"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." Matthew 4:16
There are two witnesses for the existence of God to all people:
§ One is the objective witness of creation.
§ The other is the subjective witness of conscience.
God speaks to a man and the man responds, "God, I want to know You and I need to know You. I do believe that You exist."
That's faith, and he goes from faith to faith as he steps in the light until he comes to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe with all my heart there's never been a man or woman who ever lived on the face of this earth who died without some opportunity to have received Christ, had they lived up to the light God gave them.
Is there someone in your life that claims to be an agnostic or an atheist? Try to engage them in a conversation about creation this week.
:angel:
A Guard Could Save You a Lot of Grief
Now, there's one good way to recognize the places that folks think are important—the guards. Yeah. I mean, they obviously think the White House is important; there are guards all around it. The bank usually has a guard. There are some club communities that I've seen where you don't get to even go into the neighborhood until the guard says, "Yes, somebody left a name here at the booth. You can go in."
Of course, there are guards at the airport, military installations, the ballpark. Oh, we know that important places need to be guarded; they need to be protected. You know, there is one important place in your life that really needs a guard, and probably doesn't have one. And it's not because of what will get in—it's because of what's getting out.
:angel:
October 25
No One Knows the Day or the Hour
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36
Anybody who sets a date for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ may be crossing the line of blasphemy. The Bible teaches very clearly and plainly, and our Lord taught, that no one knows the time—no one.
Just before our Lord was taken up into glory the disciples asked Him, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" (Acts 1:6-7). No one knows the day when Jesus Christ is coming again, but what a glorious day that will be!
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What encouragement do you need to share with someone today?
:angel:
October 27
Like a Thief in the Night
"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:2
There was a man who went shopping and left his car and house keys in the ignition. When he returned, his car was gone. The next morning he discovered his car in the driveway with a note that said, "I was in an emergency. I'm very sorry. I needed your car. Here are two tickets for the Dallas Cowboys game."
The man went in and told his wife, "You won't believe this! There's our car, and look! We've got tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game!" They went to the game, and when they came home, their house had been cleaned out!
Friend, they never expected it, and that's the point. That's how the Lord Jesus Christ is going to come – as a thief in the night.
How would you live your life differently today if you knew that Jesus was coming back in 24 hours?
:angel:
October 28
Looking Unto Jesus
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
What does it mean to "look to Jesus" to have all of our needs met? Well, let's say I borrow ten thousand dollars from Dan, a friend of mine, but then I discover that I can't pay it back. Dan is on to me and says, "If you don't pay it back, I'm going to foreclose on you."
So I go over to another friend, Tom, and tell him about my dire situation and ask for his help. Tom says, "That's alright, Adrian, look to me."
Notice that he didn't say, "Look at me." He said, "Look to me." In other words, "I'll handle it." That's what the Bible means when it says "look unto Jesus." It means look to Him for whatever you need.
Who is looking to you to have their needs met today? Are you, then, looking to God or are you trying to do it on your own?
:angel:
October 29
Where is Your Focus Today?
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
When a runner is in a race, he puts his eyes on the goal. He doesn't look at the grandstand or the other runners. Neither does he examine himself. He has his eyes on the goal. He looks away from everything else. The finish line is all he sees.
That's exactly what we're to do. The reason many Christians fail in the race is that they have not learned to look away from other things. They're trying to look in both directions at the same time, and James 1:8 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." And Matthew 6:22 says, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."
Where is your focus today? Has the world drawn you back into itself, luring you away from the command of our Lord? Read Matthew 28:19-20. That's your goal.
:angel:
October 30
Remembering What We've Learned
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." 2 Timothy 3:14
In the last days Satan is going to come, and there are going to be more miracles than you have ever seen. Most of them will not be done by God but will be done by the power of darkness—the power of Satan. The Bible says that you can look for an explosion of the occult.
Thank God we don't have to face these days without hope. God tells us what we must do in His Word. We are to remember what we've learned and to take His promises to heart. This will not be a time to doubt Him but to trust Him with all that we are.
How is your personal study time in God's Word going? Start this week to incorporate at least one hour of personal time in God's Word to study its promises, prophecies, and applications.
:angel:
October 31
Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy will pursue you all the days of your life. That's what the word "follow" literally means in Psalm 23:6—to pursue.
Jesus pursued you with His call of salvation, and He will continue to pursue you. His goodness and mercy are like two sheep dogs that follow the flock to assure there is safe journey to the Shepherd's final destination.
How many times have you questioned God's provision in your life and wondered if He really cared for you? Well, there's no question here. It says surely, not hopefully. Yes, you and I will stumble, but He will pick us up.
How would you live differently today if you knew that grace and mercy were going to follow your every step? How would you treat others?
:angel:
November 1
"...to Live is Christ...to Die is Gain"
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43
I read about a man who was on an airplane in a bad storm. Even the flight attendant was nervous. But there was a little lady humming "Blessed Assurance." She seemed to be at ease. This man said to her, "Lady, aren't you afraid?" She replied, "Not at all. I've given my heart to Jesus Christ. Not so long ago, I had a daughter who died. She was a radiantly beautiful Christian and is now in heaven. I have another daughter who's in Denver, where this airplane is going. But, I tell you the truth. It really doesn't make much difference to me which daughter I visit."
Jesus told a man on a bloody cross, "Today you'll be with Me in paradise."
If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? And what about your family?
:angel:
November 2
Purchased at a Precious Price
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20
Matthew 26:28 says, "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." The word "testament" is from the Greek word diatheke, which means "covenant." Christ has purchased us with His blood. We have entered into a covenant with Him. The church is the bride, He is the bridegroom. We are betrothed to Him in a covenant bought with His blood.
Samuel J. Stone wrote these powerful words in a hymn we sing in our church,
"The Church's One Foundation."— "From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died."
Let this powerful truth sink deep into your heart today. Meditate on what it meant that Jesus came and sought you, then bought you with His blood.
:angel:
November 3
Faithful at All Times
"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2
Are you faithful? When the times get tough, can you be counted on?
Today there is a serious lack of genuine integrity and faithfulness among God's children. This is a travesty. Man's words mean little today, whether it's a marriage contract or a business contract. Even a treaty between nations doesn't seem to hold true. Our faithfulness is the fundamental basis of character. We will never know God's blessing apart from faithfulness.
When you are gone, will people say you were faithful? Faithful to your family? Faithful to your friends? And most of all faithful to God?
:angel:
November 4
Faithful in Your Words
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." James 5:12
In talking with teenagers, I've discovered many who harbor bitterness and resentment. And much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over a serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go to him with a remorseful spirit and say, "I've asked God to forgive me and I want you to forgive me." And then ask him this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me, because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? A woman of her word? Turn over a new leaf today that you will stand behind your word.
:angel:
November 5
Faithful in Little Things
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10
There was a man who was going to be made a chief executive. The Board of Directors talked about it, and it was a "done deal." In the company cafeteria one day, the existing CEO was behind this man in line. Unbeknownst to the man, the CEO saw him take a pat of butter that cost about 3 cents, then put a slice of bread over the butter so that no one would see it. The CEO went back to the Board and told them they had the wrong man. He told them that he didn't have integrity. And for 3 cents the man lost a monumental promotion!
Are you faithful in the little things? Let this be the beginning of a new day of faithfulness in your life. Remember the little things. God is watching to find you faithful.
:angel:
6
Faithful to the Fellowship
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
Do you know what is happening in America today? People who claim to be Christians are not getting involved and becoming faithful to a church — the local fellowship of believers. Such a thing was unheard of in the Bible. If you were a Christian, you were faithful to the fellowship. You attended when everyone gathered together. If you stopped attending, they assumed that you were an apostate. What is more important than the local visible expression of the body of Christ? It is the way we stay "plugged in" to the needs of the body of Christ. It is the way we show honor to Him in worship. It is simply the way.
What do you have on your schedule this week that is more important than being a part of the blood-bought body of the Lord Jesus Christ?
:angel:
November 7
Held by His Omnipotent Hand
"Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:10
I've heard people say, "Pray for us that we'll hold out faithful to the end." I think I know what they mean, but I always smile. I picture Noah's ark, and I can see Noah and his wife and family. Rather than being on the inside, they're holding on to some slimy pegs on the outside of the ark. And Noah says to Mrs. Noah, "Honey, pray for me that I'll hold out faithful to the end." But God said to Noah, "Come into the ark," and the same God that shut the water out, shut Noah in. Now Noah may have fallen down inside that ark, but he never fell out of it. It's not that we hold on to Him, but that He holds on to us.
Spend some time today simply praising God for His faithfulness, His steadfastness, and His unconditional love for you.
:angel:
November 8
Secret Faults
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." Psalm 19:12
I read an account of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel. In the story, he was painting in a corner behind everyone's view, and someone said to him, "Forget that area, nobody can see it anyway." But Michelangelo replied, "I know it's there." What you are in secret is what you are—nothing more, nothing less. Through the years I've spoken with men and women who travel a lot, and in almost every motel there are R-rated and X-rated films available. "Nobody's in here but me," they say. Are you sure? Jesus is in that room. What you are in that room when you think no one is around is what you really are.
Do you struggle with the secret sins of the flesh? Read Isaiah 29:15, Ezekiel 8:12, and Ecclesiastes 12:14. Then pray Psalm 19:12.
:angel:
November 9
Abundant Life
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3
Abundant life is God's plan for you. In fact, it's God's plan for all of us as Christians. The Lord Jesus Christ promised us, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Now, what is abundant life? It is life where all of your needs are met. But more than that, abundant life is where you have enough to bless others. Not only do you receive a blessing, but you are a blessing. The abundant life that Jesus promised is not just life out yonder "in the sweet by and by." It is abundant life right now in the nasty now and now. Every day in every way we are to be having victory in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who in your life is not experiencing the abundant life? Your mother? Your husband? Your best friend? Take time out today to encourage them with this promise in 1 Peter.
:angel:
November 10
Being a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9
John Calvin was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. He said, "I gave up all for Christ and what have I found? I have found everything in Christ." Do you wish you could say that too? You can. Just don't get confused about what it means to "give up all" to find Christ. So many think that being a disciple means they must get into a movement or go to the mission field or attend seminary. Friend, being a disciple is fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ — knowing Jesus intimately and following Him wherever He leads. Fellowship with Christ comes before service for Christ. We must minister to Jesus before we can minister to anyone else.
Are you praying about where you fit in the body of Christ as His disciple? Spend some time fellowshipping with Him this week and the answer will come.
:angel:
November 11
Understanding the Spirit of Adoption
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
It is tragic, but many will never accept their sainthood. A while back, it was in vogue for believers to make comments like "I'm saved, but I'm not a Christian." Then the person would explain, "Well, I'm not worthy to call myself a Christian because I'm not living like one." Let me nail this down for you. Have you believed upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and repented of your sins? Have you called upon Him to save you from the judgment of hell? If so, then you are the next of kin to the Trinity. You are a child of the King! Since you are part of God's family, Jesus is not only your Lord and Savior, but He is your Friend and Brother.
Have you felt like you couldn't call yourself a Christian because of your sin? Then get on your knees and repent of the sin of unbelief that keeps you from knowing you are a child of the King!
:angel:
November 12
What Is True Humility?
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." James 4:10
Have you ever wondered what humility is all about? True humility is not thinking negatively about yourself. It is agreeing with what God says about you. The grace of God will exalt a person without inflating him and humble a person without debasing him. I am what I am because of Christ. In this life, you are not going to be sinless, but as you deal with sin in your life, you can come closer to being free from sin. Sinless? No. Blameless? Yes. As you confess and stay prayed up, you can be blameless.
Do you have a concordance in your Bible? Do a study on the subject of "humility." Start with Philippians 2:5-11.
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November 13
Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6
Have you ever noticed that we buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even like? We try to keep up with the Jones family, but when we finally catch up with them, they refinance! Let me exhort you to get off that comparison treadmill and onto the pathway of serenity. You are accepted right now in Christ. God does not change you so He can love you. He loves you so He can change you! God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. If you are saved, you are in Christ. And where is He? He is seated in the heavenlies. You are also seated in those heavenly places, even though you still have your address on planet Earth. You are enthroned with Him.
When was the last time you compared yourself with someone else? It's time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King!
:angel:
November 14
Bridging the Stress Gap
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Stress is nothing new. Noah had it when he was building the ark with no rain in sight. Martha had it when she was preparing a meal for our Lord. Stress is the gap between the demands placed on us and the strength we have in meeting those demands. It is not a sin to be stressed, nor a sin to be weary. It is a sin, though, not to seek a lessening of that stress which tears down the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body. Where is your answer? In waiting upon the Lord — waiting in the midst of demands. When you learn to wait on Him, God steps in to bridge the stress gap with His mighty strength.
Ask God to equip you to be a stress-buster today. Perhaps it will be your boss or your spouse that is "stressed out." Rejoice in the opportunity you have to share God's love.
:angel:
November 15
The Will of God
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother." Mark 3:35
Major Ian Thomas, English author and founder of a worldwide missionary fellowship, once wrote, "Which of these things in the life of Jesus is more spiritual? When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount? When He raised Lazarus from the dead? When He washed His disciples' feet? Or when He spat on the ground and made clay to anoint the blind man's eyes? None was more spiritual than the other. Jesus did not divide His life up into little segments of spirituality. He was simply available to do whatever His Father willed." The will of God is not a road map. It is a relationship! You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God.
Are you segregating your life into activities that are more spiritual than others? Surrender all you are to Him and make yourself available for whatever He calls you to do today.
:angel:
November 16
God Is In Control
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isaiah 41:13
Once I had the rare opportunity of visiting with Corrie Ten Boom. I drank in her words. I listened and kept my mouth shut. One of her statements went straight to my heart: "There is no panic in heaven, only plans." That is how God operates — no panic. Did you know the Holy Trinity never meets in an emergency session? God has never stepped down from His throne. Jesus has not left His right hand, and the Holy Spirit has not stopped interceding for you, His child. Refuse to listen to Satan's lies of fear, discouragement, and despair. You are a victor. And God is in control!
Repeat the following throughout the day today, "God is in control of my life. He will not leave me. His right hand will sustain me all the length of my days."
:angel:
November 17
People God Chooses to Do His Work
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Corinthians 1:27
The people God chooses to do His work are plain, simple folks. All you have to do is look at the twelve men Jesus chose to be His disciples. Fishermen, a tax collector, a "zealot." What a ragtag bunch! But they ended up "turning the world upside down." And those who watched them exclaimed, "Why, these are ignorant and unlearned men!" (Acts 4:13). Maybe you didn't make the "Who's Who," or worse, the "Who's Not"! That's all right. God has a plan for you. God knows what He is doing. He turns the table on the world's idea of success. Wealth, fame, acclaim. None of these are necessary for you to be used of God.
What a glorious truth for you to share with someone today who may be feeling like they're not worth much. Ask God to lead you to that someone right now.
:angel:
November 18
Release from the Ghosts of Guilt
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 1:21
Guilt dogs the footsteps of mankind. It gnaws. It growls. It eats away at the joy God intends for us. Is there no peace from guilt? Will the ghosts of our guilt always lurk nearby? Not with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the healing power of our Lord in us! The devil is the prosecuting attorney who is going to point his bony finger of accusation at you. But the Holy Spirit is not the accuser. He is the Convictor. In love, He convicts to lead us to confession. Then we can confidently come to God and ask for cleansing. No psychologist or psychiatrist can take away guilt. Only Christ Jesus can.
Read the story of the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11. Praise God for His lovingkindness and generous mercy!
:angel:
November 19
Never Alone
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18
The late Dr. Paul Tournier, great Christian psychiatrist from Switzerland, wrote that loneliness is the most devastating malady of this age.
What is loneliness? Many confuse it with being alone. But you can be alone and not lonely. Your loneliness does not have to overwhelm you. After all is said and done, truly your only solace is found in Jesus. Why? He understands. John 1:10-11 tells us that the world neither received Him, nor knew Him. In many respects He lived a life of loneliness. "But I need somebody real." Jesus is real. He is closer to you than anyone else can be or ever will be. What a friend we have in Jesus! We will never be separated from Him!
Are you lonely? Chances are someone you know is, too. Why don't you give someone a call right now and invite them to do something.
:angel:
November 20
Heartfelt Soul Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:6
Do you know what you're doing in the morning when you have a quiet time? Weeding your garden. You're weeding the garden of your mind, so that the good seed of the Word of God can multiply. Now, the next step is to plant the seed and cultivate His harvest. And when you go out to win souls, water the crop with your tears. Read how the Lord's heart broke over the people He longed to embrace and love unto Himself (see John 17). Learn this same sort of compassion in the garden God has given you to harvest for His kingdom.
Ask God to put you into His fields of service today. Ask Him to make you bold, yet compassionate and wise to share His Good News.
:angel:
November 21
It Is Not Ours to Ask "Why?"
"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." 2 Samuel 22:31
When bewilderment enshrouds you and despair looms at your door, when trials storm the beaches of your life, you may want to ask God, "Why? Why? Why?" Friend, you may never understand why things are happening the way they are in your life, but that's not your job. You see, it is not necessary for you to know why. That is God's question. Your response is all that matters. When we can't feel His hand, we must trust His heart. Our job is to simply trust and obey.
Is there something happening in your life for which you have no explanation, but long for answers? Ask God to give you peace and grace to trust Him.
:angel:
November 22
Just Keep Praying
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26
There's an old song with the refrain "Just keep on praying 'til light breaks through." When you don't feel like praying, that's when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you're not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing. Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.
How's your prayer life? Do you say grace before meals and squeeze in a quick prayer before you drop off to sleep each night? Take some time today to talk to the Lord.
:angel:
November 23
True Joy and Peace Come from the Lord Alone
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
You may admit that God is necessary, but do you honestly know that God is enough and that He is, in fact, more than enough? To find out if God is enough for you, let me ask you a couple of questions. Where do you obtain your joy? Is it from the Lord or from somewhere else? If your joy is from your health and it goes, then your joy will fly out the window. Many a believer has lost his health, his business, his family, his reputation, but has still maintained his joy because the source of genuine contentment and peace is in God. Indeed, one may not know that God is enough until God is all one has.
When was the last time you visited a hospital waiting room and shared Christ with those who are hurting? Maybe you could do that sometime this weekend.
:angel:
November 26
The Cleansing, Healing Work of the Holy Spirit
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise." Jeremiah 17:14
There are two kinds of wounds to the human psyche. One is sorrow; the other is guilt. Sorrow is a clean wound. Somehow your heart will heal as the Holy Spirit applies His healing balm. He will pour in "the oil of gladness." Time and the grace of God will heal. But guilt is dirty and will never heal until it is confessed and cleansed by the antiseptic of Calvary. A slave only fears his master's whip, but a son fears his father's displeasure.
Are you suffering under a load of guilt? Allow the Holy Spirit to expose your sin. Then confess it and experience the joy of forgiveness in Christ.
:angel:
Giving Thanks Always
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20
There are four types of people. There are those who are constantly complaining and grumbling. Have you met any of these folks? I mean, they can brighten up a room just by leaving it. That's the lowest level. Then there are others who live lives of ingratitude. They don't complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That's a little better, but not much better. Then there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they're grateful. That's a better level. But the highest level is to be grateful for all things at all times. That is the secret of a happy and productive life.
Bow before the Lord and begin to think about Thankfulness/
:angel:
Uprooting Toxic Bitterness
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
Bitterness is an emotional cancer that consumes many a person who once had the bloom of eternal springtime in his heart. Where does it come from? Usually from being hurt. Perhaps you were abused as a child, rejected by someone, fired from a job, or even bypassed at church. Bitterness sets in when the hurt goes unresolved. There is a solution. If you've been wronged and bitterness has become so strong that you can almost taste its bile within your mouth, then it's time to pursue it with a holy vengeance. With the Spirit's spade, root it out. Draw a circle that takes in those who have wronged you. Forgive them for Christ's sake!
Bow before the Lord this morning and ask for grace and power to uproot the bitterness that has taken hold in your heart and is robbing you of the joy you desire.
:angel:
November 27
God's Plan and Purpose for Your Life
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2
If Jesus is Lord of your life, then not only is your entire life ordered, but so is every single step within your life. God has a plan for the plumber as well as the preacher, for the mechanic as well as the missionary. And if, for instance, God calls you to be a mechanic and you become a missionary, you are accepting second best! To find God's will is the highest achievement in your life. Success is not spelled M-O-N-E-Y. Nor is it spelled F-A-M-E. Success is the continuous realization of the will of God—what God desires for your life. God does not make clones; He makes children! There is an ultimate purpose for your life as His child —to be like Jesus.
Do you have children? Share with them these important insights about their future.
:angel:
November 28
Understanding Kingdom Authority
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19
A police officer weighing 160 pounds may effectively stand before a tanker truck and with an uplifted hand say, "Stop, in the name of the law." The police officer certainly couldn't stop the truck with his physical force. He is appealing to an authority greater than himself — the law — to back him up. Your authority over Satan is the same way. Your authority does not rest in your strength. You cannot overcome Satan with your power but rather with Kingdom Authority from God. And you have that as a child of the King. You have His authority to overcome every attack of Satan.
Sing of the power of the Lord. Find a hymnal and sing or meditate on the verses of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
:angel:
29
What Would Jesus Do?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is...your life? That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality. What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved? The world would take notice.
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"
:angel:
November 30
Being Born Again - No Certificate Required
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23
A little girl was supposed to take her birth certificate to school. Her mother had solemnly warned her not to lose it because of its tremendous importance, but lose it she did. Later she was sitting on the steps of the school, crying. The janitor asked her what was wrong. She replied, "I lost my excuse for being born." Now, that's a funny story, but it has a sobering analogy. You don't need an excuse for being born again. You have a Savior, and He's calling your name.
Have you been born again? Have you experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' blood that washes all your sin away? If not, I invite you to come to Him in repentance and faith. Discover Jesus today.
:angel:
December 1
True Satisfaction Is Found in the Lord
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1
The Scottish-born naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, once had a conversation with railroad magnate and industrialist E. H. Harriman.
"I'm richer than you are," declared Muir to the railroad baron.
"And how is that true?" responded Harriman.
"Because you don't have all you want — and I do. Therefore I am richer than you," answered Muir.
Well, perhaps these two men were playing word games with one another. We don't know if either man was truly satisfied with his life, but there's one thing of which I'm certain. Our search for satisfaction will not be found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. It can only be found in Jesus.
What satisfies you today? Is it the things you own? Your relationships? Your job? Ask the Lord to fill you with the source of lasting satisfaction—Himself!
:angel:
DECEMBER 2
No One Knows Your Needs Better...
". . . for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." Matthew 6:32
St. Augustine once said that we were created with a "God-shaped" void.
I agree.
Only God can meet the deepest longings of our hearts. There is nothing that can satisfy apart from your relationship with Him.
But it's not because He is a heavy-handed dictator forcing you to accept life the way He dishes it out! Who knows what will satisfy your deepest needs better than the One who made you? As your Creator, He can see what your needs are going to be tomorrow and ten years from tomorrow. Don't you think He knows what you need today?
What do you need today? Notice I'm not asking, "What do you want?" but "What do you need?" Does your Father know what that is? Then trust that He will provide.
:angel:
DECEMBER 3
Working All Things Together and Toward His Return
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6
God has not promised you smooth sailing, but He has promised you a safe landing. He has a purpose in allowing every circumstance into your life. You can bank on this: He'll see you to the shore in every storm of life.
Andrew Murray said, "God is willing to assume the full responsibility for the life totally yielded to Him." One of these days your destiny will be fulfilled. And soon and very soon, He is going to step down from the mountain of His glory, and the trumpet will sound. Our little ship will leave the sea of time, and immediately we'll be on the shores of eternity.
When He comes, He's coming for you! He's coming for me!
First Thessalonians 4:16-18 tells us to comfort one another with these words of Christ's return:
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Do you have a Christian friend who is troubled today? Comfort him or her with this hope.
:angel:
December 4
The True Depth of the Savior's Love
"No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." John 10:18
The true depth of the Savior's love becomes apparent when you consider an important truth—Jesus Christ is the only person who ever chose to die.
"But, what about kamikaze pilots in World War II? What about soldiers who, having heard the ominous 'click' of a land mine, stood still until their buddies could scurry to safety?"
They didn't choose to die in the final sense of the word; they only chose when to die. You and I, and everyone yet to be, will die eventually. But there was only One who did not have to die. Nails didn't hold our Savior to the tree. Silver cords of love and golden bonds of redemption held Him there.
Read Psalm 22, 23, and 24 and rejoice in the provision, protection, and providence of the Good Shepherd!
:angel:
December 5
Jesus Is Victorious Over All
"For He hath put all things under His feet. . ." 1 Corinthians 15:27
Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered. When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies, interceding for you. Where are your problems? Under His feet. Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!
Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.
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DECEMBER 6
Omnipotent God—Held by His Love and Grace
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24
Have you fussed and fumed through life's challenges, wondering if the Sovereign Creator of the Universe was on vacation? I have a message for you: The God who hung the stars, the God who poured the oceans, the God who raised the mountains, the God who knew you before you were knit together in your mother's womb, this sovereign God is your Savior. He is your King, and He is in control.
When you are plucked from the depths of sin, you are placed in the very hand of God! You can't climb up into the hand of God; you are placed into the hand of God. Hallelujah! Our efforts didn't get us there. His grace placed us there. And His love will keep us there forever.
Read Psalm 139 and rejoice in the truth that God has created you and will make a way for you!
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December 7
Dependence on God—A Witness of His Power
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
If you're like most people, you don't realize your dependency on God until you're burned out from stress—either self-induced or caused by circumstances beyond your control.
Why is that?
Paul says it's because we are fragile. But he doesn't stop there. He says that God made us this way so that His power may be known through us!
Maybe someone told you, "Oh, just tie a knot and hang on!" Sometimes God wants us to let go of the rope because it is keeping us tied down to our destructive habits. We are totally dependent on God so that the love of His Son may be made known to the world.
Get a piece of rope and tie a knot in it. Let it sit on your desk this week as a reminder that God is more than just a knot at the end of the rope. He is the Savior of the World!
:angel:
December 8
Let Jesus Lead the Way
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Who knows you better than the One who created you? Who cares more for you than the One Who died for you? Who leads you more carefully than the One Who knows the end from the beginning? There is no greater picture of courage than the picture of Jesus Christ—the Savior Who lays down His life. You can know security because the One Who loves you is compassionate, caring, and courageous. Jesus knows you. He cares for you. He wants to lead you into the abundant life.
Are you willing to lay down your life for the sake of the Lord?
:angel:
December 9
Free to Choose
"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose." Psalm 25:12
You are free to choose. You are not free, however, not to choose. After you make a choice, your choice chooses for you.
There are consequences for your choices—always. If you choose to step off the roof of a ten-story building, you are not then free to choose the consequence of your choice. Your choice has chosen for you.
What if you make a bad choice? What is God's reaction? First, He is in control. Your choices will not take Him by surprise. Thanks to God, He can prevail over our bad choices to restore us into fellowship with Himself!
Have you made a choice in your past that has brought you consequences reverberating even today? Share this insight with someone who is younger in the faith than you.
:angel:
December 10
Follow Someone with a Limp
"For our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
Someone has said, "If you are looking for a leader to follow, find someone with a limp." The wounded in life are those who have learned difficult lessons through suffering. Do not resist the Shepherd's rod of correction.
Is the wounding painful? Indeed. Does it seem that you will not be able to bear it? Most certainly. Then why would He subject us to such pain? Because you have a Father who loves you so much that He is willing to hurt you to heal you. What you need to focus on is not your pain, but your Savior. God didn't save you to take you to heaven. That's a fringe benefit. God saved you to make you holy—as He is holy.
Read Hebrews 12:1-13. What application can you make from this passage for your life today?
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December 11
Listening for His Voice
"Hearken unto Me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of My mouth." Proverbs 7:24
The United States Government doesn't teach Treasury agents to detect counterfeit bills by having them study fakes. They show these agents real dollars over and over and over until they have the pattern memorized. Then when a counterfeit is put in front of them, they recognize it instantly because it doesn't fit the pattern their eyes are looking for.
Do you know the voice of the Lord? The only way you can be sure that it is His voice you are hearing is to hear it so often that a stranger's voice is instantly recognizable. It is far wiser to spend time learning the One True Voice than it is trying to learn to detect a multitude of false voices.
Spend at least 15 minutes today being silent before God and listening for His voice.
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December 12
Off the Defense and Onto the Offense
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
If I had to identify the major misconception about believers today, it would be that they spend too much time getting out of trouble with God, instead of getting into righteousness!
We are living on the defensive instead of the offensive. We need to move beyond the defensive line of Christianity, and move on to the offense—advancing the Kingdom, fulfilling the Great Commission, and telling others about Jesus. Our Shepherd will never lead us where His strength cannot keep us. He will never lead us down a path that He hasn't first walked down Himself.
Are you sharing His love and words of salvation with someone who's lost? If not, begin today to move beyond your comfort zone and see the hand of God move.
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December 13
Burdens and Trials a Necessity?
"Knowing this,that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:3
A man had a grandfather clock. One day he felt sorry for the grandfather clock because it had a weight on it. And that weight was always pulling on the clock. The man said, "Oh, Mr. Clock, you've held this weight so long, I'm going to remove it and let you rest."
The clock protested, saying, "Don't take that weight from me. That's what keeps me going."
I n the same way, the trials and tests of life are there for your endurance. They're to keep you going, keep you trusting, keep you praying, and keep you depending upon God.
When was the last time you shared with someone that they needed to be thankful for their trials? When was the last time you told yourself?
DECEMBER 14
Light of Hope in a Dark World
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Isaiah 9:2
Imagine being in a cave without a flashlight. Can you see any shadows? You cannot even see your hand! Shadows are only visible in the presence of light.
Regardless of how dark, how large, how absolutely ominous a shadow appears, it is only there because there is light. David says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Why? Because "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
Jesus has taken the sting out of sin and the fear out of the grave. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit to give us confidence that He will always be with us and watch over us.
There are many today who are grieving because of a loss—the loss of a loved one, a job, a wayward child. Pray for them. Send them a note of hope and include 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
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December 15
The Lord Ever-Present
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!
Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.
This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.
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DECEMBER 16
"For Thou Art With Me"
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
There's nothing, my friend, that will bring you more face-to-face with God than going through the dark valleys of life. When you are there, you are going to cling to His garments and hold onto His hand. You won't stray far from the fold in the dark.
Do you believe that He is with you? The ultimate Sovereign is your loving Savior. You will not have to cross Jordan alone. You will not appear before the judgment of the Holy God alone. You are not going to die alone.
What a joyful promise! You are not alone! Write these words on a card and post it in a place where you can see it all the time:
"I am not alone. God is with me."
:angel:
DECEMBER 17
Recognize the Devil's Lies and Claim the Promises of God
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
The devil wants you to live your life from an empty cup. He wants you to think that God's cup of grace has dried up for you. He wants you to be disenchanted with God. Most especially, he wants you to feel that God is a cosmic killjoy...that God is always thinking of ways to rob you of joy and peace. Satan knows that if you start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with you in other areas.
Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has won the victory for you! Send those lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the promises of God.
Wish someone the peace and joy of the Lord today.
:angel:
December 18
Rejoicing at the Lord's Table
"Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine." John 21:12
Is Satan whispering that God is not for you in your daily battles? Is he whispering lies that God is going to erase your name from the book of life for something you've done, yet repented over?
Satan never had it so wrong! And Jesus never had it so right!
Salvation in Christ is not a funeral, but a feast! The Bible is a continual feast from Genesis right through to Revelation. Covenant meals and meals of fellowship are frequent occurrences in Scripture. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has given many examples of His open invitation to be replenished and restored, to remember, and to rejoice at His table.
Call your family or Bible Study group together this week and celebrate the Lord's Supper. Take time to remember the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration.
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December 19
Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider
"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Matthew 14:14
It is the unbelievable, supernatural replenishment that awakens the world to see the mighty power of God. Jesus demonstrated, once with a crowd of 5,000 and again with a crowd of 4,000, that He is the God who provides (see Matthew 14:14-21, 15:32-38).
When the most "responsible" thing to do, in human terms, was to ask the multitudes to find their own food, Jesus turned to the supernatural power of God. Moved with compassion, He confidently told the disciples to begin feeding the multitudes.
Jesus never wavered in His complete and utter trust in Jehovah Jireh.
Read the accounts of these miracles in Matthew with your family today, then ask God to fill your family with an utter and complete trust in Jehovah Jireh.
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December 20
God's Provision, A Living Testimony
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable? Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him—only you're religious.
Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then, you're going to be believable.
How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.
:angel:
DECEMBER 21
Loneliness During the Holidays
"For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." Psalm 116:8
I believe that the holidays are the loneliest time of the year. Everywhere you look, people are told they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. Just walking down the mall can make you feel lonely.
But Jesus has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). When I'm discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I'm lonely His presence cheers me up. When I'm worried, His presence calms me down. And when I am tempted, His presence will help me out.
Write down the last portion of this devotional thought and personalize it. Now use it as a prayer of faith and trust.
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DECEMBER 22
But He Made Himself of No Reputation
"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:7
Jesus came in a manger for you and for me. He willingly left the glories and riches of heaven to be born in a stable.
Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. He lived a life of such abject poverty that when He had to pay taxes, He had to look for a coin in a fish's mouth. When He sent out His disciples, He told them to take nothing but a staff and the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-9). He was put to death like a common criminal so that we could wear a royal robe!
Child of God, you are rich! I am rich! Praise God!
Read Philippians 2:6-11 with your family or friends today as a Christmas devotional. Spend time praising God for His Son, Jesus.
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DECEMBER 23
Held in His Hand
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." 1 John 3:1
You are rich! Jesus became the Son of Man that we might become sons of God. We are saved because of the grace of Christmas. That is not rhetoric—that is reality!
A little boy was talking about eternal security and said, "I am held in His hand."
A cynic responded, "What if you slip through His hands?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," the boy replied, "I'm one of His fingers."
You are rich, my friend.
Amidst all the materialism that sometimes chokes out the true meaning of Christmas, take some time to share this Good News with someone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 26
Anticipation of an Even Greater Day
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3
It's the day after Christmas. The glow on the tree is just a little dimmer because the anticipation of the day is now past. Ever feel that way about your walk with the Lord? Well, let me give you some good news, my friend. The best is yet to be!
That's right. Christmas Day is past, but Resurrection Day is coming soon, and I don't mean Easter. I mean the Second Coming of Our Lord is imminently on the horizon.
He is coming again. And that's not just a nice thing; that's a rock-ribbed truth! Jesus is coming again!
Write down John 14:3 on a little note, and as you say goodbye to family and friends, give them this note of encouragement.
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DECEMBER 27
Investing in Others for God's Glory
"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord." Isaiah 63:7
One time a man came into a village and asked an old man living there, "Any great men born here?" The old man said, "No, just babies."
Great men are not born; great men are made, investing in the lives of others, sharing God's love, and showing His mercies.
There is not a magic formula that instantly makes us sanctified. Sanctification is a process. Our calling is to be poured out into the lives of others for His glory.
How can you show His mercies to a lost co-worker or neighbor today? Pray about it and then watch for how God provides!
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DECEMBER 28
Random Acts of Kindness
"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great." Luke 6:35
I've seen bumper stickers that exhort us to "show random acts of kindness." I think that's a good thing. And what is kindness? It's love in the little things.
A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ.
She said, "You did."
The pastor said, "Well, I'd be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ."
She said, "It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real."
What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?
:angel:
DECEMBER 29
Be an Encourager
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Someone has well said that discouragement is a darkroom where the negatives of fear and failure are developed.
Some people are encouragers and others are discouragers. Have you ever met a discourager? They're like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed.
But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God. You're never more like God than when you're encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people.
Find a needy person and enrich him; a lonely person and include him; a misunderstood person and affirm him; an undiscovered person and develop him; a failing person and restore him.
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DECEMBER 30
Eternity . . .
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Your soul, made in the image of God, will exist forever. I think Billy Sunday, the evangelist, said it this way: "Imagine a little bird taking a grain of sand and flying to a distant planet. It would take him a million years to fly to that distant planet. Then he would drop that grain of sand. Then the little bird would fly back to the earth taking another million years. He gets another grain of sand and flies back to the distant planet.
"Back and forth, back and forth it goes. When he will have transplanted every speck of earth to that distant planet, it will only be breakfast time in eternity."
Your soul will go on, and on, and on.
Where do you plan on spending eternity? Where do your loved ones plan on spending it? If you don't know, ask them today and get their salvation on the right side of eternity.
:angel:
DECEMBER 31
Moving Forward Into the New Year
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3
On this New Year's Eve, you may be wondering what is going to happen. Years ago, some men were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea. One of them asked the captain, "Are we safe?" He said, "Well, the boilers are weak and may explode at any moment. The ship is taking on water. To be very honest with you, we may go up, or we may go down, but at any rate, we are going on."
And that's the way we are as we face this new year. Jesus may come; we may go up. We may die, and go down and then up, but at any rate, we are going on.
Reflecting on this past year, allow the Holy Spirit to invade your heart, convicting and drawing you to Himself. Ask for wisdom, courage, and faith to continue on, whatever happens this next year!
:angel:
January 1
Pressing Toward the Prize in This New Year
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
Do you want to win the prize that Paul talks about? He didn't want to fail. He strained with every inch, every ounce, every nerve, and every part of his body to win the prize. He had ambition. But it was more than just ambition, it was a holy ambition.
He said, "I want that prize and I'm going to have it. I'm going to be like an athlete who denies his own body worldly pleasures. I'm going to train like an athlete. I'm going to stay in shape for the Lord Jesus. I'm going to do all that is necessary that I may win."
Friend, the Bible clearly teaches that we ought to be ambitious, but for the right reason. And that reason is for Jesus. In this new year, may God deliver us from pint-sized ambitions and small-time aspirations.
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January 2
Giving the Devil His Due
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:13
Mike Kolen, who played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, told this story once. "When I graduated from Auburn University, Coach Shug Jordan asked me to do some scouting for him. I said, 'Sure coach, what kind of man do you need?'"
"Coach said, 'You know the guy you can knock down and he stays there?' I said, 'Sure!' Coach said, 'We don't need him. You know the guy you can knock down, he gets up, you knock him down again, and he gets up?' I said, 'Yes! You want him?' 'No,' said Coach, 'I want the guy that's knocking everybody down. That's the guy I want.' "
I am grateful that Jesus picks us up when we are knocked down. But wouldn't you like to do a little knocking down of the devil for a change? You can if you will learn to pray, "Lord, lead me not into temptation, but keep me from evil."
:angel:
January 3
Getting the Upper Hand Over Sin
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." - Romans 6:13
Did you know that if you let the devil be uppermost in your life today, it is because you are doing the letting? Before you were saved, you had no choice. You were a slave to sin. Now, you don't have to let sin have the upper hand in your life.
There is absolutely no power that says you must sin. When you entered into union with Christ, you no longer have to let sin reign in your mortal body. You have dethroned sin and enthroned Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.
We need to be like the man who prayed, "Lord, help me cooperate with You, so You won't have to operate on me."
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January 4
What is the Source of Your Joy?
"I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore." Psalm 86:12
What is bringing you joy today? You say, "The Lord is making me happy." How do you know it's not that nice automobile? Or that "special someone"? Or your good looks? Or your bank account? Or your popularity? Here's how you can know. By the process of elimination. Let God take away your health, your home, your job, and if you still have joy, then you know it is Jesus.
If you lose your joy when you lose any of these things, you are an idolater because that is where you are getting your joy. I don't mean that you cannot be temporarily upset over the loss, but if the joy goes out of your life, you weren't getting your joy from the Lord.
You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
:angel:
January 5
Surrendering Every Burden
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5
Many say they have committed their lives to the Lord, but have they really? The psalmist challenges us to commit our way to the Lord. The word "commit" in this passage has the idea of rolling a burden over to the Lord.
In 1908 Minnie A. Steele wrote a hymn that I have often sung: "I Remember When My Burdens Rolled Away." The first verse says, "I remember when my burdens rolled away; I had carried them for years, night and day. When I sought the blessed Lord, And I took Him at His word, Then at once all my burdens rolled away." Well, she knew what she was talking about!
Read Psalm 55:22 and once again, roll over to the Lord your burdens. Surrender everything to Him.
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January 6
Handling Untrue Criticism
"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." 1 Peter 3:16
Have you ever been criticized? Maybe blamed for something you didn't do? Or been unjustly slandered? You are not alone. Jesus was the whipping boy of much criticism and slander in His day. Was He worried? No.
You too must not worry when others speak falsely. Just give that to the Lord. Author/Pastor Peter Lord told me one day, "When anybody says anything bad about me, I just say, 'Thank God they don't know any more.' "
Jesus tells us, "When they criticize you, just roll that over onto Me. I understand and I am in charge. You just trust in Me."
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January 7
Waiting is Hard, But We Must Learn to Do It
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." Psalm 37:7
We don't like the word "rest" do we? We're always running around pulling up our radishes by the roots to see how they're growing, and then cramming them back into the ground.
And yet Isaiah tells us, "And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him" (Isaiah 30:18).
You're not going to hurry God because He is not interested in time. He's interested in timing. Lean back, watch, wait, and trust. He knows what He is doing.
:angel:
January 8
Not by Your Works—Only by Grace!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3
There are some people who think that you can lose your salvation once you have it. I have one truth that will dispel that idea. Whether or not you can lose your salvation depends upon how you got it.
If you were saved by your good works, then you can lose your salvation by your bad works. But God's Word is very clear on this point. Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
How is someone saved? By grace. And if it is by grace, then you're kept by grace. Salvation is not rooted in the merit of man, but in the mercy of God.
:angel:
January 9
Held Safe in His Hand
"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5
Believers are "kept" by the power of God. This word "kept" in 1 Peter 1:5 is a military term. It literally means to be garrisoned about as soldiers around a fort.
Think of the power of God as a fortress and you are on the inside. Now how do you feel? Pretty secure, right? So many people get the idea that we keep ourselves safe. Friend, He keeps us.
A father was crossing a street with his son. The son had hold of his daddy's hand, then the light changed and the cars surged forward. The father grabbed his son's chubby little hand and almost lifted his son across the street to escape the oncoming traffic. That is the way God holds us. Psalm 37:24 promises, "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand."
:angel:
Coming Through as Pure Gold
"But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job 23:10
In order to refine gold, a goldsmith places gold over a fire until it bubbles and glows. He skims off the impurity from the top and knows that when he can see his reflection, the gold is pure.
That is what the Lord is doing when you go through trials. When He can see His likeness reproduced in your life, He'll know that you have become gold fit for His use and for His glory.
But, the fire is hot!Yes, but God controls it. No jeweler is more careful with his gold than a father with his children. He knows what He is doing. But, what about those things He is burning out of my life? You don't need them. If you needed them, your loving Father would make sure you kept them.
:angel:
January 11
Faith is Not Positive Thinking
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have so much faith, others have weak faith, and some have no faith at all? Is God unfair? No, God is no respecter of persons (see 2 Chronicles 19:7). He has given to every man a measure of faith (see Romans 12:3).
And so, what is faith? Let me first say what it is not.
Faith is not positive thinking or optimism. It is not a feeling that you can do something. It is not a hunch or looking on the sunny side of the street.
Faith is getting a word from God and acting upon it. You see, you can get a word from God and believe that word. That is belief. But when you act upon it, that is faith. Faith is belief with legs on it. Today is the day that you put your foot of faith upon the promises of God and say, "That promise is mine!"
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Reasoning Together—Being Reconciled One to Anther
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18
Every rebel has a reason for his or her actions. You've probably heard a young person say, "Well, my dad drinks, so I smoke pot." Do you know what kind of reasoning that is? Brute beast reasoning, like Peter mentions in 2 Peter 2:12. This young person doesn't think he has to obey his father. And he further reasons, "Well, he's not worthy of my obedience."
Do you know the only people who can demand perfect parents? Perfect children. The only people who can demand a perfect pastor is a perfect church member. The only person who can demand a perfect politician is a perfect citizen!
There is never a license for rebellion. There are ways to reason together in a church, home, and government. A spirit of rebellion will bring a nation to its knees. Jesus gave His life to reconcile us, can you live otherwise?
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Facing the Giants
"For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Mark 11:23
Did you ever play "king of the mountain" as a child? When you were on high ground, you could shove the others down, even though they were entrenched and determined to overtake you.
In Joshua 14, we read that Caleb faced a city of giants, and yet because he had wholly followed the Lord, he had the strength of the Lord and said, "Give me this mountain" (Joshua 14:11-12).
All of us face giants every day – giants of doubt, fear, discouragement, financial ruin, sickness, broken relationships. Do you think the giants in the Promised Land took God by surprise? God knew they were there all the time – they were part of His purpose to strengthen their faith. It's time you got a bulldog grip on the Word of God and believe what He says to be true.
:angel:
January 14
Submission Must Come Before Victory
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit." Proverbs 29:23
Have you ever taught someone to drive? What was the first thing you showed him? If you're like me, even before I showed my children the ignition switch, the accelerator, or the blinker, I showed them the brakes.
Now suppose your learner said, "I don't want to know anything about the brakes. I just want to know how to make this thing go!" You would probably reply, "Forget the accelerator. Before you can go, you've got to learn to stop."
Put this in a spiritual realm. If I asked you to submit to God and you said, "I'm not interested in submission. I want the victory!" God is not going to pour out His power upon you, until He sees in you a spirit of submission.
:angel:
Living Each Day Like It's THAT Day
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7
Years ago, G. Campbell Morgan was a great expositor of the Word of God. He said, "I never lay my head on the pillow without thinking that perhaps before I awake the final morning may have dawned. I never begin work without thinking that He may interrupt it to begin His own."
Every night before we go to sleep, we ought to say, "Jesus may come tonight." And every day when we get our tools and go to work, this may be the last day of work that we do. We are to be looking for His return. We are also to be longing for His return.
Are you praying for Jesus to return? If you love Him, you ought to be longing for His return. I have Him in my heart, but I long to lay my eyes upon Him and walk with Him and talk with Him. "Even so, come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
:angel:
Love Draws the Curtain of Mercy
"Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins." Proverbs 10:12
There are people in every fellowship who take joy in finding something bad about somebody else. When they hear something ugly, they take great delight in exposing it.
Love does not rejoice in iniquity. Love wishes that it never happened. Love tries to cover it up. That doesn't mean we condone sin, we just cover it. Let me illustrate.
Noah had three sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Ham came and saw his father's nakedness and was quick to tell others. Shem and Japheth covered their father to help him cover his shame—not to condone what he had done, but to cover it. Wouldn't the world be a lot better place if we had that spirit?
:angel:
January 17
Resting Tomorrow or Borrowing Trouble?
"Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." Psalm 116:7
I heard of a woman who woke up her husband because she thought she heard a burglar downstairs. He went down with a flashlight and was shining it around. Sure enough, there was a burglar in their home. He said, "Hold it right there. I've got a gun on you."
He picked up the phone and dialed the police. "And another thing," he said, "Before you go, I want my wife to come down here and meet you. She's been looking for you for 24 years."
A lot of people are that way. They are borrowing trouble by anticipating or worrying about what may happen. What you need to do is stop looking to yesterday in guilt or anticipating tomorrow with anxiety. Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today.
:angel:
So Teach Us How to Number Our Days. . ."
"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Revelation 22:12
The difference between people is not that one has more time than the other. The difference is whether they use their time wisely.
You say, "Well, I'm just killing time." To kill time, is to commit suicide by degrees. You are just killing yourself because you + time = life. Now that doesn't mean you are going to be busy every moment.
There needs to be balance in your life – checking in with God first before you make plans and add things to your agenda.
Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do. Jesus came to the end of His life and do you know what He said? "I have glorified Thee on earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4).
:angel:
January 19
Submission and Humility
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
To be "clothed" in 1 Peter 5:5 means to tie a knot or put on a servant's apron. Basically this verse tells us to tie on the apron of a slave and be humble.
Why do you think Peter used that figure of speech? I think it was because Jesus laid aside His garments, girded Himself with a towel, and washed their feet. But "Peter saith unto Him, 'Thou shalt never wash my feet.' Jesus answered him, 'If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me,' " (John 13:8).
There are two lessons here: We must be clothed in humility. You can't look down on somebody when you're washing their feet. And even though we are saved, we walk in a dirty world. We need to come to Jesus daily to cleanse us from our sins, restore and refresh us.
:angel:
January 20
Hammers and Chisels at Work
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:1-2
When Solomon built his temple, he employed eighty thousand stonecutters. They chipped and shaped those stones in the quarry before bringing them to the temple mound. Why? Because Solomon didn't want the sound of the hammers and chisels heard on the temple mound.
In the same way, you are part of the living stones of His temple and God is shaping you here in the "quarry" of earth. Part of your shaping is in the form of persecution. So don't look at your persecutors as enemies, but as God's stonecutters.
Next time someone reviles you say, "Thank God, another stonecutter." God is shaping you to be what you ought to be.
:angel:
January 21
His Safety Deposit Box
"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19
Here are three reactions you need to have when you encounter suffering. First, you are to rejoice in what God is allowing to happen. (see 1 Peter 4:13) Second, you need to review your life (see 1 Peter 4:17-18). Am I suffering because of something I have done? If the Holy Spirit convicts you that your suffering is a result of your sin, then you need to repent.
Third, when you review your life and discover that your suffering is for the cause of Christ, then simply rely on Him (see 1 Peter 4:19). It is not your problem. It is His problem.
In 1 Peter 4:19 we see the word "commit." That is a banking term. It means to deposit something of value with someone else, to keep it safe. He will take care of you. You can bank on it.
:angel:
January 22
Promoted from Guilt to Righteousness
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:5
Justification is God's act whereby He declares those who have trusted in Christ to be as righteous as His Son is righteous. Salvation is not based on our works.
Do you know what God sees when He looks at me today? He sees Jesus Christ. You may be thinking, "That's arrogant, Adrian."
No, it's not. It's the Bible. I am in Christ and therefore God cannot see my sins (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). He only sees the righteousness of His Son.
Justification is more than just a pardon, it is a promotion. God doesn't just forgive our sins, He makes us righteous. Only God can take someone who is guilty and give that person righteousness. It is the saving work of God. What is the basis of our justification? His grace.
:angel:
Complete Payment for Your Sin
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Romans 3:25
Propitiation is a big word that means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His anger and justice burns against sin. And He has sworn that sin will be punished.
There must be a satisfactory payment for sin. But God said, "If I punish man for his sin, man will die and go to hell. On the other hand, if I don't punish man for his sin, My justice will never be satisfied."
The solution? God said that He would become our substitute. He would take the sin of mankind upon Himself in agony and blood – a righteous judgment and substitute for sin.
His wrath burned out on the cross when His only Son died as man's propitiation for sin. And this is love (see 1 John 4:10).
:angel:
January 24
Faithfulness, Not Miracles
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." Matthew 24:45-46
It is sinful for us to ask God to prove Himself by a miracle or sign, though I guess we have all done it.
When I was at Stetson University as a young boy having my quiet time in the prayer room, I asked God to move a chair from one side of the room to the other. I told him, "I already believe You and I don't want to insult You, but what a confirmation it would be to my heart and life if You would just do this small miracle." Isn't that dumb?
I am so glad that God didn't let the devil nudge that chair across that room and get me hooked on some kind of hocus-pocus. Jesus said that asking God for a sign, like this, is evidence of an evil, adulterous heart (see Matthew 12:39). Oh, that God would find us faithful, not looking for miracles, in all we do in His name.
:angel:
January 25
The Greater Miracle
"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior." Isaiah 43:11
It takes more of God's power to save a soul through the cross of Jesus than it does to do any other thing. God had no difficulty creating the universe. The Bible tells us He spoke and it was so. But when God wrote salvation's story, He went to great difficulty. Let me illustrate.
What if I held a service and had the power to straighten a cripple's legs or to bring sight to the blind? The next service would be standing room only. Now I certainly want God to heal, but let me tell you something else.
What if I held a service and a little girl walked down the aisle and gave her heart to Jesus? That is a greater miracle than opening the eyes of the blind because the Son of God had to hang on a cross in agony and blood to purchase her salvation! Jesus did not come as a great healer or teacher, He came as a Savior.
:angel:
January 26
What Is Your Cross?
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27
The cross not only saves us, but it continues to sanctify us. Have you read where Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34b)?
Many people think that this means that our "cross" is a sickness, an unsaved spouse, or a cruel boss. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. A cross is something you willingly take up.
Jesus willingly laid down His life. He calls us to do the same. Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ.
:angel:
January 27
A Defense Attorney Has Been Appointed For You
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1
The way to deal with your sins is for you to confess – that means, you are to begin by agreeing with God as to what He says about your sin. You need to also confidently deal with your sin. Now, what do I mean by that?
You have your own attorney when you go into the judge's chambers for adjudication. According to God's Word, you have an Advocate, which is another name for attorney.
The devil is the prosecuting attorney who points the accusing finger at us, and says, "Look at him!" And Jesus, the defense attorney, stands by our side and says, "But Father, look at Me. I shed My blood for him." Because Jesus died, our debt is paid. Hallelujah! Though our sins are as scarlet, He will wash them white as snow!
:angel:
January 28
The Infinite God Allows Us to Know Him
"All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." Matthew 11:27
When God condescends Himself to make Himself known to us, the Bible calls that "revelation." The Infinite reveals Himself to the finite. Now, what is the agent in this revelation? The Holy Spirit because only the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and searches the deep things of God.
You and I cannot know God apart from the Holy Spirit revealing Him to us. Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Even in the human realm, the only way you and I know anything about each other is when we reveal ourselves to one another. And the only way that man will ever know God is for God to reveal Himself. Praise God that He has chosen to do that!
:angel:
January 29
Hungering for God
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
When Jesus said that the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be blessed, He was not talking about someone who had a mere appetite, He was talking about a starving man.
God made us in such a way that we couldn't exist long without food. What is a starving man interested in? The latest football scores? The flower arrangement at the pink lemonade society? The number of stars in the universe? No! He's only interested in one thing – food!
In fact, I did some research and discovered that a man can exist about forty days without food, about three days without water, and only eight minutes without air. In the spiritual realm of eternity, man cannot exist one second without Jesus Christ.
May God help us narrow our focus to the glory of God and the saving of souls.
:angel:
January 30
Shining Brightly in the Twilight Years
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward manis renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
So many people think that they cannot do much for the Lord as they enter their twilight years. God doesn't change just because your health may take a turn or you feel weaker. The faith that is inside of you has not weakened, unless you stop feeding it with works of faith. The things that God calls us to do in life do not hinge upon our physical stamina or financial strength.
Do you know where one of the great strengths of a church lies? In its seniors who have walked with God for years. With their reservoir of wisdom and fortress of faith, they get hold of God, and though their bodies are wearing a bit, they are as strong as they ever were—because God is their strength.
Douglas MacArthur once said, "You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self with confidence, as old as your fears, as young as your hope, as old as your despair." God gives unfading strength for His undiminishing promises.
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January 31
Him—Just Him
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12
I heard of a lady who memorized so many verses of Scripture, that she quoted them back to the Lord in praise to His name. When she grew old and began to lose her memory, she could only remember one verse, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." She would quote it over and over.
Soon her memory deteriorated more, and all she could remember was just the phrase "committed unto Him." It brought her much comfort. Finally she came to a place where all she could say was "Him."
You can distill the Bible down to that one word, "Him." Can you tune all of your life to that one note of praise? Him.
:angel:
February 1
Prioritizing Your Work and Rest
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep." Psalm 127:2
In the book of Jonah, we learn that Jonah reached a place of physical despondency (see Jonah 4:3 and 8). He wanted God to kill him.
Have you ever reached a place of despair and thought that everything and everyone was against you and you didn't know what to do? Maybe you just needed to lie down and get some sleep.
Now, that may not sound like the most spiritual thing to do, but we cannot abuse our bodies without suffering the consequences. And being a child of God does not make you immune to physical exhaustion.
Have you ever heard of burn out? Where do you think we got that phrase? There is enough time in the day to gracefully do everything God wants us to do. We must determine what that is—and isn't. Begin each day with the prayer: "Father, what do You have for me today? Help me to focus on that, and not the distractions."
:angel:
February 2
After "Fighting the Good Fight"
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12
Some of the greatest spiritual defeats you will ever have will follow some of your highest spiritual victories. Jonah, Moses, and Elijah – all these men learned this. Why does this happen?
Because we are tired and feel we can just coast awhile. We think,"Didn't God bless and give us a great victory?" But what we forget is that the devil is clever. He knows just when to pull the rug out from under us.
Let me give you a little advice: Although the residual effects of yesterday's blessings will bless you, you cannot coast on yesterday's blessings. God has made you so that you cannot live by experiences. You must live by Jesus Christ one day at a time.
Every time you experience victory, be on your guard. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) This is the time to be "on alert," and more submitted than ever to Jesus as Lord.
:angel:
February 3
How to Stay the Course and Finish Well
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Do you know the way to finish the course? Keep looking to Jesus.
I've been preaching the Gospel for over 50 years, and God knows I have my faults and sins. He also knows I have repented and aim to get right with Him each and every day. I am far from perfect, but I can say that this same God has kept me on course. He has kept me preaching the Gospel.
Finishing the course that God has planned for us is never easy. It takes discipline and hard work. It takes picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and starting over. One of these days you are going to have to look back on your life. And I hope you will be able to say that you fought as a warrior and finished as an athlete.
"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1b-2a). Keep short accounts with God. Confess quickly. Get back on the track.
:angel:
February 4
Keeping the Faith
"...Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8
I believe with all my heart that the call needs to go out today more clearly than ever before for Christians to keep the faith.
William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, "The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell."
We are but one generation away from paganism. If this generation doesn't keep the faith and pass it to the next, there will be no faith.
Are you passing the faith to the next generation? Here is your commission from the Lord: "Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." Deuteronomy 11:18-20
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February 5
It Is Yours, Lord—Everything
"Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
Very early in our marriage, Joyce and I got on our knees and made a solemn vow before God that all we had would belong to Jesus Christ. We would not really own title to anything.
Now, we might hold title as far as men were concerned, but everything we owned would belong to the Lord. If He wanted it, He could have it. If He wanted to use it, if He wanted to destroy it, if He wanted to give it away, if He wanted to give more, that was His business.
Have you done that? Have you transferred everything to Christ? It's not your fame, it's your faith. It's not your ability, it's your availability. It's not your scholarship, it's your sacrifice.
Stop now this moment and think about what you have. Are you willing to "transfer the title"? Tell the Lord Jesus Christ that He is the true owner of all you have—including your abilities.
:angel:
February 6
Seeing the Unseen—Moving Beyond Your Five Senses
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Many Christians are so materialistic that they never look past the physical world to the transcendent Christ above. They only experience what their five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) bring to them.
When a problem arises, it blows out every candle in their souls, knocks the sun out of their sky, and they can't enjoy the daily bread of life that Jesus promises.
For some reading this, you have a gigantic problem that to the world has "disaster" written all over it. If you are seeking first His righteousness, God will give you all that you need. You have God on your side—the King of kings, the Lord of lords. And don't you forget it.
:angel:
February 7
His Searchlight Upon Our Hearts
"Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart." Psalm 44:21
Christian author and speaker S. D. Gordon said, "In every man's life there is a throne. And when self is on the throne, Christ is on the cross. But when Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross."
There is something you hold to be the highest good that captivates your attention and controls your life. Your decisions are made in light of whatever this thing is. Is it Christ? Or something else?
God's plan is not that Christ have "a place" in your life or that He have prominence in your life. Jesus Christ deserves and even demands preeminence in your life. That means there is no rebuttal, no refusal, and no rival.
Ask God to reveal to you if there is anything is your life that is controlling your decisions, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Give Him permission to reveal that today.
:angel:
February 9
There Is A Crowd—Cheering You On
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2
There are a lot of athletes with natural ability, but what is it that turns a mediocre athlete into a gold medal champion? One athlete is willing to hurt more than the other. When you can't take another step, your muscles are sore, your body is aching—this is what it means to be running the race with perseverance, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. You are bearing up under tremendous pressure. You are running to build endurance.
Today you may be hurting because a family member, coworker, or classmate has been unfair to you. A spouse has left. A friend walked away. Perhaps you were passed over for a promotion. Run with patience. Look to Jesus. Building a faith that will go the distance takes both patience and time.
:angel:
Releasing the Old—Taking Hold of the Best
"I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength." Psalm 18:1
Have you ever tried to get a bone away from a dog? It's not too easy, unless you have something better for him. Try offering a T-bone steak, and that dog will drop his bone like a bad habit.
In the same way, the writer of Hebrews tried to encourage the Jewish Christians, new believers who had a tendency to cling to the old customs of the Old Testament, to leave the dry bones of ceremonies and feast upon the delights of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It's a lesson we all must appropriate in our lives. It can become comfortable for us to hold to our traditions, rather than try something new. But friend, there is no one and nothing that can compare with Jesus. You may learn to love Jesus better, but you can never love anything better than Jesus. Ask God to begin showing you the delights of a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
February 11
Our Only Answer
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
The world wants to know what we should do about the problems of the world. What about the overcrowded prisons? Poverty? Rape? Murder? Do you know why we never solve the problems? Because we don't see the real problem.
The sociologist says it is just a cultural lag. The psychologist calls it an emotional disturbance. The philosopher calls it irrational behavior. The communist calls it the human class struggle. The humanist calls it human weakness. The criminologist calls it anti-human conduct. The Bible calls it sin.
And the only answer for sin is Jesus, Who executes the will of God, expresses the love of God, and expounds the mind of God.
The problems of our world are beyond solution—apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. God moves in answer to our prayers. Your effectual, fervent prayer "availeth much." (James 5:16)
:angel:
The Pure Heart
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word." Psalm 119:9
A child delights in what he has.
A youth delights in what he does.
An adult delights in what he is.
The more mature you are, the more you will desire to be something—not just to have something or to do something, but to be something.
What do you desire to be today? Someone who is known for the way they dress? The deals they close? The house they live in? Or do you want others to know that you have a pure heart—a heart that is utterly devoted and surrendered to God.
Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." They will know the unknowable, they will do the impossible, and they will see the invisible. I want to have a heart like that. What about you?
:angel:
February 13
Fellowship With Jesus When Our Heart Is Clean
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Psalm 24:4-50
James Nicholson wrote a song which expresses the desire of my heart:
"Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
Nothing beats closer to my heart than the yearning to be pure before my Lord. I know that sweet fellowship with Jesus that comes when my heart is clean. And nothing, no nothing, surpasses that in this world.
Are you failing in your Christian life because you are not pure? If you are, you're not alone. It seems as though a sewer pipe of filth and debauchery has broken and poured out into our world. Someone has well said, "Not since Manhattan Island was sold for 24 dollars has so much dirt been sold so cheaply as it is here in America."
Take the words of that song and make them your prayer to the Lord right now.
Then close with Psalm 51:10-13: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee."
:angel:
February 14
You Can Have A Clean Heart and Renewed Mind
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to Thee; but his heart is not with Thee." Proverbs 23:7
A teacher asked a little boy to finish this proverb: "Cleanliness is next to..." And he said, "Cleanliness is next to impossible." Well, friend that little boy wasn't that far wrong, was he?
It's amazing what people do to try and purify themselves – fast, pray, kneel, walk, self-flagellate, hibernate, isolate. But sadly, they discover that human efforts aren't the pathway to purity because they keep doing what Zig Ziglar calls "stinkin' thinkin'." Before we can hope to have a life of purity, we must have a clean thought life.
God works from the inside out. He knows that you cannot purify the water by painting the pump.
When was the last time you memorized a verse of Scripture? It's easier to stay away from "stinkin' thinkin'" when your mind is focused on the Word of God. This is a good time to memorize yesterday's passage, Psalm 51:10-13: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee." Start working on memorizing this passage today.
:angel:
February 15
Here's My Heart—O Take and Seal It
"With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments." Psalm 119:10
In 1758 Robert Robinson wrote a hymn that echoes in my heart from time to time:
"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."
Do you ever wander from God? Then you know how it feels and how hard it is to return. If you feel far from God today, I implore you with all that I am to return to Him with all your heart.
Make Psalm 86:11-13 your prayer today, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore. For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."
:angel:
February 16
Take This Challenge
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11
The home is a nice place for the Bible. The hand is a good place, as well. But I tell you, the heart and the head are the best places to store the Bible.
Do you ever ask yourself, "Why do I always cave in when temptation comes? Why can't I be an overcomer? Where is my breakthrough?"
Well, let me ask you this question: How much time are you spending reading, meditating, and studying the Word of God?
Take this challenge this week. For each hour you spend watching television, spend that time in the Bible. For every hour you work out at the gym, spend that time in the Bible. Then write me and tell me what a difference this has made in your life.
:angel:
February 17
What You Really Believe, You Will Act Upon
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8
Fifteen college professors who taught human motivation were asked to write a concise statement on human motivation. After hours of study, they said: "What the mind attends to, it considers. What the mind does not attend to, it dismisses. What the mind attends to continually, it believes. What the mind believes, it eventually does."
How much of the Bible have you read? More importantly, how much are you applying to your life?
Many read the Bible like a math book rather than a love story. They get the words, but they don't get the music.
It is not enough to simply read the Word. You must ask God to teach you. Psalm 119:18 says, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Go to Him today and ask for that.
:angel:
February 19
What God Wants Most
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
If you asked a Christian brother or sister why God made us, they would probably say that we were made to serve God. But don't you believe it. If God wanted servants, He could do a lot better than mere mortals.
When the scribes asked Jesus what was the first commandment, He said, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" (Mark 12:29-30).
The first commandment is not to do something for God, but to love God. He made you and me in the likeness of His image, that He might have fellowship with us and that we would praise Him.
Meditate throughout the day on this wonderful thought: God isn't asking for your performance. He wants your love.
:angel:
February 20
Holding Back—Nothing!
"She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying." Mark 14:8
Mary loved Jesus so much that she gave all she had. She didn't just pour out a little perfume to anoint Him, she gave it all (see Mark 14:3-9). She couldn't put that perfume back in the bottle. She had broken it! Maybe it was her inheritance or hope chest. She didn't hold back any for a rainy day or her retirement.
Most of us would have said, "Lord, I would like to give You a little of this perfume. It cost me a year in wages, so I can't give it all to You. But I want You to have some of it to show You how much I love You."
Does this speak to your heart as much as it does mine? Confess, "Lord, I'm not willing to break the alabaster box. Forgive me. Enable me to give my all. Here I am. Take all of me."
:angel:
February 21
A Desire for Holiness
"Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23
God expects us to be holy. But when most people talk about holiness, they get a little nervous. They're interested in heaven and the hereafter but not holiness in the here and now. They're interested in health, happiness, even helpfulness, but not holiness.
I had the privilege years ago to spend a day in prayer with Dr. Billy Graham and some other men. As we were sitting around a table sharing, Billy Graham said something I shall never forget. He said, "Gentlemen, I long to be holy. I want to be a holy man. Pray for me, that I will be holy."
Can you say, "More than anything in this world, I long to be holy"? If you can't, then spend some time today asking God to turn your heart to His and give you the desire to live a holy life.
:angel:
What Will Remain?
"If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:15
A thousand years from now, some of the things that you think are so important are not going to be so important—your meticulously groomed lawn, who won the Super Bowl, your date for the Senior Prom, the make and model of your car.
Now, there's nothing wrong with these things, but I want to ask you: What is there about your life that is going to remain when the mountains have crumbled? When the stars have fallen from their sockets?
Wood, hay, and stubble are going up in flames! But "if any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 3:14). Things are going to look much different in the light of eternity.
In your day today, ask yourself what are you doing, what are you building upon, that will remain?
:angel:
Single-mindedness
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance." 1 Peter 1:13-14
"Gird up your loins" is a figure of speech mentioned a few times in God's Word. Here's a phrase we use today to say the same thing: roll up your sleeves. It means to get serious about what you're doing.
We need to get serious about being Christians and living for God. One aspect of that is to have "a single mind."
Have you ever heard the expression "Don't put all your eggs in one basket"? I believe Peter would tell us to do just that, then label that basket, "Jesus is coming back!"
We need to be single-minded, living with a passionate, burning focus upon His return.
What are you doing today in anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Are you living with the understanding that Christ could return at any moment?
:angel:
February 24
Is Trusting God a Challenge for You?
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3
This word "trust" is an interesting word. Its root is from the word that means "to lie face down on the ground."
The idea is that a person is totally helpless. He has been cast down and has nothing to stand upon. Some would say his pins have gone out from underneath him. He has no visible means of support.
That is the place where God wants to bring us—where we have no physical means of support and all we have is God.
As a matter of fact, did you know that God will sometimes knock your feet out from beneath you so that you might learn to trust Him? At that point, faith is no longer an option or a luxury; it is a necessity. To the world your situation looks hopeless, but that is right where God wants to show Himself powerful in your life.
Is there an area in your life today for which you must trust God completely? Perhaps you need some "face time". . .face down on the ground before the Lord. Bring that issue before Him in total surrender.
:angel:
February 25
Like Father, Like Son?
"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3
Of all the reasons I can think of for living a holy life, one of the most important is for us to identify with God. He is the thrice-holy God of Israel. Holy is the Father, holy is the Son, and holy is the Spirit.
What does it mean to be identified with God's character of holiness? Have you ever heard the expression "like father, like son"? That's what it means to be identified with God.
I am a Rogers. My father's name is Arden Duncan Rogers. I have become a partaker of his nature, and you would expect to find his characteristics in me because in the physical realm, he has fathered me.
Because we are God's children, there ought to be His likeness in our lives and His likeness is holiness.
In prayer today, ask the Lord to point out to you any area in your life that violates His holiness or is holding you back from reflecting His likeness.
:angel:
February 26
Open the Windows—Let in the Light
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
If you want victory, you must expose the place of your doubts and fears. Many of us are not willing to do that. The devil has intimidated so many of us that we hide our eyes from the sunshine of God's light. There is really nothing to be afraid of when it comes to the devil.
Do you know what fear is? False Evidence Appearing Real. You can be fooled by false evidence. Take a bank robber with his hand in his coat pocket pretending it is a gun. His power comes from the power of deception. His power is the power of fear!
Friend, victory's arrows cannot be shot through closed windows. Is there any area of your life that you have been unwilling to open the window on? Turn your face to the light and give it to God.
:angel:
February 27
Waiting for Your Sunrise
"For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - Psalm 30:5
God allows us to have "blue" seasons where there is more weeping than laughing. What we must remember is, it is only for a season. That is crucial. Joy will come in the morning, just as sure as the sunrise.
If you get up tomorrow morning to see the sunrise, let me tell you what not to do. Don't try to make it hurry up. You can't do it. You can get a brass band and some cheerleaders, but that sun is not going to come up one second sooner than God intends.
Waiting on the Lord is like waiting on the sun to come up. You can't hurry it. You also can't stop it. God is going to bring a sunrise to your soul. Just wait for it. And trust Him while you wait.
:angel:
February 28
Is God Enough?
"We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company." Psalm 55:14
The church has the sweetest fellowship this side of heaven. There are brothers and sisters who are loving, encouraging, and exhorting us as we serve alongside each other to the glory of God.
But suppose God took you out of that precious fellowship. What if you became so ill you had to be hospitalized with no visitors for days on end? What if you were transferred to Siberia and there wasn't a Christian around for 250 miles? Or what if you decide not to smoke pot when all your friends are doing it? Or decide to abstain from premarital sex? Or choose to not go drinking with your college buddies?
Is God enough when your dearest friend on earth forsakes or fails you? Is He enough of a friend that you can stand with Him alone?
God is enough, but you will not realize it until you have begun to cultivate sweet fellowship with Him. How? Someone once said the best way to spell "relationship" is T-I-M-E. Spend time with your Savior in prayer and meditating on His Word.
:angel:
February 29
Love? Or Knowledge?
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:13
A little girl was reading the Bible one day and came across a picture of angels. She asked her daddy, "What is the difference between a cherubim and a seraphim?" Well, this daddy didn't know, but he took her to the encyclopedia and they looked for the answer.
He discovered the cherubim excelled in knowledge, and seraphim excelled in love.
The little girl thought for a minute and said, "When I die, I will be a seraphim. I'd rather love God than know everything." That's pretty good!
First Corinthians 13:2 says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." Love excels knowledge.
:angel:
MARCH 1
What You "Have"—Or What You ARE?
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:1-2
The Beatitudes teach us the heart of the way we are to live, just like the Old Testament's Ten Commandments teach us how we are to live. Now, there is a key word in what I just said, and that word is "are." You see, the world is more interested in the word "have."
If you have "things," then you are considered blessed by the world's interpretation of that word. The world thinks happiness comes from your ability, money, cleverness, possessions, good looks, power, or fame. But I think we both know people who have a lot and they are perfectly miserable. Happiness does not come from what a man has, but from what a man is.
:angel:
MARCH 2
Willing to Admit—We Are Bankrupt!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? To qualify as the cruise director for the Titanic? No. Jesus is talking about someone who recognizes himself as spiritually bankrupt in the sight of God. It literally means that we come to the end of our self-reliance.
You will never discover the true riches of the Christian life until you first admit your bankrupt condition before heaven. And some of us don't want to admit that. But let me remind you of something: God created the world out of nothing. That is His nature. He will not make anything out of you, until you become nothing.
Have you admitted that you are a lost sinner in the sight of God? That you have nothing to offer Him? Friend, if you think you can get to heaven any other way, you are sorely mistaken. You don't know how holy God is and how sinful you are.
:angel:
MARCH 3
Are You Mourning Your Sin?
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Jesus purposefully sequenced the Beatitudes in this order because this is the way we grow in sanctification. First, we see our bankrupt condition (Matthew 5:3) then it breaks our heart (Matthew 5:4).
This word "mourn" speaks of the strongest kind of lamentation, not just a sentimental tear. What we need today are men and women who are broken over their sin.
Proverbs 14:9 says, "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor." Jesus speaks of this favor when He says that we will be comforted. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter who will strengthen us when we are broken over our sin.
Do you know where we ought to be? On our face before God in bitter tears over the barrenness of our lives, the coldness of our hearts, and the wickedness of our attitudes. And what will be the outcome? We will be comforted.
:angel:
MARCH 4
True Meekness Is Strength Under Discipline
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
Meekness is one of the most confused adjectives in all of the Beatitudes because most people confuse meekness with weakness. Jesus said He was "meek and lowly" (see Matthew 11:29), but He wasn't weak.
The word "meek" means "strength that is brought under control."
When horse trainers "break" horses, they describe what they do as "meeked." They don't cripple the horses or take away their strength. They train them to use their strength in control.
In the same way, God doesn't come into your life to cripple you. Why would He follow with "for they shall inherit the earth"? God did not make this world for the devil's crowd. He made the world for you.
Ask your heavenly Father today to break the strongholds in your life, break your strong will, and replace it with His strength under discipline. He will do it, if you give Him permission. This is the heart of true meekness.
:angel:
MARCH 5
"Happy" Without Christ?
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Jesus tells us that when we seek after righteousness, we will be filled. Sounds like we'll be happy, don't you think? But happiness is not something we find by hungering for it, it is something we receive by serving the Lord.
God doesn't want us to be happy without Christ. God allows us to experience unhappiness in our lives in the same way we experience pain when we step on a nail. The pain tells us something is wrong.
Now, for us to seek happiness without seeking righteousness would be like breaking our arm and then not taking a pain killer and getting it set. Blessing comes when we find the Deliverer. When you hunger for Him, you will have Him. How much of God do you want today?
:angel:
MARCH 6
Are You Merciful?
"Blessed arethe merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7
Those who have received mercy are those who show mercy. And only those who show mercy will be those who continue to receive mercy. Showing others mercy isn't just sentiment or softness. It is sympathy that serves. Jesus doesn't merely save us from something, He saves us for something. He wants to express His life through us as we serve others.
I thank God for our beautiful churches, but I believe the thing that is going to touch the lives of our communities are not our buildings but our merciful acts of kindness.
One by one, we can make a change as we go out and show the love of Christ to our neighbors. People do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care. Isis
:angel:
MARCH 7
What Does It Mean to Be "Pure in Heart"?
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
This beatitude narrows our focus into one rich goal—to be pure in heart. Now, "pure in heart" doesn't just mean you don't look at pornography or think vile thoughts. That will be a result of being pure in heart. But to be pure in heart really means to have an undiluted heart. That is, there is no substance in your heart that is adulterated. You have a singleness of mind. You are undivided in your devotion. . .all of the issues of your life are brought down into one burning focus—to be pure in heart before God.
Is Jesus Christ the burning focus of your life? Then the promise is that you will see God. "Now, wait a minute," you say. "No one has seen God." You're right. You will see God not with your physical eyes, but with your spiritual eyes. He will become all the more clear!
:angel:
MARCH 8
Are You a True "Peace Corps" Member?
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9
Several decades ago, you were really somebody if you joined the Peace Corps. But all this time later, how much peace has been established between brothers and sisters around the world as a result?
Do you know how to bring peace to earth and goodwill to all men? Introduce men, women, boys, and girls to Jesus Christ. That is the only way.
Churches are filled every Sunday, yet where do people go during the week? Are they sharing God's salvation story with the lost? It's not your faithful attendance to church that is going to bring peace to earth but your faithful sharing of the Gospel.
Jesus said His mission was not to be a diplomat, not to be a peacemaker, but to bring death to hatred, strife, and sin through His reconciling blood. There is no other way to a holy God, but through the cross. Are you living like a child of God and telling others about Jesus?
:angel:
MARCH 9
Blessed When Persecuted?
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
Before you can really understand what Matthew 5:10 means, you have to understand and be living the rest of the Beatitudes.
If you are living a life that is poor in spirit, that mourns over your sin, that lives meekly through His strength, that hungers and thirsts after righteousness, that is merciful, pure in heart, and making peace...then you will be exceedingly glad for the persecution that comes your way.
You see, the world is going in the opposite direction and they are trying to push you into their mold. Yet you are a twice-born man among once-born people, and you are going to go against the tide.
It costs to serve Jesus Christ—every day and every step. But you are blessed! When was the last time you took some flack for Jesus? Great is your reward in heaven.
:angel:
MARCH 10
"The Devil After the Dove" Principle
"Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27
Have you ever gotten into an argument with a family member on the way to church? Don't look so pious! Every preacher knows that the devil will try to attack God's children right before church, after church—on the way home in the car! There is a spiritual principle here that we need to learn. It is what I call "the devil after the dove" principle.
Just as when Jesus was baptized and a dove descended, then right after He was led into the wilderness and tempted, so it will be with you. When God does something great or when you get the approval of God about something, you can expect the attack of the enemy.
Leonard Ravenhill said, "When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil is going to open the doors of hell to blast us." Have you had a wonderful spiritual experience recently? Then you better not start coasting. If the devil tempted Jesus, be sure he will tempt you as well.
:angel:
MARCH 11
Tempted? Jesus Has Already Been There
"For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
When some people read that Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," some eyebrows raise. You may not say anything out loud, but you think, "Was He really tempted in every way? Has He ever been tempted to run a red light? Or smoke pot? Or have immoral sex?" We don't know, and yet the Bible is very clear that He was tempted in all points.
There are only three temptations, and Jesus was tempted in all three. 1 John 2:16 lists them: the lust of the flesh (temptation for us to do something—our passions), the lust of the eyes (temptation for us to have something—our possessions), and the pride of life (the temptation for us to be something—our pride). If you doubt it, then read about the temptation He faced in Luke 4:1-13.
:angel:
MARCH 12
Our Way of Escape
"O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is." Psalm 63:1
The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. I have been to Palestine and seen stones that looked amazingly like little loaves of bread. I can just see the devil looking on the ground, knowing that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days, and saying, "Well, look here. Just turn this into bread!"
Now, there's nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to put the bread above the will of God, saying "Pamper your flesh." But what he was really saying was, "Commit spiritual suicide." Jesus refused.
Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too. He overcame by the Word of God. Take this verse and make every effort to commit it to your memory this week:
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."
:angel:
MARCH 13
When Tempted, You Have a Choice
"We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." 1 John 5:18
Do you know why the devil couldn't get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn't have an itch that the devil could scratch.
Temptation really comes down to this: A temptation is an inducement by the devil to satisfy a legitimate desire in an illegitimate way. That's all there is to it. Take a God-given desire and satisfy it in a God-forbidden way. The devil says, "Hey you've got a need, and I can satisfy it."
When tempted, you are given a choice. Do you get that need satisfied by the devil, or by the Lord? You see, the devil is a pervert. He has no raw material. All he can do is take what God has created and pervert it.
Do you want to overcome temptation? Find out the legitimate way to satisfy that desire, and then you will not need the illegitimate way.
:angel:
MARCH 14
No Hands But Our Hands
"The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me." Psalm 18:20
During WWII, a beautiful cathedral in Europe was destroyed by the Nazis. When the people came together to rebuild the temple, they found a statue of Christ with His hands outstretched. They repaired the statue as best they could, but they could not recover the hands. Because they loved the statue as it was, they put a plaque underneath that reads: "He has no hands but our hands."
Remember this—Jesus Christ is the invisible part of the Christian. The Christian is the visible part of Christ. He is seen in us and through us. We are the visible part of the invisible Christ.
What we do in His name is representative of Him to the world. What are you doing with your hands today that is a testimony of Jesus Christ to a watching and lost world?
:angel:
MARCH 15
Jesus Above All Other Gods
"Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:68-69
Have you ever wondered why Christians were so persecuted in the days of the liberal Roman government? The Romans didn't persecute other religious people, only Christians. Why did they pick on the Christians? Because the Christians proclaimed Jesus as Lord, and not Caesar.
The Romans were a polytheistic nation—they even built the Pantheon, which was a temple for all the gods that were worshiped in ancient Rome. When they subjugated and conquered a people, they let them keep their gods—on one condition—that they remember that Caesar was Lord.
As the world becomes more and more syncretized and headed toward a "One World" order, men and women who say that Jesus is the only true Lord are going to be persecuted. Will you stand and proclaim Jesus as Lord no matter what?
:angel:
MARCH 16
Is It Written All Over Your Face?
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20
Somewhere in California during the gold rush of 1849, the story is told of two gold miners who struck a particularly rich vein of gold one day. They decided not to tell anyone else, so they could keep it for themselves. They went into town to get better equipment to mine the gold, but when they left, scores of people followed. Their jubilation was written all over their faces.
Is what is in your heart written all over your face? Oh, how I pray that each person reading this today will not hide what they have found in Jesus Christ. I want people who see you today to say, "I don't know what is going on with her, but I want what she has. I want what he has." The gift of salvation is for you, but it is also for others to behold and desire in you.
:angel:
MARCH 17
Living Wisely
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
When men built the Temple in the Old Testament, the Bible tells us that God gave them a spirit of wisdom. Some translators have called this the spirit of "skill" because these words are tightly linked.
Do you know what wise living is? It is living skillfully and making the most out of your life. You become an artist, a practitioner, a cabinet maker, an accountant, a teacher, or a mother. You live your life with skill.
Now, don't fail to study and gain knowledge, but remember this: All our knowledge is but splendid ignorance apart from the wisdom of God.
:angel:
MARCH 18
The Wisdom You Need Is There for the Asking
"He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." Proverbs 2:7
In Christ there is soundness, strength, security, and satisfaction. When you come to Him with urgency, fervency, persistency, and expectancy, you will hear from Him. He is not going to think you are pestering Him; He is pleased when you ask Him for His wisdom.
Annie Johnson Flint, that blessed hymn writer, wrote: "His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto man; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again."
Ask Him, "Lord, I need to make a decision. What college do I choose? Should I marry this man or not? Is this the job You want me to have? What mechanic do I use to repair my car? Where do you want me to live? Do I rent or own?" Cast all your cares upon Him today, for He longs to fill you with Himself.
:angel:
MARCH 19
When It's a Good Thing to Turn and Run
"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is outside the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18
The sin of immorality is not a sin we are told to fight in the Bible. It is a sin we are told to flee! (See 2 Timothy 2:22.) God tells us to get out of a compromising situation. Read what Joseph did when he was approached by Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39:7-18. In a word, he fled!
If there is a person who works in your office and that person is immorally flirting with you, it would be better for you to quit your job than to stay in that office.
"But—my job!"
But—your purity!
Perhaps you are fighting a pornography addiction and you are alone in your motel room with free X-rated movies. Do you sneak a peak? Don't see how far you can come to the edge without falling over. See how far you can stay away!
:angel:
MARCH 20
How Far Does His Forgiveness Reach?
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
People have the idea today that it is okay to live in immorality and that God is going to overlook their little indiscretions. Is that so?
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). God doesn't miss a beat of our lives. He is the righteous judge and will judge accordingly (see Hebrews 13:4).
"Well Pastor, does that mean that if I have done any of these things, I can't be saved?"
No! 1 Corinthians 6:11 promises: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Hallelujah! There is no sin so awful that the blood of Christ cannot cleanse. He makes the vilest sinner clean.
Nothing—not your worst offense—stands between you and the Cross. . .between you and forgiveness. . .between you and a loving Heavenly Father—nothing but your hesitation. Come to Him. He longs to receive you.
:angel:
MARCH 21
"Nothing In My Hands I Bring"
"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
Have you ever laid your head on the pillow at the end of a long day and satisfyingly said, "Well, I was a good person today, so if I died tonight I will go to heaven"?
If you have, you're not alone. I would venture to say that most people believe if you go to church, tithe your money, and do good to others, that God is going to let you into heaven.
If being religious could get you to heaven, then why was a religious man like Paul struck down on the Road to Damascus and asked by the Lord, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" (Acts 9:4b).
More importantly, if we could save ourselves with our good deeds, God did not need to send His only Son into the world as a sacrifice for the likes of you and me. No, it is Jesus' righteousness that saves us. And Him alone.
Take stock: What "religious" things are you doing, hoping to score a few more "brownie points" with God? This is "works doctrine." Abandon it. Come to Jesus and say, "Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling."
:angel:
MARCH 22
The Only Thing That Will Save You
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:5
Paul said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8).
What does Paul mean by loss? He means that even good things are bad things if they become a substitute for the best thing. Suppose you are on a plane trip. The plane is going down and you grab your knapsack instead of your parachute and jump out. Is the knapsack bad? No, it's just not the best choice to save your life!
The worst form of badness may be human goodness when that human goodness becomes a substitute for the new birth.
No knapsack full of "works of righteousness" will save you. Cast yourself completely upon the work of redemption—the work of the cross. You cannot add to what Jesus did.
:angel:
MARCH 23
"Wash Me, Savior, Or I Die"
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." Romans 4:6
The same year America declared its independence from England, Augustus Toplady wrote a song declaring complete dependence upon God. He penned, "Rock of Ages." The third verse declares, "Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die."
It's hard sometimes to let go of our sins AND our righteous deeds in order to completely trust in God for our salvation.
Did you know there is something about human nature that doesn't want to do this? We want to somehow help God with our good deeds. And yet "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6b).
Lay your knapsack of righteous works at His feet. Pray, "God makes us righteous. Wash me, Savior, or I die."
:angel:
MARCH 24
Clothed with the Righteousness of Christ
"And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9
A woman worked as a maid in the house of a mean innkeeper. One day God saved her and she could not hide her happiness. What used to be drudgery turned into joy. The innkeeper was furious and began to belittle her. He hated her for being happy.
Finally, he said to her, "You say you're saved and I can see your happiness. Can you tell me what being saved means?"
And she said, "To me, it feels as though I am standing in Jesus' shoes, and He is standing in mine." A theologian couldn't have said it better.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "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."
Have you come to realize that, in Jesus, you have been made "the righteousness of God"? It is the gift of God, in Him.
:angel:
MARCH 25
From Crimson to Wool, from Scarlet to White
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans10:9
Have you ever done something so awful that you are serving or have served time
in prison? Maybe you murdered someone, abused a child, embezzled money, or raped someone. To many, you are a heinous criminal and the judicial system has declared you have no redeeming value to humanity. Well, I'm here to tell you, God can change all that.
God says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18b). Every blur, every blemish, every stain that ever came upon your soul can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). Jesus will save you if you ask Him.
:angel:
MARCH 26
The Captain Comes to Take Over
"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." James 4:8
Joshua had an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament near Jericho (see Joshua 5). His first words to Him were, "Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries?" (v.13). Joshua was on his guard, not wanting anyone to harm God's people. Notice the Lord's response, "Nay; but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come" (v. 14). Basically, He didn't come to take sides, He came to take over.
Jesus is the Captain of the host of heaven, and this Conqueror with the drawn sword came to give Joshua a message of victory.
You will never know victory until you lay your sword at His feet, bow yourself prostrate before His Mighty Throne, and worship Him. Before you can be a conqueror, you must be conquered. I pray you will soon be on the sunny side of Hallelujah Avenue where the glory roads intersect!
:angel:
MARCH 27
God Never Takes His Eyes from You
"O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me." Psalm 139:1
God sees everything you do. God knows all about you. God loves you. It is an amazing thing that the Lord would feel this way about any of us, when we are about the size of a grain of sand compared to the universe that He created.
There is no more reason for God to be interested in us than for the President of the United States to be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. And yet God is interested...very interested.
The sun that stays in the sky and warms the earth will ripen a bunch of bananas like it has nothing better to do. In the same way, Almighty God runs the universe and is concerned about you as though you were His only concern.
Don't close this page until that sinks deep into your heart
:angel:
MARCH 28
Head-Belief Is One Thing—Action Is Another!
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." Colossians 1:21-22
A man stretched a tightrope across Niagara Falls and pushed a wheelbarrow across it. Next, he filled the wheelbarrow with 200 lbs. of cement and pushed it across. The onlookers were astounded.
Then the tightrope walker asked the crowd, "How many of you believe I could do this with a man in the wheelbarrow?" The hands flew into the air. He pointed to a man who had his hand up and he said, "All right sir. You get in first." Well, you couldn't see the man for the trail of dust he left behind.
It's not enough for you to say you believe in God. Are you willing to act upon your belief? God is calling you to a relationship with Him. Will you answer His call?
:angel:
MARCH 29
In The Shelter of His Wings
"For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings." Psalm 61:3-4
Of the 6500 hymns written by Charles Wesley, surely none is considered finer than the one titled "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." Many accounts have been shared as to the inspiration behind this song, but whether any are true, indeed the song's lyrics are a poignant picture of a young man's journey into discovering the love of his life—Jesus.
The third verse of this great hymn begins, "Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find."
Where is your heart today? Are you suffering from a broken relationship or the loss of a loved one? Run, don't walk, into His waiting arms of love. He wants to bind up your hurt and bring hope to your heart.
:angel:
MARCH 30
Salvation: Not An Attainment, But An Atonement
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." - Romans 3:25-26
When I was a little boy, I thought that God was like Santa Claus with a long beard sitting up in heaven—making a list and checking it twice, trying to find out if I was naughty or nice. Then when my life was over, I would face Him and He would pull out these massive scales and weigh my good works against my bad to see if I made it into heaven.
Do you know what this thinking did? It made me fearful that at the end of my life I would face God and He would say, "Adrian. I'm sorry, but according to My calculations, you didn't make it." Then, I would have to turn and ashamedly walk past family and friends.
Friend, maybe you even believe this, but let me set the record straight: Salvation is not an attainment, it is an atonement.
You cannot atone for your sins. Your good works cannot do it. None of us could produce works good-enough and fast enough to atone for sin. Don't even try. Rest in the finished work of the Cross.
:angel:
MARCH 31
Dead And Buried
"And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:4
One of the grandest blessings in the entire Bible is often missed by believers. It is the burial of Jesus Christ! That's right! The burial of Jesus is a blessing to you. Because not only have we died with Him, we have been buried with Him.
When Jewish people died in Bible times, they were immediately embalmed with special oils and wrapped in linen. The body was hidden and buried in a tomb. That is what Jesus has done with our old body of sin.
Not only have we been crucified with Christ, we have been buried with Christ. Why the emphasis? So that you will not be haunted by the ghost of guilt. Your old life is not just dead, it's buried!
The devil will try to remind you what you were. Don't let him. Don't go prowling around in the dead bones of your old life. It is gone by the grace of God!
:angel:
APRIL 1
Chosen Before Time Began
"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Ephesians 1:4
Did you know that God chose you before He laid the foundations of the earth? You talk about "old time religion," well friend you can't get much older than that! Before there were any trees, mountains, birds, and bees – God chose you to be one of His children.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "God certainly must have chosen me before I came into this world because He never would have chosen me afterward." That means you and I cannot take credit for our salvation. First John 4:19 says, "We love Him, because He first loved us."
Somebody asked a little boy, "Have you found the Lord?" And the little boy said, "I didn't know He was lost." How wonderful God chose us, so that we could chose Him.
Though election is a divine mystery, it can bring great assurance to a believer's heart. Allow God's Word to teach you further what it means to be chosen. Read Matthew 20:16, 24:22; Luke 10:20; John 6:37-39; Romans 8:28-39; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Ephesians 1:9-11; 2 Timothy 1:9.
:angel:
APRIL 2
What Separates You from the Love of God?
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
A historian tells us that after the Spanish Inquisition, Napoleon's soldiers uncovered a dungeon. They went down into the dungeon and found a skeleton with chains still on it. To their surprise, they looked on the wall and saw a cross. At the apex of the cross, was the word "height." At the foot of the cross, was the word "depth." And on either side of the cross were the words "breadth" and "length." To this prisoner, the cross was a picture of the dimensions of God's love. God's love is expansive and everlasting.
Jesus Christ went to the Cross to demonstrate the depth and height, length and breadth of the love of God. God went to extremes to show His love for you.What are you doing today to lead others to Jesus Christ?
:angel:
APRIL 3
What is Your True Identity?
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3
I was with a preacher one time and he took me to an elite section of his town where there were many palatial mansions. I said, "Oh, those are nice, but you should see my brother's place." "Oh," he said, "Has he got anything nicer than this?" I said, "Oh yes." Then, I went on to tell him a little about it.
Then, I broke the suspense and said, "My brother's name is Jesus and He is rich in land and houses. In fact, He has gone to prepare a great place for both of us!"
Well friend, if you are a child in the family of God, He is preparing a place for you in glory, as well. You are a joint heir with Jesus. Now, go act like a child of the King!
Write out the following words on a piece of paper: "I am a child of the King. What does He want me to do in this situation?" Take that paper with you – put it on your desk at work, put it on the dashboard of your car, tape it to the inside of your locker at school. Now, watch God's Truth change your life!
:angel:
APRIL 4
Listening to a Different Frequency
"I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart." Psalm 119:32
There is an unseen world right where you are. Did you know that in the room where you are reading this, that there are cartoons, music, murder mysteries, and concerts going on? You just don't see them unless you have your radio or television tuned in to the right frequency.
So many people are missing out on the joys and privileges of the Christian life because they are not living a "tuned in" life to Jesus. To experience the abundant life that Jesus died to give you, all you have to do is tune in.
Christians march to a different beat. They whistle a different tune. And that is where our blessings lie – where the world cannot see.
Finding God's frequency takes discipline. Practice the discipline of quieting your heart and listening for His voice today.
:angel:
APRIL 5
The Gift of God—Life's Greatest Treasure
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
In Christ. That is a small phrase, but it is the key that unlocks the door to the largest treasure you will ever know. You see, all that happened to Christ, happened to you.
When He was crucified, you were crucified. When He was buried, you were buried. When He arose, you arose. Christ acted for you. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
A man is never more secure, until he is in Christ. Someone has asked, "What if you lose your salvation?" It can't happen to a child who is in Christ. Not only does He hold us, we are in Him. Security is not in a place called "heaven," it's in a person called "Jesus."
Today I want you to share Romans 6:23 with five people. Begin praying right now for God to show you these people and ask Him to give you boldness to share. You can even write Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper and give it to them. And before you hand it to them you could say something like, "I would like to give you a gift."
:angel:
APRIL 6
Our Sins, "Paid in Full"
"Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." - Romans 4:25
There was a skeptic who was talking with a little girl one day. She loved the Lord Jesus with all of her heart. He was trying to shake her faith and he said, "Young lady, Christianity is not the only religion, you know. There are plenty of religions in the world. There are plenty of Christs. Which Christ do you believe in?" She thought for a minute and said, "I believe in the One who was raised from the dead." Amen! That's the One I believe in, too!
The death of Christ on the cross without His resurrection cannot save you. If Christ died on the cross and that is all that happened, then Jesus was just one more religious leader. Do you know the proof positive that God accepted His payment for sin? He raised Him from the dead. If Jesus is still in the grave, your hope of heaven is not worth half a hallelujah.
Why not celebrate the Lord's Supper this week, remembering the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration?
:angel:
APRIL 7
Upheld by HIS Hand
"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." Psalm 18:35
In World War II, General Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright led a gallant but vain fight that led him to become a prisoner of war. For months, the Japanese mocked him and beat him. Then, one day, the news arrived that the Allied Forces had won.
The Japanese guards thought Wainwright hadn't heard the news, so they approached him to inflict their daily habit of abuse. Though Wainwright had grown frail and weak, he stood up straight and tall and said, "From now on, I'm giving the orders around here."
The devil doesn't want you to know the Good News that Jesus has won the victory, either. But, you must resist him and claim the power of God in your life.
Where do you think you'd be if Psalm 18:35 said, "I have saved myself. My hand has held me up. My gentleness has made me great"? Praise God that your salvation is from Him.
:angel:
He is Risen!
APRIL 8
"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God." Romans 6:9-10
The best news this old world has ever heard came from a graveside just outside Jerusalem. He is risen! On that day, life and death met in a tomb in mortal combat. Life won. Death died. Jesus died the death of debt. In that tomb, Jesus won the victory over death.
There is no more timeless truth than this: Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. That's a truth that science cannot explain, history cannot repeat, and time cannot erode away. It is the Truth of all truths. And the Truth that proves Jesus is the Son of God.
Someone has said, "If Jesus Christ is still in that grave, nothing matters. But if He came out of the grave, nothing but that really matters."
:angel:
Hold On with Both Hands
APRIL 9
"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5
Are you facing a struggle in your life today? Perhaps there is a decision that you need to make, but don't know what to do. Friend, let me tell you the way to find what God wants for you.
Take hold of the Lord with both hands and in faith tell Him, "Sink or swim, live or die, once and for all, now and forever, I'm going for You, God."
John Dryden, the famous English poet, said, "Reason saw not, till faith sprung the light." Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "Faith goes up the stairs that love has made and looks out the window which hope has opened."
You don't know what God can do through you until you step out in faith. Take that step today.
:angel:
APRIL 10
The Mission of the Church
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34
A man and his wife were walking through a wheat field in Alberta, Canada, early one evening with their young son. They forgot for a moment that their son was with them, and then suddenly they realized he wasn't there.
They searched to no avail, and then ran back to the village to get help. Many people returned with the couple to search through the night. Then one man said, "Let's lock arms and we'll sweep across the field." Then there was a cry: "I found him!" And everyone rushed together to the lifeless form of the little fellow who had died of exposure.
I wonder if there are people who are going to slip into a Christless eternity because we, as a church, haven't joined hands soon enough.
What are you doing in your church to welcome newcomers, disciple younger believers, or minister to the needs of others? Ask God to give you opportunities to redeem the 168 hours He has given you this week in selfless acts of love for others.
:angel:
APRIL 11
Out of Our Comfort Zone
"For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:26
How much have you suffered because you have named the name of Jesus? Have you refused to budge on an issue that would dishonor His name? Second Timothy 3:12 says, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
There's no escaping persecution for true Christians. We will be persecuted when we endeavor to "live godly in Christ Jesus." Now, on the other hand, if you're not being persecuted, don't say you must be doing a wonderful job. Very frankly, you're doing a poor job. Let me ask you: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Regrettably, most people would have to say no.
Get out of your comfort zone today. Check into a short-term mission trip; start a Bible Study; witness to your neighbor; take a homeless person to lunch; take a walk in the park and tell someone that Jesus loves them.
:angel:
APRIL 12
Are You Ashamed of Jesus? Or Will He Be Ashamed of You?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16
Are you willing to spend and be spent for the Lord today, or are there just too many other things on your agenda? Are you willing, no matter if it causes blood, sweat, and tears, to be used by the Lord, or are you more interested in where you are going to spend your next vacation?
So many of us are chicken when it comes to witnessing for Jesus Christ. We cluck and duck when the subject of God or religion is raised. We hope no one is looking when we ask God to bless our food in a public place.
We need more of the spirit of the saints who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel this very minute in prisons, in torture, in abuse – all because they profess a love for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).
God is calling you to leave your comfortable Christianity behind and tell someone that Jesus loves them and wants to save them. Will you do it, or will you be too ashamed? Let this be the year you bring the light of Christ to your dorm, your neighborhood, your apartment building, your baseball team – wherever God has placed you. Let Him use you for His glory!
:angel:
APRIL 13
Are you...Available? Expendable? Adaptable?
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8
Jesus never approved of putting the traditions of men above the Word of God (see Mark 7:1-13). What about you? Are you willing to change your life in order that God may use you, or had you rather hold onto your traditions? There are three qualities I believe every Christian should exhibit: availability, expendability, and adaptability. We need to be walking with the Lord so closely that we ought to be ready to witness at a moment's notice. It is God's ability and your availability. It is His power and your personality. It is His work and your witness. That's God's plan!
Let's pretend that someone is walking toward you right now with the sole purpose of asking you how they can have a personal relationship with God. What would you say? Get ready today to give an answer for the hope that is within you (see 1 Peter 3:15).
:angel:
APRIL 14
Willing to Travel Under Sealed Orders
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8
Who knows what marvelous opportunity God has waiting for you if you are sensitive enough to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you right now. Don't say, "Show me what You want me to do; then I'll decide whether or not to do it." Instead, we need to say, "I'll do it—whatever it is. You tell me. If You explain it, fine. If You don't explain it, fine. But God, I'm going to do it." It's just as bad to run ahead of God as it is to run behind Him. The Bible says that Abraham went out without knowing where God was sending him. Are you ready to travel under sealed orders?
Are you married? Talk to your spouse this week about your availability to God. Are you willing to sell your home, take your children, and go to the remotest corner of the world to share God's plan of salvation if He called you there? If not, ask God to change your heart. He is the potter; you are the clay.
:angel:
APRIL 15
Who is in the Spotlight?
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26
The Holy Spirit has one cause: to testify of Jesus Christ. He is very single-minded. He's not interested in doing ten things for God – just one.
There are some who get caught up in the Holy Spirit. They focus on what He is doing – through miracles, healings, tongues, and more. Friend, beware of those who focus on making the Holy Spirit the figurehead of their faith.
The mark that a man is filled with the Holy Spirit is that he is always talking about Jesus Christ. He can't do any more. He can do no less.
I challenge you to make this pledge to God: I will bring my talents, my business, my time, and my resources – all for the cause of Christ. This one thing I do – sink or swim, live or die – Jesus will be glorified in my life today and every day
:angel:
APRIL 16
Victory Is Just a Prayer Away
"Uphold me according unto Thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope." Psalm 119:116
Paul did much of his writing from a prison cell. Maybe you also feel like you are in a prison of sorts today with every door shut in your face. Maybe you are in a prison of despair and doubt. Perhaps you just heard from the doctor and received a bad report, or are dreading a visit this week. Maybe you're in a financial prison of debt or a domestic prison of abuse and you feel there is no way out. Friend, I want to tell you that there is a way out for you. God is still on His throne. He hears and answers every prayer.
Victory over your situation is just a prayer away. The circumstances may not change, but your perspective and attitude will change as you begin to pray and praise God. You and I don't have a need that God cannot meet.
Pray this prayer today: "Father, I need You. I need You to forgive me where I have failed You. I need You to change my heart and strengthen my faith so I see my prison as a palace. Change my attitude from dread to joy, from jealousy to contentment, from worry to trust. I love You. In Jesus' name. Amen."
:angel:
APRIL 17
Saved from Sin's Penalty, Power, and Presence
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Some people get confused about when salvation happens. Let me see if I can shed some light on this subject. Salvation can be explained by using three verbal tenses in the English language. The moment you repent and believe upon Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin. After that, you enter a process of sanctification where you are being saved from the power of sin. When you get to heaven, you will be saved from the presence of sin.
What happens when you enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? You are justified immediately in your spirit. You are sanctified progressively in your soul. And you will be ultimately glorified in your body.
Using Psalm 32:7, 41:2, 121:7-8, praise God that the preservation of your salvation is His job and not yours.
:angel:
APRIL 18
"I'm Okay—You're Okay"?
"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him." Proverbs 30:5
Postmodernism tells us that there is no absolute truth. Whatever you believe is okay. Whatever I believe is okay, too. Whether they agree or not doesn't matter.
But in this age of postmodern thought, we must contend with this basic truth: Truth stands alone. It doesn't require human interpretation. And let me add that in discussing Christian Truth, there is a divine disturbance that occurs. I don't believe we can be neutral about real truth. If Jesus is God, then we must bow down and worship. If Jesus is not God, we ought to boot Him out the door as a liar and a lunatic. You must decide. There is no neutral ground. Either you are with Him, or you are against Him.
Pray for the hundreds of believers who are in jail around the world because they did not stand on neutral ground. They boldly proclaimed Christ knowing that doing so would cause them to be imprisoned or even killed.
:angel:
APRIL 19
Parenting Isn't for Cowards!
"Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever." Deuteronomy 4:40
What happened to letting children be children? May God have mercy on us who stand by while boys and girls date at the age of ten, go steady by the time they're thirteen, get married by the age of seventeen, and get divorced before they're old enough to vote. As Dr. James Dobson has written, "Parenting isn't for Cowards." May God give us wisdom to help young people who are standing in tall dry grass with boxes of matches!
Are you a parent? I challenge you today to get back to the Word of God. Stand up to the pressures of society. Corral your teens into your home with love. Form a prayer group of parents and teens. Do whatever it takes to rescue your children before it's too late.
:angel:
APRIL 20
Practicing Purity
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5
Christian young people have asked me what specific things they can do to practice moral purity. Three of those are:
¨ First, watch the crowd they hang out with. Choose their friends wisely (see Proverbs 13:20).
¨ Second, guard what they put into their minds from books, movies, and music (see Psalm 101:3a, Proverbs 6:27).
¨ Lastly, control their thought life (see Proverbs 23:7a, Philippians 4:8). The thought is the father of the deed. Someone has well said, "We cannot keep the birds from flying over our heads, but we can keep them from making a nest in our hair."
Walk with God today as you never have before. Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 5:3-5). Make a covenant with your eyes (Job 31:1). Set a guard over your lips (Psalm 141:3). Take charge of your thought life: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
:angel:
APRIL 21
Are You in the "School of Trials"?
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13
Andrew Murray said, "Every child of God must at one time or another enter the school of trial." And the Scriptures teach us that we are to count it a joy when God takes us into this school.
Just as there is no profit in the ground being made wet by rain or broken up by the plough if no seed is cast into it, so are children of God who enter into trial and have little blessing from it. The heart is softened for a time, but they know not how to obtain an abiding blessing from it. They know not what the Father has in view since they are in the school of trial.
Are you in the middle of a trial? Trust that the Lord will bring blessing as you trust in Him with all your heart.
Let 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 encourage you: "For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting." (Amplified Bible)
:angel:
APRIL 22
Living Beneath Your Privilege
"For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands." Psalm 92:4
God has given the victory to every Christian – not just in the hereafter, but in the here and now. You say, "But Pastor Rogers, I know some Christians who aren't living a victorious life. And, umm, I'm one."
Then I hate to break it to you, but you are living beneath your privilege. God's Word admits the possibility of failure in our lives, but it never assumes the necessity of failure. As a matter of fact, 2 Corinthians 2:14a says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ."
Do you know what you need to do? You need to possess the possessions that God has already given to you in Christ. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).
:angel:
APRIL 23
Joy or Sadness—You May Choose
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9
In his book You Can Have Joy! Arnold Prater wrote about an Englishman named John Deckard who had an award-winning passion for roses.
One year, John grew a rose among roses to enter in the annual Garden Show. But before he got the rose, his son rushed in and exclaimed, "Daddy, look what I have for you!" And in his little hand was the prize rose. Visitors to the Garden Show were astonished when they saw John's entry. For in the flowerpot was a photo of his son with the rose in his hands, along with an honorary blue ribbon.
Sometimes your plans may go awry, and sometimes your dreams may be crushed. But in their place, God sends His own Son, Jesus. And when that happens, nothing else matters but the love of His Son.
What disappointment have you experienced this week? Did you choose joy or sadness? What can you learn from today's devotional thought to apply to your life the next time a disappointment happens?
:angel:
APRIL 24
The Secret of Joy and Contentment
"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." - 1 Samuel 15:22
Joy and obedience are intrinsically linked together. When you learn to obey the Lord, you will have the joy of the Lord. It's like the hymn written by John Sammis: "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, To be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey."
Trust and obedience are the two hands that lay hold of the promises of God. They are the two feet that keep you walking on the King's highway. They are the two ears that enable you to hear the Truth of God's Word.
Do you want to know the sweet joy and contentment that Paul had in the depths of a Roman prison and that Corrie Ten Boom had in the dark confines of a Nazi prison camp? Then trust and obey.
:angel:
APRIL 25
"Salvation" by Being a Good Person?
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4
The world thinks that sin is being bad and righteousness is being good. They say, "If I am just a good person, then I will go to heaven." God seems like a Santa Claus, making a list and checking it twice, trying to find out if we are naughty or nice. That is just not so.
Righteousness lies only in Jesus Christ. He left heaven, came to earth, lived a perfect, righteous life. Then He suffered, bled, and died on a cross to atone for our sins. He was buried and raised to life by the power of God and has ascended into glory. His blood was applied to the mercy seat of God. That is righteousness.
Galatians 2:21 tells us, "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Do you know what that means? If you could be saved by being good, then Calvary was a blunder. If there were some other way for you to be saved, God would not have let His Son die upon a cross.
Are you depending on your own good works to "get you into heaven"? What will enable you to stand before a holy God? "Not by worksof righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5
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APRIL 26
Who Are You When No One Else is Around?
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2:12
"While I'm gone, I want you to be on your best behavior." Has someone ever said that to you? This is what Paul means when he gives us the directive to work out our salvation even when he is not around.
A pastor is successful when he trains his flock to love the Lord, share their faith, and minister to others when no one else is looking. It is the true test of a person's walk with God.
What happens when you are alone on a business trip and there are free movies in your motel room? How fast do you drive when the speed limit says 35 and you are late for a meeting? How much money do you leave for a tip when there is no one to impress?
When was the last time you did something nice for someone who could never pay you back, from whom you had nothing to gain, and no one would ever know about it? Do you talk the talk or do you walk the walk?
:angel:
APRIL 27
Saved by Faith but Rewarded by Works
"If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." 1 Corinthians 3:14-15
I believe salvation is attained by grace through faith. That's not Baptist rhetoric. That's Biblical doctrine. But do you know what some people do with that?
They say, "Hot dog! I don't have to do a thing to be saved. I can just get in the top berth of a Pullman car and glide along until we pull into the New Jerusalem." You know, just catch the next sleeper car to glory.
These people don't like the idea that as Christians we are all going to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. And we are all going to give an account for how we used our time, our resources, and our faith.
We are not saved by works, but we are rewarded by works. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Read Romans 14:10-12. How do you plan to spend your day knowing this truth?
:angel:
APRIL 28
Running Your Race Without Distraction
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
Runners train themselves to be focused on one thing – the finish line. They have one desire, and they are not going to let what is going on in the stands or who is lagging behind distract them.
Paul had the same sense. He, too, believed that you could not win a race by looking over your shoulder or glancing to the right or the left. You can't see what is ahead when you've got your headlights on the rear bumper.
Paul forgot his past glory, past mistakes, past grief, past everything. Paul refused to let his past keep him from reaching his goal. What are you doing in your race to claim the prize of a closer walk with God? Take a few minutes over the next couple of days to reflect upon what Jesus Christ did for you on the Cross. In light of that, analyze how you are running your race. What changes do you want to make to better run the race?
:angel:
APRIL 29
"Pain Is Inevitable, But Misery Is Optional"
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." James 1:2-3
James 1:2 is an interesting verse because it has the phrase "when" instead of "if." You see, some people think that life is going to be all rose petals and sunlight. If I told you that, I would be speaking from a closed Bible and an empty head.
Whether you are saved or lost, life guarantees one thing – difficulty. Someone once wrote, "Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional." There will be trials, oppression, and misunderstandings. And when you become a Christian, you do not become immune to these things.
Trials are a part of life, but how Christians behave in response is what causes an unbelieving world to sit up and take notice.
How are you responding this week to the difficulties in your life? Thankful for the opportunity to learn patience? Or resentful for every speed bump your vehicle of life has to pass over? You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him.
Open yourself up to accountability on this issue. If you are married, ask your spouse to answer these questions. If you are single, ask a trusted friend: "How would you rate the way I have responded to trials in my life this year on a scale of 1-10? 'One' means I've been thankful for the opportunity to learn patience, and '10' means I've been resentful for every speed bump my vehicle of life had to pass over." Did you learn anything new about yourself, anything you need to work on?
:angel:
APRIL 30
Knowing His Ways
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:8
Wisdom is not gained by seeing the works of God. It is gained in knowing the ways of God. When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, they could only see the works of God. But God allowed Moses to see His ways.
The Israelites were infatuated with God at first. But when troubles came, their love affair with God quickly died out. They began to murmur and complain. Moses saw the wilderness from God's perspective, however, and approached God in humility and honor. As a result, God taught him to lead His people out of darkness into light.
Do you know the ways of God? Have you learned to see life from His point of view? Or are you still trusting in your view of life to get you through the hard times? Bow before God and ask Him to ignite a vision for His glory, a bold desire to lead the lost to Him, and an unconditional passion to love Him.
:angel:
MAY 1
Who Owns You?
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people." Luke 1:68
Fanny Crosby wrote, "Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am." Do you love to proclaim it? Oh, how I pray you do.
Isaac Watts wrote, "Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small: Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." Have you given your soul, your life, your all to this Amazing Love?
Jesus did not bathe this planet with His blood to have you serve the world, the flesh, and the devil. He died to make you holy. You are not your own. First Corinthians 6:20 says, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
:angel:
MAY 2
Holy or Just "Holier Than Thou"?
"For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." - Leviticus 11:44
Some people think that to be holy means to be odd. No, we're to be different. We have too many Christians doing unbiblical things who claim to be holy when in reality they are just odd.
Holiness is not achieved by what we wear, where we sleep and eat, or how many spiritual things we do. It is not primarily a matter of dress or style of hair. And we don't become holy if we live in a commune, monastery, or convent. There is no holiness in a hole.
God makes us holy by the blood of His Son. And in return for this great love, we endeavor to live holy lives because we love Him. "Holy" is a state of being, not doing. It is a God-induced, God-developed character trait that grows in us as we grow in our love relationship with God.
:angel:
MAY 3
What Happens When You're Backed into a Corner?
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58
Where are the courageous children of God who will speak on their Father's behalf—speak of His Truth, His mercy, His love? Psalm 119:46 says, "I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."
They have a saying in the country: "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket." What happens when you are up against a wall? Do you back down and deny your faith? Or do you stand firm despite the verbal assault on your beliefs?
1 Peter 3:14-17 has the prescription for a fearful heart:
"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you areblessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always beready to givea defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it isbetter, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
:angel:
MAY 4
Yes, We Need Each Other
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
To exhort is to comfort and encourage. We need each other. We ought to be exhorting one another by saying, "Isn't God wonderful? Isn't Jesus great? Don't you love Him? Let's be true to Christ!"
Among fellow believers, we live in a climate that keeps our hearts tender. If we stray away from that climate and get away from the people of God by skipping worship services and fellowship opportunities, our hearts will grow hard.
When we exhort one another, we are sharing Christ. There's something that happens in our hearts when we tell others about Jesus. It keeps our heart tender.
:angel:
MAY 5
Not "Faith in Faith," But All by Grace
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
The devil is very clever when it comes to our faith. Here is a tactic he may use on you: he will start agreeing with you so he can trip you.
He'll say, "Sure, you're saved by faith in Christ. But how do you know that your faith is good enough or strong enough to save you? What if your faith is too weak? What if you don't make it?" He will try to cause you to put your faith in your faith, rather than your faith in Christ.
Have you ever heard someone mention the phrase "saving faith"? There's no such thing. You are saved by grace through faith. You're not saved by faith. Only Jesus saves.
:angel:
MAY 6
There Are No Degrees of "Deadness"
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven."- Luke 6:37
Sometimes Christians look at people who have committed adultery or murder and compare themselves to them. They may even say, "They're dead in their trespasses and sin." I want to tell you something.
They are no more dead in trespasses and sin than your sweet daughter or precious parent who has not received Jesus Christ's gift of salvation. There may be some degree of corruption, but there are no degrees of deadness. All lost people need Jesus Christ.
You may think you don't have a testimony to share because you didn't get a Ph.D. in sin before you were saved. Perhaps you were saved as a little child. Well, it took as much of the grace of God to save you, as it did to save a murderer on death row. Never forget that, precious friend.
Dead people need to stop comparing themselves with other dead people. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. :angel:
MAY 7
There Is No "Free Love"
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."1 John 5:3
Real love costs. That's right—there is no "free love," like you may have thought if you were raised in the '60s. Love is a great and grand commitment. Sometimes a young man who seeks his own gratification will say to a young lady, "I love you" as a means of getting something from her. Oh, he loves her all right. He loves her like a man who loves oranges. He takes an orange, cuts a plug out of it, squeezes the sweet juice from it, throws it on the ground like a piece of garbage, wipes his mouth and says, "Man, I love oranges!"
Let me tell you, real love is not that way. Lust lives to get. Real love lives to give.
One of the ways you show the Lord you truly love Him is by keeping His commandments.
:angel:
MAY 8
Insight Comes Through Obedience
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." - John 15:15
What is the blessing of obedience? Intimacy with God. You will come to know things that you could never know any other way when you become intimate with God. And yet people are still asking, "How do I understand the Bible?" Friend, you will have a knowledge that surpasses anything you could gain from a school of learning when you serve the Lord in obedience.
Jesus said that we become His friends when we become His servants. And a friend knows all things. Amos 3:7 says, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets."
Have you stopped growing? Perhaps it is because you have stopped obeying. The way to have insight into the heart of God is through obedience.
:angel:
MAY 9
It's An Inside Job
"Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." - Matthew 23:26
What happens when we try to help others? We start on the outside, thinking if we can change the environment of a man (his home, clothes, food, education), then we can create a new man. It cannot be done. It was in the Garden of Eden that man got into trouble in the first place.
Cleaning up the outside is just reformation. When you clean up the inside, you are regenerated. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that they don't need another bath, they need a new birth.
It's not that we ought not to help others. We should do these things. But men need more than soap and soup; they need salvation. They need a birth from above, not merely a boost from below.
:angel:
MAY 10
Consulting First With God
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
If Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, you are going to give Him the first consideration in every decision you make. You will ask, "What is the will of God? What is the purpose of Jesus? What will glorify my Father?"
Have you ever worked for a company and they decided to transfer you? So many people, because of their financial obligations, discuss it a little with family and friends, then make plans for the move. Sometimes the transfer happens so quickly, prayer has sometimes been forgotten.
Friend, if God wants you to go, then go. If God doesn't want you to go, then you need to stay. But you'll never know until you get alone with God and let Him tell you what He wants.
:angel:
MAY 11
Out of the Boat and Onto the Water
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22
It was terrible at Simon Peter's funeral. Jesus was there and He said, "It's a shame that Peter had to die so young. He was just getting the hang of walking on the water. I shouldn't have told him to get out of the boat." It was one of the saddest funerals.
Let's hope you're saying "Wait a minute!" right now, because we know that Peter didn't drown when Jesus called him out of the boat (see Matthew 14:22-33). And you will not drown, either, when Jesus calls you to do something humanly impossible.
Peter may not have walked very far on water, but we could venture to say that he walked farther than anyone else has ever walked on water! Don't worry about getting out of the boat if that is what God calls you to do. It is safer on the waves with Jesus than in the boat without Him.
:angel:
MAY 12
When the Light Begins to Dim
"The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." - Luke 11:34
Are there times in your life when you have sensed yourself growing cold spiritually? Felt the power seeping out of your life and felt that Jesus Christ wasn't as real as He used to be? In times like this, get alone in a quiet place and begin to give things back to God that you have subtly taken off the altar.
Give Him your physical body and your right to life. Give Him your health, your strength, and your abilities to work and make a living. Give Him your reputation and your children. Give Him your cars, your clothes, your house.
And when you have honestly, earnestly, and sincerely given all to Him, the joy will return to your heart and you will sense your relationship with God restored.
:angel:
MAY 13
Give Your Mother the Best Gift
"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad that she bear thee and she that bear thee shall rejoice." Proverbs 23:24-25.
Children are an extension of their parents. When children do something good and godly and worthy, that gives a parent such great joy. Third John 1:4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Before my parents went to heaven, one of the greatest joys of my life was to do something that would cause them to rejoice and say, "Adrian, we're proud of you." I'm so grateful for that.
Reflect upon how you are living today. Does your life honor God and give your parents joy? Does it gladden the heart of God? Live in such a way as to cause your parents to stick out their chest a little bit—not in a prideful way, but in saying, "Thank God for my children." Your mother will have no greater joy than to know that you are walking in the truth.
:angel:
May 14
High on Sentiment, Low on Sacrifice
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Many of us talk a good religion. We're like the young man who called his girlfriend and said, "Sweetheart, you are so precious to me. I love you so much I'd fight wild beasts to be by your side. I'd tread on broken glass to hold your hand....And if it doesn't rain, I'm going to come over and see you tomorrow night."
Many believers are high on sentiment and low on sacrifice. We don't know what it is to fight for the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're looking for an easy way to serve the Lord, you can forget it.
We're called upon to endure hardness as a good soldier of the cross. How much hardness would you endure?
:angel:
MAY 15
Your "Mission Possible"
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
Have you ever thought about the Great Commission as being a "mission impossible"? But it isn't, because of what comes with the mission.
You see, Jesus said that all power, authority, and dominion is given unto Him in heaven and earth (see Matthew 28:18-20). Dominion was first given to man, but man gave it over to the devil in the Garden of Eden. Jesus received it back from the Father and gave that authority to each of us.
Does Jesus have authority over the devil? Yes! Then so do you. Does Jesus have the victory? Yes! Then you have the victory. Is Jesus Christ enthroned? Yes! (See Ephesians 1:20) Then you are enthroned. "We are seated with Him in heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6) The victory is yours through Jesus Christ.
:angel:
MAY 16
A Prescription for Loneliness
"O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in Thee." - Psalm 25:20
You may be saved today and yet feel incredibly lonely. Here is a practical pointer for overcoming your loneliness: Quit dwelling on it. Reach out and try to help someone who is lonely.
Luke 6:38 promises that when we give, it shall be given to us. There is a locked-in likeness to what we give. It is the law of the harvest. If you want friendship, you must show yourself friendly (see Proverbs 18:24).
Why don't you keep a stack of cards and a pen handy to write a little note of encouragement to a shut-in? Get a prayer list and intercede for others. Travel around the world by means of prayer. Jack Hyles, a great preacher, said, "There is no life so empty as a self-centered life, and there is no life so centered as a self-emptied life." As you pour out yourself to others, the Holy Spirit will continually pour Himself into you.
:angel:
MAY 17
In a Nook with the Book
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." - Psalm 19:7
Speaking about the Bible a saint once said, "I have no greater pleasure than to be in a nook with the Book." Do you think that way?
The Bible is the book that the martyrs held to their bosoms as the flames crept closer and closer. This is the book that the saints put their head upon as they went from this world into the next. This is the book that gives bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, life to the wayfarer, strength to the weak, and a weapon to the warrior.
God's book rejoices the heart. It is completely trustworthy. There are over 6,000 promises in the Bible and not one has ever been broken.
What would happen in the life of the church—and in your life—if you spent as many minutes in your Bible as in the newspaper? The television? Your cell phone?
:angel:
MAY 18
Serve Him and Let Him Take Care of It
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." - Romans 12:17-18
A certain minister served a church for many years, then one day the church asked him to leave. He was talking to another preacher friend and said, "What they did to me was dirty. After all I did for them, and they treat me this way." The preacher friend listening to him thought to himself, "It's a shame he didn't do it for God."
If you're serving God in any way, don't do it for people; do it for the Lord. Serve Him. If you're doing right, people may mistreat you, but what difference does it make if you are serving the Lord? God will prove Himself faithful and will reward you for your obedience.
Don't bow to bitterness. Tell God what has happened. Let Him deal with it in His time. He'll take care of it.
:angel:
MAY 19
The God of the Second Chance
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:12
Have you ever felt like you have used up God's reservoir of forgiveness? Perhaps you've thought, "I don't have a right to come and ask Him to forgive me again." Friend, it doesn't matter how many times we have sinned.
Suppose you came back to God the 5,000th time with the same sin. Will He forgive you? Yes indeed, He will. As far as He is concerned, it is the first time you have come to Him. Why? Because He has forgotten all the other times.
Our God doesn't hold grudges. He does punish sin, but He doesn't hold grudges. The God of Jonah, David, Mark, Peter, and Jacob is your God and my God. I have come to Him so many times and asked Him for a second chance. And guess what? He has given it.
If He can give Jonah, David, Jacob, etc., a second chance, He will certainly give you another chance. Failure is not final.
:angel:
MAY 20
The LORD of the Angel Armies
"Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways." - Haggai 1:5
What does "the Lord of hosts" mean? It literally means the Lord Almighty, and it speaks of the greatness of God. One translation puts it, "the Lord of the angel armies."
In his hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," Martin Luther uses the Greek word for "the Lord of hosts" when he writes, "Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle."
When David faced Goliath, he used the same name for God. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts" (1 Samuel 17:45). Though Goliath was a huge man, David said he wasn't too big to hit if God was on his side.
What does it do for your spirit today to know that you have with you the Lord of hosts? This same Lord, the Lord Almighty, says, "And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15).
:angel:
MAY 21
What is Outside His Control?
"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:11
The fourth and fifth chapters of Mark give us marvelous illustrations of all the things God has placed under the authority of our Lord Jesus. You'll find Jesus stilling the storm (vv. 4:35-41); He is the Master over disaster. You'll find Him healing a demon-possessed man (vv. 5:1-20); He has authority over demons. Next, Jesus heals a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years; even disease is under His domain (vv. 5:24-34). Finally in these chapters He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead; Jesus has authority over death (vv. 5:38-43).
Whatever befall—disaster, demons, disease, or even death, —Jesus Christ is Lord!
"These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He [the Father] put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church" (Ephesians 1:19b-22 NASV). Friend, meditate upon this passage and rest in Him today, for He has it all under His control.
:angel:
MAY 22
Someone Loves You Perfectly
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18
Are you gripped with fear about something? Do not give in to despair. There is hope. Love is the answer to overcoming your fear because love is the Christian's security blanket.
When you were a child, did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that gave you a sense of security—something you wanted to hold close to you and get wrapped up in? Well, dear friend, the Holy Spirit of God is the believer's warm, loving security blanket.
Have you read the verse, "Perfect love casteth out fear"? It may not have rung true to you because you are thinking, "I can never manage to achieve "perfect love." But this is not the way to look at this verse. Listen to it in The Living Bible, which says, "We have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly." God's perfect love can eliminate all dread. It is not our love for Him, but His perfect love for us that will cast out our fears.
The question isn't "Am I brave enough?" The question is "Do I trust His love enough?"
:angel:
MAY 23
"Authority Over" Comes from "Under Authority"
"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name." - Philippians 2:8-9
Sometimes we underplay Jesus' humanity to prove that Jesus was God. But if you think of Jesus masquerading as a man instead of truly being a man, then you've missed out on a blessing. You see, it is the humanity of Jesus Christ that teaches us how we are to live as Christians in this world.
And how did He live? He said, "He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29). He lived in subjection to His Father. And because He chose to submit, God gave Him authority.
Here is the principle to live by: We will never be "over" until we are willing to be "under." Authority does not develop on its own. It always comes from a higher source of power.
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MAY 24
Freedom and Liberty in Worship
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." - 2 Corinthians 3:17
Formalism and worship are two separate things. When you are worshiping the Lord, there needs to be freedom and order. Worship is not real quiet music and everyone sitting still and not smiling. That's not worship. Some people say, "Well that's a dignified service." Perhaps they don't know the difference between reverence and rigor mortis.
If you study worship in the Bible, you'll find out that worship was marked with brightness, spontaneity, and joy. The early Christians had something that fire could not burn, that swords could not kill, that water could not drown, that jails could not hold. They knew the holiness, the loveliness, and the glory of God in a life-changing way.
Read Psalm 5:7 and 29:2 and take some time today to worship God in joy and truth.
:angel:
MAY 25
The Authentic Thirst-Quencher
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:13-14
Have you ever been outside working in your garden or bicycling or playing football and become very thirsty? You go inside and perhaps grab a soda. It tastes great and seems to hit the spot. You return to your activity and you get thirsty and go for another soda. It is satisfying at first, but just doesn't seem to keep you quenched. Finally you fill a tall glass with water and you're satisfied.
Why? If you look at the ingredients on the soda container, it says it is artificially colored and/or flavored and/or sweetened. It doesn't have that touch of authenticity.
There are many who are trying to satisfy their thirst with things that are artificial when what we need is the water of life! When was the last time you quenched your spiritual thirst with the sparkling refreshment of time spent with God?
:angel:
MAY 26
Can We Know His Ways?
"Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known." - Psalm 77:19
Visiting the Sea of Galilee is an unforgettable experience. The Lord Jesus walked on the water there, but you cannot see His footsteps. When a boat goes through the ocean, it doesn't leave a trail does it? When a wagon goes across land, it does leave a trail, but a boat doesn't.
In this passage in Psalms, what is God saying? That we will never know Him just by studying history—by simply studying what He has done. His ways are mysterious. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
But we can know His ways, for He says in Psalm 103:7, "He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel." And in Micah 4:2 we find, "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths."
You can try to make sense of God with all your ingenuity, creativity, and intelligence, but God says we will never know Him that way. We have to lay our intellect in the dust and say to God, "Show me Your ways."
:angel:
MAY 27
Loving What Jesus Loves
"And I [Jesus] say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." - Matthew 16:18
There are many people who say, "I believe in Jesus, but I just don't believe in the church." That is like saying, "I believe in football, but I just don't believe in stadiums, the gridiron, goal posts, and shoulder pads."
Jesus loves the church. He gave His life for the church. If you are ever going to be victorious in the spiritual battles of life, you must realize that Christianity is not a "Lone Ranger" religion. The church is here to bind together and win the battle together.
Sabine Baring-Gould wrote the famous hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers." One stanza really stands out in this regard: "Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, But the church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never against that church prevail; We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail."
Jesus loves the Church, which is His body. If we love Jesus, we will love what He loves.
:angel:
MAY 28
Returning to Your First Love
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent." - Revelation 2:5
When my wife Joyce and I were on our honeymoon, we were driving south of Daytona Beach back to West Palm Beach. I was so in love that I had two eyes on her and no eyes on the road.
A policeman hailed me over and told me I had broken the speed limit of 35 mph. I was surprised because I hadn't seen a sign that changed the limit from 55 to 35. He said, "All right young man, here's what I want you to do. Turn around and drive back about three blocks. Look at the sign and go on." That was my punishment.
The officer made me go back before I could go on.
That's exactly what our Lord is saying to us when He tells us to return to our first love, a passionate love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
MAY 29
Will You Receive the Blessing God Sets Before You?
"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day." - Deuteronomy 11:26-28
God is setting before you this day a blessing and a curse. What determines whether you receive the blessing? If you obey. What determines whether or not you are going to receive the curse? If you disobey.
There are six blessings God wants to give you today in exchange for your obedience: plenty (Isaiah 1:19-20), peace (Jeremiah 26:13), protection (Exodus 23:22), power (Acts 5:32), purity (1 Peter 1:22), and perception (Psalm 119:100).
Do you want Jesus to be real to you so that He's not just someone that you know or read about? Maybe you want to do more than just "pray" to Him; perhaps you want to talk to Him, and you want to relate to Him. Then read John 14:23 and obey Him.
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MAY 30
Putting Down the Weights
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." - 1 Corinthians 6:12
There are certain weights that an athlete must choose to lay aside. They are not bad for other people, but they are bad for the athlete. In the spiritual realm, it is the same for Christians.
Paul tells us, "all things are not expedient." The word "expedient" is similar to the word "expedition." You see, Christians are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed us along the way, then it is excess baggage and we need to get rid of it.
Ask God today, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race?" It might be a hobby, friendship, recreational sport, or a cabin in the mountains. It is not bad; it just keeps you from maximizing your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. You must lay it aside.
:angel:
MAY 31
What You Might Miss Out On
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Peter 5:10
Isn't it wonderful to know that the works of God are perfect? That God's ways are perfect? And that His will is perfect?
Now, someone reading this may think, "But I don't know about God's will. I don't want to give myself completely to Him or He might send me to a remote desert as a missionary."
Let's set the record straight. God's will is not so much something that you surrender to as it is something that you get in on. God will choose for you what you would choose for yourself if you had enough sense to choose it!
Let your prayer today be, "Help me, Lord, not to fear what I'll miss if I do Your will; help me to fear what I'll miss if I don't."
:angel:
JUNE 1
Are You Feeding on The Word?
"But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." - Matthew 4:4
Many churches are suffering a famine because so many pulpits are not feeding their flocks the heavenly bread. If you are not feeding on the Bible daily, you are either not saved or you are dying of spiritual malnutrition. The only strength we have is found when we feed upon the Word of God.
Job said, "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). In other words, Job was saying that if he had to choose between eating physical bread or spiritual bread, he would rather have the Word of God.
How I pray that everyone reading this will commit to a daily routine of exercising on their knees in prayer and feeding with the nutritious bread of God's Word.
:angel:
JUNE 2
Do You Want victory?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4
I believe that many of us are experiencing limited or no victory because we have not learned to press the battle on through to victory. "But wait a minute, Dr. Rogers, I want the victory." Do you really?
Then you need to know this: First, God wants you to have the victory. Second, the measuring cup of your victory is in the palm of your hands. That is, you can be as victorious as you want to be. Daily make Ephesians 6:10-18 a part of your morning routine.
The devil does not have a stronghold that we cannot pull down if we will use God's weapons. But we may be trying to wield those spiritual weapons in our own strength. The Bible is your sword, but Ephesians 6:17 tells us it is the sword of whom? The Spirit. It's not your sword. Take it up, but rely fully on Him.
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JUNE 3
Total Surrender to Living for Jesus
"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." John 12:25
Two men were discussing the issue of tithing. The first one asked, "How do you figure your tithe? Before taxes or after taxes?" The second answered, "Oh, I figure my tithe before taxes." "Why do you figure it that way?" he asked. His friend responded, "Because the Lord gets more that way."
That's the kind of man who is going to get a blessing from the Lord. Jesus said the Pharisees tithed from the mint plants (see Matthew 23:23). They would have an herb in their hand and count out each leaf one by one to give their exact tithe to the Lord—just enough, yet not too much. How precise they were!
Oh God, give us men and women who say, "Dear God, I'm going for You with all that I am. I'm getting out of the boat with both feet. If You tell me to hit the ground, I'm going to hit it until You tell me to stop."
:angel:
JUNE 4
Praying for God's Protection
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:13
Why do you think we return to God time and time again asking Him to forgive us? I think it is partly because we fail to pray the other part of the Lord's Prayer: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
We wake up in the morning, come to the end of the day, and we say, "God, forgive me. I blew it." And He does. Do you know why we fail? We've learned how to pray "Lord, forgive me." But we're not praying, "Lord, protect me."
You wouldn't come to the end of the day and say, "Lord, give me this day my daily bread." The day is over. "Lord, protect me" is not a prayer for the end of the day; this is the prayer to begin your day.
Each day this week, begin your day with this prayer. Let it become a habit. Expand your prayer to encompass putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
:angel:
JUNE 5
A Sweet Aroma to God
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish." - 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
"Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ!" And when we are enjoying this victory, we will be sending off a sweet, pervasive perfume of His glory.
Do you know how incense is made? By cutting or breaking herbs, then crushing them into a fine powder. Then water is added to this powder to create a clay to form into sticks or cones. What is the purpose of incense? To burn and create a fragrant aroma.
When we are praising God in the midst of trials, singing songs of glory in the midst of persecution, claiming His victory when a problem arises, then we are emitting a sweet aroma that is unmistakable to the nostrils of God. This is the sweet smell of victory!
:angel:
JUNE 6
You Walk In Newness of Life
"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4
When Jesus Christ died, not only did He die for us, but also we died with Him. You may say, "Well, what difference does it make whether He died for me or I died with Him? It's just a play on words." Oh no it's not, dear friend.
When you're dead, then death has no dominion over you. You can't kill a man who is already dead. Let's suppose a man is put to death for a capital crime he has committed, and yet somehow he is raised back to life. Do you think he can be arrested again for his crime? Absolutely not. That would be double jeopardy. He paid the penalty for his crime.
It is necessary that you understand that when Jesus died, you died, and the law has no more hold on you! Your sin debt has been paid in full because He died for you. You died with Him.
:angel:
JUNE 7
Be Alert!
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation." - 1 Thessalonians 5:8
A preacher friend was walking away from another friend when this friend called out to him, "Well, so long! Love God. Hate sin. And watch out for trucks!" Now, that's good advice. Trucks will hurt you if they hit you. It doesn't matter whether you're saved or lost.
We all need to love God. We all need to hate sin. But I want to tell you we are also human and we need to watch out for the things in life that may hurt us. God has given us the mind of Christ and we need to use that mind (see 1 Corinthians 2:16).
Is your head in the clouds today? Are you alert to the things of this world that could harm you? Be sober. Be alert. And watch out for trucks!
:angel:
JUNE 8
What to Do When You're Not Sure What to Do
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only usenot liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." - Galatians 5:13
One of the signs that you have stopped trusting God is that you cease to function. You simply drop out of life's activities. You start fretting over this and that; you get distressed over a loss; you get oppressed by the devil. And what do you do? Close up shop, draw the drapes, go to sleep, get up late. Have you ever been that way? Worry will do that to you.
When you worry it is because you are not trusting God. You may say, "I lost my job." Well, what are you doing? "I'm sitting around the house." Well, quit it! You have more opportunity to serve God.
Go down to the church and ask them to put you to work. Go to your local mission and volunteer. Mow a neighbor's yard. Go shopping for an elderly person. Do what you need to do to find a job and when you're done...do good! Do good because you're trusting in the Lord.
:angel:
JUNE 9
Our Only Business in This World
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." - Romans 3:28
If God the Father chose us and the Holy Spirit set us aside for His holy purposes, then what part do you and I have? There is divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
You have been sanctified unto obedience. Salvation is free, but you must obey. God's divine sovereignty in choosing us does not nullify our response to His call. You have been saved out of this world, sent back into this world to witness to the world, and that is the only business you have in this world.
Now, you do not work to be saved. You work because you are saved. Someone has said and I agree: "I will not work my soul to save. That work, my Lord has done. But I will work like any slave for the love of God's dear Son."
:angel:
JUNE 10
Sinning All You Want to
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." - 2 Peter 1:4
Some people distort the doctrine that when a man is saved he is always saved. They get the idea that if this is true, then he will sin all he wants to. Friend, I sin all I want to. The thing is, I don't want to!
If the only thing that keeps you from sinning is fear of losing your salvation, I wonder if you have really surrendered yourself to God and asked Him to save you.
Peter tells us that we have become "partakers of the divine nature." Does that mean that you don't sin any more? No. Before I was saved, I was running to sin. Now, I'm running from it. I may slip, but I'm saved. I have a desire to live pure and clean to the glory of God.
What about you? Do you have a desire to be holy? Or do you treat the doctrine of assurance as a license to live a sinful life?
:angel:
June 11
Making Pain Your Servant, Not Your master
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
There are three possible ways to pray when you are hurting. First, you can pray that God will give you an escape from the pain. That's normal—in fact, that's how drug stores stay in business! Second, you can pray that God will give you the strength to endure the pain. And that, too, is a natural response. If we can't escape the pain, we can pray to endure the pain.
The third way we can pray is to ask God to enlist the pain in our lives for our good and His glory.
If we pray to escape our pain, then we see pain as our enemy. If we pray to endure our pain, then pain is seen as a master. But if we pray to enlist our pain, we see it as our servant. We are able to find God's grace to glory in our infirmities, that the power of God may be manifest in our lives.
:angel:
June 12
Our God Holds All things Together
"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." - Colossians 1:17
There are critics of Christianity who say that Jesus wasn't really the Messiah. All He did was arrange His life to fulfill the prophecies. And they're right! He really did. The only thing is, He arranged it centuries before He was born!
¨ He arranged to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
¨ He arranged His peasant background and the humiliation He would suffer (Isaiah 53:3).
¨ He arranged that He would be betrayed and sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13).
¨ He arranged His crucifixion with the piercing of His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16).
¨ He arranged He would be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9).
¨ Finally, Jesus arranged that He would be followed by millions who, with no hope of material gain and at a cost of their own lives, would set out to convince others of Him.
Oh yes! He arranged it all! Glory to God!
Praise God for His power, His plan, and His control over all things! Truly, nothing is too hard for Him, and "in Him we live and move and have our being."
:angel:
June 19
You Have a Priestly Role
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." - Hebrews 10:19
Someone asked me, "Dr. Rogers, the Roman Catholics and Episcopalians have priests. Why don't the Baptists?" I responded, "We do! You're looking at one! Every believer is a priest."
R. G. Lee, a precious mentor and godly preacher, once said, "I don't walk into my collar, I back into my collar." You see, it is a great truth that we have direct access to the Father. We don't have to talk to someone else to confess our sins. We can confess directly to God.
Do you know what you and I are to be doing as priests? We are to be making God known to others so that they will learn, repent, and believe.
:angel:
June 20
Keeping Faith with the Next Generation
"Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come." - Psalm 71:18
The early Christians turned the world upside down. Their charge and ours today is the same—to rescue the perishing and care for the dying, to go to the helpless one and tell them Jesus saves.
I heard about a little girl who said to her mother, "Do you remember that priceless vase we all love so much that's been handed down to our family from one generation to another generation?" The mother said, "Yes." The little girl sheepishly revealed, "Well, this generation just dropped it."
Now friend, this generation cannot drop it.
The faith that we enjoy must be handed down from generation to generation. We must not drop this priceless heirloom that God has placed into our hands.
:angel:
June 21
The Five Qualities of Friendship
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." - 1 Peter 3:8
There are five qualities of friendship.
1. Harmony. We are to be of one mind, not necessarily singing the same note, but complimenting one another.
2. Sympathy. We hurt when friends hurt. The world is looking for friends like this.
3. Fraternity. We are to love one another like brothers. There is no brotherhood like the brotherhood in Jesus Christ.
4. Pity. If you want to be a real friend, you're going to have to feel deeply. You'll need to put yourself in the place of the other person.
5. Humility. Genuine courtesy is thinking of the other person's needs before your own. You are less concerned with your rights, and more concerned about the relationship.
Begin to develop these characteristics of friendship in your life and watch God change your world!
:angel:
June 22
You Are A Wanted Child
"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." - Ephesians 1:4
The Holy Trinity worked together for your salvation. God the Father thought it, God the Spirit wrought it, and God the Son bought it. Christians are God's special chosen ones. Are you a believer? Then you are a wanted child. Your salvation didn't "just happen."
Ephesians 1:4 tells you that God chose you before the foundation of the world. Before He swung the stars in space, before He planted the seeds, before He built the mountains, before all of that, you were in the heart and mind of God. How special you are to God!
God the Father sent His Spirit into the world to select and sanctify His children for His holy purpose. We are utterly dependent upon the Spirit for our salvation. And we seek Him because He first sought us!
:angel:
June 23
A Word for Students
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." - Proverbs 28:1
Our government has tried to judicially remove God from the public school. But do you know that will never be done? Because you can't keep Christianity out of schools unless you keep Christians out.
If you are a student, let me challenge you to speak out boldly and confidently about Jesus Christ. You are His special messenger of love to teachers, fellow students, custodians, cafeteria workers, and more.
Some of these people may have gone to church on Sunday, but all they found was a cold, dead religion. They didn't find Jesus.
Will you be Jesus to them this week? Others may have never stepped into a church; will you invite them to your church?
:angel:
JUNE 24
Where Is Your Treasure?
". . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21
There are many people who think they are wealthy who are not. We've seen the television series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and many times it should be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Foolish."
When is a rich man poor? When he tries to find satisfaction in his money. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
A man of modest income said to a man who was very rich, "I have more than you have." The rich man said, "How is that so?" He anwered, "Because I have all I want, and you don't."
When you set your goal to be wealthy, then money becomes your master rather than your servant. What is your goal with your finances?
:angel:
June 25
The Relief of a Clear Conscience
"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." - Acts 24:16
What does it mean to have a clear conscience? As far as you know, there is nothing wrong between you and God. And there is nothing wrong between you and anybody else.
Do you jump every time the doorbell rings? Do you cringe when you see a police squad car approaching you? In Psalm 51:3, David knew the hounding of a bad conscience when he said, "My sin is ever before me." Trust me, no torture the poets name can match that fierce unutterable pain of a bad conscience. You know you've sinned and yet you have done nothing about it.
The trials of life are easier to face when you have a clear conscience. Then when something bad happens you can know that you haven't done anything wrong.
Is there something nagging at you—something you know you need to confess to your Heavenly Father? What about something between you and someone else. There is no better day than today to make it right.
:angel:
June 26
Free Love or First Love?
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." - Revelation 2:4-5
The Sixties ushered in the sexual revolution. Now tell me one more time how "free love" was to bring peace and harmony to our world?
People are being sucked into swirling sewers of sin. Homes are coming apart at the seams. Precious little unborn babies are being put to death. Sexually transmitted diseases are rampant.
The time is half past late, and we must return to our "first love." It's time to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our minds; and love our neighbors as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:36-39).
It's time to introduce people to the "free love" offered by our Savior when He died to forgive us our sins and purchase our salvation for eternity.
:angel:
June 27
Closing the Connection
"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto Him." Psalm 4:3
If ever there were a reason for you and I to pray, it would be that Jesus told us to pray (see Luke 18:1b). Yet you may wonder why you need to talk to God about your needs since "your Father knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him" (Matthew 6:8).
Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness. It is part of God's grand scheme that we have been given the privilege to cooperate with God in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray "in the Spirit." Any prayer that the Holy Spirit lays upon your heart will be answered, because the prayer that gets to heaven is the prayer that starts in heaven. We just close the circuit.
:angel:
June 28
How to Be "Free Indeed"
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." - John 8:36
Living a pure life means surrendering to Jesus Christ. But some people don't want to surrender because they say they want to be free. What if a train said, "I don't want to run on these tracks, I want to be free"? Then off through the meadow it would go.
What if a kite said, "I want to be free. I don't want to be tied to a string"? The string breaks and down it goes. What if a tree said, "I don't want to be planted in the earth. I want to be free"? And it is jerked up from the earth and dies.
Everything that is truly free functions best when it functions as God made it. God made you to know Him and to love Him.
:angel:
June 29
Waiting Time Is Not Wasted Time
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." - Psalm 27:14
Do you know the story of Joshua and how the wall of Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around it once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day? Why not just walk around Jericho one time? I think it was because God was testing their faith.
God was teaching them that waiting time is not wasted time. Isaiah 28:16b says, "He that believeth shall not make haste." God is never in a hurry, like we are. We get upset when we miss a section in a revolving door! God is also never late. He knows what He is doing.
Do you know what our problem is? We've been around Jericho six times and we're ready to quit. Say with the psalmist: "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him" (Psalm 62:5).
:angel:
June 30
The Most Meaningful Prayer Request
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." - Luke 19:10
Do you know what the average prayer request is about? Physical healing. "Pray for my aunt who is a Christian and she is about to die." "Pray for my saved uncle who is having heart surgery." How many prayer meetings have you been to where people asked for prayer for their lost neighbor who is going to hell?
More often than not we are more interested in keeping the saints out of heaven than we are in keeping the lost out of hell. It is not a tragedy to die and go to heaven. It is a tragedy to die and go to hell. Friend, it's time we elevated our prayers outside of the physical realm of life into the spiritual realm.
Take a look at your prayer list today—where are the lost who need to be saved? What are you doing to help them find their way?
:angel:
July 1
Speaking Frankly With Your Children
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22
Purity is not in vogue these days, but let me tell you what a father told his daughter one day. She wrote him while away at college: "Dear Dad, My classmates make sex sound so natural and so inevitable. There are times when I wonder what I am waiting for."
Her father wrote her back: "You are waiting to be free from the nagging voice of conscience and from the gray shadow of guilt, free to give all of yourself, not a panicky fraction. Some deep instinct in you knows what tremendous influence your first complete union with another person will be. And that same instinct keeps telling you not to waste it."
Oh, how I wish more families were open enough to discuss this issue and to encourage young people to remain pure.
:angel:
July 2
He Not Only Keeps Us Safe, He Dwells Within
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." - 2 Timothy 1:12
It is a miracle today that I know Jesus Christ. I didn't say that it is a miracle that I know about Jesus Christ. I know Him. I can read a book about Abraham Lincoln, but I don't know him. I know Jesus Christ because I have believed Him. And how did that happen? The Holy Spirit has taken the things of Christ and has shown them to me, so that He has become real to me. Is Jesus Christ real to you?
The Holy Spirit reveals God to each of us. Without Him, we would have no understanding of a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!
How wonderful it is that God has chosen to know us through His Son by the Holy Spirit. We have a constant companion. The job of the Holy Spirit is not only our teacher, but He is our protector who is protecting the interests of God in His children every day.
Thank God today for choosing not only to redeem you, but choosing to indwell you through His Holy Spirit!
:angel:
July 3
The Teaching Spirit
"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." - Isaiah 50:4
Do you have difficulty remembering things? One little lady said, "My memory is what I forget with."
Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit, who has a ministry to our subconscious. He is there not only to teach you the Truth, but also to help you recall the Truth and apply the Truth in every situation.
Over and over again, the Holy Spirit has done this in my life in the midst of preaching, witnessing, or counseling. The Lord has given us the "tongue of the learned" (Isaiah 50:4). Isn't that wonderful? You may not have a formal education, but you can still be a counselor to others in trouble. Why? Because God lives within you.
When you walk in the Spirit, He will give you the words to speak in season to someone who is weary. But He cannot remind you unless you first learn it. How we need to open our hearts to what the Blessed Advocate is doing as He tries to make Jesus real and vibrant in our lives.
:angel:
July 4
God Sets Guidelines for Government
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn." - Proverbs 29:2.
There's an old proverb, not a Bible proverb, but a wonderful proverb that says, "If the gold rust, what shall the iron do?" And the meaning is: if those in leadership, those at the helm, do not lead aright, what is going to happen to the rest of us?
What does the Bible say about national leadership? In Proverbs 29 it is clear that those in leadership should lead by godly principles. The Bible repeatedly warns us that our leaders should be upright—and what the consequences will be if they are not.
Proverbs 14:34 states, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Daniel confessed to God, "And because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us." Daniel 9:16
Jesus said, "We are to render to God the things that are God's." But He also said, "We are to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." Our "Caesar" is a government of, by, and for the people. The very genius of our government is that the people participate. It is none other than Jesus, therefore, who teaches us to participate in government. I hope you vote. If you do not vote, I believe you have disobeyed your Lord. It's unthinkable that God Almighty would have ordained government and then told His people to stay out of it. Then who would that leave to influence and to lead?
:angel:
July 5
What Sin Really Is
"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18
The world doesn't really know what sin is. They think sin is lying, stealing, murder, adultery, arson, rape. No, those are sins. Do you know what sin is? Sin is the rejection of Jesus Christ that will damn a soul to hell. You don't go to hell because you steal, lie, kill, or fornicate.
I hear people say, "Sure, I lie every now and again, but God isn't going to send me to hell for that. I might fry a few years in purgatory, but to die in hell for lying doesn't make sense."
When a man talks that way, he doesn't understand sin.
Sin is high treason against a holy God. Sin is a clenched fist in the face of God. Sin says to God, "I will not bow to You. I will not serve You. I will not trust You." That is sin.
The great commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The great sin is not to do it.
:angel:
July 6
Day After Day—a Brand New Start
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10
So many people want to know what the victorious life is, but let me first tell you what it is not. It is not a life without ever committing a sin. It is not a life without ever having any failure. It is not a life without ever having any doubt. It is not a life without ever having discouragement.
Instead, the victorious life is the life of bringing our failures to the Lord Jesus and allowing Him to give us a brand new start. Day after day I tell the Lord that I need a new start, that I need to be anointed with fresh oil today, and that I need forgiveness. I thank God that He is a God of grace, a God of glory, and a God of a second chance.
You're probably more prepared to serve God after failure and restoration, than perhaps at any other time in your life. Talk with Him today about giving you a new start.
:angel:
July 7
Surrender Will Lead You to the Will of God
"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself." - John 7:17
There is an overriding principle taught in Scripture that will help us know and prove the will of God. It is the principle of surrender.
Many of us are absolutely afraid to pray, "Here I am. I am taking my hands off of my rights to my life...my desire to be married, have a family, get a good job. I give it all to You." We don't come to God and say, "Lord, show me Your will, then I will make up my mind whether to do it or not." You'll never know God's will that way.
Is there anything you would not do if you knew Jesus wanted you to do it? Is there any place you would not go if you knew Jesus wanted you to go? Is there anything you would not say if you knew Jesus wanted you to say it? Is there anything you would not be if you knew Jesus wanted you to be it? Is there anything you would not give if you knew Jesus wanted you to give it?
:angel:
July 8
A True Heart of Forgiveness
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15
A father came home one day and walked in on his two children who were in the midst of a fight. When the little girl looked up, she knew she was in trouble. Right away, she turned on some crocodile tears, came over to her daddy and said, "Daddy, I'm so sorry. We shouldn't have been fighting. Forgive me. I love you Daddy."
She was in her daddy's arms and he was thinking, "She really has a good spirit about this." But then he looked out the corner of his eye and she was sticking her tongue out at her little brother. Her father said, "You can't hug my neck and stick your tongue out at the same time."
Do you have that kind of heart today? You're playing a game with God and holding a grudge against somebody. Do you think God receives your worship?
Friend, it's time to get it right. Your unforgiving spirit is going to do more damage to you than it will ever do to the person you refuse to forgive.
:angel:
July 9
Redeemed for an Abundant Life
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
Emancipation. What picture does that word bring to mind? Many think about slaves. But did you know that the cross of Jesus Christ has emancipated every believer?
In 1 Peter 1:18, the word "redeemed" is the same word used to emancipate a slave. Jesus Christ has redeemed you and set you free from your "vain conversation." That means "empty living"—drawing your breath, drawing your salary—not getting serious about this thing called the Christian life.
Oh friend, it's time for you to take hold of the exciting life to which God has called you, and the abundant life for which Jesus died to give you. It is a thrill to serve the One who has redeemed us with the silver of His tears and the gold of His blood.
:angel:
July 10
It's Half Past Late
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:6
The word "sober" has become a one-definition word these days—to be free from alcohol. But in Bible times, the word "sober" meant to be serious-minded about the things of God.
It's half past late and Satan knows it. Now you need to know it, too. Do you think that the closer we get to Christ's return, Satan is just going to roll over and play dead? Absolutely not.
Revelation 12:12 says that Satan is going to come in "great wrath" because he knows there is but little time left. You are going to see all of the artillery of hell let loose upon the believer as Christ readies for His return.
It's time to wake up, time is passing; look up, Jesus is coming; and sober up, Satan is working.
:angel:
July 11
What If It Were Today?
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16
Why would you and I choose to live a holy life? One reason is that we anticipate His second coming. When we are looking for Christ's return at any moment, we desire to be clean, holy in preparation of seeing Him.
For example, if you knew that Jesus was coming this afternoon, do you think you'd get right in your life? Would there be somebody with whom you've had a falling out and want to make amends? Would there be some sins for which you need to repent?
None of us know when Christ will return. Seize the day—keep short accounts—forgive and ask for forgiveness. Be ready to meet Jesus at any time.
:angel:
July 12
The Treasure Waiting to Be Opened
"I rejoice at Thy word, as one that finds great spoil." - Psalm 119:162
Have you ever found a dollar bill on the sidewalk? Did you leave it there? You probably picked it up, maybe asked people around you if it was theirs, and if it wasn't, maybe you rejoiced a little, hmm?
Now, what happens with your Bible? You see it sitting on your desk and say, "Oh, the Bible is a wonderful book filled with good things for my life." But what good is it going to do to just say nice things about the Bible? A dime and a gold Krugerrand are both of the same value when they are corroding on the ocean floor.
The promises in God's Word are of no value, unless you dig down deep and appropriate them into your life.
:angel:
July 13
Regaining Far More than You Lost
"Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." - 2 Timothy 1:9
You will only know the glory and honor that God has prepared for you when you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord. Man was crowned with glory, charged with guilt, but can be changed by grace.
When you are saved, God doesn't just put you back like you were before you were lost. You have gained far more in Jesus than you ever lost in Adam (your old nature). Adam was only innocent. You are positively righteous. Adam could lose his relationship. You can never lose your relationship with God.
Angels do not even comprehend the joy of a sinner saved by grace. And the best is yet to be. Praise Him today that you are not just regaining what was lost but what you could never have achieved!
:angel:
July 14
The Work is Finished!
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, 'It is finished:' and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." - John 19:30
In the Old Testament, the priest would enter the temple to minister, burn incense, offer prayer and sacrifices. But there was one piece of furniture that was not in the Holy of Holies, and that was a chair for the priest to sit upon. Why? Because his work was never finished.
But when Jesus bowed His head upon that cross and cried out, "It is finished!" He was finished, and He sat down at the right hand of God, the Father. The first words that are recorded that Jesus said were: "I must be about My Father's business." And His last words were: "It is finished." He stayed until He finished His Father's work.
Nothing that you can do will add one measure to His completed work. It is finished! Hallelujah!
:angel:
July 15
Completing Your Course—Finishing Well
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." - Acts 20:24
Have you ever seen a triathlon? I saw the finish of an Ironman competition on television, which involved 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running.
There was a young lady leading the pack, but suddenly within just a few feet of the finish line, she fell. Her legs were like noodles. She tried to get up and walk, but fell again. I wept as I watched her end the race in agony. She literally clawed her way to the finish line and sadly did not finish first.
If these men and women put themselves through this grueling race for a corruptible crown, God forbid that we should be any less the strong, spiritual athletes to which God is calling us. We're dealing with life and death, heaven and hell, and the glory of God! Determine today that you will run the race and finish well.
:angel:
July 16
Can You Share What God Has Done for You?
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:19-20
Have you ever shared the story of how God saved you with someone else? Some people are afraid of doing that because they are afraid they wouldn't know what to say. Or they are afraid that someone will ask a question they cannot answer. Do you ever feel that way?
I believe it is okay for you to say "I don't know." It's not a sin to be ignorant. It's a sin to be willing to stay that way, though.
God has called you to be His witness. Do you know what a Christian is? A witness—someone who has seen, heard, or experienced Jesus Christ—nothing more, nothing less.
Jesus did not call us to be lawyers to argue a case. He called us as His witnesses. Will you be His witness today?
:angel:
July 17
We Do Have His Presence
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
In John chapter four, we read the story of a nobleman whose son was gravely ill. And yet Jesus chose not to go to the son to heal him. Other times, Jesus went to lay His hands on the sick and they recovered. Why didn't He do that this time? I think for my sake and your sake He did not go.
There are so many of us who think if only we have the physical presence of Jesus, then we will have the blessings of Jesus. We say to ourselves, "If only I lived back then." Or, "Won't it be wonderful when Jesus returns."
We don't have to live in the past or in the future; we have His Word today. And it's just as real and powerful as if He were here in the flesh. Distance makes no difference.
:angel:
July 18
Specks, Beams, and Judges
"Judge not, that ye be not judged." - Matthew 7:1
What do you think "the beam" means in the question Jesus asked, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). Do you think Jesus is referring to something as heinous as adultery or murder?
If you knew the crowd to whom Jesus was talking, you would know that wasn't the problem. You see, He was talking to the Pharisees. The beam in their eyes was their attitude toward the speck in their brother's eye.
They were arrogant, prideful, and hypocritical.
God forbid that you and I become like those religious zealots who knew nothing of the loving humility of our Savior. God help us remove the sawdust from our own eyes before we ever think to judge another!
:angel:
July 19
Are You Beginning Your Day in His Presence?
"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up." - Psalm 5:3
Most Christians fail in their Christian life for one simple reason: They fail to have a quiet time. They fail to start the day with Jesus.
It is so simple. They say, "Why am I failing? Why don't I have the victory? Why don't I understand?" And I want to respond, "Why don't you get quiet before God at the beginning of your day and saturate your soul with His presence and bathe your heart with His Word?"
Someone once wrote, "Every morning lean thine arms a while upon the windowsill of heaven and gaze upon thy Lord. And then with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet the day."
:angel:
July 20
Jesus—the One and Only
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him." - Colossians 1:16
Jesus Christ is the power of creation. The little baby who was born in a manger was the great Creator talked about in Genesis chapter one. In fact, that little baby created His mother Mary in the first place. When He was born, He was as old as His Father, and older than His mother.
If you look at the little word "for" in our passage today, you will discover that it means "motion toward an object." The reason for everything was Jesus. Not only was everything made by Him, but it was made for Him. And everything is coming back to Him.
All of life will climax in Jesus Christ. He is the power of creation, the preserver of creation, and the purpose of creation.
Stop right now and ponder this: Everything was made by Him, Through Him all things hold together, and before Him one day every knee shall bow—every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
:angel:
July 21
See Him Walking on the Water
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22
Have you ever wondered why Jesus "constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side" (Matthew 14:22), knowing that a storm was going to brew shortly after they set sail? Why would He send them right into the teeth of a stormy gale?
Because He wanted them to know that He was sufficient for them. He wanted them to worship Him. Your storm is nothing but a superhighway to bring Jesus to you. It is the vehicle that moves you from a head knowledge to an experiential understanding that God is Who He says He is.
It was Andre Crouch who said, "For if I never had a problem, I would never know that God could solve them. And I would never know what faith in His Word could do."
When the storm comes your way—and it will—look up, and through the surrounding fog, see Jesus...walking toward you on the water.
:angel:
July 22
You Are His Masterpiece
"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue." - 2 Peter 1:3
A violinist stepped out onto a stage one evening and drew the bow across his violin. The room fell silent as out came the most glorious music the audience had ever heard. When he finished, the crowd leaped to their feet and gave ovation after ovation.
What happened next shocked everyone speechless. The violinist broke the violin into a thousand pieces on the podium. He looked at the audience and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, don't be dismayed. This was only a three and a half dollar violin. It is not so much the violin that makes the music as it is the man who draws the bow."
Little is so much when God is in it. God can take a life that may be comparable to a $3.50 violin and turn it into a masterpiece.
You may feel today that your life is as insignificant as a $3.50 violin. But consider what can happen when the Master holds you close to His face and draws His bow across the strings of your life! Yield yourself totally to Him.
:angel:
July 23
Living in the Shadow of His Storehouse
"For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you." - 2 Corinthians 13:4
Are you facing a problem you need to solve? We can learn a lot about problem-solving by reading the miracle Jesus performed in the feeding of the 5,000.
When Jesus and the disciples discovered thousands of hungry people, He asked Philip, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5). Now, Jesus wasn't asking for information. He already knew what He was going to do. Instead, He was trying to give Philip a revelation: we should never assess our problems in the light of our own resources or strength.
We have no right to ask the world to believe our message unless there is something about us that is unexplainable and supernatural. There must be a divine dimension to our lives. He is your sustainer and provider.
:angel:
July 24
Staying On Course
"O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day." - Psalm 119:97
Do you know the first words Paul uttered when he met the Lord Jesus on the Damascus Road? He said, "What will Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).
He didn't say, "Lord, what will others have me to do?" Or, "What will Thou have others to do?" God had a personal plan for his life. He stayed on the course and didn't shirk his passion when the going got tough. Nothing could stop Paul.
Will you be able to say that? The hounds of hell are mocking you even now. Are you firmly focused on Jesus so that nothing can deter you from accomplishing His will, from loving Him with all your heart, from devoting every ounce of who you are to Him?
:angel:
July 25
In Training for Reigning
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:17
Why did God come down through the dark Judean night through the portals of a virgin's womb to be born a man? Why did He exchange His glory for flesh and blood? One reason was to restore to us the dominion we had lost as the people of God.
You may not realize that God made you to rule, but He did. God created us to be kings and queens (see Genesis 1:26). But how many people realize their God-given dominion today?
Jesus righteously regained our dominion and spoiled the principalities and powers of this world when He bowed His head and said, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
You were created for His glory, and one day, the Bible tells us, we will reign with him. You, saints, are in training for reigning. When you look in the mirror, see a child of the King.
:angel:
July 26
Jesus Gives You Authority
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
The word "power" is repeated in this passage in Luke, but it has two different meanings. The first "power" is from the Greek word "exousia" and it has the meaning of authority. The second "power" is from the Greek word "dunamis." We get the English word for "dynamite" from this word.
Jesus gives us authority over the force of the enemy. We do not defeat the devil with strength; we defeat him with authority. Is Satan wiser than you? Yes, with a perverted wisdom. Is he stronger than you? Yes, with a malevolent strength. Is Satan more powerful than you? Yes, but you stop him when you stand against him with the authority God has given you. And he knows that.
When you begin to fight your battles, not in your strength, but in God's strength, then you are going to see Satan begin to cower before you.
:angel:
July 27
Worship Must Precede Everything Else
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." - John 4:23
The Father seeks to commune with you in worship. He is not looking for your money, your glory, or your strength. He is looking for your heart. C. S. Lewis said, "It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates His presence to men."
If you are not worshiping God, but you are serving Him (or so you think), you are making a big mistake. To pray without worship is mockery. To sing without worship is sounding brass. To work without worship is an insult to God. To teach without worship is ignorance. To serve without worship is hypocrisy. To witness without worship is perjury. God wants your worship.
:angel:
July 28
Our True Enemy
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12
So many times we have a falling out with someone, and we want to argue with that person rather than attacking the devil that caused the ruckus in the first place. Would to God that we would have the insight to see that our battle is not with flesh and blood even in a global sense, but our battle is with Satan. If we don't see that, we are going to lose the war.
Now, I'm not saying that our nation shouldn't be prepared and ready, but we cannot shoot down an idea with a bullet. The only thing that will kill an idea or philosophy is a better idea—the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Take this truth with you today:
Martin Luther wrote, "And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him."
:angel:
July 29
Who Is a Backslider?
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." - Deuteronomy 6:5
I want you to reminisce about your spiritual journey for a moment. Recall the early days, when you were first learning about God. Remember the time you first understood how to pray. Now, let me ask you: Was there ever a time in your life when you loved the Lord Jesus more than you do at this moment? If there is, you are a backslider.
Friend, if you don't love Jesus now with a burning, glowing enthusiasm, you need to remember what it used to be like and return to your first love. Don't get the idea that the love bug hit you and you can fall in and out of love with Jesus. You choose to love Jesus—every day and every way.
:angel:
July 30
Obedience Brings Blessing
"Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you." - Jeremiah 7:23
In 2 Kings 5:10, we read that God chose to heal Naaman, who was a leper, in a very unique way. God told Elisha to tell Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan and he would be healed.
Why seven times? Why not eight or five times? Because the number seven is the number of perfection in the Bible. One is the number of unity. Two is the number of witness. Three is the number of deity. Four is the earth number. Six is the number of man.
When God told Naaman to dip seven times, He was saying, "If you want Me to bless you, not only must you obey, you must obey perfectly."
If you want God's blessing upon your life, you cannot just obey in part, you must obey perfectly. What wife wants a husband who is 85 percent faithful to her?
:angel:
July 31
You Can Be Forgiven and Restored
"If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared." - Psalm 130:3-4
Samson, the mighty man of the Old Testament, learned three things about sin that I want to share with you today.
First, sin will take you further than you want to go.
Second, sin will keep you longer than you want to stay.
Third, sin will cost you more than you want to pay.
Never has there been a greater failure than Samson. But in his remorse he began to think about the great God who loved him. And he thought of the fact that God is always willing to forgive. No matter how bad sin is, God is greater than our sin.
Are you in sin right now? Do you want forgiveness? All you have to do is repent, which means that you turn from your way of sin and ask for God's forgiveness. You can be reconciled to God today. Why not do it right now?
:angel:
August 1
The Gnat vs. the Bee
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." - James 1:25
James 1:23-24 paints a picture of a man in a hurry. He has a lot on his mind. He takes a casual glance at himself and rushes on. If the Bible is like a mirror, then this man is simply getting a glimpse into the Word and not really applying it to his life.
Most Christians I know today are this kind of Bible student. They are like a gnat bouncing here and there instead of being like a bee and diving in and staying long enough to extract the sweetness.
Contrastingly, the man in verse 25 gazes into the Word. This is someone who delights in God's Word, who applies God's Word, who cherishes God's Word.
Are you like that? Or do you take a passing glance at God's Word and move on to the next thing on your TO DO list?
Which sounds more like you...the passing glance or the careful gaze?
:angel:
August 2
It's Time to Get Serious
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18
We are changed from glory to glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. That doesn't mean it happens overnight. But one step at a time.
Today you ought to have a little more glory than yesterday. Today you ought to be a little bit more like Jesus than you were yesterday. And tomorrow, you ought to be even more like Jesus. Are you becoming like Jesus? Not if you're not in the Word.Don't you think it's time for this generation to get serious about the Word of God?
Set aside a time and a place to get alone with Him every day and pray, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psalm 119:18).
:angel:
August 3
Prayer Lets the Arrow Fly!
"And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him." - Psalm 37:40
In Old Testament days, when a tribe commenced war, they would sometimes hurl a spear into enemy territory. It made no difference whether the enemy was there or not. It really wasn't for the enemy to see. It was an attitude of faith that was a declaration of war. Some would call it a throwing down of the gauntlet.
You may be reading this, wanting the victory in something today, and yet you haven't let your arrow of faith fly into the enemy's territory. Faith that acts will bring the enemy to his knees.
We don't fight our enemy with actual bows and arrows, instead we fight him with the weapons of prayer and the Word. When we pray, we face the foe. By letting the arrow of prayer fly, God moves in, and our prayer becomes the Lord's deliverance. God does business with those who mean business.
:angel:
August 4
Who Will You Be?
"And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." - Luke 18:29-30
God has given you abilities and God wants you to take those abilities and invest them in Him. Friend, it is a sin for you to be less than what God called you to be.
Sure, you may not be the next Einstein, Babe Ruth, Betty Crocker, or Billy Graham. But that's not the point. The danger is that you will not do what you can do.
There are three people inside you...who you are right now, who you could be for evil if you allowed the devil to get a hold of you, and who you could be for God. I pray you will let go of this world with both hands and give your all to God for Him to use you.
:angel:
August 5
Trusting God with Your Reputation
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works." - Psalm 73:28
We can be so protective of our reputations, can't we? I know of preachers who have lost their children because they were more concerned about what people thought than what God taught.
Maybe some of you are raising teenagers, and they dress in a way that isn't your style. Maybe your church friends are saying some unpleasant things. Let them criticize! God knows your heart. Those children are yours, not theirs. You need to love them with everything that God gives you. Stand by their side.
Never sacrifice your son or daughter on the altar of your reputation. Trust your children to the Lord. Ask God to give you His wisdom so you can see how He is fulfilling His promise of Romans 8:28 in every situation.
:angel:
August 6
Do You Need Help Finding Your Seat?
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6
Why is the empty tomb so glorious? Because it signifies more than just the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. He raised you, too, to walk "in newness of life" (see Romans 6:4). I have come out of that grave. I have ascended. You have, too, if you are saved.
Where is Christ today? Seated in the heavenlies. Where are you seated? In the same place. You don't have to die to go to heaven. In Christ, you are seated in the heavenlies right now.
We encourage our brothers and sisters by telling them to keep looking up when we should be saying, "Keep looking down!" You're already seated in the heavenlies, so you can look down on your problems. You, dear friend, have a brand new life!
Take a moment and ask God to give you a brand new life or thank Him for the one He has already given you.
:angel:
August 7
Learning to Find Real Contentment
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." - Philippians 4:11
Paul came to a place in his life—not a physical place, but a spiritual place—where he felt divine contentment. Most people think they know what this word "contentment" means, but let me tell you what it means in God's Word—"self contained."
In the context of this passage, we learn that Paul was thanking people for their love gifts to him, but he wanted them also to know that he was not dependent upon them because God had brought him to a place of sufficiency in Himself alone.
That is, Paul was able to say, "I have learned that I don't need anything or anybody else, but the Lord. I have Him, and therefore, I am self-contained, not self-sufficient. I can do all things through Christ."
Do you have a contentment today in Christ alone?
:angel:
August 8
Seeking Things or Seeking Him?
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33
Have you ever noticed that along with the command in Matthew 6:34 not to worry, correspondingly there comes a promise from God to take care of us? One of the most frequent promises is that we will be fed—God will take care of our needs.
Then why does God promise that "all these things will be added unto you."? So we will not starve? No. Friend, a lot of people who don't trust God have a pantry full of food. The average unsaved person is thinking about money, homes, cars, clothes, jewelry, etc. Jesus knows we have a one-track mind and cannot serve two masters. If these are the things you are seeking, then you are not seeking the Lord. He is telling us, "You trust Me. Bring all of your attention into trusting Me and doing good, and I'll take care of you."
Today each time you're tempted to worry, bring your concerns to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you trust Him.
:angel:
August 9
Trade In: Your Weakness for His Strength
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
What does it mean to "renew" your strength? It literally means "changed," as if you changed clothes. You remove your rags of weakness and put on God's royal robes of strength. God promises to exchange our strength with His strength.
You see, the Christian life is not just simply a changed life, it is an exchanged life.
God doesn't just change us from what we were to something better. He exchanges His life with us. He takes our sin. We take His holiness. He takes our weakness. We take His strength. He takes our anxiety. We take His peace.
Sounds great. But, what's the problem? We get tired of waiting for the change.
Friend, don't give up. The wait is never too long when God is in charge.
:angel:
August 10
Just Passing Through—Our Real Home Is Waiting
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." - 1 Peter 2:11
God saved you out of this world and sent you back into this world to tell the world that Jesus saves. He is scattering you as precious seed. You are an ambassador upon foreign soil for the King of kings.
You are not only scattered as precious seed, you are also scattered as a persevering saint. You are a foreigner in a land where you march to a different drummer. You don't settle down in this world. It's not your home; you're only passing through.
You ought to pray, "Lord, if I am building a nest, put a thorn in it." If you dabble and delight in this world, yet your citizenship is in heaven, you're going to have one foot in the world and one in heaven—just enough religion to make you miserable in the world and just enough of the world to make you miserable in your spiritual life.
:angel:
An Inheritance that Will Never Fade
August 11
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4
A man was sitting on a street corner, weeping. A friend saw him and asked, "Why are you crying?"
"Haven't you read the papers? Rockefeller died."
The friend responded, "Why are you crying? You were no kin of his!"
"That's why I'm crying!"
You have an inheritance right now as a child of God. It is incorruptible. The foul breath of decay and gnawing tooth of time cannot take it away. It is undefiled. No high-powered lawyer can find a loophole. It will never fade away.
If you understood what you have in Jesus, you would never be jealous of anybody. Ezekiel 44:28 says that God is your inheritance. You have an inheritance that is faultless, flawless, fadeless, and reserved in heaven for you!
:angel:
Which Grace Do You Need Most Today?
August 12
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10
The Bible speaks of the "manifold" grace of God. What does that mean? It means we can experience God's grace in many ways. For instance, there is singing grace. When Paul and Silas were in prison, God gave them grace to sing (see Acts 16:25).
There is speaking grace. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." God will give you the ability to talk about your troubles with His grace.
God also gives us strengthening grace. Timothy was often sick with many infirmities. Paul told him to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).
Which do you need today? Singing grace? Speaking grace? Strengthening grace? All three? Spend time in the Word of God today and draw from the manifold grace of God.
:angel:
We're Only on the Threshold of Knowing Him!
August 13
"Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands." Psalm 102:25
I have been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for more than fifty years, but I feel I'm just on the threshold of discovering Him. I want to move closer and closer to Him and learn more and more about Him.
Do you know what Paul said at the end of his ministry? That he may know God (see Philippians 3:10). Did he know God? Yes, but he knew so little about Him.
Let me ask you a question. Did Christopher Columbus discover America? Well, he touched on the shores of America. But even today there are thousands of unnamed lakes, forests, and more where no one has yet completely explored.
There is so much in Christ.
You may have "touched on" Christ, but God's plan is that you know Him more and more each day.
:angel:
August 14
Faith: Your Link to Promise and Victory
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
The life of Joshua in the Old Testament is an illustration of Jesus. As a matter of fact, Joshua is the Hebrew name of Jesus. The Lord Jesus is our heavenly Joshua who leads us into the land of promise and victory. And what is this victory? It is a victory of faith.
There is nothing more, nothing less that will achieve the victory in our lives but faith. Victory is not achieved by fighting. Victory is received by faith.
You see, when God has a gigantic task He wants us to perform, He gives the contract to faith. Your faith links your nothingness to God's almightiness and victory is yours for the taking!
:angel:
August 15
Saved, Sealed and Secure!
"In Whom ye also trusted,after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13
What does it mean that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit?
First, it is a mark of authenticity. If the Holy Spirit is not in you, then you are a fake. First John 3:24 says, "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us."
Second, the seal is a mark of ownership, like the branding of a cow. You are His. Romans 8:9 says, "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
Third, the seal is a mark of security. Esther 8:8 tells about this type of seal, which "no man can reverse."
The way I am kept saved is because God sealed me. The way you are kept saved, is because God has sealed you.
:angel:
August 16
Is Jesus Your Stumbling Block or Your Stepping Stone?
"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Jesus Christ will be either a stepping stone into heaven or a stumbling stone into hell. No one can be neutral about Jesus Christ. Either you rise on Him, or you fall on Him. You cannot walk around Him. Either you're saved by Him or you're judged by Him.
You will encounter Jesus Christ. He is inevitable. He is unavoidable. He is inescapable. What you do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesus Christ will do with you. What are you doing with Jesus Christ today?
:angel:
August 17
God is Beautifully Arranging You!
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16
I've had the privilege of pastoring churches in the midst of building campaigns, and it's been a faith-growing experience to watch God work. In fact, I will never forget the first church where that happened: in Fort Pierce, Florida.
There was an elderly architect who was over the job, and he said something I will never forget. As we were looking over the plans I said, "It can't be expensive because we don't have much money." And he replied, "Oh, my boy. Good architecture is not an arrangement of beautiful materials. It is a beautiful arrangement of materials."
You see, the Lord can take people like you and me from the quarry of sin. And with His grace and His Word, He can fit us together into a majestic temple of God.
You are an irreplaceable part of His beautiful workmanship.
:angel:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
†
Lord, here I am,
Lead me the way to go;
Lord, here I am,
Your way I long to know.
Daughter, I am here,
I Myself am the Way;
Stay close to Me, My child,
Listen to all I say.
No one comes to the Father
Except through Me;
Child, I am the Way,
The Key to eternity.
Embrace My sweet love,
Obey My each command;
I will dazzle you with graces,
Hold you in My hand.
When you are weary,
When your strength does fail,
Cling to Me all the more,
For My love will prevail.
Yes, Lord, take my hand,
I go wherever You will lead;
I find joy in Your presence,
You richly fill every need.
No one is sweeter,
My Jesus, than You;
You are Life, You are the Way,
All that is perfect and true.
I vow to walk with You,
To abide in Your will;
When I am in Heaven
I will sing Your praises still.
Yes, Lord, here I am,
Your way I delight to go;
Lord, I am Yours,
Only You I long to know.
~*~
Caroline Gavin ©August 2012
Purposeful Pathway
:angel:
August 18
An Offering of Continual Praise
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1
In the Old Testament, the priests would offer an animal sacrifice to God. What do believers offer today? Romans 12:1 tells us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.
And just as the altars of old had two flesh hooks to keep the sacrifice from slipping off, we have two hooks that hold our bodies there—discipline and devotion. Are you disciplining yourself and devoting yourself as a living sacrifice to the glory of God?
In the Old Testament, the priests would burn incense as a fragrant offering to the Lord. What do we do today? Hebrews 13:15 says we continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
Our incense of praise should be going up out of our body, as we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Are you giving God a continual offering of praise every moment of every day?
:angel:
August 19
His Peace and Joy in Suffering
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." - 1 Peter 2:21
Christ suffered for you.
"But I don't want to suffer for Him."
You're going to suffer anyway—whether you are saved or lost. That is life in a fallen world.
When you submit to Jesus Christ and obey the Word of God, He is going to arch a rainbow of hope over your suffering. He is going to write Romans 8:28 over what you are going through. You will know that your current trial is for your good.
Surrender and submission to God is the only way to get His grace and power over your life. Joy, peace, and worry-free days are ahead for the one who lays his life down for the glory of God. Suffering will come, but joy will follow.
:angel:
August 20
Who Are You Burning Your Candle For?
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." - Romans 8:13
We preachers are fond of saying, "Get right with God. You may die!" It is far better to say, "Get right with God. You may live!" The greatest joy in life is living for Jesus. Why waste more time? There is a life to live.
Friend, the best thing that you can say about a life lived without Christ is that it is a wasted life. Billy Sunday, a revival preacher from the 1920s, said that the deathbed repentance is "burning the candle of life for the devil, and then blowing the smoke in God's face."
If you are not saved, it's not too late for you to be saved. If you want to be saved—wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you've done, Jesus wants to save you. Repent and believe and you will be saved.
:angel:
August 21
When?
"I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4
Robert Moffett, a great missionary statesman, said, "We shall have all eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before the sun sets in which to win them."
Life's setting sun is sinking low. There are only a limited number of days in which to save souls. Are you going to spend your days investing in the things of this world, or putting up treasures in heaven? When?
Are you going to start sowing seeds of salvation or are you going to plant happiness in this life alone? When?
Are you going to do something nice for your wife? When?
Are you going to write your father? When?
Make a promise to yourself right now that you will not put off until tomorrow what you should be doing today.
:angel:
August 22
Two Days that Will Steal Your Joy
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14
There are two days that can steal your joy and the fulfillment of today. One is tomorrow and the other is yesterday. Both are days in which we as Christians should refuse to live.
So many of us have never learned how to separate ourselves from yesterday. We are still dragging it around with us and it is stealing our joy. Paul could have lived there in the realm of guilt, but he refused.
Maybe you, like Paul and countless others, have committed some horrible sins. But friend, what God has called cleaned, let no man call unclean. If you have confessed that sin and given it to God, it is buried in the depths. Don't let it contaminate your day. Learn to live in the present.
:angel:
August 23
Submitting to One Another
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
If we are going to survive in the tough times of our lives, we must learn to submit. That's right. Now, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but let me explain.
The Word of God teaches us that no one is inferior to anyone else. We are one in Jesus Christ. Submission is something we do to one another "in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:21). Through submission comes power and victory.
Do you want to know a good definition of submission? Here it is: Submission is one equal willingly placing himself under another equal that God may therefore be glorified.
We are never more like Jesus than when we submit. And never more like the devil than when we rebel.
:angel:
August 24
Be Vigilant—You Have an Enemy
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
Your adversary the devil is prowling about like a roaring lion. Don't underestimate his power.
Satan is an enemy you need to respect like an electrician who has respect for the wires that carry deadly voltage. He knows where the insulation is and he knows how to handle electricity. If an electrician loses his respect for this power, he is going to be in serious trouble.
Everything may be going great for you right now. You've got money in the bank, a good job, good health. You're dancing through the forest and picking wildflowers. But behind a bush is a lion so deadly, he can pounce on you and swallow you whole. You've got to be vigilant.
:angel:
August 27
Hidden from the Wise, Revealed to the Humble
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence." - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
What wisdom is there in dying on a cross? The Greeks couldn't understand it, and yet that is the wisdom of God.
God is so wise that the person with the highest IQ cannot figure Him out. If you could come to God with your intellect, then God is not fair because all of the smart people would have a head start and the rest of us would be left standing in the shadows. Your spirituality would be based upon your intellect.
I'm so glad that God has "hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes" (Matthew 11:25).
It's not that God is so high that few can figure Him out; it is that God has placed Himself at such a level that few of us will get down low enough to see God revealing Himself to us.
:angel:
August 28
Shaking Hands or Saving Lives?
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
There was a preacher who kept a painting in his study of a shipwreck. There were sailors in lifeboats reaching out their hands to people floating on debris from the ship. A little boy looked at the painting and asked his daddy, "Are those in the lifeboats trying to save those people or are they just shaking hands?"
I wonder about us. It is all right to have friends; in fact, I encourage you to do that. But are you doing more than just socializing? Wouldn't it be a shame if all you did was shake the hands of those around you, when you could be serving and showing them the way to God through Jesus Christ?
We don't pray, live, and witness as if people are dying and going to hell or heaven every day around us. May God have mercy on us. The need of the hour is for men and women to have a servant's heart.
:angel:
August 29
Not to Decide Is to Decide
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19
Years ago I was witnessing to a young lady in Florida. I asked her if she had received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She became teary-eyed and said, "I just don't seem...no...I can't do it today." I asked her, "Don't you realize that if you don't receive Him, that you're going to deny Him?" She said, "Oh, I wouldn't deny Him for anything." I said, "But there's no middle ground." And yet she refused.
I said, "Before you go, would you shake hands with me?" And she said, "Well, certainly." And so I said, "If you'll take Christ as your Savior, take my right hand. If you'll take hell and refuse Christ, take my left hand." She refused to take either of my hands.
Every person has a choice. There is no neutral ground. You are either crowning Jesus as Lord of your life or you are not. Which is it my friend?
:angel:
August 30
What Do You Love More than Jesus?
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." - 1 John 3:16
The rich man asked Jesus, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Then Jesus asked him if he had kept the law. He said yes. In love Jesus responded, "One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me" (Mark 10:21b). But the rich man was "sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions" (Mark 10:22).
Jesus let him go. Jesus didn't run after him. And there's another thing I want you to notice: Jesus didn't lower His standards.
Is there anything you love more than Jesus? You must willingly lay it down to be saved.
:angel:
September 1
Finding Joy in All the Right Places
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." - Psalm 34:8
A Christian should be filled with joy. But we can't take any credit for it. It is Jesus who gives us joy and satisfaction. We couldn't have found it had we been searching for it, but by finding, knowing, and growing in Christ, He has filled us with an overflowing joy.
Do you know what the devil will tell you? That holiness and happiness don't go together. He will tell you that if you make up your mind to live a holy life, then you won't have any fun. Friend, the devil is a liar.
You'll never know satisfaction and joy until you find it in the right place. You'll never enjoy the good things of life until you know Jesus. Oh, how sweet to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the hunger of your heart met in Christ?
:angel:
September 1
Finding Joy in All the Right Places
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." - Psalm 34:8
A Christian should be filled with joy. But we can't take any credit for it. It is Jesus who gives us joy and satisfaction. We couldn't have found it had we been searching for it, but by finding, knowing, and growing in Christ, He has filled us with an overflowing joy.
Do you know what the devil will tell you? That holiness and happiness don't go together. He will tell you that if you make up your mind to live a holy life, then you won't have any fun. Friend, the devil is a liar.
You'll never know satisfaction and joy until you find it in the right place. You'll never enjoy the good things of life until you know Jesus. Oh, how sweet to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the hunger of your heart met in Christ?
:angel:
September 2
Standing on the Edge of the Red Sea
"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." - Isaiah 54:10
Sometimes the grandest revelations come through confrontation. Why did God bring the Israelites to the Red Sea? That they might have a confrontation with Him and discover His greatness and deliverance.
Many times the things we think are tragedies and problems are God's way of drawing us to Himself. God shuts this door; God shuts that door...it seems that there's no way out.
But we must cling to the fact that God makes Himself known to us in the storm and He plants His footsteps in the sea.
Are you standing at the edge of your "Red Sea"? Have you stopped to consider that this could be your Father drawing you to Himself by the only way He knew He could get your attention? The God who parted the Red Sea and stilled the surface of Galilee is the One Who is your Shepherd.
:angel:
September 3
Will God Be Enough...?
"And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." - Matthew 10:22
Have you ever read God's Hall of Fame in Hebrews chapter 11? These men and women of faith did miraculous things. "Who through faith subdued kingdoms." Hallelujah! "Wrought righteousness." Praise the Lord! "Obtained promises." Amen! "Stopped the mouths of lions." Glory!
And how did they do it? Faith.
"And others [men and women of faith] had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder..." (Hebrews 11:36-37). "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise" (Hebrews 11:39).
Some had faith to escape; others had faith to endure. If it is God's will for you, faith to endure may be the kind of faith God wants you to have. Will God be enough if He lets you walk through the fiery furnace?
:angel:
September 4
Welcome! You are in the Priesthood
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9
Christians are a kingdom of priests, so in order to understand what that means, let's look at what someone had to do to become a priest in the Old Testament.
The first thing the priest did was bathe from head to toe. This symbolized that he was saved (see Titus 3:5). When we are saved, we are bathed from head to toe in Christ's cleansing blood.
After his bath, the priest received a linen garment, which symbolized the righteousness that is provided by our Lord.
Then he was anointed with oil, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
How encouraging to discover God's Word flowing from the Old to the New Testament to describe such essential details of the believer.
Have you been bathed in the cleansing blood? Are you aware you're wearing a robe (the righteousness of Christ)? The Holy Spirit lives within you. As you go through your day today, be ever mindful: you are a priest—chosen, royal, holy, set apart for Him.
:angel:
Is Courtesy a Way of Life for You?
September 5
"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." Psalm 18:35
Do you know what our churches could use a little bit more of? Courtesy among the brethren—love in the little things, love that says "please" and "thank you," love that steps back and gives the other person first place. The gentleness of our Lord.
It never ceases to amaze me how people so quickly lose their religion when they leave church on Sunday morning. They go to their cars in the parking lot, then cut people off in traffic. And don't ever take someone's "regular" seat in church. You're seen as stealing their "rightful" place in the worship service!
May God cleanse our churches of self-righteousness and pride. May He purify us from anything that seeks to elevate self over others.
:angel:
Ready to Make an Honest Confession?
September 6
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
What does it mean to "confess your sins"? It doesn't mean to simply admit your sin. There are a lot of people who have admitted their sins, who have never confessed their sins.
I've spoken to people many times and asked, "Do you know that you're a sinner?" And they respond, "Yes, I know. We've all sinned." But those people aren't confessing; all they're doing is admitting. There is a difference.
The word "confess" is a compilation of two words, "con" and "fess," which mean "to agree with." To confess your sins is "to say with" God what God says about them.
As you go before the Lord in prayer today, rather than just admitting you've sinned, agree with God about your sin. Then ask for His grace to overcome.
:angel:
What Are You Afraid Of?
September 7
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
In Matthew 25, we read the parable of the talents. When the master who had distributed the talents came to see the stewardship of those talents, one man had taken his talent and hidden it in the ground.
You may have a buried talent, but you've been covered up by the sinister minister of fear, who keeps you from achieving your dreams. You say, "But what if I fail?" You can be so afraid of making a mistake that your entire life will be a mistake. The fear of failure keeps so many from competing that they never even get in the race. They just lose by default!
Sir Walter Scott was called a "dunce" by his teachers. Napoleon Bonaparte was next to last in his military class. Walt Disney was fired as a cartoonist because the newspaper said he couldn't draw! It's not bad to fail. We all will fail. But may God deliver you from the spirit of failure, which is a spirit of fear.
:angel:
Learning to Love, Learning to Hate
September 8
"Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." Psalm 97:10
This may come as a surprise to you, but just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you're supposed to love everything.
Now, we hear that Christians are to be a people of love, and that is true. But did you know that if you're a Christian, not only must you learn to love, but you also must learn to hate?
If you love God, then you are to hate what God hates. It is true in every realm. If you love flowers, you hate weeds. If you love health, you hate germs. If you love God, you hate evil. It is just that plain.
Romans 12:9b tells us in even stronger terms to "abhor that which is evil." A hypocrite, something none of us want to be, is someone who says he loves God, but then he doesn't hate sin.
Don't tell others you love God if you don't hate that which nailed His Son to the cross.
:angel:
On the Proving Ground
September 9
"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth." Psalm 26:2-3
How do automobile manufacturers make sure their vehicles are safe for people to drive? They put their vehicles onto a proving ground. They're driven hundreds of miles over rough roads and through water and heat—screeching, turning, twisting, hitting the brakes, accelerating to top speeds. They want to see if that automobile will stand the test.
It is the same with our spiritual lives. God gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. Read throughout Scripture and you will find this to be true. Joseph was tested. David was tested. Moses was tested. Peter was tested.
When God gets ready to prove you, He is not going to test you in the good times because that is not a test. Anybody can serve God in the sunshine.
The test is not how you behave when there is victory all around; the test is how you behave when God brings you to the wilderness. He wants to know what is in your heart. Are you fully devoted to God?
:angel:
Because I Said So"
September 10
"For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." Leviticus 11:45
Are you a parent? Then, you've probably told your children to do something and they asked why. And what did you say? "Because I told you. Period."
I believe there are times when parents want their children to do things and they need to explain their rationale. It's important to teach principles for living instead of mere commands and rules. But sometimes children are not able to understand, so the answer I just mentioned is one that simply communicates parental authority to a child.
Leviticus is a book full of laws that no one understood logically. And yet did God stop to explain the law? No. He simply said, "I am the Lord your God." He is above our need for explanations and deserving of our full obedience.
:angel:
September 11
When Your Life Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." - Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what's happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we as a couple are infertile and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act.
We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe! At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
:angel:
September 12
Redeem the Time!
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
Procrastination. Just seeing the word makes me want to put off saying anything else. Are you under conviction in that area? One fellow said, "I started to procrastinate, then decided to put it off."
Procrastination is a form of disobedience. When God tells us to do something and we don't do it, we can label our actions with all kinds of fancy words, but the bottom line is, it's sin. The days are passing and time cannot be stopped. You can't call a "time out" in life. And time can't be stored like money in the bank. Really, the only thing you can do with time is use it or lose it.
Someone has said, "Lost: One golden hour, studded with sixty diamond minutes. No reward offered, for it is lost forever." Redeem the time.
:angel:
September 13
Wholehearted or Halfhearted?
"The light of the body is the eye: Therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." - Luke 11:34
Joshua chapter fourteen tells us something very interesting about a man named Caleb. Three times the Holy Spirit says Caleb "wholly followed the Lord God" (vv. 8, 9, 14). Every ounce of Caleb was given to the Lord.
This is the kind of heart you and I should have if we call ourselves Christians. The devil is going to intimidate a fainthearted man. And there's only one way to stand against the devil. That is to give everything to Jesus Christ. Indeed, God does not accept half-hearted religion.
It would be better for you to say that there is no God than for you to say that He doesn't mean that much to you, He doesn't make a difference in your life, He doesn't stir your heart to love Him.
God is looking for wholeheartedness. "With my whole heart I have sought Thee." (Psalm 119:10) Can you say this to the Lord today?
:angel:
September 14
Reconciliation Leads to Revival!
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
Do you know what God wants from you today? Reconciliation. That's far more important than singing in the choir, preaching a sermon, serving in the nursery, or giving an offering. When we learn this, God is going to bring great revival to our churches.
Revival always begins when people begin to confess their faults to one another, pray for one another, and forgive one another. Revival isn't raising the roof with a lot of emotion. It is getting the walls down. It is not just saying, "I am going to get right with God." It is saying, "I want to get right with my brothers and sisters."
When we are reconciled, revival will come. And rejoicing will surely follow. And not any kind of rejoicing, there will be Holy Spirit joy when you know there is nothing between your soul and the Savior and nothing between your soul and a brother! Joy unspeakable!
:angel:
September 15
Why Is a Question We Cannot Answer—Yet
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." - Isaiah 50:10
We can endure almost anything if we know why it is happening. Wouldn't you agree? But we don't always get the luxury of knowing why things happen.
You can't be a pastor as long as I have without having heartbroken questions asked of you. "Why did my baby die?" "Why did I lose my business?" "Why am I so sick?"
Job felt this way. He said, "I deserve an answer why this is happening to me! The bottom has fallen out of my life. And I don't know why."
Have you ever been plunged into darkness? Don't get the idea that if you're right with God, you'll have all the answers. Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.
:angel:
September 16
What Do You Make Time For?
"For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." Acts 22:15
What is more important in your life today? Seeing your daytime soap opera or asking an unsaved neighbor over for a chance to love them to Jesus? Joining your buddies for a round of golf, or visiting your unsaved father? Going shopping with your friends, or taking the time to read the Bible to a lost person in a nursing home? Someone wisely observed, "We managed to make time during the day for what's really important to us."
Friend, the time is running out. We will not be witnessing in heaven. This is our earthly duty and privilege now. None of us knows how many hours we have left. We must seize the golden opportunities that God gives us daily to witness.
A line from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is our challenge: "Oh, be swift, my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on."
:angel:
September 17
The Battle Between Faith and Worry
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Do you ever worry? Don't look around and point your finger at someone else. Do you ever worry—even the least little bit? And yet the Bible so clearly tells us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything.
There are really only two classes of things for which we ought not to worry: those things we cannot do anything about and the things we can do something about. The best thing you can say about worry is that it is useless. The worst thing you can say about it is that it dishonors God.
Worry is the opposite of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
:angel:
September 18
Do You Have Only A "Prayer Life"?
"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
You are to pray when you are adding up prices in the grocery store line. You are to pray when you are changing a tire. You are to pray when you are singing a song. You are to pray when you are teaching a little one how to read.
We are commanded to pray all the time. But how do we do this? Think of a mother who has a child who is ill with a fever. Finally, the fever breaks and the mother and child settle down for some much-needed sleep. Not a noise from the television, from the street, or from the phone could awaken that mother. But one whimper from her child and she's awake, right? That's because even when she is asleep, she is in tune with that child—just as we are to be with God...constantly communing and attuned to His voice.
Prayer to us should be as natural and continual as breathing. Jennifer Kennedy Dean asks an important question: "Do you 'have a prayer life'—or are you living a praying life?" Think about the difference.
:angel:
September 19
Willing to Be Thought A Fool
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." - 1 Corinthians 3:18
One day, the great preacher of yesteryear Harry Ironside was traveling with friends on a ferry. They were having a glorious time singing praises to the Lord when someone critically interrupted them saying, "Who are you people? What are you doing?"
Dr. Ironside replied, "We're just some Christians having a good time praising the Lord." And the heckler replied, "You're a bunch of fools!" Ironside said, "You're right! We're fools for Christ's sake."
The way of the Christian is sometimes foolishness in the eyes of the world. When was the last time you made a fool of yourself for Christ's sake?
:angel:
September 20
First, Read How It All Turns Out!
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8
A boy was reading a murder mystery one day, and he became anxious about whether the heroine was going to live. To alleviate his anxiety, he read the last chapter and discovered that she survived!
Afterwards, when he read that the villain was planning a dastardly deed, he chuckled to himself and thought, "If you knew what I know, you wouldn't be so haughty."
Christians know the last chapter, and that helps us cope with the present. Indeed, the glories of the future can help dilute the sorrows of the present. The devil's doom is pronounced in Genesis—and it's executed in Revelation.
:angel:
September 21
One Way to "Get Prayer Back in Schools"
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." - Hebrews 10:24
One area where Christians can shed the light of Christ is in our school system. We have a generation who has no standards of right and wrong—everything is relative. In our schools our children are being taught that they have descended from animals. Is it any wonder that many have begun to act like animals?
What can you and I do? We must "love" our way back in! We must get involved by becoming members of the PTA. We must encourage teachers and tell them we are praying for them. We must go to school board meetings and find out about policies and curricula. We must pray daily for our classroom teachers and administrators.
We must seek to be holy people in a godless world. And if we don't, we are contributing to the demise of the next generation.
:angel:
September 22
"Artist At Work"—on Your Life
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
In Scotland some men were sitting around drinking tea and swapping fishing stories. One man, with a flamboyant gesture of his hand, knocked another man's hand, splattering his tea on the white plastered wall, creating an ugly brown stain. He was horrified, but the man said, "Never mind." And he took out his crayons and started to sketch around that stain. Suddenly there emerged a royal stag with his antlers spread.
The artist was Sir Edwin Lancier—England's foremost painter of animals. He was able to take that old stain and make something beautiful out of it.
Jesus Christ is that kind of an artist. He can take a life that has been stained, and by His transforming power He can make something beautiful out of it.
:angel:
September 23
Sharing Jesus with Your Children
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7
Have you ever tried to take a tasty bone away from a dog? It's a good way to get bitten! But what if you put a steak down on the ground? The dog will drop the bone to get that steak.
This is the mistake so many parents are making today. They spend their time telling their children "Don't do this. Don't do that. That's wrong." By such behavior, these parents are failing an entire generation. Many times, children are never shown the riches of Jesus Christ. In every 24-hour cycle, there are a multitude of teachable moments for sharing and modeling life in Christ.
Children must be shown that what they have in the Lord Jesus Christ is so much better than what this world has to offer. But are they seeing that in your life?
:angel:
September 24
Is It Time to Refresh and Renew?
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit." - Psalm 51:10-12
So many people have the idea that being a Christian is like taking foul-tasting medicine—it tastes awful, but you know you'll feel better one day.
They're like the young man who prayed at a prayer meeting with few in attendance: "Oh God, be with us now, and help us while the rest of the people are out there having a good time."
Do you ever feel that going to church or having a quiet time is like going to the dentist? Then you're getting your satisfaction in life outside of a relationship with God. It's time to spend some time in prayer and ask God to renew your spirit.
:angel:
September 25
Murmuring or Grateful?
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." - Philippians 2:14-15
Do you know the problem with many of us when we obey God? We murmur about it while we are doing it! And God is taking notes, because halfhearted obedience isn't obedience at all. Remember, God is looking at the heart, not the deed (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
Do you know why we murmur? Because we've taken our eyes off Calvary. Jesus didn't murmur on the way to the cross. Oh no. Do you thank God for the pains in life? Or only the gains?
Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
:angel:
September 26
Our Giving God
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5
James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God. Let me tell you what that literally means. If you lack wisdom, ask of the "giving" God. Have you thought of God as the "giving" God?
What does it mean to you that God yearns to pour out His blessing upon you? Do you say to yourself, "Oh goodie, goodie, let me see what I can get from God"?
Or does it humble you that the Almighty God who created the air you breathe, the ground you walk upon, and the body you are draped in...this God loves you and wants to bless you? I pray it is the latter, for that is the heart of a child of God.
:angel:
September 27
Our Unchanging Father
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14
God made the mind of man. All true discoveries and all true knowledge in this world come from God. It is God's Truth and we do not have to be afraid of it. But that doesn't mean we are to casually stroll down the devil's lane of godless philosophies.
God's Truth doesn't change like philosophies. Malachi 3:6a says, "For I am the Lord, I change not." I don't know whether that means anything to you, but it means an awful lot to me, dear friend.
The same God who loved us enough to put His Son on the cross two thousand years ago still loves us with that same love today. We don't have to worry when we come to God in prayer that we might catch Him in a bad mood. Now, if that doesn't start your motor, you don't have one.
:angel:
September 28
What Jesus Wants, More than Your Service
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:9
Discipleship is fellowship with Christ, knowing Christ, loving Christ, abiding in Christ.
I'm afraid that too many have joined the movement of Christianity rather than having surrendered to the man of Christianity. These people are doing things for Christ, rather than sitting at the feet of Christ.
Now, there's nothing wrong with service, and we ought to serve God, but we need to learn that we must minister to Jesus Christ as His disciple before we can minister to others. Jesus values the time you spend with Him far more than the things you do for Him. Do you know that?
Before you head out this morning or go to bed tonight, make sure that you make a date with Jesus.
:angel:
September 29
Making the First Thing the First Thing
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults." - Psalm 19:12
I believe in church attendance, but if your relationship with the Lord and with others is suffering, then you need to stay at home and get on your face before God.
Sometimes a businessman will get very prosperous in his business—and at first it seems a good thing. He tells his wife, "Honey, you know how I couldn't give you much when we got married? Well, now I can." But soon the pursuit of a nice home and nice things consume him. A sadness descends upon his wife and children, and they lament, "Oh, Daddy....Oh, Husband...what we would give to just have you spend time with us."
What tragedy it would be if what you do for Jesus keeps you from Jesus. Stop the cycle today. If you know you're a workaholic, stop it. If you know your walk is far from God, get it right.
:angel:
September 30
Going Through the Valley
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Psalm 23 is perched between Psalm 22, which tells about the crucifixion of Jesus, and Psalm 24, which is a prophecy of the coronation of Jesus. It is beautiful trilogy about the Savior's cross, the Shepherd's crook, and the Sovereign's crown.
Psalm 23 is the valley between the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion. Thank God for every valley, because there must be a mountain.
If you are in the valley today, remember that you wouldn't be there had there not been mountains to cross. There is vision in the valley and hope in the hills.
:angel:
October 1
Have to? Need to? Or WANT to?
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." - 1 Corinthians 9:19
There are three reasons for obedience. A slave obeys because he has to. An employee obeys because he needs to. But a loving son obeys because he wants to.
So many of us live like slaves, when Jesus has said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15).
I don't work for my salvation—that work has been done by my Lord. But I will work like any slave for the love of God. What about you?
:angel:
October 2
What If It Were Today?
"And every man that hath this hope in Him purifies himself, even as he is pure." - 1 John 3:3
Two little girls were talking in school one day, and one said to the other, "I hear the school board is making an inspection of our school this week."
The other girl's desk was messy, so she said, "I'll clean it up tomorrow."
The first one asked, "But what if they come today?"
Her friend said, "You know, I think I'll clean it up right now—and keep it clean."
If you knew that Jesus was coming to your house this afternoon, would there be any cleaning you would need to do? Any magazines or videos you would need to trash? Any pictures on the walls you would need to take down?
:angel:
October 3
The Only Thing You Have that God Wants.
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it." - Matthew 10:39
We have nothing that God needs. Think about that. If I were to give God my riches, I couldn't make Him richer. He owns everything. If I were to give God my wisdom, I wouldn't make Him wiser. He is the all-wise God. If I were to give God my power, I couldn't make God more powerful. He is omnipotent.
God wants only one thing from His children—our hearts. If we pray to God without giving Him our heart, we are mocking Him. If we preach without giving God our hearts, we are preaching in ignorance.
God is saying to you today, "Give Me your heart." How will you respond?
:angel:
October 4
Studying Under the Best
"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." - Psalm 138:2
There was a man who loved to study the Bible, and every time he came to something he didn't understand, he asked his friend Charlie, "What does this verse mean?" One day in his Bible study, the Holy Spirit said, "Why don't you ask Me? I'm the one who taught Charlie."
Now, I thank God for the Bible scholars who teach God's Word, but the same God that teaches these men and women is the One who wants to teach you.
As you read the Bible, I want you to ask God to help you answer these questions: 1) Is there a lesson to learn? 2) Is there a sin to avoid? 3) Is there a blessing to enjoy? 4) Is there a promise to claim? 5) Is there a new thought to carry with me?
:angel:
October 5
Making Your Way Clean and Pure
"I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways." - Psalm 119:15
Psalm 119:9 says, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word." That word "way" really means a "rut" like a chariot wheel would make in the road.
Have you ever heard of a one-track mind? The devil plants a thought in our minds, and over time it becomes a belief. Before we know it, he has captured a stronghold. Thank God there is a way of deliverance.
God's Word will cleanse you (see John 15:3 and Ephesians 5:26). Picture the Lord Jesus walking through your mind, filling up a wheelbarrow full of filth, and carting it out. Hallelujah! God's cleansing powers can sweep over your soul today. And fresh winds of the Holy Spirit can blow through the temple of your body and make you clean and pure.
:angel:
October 6
The Divine Exchange, Part One
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6
Jesus suffered like you suffer. But He suffered more than that, because He took not only your suffering, but He also took upon Himself the suffering of the world. The sins of the world were compressed and distilled upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrew scholars tell us that there is an intensive plural in Isaiah 53 that speaks of the death of Christ. They say that it literally means that He "died a thousand deaths."
Do you know what that means? It means that Jesus, being infinite, suffered for a finite amount of time what you, being finite, would suffer for an infinite amount of time. A great exchange took place. He suffered upon that cross an eternity of hell for every one of us.
Can you say today with the songwriter...
"What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace."
:angel:
October 7
More About the Divine Exchange
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." - 1 Corinthians 1:30
The church is not an organization with Jesus Christ as its president. The church is an organism with Jesus Christ as its head. We are in Him and He is in us. The victory He won on the cross was for us.
When Jesus went to the cross, He wasn't fighting the battle for Himself. He didn't need to overcome Satan. He fought it on your behalf. He made the transaction, the divine exchange:
Jesus became the Son of man that you might become a son of God. He took your sins that you might take His innocence. He became guilty that you might become acquitted. He was filled with despair that you might be filled with joy. He took your shame that you might take His glory. He suffered the pains of hell, that you might know the joys of heaven.
"What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee."
:angel:
October 8
Running the Race—with a Running Partner
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
What does it mean that Jesus is the "Author" and "Finisher" of our faith? The Greek word archegos means that He is the Captain, Leader, or Prince of our faith. The Greek for "finisher" is teleiotes, which means He is the Completer of our faith.
Jesus had His eye on the goal—He could see you saved. He paid the price so you could be saved.
Do you want to know how to run the race? Jesus is your example. Keep your eyes on Him. He is the Savior who not only shows you how to run the race, but He lives within you through the Holy Spirit and runs the race through you. Praise God—we are never alone!
:angel:
October 9
Make No Provision for "the Flesh"
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:14
One of my favorite stories is about a father who leaves his son at home one Saturday afternoon because his son isn't feeling well. He tells his son, "Don't go swimming with your buddies."
The son says, "Yes sir!"
The dad returns by way of the swimming hole and notices his son frolicking with the other boys. He stops the car, calls his son over and says, "I told you not to go swimming."
"But I didn't intend to go swimming. I just came down to watch, and I fell in," the boy said.
The dad began feeling sorry for his son until he noticed he had his bathing suit on! The son explained, "I brought that along...in case I was tempted."
Friend, don't make any provision for the flesh.
:angel:
October 10
Now, What Is Faith?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
A nobleman's son became ill, so he sought Jesus to heal him. When he found Jesus, he asked Him to come to his home. But instead of physically going to the boy's bedside, Jesus healed him by His word. John 4:50b says, "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way."
Not a wonder, not a sign, not a vision, not angels playing tic-tac-toe on his ribs, or cold chills going up and down his spine...the man believed Jesus' Word and went on his way.
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.
Doubt sees the obstacles; faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night; faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step; faith soars on high. Doubt questions who believes; faith answers, "I"!
Life follows faith like night follows day. There is no life without faith.
:angel:
October 11
Are You Praying the Wrong Prayer?
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19
Many of us who are praying for our unsaved friends, family, and neighbors are directing our prayers in the wrong way. We are saying, "Oh God, help them to see." But they are blind—they cannot see! 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 explains: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
We must first bind the blinder. We're not in a battle of flesh and blood. We are in a battle with Satan himself, and we will never rob his house until we first bind him.
:angel:
October 12
Are You a Part of the Second Creation?
"And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence." - Colossians 1:18
There are two beginnings in creation. The first beginning occurred when God created the heavens and the earth. He spoke and—just like that—from His fingertips flew this vast, measureless universe. How simple it was for God to create this universe.
The second beginning is when His creature, man, becomes a new creation in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). When God reconciled us through His Son, it took every drop of His blood. There was no other way to be saved apart from the death of Jesus—the perfect sacrifice.
None of us were here for the first Creation. But we can all be a part of the Second Creation! If you have received the salvation Jesus bought with His blood—thank Him that He's made you a new creature...a second creation!
:angel:
October 13
Hold Fast...and Kill that Lion!
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4
The times that will most strengthen and enrich your life are those when you go barehanded, armed with only the Spirit of God, against the red lion of hell—and prevail. Remember Samson, who killed a lion with his bare hands, then ate honey out of its carcass (see Judges 14:6-9). Whatever is hounding and threatening your life right now, you must hold fast to the Word of God that promises deliverance and hope, power and strength, wisdom and guidance.
Look beyond the physical evidence to the spiritual promise of God. Problems are opportunities for God's power to be manifest in your life.
:angel:
October 14
Recipe for a Miracle
"I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live." - Psalm 116:1-2
Here's the recipe for a miracle: Take a problem, transfer it to Christ, and it will be transformed by Christ. The ingredient most of us keep missing or taking back is when we are to transfer the problem to Christ.
Have you given your all to Jesus Christ? This is not just rhetoric. I am trying to get as serious and honest with you as I can within the sterile confines of this daily calendar. Have you literally given everything to Jesus Christ? If not, do so today and you will begin to see God's miracle-moving power transform your life.
:angel:
A Source that Will Never Dry Up
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
Do you know what Lamentations 3:22-23 means? It means that God never runs out of compassion.
Have you ever gone to Niagara Falls and watched the water rampaging with torrential force? I've thought, "Surely the water is one day going to dry up." But it hasn't. Friend, greater than Niagara is the compassion of the Lord. His compassions fail not.
In 1923, Thomas O. Chisholm wrote one of the greatest hymns of all time and this stanza is the refrain of this truth, "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be."
God is faithful. What are you facing today? Dear friend, lean upon Him and His faithfulness. He will never, no never, leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
:angel:
October 16
Every Law Has a Song Written on the Back
"Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight." - Psalm 119:77
How does God unite a law book with a song book? I'll tell you how. With liberty and harmony. God never intended His laws to be burdensome. He meant for them to be a blessing.
The piano operates according to laws. When a person masters those laws, the drudgery of learning turns to delight. Piano practice enables a person to sit at the piano in perfect liberty and let the melody dance off the ivory keys.
Every law has a song written on the back of it. And you will discover this when you obey God's laws. "Duty" will turn to delight.
:angel:
October 17
The One and Only God
"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." - Exodus 34:14
God is a jealous God. Now, that may sound like a bad attribute. But to God it is a holy attribute. You see, I have no right to be jealous of another preacher because I am not the only preacher in the world. I do not own preaching. On the other hand, there is only one God.
Exodus 20:2-3 says, "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." And when asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37).
When you die to self and worship God, you will begin to experience the fullness of God in a way that transforms your life.
:angel:
October 18
The Valley, the Shadow, and a Promise
"The Lord isnigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." - Psalm 145:18
Psalm 23 speaks of the "valley of the shadow of death." For every shadow, there must be light. Jesus Christ said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). A shadow may frighten you, but a shadow cannot really hurt you.
I dare say that a shadow at one time or another has spooked many of us. But thank God, death is but a shadow if you know the Lord Jesus Christ. If you keep your face toward the light, the shadow will fall behind you. You won't even see the shadow. God doesn't bring us to a valley to leave us there. He always brings us through.
God is never closer than when you are in a dark valley. That's when He is especially near. In the original language, we're told Hebrews 13:5 actually has five negatives! The Amplified Bible translates it this way: "I will never, no, not ever, never leave you nor forsake you." Memorize this short, precious verse today.
:angel:
October 19
Finding Your Way when Human Reasoning Won't Do
"Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him." - Deuteronomy 13:4
When we read a command in the Bible, whether we understand it or not, we ought to obey it. The Bible is not first and foremost a book to be explained, it is a book to be believed and obeyed.
So many times we want to tell God how He ought to do things. I can imagine those early apostles when they first met Paul persecuting believers. Those well-meaning Christians could have been praying for God to strike Paul dead, but what did God do? He struck him alive! And aren't you glad He did?
Don't substitute human reasoning for obedience. God says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
:angel:
October 20
Do You Feel "Fogged In"?
"Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful." - Psalm 116:5
Imagine you are in a plane, ready for take-off on the runway. The pilot has come on the intercom and announced there's a delay because of fog. You glance out your window. It looks so gloomy and dark. You wonder if the sun is shining.
The fog lifts enough for the control tower to give the pilot the green light, and the plane takes off. It's still cloudy, but the plane starts climbing, climbing, climbing. Suddenly, the plane bursts through the clouds, and it is so gloriously bright that you have to blink your eyes. Now, you realize the sun has been there all the time.
That's the way it is with Jehovah God, the Son of righteousness with healing in His wings (see Malachi 4:2-3). He is always loving, always giving. He is waiting for you to see Him now.
Invite the Holy Spirit to show you today the true condition of the sky—above the clouds. Open your heart to His presence and let Him speak to you about what is really there beyond the fog. Things are not always what they seem. And God has His hand upon you.
:angel:
October 21
Every Failure—Is a Prayer Failure!
"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." - Ephesians 3:12
One of the grandest privileges you and I have is the privilege of prayer. I believe when we get to heaven, one of the things that will amaze us is that we prayed so poorly, and we prayed so little, while we were here on earth.
I want to tell you: you do not have a failure in your life but what it is a prayer failure. You do not have a need in your life but what prayer could supply that need. There's not a sin in your life that a proper prayer life couldn't overcome.
Hymn writer Joseph M. Scriven penned these words, "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
Friend, rather than wringing our hands, we ought to be bending our knees.
:angel:
October 22
Does Your Life Help or Hurt the Cause of Christ?
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:14
You are either a helper or a hurter when it comes to reaching the world for Christ. Why? Because, like "Big Brother," the world is watching your "Sunday-go-to-church" behavior and wondering how it compares to your behavior the rest of the week.
Do they see you giving your time and resources to help them when they're hurting? Do they witness how you treat your family? Or how you entertain your friends? Or do you even know their names?
The greatest argument for Christ and the greatest argument against Christ is the life of a Christian. Hymn writer Philip P. Bliss penned, "Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor fainting struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save."
:angel:
October 23
Just Give Me Jesus
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 29:2
There was a man who had lived a long life with Jesus, and now he was dying. His loved ones came to him and asked him to sign his name to a legal document. They said, "Daddy, if you would sign this, it would help us with a lot of legal difficulties. We hate to mention it, but it needs to be done."
With the old man facing eternity, he lifted his quivering hand and signed the paper. Before long, he went to be with the Lord. When the family picked up the document, to their amazement he had signed, "Jesus." More than likely, it was the only name that meant anything to him in those moments.
What name means the most to you right now? There will come a time when the only name that will mean anything to you is—Jesus.
:angel:
October 24
The Goal of An Unbroken Circle
"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge." - Proverbs 14:26
The devil hates families who worship together. He will allow parents to be religious, but he does not want them to take their children to heaven with them. As a result, we're losing an entire generation. Our children are being left behind to die and go to hell because we are compromising with Satan.
Catherine Booth, wife of the founder of the Salvation Army, prayed, "Oh God, I will not stand before Thee without all my children."
There are many fathers and mothers today who need to say that. Stand firm, Mom. Stand firm, Dad. Gather those children close to you and love them to Jesus.
:angel:
October 25
More Than One Reason to Live by God's Principles
"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." - 1 Thessalonians 4:7
A former president of the American Psychiatric Association said, "Premarital sex relationships resulting from the so-called new morality have greatly increased the number of young people in mental hospitals."
Dr. Billy Graham said he talked to the head psychiatrist at one of our great universities. At that time he said, "Over fifty percent of the students at that university are suffering psychological problems because of immoral relationships."
Friend, why does God tell us to live a pure and holy life? It's not only so that we can have fellowship with Him, but also it is for our own mental health! He knows holiness brings life to our bones, healing to our hearts, and joy to our steps!
:angel:
October 26
If You Keep Your Eyes on Jesus...
"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." - John 16:22
When I was a boy and living on the Florida coastline, my brother and I were a little disappointed when a hurricane passed us by because of the exhilaration we experienced leaning into the wind and tasting the salty air! I can remember waves sometimes reaching fifty feet in the air. What a sight! But did you know there has never been a storm to move the ocean floor?
There will be storms that will course across the surface of our lives with raging torment, but the child of God can know a deep-down joy that nothing can take away. If you keep your eyes on Jesus, He will bring a joy that no man can take from you.
Oh, thank God for the steadfastness of His power, love, and mercy. Is your joy full in Christ today despite the winds of adversity?
:angel:
October 27
Let Your New Life Push Out the Old!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Our eyes delight to see those trees in autumn which turn glorious colors, then drop their leaves one by one. But there are certain trees that hold their leaves until spring. They wither and turn brown, but they don't drop. Not until spring do these trees lose their leaves—when the new leaves push out the old leaves.
That's exactly what happens to our old habits and our old lives when we find the Lord Jesus. The new life pushes that old life off.
It's not a matter of plucking off this leaf and knocking off that leaf. The Christian life is not forged in that manner. Our new life replaces our old life when we are born again.
:angel:
October 28
Come This Morning to the Cleansing Basin
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." - Psalm 51:2
Before a priest could enter the Holy of Holies, he had to stop by the basin and wash his hands and feet. He had already been washed from head to toe, but there is no floor in the tabernacle, only dirt. This final preparation before he entered God's presence was to symbolize the washing away of the defilement of this world.
As you and I come into contact with the world, we are going to become defiled. We don't need a bath all over. We are already saved. But each day we must ask God to search our hearts and cleanse us from our sins.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if each of us came into the presence of God as seriously as the Old Testament priests? We should. Have you been to the cleansing basin this morning?
:angel:
October 29
Are You Sitting on the Lukewarm Fence?
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." - Philippians 1:20
May God help us today in the midst of our lukewarm apathy toward the things that matter most to Him! If it's worth anything, it's worth everything. May God forgive those who will not go the second mile.
Now, in some things moderation is good, like eating, rest, recreation, exercise, and finances. But when it comes to spiritual warfare, moderation is a sin. When it comes to believing the Bible, moderation is a sin. When it comes to loving the Lord, moderation is a sin!
Suppose a wife asked her husband, "Honey, do you love me?" And he said, "Well, moderately." She'd fix his wagon, don't you think?
Friend, if the world considers you a "moderate" when it comes to your Christianity, you are riding the fence of lukewarmness.
:angel:
October 30
God May Use Distress to Expand Your Influence
"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." - 1 Chronicles 4:10
The story of Jabez is one of a man who wanted his influence to be enlarged. God can stretch you, as well.
If you ask that God enlarge your influence, be aware of this: For the Psalmist, Psalm 4:1 says that God enlarged him when he was "in distress." You can expect that God may use distressing circumstances to do that in you. And the pain will be worth it all.
When God enlarges you, He does so to fill you with more of Himself. Don't be satisfied with God's filling a small place if God wants to fill a larger place.
Are you ready to say, "God I want more. I want You to enlarge my coasts. I don't want just a blessing. I want a blessing indeed"? We need to pray big prayers to a big God.
:angel:
October 31
Giving the Devil Plenty to Mourn About
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." - Colossians 2:12
People often ask me, "Why do Baptists immerse people—put them fully under the water—when a new convert to Christ is baptized?" Because that's what God's Word teaches. When you go under the water, that is a picture of your death and burial. When you come up out of the water, that is a picture of your resurrection. "Buried with Him." "Risen with Him."
If I died and you took me to the cemetery and sprinkled a few granules of dirt on my head, have you truly buried me? No. The very word "baptism" means to immerse.
Your baptism is a funeral service: Dead to the old life. Raised to newness of life. And the devil doesn't like that. The baptismal is a liquid tomb, and the mourner who comes to that funeral is the devil. Let's be sure he has plenty to mourn about.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 1
Is It Too Late for National Revival?
"If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am believing God for a national revival. You know, sometimes we think that it's just too late and we need to hunker down. That's what the devil wants us to do.
It's always too soon to quit. God has sent revival in the darkest days before, and there's not one shred of Scripture that says we cannot have revival in dark days.
It is not too late for America. And I don't want you to say, "My country, right or wrong." No, I want you to get right. One by one, let's get right with God and then we can say it, sing it, pray it and mean it, "God bless America." But there's something more important than America, and it's the kingdom of God. I'm not interested in making America a better place to go to hell from. People need to be saved.
The best thing you could do would be to lead another person to Jesus Christ. Then you will not just have a better citizen—you'll have a new creation and a citizen of God's kingdom! If someone asked you today how to be saved, are you prepared to lead them to Jesus Christ?
:angel:
November 2
Strengthened by Your Foes
"Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not." - Numbers 14:9
Joshua and Caleb faced formidable foes in the Promised Land, and yet what was their response to their enemies? "They are bread for us." (Numbers 14:9).
What is bread? It is the staff of life. What happens when you eat bread? You are strengthened by it and you grow by it.
Paul also faced formidable foes. He wrote, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Corinthians 16:9).
Why isn't the door to victory easy? Because if it were easy, then you would become weak in your effort to work out your faith in God. God places obstacles in your path to give you strength. "Wheaties" is not the breakfast of champions— giants are. God wants you to feed upon your difficulties and depend upon Him to make you a conqueror.
What does it take to strengthen your body? What does it take to build your intellect? What does it take to grow love in relationships? Work. Read Philippians 2:12-13 and apply it to your life today.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 3
Renouncing the Rebel Inside
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Is there stirring in your heart a spirit of rebellion today? Maybe you don't even recognize it. But if you do, let me plead with you to do something about it right now.
Ask God to cleanse you from your desire to rebel.
Ask Him to root out the rebel in you. He is not going to remove it until you renounce it. It is your choice.
Ask Him to forgive you for the foolish and careless words you have spoken.
Ask Him to take out that spirit of rebellion against authorities.
Ask Him to teach you how to lovingly respect people when they are in the wrong.
Either you crown Jesus as Lord, or you crucify Him. Are you with Jesus today or are you against Him?
Is there someone who has wronged you and you seek revenge? Do you have a need to have your rights exalted above others? Read and apply the truth of Philippians 2:3-11.
:angel:
November 4
Excuses or Obedience?
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22
In First Samuel 15, we read the story of how Saul failed to destroy the animals that God said were to be utterly put to death. Samuel confronted Saul about this and Saul told a lie: that he was going to sacrifice them, but he just hadn't done it yet.
And Samuel said, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:22-23a). To rebel against the Lord "is as the sin of witchcraft" because it puts you in the realm of the devil.
When God gives a clear command from His Word, we are not to parade it past the judgment bar of our human wisdom. We are to obey whether we understand it or agree with it. It is either God's Word or it is not.
:angel:
November 5
The Troubling Problem of Dropout Citizens
"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight;" - Leviticus 26:8
When it comes to the political scene and government, there are some people who have dropped out all together. They have the idea that if you get involved in government, somehow that's the "social gospel." They see the political scene as being dirty and worldly. And some have been intimidated by the great debate between church and state. And so people have just hunkered down, trying to hold on till Jesus comes.
We can't drop out. Edward Everett Hale, author of the story "The Man Without a Country" once wrote:
"I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
I am only one in a small voice. But a lot of small voices together can do something. Believe that and act upon it. Jesus said, "Occupy till I come."
:angel:
November 6
The Bad Citizenship of Good People
"Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
In our spiritual life, our home life, and our church life, we have duties to perform and commitments to keep. The same is true in our national life. Some people say, "I don't see the perfect candidate, so I'm not voting." If we don't speak – who's left to speak? Jesus said we're to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's." Our Caesar is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our government requires our vote.
If a person chooses not to participate when and where the battle is enjoined, then in my estimation, that's disobedience to the Lord. One vote can make a difference.
:angel:
November 7
No More Running from Bugaboos!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
God has endowed us with His power and enriched us with His love. Not only that, He has enlightened us with a sound mind. Now, this phrase "sound mind" does not mean the opposite of insanity. It actually means discipline and self-control. Along with that, it is the ability to discern between truth and falsehood.
So often, the devil gets us running from bugaboos. Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Have you ever heard of phobias? This is what this verse is talking about.
We must pull back the mask of darkness from the devil's ploys and expose them for what they are and see the things that count in eternity. God has given you a sound mind by trusting in His Word, not in the devil's schemes.
:angel:
November 8
Shake Off Fear—Embrace Blessing!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3
Did you know that fear can cause you to forget things? Now, I'm not talking about forgetting a phone number or someone's name, though it may cause you to forget things like that. Instead, I'm referring to fear that causes you to forget the blessings, the anointing, the power of God—all these possessions you have because you are saved!
It happened to Timothy, who was mightily gifted and graced by God for the ministry that God had given him. Yet he forgot this in the midst of fear, and Paul had to remind him (see 2 Timothy 1:6). He had taken his eyes off of God and focused on fear so much that he couldn't see anything else.
Let me tell you something, friend: You are tremendously blessed! If you get your mind distracted by fear, then you will fail to see your blessings in Christ. Fear will blow out every light in your soul, take the blue out of your sky, and the joy out of your life.
Friend, wake up and count your blessings. Rejoice, for you are in Christ!
:angel:
November 9
Accusation vs. Conviction: Learn to Tell the Difference!
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." - John 16:7-8
The devil accuses you of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin. Do you know the difference? The devil accuses you to drive you from Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts to draw you to Christ.
The devil wants you to get under a load of guilt so you'll say, "I'm no good. I can't live the Christian life. There's something wrong with me. God doesn't hear my prayers. It doesn't do me any good to go to church."
When you believe those lies, you let the devil drive you away from God! He accuses you to destroy you.
The Holy Spirit convicts you to reclaim you. He is trying to correct you and bring you back, that you may know the fullness of joy. The Holy Spirit draws you to Christ that you may confess your sins and be cleansed!
Confess, be cleansed, and go your way rejoicing!
:angel:
November 10
Showing Genuine Love for Others
"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." - Psalm 18:35
Can a person donate to the poor and not have love? Can a person work in a soup kitchen for the homeless and not have love? Yes.
You say, "A person wouldn't do that!" Oh yes, they would...if they had a guilty conscience. Sometimes it is neater to write a check or donate some used things than to give of our time.
Do you know what the world needs? Not more money, though I'm sure they'd be glad to take it. First Corinthians 13:3 says, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving of yourself to others.
Ask God to show you the ways you can show His genuine love to others.
:angel:
November 11
When Your Feet Are Slipping...
"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart." - Psalm 73:1
Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, started his psalm by talking about the purity of a person's heart and the goodness of God. Then he says, "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped" (Psalm 73:2).
He had the idea that when he got right with God, that he wouldn't have any more troubles. Are you sure about that? Yes! Psalm 73:13-14 says, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning."
He said, "I got right with God and I still have problems!" He had a false expectation that the Bible doesn't necessarily give. Christians are not due preferential treatment.
Seek the Lord through His Word and in prayer. You will find the presence of God is enough, even in the midst of our trials.
:angel:
November 12
Hungry for God
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." - Psalm 91:16
One day I was eating in a cafeteria in New York when the door of the restaurant opened and a man ran in. He rushed to a table that had been abandoned by patrons just shortly before. He began to stuff his mouth with the leftovers when the management discovered him. He rushed out like a squirrel scurrying to safety. No pride. He didn't care what people thought.
A man who is starving is dead serious about the matter of getting food. He's focused. He's only got one thing on his mind—where is his next meal? He's not concerned about popularity, position, or possessions.
What are you hungry for today? Is Jesus enough to satisfy your appetite?
When a person is thirsty or hungry enough, he will pay any price.
:angel:
November 13
Ask for Help from the Teacher
"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." - Psalm 119:18
Have you ever thought you could just go to the Bible and pull some truth out of it for your life? Let me tell you friend: you cannot do that. Your mind will never comprehend the things of God apart from the Holy Spirit illuminating you.
First, we must lay our intellectual pride in the dust, and with open arms and a heart of faith, approach God's Word for wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. Then He will teach us.
It took a supernatural miracle to write the Word of God. It takes a supernatural miracle for you to understand it. When God begins to write His Word upon your heart, you are going to lead a supernatural life! Ask Him for that!
:angel:
November 14
Whose Clothes Are You Wearing?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." - Isaiah 61:10
There are some who may be reading this who are going to be absolutely speechless when they stand before the King of Heaven. They are church members, but they're not saved. Instead, they're dressed in the rags of self-righteousness rather than the wedding garment of His righteousness.
In 1834 hymn writer Edward Mote wrote this timeless pledge, "When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne."
It would be tragic indeed for those who acted in every conceivable religious way to think they can come to the wedding without Christ's righteousness. I'm not trying to get you to doubt your salvation, but I want to ask you, are you saved? How do you know?
:angel:
November 15
Is There Enough "Goodness" in Your Cup?
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." - Isaiah 64:6
There is none good, no not one. If you asked every single human being on planet earth to deposit in a cup all of his or her goodness, there would not be enough goodness in that cup to save even one person!
Isaiah 64:6 says our righteousness is as "filthy rags" in the sight of God. The cross of Jesus Christ is our only hope. Jesus took our sin upon the cross. Jesus took our shame upon the cross. Jesus took our suffering upon the cross. And by His death, He paid the sin debt and now we have His righteousness.
In 1906, Jessie Brown Pounds wrote these words: "I must needs go home by the way of the cross, there's no other way but this; I shall ne'er get sight of the gates of light, if the way of the cross I miss."
Get this clear with yourself: Whose righteousness are you depending on? Your own? Your accumulated lifetime of "good works"? Or the righteousness of the sinless Lamb of God, Who became your substitute on the Cross and paid your sin debt in full?
:angel:
November 16
Who Is Keeping You In God's Hand?
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." - Deuteronomy 7:9
When I talk about eternal security, inevitably I will hear, "Well, maybe your sins can't take you out of the hand of God, but Satan can."
In all due respect, I respond, "Pardon me. But that is foolishness. If Satan could take you out of the hand of God, why hasn't he done it yet? Hasn't he been nice to you? That would be a strange doctrine. You're going to heaven by the grace of the devil!"
God saves us. God keeps us. What has been settled in eternity can never be undone by the ways of men or the schemes of the devil.
Read Romans 8:38-39 today. These would be important verses for you to memorize.
:angel:
November 17
An Extreme Make-Over is Underway
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." - Romans 8:30
Dr. Scofield, who edited the Scofield Bible, says that "predestination is the effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass." That is, God says He is determined to do something and then He does it. God's wisdom is sovereign.
What did God predestinate? That those whom God foreknew will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, who is the Firstborn.
God had one Son and He said, "I want more just like Him." And so God is redeeming a whole race of people, so that all these people might be conformed to the image of God's Son.
If you are saved, you are predestined to be like Jesus. When God foreknew that you would receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then He said, "It is settled. You will one day be like My Son."
Thank God for what He has done and is going to do, in shaping you into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
November 18
Running Together
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." - 1 Corinthians 9:24
I have a race to run. God has given you a race to run as well. Every man runs his own race. We're not racing against each other to win the victor's crown. We are in a pilgrimage together. I'm not trying to outrun you. And you're not trying to outrun me. That is good news!
God has a plan for your life with particular speed bumps, detours, and hurdles to cross. And you are to stay in the race until it is over. But you are not running alone!
Though we are not in the same race, we are in the journey together, so we encourage one another to win. And I want you to win the victor's crown today! Run, my friend, run!
:angel:
November 19
Stronger, Not Weaker
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10
What does Paul mean in this verse when he says that he "takes pleasure" in all of these difficult circumstances? He is trying to communicate that if his money were taken, he would have greater riches. His weakness becomes his strength.
When Paul was isolated and placed in solitary confinement, then Jesus was near. His weakness became his strength. If they beat him and he hurt, then he had the fellowship of Christ's suffering—his weakness became his strength. If his body became crippled and he was no more able to lean upon the arm of his flesh, then he had to lean on the Everlasting Arms. Paul took pleasure in these things.
God is waiting to make you strong. There is power in our suffering. Suffering is not going to hurt you; it is going to strengthen you.
:angel:
November 20
Heartfelt Soul Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what you're doing in the morning when you have a quiet time? Weeding your garden. You're weeding the garden of your mind, so that the good seed of the Word of God can multiply. Now, the next step is to plant the seed and cultivate His harvest. And when you go out to win souls, water the crop with your tears. Read how the Lord's heart broke over the people He longed to embrace and love unto Himself (see John 17). Learn this same sort of compassion in the garden God has given you to harvest for His kingdom.
ACTION POINT:
Ask God to put you into His fields of service today. Ask Him to make you bold, yet compassionate and wise to share His Good News
:angel:
November 21
It Is Not Ours to Ask "Why?"
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." - 2 Samuel 22:31
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When bewilderment enshrouds you and despair looms at your door, when trials storm the beaches of your life, you may want to ask God, "Why? Why? Why?" Friend, you may never understand why things are happening the way they are in your life, but that's not your job. You see, it is not necessary for you to know why. That is God's question. Your response is all that matters. When we can't feel His hand, we must trust His heart. Our job is to simply trust and obey.
ACTION POINT:
Is there something happening in your life for which you have no explanation, but long for answers? Ask God to give you peace and grace to trust Him
:angel:
November 24
Giving Thanks Always
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:20
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are four types of people. There are those who are constantly complaining and grumbling. Have you met any of these folks? I mean, they can brighten up a room just by leaving it. That's the lowest level. Then there are others who live lives of ingratitude. They don't complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That's a little better, but not much better. Then there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they're grateful. That's a better level. But the highest level is to be grateful for all things at all times. That is the secret of a happy and productive life.
ACTION POINT:
On the basis of our Scripture today, go before the Lord and begin to think about difficult circumstances you're facing. Now, thank Him for each one.
:angel:
November 25
Uprooting Toxic Bitterness
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Bitterness is an emotional cancer that consumes many a person who once had the bloom of eternal springtime in his heart. Where does it come from? Usually from being hurt. Perhaps you were abused as a child, rejected by someone, fired from a job, or even bypassed at church. Bitterness sets in when the hurt goes unresolved. There is a solution. If you've been wronged and bitterness has become so strong that you can almost taste its bile within your mouth, then it's time to pursue it with a holy vengeance. With the Spirit's spade, root it out. Draw a circle that takes in those who have wronged you. Forgive them for Christ's sake!
ACTION POINT:
Bow before the Lord this morning and ask for grace and power to uproot the bitterness that has taken hold in your heart and is robbing you of the joy you desire.
:angel:
November 26
The Cleansing, Healing Work of the Holy Spirit
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise." - Jeremiah 17:14
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are two kinds of wounds to the human psyche. One is sorrow; the other is guilt. Sorrow is a clean wound. Somehow your heart will heal as the Holy Spirit applies His healing balm. He will pour in "the oil of gladness." Time and the grace of God will heal. But guilt is dirty and will never heal until it is confessed and cleansed by the antiseptic of Calvary. A slave only fears his master's whip, but a son fears his father's displeasure.
ACTION POINT:
Are you suffering under a load of guilt? Allow the Holy Spirit to expose your sin. Then confess it and experience the joy of forgiveness in Christ.
:angel:
November 27
God's Plan and Purpose for Your Life
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." - 1 John 3:2
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If Jesus is Lord of your life, then not only is your entire life ordered, but so is every single step within your life. God has a plan for the plumber as well as the preacher, for the mechanic as well as the missionary. And if, for instance, God calls you to be a mechanic and you become a missionary, you are accepting second best! To find God's will is the highest achievement in your life. Success is not spelled M-O-N-E-Y. Nor is it spelled F-A-M-E. Success is the continuous realization of the will of God—what God desires for your life. God does not make clones; He makes children! There is an ultimate purpose for your life as His child —to be like Jesus.
ACTION POINT:
Do you have children? Share with them these important insights about their future.
:angel:
November 28
Understanding Kingdom Authority
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A police officer weighing 160 pounds may effectively stand before a tanker truck and with an uplifted hand say, "Stop, in the name of the law." The police officer certainly couldn't stop the truck with his physical force. He is appealing to an authority greater than himself — the law — to back him up. Your authority over Satan is the same way. Your authority does not rest in your strength. You cannot overcome Satan with your power but rather with Kingdom Authority from God. And you have that as a child of the King. You have His authority to overcome every attack of Satan.
ACTION POINT:
Sing of the power of the Lord. Find a hymnal and sing or meditate on the verses of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
:angel:
November 29
What Would Jesus Do?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is...your life? That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality. What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved? The world would take notice.
ACTION POINT:
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"
:angel:
November 30
Being Born Again—No Certificate Required
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." - 1 Peter 1:23
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A little girl was supposed to take her birth certificate to school. Her mother had solemnly warned her not to lose it because of its tremendous importance, but lose it she did. Later she was sitting on the steps of the school, crying. The janitor asked her what was wrong. She replied, "I lost my excuse for being born." Now, that's a funny story, but it has a sobering analogy. You don't need an excuse for being born again. You have a Savior, and He's calling your name.
ACTION POINT:
Have you been born again? Have you experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' blood that washes all your sin away? If not, I invite you to come to Him in repentance and faith. Discover Jesus today.
:angel:
December 1
True Satisfaction Is Found in the Lord
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The Scottish-born naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, once had a conversation with railroad magnate and industrialist E. H. Harriman.
"I'm richer than you are," declared Muir to the railroad baron.
"And how is that true?" responded Harriman.
"Because you don't have all you want — and I do. Therefore I am richer than you," answered Muir.
Well, perhaps these two men were playing word games with one another. We don't know if either man was truly satisfied with his life, but there's one thing of which I'm certain. Our search for satisfaction will not be found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. It can only be found in Jesus.
ACTION POINT:
What satisfies you today? Is it the things you own? Your relationships? Your job? Ask the Lord to fill you with the source of lasting satisfaction—Himself!
:angel:
December 2
No One Knows Your Needs Better...
BIBLE MEDITATION:
". . . for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." - Matthew 6:32
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
St. Augustine once said that we were created with a "God-shaped" void.
I agree.
Only God can meet the deepest longings of our hearts. There is nothing that can satisfy apart from your relationship with Him.
But it's not because He is a heavy-handed dictator forcing you to accept life the way He dishes it out! Who knows what will satisfy your deepest needs better than the One who made you? As your Creator, He can see what your needs are going to be tomorrow and ten years from tomorrow. Don't you think He knows what you need today?
ACTION POINT:
What do you need today? Notice I'm not asking, "What do you want?" but "What do you need?" Does your Father know what that is? Then trust that He will provide.
:angel:
December 3
Working All Things Together and Toward His Return
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God has not promised you smooth sailing, but He has promised you a safe landing. He has a purpose in allowing every circumstance into your life. You can bank on this: He'll see you to the shore in every storm of life.
Andrew Murray said, "God is willing to assume the full responsibility for the life totally yielded to Him." One of these days your destiny will be fulfilled. And soon and very soon, He is going to step down from the mountain of His glory, and the trumpet will sound. Our little ship will leave the sea of time, and immediately we'll be on the shores of eternity.
When He comes, He's coming for you! He's coming for me!
First Thessalonians 4:16-18 tells us to comfort one another with these words of Christ's return:
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
ACTION POINT:
Do you have a Christian friend who is troubled today? Comfort him or her with this hope.
:angel:
December 4
The True Depth of the Savior's Love
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." - John 10:18
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The true depth of the Savior's love becomes apparent when you consider an important truth—Jesus Christ is the only person who ever chose to die.
"But, what about kamikaze pilots in World War II? What about soldiers who, having heard the ominous 'click' of a land mine, stood still until their buddies could scurry to safety?"
They didn't choose to die in the final sense of the word; they only chose when to die. You and I, and everyone yet to be, will die eventually. But there was only One who did not have to die. Nails didn't hold our Savior to the tree. Silver cords of love and golden bonds of redemption held Him there.
ACTION POINT:
Read Psalm 22, 23, and 24 and rejoice in the provision, protection, and providence of the Good Shepherd!
:angel:
December 5
Jesus Is Victorious Over All
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"For He hath put all things under His feet. . ." 1 Corinthians 15:27
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered. When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies, interceding for you. Where are your problems? Under His feet. Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!
ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.
:angel:
DECEMBER 6
Omnipotent God—Held by His Love and Grace
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." - Jude 24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you fussed and fumed through life's challenges, wondering if the Sovereign Creator of the Universe was on vacation? I have a message for you: The God who hung the stars, the God who poured the oceans, the God who raised the mountains, the God who knew you before you were knit together in your mother's womb, this sovereign God is your Savior. He is your King, and He is in control.
When you are plucked from the depths of sin, you are placed in the very hand of God! You can't climb up into the hand of God; you are placed into the hand of God. Hallelujah! Our efforts didn't get us there. His grace placed us there. And His love will keep us there forever.
ACTION POINT:
Read Psalm 139 and rejoice in the truth that God has created you and will make a way for you!
:angel:
December 7
Dependence on God—A Witness of His Power
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you're like most people, you don't realize your dependency on God until you're burned out from stress—either self-induced or caused by circumstances beyond your control.
Why is that?
Paul says it's because we are fragile. But he doesn't stop there. He says that God made us this way so that His power may be known through us!
Maybe someone told you, "Oh, just tie a knot and hang on!" Sometimes God wants us to let go of the rope because it is keeping us tied down to our destructive habits. We are totally dependent on God so that the love of His Son may be made known to the world.
ACTION POINT:
Get a piece of rope and tie a knot in it. Let it sit on your desk this week as a reminder that God is more than just a knot at the end of the rope. He is the Savior of the World!
:angel:
December 8
Let Jesus Lead the Way
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Who knows you better than the One who created you? Who cares more for you than the One Who died for you? Who leads you more carefully than the One Who knows the end from the beginning? There is no greater picture of courage than the picture of Jesus Christ—the Savior Who lays down His life. You can know security because the One Who loves you is compassionate, caring, and courageous. Jesus knows you. He cares for you. He wants to lead you into the abundant life.
ACTION POINT:
Are you willing to lay down your life for the sake of the Lord?
:angel:
December 9
Free to Choose
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose." Psalm 25:12
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You are free to choose. You are not free, however, not to choose. After you make a choice, your choice chooses for you.
There are consequences for your choices—always. If you choose to step off the roof of a ten-story building, you are not then free to choose the consequence of your choice. Your choice has chosen for you.
What if you make a bad choice? What is God's reaction? First, He is in control. Your choices will not take Him by surprise. Thanks to God, He can prevail over our bad choices to restore us into fellowship with Himself!
ACTION POINT:
Have you made a choice in your past that has brought you consequences reverberating even today? Share this insight with someone who is younger in the faith than you.
:angel:
December 10
Follow Someone with a Limp
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:29
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Someone has said, "If you are looking for a leader to follow, find someone with a limp." The wounded in life are those who have learned difficult lessons through suffering. Do not resist the Shepherd's rod of correction.
Is the wounding painful? Indeed. Does it seem that you will not be able to bear it? Most certainly. Then why would He subject us to such pain? Because you have a Father who loves you so much that He is willing to hurt you to heal you. What you need to focus on is not your pain, but your Savior. God didn't save you to take you to heaven. That's a fringe benefit. God saved you to make you holy—as He is holy.
ACTION POINT:
Read Hebrews 12:1-13. What application can you make from this passage for your life today?
:angel:
December 11
Listening for His Voice
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Hearken unto Me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of My mouth." - Proverbs 7:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The United States Government doesn't teach Treasury agents to detect counterfeit bills by having them study fakes. They show these agents real dollars over and over and over until they have the pattern memorized. Then when a counterfeit is put in front of them, they recognize it instantly because it doesn't fit the pattern their eyes are looking for.
Do you know the voice of the Lord? The only way you can be sure that it is His voice you are hearing is to hear it so often that a stranger's voice is instantly recognizable. It is far wiser to spend time learning the One True Voice than it is trying to learn to detect a multitude of false voices.
ACTION POINT:
Spend at least 15 minutes today being silent before God and listening for His voice.
:angel:
December 12
Off the Defense and Onto the Offense
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If I had to identify the major misconception about believers today, it would be that they spend too much time getting out of trouble with God, instead of getting into righteousness!
We are living on the defensive instead of the offensive. We need to move beyond the defensive line of Christianity, and move on to the offense—advancing the Kingdom, fulfilling the Great Commission, and telling others about Jesus. Our Shepherd will never lead us where His strength cannot keep us. He will never lead us down a path that He hasn't first walked down Himself.
ACTION POINT:
Are you sharing His love and words of salvation with someone who's lost? If not, begin today to move beyond your comfort zone and see the hand of God move.
:angel:
December 13
Burdens and Trials a Necessity?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Knowing this,that the trying of your faith worketh patience." - James 1:3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A man had a grandfather clock. One day he felt sorry for the grandfather clock because it had a weight on it. And that weight was always pulling on the clock. The man said, "Oh, Mr. Clock, you've held this weight so long, I'm going to remove it and let you rest."
The clock protested, saying, "Don't take that weight from me. That's what keeps me going."
In the same way, the trials and tests of life are there for your endurance. They're to keep you going, keep you trusting, keep you praying, and keep you depending upon God.
ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you shared with someone that they needed to be thankful for their trials? When was the last time you told yourself?
:angel:
DECEMBER 14
Light of Hope in a Dark World
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." - Isaiah 9:2
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Imagine being in a cave without a flashlight. Can you see any shadows? You cannot even see your hand! Shadows are only visible in the presence of light.
Regardless of how dark, how large, how absolutely ominous a shadow appears, it is only there because there is light. David says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Why? Because "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
Jesus has taken the sting out of sin and the fear out of the grave. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit to give us confidence that He will always be with us and watch over us.
ACTION POINT:
There are many today who are grieving because of a loss—the loss of a loved one, a job, a wayward child. Pray for them. Send them a note of hope and include 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
:angel:
December 15
The Lord Ever-Present
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!
Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.
ACTION POINT:
This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 16
"For Thou Art With Me"
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There's nothing, my friend, that will bring you more face-to-face with God than going through the dark valleys of life. When you are there, you are going to cling to His garments and hold onto His hand. You won't stray far from the fold in the dark.
Do you believe that He is with you? The ultimate Sovereign is your loving Savior. You will not have to cross Jordan alone. You will not appear before the judgment of the Holy God alone. You are not going to die alone.
ACTION POINT:
What a joyful promise! You are not alone! Write these words on a card and post it in a place where you can see it all the time:
"I am not alone. God is with me."
:angel:
DECEMBER 17
Recognize the Devil's Lies and Claim the Promises of God
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The devil wants you to live your life from an empty cup. He wants you to think that God's cup of grace has dried up for you. He wants you to be disenchanted with God. Most especially, he wants you to feel that God is a cosmic killjoy...that God is always thinking of ways to rob you of joy and peace. Satan knows that if you start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with you in other areas.
Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has won the victory for you! Send those lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the promises of God.
ACTION POINT:
Wish someone the peace and joy of the Lord today.
:angel:
December 18
Rejoicing at the Lord's Table
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine." - John 21:12
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Is Satan whispering that God is not for you in your daily battles? Is he whispering lies that God is going to erase your name from the book of life for something you've done, yet repented over?
Satan never had it so wrong! And Jesus never had it so right!
Salvation in Christ is not a funeral, but a feast! The Bible is a continual feast from Genesis right through to Revelation. Covenant meals and meals of fellowship are frequent occurrences in Scripture. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has given many examples of His open invitation to be replenished and restored, to remember, and to rejoice at His table.
ACTION POINT:
Call your family or Bible Study group together this week and celebrate the Lord's Supper. Take time to remember the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration
December 19
Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." - Matthew 14:14
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It is the unbelievable, supernatural replenishment that awakens the world to see the mighty power of God. Jesus demonstrated, once with a crowd of 5,000 and again with a crowd of 4,000, that He is the God who provides (see Matthew 14:14-21, 15:32-38).
When the most "responsible" thing to do, in human terms, was to ask the multitudes to find their own food, Jesus turned to the supernatural power of God. Moved with compassion, He confidently told the disciples to begin feeding the multitudes.
Jesus never wavered in His complete and utter trust in Jehovah Jireh.
ACTION POINT:
Read the accounts of these miracles in Matthew with your family today, then ask God to fill your family with an utter and complete trust in Jehovah Jireh.
:angel:
December 20
God's Provision, A Living Testimony
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable? Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him—only you're religious.
Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then, you're going to be believable.
ACTION POINT:
How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.
:angel:
DECEMBER 21
Loneliness During the Holidays
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." - Psalm 116:8
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I believe that the holidays are the loneliest time of the year. Everywhere you look, people are told they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. Just walking down the mall can make you feel lonely.
But Jesus has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). When I'm discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I'm lonely His presence cheers me up. When I'm worried, His presence calms me down. And when I am tempted, His presence will help me out.
ACTION POINT:
Write down the last portion of this devotional thought and personalize it. Now use it as a prayer of faith and trust.
:angel:
DECEMBER 22
But He Made Himself of No Reputation
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:7
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Jesus came in a manger for you and for me. He willingly left the glories and riches of heaven to be born in a stable.
Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. He lived a life of such abject poverty that when He had to pay taxes, He had to look for a coin in a fish's mouth. When He sent out His disciples, He told them to take nothing but a staff and the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-9). He was put to death like a common criminal so that we could wear a royal robe!
Child of God, you are rich! I am rich! Praise God!
ACTION POINT:
Read Philippians 2:6-11 with your family or friends today as a Christmas devotional. Spend time praising God for His Son, Jesus.
:angel:
DECEMBER 23
Held in His Hand
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." - 1 John 3:1
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You are rich! Jesus became the Son of Man that we might become sons of God. We are saved because of the grace of Christmas. That is not rhetoric—that is reality!
A little boy was talking about eternal security and said, "I am held in His hand."
A cynic responded, "What if you slip through His hands?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," the boy replied, "I'm one of His fingers."
You are rich, my friend.
ACTION POINT:
Amidst all the materialism that sometimes chokes out the true meaning of Christmas, take some time to share this Good News with someone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 24
Boldly Proclaiming Good Tidings of Great Joy
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." - Luke 2:10
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The angel said that we have received "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." God wants this message known around the world.
Now I know that you may not be a preacher, but you can be a "reach-er"! What would happen if every believer went out into their neighborhood and said, "Jesus is Lord!" How will the world know if we don't tell them? Oh, we need to be bold for Jesus.
The skies are going to split open, and the trumpet is going to sound. The dead in Christ will rise, and the angels will once again be heard! "He's returned!" The Savior born in a manger will return as a Monarch to rule and to reign!
ACTION POINT:
Are you joyfully sharing the Good News of Christ this Christmas? Will you be bold and share His Good News with someone today?
:angel:
DECEMBER 25
The Greatest Gift of Love
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E. What is the Christmas message? John 3:16. God gave us the gift of love on Christmas Day.
It is truly said, "What the world needs now is love." I need it. You need it. Your spouse needs it. Your child needs it. An elderly man or woman sitting alone in a nursing home today needs it. A child abandoned and alone in a children's home needs it, too.
God sent His one and only Son as the Savior. He knew we couldn't save ourselves. So He sent His Son to be born in a manger, to die on a cross, to rise again into glory, and to come again to redeem His church.
ACTION POINT:
Where are you spending your Christmas day? Maybe you can spare a few minutes with your family and friends to share His gift of love with someone who is all alone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 26
Anticipation of an Even Greater Day
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It's the day after Christmas. The glow on the tree is just a little dimmer because the anticipation of the day is now past. Ever feel that way about your walk with the Lord? Well, let me give you some good news, my friend. The best is yet to be!
That's right. Christmas Day is past, but Resurrection Day is coming soon, and I don't mean Easter. I mean the Second Coming of Our Lord is imminently on the horizon.
He is coming again. And that's not just a nice thing; that's a rock-ribbed truth! Jesus is coming again!
ACTION POINT:
Write down John 14:3 on a little note, and as you say goodbye to family and friends, give them this note of encouragement.
:angel:
DECEMBER 27
Investing in Others for God's Glory
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord." - Isaiah 63:7
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
One time a man came into a village and asked an old man living there, "Any great men born here?" The old man said, "No, just babies."
Great men are not born; great men are made, investing in the lives of others, sharing God's love, and showing His mercies.
There is not a magic formula that instantly makes us sanctified. Sanctification is a process. Our calling is to be poured out into the lives of others for His glory.
ACTION POINT:
How can you show His mercies to a lost co-worker or neighbor today? Pray about it and then watch for how God provides!
:angel:
DECEMBER 28
Random Acts of Kindness
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great." - Luke 6:35
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I've seen bumper stickers that exhort us to "show random acts of kindness." I think that's a good thing. And what is kindness? It's love in the little things.
A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ.
She said, "You did."
The pastor said, "Well, I'd be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ."
She said, "It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real."
ACTION POINT:
What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?
:angel:
DECEMBER 29
Be an Encourager
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Someone has well said that discouragement is a darkroom where the negatives of fear and failure are developed.
Some people are encouragers and others are discouragers. Have you ever met a discourager? They're like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed.
But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God. You're never more like God than when you're encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people.
Find a needy person and enrich him; a lonely person and include him; a misunderstood person and affirm him; an undiscovered person and develop him; a failing person and restore him.
:angel:
DECEMBER 30
Eternity . . .
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Your soul, made in the image of God, will exist forever. I think Billy Sunday, the evangelist, said it this way: "Imagine a little bird taking a grain of sand and flying to a distant planet. It would take him a million years to fly to that distant planet. Then he would drop that grain of sand. Then the little bird would fly back to the earth taking another million years. He gets another grain of sand and flies back to the distant planet.
"Back and forth, back and forth it goes. When he will have transplanted every speck of earth to that distant planet, it will only be breakfast time in eternity."
Your soul will go on, and on, and on.
Where do you plan on spending eternity? Where do your loved ones plan on spending it? If you don't know, ask them today and get their salvation on the right side of eternity.
:angel:
DECEMBER 31
Moving Forward Into the New Year
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3
On this New Year's Eve, you may be wondering what is going to happen. Years ago, some men were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea. One of them asked the captain, "Are we safe?" He said, "Well, the boilers are weak and may explode at any moment. The ship is taking on water. To be very honest with you, we may go up, or we may go down, but at any rate, we are going on."
And that's the way we are as we face this new year. Jesus may come; we may go up. We may die, and go down and then up, but at any rate, we are going on.
Reflecting on this past year, allow the Holy Spirit to invade your heart, convicting and drawing you to Himself. Ask for wisdom, courage, and faith to continue on, whatever happens this next year!
:angel:
January 1
Pressing Toward the Prize in This New Year
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
Do you want to win the prize that Paul talks about? He didn't want to fail. He strained with every inch, every ounce, every nerve, and every part of his body to win the prize. He had ambition. But it was more than just ambition, it was a holy ambition.
He said, "I want that prize and I'm going to have it. I'm going to be like an athlete who denies his own body worldly pleasures. I'm going to train like an athlete. I'm going to stay in shape for the Lord Jesus. I'm going to do all that is necessary that I may win."
Friend, the Bible clearly teaches that we ought to be ambitious, but for the right reason. And that reason is for Jesus. In this new year, may God deliver us from pint-sized ambitions and small-time aspirations.
:angel:
January 2
Giving the Devil His Due
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:13
Mike Kolen, who played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, told this story once. "When I graduated from Auburn University, Coach Shug Jordan asked me to do some scouting for him. I said, 'Sure coach, what kind of man do you need?'"
"Coach said, 'You know the guy you can knock down and he stays there?' I said, 'Sure!' Coach said, 'We don't need him. You know the guy you can knock down, he gets up, you knock him down again, and he gets up?' I said, 'Yes! You want him?' 'No,' said Coach, 'I want the guy that's knocking everybody down. That's the guy I want.' "
I am grateful that Jesus picks us up when we are knocked down. But wouldn't you like to do a little knocking down of the devil for a change? You can if you will learn to pray, "Lord, lead me not into temptation, but keep me from evil."
:angel:
January 3
Getting the Upper Hand Over Sin
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." - Romans 6:13
Did you know that if you let the devil be uppermost in your life today, it is because you are doing the letting? Before you were saved, you had no choice. You were a slave to sin. Now, you don't have to let sin have the upper hand in your life.
There is absolutely no power that says you must sin. When you entered into union with Christ, you no longer have to let sin reign in your mortal body. You have dethroned sin and enthroned Jesus Christ as Lord of your life.
We need to be like the man who prayed, "Lord, help me cooperate with You, so You won't have to operate on me."
:angel:
January 4
What is the Source of Your Joy?
"I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore." Psalm 86:12
What is bringing you joy today? You say, "The Lord is making me happy." How do you know it's not that nice automobile? Or that "special someone"? Or your good looks? Or your bank account? Or your popularity? Here's how you can know. By the process of elimination. Let God take away your health, your home, your job, and if you still have joy, then you know it is Jesus.
If you lose your joy when you lose any of these things, you are an idolater because that is where you are getting your joy. I don't mean that you cannot be temporarily upset over the loss, but if the joy goes out of your life, you weren't getting your joy from the Lord.
You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
:angel:
When Your Life Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." - Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what's happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we as a couple are infertile and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act.
We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe! At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
:angel:
Redeem the Time!
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
Procrastination. Just seeing the word makes me want to put off saying anything else. Are you under conviction in that area? One fellow said, "I started to procrastinate, then decided to put it off."
Procrastination is a form of disobedience. When God tells us to do something and we don't do it, we can label our actions with all kinds of fancy words, but the bottom line is, it's sin. The days are passing and time cannot be stopped. You can't call a "time out" in life. And time can't be stored like money in the bank. Really, the only thing you can do with time is use it or lose it.
Someone has said, "Lost: One golden hour, studded with sixty diamond minutes. No reward offered, for it is lost forever." Redeem the time.
:angel:
Wholehearted or Halfhearted?
"The light of the body is the eye: Therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." - Luke 11:34
Joshua chapter fourteen tells us something very interesting about a man named Caleb. Three times the Holy Spirit says Caleb "wholly followed the Lord God" (vv. 8, 9, 14). Every ounce of Caleb was given to the Lord.
This is the kind of heart you and I should have if we call ourselves Christians. The devil is going to intimidate a fainthearted man. And there's only one way to stand against the devil. That is to give everything to Jesus Christ. Indeed, God does not accept half-hearted religion.
It would be better for you to say that there is no God than for you to say that He doesn't mean that much to you, He doesn't make a difference in your life, He doesn't stir your heart to love Him.
God is looking for wholeheartedness. "With my whole heart I have sought Thee." (Psalm 119:10) Can you say this to the Lord today?
:angel:
Reconciliation Leads to Revival!
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" - Psalm 133:1
Do you know what God wants from you today? Reconciliation. That's far more important than singing in the choir, preaching a sermon, serving in the nursery, or giving an offering. When we learn this, God is going to bring great revival to our churches.
Revival always begins when people begin to confess their faults to one another, pray for one another, and forgive one another. Revival isn't raising the roof with a lot of emotion. It is getting the walls down. It is not just saying, "I am going to get right with God." It is saying, "I want to get right with my brothers and sisters."
When we are reconciled, revival will come. And rejoicing will surely follow. And not any kind of rejoicing, there will be Holy Spirit joy when you know there is nothing between your soul and the Savior and nothing between your soul and a brother! Joy unspeakable!
:angel:
Why Is a Question We Cannot Answer—Yet
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." - Isaiah 50:10
We can endure almost anything if we know why it is happening. Wouldn't you agree? But we don't always get the luxury of knowing why things happen.
You can't be a pastor as long as I have without having heartbroken questions asked of you. "Why did my baby die?" "Why did I lose my business?" "Why am I so sick?"
Job felt this way. He said, "I deserve an answer why this is happening to me! The bottom has fallen out of my life. And I don't know why."
Have you ever been plunged into darkness? Don't get the idea that if you're right with God, you'll have all the answers. Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.
:angel:
What Do You Make Time For?
"For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." - Acts 22:15
What is more important in your life today? Seeing your daytime soap opera or asking an unsaved neighbor over for a chance to love them to Jesus? Joining your buddies for a round of golf, or visiting your unsaved father? Going shopping with your friends, or taking the time to read the Bible to a lost person in a nursing home? Someone wisely observed, "We managed to make time during the day for what's really important to us."
Friend, the time is running out. We will not be witnessing in heaven. This is our earthly duty and privilege now. None of us knows how many hours we have left. We must seize the golden opportunities that God gives us daily to witness.
A line from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is our challenge: "Oh, be swift, my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on."
:angel:
The Battle Between Faith and Worry
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Do you ever worry? Don't look around and point your finger at someone else. Do you ever worry—even the least little bit? And yet the Bible so clearly tells us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything.
There are really only two classes of things for which we ought not to worry: those things we cannot do anything about and the things we can do something about. The best thing you can say about worry is that it is useless. The worst thing you can say about it is that it dishonors God.
Worry is the opposite of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
:angel:
Do You Have Only A "Prayer Life"?
"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
You are to pray when you are adding up prices in the grocery store line. You are to pray when you are changing a tire. You are to pray when you are singing a song. You are to pray when you are teaching a little one how to read.
We are commanded to pray all the time. But how do we do this? Think of a mother who has a child who is ill with a fever. Finally, the fever breaks and the mother and child settle down for some much-needed sleep. Not a noise from the television, from the street, or from the phone could awaken that mother. But one whimper from her child and she's awake, right? That's because even when she is asleep, she is in tune with that child—just as we are to be with God...constantly communing and attuned to His voice.
Prayer to us should be as natural and continual as breathing. Jennifer Kennedy Dean asks an important question: "Do you 'have a prayer life'—or are you living a praying life?" Think about the difference.
:angel:
Willing to Be Thought a Fool
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." - 1 Corinthians 3:18
One day, the great preacher of yesteryear Harry Ironside was traveling with friends on a ferry. They were having a glorious time singing praises to the Lord when someone critically interrupted them saying, "Who are you people? What are you doing?"
Dr. Ironside replied, "We're just some Christians having a good time praising the Lord." And the heckler replied, "You're a bunch of fools!" Ironside said, "You're right! We're fools for Christ's sake."
The way of the Christian is sometimes foolishness in the eyes of the world. When was the last time you made a fool of yourself for Christ's sake?
:angel:
First, Read How It All Turns Out!
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8
A boy was reading a murder mystery one day, and he became anxious about whether the heroine was going to live. To alleviate his anxiety, he read the last chapter and discovered that she survived!
Afterwards, when he read that the villain was planning a dastardly deed, he chuckled to himself and thought, "If you knew what I know, you wouldn't be so haughty."
Christians know the last chapter, and that helps us cope with the present. Indeed, the glories of the future can help dilute the sorrows of the present. The devil's doom is pronounced in Genesis—and it's executed in Revelation.
:angel:
One Way to "Get Prayer Back in Schools"
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." - Hebrews 10:24
One area where Christians can shed the light of Christ is in our school system. We have a generation who has no standards of right and wrong—everything is relative. In our schools our children are being taught that they have descended from animals. Is it any wonder that many have begun to act like animals?
What can you and I do? We must "love" our way back in! We must get involved by becoming members of the PTA. We must encourage teachers and tell them we are praying for them. We must go to school board meetings and find out about policies and curricula. We must pray daily for our classroom teachers and administrators.
We must seek to be holy people in a godless world. And if we don't, we are contributing to the demise of the next generation.
:angel:
"Artist At Work"—on Your Life
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
In Scotland some men were sitting around drinking tea and swapping fishing stories. One man, with a flamboyant gesture of his hand, knocked another man's hand, splattering his tea on the white plastered wall, creating an ugly brown stain. He was horrified, but the man said, "Never mind." And he took out his crayons and started to sketch around that stain. Suddenly there emerged a royal stag with his antlers spread.
The artist was Sir Edwin Lancier—England's foremost painter of animals. He was able to take that old stain and make something beautiful out of it.
Jesus Christ is that kind of an artist. He can take a life that has been stained, and by His transforming power He can make something beautiful out of it.
:angel:
Sharing Jesus with Your Children
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7
Have you ever tried to take a tasty bone away from a dog? It's a good way to get bitten! But what if you put a steak down on the ground? The dog will drop the bone to get that steak.
This is the mistake so many parents are making today. They spend their time telling their children "Don't do this. Don't do that. That's wrong." By such behavior, these parents are failing an entire generation. Many times, children are never shown the riches of Jesus Christ. In every 24-hour cycle, there are a multitude of teachable moments for sharing and modeling life in Christ.
Children must be shown that what they have in the Lord Jesus Christ is so much better than what this world has to offer. But are they seeing that in your life?
:angel:
Is It Time to Refresh and Renew?
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit." - Psalm 51:10-12
So many people have the idea that being a Christian is like taking foul-tasting medicine—it tastes awful, but you know you'll feel better one day.
They're like the young man who prayed at a prayer meeting with few in attendance: "Oh God, be with us now, and help us while the rest of the people are out there having a good time."
Do you ever feel that going to church or having a quiet time is like going to the dentist? Then you're getting your satisfaction in life outside of a relationship with God. It's time to spend some time in prayer and ask God to renew your spirit.
:angel:
Murmuring or Grateful?
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." - Philippians 2:14-15
Do you know the problem with many of us when we obey God? We murmur about it while we are doing it! And God is taking notes, because halfhearted obedience isn't obedience at all. Remember, God is looking at the heart, not the deed (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
Do you know why we murmur? Because we've taken our eyes off Calvary. Jesus didn't murmur on the way to the cross. Oh no. Do you thank God for the pains in life? Or only the gains?
Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
:angel:
Our Giving God
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5
James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God. Let me tell you what that literally means. If you lack wisdom, ask of the "giving" God. Have you thought of God as the "giving" God?
What does it mean to you that God yearns to pour out His blessing upon you? Do you say to yourself, "Oh goodie, goodie, let me see what I can get from God"?
Or does it humble you that the Almighty God who created the air you breathe, the ground you walk upon, and the body you are draped in...this God loves you and wants to bless you? I pray it is the latter, for that is the heart of a child of God.
:angel:
Our Unchanging Father
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14
God made the mind of man. All true discoveries and all true knowledge in this world come from God. It is God's Truth and we do not have to be afraid of it. But that doesn't mean we are to casually stroll down the devil's lane of godless philosophies.
God's Truth doesn't change like philosophies. Malachi 3:6a says, "For I am the Lord, I change not." I don't know whether that means anything to you, but it means an awful lot to me, dear friend.
The same God who loved us enough to put His Son on the cross two thousand years ago still loves us with that same love today. We don't have to worry when we come to God in prayer that we might catch Him in a bad mood. Now, if that doesn't start your motor, you don't have one.
:angel:
What Jesus Wants, More than Your Service
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:9
Discipleship is fellowship with Christ, knowing Christ, loving Christ, abiding in Christ.
I'm afraid that too many have joined the movement of Christianity rather than having surrendered to the man of Christianity. These people are doing things for Christ, rather than sitting at the feet of Christ.
Now, there's nothing wrong with service, and we ought to serve God, but we need to learn that we must minister to Jesus Christ as His disciple before we can minister to others. Jesus values the time you spend with Him far more than the things you do for Him. Do you know that?
Before you head out this morning or go to bed tonight, make sure that you make a date with Jesus.
:angel:
Making the First Thing the First Thing
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults." - Psalm 19:12
I believe in church attendance, but if your relationship with the Lord and with others is suffering, then you need to stay at home and get on your face before God.
Sometimes a businessman will get very prosperous in his business—and at first it seems a good thing. He tells his wife, "Honey, you know how I couldn't give you much when we got married? Well, now I can." But soon the pursuit of a nice home and nice things consume him. A sadness descends upon his wife and children, and they lament, "Oh, Daddy....Oh, Husband...what we would give to just have you spend time with us."
What tragedy it would be if what you do for Jesus keeps you from Jesus. Stop the cycle today. If you know you're a workaholic, stop it. If you know your walk is far from God, get it right.
:angel:
Going Through the Valley
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Psalm 23 is perched between Psalm 22, which tells about the crucifixion of Jesus, and Psalm 24, which is a prophecy of the coronation of Jesus. It is beautiful trilogy about the Savior's cross, the Shepherd's crook, and the Sovereign's crown.
Psalm 23 is the valley between the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion. Thank God for every valley, because there must be a mountain.
If you are in the valley today, remember that you wouldn't be there had there not been mountains to cross. There is vision in the valley and hope in the hills.
:angel:
January 25
The Greater Miracle
"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior." Isaiah 43:11
It takes more of God's power to save a soul through the cross of Jesus than it does to do any other thing. God had no difficulty creating the universe. The Bible tells us He spoke and it was so. But when God wrote salvation's story, He went to great difficulty. Let me illustrate.
What if I held a service and had the power to straighten a cripple's legs or to bring sight to the blind? The next service would be standing room only. Now I certainly want God to heal, but let me tell you something else.
What if I held a service and a little girl walked down the aisle and gave her heart to Jesus? That is a greater miracle than opening the eyes of the blind because the Son of God had to hang on a cross in agony and blood to purchase her salvation! Jesus did not come as a great healer or teacher, He came as a Savior.
:angel:
January 26
What Is Your Cross?
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:27
The cross not only saves us, but it continues to sanctify us. Have you read where Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34b)?
Many people think that this means that our "cross" is a sickness, an unsaved spouse, or a cruel boss. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. A cross is something you willingly take up.
Jesus willingly laid down His life. He calls us to do the same. Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ.
:angel:
January 27
A Defense Attorney Has Been Appointed For You
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1
The way to deal with your sins is for you to confess – that means, you are to begin by agreeing with God as to what He says about your sin. You need to also confidently deal with your sin. Now, what do I mean by that?
You have your own attorney when you go into the judge's chambers for adjudication. According to God's Word, you have an Advocate, which is another name for attorney.
The devil is the prosecuting attorney who points the accusing finger at us, and says, "Look at him!" And Jesus, the defense attorney, stands by our side and says, "But Father, look at Me. I shed My blood for him." Because Jesus died, our debt is paid. Hallelujah! Though our sins are as scarlet, He will wash them white as snow!
:angel:
January 29
Hungering for God
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
When Jesus said that the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be blessed, He was not talking about someone who had a mere appetite, He was talking about a starving man.
God made us in such a way that we couldn't exist long without food. What is a starving man interested in? The latest football scores? The flower arrangement at the pink lemonade society? The number of stars in the universe? No! He's only interested in one thing – food!
In fact, I did some research and discovered that a man can exist about forty days without food, about three days without water, and only eight minutes without air. In the spiritual realm of eternity, man cannot exist one second without Jesus Christ.
May God help us narrow our focus to the glory of God and the saving of souls.
:angel:
January 30
Shining Brightly in the Twilight Years
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward manis renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
So many people think that they cannot do much for the Lord as they enter their twilight years. God doesn't change just because your health may take a turn or you feel weaker. The faith that is inside of you has not weakened, unless you stop feeding it with works of faith. The things that God calls us to do in life do not hinge upon our physical stamina or financial strength.
Do you know where one of the great strengths of a church lies? In its seniors who have walked with God for years. With their reservoir of wisdom and fortress of faith, they get hold of God, and though their bodies are wearing a bit, they are as strong as they ever were—because God is their strength.
Douglas MacArthur once said, "You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self with confidence, as old as your fears, as young as your hope, as old as your despair." God gives unfading strength for His undiminishing promises.
:angel:
January 31
Him—Just Him
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12
I heard of a lady who memorized so many verses of Scripture, that she quoted them back to the Lord in praise to His name. When she grew old and began to lose her memory, she could only remember one verse, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." She would quote it over and over.
Soon her memory deteriorated more, and all she could remember was just the phrase "committed unto Him." It brought her much comfort. Finally she came to a place where all she could say was "Him."
You can distill the Bible down to that one word, "Him." Can you tune all of your life to that one note of praise? Him.
:angel:
February 1
God's Grace Takes the Initiative
"We love Him, because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
When I was in the sixth grade, I wrote a love note to Joyce Louise Gentry. Then she became my bride and my beloved. Do you know, she still has that note? From that time on she began to take an interest in me. Do you know why? Because I first loved her.
Do you know what the Bible is? It is God's love letter to you. It is God saying to you, "I have set my eye upon you. I love you!"
You're not saved by doing good works. You're not saved by joining a church. You are saved by the grace of God that said, "I love you" first.
When was the last time you wrote a love letter?
When was the last time you received one?
Spend some time today and write a love letter to the Lord.
:angel:
February 2
Justice, Mercy and Grace
"...the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11
There are three words that came together at Calvary:
justice
mercy
grace
Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve.
But wait a minute; grace is more than that! It is grace that gives at great cost to the giver. It is not cheap. Grace cost the life of God's Son. Jesus gave freely of Himself in agony and blood.
Did you know that grace has to chase us down? If God didn't run faster than us, we would never be saved! Grace seeks to give to vile and wicked people that which they don't deserve and can never deserve.
Are you a grace-giver? Find someone today and do a favor for them – something for which they couldn't possibly repay you. Perhaps it will even be for a stranger you will never see again.
:angel:
February 3
Perfectionism Is a Thief
"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
Did you know that your performance doesn't make you any more or less acceptable in God's eyes?
If you think that God is going to accept you on the basis of your quiet time, your Bible study, or your service, you will fall into a trap of never knowing if you've done enough. You'll never truly feel accepted.
Perfectionism is a thief. It promises rewards, but it steals both joy and satisfaction. Why? Because perfection is an unattainable goal! If you are a perfectionist, you've set an impossible goal for yourself, and therefore you will constantly be faced with frustration and failure.
Two things about you are true, without your "performance"—
You are forgiven in Christ.
You are righteous in Christ.
Are you a perfectionist? Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the fear of failure. Now make a conscious decision that you can be less than perfect and still be loved by God.
:angel:
February 4
Perfection Found in Jesus Alone
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:39
A perfectionist in the church is a miserable person. And not only that, but he makes everybody else miserable, too. The fellowship is never sweet enough. The teacher is never prepared enough. The music is never spiritual enough, and on and on it goes.
Jesus supplies the only perfection that we will ever attain until we get to heaven.
It is not perfection that God is looking for in His children; it is excellence.
God is working in you to achieve His purpose for His glory.
Memorize this statement, "I am worthy apart from my performance because Christ died for me and gave His life to me. My life is hidden in Him. Jesus loves me."
:angel:
February 5
Defining Your Personal Value
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." - Romans 12:3
Do you try to be the best or do you simply try to do your best? The perfectionist has to be the best. He has to be #1. He can't accept himself.
The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him, and it humbles a man without debasing him. The person who strives for excellence says, "I am what I am by the grace of God."
Do you value yourself by what you do or by what you are? You have a choice. You can either choose to see yourself as God sees you, or you can choose to see yourself as the world sees you. Whose opinion will you listen to today?
Is there someone in your life whose opinion matters deeply to you? Instead of defining who you are by their opinions, measure yourself by God's standard in His Word.
:angel:
February 6
Seeing the Unseen—Moving Beyond Your Five Senses
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Many Christians are so materialistic that they never look past the physical world to the transcendent Christ above. They only experience what their five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) bring to them.
When a problem arises, it blows out every candle in their souls, knocks the sun out of their sky, and they can't enjoy the daily bread of life that Jesus promises.
For some reading this, you have a gigantic problem that to the world has "disaster" written all over it. If you are seeking first His righteousness, God will give you all that you need. You have God on your side—the King of kings, the Lord of lords. And don't you forget it.
:angel:
February 7
The Misunderstood Principle of Submission
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." - 1 John 5:3
Submission is a term that has been grievously distorted because there are men who have used the word as a weapon to club their wives rather than as a hammer to build their homes.
When God tells a wife to submit to her husband, He also tells the husband to love his wife "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22-25).
When God tells children to obey their parents, He also instructs the fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
When God tells you to submit to Him, it is for your good (James 4:7). Jesus is the head of the church, and He leads by love. The same should be true in the home.
Discuss the principle of submission with your family and friends this week. Contrast what the world would say it means to submit with what God desires for us.
:angel:
February 8
Ministers of Deception
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." - 2 Timothy 4:3
Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service, and the man in the pulpit will look like a minister, but he will be a minister of Satan. Isn't that frightening? You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. He's always wanted to be like God. His temptation to you is not to be ungodly, but to try to be like God, but in Satan's way. Satan is the master of deception.
Matthew 24:24 says, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. That's the reason we have to be discerners of truth.
This Sunday, don't just sit and soak in the service. Test the message against the Word of God and apply it to your life.
:angel:
February 9
Who You Are in Christ
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1
The key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ. Many Christians have never discovered this. They remind me of the man who had an identity problem and an energy crisis at the same time. He didn't know who he was and he was too tired to find out.
God doesn't work from the outside in. He works from the inside out. God doesn't modify our behavior in order to change us. He changes us in order to modify our behavior.
You're never going to purify the water by painting the pump. That's legalism, and that's a dead end to discovering who you are in Christ.
As you study God's Word, start a list: begin to write down those phrases that apply to you, like the phrase "in Christ." Now that you are "in Christ," the phrase "no condemnation" is one you should write down!
:angel:
February 10
A Legacy of Love
"His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed." - Psalm 112:2
A woman came to her pastor and said, "When should I start the religious training of my child? When will he be old enough? Is it too early to start at six years of age?" The pastor said, "No, that's too late." She said, "Well how about six months?" He said, "That's too late." She said, "Then when should I start?" He said, "With his grandparents."
We can live for our grandchildren; we can live for our great-grandchildren. The greatest gift you can give your children is to teach them to worship the Lord, to love the Lord, and to serve the Lord at any age.
If you are a grandparent, share what God has taught you about His grace and faithfulness in your life. And share what God has taught you about worshipping Him and serving others.
:angel:
February 11
What Is Your Top Priority?
"And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." - Psalm 35:9
Do your children believe that the most important thing to you is God? We must celebrate God in front of our children.
Let me tell you what my children think and what they know.
They know that their Daddy's imperfect. They know that I love God. I wouldn't be ashamed for you to ask them that. You can ask any one of them, "What's the most important thing to your Dad and Mom?" They would say, "The most important thing to our parents is their relationship with God."
Are you a parent? Then ask your children what they think the most important thing is to you. If they say anything other than your relationship with the Lord, make some changes in your life to reflect your top priority.
:angel:
February 12
To Tell the Truth
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." - Ephesians 4:25
When I was in college, I pastored a little church 130 miles away. One night as I was driving back home, I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped when a highway patrolman pulled me over.
He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir."
When I got back in the car, the Holy Spirit said, "Adrian, you lied." I said, "No, I didn't lie. I told the truth." He said, "You lied."
If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home.
I want you to play a game of catch today, but this will only involve one person – you! When temptation urges you to lie, catch yourself and tell the truth.
:angel:
February 13
Be Angry and Sin Not
"Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." - Ephesians 4:26
God's Word tells us to be "slow to wrath" (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There's nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won't be flattering.
First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "For anger resteth in the bosom of fools."
Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp nest.
Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it to the Lord. Don't let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself, "What need is not being met?" Give that need to the Lord.
:angel:
February 14
You Are Loved!
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." - Jeremiah 31:3
Valentine's Day is a day for lovers. Did you know that Jesus is the lover of your soul? He is. You, as part of the church, are His bride...His chosen one.
Our Lord loves us with an infinite love, an everlasting love, and an indescribable love.
Are you without a valentine today? Take heart...His heart. He has set His affection on you. Jesus has purchased you, not with silver or gold as a bridegroom would have in Jesus' day, but our Lord has purchased you with the silver of His tears and with the gold of His blood.
You are loved!
Every time you get a Valentine or see an advertisement for Valentine's Day or hear someone say, "Happy Valentine's Day," remember that Jesus is the Lover of your Soul.
:angel:
February 15
The Truth Shall Make You Free
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32
Have you ever been to a circus and seen an elephant chained to a stake in the ground? Why doesn't he break free? Because as a young elephant he was tied to a tree. And try as he might, he couldn't break free. Now the thought that he cannot break free is ingrained.
How true that is of you and me who have ingrained thought patterns in our lives. We say, "I am chained to this habit and I can't break free." Or we say, "I'm not good enough." All kinds of lies keep us in bondage, but real truth is what God says, not what we think.
Are there any strongholds in your life that keep you chained to the past? Write down these verses and memorize them.
2 Corinthians 10:4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;"
Galatians 5:1 - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Now break free from the lies of the past as you tell yourself the truth!
:angel:
February 16
Saints in God's Sight through Christ
"You are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." - Galatians 4:7
Are you saved? If you are, then you are a saint.
Now you're probably saying, "But I can't say that. Christ wants me to be humble."
But let me tell you what real humility is. It is accepting what God says about you, and God says you're a saint. Now, that doesn't make you sinless; it makes you blameless. In God's sight (and that's the only sight that counts) you are a saint. God sees you as perfect because He sees you draped in the righteousness of His Son. Glory to God for His indescribable love to us!
Stand in front of the mirror and say out loud, "I am a saint." Spread the Good News to your family and friends who are saved—that they are saints, too!
:angel:
February 17
When in Doubt, Let Jesus Be Your Peace
"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." - Matthew 14:31-32
A man was in the back bedroom of his home getting dressed while his wife was in the living room talking to a friend. He called out to his wife, "Darling, is this shirt clean enough for me to wear?"
Without hesitation she said, "No."
He said, "How did you know it wasn't clean enough to wear? You didn't even come back to look at it."
She answered, "If you had to ask, it wasn't clean enough!"
When it comes to the question of whether you should do something or not, if it's doubtful, it's dirty. Don't. Unfortunately, most of us don't give God the benefit of the doubt. We just go ahead and do it.
Are you in doubt about something today? If you have even the smallest doubt in your heart that it might be sin or lead to sin, be strong and choose to say "No." He will be your peace.
:angel:
February 18
The Value of a Soul
"Yoy were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was talking to a man who sold real estate and asked him, "What determines the worth of a piece of property?"
He said, "What a person is willing to pay for it."
In other words, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it yourself. It's what another person is willing to pay to have it for himself or herself.
That makes me want to shout! You and I must be worth something if Jesus would pay His life to have us for His own. Jesus is the proof of how much we're worth.
Do you know how much you weigh? Call a jeweler or a bank today and ask how much your weight is worth in gold. Then realize there's no comparison to your worth in blood...the blood of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
February 19
Be Still and Know that He Is God
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10
I read in the newspaper about a fighter plane that fired off a weapon and was moving so fast that it overtook the bullet and shot itself down. Literally! There are a lot of folks I know doing the same thing. They are shooting themselves down.
They don't take time to slow down and to be still and know that God is God. They don't take time to experience His serenity and inner quietness. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
How much time do we take to be quiet before the Lord? If you don't have time to do this, you are too busy! You are going to miss life looking for it.
I have a question for you. Are you spending time alone with the Lord every day? If not, let this be your wake-up call.
:angel:
February 20
Dead To Sin, Alive To Christ
"Reckon also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:11
A woman woke up one morning and noticed that she felt like she had just gone to sleep. She said, "It can't be six o'clock in the morning!"
But the radio said it was six. The clock said it was six. The sunrise said it was six. Now, I submit to you: it really didn't matter how she felt, did it?
Sometimes we respond the same way when it comes to our salvation. We need to get our salvation out of the realm of fickle emotions and begin to "reckon" (count on) God's facts.
Each morning when you wake up, begin by saying, "I am dead to sin. I am alive in Christ. I know it's a fact. He died for me. Now I reckon it!"
Look up the word "reckon" in the dictionary. Are you "reckoning" yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ? If not, begin to do so today.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 21
Why Is There Suffering in the World?
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." - John 8:36
"If there is a God, and that God is a good God, then why is there suffering?"
"What kind of a God is it that has created evil?"
Ever heard those comments before? Ever made them yourself?
You're not alone. Many people have thought the same thing. But that's not straight thinking. Let me tell you the way it truly is.
God did not create evil. God created perfection. God made man perfectly free. The freedom He granted man meant that he had to be free to choose to love. Then in order to choose to love, we must be able to choose not to love. This freedom of choice gave rise to evil, for man's freedom meant he could make a wrong choice.
Which kind of love do you want from others? A forced love or a free love? Which sounds better, "I love you" or "I have to love you"?
:angel:
February 22
Pray to Be Heard of God, Not Men
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say unto you, They have their reward." - Matthew 6:5
One time a young professional was waiting for a meeting when he heard someone walking down the hallway. Thinking that this might be a potential client for him, he picked up his telephone and pretended to be having a high-powered conversation.
Soon the footsteps stopped at his desk. Looking up he asked, "What may I do for you?" The man standing before him replied, "I'm from the telephone company. I've come to hook up your phone."
Prayer is the same way. The prayer that gets our Savior's attention comes from the heart and not from the head, "to be heard by men." Prayers to impress people are one-way conversations.
Find a quiet place in your home where you can be alone with the Lord every day for a special time of communion with Him. He is waiting for you there.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 23
To Be "in Christ Jesus"
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1
What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus?" First, think about what it was for Noah to be in the ark. The ark was waterproof. How do we know it was? Well, God told Noah, "put pitch on the inside and on the outside" (Genesis 6:14). The word "pitch" in the Hebrew is kapar, and it is exactly the same word translated as "atonement." You see, we are in Jesus as Noah was in that ark. Just as the storms of God's wrath beat upon that ark, the storms of God's wrath beat upon the Lord Jesus. But we are on the inside, and not one drop of judgment can come through.
Read Romans 8:35-39. Reflect on the things that Paul says will never separate you from God's love. Give glory to God that your sins have been atoned for by the righteous blood of the Savior.
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FEBRUARY 24
What Is Justification?
"...and whom He justified, them He also glorified." - Romans 8:30
What does it mean to be justified? It means to be declared righteous.
Justification is not being good, though being good gives God glory. When you put your faith where God put your sins—on the Lord Jesus Christ—then God stamps "righteous" over your name in His "Book of Life."
It's not because of what you have done or ever can do, but because of His justification.
No court on earth can justify anybody. But what God does is take a guilty person and not only give that guilty person a pardon, but He makes that guilty person just as if he had never sinned. That's justification.
If you lived every moment believing in the justification that God has given you, how would your faith be strengthened? Would you be more vocal about the gift of God's love?
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FEBRUARY 25
Living by Promises Not Explanations
"Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him." - Matthew 6:8
According to an article, Henry Ford asked some engineers to box the transmissions for his Model-T Fords in certain sized boxes. He gave meticulous dimensions and material instructions for these boxes. The builders were confused, but they did as they were told.
When the transmissions were delivered, the factory workers took apart the boxes and used them for the floorboards! Mr. Ford was thinking ahead!
That's what God does. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. We may not understand all of His ways, just like those workers who were boxing up the transmissions did not understand.
We do not live by our understanding; we live by His promises.
Is there something happening in your life right now that you don't understand? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust in the promise that He will direct your path.
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FEBRUARY 26
What Is Success?
"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2
You've heard it said, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again?
May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That's what it is.
It's not how much money you have. It's not how famous you are. It's not how healthy you are. It's not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.
Do you want to know God's will? Do you want your heart's desire to come true?
Read Micah 6:8. What does God require of you?
Read Psalm 37:4. What is God calling you to do?
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FEBRUARY 27
Longing For His Return
"...we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." - 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Is your heart longing for Jesus to return? Are you looking for Him? I am. The coming of Jesus is really the only hope for this world.
And when will that be? I don't know. It may be at morning when the clouds break open with sunlight and shadows of night recede from the sky. It may be at noon when the world is hustling and bustling. It may be at dusk when the birds are singing their evening song. Or at midnight, when the stars will dim by the blaze of glory when He descends from the heavenlies.
What joy fills my heart! Does it fill yours as well to think of that moment? Are you ready?
Look up into the skies today and think about His return. Can you imagine the sound of the trumpets and the voice of the angels announcing His return?
:angel:
FEBRUARY 28
God's Providence
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land." - Psalm 37:34
We talk about providence, but what is providence?
Providencemeans to see ahead of time and to make provision. This is what God does. He sees events before they ever get here and moves everything toward the goal that He has in mind.
Now there is a lot of evil in the world, so don't get the idea that everything that happens is God's will. Rape is not God's will. Murder is not God's will. Racial hatred is not God's will. Adultery is not God's will. Sodomy is not God's will.
Man has a will and man has an evil heart. And in God's grand design, He gave man a free will. Even when man does evil, where God does not rule, God overrules.
Read Psalm 37. Find a brother or sister in the Lord and discuss the presence of evil in this world and the providence of God in the lives of His children.
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MARCH 1
When We Don't Understand
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it. Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good!
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MARCH 2
What Cancer Cannot Do
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do. Cancer cannot shatter hope. Cancer cannot corrode faith. Cancer cannot eat away peace. Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life. Cancer cannot quench the spirit of God and cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. That's how limited cancer is!
Is there someone in your life that is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you've read today. And pray that they will know the Savior.
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MARCH 3
The True Way to Happiness
"Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart." - Psalm 119:2
Have you ever thought that if you lived according to God's laws, you were going to miss out? Truth is, if you don't live according to God's laws you're going to miss out! God's laws are for your welfare.
God is not a tyrant in heaven making a bunch of laws to make you squirm like a worm in hot ashes as you try to keep those laws. God loves you. Every time God says "Thou shalt not," God is simply saying, "Don't hurt yourself." And every time God says, "Thou shalt," God is saying, "Help yourself to happiness." God has something so wonderful for you.
Write the following down on some sticky notes and post them everywhere ... "God loves me."
"God knows better than I do."
"God is in control."
"God is good."
:angel:
MARCH 4
Secrets Only the Holy Spirit Can Give
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me." - John 16:8-9
What would you think of someone who gave you the secret of life? Do you think you might instantly call him your best friend? You bet!
That's what the Holy Spirit did for you. The Holy Spirit gave you the secret not only to life, but to eternal life! He convicted you of your sin. He drew you to Christ (John 6:44).
Don't get the idea that anybody can simply come of his own will and his own volition to Jesus Christ. No one could come. No one would come, except by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has given you the secret of life. And He has drawn you there Himself! That's some best friend, wouldn't you say?
Don't keep quiet about your Best Friend today. He wants to be known and He's given you the privilege to be His messenger. Share Him with those you care about today.
:angel:
MARCH 5
You Are Born to Win!
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8
When you were born again you were born to win! Your new birth in Jesus Christ has fitted you for victory. You can detect Satan's schemes and overcome his world system. You can "march to the beat of a different drummer." You can live with victory over the desires of your flesh. Habits, attitudes, unclean desires, worries, and dissipation must yield as you exercise authority over your mind, emotions, and will. You can actually put Satan and his demons to flight. You don't have to be afraid of him—he will be afraid of you!
Are you feeling defeated about something? Say this out loud, "I was born to win!" Doesn't that feel good? Now, look in the mirror and say it again! "I was born to win!"
:angel:
MARCH 6
God Is in the Restoration Business
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." - Joel 2:25
Hosea had a wife whose name was Gomer. She not only committed immorality, but she finally ended up as a prostitute on the street.
In the strength of the Lord, Hosea went to her, reclaimed her, forgave her, remarried her and restored her as his bride. What a picture of the restoration of our Lord with us!
God has promised to restore all the pains of our past, the heartaches from broken relationships, the struggles from defeat, and the frustrations of our lives. All the times we felt broken beyond repair, God has promised to restore.
God is in the business of restoring His children into beautiful works of His holiness.
Is there someone in your life who has wandered from the faith and felt the abandonment of friends and family? If so, go to that person today and encourage them in the love of Jesus.
:angel:
MARCH 7
Yes—He knows Your Name
"I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14
Ever feel like the little girl who was endeavoring to pray what we call The Lord's Prayer when she said, "Our Father which art in Heaven, how does He know my name?" I have.
But friend, He does know our names. He knows me. He knows you.
You say, "But how could God be interested in me? The great God who made the galaxies—how could He be interested in me? I'm like a fleck of spray in an ocean of existence." Well, He is interested in you. You are not an accident. You are intimately known by God.
Read Matthew 10:30. What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about yourself?
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MARCH 8
Signed, SEALED, Delivered!
"...ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13
The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God seals you into Himself.
What does it mean to be "sealed"? It means the King's seal has been placed on you. The King's seal can be broken by no man. That means you are His for all time and eternity.
Second Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." You are sealed into a relationship with God by the Holy Spirit.
Read Daniel 6 and Matthew 27. Note the similarities in the accounts of Daniel and Jesus being sealed away for death—and how the Almighty God delivered them unto life!
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MARCH 9
The Book That Reads You
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" - Romans 11:33
We must guard ourselves against lowering the standard of God's Word to our level of understanding or political correctness. And we must guard ourselves against raising the standards of our traditions above the standard of His Word. The Bible is not meant to be paraded past the judgment bar of your mind. You can argue with it, but why?
You can pick up any other book and read it, but this is the book that reads you. It pulsates with life and power. It cuts, burns, crushes, and wields mountain-moving power. His Word has a life of its own. It is the voice of God to you. You cannot refuse it, deny it, distort it, or dilute it. You can only bow before it.
When was the last time you studied the history behind the Word of God? Go to a bookstore or your church's library and study how the translations were discovered and passed on.
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MARCH 10
"Headship" and Equality Between Men and Women
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." - Ephesians 5:21
First Corinthians 11:3 says, "The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." Sometimes we get confused about what it means to be the "head" of the family. Anything with no head is dead and anything with two heads is abnormal. Just because the man is the head doesn't mean that the wife is inferior. Both men and women bear the image of God. Both are heirs of the grace of life. Both are equal before God. But while male and female are equal, God has given them different roles. In the family, men have been given the role of leader.
How would our world function if no one was in charge? How would your body function without your head? Pray for leaders in your home, community, church, state, and nation.
:angel:
MARCH 11
Two Funerals, One Wedding
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." - Ephesians 5:25
Do you know what most marriages need? Two funerals and one wedding where both the husband and the wife die to themselves and come alive to Jesus Christ.
You see, when a man loves his wife passionately, there's nothing too precious for that man to give up for his wife, except his relationship to Almighty God.
When there's that kind of love shown to a woman, I dare say the topic of submission would not be an issue.
Most women don't mind submitting to a man who loves her enough to die for her and shows it by the way he lives for her.
Are you married? Then go on a date this week with your spouse. Are you single? Pray that God would prepare you to be the spouse your mate will need.
:angel:
MARCH 12
86,000 Seconds Each Day
"My times are in Thy hand." - Psalm 31:15
God's great gift to you is Jesus. His second greatest gift is time. Every second we have life is a gift from God.
Has it ever occurred to you that for you to cease living, God would not have to take your life? All God would have to do is stop giving you life.
Your time is in His hands. You are a steward of the time He has given you. We have 86,000 seconds in the day no more, no less. The difference is stewardship.
Today is check-up day. How are you redeeming your 86,000 seconds each day to the glory of God? Are you lagging behind God or running ahead of Him?
:angel:
MARCH 13
Don't Forget to Wear It!
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance." - Proverbs 15:13
What is a smile? Someone once wrote:
"A smile costs nothing, but creates much good. It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away. It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever. No one is so rich that he can get along without it. No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and nature's best anecdote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen."
When you get dressed this morning, don't forget to put on a smile. Wear a smile all day from the inner joy that only Jesus can bring to your heart. Don't feel an inner joy? Then ask for one!
:angel:
MARCH 14
Pass Along the Gift of Laughter
"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." - Psalm 32:11
A merry heart is the ability to capture and enjoy those wonderful times of life and let it turn to laughter.
Your sense of humor is a gift from God. Research studies have shown that laughter, along with a well-rounded sense of humor, is one of the sure signs of intelligence. It is also known to produce endorphins in your body that generate feelings of well-being.
Good, wholesome laughter is a gift from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "God must have meant for us to laugh, or else he would not have made so many mules, parrots, monkeys and human beings. God wants us to laugh."
Pass along the gift of laughter today to someone. Tell a good, wholesome joke. Send an email of a funny story to a friend you haven't talked to in awhile.
:angel:
MARCH 15
Free from the Ghost of Guilt!
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:12
There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow.
Paul exhorts in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We are to forget the past—the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges. Paul was one who was guilty, along with others, for the stoning of Stephen. He said he was the chiefest of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God's forgetfulness.
Maybe you've done something so horrible that you're gripped with fear to think someone would find out what you've done. Have you repented? Then don't be haunted by the ghost of guilt.
Have you done something worse than being an accessory to the murder of one of the leaders of the New Testament Church?If Paul can be forgiven, my friend, youcan be forgiven!
:angel:
MARCH 16
Equal Parts of Difficulty and Grace
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." - Matthew 6:34
In the crucible of His wisdom and the ecology of His grace, God has ordered some trouble for you today. And every day of your life.
We've been blessed with difficulties. Yes, you read right—blessed! The worst thing that could happen to us would be not to have any difficulties. If that were the case, we'd never know our need of the Lord. So God in essence says, "I'm going to give you sufficient difficulty for the day."
God gives you enough difficulty to draw you close to Him, but then God gives you enough grace to meet those difficulties every day.
Is there a difficult circumstance in your life? If so, thank God for sending it your way to make you more like Jesus. Now ask for His grace to be victorious through it!
:angel:
MARCH 17
What Happens When You Worry
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
What happens when you worry? You bring tomorrow's difficulty into today.
God didn't give you grace for tomorrow's difficulties. He only gives you grace for today.
When you reach into tomorrow's troubles, you overload today's circuit. Worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow, it takes the strength out of today. When you meet tomorrow, you're out of breath because you're already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future, it really makes you unready.
Yesterday is just a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today has all the cash you can handle. Spend it wisely.
Worry will eat your lunch! It'll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin (because they are). Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.
:angel:
MARCH 18
Wait...and Listen for God to Speak to You
"The voice of the Lord isupon the waters: the God of glory thundereth." - Psalm 29:3
Some people think it's a waste of time to simply sit at God's feet and listen. It is not a waste of time to wait on God any more than a woodsman is wasting time when he sharpens his axe.
In his booklet "Tyranny of the Urgent," Charles Hummel wrote, "When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength, we are saying, with our actions if not our lips, that we do not need Him....Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy...The need is not the call. The call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations."
Read Psalm 29. Count how many times the phrase "voice of the Lord" is repeated. Spend at least that many minutes listening for His voice and trusting He will speak His will to you.
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MARCH 19
You Supply the Will, God Supplies the Power
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
Are you one of those people who believes "Put off until tomorrow what you could be doing today"? This is one of those times when the fingers pointing back at me outnumber the one that's pointing to you! What am I talking about? Procrastination.
Did you know that procrastination is a sin? I say that because sin is not merely doing wrong, it is failing to do what you ought to do. Procrastination and disobedience are just different shades of the same sin. I heard a quote once that said it well: "When you have a job to do, begin this very hour. You supply the will, God supplies the power." That is the will power we need to instantly obey!
Has a certain task been hounding you? Confess your procrastination as sin. And act now. don't hesitate. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the day!
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MARCH 20
Making a Covenant with Your Eyes
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." - Psalm 57:7
When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said, "He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places. Keep yourself clean. Keep yourself pure. Watch what you set before your eyes." There needs to be discipline.
Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be. One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.
Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.
:angel:
MARCH 21
Your Sweetheart for Life
"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh." - Matthew 19:5
Today's message is for the men...If you don't love your wife now more than you loved her when you got married, you probably love her a lot less.
Sir, I want you to learn to flirt—but not with any other woman. Just the girl you married! Keep that flirtation going through all of your life. Never call the waitress "sweetheart." She's not your sweetheart. You have only one sweetheart. Never call someone else "dear." She's not your dear. There is one who needs to know beyond a shadow of any doubt that she is your sweetheart, she is your darling, and she is number one. Develop that love and keep it growing.
When was the last time you brought your wife flowers or her favorite perfume? Stop right now and think of how you're going to show your wife that she's the only sweetheart in your life!
:angel:
MARCH 22
The Recipe for Misery
"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35
Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows.
If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...what you want, what people are saying about you, what you ought to have done for you, how down you feel, how good you feel. Just focus on yourself.
Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don't go hand in hand. If you are thinking it is better to receive than to give, you'll never be happy. You'll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.
Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better? Now imagine if your spirit is tight and how that will quench His work in your life.
:angel:
MARCH 23
Jesus in All Sixty-Six
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5
The thing I love about the Old Testament is the thing I love about the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament both are the inspired Word of God. Don't get the idea that the Old Testament has a message different from the New Testament. All of the Bible is about Jesus. If you read the Bible and you don't find Jesus, you better go re-read it.
Somebody may ask if you have read the four gospels, and you can answer them, "I've read all sixty-six!"
From Genesis to Revelation,
It has the same villain – Satan.
It has the same hero – Jesus.
It has the same purpose – to present salvation in no other name but Jesus.
Read Isaiah 53. What are the prophecies that were fulfilled in the life of Christ?
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MARCH 24
Moving His Son Into King's Row
"Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion." - Psalm 2:6
The kingdoms of this world are being moved around like checkers, but soon God is going to move His Son into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King of kings!"
How many times have you prayed, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven"?
Do you think God's will is being done on earth as it is in heaven? Look around at the crime, rape, murder, child abuse, and blasphemy. Do you think that's God's will? Of course not.
Do you think Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray a prayer that will not be answered? God is going to move Jesus into King's Row and say, "Crown Him King!"
Read Psalm 2. What does the psalmist tell the kings of this world to do? Pray now that God will work in the hearts of the world leaders!
:angel:
MARCH 25
Peace with God—Because of the Cross
"... having made peace through the blood of His cross." - Colossians 1:20
How can a cross bring peace if Jesus is the One hanging there?
At the cross, wickedness was not appeased. Wickedness was confronted.
At the cross, sin was not overlooked. Sin was atoned and paid for.
God's greatest righteousness confronted man's greatest wickedness, and righteousness won! Peace was attained through the blood of the cross.
Thank God for the cross! Thank God for Jesus!
Take a few moments to praise Jesus for the power and hope you have because of His resurrection.
:angel:
MARCH 26
The Only One Who Ever Chose to Die
"I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." - John 10:11
Did you know that there has only been one person who ever chose to die? Only one.
"Oh," you say, "Suicide bombers choose to die. Other people choose to die. People who die by their own hand choose to die. People who give themselves for others choose to die."
But really no one has ever chosen to die except Jesus. Why? Because He was the only One who didn't have to die. Some people may choose to die a little sooner, but nobody has ever truly chosen to die except One—the Lord Jesus Christ.
It wasn't nails that held Him to the tree. It was the silver cords of love and the golden bonds of redemption that held Jesus Christ to that cross.
The fact that no one has ever chosen to die but Jesus, may be a new concept to you. If so, it's probably new to someone else as well. Share it with someone today!
:angel:
MARCH 27
The Only One Who Conquered Death
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" - 1 Corinthians 15:55
Harry Houdini was an escape artist. They tried all kinds of ways to keep Harry Houdini locked up. They would bury him in a coffin, but he would get out. They would sew him up in canvas bags and throw him in the river, but he would come out. His biographer said he could "escape from anything, except your memory."
Yet there came a day when Harry Houdini died and he did not escape. No trickery there. Harry Houdini did not escape the iron-clad clutches of death. But I want to tell you there was another who died. His name was Jesus, and He made the great escape. Jesus came out of the grave and He arose. Praise God, Jesus is alive!
Who in your circle of friends doesn't know Jesus? Pray for them right now, that they would hear the Good News, repent and believe upon Jesus as Lord and Savior.
:angel:
MARCH 28
The Resurrection– No Room for Neutrality
"He is not here: for He is risen." - Matthew 28:6
It is a disturbing truth that Jesus Christ literally came out of the grave.
You just can't be neutral about the resurrection. If you are a thinking person, you're going to have to face the fact of the resurrection. Either it is true or it is not true. Either He came out of that grave or He did not.
Now which side are you on?
You can't simply say, "It doesn't really make any difference. Let's just put our arms around everybody. We all believe the same thing." No, no, no! When you take a stand for truth, you're going to have a head-on collision with the darkness that doesn't want the light shining in!
· Pray for those in fulltime ministry as they proclaim the truth to a lost world.
· Pray for God's protection as they go to the frontline and battle for souls!
:angel:
MARCH 29
GOOD FRIDAY
The Lamb of God—Your Substitute
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:4-6
Jesus Christ did not die as a martyr. He was not a helpless victim. He said, "I lay down my life, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself." (John 10:17-18) The cross was not an accident or an afterthought; it was in the heart and mind of God before the world was framed. Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross.
John the Baptist announced, "Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." The Lamb of God died on the same day as the Passover lambs were being slain on Mount Moriah, the very limestone ridge where long ago God had told Abraham, "God will provide Himself a lamb." Jesus said, "Abraham saw My day, and was glad." (John 8:56)
To the priests on Mount Moriah, Jesus Christ could say, "Your work is over. Put away your knives. We need no more lambs, no more sacrifices. The Lamb has died and has paid in full."
Meditate today upon that! Upon the price that was paid for your salvation. Read Matthew chapters 26 and 27. Thank Him for the price that was paid.
:angel:
DAY BEFORE EASTER
March 30
No Resurrection, No Savior
"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.... ye are yet in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15: 14, 17
It's an unthinkable question: what if there had been no Easter? Suppose Jesus had not risen from the dead? Our faith would be futile, death would have dominion, sin would be sovereign and the future would be fearful. His death without His resurrection cannot save anybody. Our faith is worthless if He is still in the grave.
How do we know that Jesus Christ was not just a religious fanatic, someone with a martyr complex who happened to get crucified? How do we know He is the Son of God, God incarnate? Romans 1:4 says He is "shown to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead."
How do we know that God accepted the sacrifice of Calvary? By the resurrection. The Bible says He was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. No resurrection, no Savior. No Savior, no forgiveness. But Jesus went into the tomb and three days later walked out like a butterfly bursting from a cocoon. He is a risen Savior.
Read 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and meditate on all it means for your salvation.
:angel:
EASTER SUNDAY
MARCH 31
O Death, Where is Thy Sting?
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
I was about to speak at a funeral. As I wandered through the beautiful flowers, the precious widow walked up and laid her hand on the sleeve of her beloved of more than 50 years. She patted him a couple of times, turned and walked away. I thought to myself, "Is that it? Is that all there is to life?"
No! Death does not have dominion! Christ is risen! Those who have fallen asleep in Christ have not perished. There is a God who in the form of man, the Lord Jesus Christ, grappled with the iron bars of death and is victorious. Death does not have dominion because Christ arose. He took the gloom out of the grave. He has given us a hope that is steadfast and sure.
Do you know where you're going? Have your sins been forgiven? Are you sure Jesus Christ is in your heart? If so, bow your head and thank Him, for sin has been subdued, death has been defeated, and your future is secure. You know where you're headed.
:angel:
APRIL 1
New Life, a New Creation in Christ
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." - Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you new life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
:angel:
APRIL 2
The Undeniable, Living Christ
"...we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." - John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have any merit admit that, regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived! There's no way to explain that the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here.
What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that? Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him." Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie? A man may live for a lie, but few would die for one.
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you...are you willing to die for Him?
:angel:
APRIL 3
Over Our Heads But Under His Feet
"For He hath put all things under His feet. . ." - 1 Corinthians 15:27
Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered.
When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies, interceding for you.
Where are your problems? Under His feet.
Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!
Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.
:angel:
APRIL 4
Praying in Secret
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." - Matthew 6:6
What did our Lord mean when He said, "Enter into your closet to pray"? The word "closet" simply means somewhere you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven.
As you study the life of Jesus, you'll discover that Jesus sought times to be alone. Sometimes He would go on a mountain, sometimes into the wilderness, and sometimes into a garden. It is the secret place that is the sacred place.
The mark of your prayer life is not really how well you pray in public, but in private. When you enter your closet to pray, spend some time in silence. Clear your mind. Then listen for His Words of edification, encouragement, and exhortation.
:angel:
APRIL 5
Making Your Bible Come Alive
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Why is it that sometimes when we read the Bible, we leave our common sense at the door? You don't just pick up a book, open it at random, and start reading in the middle of a paragraph. The book wouldn't make any sense! In order to understand and get the full appreciation for the book, we read it sequentially and in paragraphs or units.
When you read the Bible, read for quality not quantity. Don't see how much of the Bible you can read. See how much of the Bible you can assimilate and apply! Maybe what you need to do is spend a week studying one verse.
In your Bible reading today, stop and ask yourself, "What is God telling ME?" Not "What does this say?" But "What is God saying to me?" Then seek to put that into practice today.
:angel:
APRIL 9
Happiness, the By-Product of Righteousness
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." - Matthew 5:6
Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus.
When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the by-product of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.
What you need is to drink of the Spirit.
What you need to feed on the Word of God.
The deepest need of your heart will be met only in Jesus.
Ask the Lord to fill you with His presence, to fulfill the deepest need of your heart in Him and Him alone. Now trust Him to do it.
:angel:
APRIL 10
Letting Your Shepherd Set Your Pace
"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters." - Psalm 23:2
Sometimes I hear folks tell young people, "Make all the money you can, just so you make it honestly." That's not good advice.
If you make all the money you can, you are going to be making money when you should be doing something else. You are going to be making money when you ought to be alone with God.
I'm not against making money. I'm simply saying that we need to stop and prioritize our lives. Do you know what I think God does with some of us? He makes us to lie down. We won't do it unless He makes us.
Why not stop right now and pray, "Lord Jesus, You don't have to make me lie down. I'd rather slow down. I want to be still and know that You are GOD! Show me how."
:angel:
APRIL 11
Blessed Is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." - Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes—attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
:angel:
APRIL 12
Poor in Spirit – What Does It Mean?
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally spiritually bankrupt and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
:angel:
APRIL 13
What Is Meekness?
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
:angel:
APRIL 14
Mourning with Purpose
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." - Matthew 5:4
We've done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neuroses, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.
But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus' heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.
Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It's time to be like Jesus.
:angel:
APRIL 15
Seeing Him Who is Invisible
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Let me tell you how to experience God: Get your heart pure, and you will see God with the eyes of faith.
You see, Jesus is not talking about your physical body. You get your spiritual heart right and your spiritual eyes will see. Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses "endured as seeing Him who is invisible." You get your heart right and you'll see the invisible God...
...in circumstances
...in nature
...in the face of your spouse, your child, your grandchild.
You'll see Him in the Scriptures. God will become a bright, living reality to you.
Put on the eyes of faith today and find God creating and sustaining life. Maybe there is a tree ablaze with the red and gold of fall. Do you see the hand of God?
:angel:
APRIL 16
Surprising Qualities of a Peacemaker
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9
I remember reading about a preacher boy who was in a class in a liberal college and the professor said, "Christians ought never to have any enemies. We ought never to be controversial." Then he said, "What we need to do is to follow the example of Jesus."
The boy lifted his hand and asked, "If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified?"
Peace is not appeasement. It is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us into right relationships with others. Literally, peace is a fruit of righteousness. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.
Read Hebrews 12:14. Are there conflicts which you can resolve by becoming a peacemaker? If so, confidently place your hand in His and bring peace.
:angel:
APRIL 17
Trusting His Love to Provide
"And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee." - Psalm 9:10
After World War II, a group of humanitarians placed orphan boys in tent cities to care for them. But the boys would wake up in the night from nightmares. A psychiatrist surmised that their fear was because they had such an uncertain future.
He decided to feed the boys a big meal each night, then give them each a piece of bread. He instructed them to hold the bread in their hands so it could be their breakfast. Somehow just holding in their hand a piece of bread helped them to sleep all night.
When you go to bed tonight, I want you to have bread, not in your hand, but in your heart. He is the Bread of Heaven and His name is Jesus!
Take a walk with the Lord today. Tell Him your fears. Confidently place them before the Lord. Trust in His love to provide.
:angel:
APRIL 18
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about, then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
:angel:
APRIL 19
True Friendship
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." - Proverbs 27:17
True friends will put an edge on your life. They will make you a sharper person. Not all my friends do that for me, but my best friends do.
Have you ever had a friend who loved you so much that he would even hurt you in order to help you? Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." What truer words of love can be spoken than from the heart of a friend who is going to spend an eternity with you? Even if those words hurt, they are words that will heal.
Do you have a friend who sharpens you as iron? Then forward this email to your friend as a word of thanks.
:angel:
APRIL 20
Jesus Only
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." - Colossians 1:16
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words—Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
APRIL 21
Holy through Hardship
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? ... hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him." - Psalm 42:5
Here's an anchor for your soul in the storms of life: "I am growing by His plan."
What is God's plan for you? He wants to enlarge you, not indulge you. God is not so interested in making you happy and healthy as He is in making you holy. And so God will allow troubles to make you more like Christ.
Think about the times when you have grown the most. It is when your friend "Trouble" came along. I have grown the most in my own life in times of deepest despair.
Can you look at the troubles in your life not as adversaries, but as friends? Take a second look and get a godly perspective of it. See how you can become holy through hardship.
:angel:
APRIL 22
When Delays Are a Blessing
"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." - Isaiah 30:18
Many times the Lord will deliberately delay that He may be gracious to us. When Lazarus fell sick, his family sent for Jesus. Instead of coming immediately, Jesus waited (see John 11:1-46). He held back until Lazarus was dead. And if you read John 11:15, you'll see that He said, "I'm glad," because He had something greater in mind.
God waited four thousand years to send the Lord Jesus Christ after He made that promise. But Galatians 4:4 says He came in the fullness of time. Never late, never ahead of time, never in a hurry.
Are you in a waiting game...praying days, weeks, months, even years, for something...and God hasn't answered? Be still and know that in the fullness of time your request will be answered.
:angel:
APRIL 23
Playing on the Offense used in 2011
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - John 10:10
Do you know what's wrong with many of us? We're trying to get out of trouble rather than get into righteousness.
We're so focused on the defensive side of Christianity that we forget about the offensive, positive approach.
Wouldn't you like to get up and stay up? Wouldn't you like to experience the abundant life our Lord talks about? Jesus came to give us the eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says, "Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative."
Why don't you determine today that you are going to get right with God and stay right with God? That you're going to take steps to lead a life of obedience.
:angel:
APRIL 24
The Incomparable Word of God used in 2011
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever." - 1 Peter 1:24-25
The Bible is the incontestable, incorruptible, indestructible, and indispensable Word of God. No one can argue with it. Nothing can corrupt it. Nothing can destroy it. Nothing can replace it as the source and wellspring of life.
The late Dr. Robert G. Lee, a great preacher of the last generation, said this about the Bible:
"All of its enemies have not torn one hole in its holy vesture, or stolen one flower from its wonderful garden, nor diluted one drop of honey from its abundant hive, nor broken one string of its thousand-stringed harp, nor drowned one sweet word in infidel ink."
Tell God how much your life has changed because of His Word. Meet together with a group of friends or your family and discuss the ways God has ministered to you through His Word.
:angel:
APRIL 25
Free from Your Critics!
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
God loves you so much that Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood for you.
You are precious to God. You are the object of God's love. The blood of Jesus Christ was poured out on Calvary for you. Friend, if you know all that, then you can stand up against any criticism. It won't bother you what others say about you. The cross sets you free. He who died for you now lives in you. He gave Himself for you that He might give Himself to you. When Jesus Christ died for you, He didn't just take away your sins, He took away your self. You are crucified. So who can harm a dead man?
Have you felt the sting of criticism this week? Remove the stinger and bathe the wound with the balm of Jesus' love. Give your critic to the Lord. Then ask God to teach you from what happened.
:angel:
APRIL 26
Jesus Saves the Best for Last
"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." - 1 Corinthians 12:31
Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. For example, Proverbs chapter 20 verse 17 says, "The bread of deceit is sweet, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." With Satan, it always starts sweet, but it does not end that way.
Satan is a counterfeiter and a deceiver, and he is guilty of false advertising. He doesn't show the drunkard in the gutter covered with flies. He doesn't show the addict shaking uncontrollably from another night of detox. He doesn't show the ruined lives from sexually transmitted diseases. He always gives the best first and the worst last. Jesus gives the best last.
Do you have a teenager in your home? Then call a homeless shelter or prison to see if you can bring your teen for a tour.
:angel:
APRIL 27
Heaven Is Not a State of Mind
"I go to prepare a place for you." - John 14:2
Do you believe that there is a home in heaven waiting for you? There is! Because Jesus cannot lie. He is Truth incarnate. He always told the truth. He said, "if it were not so, I would have told you."
Jesus would not let the hope of heaven go on beating in your heart if it were simply a lie, a superstition, or a fond delusion. Heaven is not merely a state of mind. It is not a condition. It is a place so real that Jesus is there in a literal, resurrected body. There is a body in this place called heaven. It is His resurrected body. Heaven is a place on God's map.
Do you have a dream home? If you've never thought about what would be your perfect home, think about your heavenly home. Nothing could be more perfect!
:angel:
APRIL 28
Safe by Keeping the Law?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23
Suppose you're driving down the road and a police officer stops you for running a red light. And you say to the officer, "I ran a red light, but you have no right to give me a ticket because I stopped at all the other streets and I have obeyed the speed limit."
He responds, "Don't tell me about all the things that you've done good. You've broken the law."
If you think you're going to be saved by keeping the law, then you must keep allof it, because God demands perfection. No amount of obedience can make up for one act of disobedience. If you keep the whole law and yet offend in one point you are guilty of it all.
Read Romans 7:1 to 8:4. Can you relate to Paul's quandary about keeping the law and the war within his members concerning its requirement of absolute obedience?
:angel:
APRIL 29
The Gospel, a Truth Worth Dying For
"...we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." - John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have any merit admit that regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived!
There's no way to explain how the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here. What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that?
Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him." Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie? A man may live for a lie, but few would die for one.
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you...are you willing to die for Him?
:angel:
APRIL 30
When Your World Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." - Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what is happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we are infertile as a couple and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act. We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe!
At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
Get in a position of humility. If you can, drop to your knees. If you cannot, bow your head and close your eyes. Imagine the cross of Christ. Meditate upon the shame Christ experienced, the pain He endured, and the victory He secured in His death.
:angel:
MAY 1
They're Cheering for YOU!
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
A soft-spoken woman went to a high school football game. She'd been quiet the entire game until there was a fumble on the field. The substitute quarterback, a little scrawny kid, picked up the ball and started running past the other players toward the goal.
And this little lady exploded! She jumped up and said, "Run, baby, run! Run, baby, run!" He was her son.
That's what the saints are saying, as they watch us on the playing field of life. They are cheering us on from the heavenly grandstand to "run with patience, the race that is set before us."
Do you need a lift today? Imagine a grandstand the size of heaven cheering you on to victory!
:angel:
MAY 2
All Things May Be Lawful, But...
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." - 1 Corinthians 6:12
If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from doing the best things.
Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically it's a choice between good and best.
Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word "expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to get rid of it.
Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to lay them aside!
:angel:
MAY 3
Removing Trip-Ups from the Track
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." - 1 Corinthians 9:24
Runners not only need to untangle themselves from weights that may slow them down, but they need to also remove things from the track that may trip them up!
As a Christian, the good things in life may slow us down, but sin will stop us dead in our tracks—it will trip us up. You had better learn to treat sin as sin would treat you! Sin will be merciless to you, and you need to be merciless to sin.
2 Timothy 2:19 says "Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
Is there any unconfessed sin in your life that is tripping you up today? Pray Psalm 139:23-24.
:angel:
MAY 4
Rounding Third and Heading for Home
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
When Jesus came to the end of His life, He said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).
He stayed on the track, and so did Paul. They accomplished what God had set out for them to do.
Every man has a race that he must run. Every woman has a race set before her. God knows the course. And everything God commands of you, He will empower you to do. Whether you're nine or ninety, young or old, rich or poor, God has a plan for your life! God has a race He wants you to run!
What is the race God has set before you? If you are not certain, inquire of Him. What He asks of you, He will empower you to do. Thank God for the power to finish the course.
:angel:
MAY 5
Running With Endurance
"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit." - John 12:24
You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him. Hebrews 12:1 says we are to "run with patience the race that is set before us." And this word "patience" is not used in the sense that we use the word. It literally means "endurance."
Everybody knows that a runner is going to win or lose primarily by his endurance. You cannot quit. When it hurts, you cannot quit. When your lungs are on fire, you cannot quit. When your feet feel like lead, you cannot quit. When your sides ache, you cannot quit! You'll never be a spiritual athlete if you're a quitter! No pain. No gain.
His power will enable you to run the race and gain the victor's crown!
:angel:
MAY 6
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." - Mark 11:22
I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Okay—under the circumstances." How did you ever get there?
Circumstances are like a mattress. You're supposed to be on it, not under it. Under the circumstances, you suffocate; on them you rest pretty well.
The only way you can run the race is to take your eyes off things or people around you and look to Jesus. He's the author of the race. He's the goal to which you run. If you look to Jesus to supply your every need for the race, you'll find faith growing in your heart and in your life. You see, it's not great faith in God; it is faith in a great God.
Do you have a hymnal in your home? Find the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" by Helen Lemmel and make it your anthem!
:angel:
MAY 7
More Than Fair-Weather Christianity
"If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Timothy 2:13
Are you a fair-weather Christian? There are some who, if their children get sick, will stop tithing. If they get a bad report from the doctor, they stop praising. If somebody hurts their feelings, they stop going to church.
You can tell the commitment level of a Christian by their "fair weather" gauge.
The test is, when everything goes wrong or doesn't add up, what will you do?
I'll give you some hints. Keep giving. Keep praying. Keep praising. Keep witnessing. Keep worshipping. Don't fail to be faithful.
Think of three things you can do today to bring the light of God's Son to someone who may be struggling with his or her faith. Then go do it!
:angel:
MAY 8
Tempted, But Not Beyond What We Can Bear
"For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." - Psalm 103:14
A factory mechanic builds a truck. He knows the chassis of that truck and knows the load it can carry. In the same way, God knows your frame and He knows the load you can carry.
God is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able. Nothing comes to you but that which comes through God. Even what Satan does, he can only do as God allows it. You can say, "The temptation was so strong I couldn't overcome it," but it won't be true. God will provide a way of escape.
When you are tempted today (notice I didn't say "if" but "when"), ask God to provide a way of escape. Then trust His way and obey.
:angel:
MAY 9
Questions about the Lord's Day
Exodus 20:8 – "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Is it okay to watch television on Sunday? Is it okay to go to a ball game on Sunday? Is it okay to eat out on Sunday? Is it okay to read the newspaper on Sunday? Can I play softball on Sunday? Can I go out on a boat on Sunday? Can I go to the grocery store if we're out of milk on Sunday?
We hear questions like these all the time. But do you know what's wrong with them? You're asking the wrong man. It's not my day—it's the Lord's day. Ask Him.
Ask God, "How can I honor You on the Lord's Day so at the end of the day I can know that it was indeed Your day?"
:angel:
MAY 10
The Commandment That Comes with a Promise
"...in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." - 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"Without natural affection" literally means "without family love." If you claim to be a Christian but dishonor your parents, all you've got is a form of godliness. You don't have the real thing. Faith begins at home. If you can live for Jesus at home, you can live for Jesus anywhere. If you can't live for Jesus at home, it doesn't really matter where you try to live for Jesus.
God gave Ten Commandments, but the fifth, "Honor your father and mother," is the one with a promise: "that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live long on the earth." Before God tells us don't steal, don't kill, don't commit adultery, He tells us to honor father and mother. In my estimation, the respect and obedience a child shows his parents is a strong indication of how the child will turn out. Dwight Moody said, "I've lived 60 years, and I've learned one thing if I've learned nothing else. No man or woman who dishonors father or mother ever prospers."
:angel:
MAY 11
What Are Your Plans for Mother's Day?
"Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." - Exodus 20:12
The Bible says to "honor your father and your mother," so when we observe Mother's Day or Father's Day, we are obeying the Scripture. You can honor your father and mother three ways: Obey them when you're young, care for them when they are old, and honor them at all times. How do you give them honor?
Show them respect.
Express gratefulness. Give them thanks. Learn to develop the attitude of gratitude. Have you thanked your parents for all that they've done?
Listen to their counsel.
Show your parents love. Think of what you owe your parents. They gave you life.I'm convinced that the closest thing to God's love is the love of a mother.
Why don't you sit down and write a letter to your mother or father and tell them how grateful you are for them? I'll tell you one thing, they will read it over and over again. And when they die and you're going through their things, you'll find that letter tucked away in their most treasured possessions. Do it, rather than saying I wish that I had. And if your parents are not living, give them honor and thank God for their memory.
For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.
:angel:
MAY 12
Thanking God for Godly Mothers
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." - Exodus 20:12
One time I had the privilege of speaking with the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, about his salvation and personal relationship with Christ and prayed with him about that. He looked me in the eyes and said, "I want to tell you, my mother was the most godly person I have ever known." He then went on to tell me about her influence in his life.
Abraham Lincoln said, "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother." This time every year we celebrate our mothers. Oh, the power of a mother's love!
Do you know what children need? A – B – C:
Acceptance
Belonging
Confidence
Thank God for magnificent mothers! Thank God for the impact of godly mothers in the lives of children.
:angel:
MAY 13
Strengthening Your Wings
"How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality." - 2 Corinthians 8:2
A man watched a butterfly trying to emerge from a cocoon. Thinking that he would help, the man took his penknife and slit the side of the cocoon, and the butterfly flopped out. It lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapsed and died.
"How tragic," you say, and you are right, because God had a plan for that butterfly. The struggle to break free built the strength he would need to fly. God doesn't want you to live weakly and die feebly. He wants you to grow and mature.
Find the wings in your trial today.
Strengthen them by the promises in God's Word.
Venture on new heights of freedom in Christ today.
:angel:
MAY 14
At the End of Your Rope
"Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant... let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." - Isaiah 50:10
I have always been amazed at the advice worldly people give to someone who is hurting. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" Can you see someone dangling over a cliff, holding on to a rope, and trying to tie a knot? It takes two hands to do that!
The first thing we need to remember is "don't demand to understand." There are some things in life you and I just will never understand. When God allows darkness to overshadow your life, don't set about lighting your own fire. That's a recipe for heartache.
Trust that His light will come and wait for it. He will come. Believe it.
There's someone out there who is hurting today and needs more than a pat answer of encouragement. Give them the light of Christ.
:angel:
MAY 15
Loving Chastisement of the Father
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." - Hebrews 12:6
As a child, did you ever get a spanking you didn't deserve? Maybe now and then your dad or mom would just be in a "spanking mood," and they'd spank everyone they could get their hands on?
Talk about being indignant! There is nothing worse to a child than to realize "I got spanked, and I didn't deserve it."
You know what's funny? At that point, we never stop to think about all the times we deserved a spanking and didn't get one. Our Father is mercifully loving and graciously wise to give us what we need at all times in our lives. Sometimes we need His hand of love in comfort, and sometimes we need His hand of love in discipline.
Thank God that His hand of mercy extends to you when you don't deserve it and that His hand of discipline extends to you when you do.
:angel:
MAY 16
True Peace and Satisfaction
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." - Psalm 91:16
I was witnessing to a man one day in front of his house. He said, "I've got a good income. You see that house? It's paid for. You see that car? It's paid for. My wife is in that house. She loves me." He seemed completely satisfied.
I said, "Sir, I want to ask you a question. Will you be absolutely honest with me? Do you have peace in your heart?"
His chin started to quiver. His eyes brimmed with tears. He said, "No, I don't have peace in my heart. How did you know?"
I said, "Because the Bible says, 'There is no peace, sayeth my God, to the wicked.' These things cannot fill the longing of your heart. You need Jesus."
Pray for an opportunity to share today the peace you have in Jesus with someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
MAY 17
God Has Not Forgotten You
"And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." - Psalm 37:6
A preacher was in a church where he felt God had led him. But nothing seemed to be working out, so he wanted to go to another church.
He told a friend, "I know where God put me, and I know God put me here, but I just wonder if He remembers where He put me."
Yes, God remembers! He has not forgotten. He is never late. Don't rush God. Don't think He has abandoned you because your prayers are not answered. He will turn your midnight into a sunrise and your mourning into dancing.
Read Psalm 37:4-7 and rejoice in the hope of God's providence and provision in your life.
:angel:
MAY 18
The Mind vs. the Brain
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8
Did you know there is a difference between your mind and your brain? The brain is what the mind thinks with. The relationship of the mind and the brain is very similar to the relationship of a pianist and a piano. The piano is the brain and the pianist is the mind.
The most dangerous thing in the world is a man with a bad mind and a good brain. He is a clever devil.
When you get saved, you don't get a new brain. You get a new mind. And the god of this world will do all he can to distort your mind. Why? Because Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Dwell today on the true, the honest, the just, the pure, the lovely—think on virtue and praise. Pray for missionaries serving the Lord in other countries – that they will dwell on the truths of the Lord and that their walks will be strong and undeterred from the Lord's mission.
:angel:
MAY 19
Grateful—for We Are Blessed!
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Sometimes we complain when we shouldn't.
I remember one time driving across the country with a gentleman. At the time, all of our children were in private schools and Joyce and I were "dying of maltuition." I began complaining a little bit to the man about the great cost of sending a son to college.
He looked at me and said, "I'd give anything in the world if my son would go to college."
I thought, "Oh, what an ungrateful spirit I have!"
Do you ever complain about dirty dishes? There are lots of folks in Third World countries that would like to have some dirty dishes. We are to be thankful in all things.
Rejoice in God's blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today.
:angel:
MAY 20
Letting God Work In and Through You
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13
One of the greatest secrets I have ever learned is this: God doesn't want me to do anything for Him. He wants to do something through me.
People say, "Well, I just serve God in my poor, little, old weak way." I feel like saying, "Well, quit it. He doesn't want you to serve Him in your poor, little, old weak way. He wants you out of the way, so He can flow through you!"
We need to make ourselves available to God and say, "God, I'm tired of being inhibited. I want to be inhabited by You. I want You to live Your life through me."
Where have you been standing in the way of God instead of surrendering to God and letting Him live through you?
:angel:
MAY 21
Calling Good Evil and Evil Good
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" - Isaiah 5:20
People can become so warped in their thinking that they don't know the difference between right and wrong.
I was listening to the radio one morning, and they were talking about what scientists want to do with the tissue of aborted babies. They said that some women are thinking about having babies, aborting them, then selling the tissue for research. The scientific community is promoting this propaganda because of the good they say the research will have on the whole of humanity! But what about the whole of humanity that begins in the womb?
People today will play enough tricks on their minds that they will literally approve evil with a good conscience.
Where do you stand on this issue? What is right and what is wrong?
:angel:
MAY 22
God Will Always Answer
"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." - Jeremiah 33:3
I read about some children in a Sunday School class who wrote letters to a missionary to let him know they were praying for him. The teacher of the class said, "Now, children, the missionary is a very busy person, so don't expect him to write you back." One little girl's letter read, "Dear Brother Brown, We're praying for you. We don't expect an answer."
Sadly, this is how we pray! We don't really expect an answer. But God has promised He will answer us when we call upon His name. Psalm 91:15 says, "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him."
· What are you praying for today?
· Do you believe that God can answer?
· Do you believe that He will answer?
Then thank Him now for answering.
:angel:
MAY 23
No Offense, No Effect
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." - Matthew 10:34
A pulpit committee approached me one time and said, "We need a pastor for our church."
I said, "I know just the guy. He is a fantastic preacher and has a fiery evangelistic spirit, but he has health problems and he's kind of old." I continued, "He's also been in jail several times."
They began to shake their heads, and one said, "Well, we don't know whether he's the man we want or not."
I said, "Well, don't worry; you couldn't get him. He's already in heaven, and his name is Paul."
You don't want a guy who can rub shoulders with the people of this world and not rub any salt in their wounds. Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
Pray for the men who occupy the pulpits in our churches that they would not water down the truth of God's Word, but be strong to proclaim its power.
:angel:
MAY 24
Proving God in Finances
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." - Malachi 3:10
You can say all you want about getting right with God, but if you don't get right with God in your finances, you are not right with God. The kind of repentance that does not reach the bank account, has never reached the heart.
In Malachi 3:7, God says, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you." And the people said, "Wherein shall we return?" God's answer in verse 8 reveals that they were to return in tithes and offerings.
The point of return is the point of departure. If you're going to come back to God and if you're going to renew your fellowship, you're going to have to begin with the tithe.
It's time to put the good book to the checkbook!
How are you doing in the area of your tithes and offerings to the Lord?
:angel:
MAY 25
Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:14
A little boy was trying to roll a rock as his father watched from a distance. The boy was heaving and sighing, but he couldn't turn the stone over.
His dad with a smile said, "Son, are you using all of your strength?" He said, "Yes, Daddy, I'm using all my strength." And the father said, "No, you're not, because you haven't asked me to help you. My strength is your strength."
Sometimes we wrestle with problems and say, "I don't know what to do." Our Father wants us to say, "I've run out of my strength," and run to His. He is there.
There is no problem too big for Jesus to solve.
Do you believe that? I hope so.
Is there a problem too big for you to solve? Give it to Jesus. He can handle it.
:angel:
MAY 26
The Heavens, a Testimony of Creator God
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
Can intellectuals believe in God? Absolutely! Many intellectuals believe in God. As a matter of fact, your intellect has very little to do with your belief in God.
Out of all of the secular professional groups, do you know what professional group has the highest number of believers in God? The astronomers do. Over 90% of the world's great astronomers believe in God. Why? Because they have studied the heavens.
It's not a sign of intelligence not to believe in God. If you're intelligent, you have to say, "Somebody created all of this."
Take a walk with your family under the canopy of the night sky. Praise God for His handiwork in the heavens.
:angel:
MAY 27
Remembering Our Heroes
"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place." - Exodus 13:3
Each year, Americans remember those brave-hearted souls who fought and gave their lives so that you and I would have the rights and privileges of living in a free country.
Remembering is important. In fact, God instructs His people on many occasions in the Old Testament to remember from whence they came and to remember His providence.
It is by the mighty hand of God that we are saved, we are protected, and we are free to live in the Land of the Brave. Never take that freedom for granted, my friend. It is a precious commodity for which the world hungers. And it is a powerful charge for you and me to protect.
Do you know of someone in your life who has served in the armed forces of this country? Make a point this week to express to them your gratitude for their service.
:angel:
MAY 28
Putting the Emphasis on the Eternal
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." - John 6:35
Sometimes people in large churches get a lot of grief from "the world" because of the great expenses of building and maintaining their church. I've heard, "Why didn't they take that money and feed the poor?"
Here's my answer, "People need Jesus." The social gospel thinks all men need is food. If I had five billion dollars and bought everybody on earth a meal, in several hours they'd all be hungry again.
There's nothing wrong with feeding the poor. We ought to do that. But the social gospel puts an emphasis on what is temporary. The true gospel puts the emphasis upon what is eternal. Folks need more than soup and soap, they need salvation.
Think about ways that you can get involved with the need to feed, clothe, and house the homeless. Then find the open door to feed them with the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.
:angel:
MAY 29
Secure in the Arms of Jesus
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." - Acts 16:31
A Christian is not somebody who merely believes that Christ died for his sins. The devil believes that. A Christian is somebody who has repented of his sins and invited Christ into his heart to be his Savior and Lord.
You can intellectually believe that an airplane can fly, but in order to fly you must try out its wings. In the same way, when you give your heart to Jesus Christ, He takes control of your life and begins to make you into the person He wants you to be.
Your life doesn't have to be absolutely perfect for you to go to heaven. At the moment you trust Christ as your personal Savior, you are eternally saved, eternally secure, and God begins to work on you.
Isn't it wonderful to know you are saved? Now, spread the word of that assurance to a neighbor today.
:angel:
MAY 30
Are You Looking Through the Right Eyeglasses?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
People join churches today with wrong expectations. They think church membership guarantees blessings and no burdens. Some think that God is just a heavenly cafeteria. And if it doesn't work out as they wish, they say, "Well, it's not paying off! I thought if I gave my heart to Jesus, then He would supply everything I want. And I'd have no more worries."
People fall away because their expectations are not met. Let me tell you what real faith is. Real faith is not just receiving from God the things you want. Real faith is accepting from God the things He gives.
How are your spiritual eyeglasses? Are you looking at life with the eyes of the Lord? And trusting that He will provide, not necessarily what you want, but what you need?
:angel:
MAY 31
Jesus, the Bridge Spanning the Great Divide
"And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." - Ephesians 2:16
Up in heaven is the holy God.
Down below is the sinful man.
And sin is the dividing rod that separates.
Without God, man has an empty void in his life he knows he must fill, so man is constantly trying to reach God. But he keeps rebounding off the sin barrier.
Then God, moved in mercy by the pitiful plight of sinful man, said, "I will do something."
God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to make a way. And upon the rough-hewn timbers of a cross, Jesus gave His life so you and I could live forever and live forgiven. Jesus built a bridge between man and God. It's a bridge man could never build. And a bridge that man can never take away.
God made a way that we couldn't make . . . for me . . . and for you.
Since Jesus built a bridge of love for you to be reconciled to God, it's your turn to build a bridge of love to someone who is lost and searching.
:angel:
JUNE 1
Character—It's An Inside Job
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." - Proverbs 20:7
This world says if we could just arrange conditions where we never have any sorrow, pain, or hurts, then we could change men. If we can change conditions we can change character. But the Bible teaches just the opposite.
The world puts the emphasis on condition—God puts the emphasis on character. Someone has well said you can't purify the water by painting the pump. And yet that's what we try to do. We think that if we can change the exterior or make conditions such that we never have any hurts, then we're going to be okay. But, Jesus put the emphasis upon character. Upon what you are, not what you have.
Is there someone in your life you admire? Someone who is a person of integrity? Praise God for His work in that person's life and give him or her a word of encouragement.
:angel:
JUNE 2
Praying from the Heart—Not on Auto-Pilot
"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." - Matthew 6:7
It was a very long, tiring day. I had preached three sermons and dictated a stack of letters. And at the close of each letter I ended it, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers."
A man came to me at the end of a service and said, "I must see you. I have a severe problem." I was bone weary but I said, "Very well, come on back and let's talk."
We talked and I listened. My heart was moved with compassion. I said, "Let me pray for you." And when I finished I said, "In Jesus' name, Adrian Rogers." And then I thought, "Oh my! Did I say that? Did he hear me say that?" How easy we slip and rattle off our prayers.
Do you find yourself using repetitive phrases in your prayer life? Today, just talk with God. Don't think too much about your words. Follow your heart.
:angel:
JUNE 4
The Lesson of Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10
Some time ago I was invited to preach in another state, but my schedule was such that I couldn't arrange it. When they offered to send a private plane, I could do it.
As we flew over Arkansas, the pilot asked me if I wanted to try my hand at flying the plane, and I said, "Yes!"
Of course, he was sitting right next to me. He could fly the plane without me, but I couldn't fly it without him. He had his hands on his controls all the while, and he allowed me to participate with him.
That's the way prayer is. God can do it without you, but God enables you to have fellowship with Him and teaches you a dependency upon Him through prayer.
Kneel before Him today. Meditate on 1 Chronicles 16:23-36. Glory in His presence:
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. 24 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. 25 For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.
:angel:
JUNE 5
Put on the Righteousness of Christ
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." - Colossians 3:12
Sometimes people will ask if I'm a preacher.
How do they know I'm a preacher before I've said anything "spiritual"?
I don't want them to know that I am a preacher by the way I look. Now, I'm not ashamed that I'm a preacher, but I think a preacher ought to dress and act so that nobody will suspect he's a preacher. We ought to be transparent vessels of the Lord's anointing.
We're not posturing, posing, or somehow going through life trying to look holy or trying to act holy. We just simply are what we are by the grace of God.
What does your outer appearance say about who you are in Christ? Dress in His robes of righteousness and His countenance of glory today.
:angel:
JUNE 6
The Master Designer
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." - Matthew 5:18
How did it happen? How did the Bible get written apart from divine inspiration?
Suppose we decided to build a monument to the 50 states in Washington and use native stone from each state. We would hammer out the stones from individual quarries in each state.
Then, ship them.
Uncrate them.
Then fit the stones together.
As the stones were assembled, we discovered that there was not one stone too many. Not one stone too few. When completed, we had a magnificently symmetrical monument.
The only answer to this perfection is that there was a master architect who designed everything. In the same way, you cannot explain the unity of the Bible apart from divine inspiration.
Praise God for His Master Design of the universe — of the stars, the planets, the skies, the seas...and you!
:angel:
JUNE 7
The Treasure We Have in Jesus Christ
"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Colossians 2:3
Many years ago, the Spanish Armada was sailing off the coast of Florida. A hurricane struck, and the ships laden with gold and silver ingots sunk to the bottom. People knew the treasure had been lost and believed one ship went down near Vero Beach in Fort Pierce, Florida. Fishermen fished over that spot, sometimes doubtless hanging a hook on a lump of gold.
One day some explorers went diving, and there it was in the shallow water. In fact the water was so shallow that any of us could have swum to the bottom and brought up millions of dollars. In the same way, I believe there are many of us yet to discover the full treasure we have in Jesus Christ.
Have you plunged your heart deep into the treasure of the Lord? Or are you living life in the shallow end, wondering if the treasure will ever come to you?
:angel:
JUNE 8
What's at the Heart
"Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." - Psalm 51:6
Have you ever gone to a sawmill and watched them process timber? They take a big log out of the woods that may have bumps and knots on it, and they lay it on a cradle, running it through a saw, cutting off one side. Then they bring it back, turn it, and run it through again to cut off another side. When they're finished, if you stand and look down it, it's perfectly straight. But if you look at the end of it, the heart is still crooked. That's the way it is with some individuals who are outwardly living the Christian life. But Jeremiah 17:9 warns the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. We need regeneration. We must be born again.
Read Psalm 19:14—
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."
Pray it from your heart—that today you would desire with everything within you to be pure in thought, word, and deed.
:angel:
JUNE 9
Believing In the Living God
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." - 1 John 5:9
I've been asked, "Pastor Rogers, do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That's not enough for me."
I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.
God says, "If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true."
Don't tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Read Deuteronomy 4:29—
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart.
:angel:
JUNE 10
Discovering His Will for Your Life
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." - Philippians 3:13
Nehemiah was a man who knew how to get alone with God. He fasted, prayed, and wept; then God told him what to do.
Have you done that? Have you sacrificed and surrendered to the Lord to discover His will for your life? Or are you just putting yourself into neutral and letting life happen to you? Do you have a focus?
God has something that He wants you to do. You are special to God. Nehemiah said, "God had laid something on my heart." If you'll listen, God will lay something on your heart.
Get alone with God this week. Discover what He wants from your life to do His will.
:angel:
June 11
Working Together In Unity
"For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." - 1 Corinthians 3:9
How powerful it is when we work together in unity! I was reading about how Canadian geese always fly in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why? Because the lead goose is moving the wind resistance for the rest of them. So while he is flapping real hard, the rest of them are cruising. After awhile, the lead goose gets tired and he falls back and the next goose moves up.
Do you know what scientists have discovered in the wind tunnel experiments? That geese flying in a "V" formation can fly 72% farther than one goose could fly by himself. Now who taught them to do that? God did.
What are you trying to do by yourself that could be more efficiently accomplished when the task is shared?
:angel:
June 12
Overcoming Fear and Worry
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
When we ought to be enjoying victorious, abundant lives...what happens? Fear creeps in and grips us cold. Many of us lose priceless opportunities because of this boa constrictor of fear.
When fear dominates, there is no room for Christ, Who can comfort us.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(John 16:33).
Worry is the noxious first cousin to fear. Fear and worry will do to you what grit does to machinery — shut you down. But God gives us the victory with His power, His love, and the gift of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is your Bodyguard. He walks with you. The man who can kneel before God can stand before any man.
Jesus has you in His sight. You are in God's right hand. Write that down and post it in a place where you can meditate on it throughout the day. Now, ask yourself, "Knowing this, can anything this week change those truths?"
:angel:
June 13
Train Up A Child
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
A little boy was riding around and around the block. A man asked him, "What are you doing?"
"I'm running away from home," he said.
"But you're just going around and around the block," said the man.
The little boy responded, "That's because my mom won't let me cross the street!"
Even in the earliest ages, there can be restraint in the heart of a child because of godly training by his or her parents. The only way I ever learned to play football was on the training field. The classroom wasn't enough. Parents must provide training and education for the lessons of life to be ingrained in their children.
Has God given you the divine responsibility of parenthood? Then, spend some time this week to train your child in one area of godly living.
:angel:
June 14
Should We Bring Children Into Such a Chaotic World?
"As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." - Psalm 127:4-5
I would be afraid to bring children into this world if I did not know God. But because I know God, I am free to encourage you to have children.
Don't ever let the devil intimidate you. I've had couples ask me, "Pastor Rogers, the world is so dangerous today, do you think that we ought to have children?"
I respond with a hearty "Yes!"
God's people are the ones who ought to be bringing a godly seed into this world. What does the world need? Jesus. How are they going to hear if the light goes out?
Are you contemplating having children? Do you know someone who is? Encourage them with this devotional today.
:angel:
June 15
Faithful in Your Words
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." – James 5:12
In June we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many of them harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go and say to them with a remorseful spirit, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Then ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.
:angel:
June 16
A Challenge for Fathers
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders." - Proverbs 31:23
Once a year we celebrate fathers. Maybe you are one. Let me give you a challenge. One father said,
"If I had it to do all over again, I'd love my wife more in front of my children. I'd laugh with my children more. I'd listen more, even to the youngest child. I'd be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection. I would pray differently for my children. I would be more encouraging and bestow more praise. And finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to God."
Praise God for the impact of godly fathers in our lives!
If there's going to be music in marriage, the dad has to be the leader of the band. Celebrate the dad in your life today!
:angel:
June 17
Our Abba Father
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." - Galatians 4:6
Do you know what "Abba" means? It means "Daddy Father." Have you ever thought about God as your Daddy? When Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father" in Matthew 6:9, the same word in Greek is the word "Pater" – "Abba Father."
American children say, "Da-da." But in the Middle East they say, "Abba - Abba." Jesus says that we can call the great God of the universe "Daddy."
I'm so glad that our Heavenly Father never gets too busy running this universe and commanding the angels that He forgets us. He wants to be with you like there is no one else on earth and nothing else for Him to do.
Do you wish you had a hug right now? You can crawl up into the lap of your Daddy Father and He has nothing better to do than to give you a hug.
:angel:
June 18
Without Even Saying A Word
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." - Psalm 32:8
I was talking to my son one day, and he reminded me of something that happened when he was a little boy. He said, "Dad, I was sitting in church, and you looked at me, and I knew I was going to get a whipping when I got home."
If you're married, you know how your spouse can give you that look that says, "Whatever you're talking about — stop!" That's the intimate relationship that people who know one another well establish. You're to have such an intimate relationship with God that He can just look at you and your heart is touched.
Throughout the day today, think of the eye of the Lord upon you...allow this to direct your steps and give you courage.
:angel:
June 19
God's Plan of Restoration for Your Life
"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." - Job 33:28
On the night of Jesus' arrest, Peter denied Jesus — three times! In spite of Peter's lack of loyalty, Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to him and said, "Come and dine."
There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration. Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship — a kaleidoscope of emotions! He could not believe that he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before. And not only was he being invited but restored!
The depth of Jesus' covenant love is not exhausted when we sin. There is forgiveness and restoration.
Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19. Rejoice over God's plan of restoration for your life.
:angel:
June 20
Never Another Like the Lord Jesus Christ
"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands." - Hebrews 1:10
Nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, and yet His birth has divided all of history to A.D. and B.C. He never, so far as we know, wrote a book, and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person. He never painted a picture or composed any poetry or music that we know of, and yet He has been the inspiration of the greatest music, art, and poetry that the world has ever known. He never had any formal education, yet more schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries have been founded in His name than any other person who ever lived.
That's who the Lord Jesus is, and never has there been another like the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read Hebrews 1:1-14. Marvel at His majesty! Praise His omnipotence!
:angel:
June 21
God's Holiness, Love and Mercy
"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
God will never overlook sin. He cannot. God is holy, and by His holiness He has sworn that sin will be punished. If God were to let one half of one sin go unpunished, God would no longer be holy.
The chief attribute of God is not love — it is holiness.
The cross is God's way to punish sin and forgive the sinner at the same time. "He who knew no sin," God has made to be sin for us. The price that Jesus paid, only the damned in hell can begin to know, but even they'll never know because they're only paying their sin debt. Jesus paid for all the sin of all of the people for all time.
Read Revelation 4:8. Let your anthem throughout the day be, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
:angel:
JUNE 22
Nothing Less Than God's Optimum for Your Life
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11
Do you love Christ? Do you long to please Him with all your heart? Then remember this: God's delays are not God's denials.
Many a Christian feels he is out in the wilderness — that all he is doing is being led about in circles. Maybe God is grooming you. He is not ready to thrust you into heavy responsibilities as yet. He has you in a holding pattern for His holy purpose. Life is a journey that does not end. God is preparing something wonderful for you. He doesn't want you to settle for less than His optimum for your life and your work.
Commit Jeremiah 29:11-13 to memory this week, then share this truth with a friend!
:angel:
JUNE 23
Where Is Your Treasure?
". . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:21
There are many people who think they are wealthy who are not. We've seen the television series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and many times it should be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Foolish."
When is a rich man poor? When he tries to find satisfaction in his money. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
A man of modest income said to a man who was very rich, "I have more than you have." The rich man said, "How is that so?" He anwered, "Because I have all I want, and you don't."
When you set your goal to be wealthy, then money becomes your master rather than your servant. What is your goal with your finances?
:angel:
JUNE 24
Complete Confidence in the Lord
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
There must be complete confidence in the Lord to take care of us because this complete confidence will lead to constant compliance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us we are to trust with all our heart (not just part of it), and we're to acknowledge Him in all our ways (not just some of our ways).
God won't take part of it. You can't say, "Lord, I want Your will in my social life, but I don't want Your will in my business life." Or, "I want Your will in my church life, but I don't want Your will in my relationships." You just can't do that. If He's worth part of it He's worth all of it.
What are you holding onto today? Give it all to Jesus. Instant obedience will bring incredible blessing.
:angel:
JUNE 25
The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." - 1 Peter 3:18
Suppose someone were to punch you in the nose? And suppose in an act of compassion you were to say to that person who punched you, "I forgive you." And suppose they responded, "There's no need for you to forgive me. I've already forgiven myself." You'd feel a little cheated. Only the one who was punched can forgive the hitter.
Sin is a clenched fist in the face of God, and only God can forgive sin. There's enough Gospel dynamite in 1 Peter 3:18 to blow the sin, the hatred, the sorrow, and the sickness out of anybody's life, but that dynamite must be ignited by the spark of faith.
Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Maybe someone from whom you need to ask forgiveness? Go do it now. Tomorrow may never come.
:angel:
JUNE 26
God's Provision in the Midst of Suffering
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." - Revelation 3:20
Over and over again, people will ask me this question, "If there is a God, why is there so much suffering?" There's never an easy answer to that question when someone is grieving or suffering, but God has taught me that the universe has a disease. And God cannot remove the pain until the last vestige of sin is gone. The worst thing that could happen to human beings would be for us to live in a world cursed by sin, and yet the world seem to be a paradise. We would never come to God.
God has showered this world with immeasurable mercies. Focus today, not on the suffering, but on the provision of God's grace.
:angel:
JUNE 27
Christianity, More Than a Creed or Code
"...and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21
Are Christians fools for believing in Jesus? Are we serving a false God? If you go to the tomb of Confucius, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Buddha, you'll find it's occupied. If you go to the tomb of Jesus, you'll find it empty. He is a risen Savior. Now that's very important, because you can take Confucius out of Confucianism and still have Confucianism, and you can take Buddha out of Buddhism and still have Buddhism. But you cannot take Jesus Christ out of Christianity and still have Christianity because Christianity is not a code. It's not a creed. It's not a cause. It is Christ Himself.
You have a hope that the world needs to hear about. Who can you share that hope with today?
:angel:
JUNE 28
Being Spirit-Filled
"...Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" - Acts 9:6
So many Christians want to be Spirit-filled, but have they ever asked why God should fill them with His Spirit?
I want you to imagine a man pushing a car into a service station. It has no battery in it. The car has four flat tires, a hole in the gas tank, and half the wires are disconnected. The attendant comes out, looks at this rattle trap, and says, "May I help you?"
The man says, "Yeah, fill 'er up."
What do you think that attendant would say? "What for?" would be appropriate.
I think God sometimes says, "What for?" to us. Instead, we need to just sign the contract at the bottom and say, "Lord, You fill it in."
Bow before the Lord, open your hands, and say, "Lord, It's all You. I am nothing but a vessel for You to use. Use me as You will."
:angel:
JUNE 29
Authority in a Generation Gone Astray
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." - Romans 13:1
Our generation doesn't like the word authority. We don't like to be under anybody. We stick out our chests and talk about being free-born Americans.
If you're a baby boomer, you're of a generation of anti-authority figures. In your lifetime you've gone through the hula hoop, the Barbie doll, pop psychology, Dr. Spock, Donahue, and the Beatles. It was all anti-authority! Fathers were Archie Bunker. Preachers were Flip Wilson. The anthem was, "Do your thing. If it feels good, do it." Many of us dare not realize the vestiges of rebellion that still lurk down in our hearts.
Give some serious thought to the question: Who is on the throne of my life today?
:angel:
JUNE 30
One Way to Salvation
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
Materialism says, "Buy your way out." The politician says, "Legislate." The army says, "Fight." Industry says, "Work." The philosopher says, "Think." But Jesus says, "There's no way out but through Me."
Jesus will save you by His grace, and He'll save you all by Himself or you won't be saved at all.
When you are saved by the grace of God, you are saved instantly, and you are saved eternally. Your goodness is not enough to save you, and your badness is not enough to keep you away. Jesus loves you so much that He died to save you.
Have you taken Jesus at His Word and followed His way of salvation? Maybe you have a friend who needs this truth today. Share it; don't suppress it.
:angel:
JULY 1
Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8
A man named Solomon Peas died. His tombstone in London reads:
"Beneath these clouds and beneath these trees
Lies the body of Solomon Peas.
But this ain't Peas - it's just the pod.
Peas shelled out and went to God."
I like that. That's what your body is. It's just a pod. What happens to a child of God who has trusted Christ as his personal Savior? When he closes his eyes in this life, he opens them in the next. Jesus did not say, "After two or three thousand years, you'll be with Me in paradise." Jesus said, "Today, truly, you'll be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Are you confident that, if you died today, you'd be with Jesus in paradise? If not, then confess your sins and believe upon His name to save you. Now, go and tell someone!
:angel:
JULY 2
This World Is Not My Home
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God." - Colossians 3:1
First Peter 2:11 says that we are aliens and strangers in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people, and we're going to find ourselves going against the tide most of the time.
It's like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren't linked to his life supply above. That's the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life.
The Bible says we're not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1)
It's time to check your lifeline...are you trusting in anything in this world? Are you making friends with the things of this world?
:angel:
JULY 3
Bringing Up Godly Children in an Ungodly World
"O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works." - Psalm 71:17
Satan is on a killing spree — he wants to kill our memory and set us awash in the sea of forgetfulness without any recollection of our Christian heritage as a nation.
Tragically, he's aiming his artillery at our children, and particularly in the place where they used to grow in the knowledge of good things — the public school. Prayer is out. Police are in. Bibles are out. Values clarification is in. The Ten Commandments are out. Social engineering is in. Creation is out. Evolution is in. History is out. Revisionism is in. God says we need to remember the generation to come.
You have an important job — to influence the lives of those who will come after you. Teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord and against the tide of the world.
:angel:
JULY 4
Remembering Our Spiritual and Political Heritage
"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." - Psalm 78:7
On June 8, 1845, Andrew Jackson said, "The Bible is the rock upon which our Republic rests." Just a few years prior, in 1820, another of our forefathers, Daniel Webster, said, "Let us not forget the religious character of our origin." In the days of our founding fathers, people didn't quibble about the Bible's importance. Our forefathers brought hither their high veneration for the Christian religion, being journeyed in its light and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate, listen to, and infuse its influence through all their institutions: civil, political, and literary.
American heritage is important, but so is your personal spiritual heritage as a believer and as a family. Why not take some time this week to write down the spiritual heritage of your family?
:angel:
JULY 5
Jesus Lives Forevermore
"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." - Revelation 1:18
I went to see Lenin's tomb when I was in Moscow. He is sealed in a crystal case. You can see his waxen face and his trimmed beard, and on that tomb these words are written: "He was the greatest leader of all peoples of all countries of all times. He was the lord of the new humanity. He was the savior of the world."
Do you notice it's all past tense? He was. Jesus is alive. He is the great I AM. It is an encounter with the living Christ that makes the difference in our lives. We serve a Savior who is alive and listening to our every prayer. He is bottling every tear and rejoicing with every victory.
Thank God for His plan of love that sent His Son to die for you. Praise Him that Jesus lives forevermore!
:angel:
JULY 6
Surrender First
". . . now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." - Romans 6:19
After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. Dressed in all his regalia, the admiral approached Nelson to surrender. With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander.
Lord Nelson stepped back and said, "Your sword first."
There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, "Your sword first." Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender.
Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word "yield" is written. What does Paul want us to yield?
:angel:
JULY 7
Only One Life Ever Lived to Perfection
"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8
There has never been a man like the Lord Jesus. I was deeply stirred by these words, written by John Phillips about Jesus:
"He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid. . . He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary."
If you're looking for a hero, let me suggest mine. His name is Jesus.
:angel:
JULY 8
Are You in the Secret Service?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." - Romans 1:16
Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you?
A little boy had a dog, and someone asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, "Well, he's a police dog." The friend said, "He doesn't look like a police dog." The little guy replied, "He's in the secret service."
I'm afraid there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others.
:angel:
JULY 9
Not Allowing Past Sins to Silence Our Witness
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
A young preacher was called out of a life of sin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in the pulpit one day, he received a note in which someone had written all his past sins. In addition it read, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? And you're up there telling people to get right with God!"
Do you know what the young preacher did? He read that note, bowed his head in prayer, stood up and said, "Ladies and gentleman I have received a note, and here is what it says." Then, in front of that whole crowd, he read every one of those sins. Then he said this: "Yes, I am ashamed of myself, but I am not ashamed of my Savior!"
What are some past sins in your life that are holding you back from fully proclaiming God's power to others? Confess them and bury them in His sea of forgetfulness.
:angel:
JULY 10
Ready to Give an Answer
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." - 1 Peter 3:15
Sometimes during an interview a reporter may ask me, "Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?" If I say, "Yes," then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, "No," then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ who died for the sins of all people. So, how do I answer?
I say, "Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn't matter whether he's a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That's why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ."
What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.
:angel:
JULY 11
Real Faith: What It Is—What It's Not
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1
It's faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not.
· Faith is not a hunch.
· Faith is not positive thinking.
· Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders.
· Faith is not believing that God can do something.
Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is deaf to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need.
What kind of faith do you have? Do you have the faith that is small as a mustard seed, but can move a mountain? Ask God for it today.
:angel:
JULY 12
The Forgiveness of the King
"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." - Romans 4:7
There was a king who asked slaves on a ship, "Why are you in chains?" One replied, "I don't know. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed. I am innocent." He asked another who said, "I am not guilty, but am a victim of false witnesses." The king proceeded to ask each man the same question and each had a reason why he was innocent. That is, until one man responded, "I am here because I deserve to be here. I have sinned against my God and against my king. And now I am paying the penalty."
The king stepped back and said, "What are you doing here among so many honest men? Guards, release him!"
Not until we admit our sin are we going to know the mercy and the forgiveness of the King. Bow before Him today and admit you are lost without Him.
:angel:
JULY 13
Restore Such a One
"If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." - Galatians 6:1
As a young boy in Florida, I loved to collect coconuts and sell them. One day while up a tree, I was using my right hand to disconnect a coconut when the palm frond let go. I fell on the grass, but my left arm fell on the sidewalk. It was a bad situation. My brother was there, and he saw what happened to me.
As I was lying there, having fallen, what did I need? Well, I didn't need a lecture. I didn't need my brother to go around to the community and say, "Did you hear about Adrian?" I didn't need for him to come along and shoot me to put me out of my misery. What I needed was restoration.
Do you have a brother or a sister in Christ who is overtaken with a fault? If so, go and restore him; restore her.
:angel:
July 14
You Are Valuable—Because You Are Loved!
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
Grace is the most beautiful word in the Bible other than Jesus. Grace is why God loves us when there is nothing lovely about us. We are not loved because we are valuable. We are valuable because we are loved. 1 John 4:10 says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." That, friend, is God's amazing grace. We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I love Him for His grace. It is all Jesus. It's not the church. It's not good deeds. Amazing grace is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you. He died for you.
Thank God for the justification you have through Jesus Christ. Thank God for the grace He has abundantly given you.
:angel:
JULY 15
Freedom from the Bondage of Sin
"Therefore, as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." - Romans 5:18
One day Abraham Lincoln was in a slave market and saw a beautiful young slave girl being auctioned. Lecherous men were bidding on her, so Lincoln began to bid. Finally, she was sold to Lincoln. He took the certificate of sale and handed it to her saying, "You're free."
She asked, "What do you mean, free?" He said, "You are free." She said, "Free to do what I want to do?" He said, "Yes." "Free to say what I want to say?" He said, "Yes." "Free to go where I want to go?" He said, "Yes." She said, "Then I am going with you."
Friend, Jesus made you free. You have been redeemed by His precious blood. And in gratitude, your life is to be devoted to Him.
Do you know someone who is in bondage to sin today? Share with them the free, redeeming love of Jesus Christ.
:angel:
JULY 16
In Collusion or Collision?
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." - Romans 8:16
A farmer and his farmhand went duck hunting. The farmer said to his friend, "You're always talking about fighting with the devil. I'm not a Christian, and I never have to fight with the devil."
The farmhand answered, "Boss, if you and I shot two ducks, one was wounded and one was dead, which one would you go after first?"
The farmer said, "Well, I guess the wounded duck."
"That's right. The devil knows you're a dead duck."
If the devil doesn't bother you, it's because he doesn't have to bother you since you and he are traveling in the same direction. If you turned around, you'd have a collision with him. Right now, you are in collusion with him.
Are you a child of God? Then praise Him that He has given you the power over Satan and placed you on the pathway to see Him face to face
:angel:
JULY 17
The Fire of Affliction
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18
God wants to build spiritual steel and rock-solid faith into you. And the way He will do this is through the fire of affliction. Why? To test you. The faith that can't be tested, can't be trusted.
The times I have grown the most were not when everything was going fine. The times when we go through sorrow, pressure, and trouble are the growing pains of our lives with Christ. Isn't that true? Someone wrote these lines,
"I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way.
But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she.
But oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me."
Are you in the fire of affliction? Trust that He will see you through and make you stronger when the test is over
:angel:
JULY 18
Doubting Our Salvation
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life." - 1 John 5:13
A woman told the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody, "I've been saved twenty-five years, and I've never had one single doubt."
He responded, "Madam, I doubt you've been saved."
That would be like a couple saying they've been married 50 years and never had an argument. I'd say, "I doubt you've been married."
We all have doubts. You see, doubt is to your spirit what pain is to your body. It is a signal that something is wrong. And just as you seek to find a remedy for your pain, you should seek to find a remedy for your doubts. Jesus is your remedy. Get into His Word and know the assurance of your salvation. It's not you, it's Jesus that makes it possible.
Are you doubting your salvation? Then run to Jesus. Soak yourself in these truths from God's Word:
· Romans 10:13,
· Ephesians 2:1-10
· Titus 3:5.
We also invite you to read "You Can Be Sure" at lwf.org.
:angel:
July 19
Grumbling or Grateful?
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." - Psalm 100:4
One day a preacher was riding on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything – the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service.
The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, "And what does your wife do?"
The man replied, "Oh, she's in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness."
You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us.
Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful.
:angel:
JULY 20
A Chain of Ten Links
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." - James 2:10
So many people have the idea that God is going to grade on the curve. We say to ourselves, "We're bad, but we're not as bad as so-and-so."
But God doesn't grade on a curve. He grades on an absolute standard of holiness. Can anybody say that they've kept all of God's Ten Commandments? Of course not. But let's suppose you had only broken one. What would happen? Well, let me illustrate. If a man was dangling over a fire by a chain of ten links and nine of those links were made of forged steel and one was made of crepe paper, what would happen?
Use this illustration with someone today as a testimony of God's mercy in sending His Son for the salvation of all mankind.
:angel:
JULY 21
Strong Faith Glorifies God
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust." - Psalm 18:2
Do you know the greatest thing you could do to give God glory? It's not to give a million dollars. It's not to give your body to be burned. It's not to go overseas as a missionary.
The greatest thing you could do to glorify God is to believe God. Faith says, "God, You are trustworthy." Don't just sing about your belief in a great God or pray about your belief in a great God or even read about your belief in a great God. You must believe Him. A strong faith glorifies God!
Meditate on the names of God today: Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bright and Morning Star, Dayspring, The Good Shepherd, Messiah, Alpha and Omega. We also invite you to read more about the Names of God.
:angel:
JULY 22
Mountains Need Moving
"Jesus answered and said...if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." - Matthew 21:21
When a nation loses its ability to discern morality, it embarks on a slippery slope toward self-destruction, especially when it comes to basic sexual morality.
When a nation turns its back on the commands of God, He will say, "That's the last step. I wash My hands. You asked for it. You got it."
Americais in a crisis, and unless we have a moral rebirth, we will join the graveyard of the nations—it's time to wake up. Time is passing—it's time to look up. Jesus is coming—it's time to sober up. Satan is working—it's time to pray up. Mountains need moving.
Ask the Lord to heal our land, forgiving the iniquities of the wicked by bringing salvation to their souls.
:angel:
JULY 23
Jesus Paid It All
"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). - Ephesians 2:5
Suppose your best friend offered to buy you a new car. You tell him that you can't accept it outright and offer to help pay for the car. Then you say, "Here's a quarter. Thank you!"
Now you're driving around, and somebody compliments you on your new car. You say, "Thanks! My friend and I bought this car."
Wouldn't that be ridiculous? Well, that's what we're doing with God when we add our two bits-worth of self-effort to His grace. If you do that, you take the glory from Almighty God. When you get to heaven, all you're going to be able to say is, "Jesus paid it all."
Spend some time reading Ephesians 2 today and praise God for His divine plan of salvation.
:angel:
JULY 24
The Enduring Word of the Lord
"The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever." - 1 Peter 1:24-25
Many centuries ago there was a Roman emperor named Diocletian who was known for his hatred of Christianity. He hated the Bible so much that he took a Bible and burned it. Then on top of that burned Bible he erected a monument.
Chiseled on that monument were these words:
"Extincto nomini christianorum" — "The name of Christian is extinct."
Over the years many like Diocletian have sought to eradicate the Bible and Christianity, but for naught. The Bible is the incorruptible Word of God, and the foul breath of time and the gnawing tooth of decay cannot destroy the Word of God!
Purchase a Bible this week for the sole purpose of giving it away. Then ask God to find that special someone for you to give it to.
:angel:
JULY 25
The Penetrating Power of the Word of God
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." - Hebrews 4:12
I have found that when you don't apologize for the Bible but accept and teach the Bible, it goes through the devil's lies like a white-hot cannonball through a crate of eggs.
There is power in the Word of God, and Satan does not want you to understand the authority of the Word of God. He doesn't want you to get the power that will divert his fiery attacks away from your heart — his prime target. When the Word of the Lord and the Lord of the Word become your authority, then Satan and all of his demonic forces will flee, and you are going to have authority for your life.
How is the Word of God penetrating your heart? Are you even allowing it to do so? Take a few minutes and ask God to begin a mighty work in you through the power of His Word.
:angel:
JULY 26
Charting Our Course by His Word
"But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him." - 1 John 2:5
The word "keepeth" in 1 John is a derivative of a word that sailors used years ago to refer to their practice of steering their course by "keeping" the stars.
This did not mean, of course, that a sailor would not be blown off course or that he might not over-steer. It didn't mean that he might not nod at the wheel or somehow be distracted, or fail to keep a perfect chart. But the goal, the aim, the desire, and the controlling principle in his life were those stars. He knew that in them he could find direction to his destination.
In the same way, John says God's commandments are to be the standard by which you and I chart our courses in life.
What is determining your steps today? God's Word? Or your word?
:angel:
JULY 27
Failure Is Not Final
"O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful." - Psalm 31:23
Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth were two of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ty Cobb was known for his record number of stolen bases, and Babe Ruth was known for his record number of home runs. What you may not know is that Ty Cobb was also thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases. And Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in baseball! These fellows didn't let their failures stop them, and neither should you!
Fix your goal.
Face your faults.
Forget your failures.
Failure in the Christian life is not final.
Maybe you or someone you know is feeling discouraged today. Remind them or yourself of the promise in Philippians 4:13.
:angel:
JULY 28
One Burning Focus
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33
Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters..." (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that.
You say, "But wait a minute. I've got other things to do! I've got a job. I've got to rest. I've got to have recreation. I've got to have friends. I can't just narrow my interests to one." When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing.
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus, and you've made it!
:angel:
July 29
You Are Not a Speck—You Are Cherished!
". . . the very hairs of your head are all numbered." - Matthew 10:30
The Lord sees you. He knows all about you. And I guarantee you on the authority of the Word of God, that He loves you.
This is amazing when you realize that we are just specks on a globe that's about the size of a grain of sand or less compared to the size of the universe.
There's no more reason that the Lord of Glory should be interested in us then we should be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And yet our Lord looks down and He sees us as cherished individuals that He loves one by one.
The great God that runs the universe is concerned about you as though that were His only goal.
When was the last time you counted the hairs on your head? Can you trust a God who has them numbered?
:angel:
July 30
Your Virtual Reality—Newness of Life!
"We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4
I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time. I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room!
Sometimes our mind tells us something is true when it's not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true!
How critical it is for us to focus on the truth! Jesus died for you. He lives for you. You died with Him. You live for Him. Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.
Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you! You are buried with Him. You rose with Him. You can walk in newness of life!
:angel:
July 31
How Do I Get More Light?
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." - Psalm 119:34
Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? "From faith to faith." How does that work? God gives you truth...you believe that truth...God gives you more truth.
The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light God has already given us! If you want to understand the part of the Bible you don't understand, begin to obey the part you do understand and you'll understand what you didn't understand. Do you understand?
Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.
:angel:
August 1
One Body in Christ
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." - Romans 12:5
My left hand is a member of my body. So is my right hand. The right hand cannot direct the left hand and vice versa. But both hands can receive instruction from the head. If one hand is connected to the head and the other hand is connected to the head, then it simply follows that our hands are going to submit one to another. They're not going to fight one another.
It's the same way in the Body of Christ—the church. Who is the head of the body? The Lord Jesus Christ. Who are the members of the body? You and I. God put us in the church together that we might have a spirit of submission in the fear of the Lord.
Is there someone in the church with whom you're having difficulties? Submit yourself to the Lord and allow Him to give you grace to submit one to another.
:angel:
August 2
Carrying Our Own Burdens
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." - Psalm 55:22
A man was carrying a heavy load of grain down a country road. Another man in a wagon being pulled by a horse saw the man walking and said to him, "Mister, you need a ride?" And so the man got in the wagon. But he kept the load of grain on his shoulder. The wagon driver said, "Man, put that down and relax!" The rider said, "Oh no. It's enough for you to carry me without having you carry this too."
Have you ever done that to the Lord? You say, "Lord, I'll let You save me, but I'll carry my own burdens." How foolish we are to do this with the God who hung the stars and planets.
If you can trust God to save you from hell, don't you think you can cast your burden upon the Lord right now?
:angel:
August 3
When It Comes to the Devil... How to Think
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21
There are two mistakes people make about the devil. One, they get into demonology—always studying, wondering, and talking about demons. Their focus rests on Satan rather than on the Lord Jesus. The Bible says we're to resist the devil; it doesn't say we're to chase him.
On the other hand, there are those who are flippant about the devil. They have nicknames for him and think he's a cartoon or fantasy.
The truth is, we have a powerful adversary, the devil. Peter likens him to a roaring lion! A mature Christian recognizes that he has an enemy. He respects the power of the enemy. Then he clings to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome this great adversary.
Is the lion prowling around your life? Take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and break free from his jaws of destruction.
:angel:
August 4
Happiness vs. Joy
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." - Philippians 4:4
Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. So it's cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, "Smile and be happy." Better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow.
The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.
There is someone in a nursing home that longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them.
:angel:
August 5
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." - Colossians 3:15
In Florida where I was raised, we had a lot of hurricanes. Even as a child I learned that in the center of the worst hurricane, there's a calm called the "eye" of the storm. When the storm passes over, there is a calm like a mill pond on a summer evening.
Friend, in your storm today there is a center that is calm. It's the heart of God. He is there. He is the "I AM" in the midst of your storm.
As someone has well said, "God gives peace that the world can't take away." It is supernatural peace.
Do you have the peace of God in your heart? Claim the promise of Psalm 29:11, Isaiah 26:3, and Romans 5:1 today.
:angel:
August 6
The Trying of Faith Works Patience
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:2-4
What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you're like most people, probably not. We become like children who don't know the difference between "No" and "Not yet." If you say, "Wait a while," to them that is, "No." They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, "Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child." Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.
What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.
:angel:
August 7
Abiding in the Vine
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing." - John 15:4-5
You'll never see a fruit factory. Now, you'll see factories for making clothing, cars, and computers, but not a fruit factory. Instead fruit is grown in an orchard. It is dependent upon life.
There is no fruit without life. The only way that fruit is going to ripen and grow is in the right climate and with the right nutrients. Just like we can't grow bananas in Alaska, we can't grow and produce the fruit of the Spirit unless we're in the place where the Spirit can produce His fruit in us. And that place is walking and abiding in the Spirit.
Read Galatians 5:22-25 today and ask God to help you abide in the Spirit to produce the fruit He desires in your life.
:angel:
August 8
God Keeps the Score
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32
I read something that deeply touched my heart about a PGA golfer named DiVensenzo. As he was leaving a golf course with his winnings, a woman approached him and said, "I have a baby who is dying." Moved with compassion, he endorsed the check and gave it to her saying, "Take this, and try to buy some happiness for yourself and your child."
A week later he was in the clubhouse having lunch, and one of the PGA officials came up to him and said, "Did you know that the woman who approached you last week didn't have a baby dying of an incurable disease!" And DiVensenzo said, "There's no baby dying? That's the best news I've heard all week!" What an attitude!
Do you ever feel like people are going to take advantage of you? Be thankful today that God keeps the score.
:angel:
August 9
Evaluating True Riches
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17
Do you want to know how rich you are? Add up everything you own that money cannot buy, that death nor disaster cannot take away, and then you'll know just how rich you are. What did you discover? Hopefully, you discovered that it's time you started laying up true riches. Because all the rest will burn away. If you are putting all of your labor in this world, it's like rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship.
Read Matthew 6:19-21. Where is your heart? Where is your treasure?
:angel:
August 10
The Voice of Conscience from Within
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10
After David had sinned and done the terrible thing that he had done by committing adultery, he said in Psalm 51:3, "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." Can you imagine what it would be like for your sin to "ever" be before you? The deed would reverberate through your consciousness unendingly. You see, the conscience is an inner judge that God puts in you that accuses or excuses you. It cannot make you do right, but it shows you what is right or what is wrong. And when your conscience is right, you have tremendous freedom. A good conscience will do something for you that a sleeping pill could never do.
What is your conscience "telling" you today? Are you right with God?
:angel:
August 11
Making Sense of What We Don't Understand
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts." - Psalm 139:23
A little boy had a jigsaw puzzle that on one side had a map of the world and on the other side had a picture of a man. His mother asked him to try and work it and before long the little fellow had put the puzzle together. The mother was surprised to find that the little fellow knew so much about geography. She asked him, "How on earth did you do that?"
"Oh," he said, "I worked the other side first. When I got the man right, the world was right."
How true that is! We will never fix this world until we get the man right – the man Jesus Christ, that is.
Are things in your world confusing you these days? Turn to Jesus and trust Him to make sense of what you don't understand.
:angel:
August 12
Jesus as Lord and Savior
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." - Romans 10:9
Have you ever thought that salvation was like a cafeteria where you can pick and choose the aspects of Jesus you want? "I'll have a little Saviorhood, but please, no Lordship today." If Jesus is not your Lord, Jesus is not your Savior. What's the difference?
Well, suppose I perform a wedding ceremony and say to the young man, "Would you take Susan to be your lawfully wedded wife?" And he responds, "Well, I'll take Susan as housekeeper." And then I say to her, "Would you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband?" And she says, "Well, I'll take him as provider." We can't pick and choose what we want from Jesus. We take Jesus as Lord over all!
Is Jesus Christ Lord of every area of your life? Take time to today to examine your life – your finances, your relationships, your hopes and dreams.
:angel:
August 13
Knowing Jesus
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9
Years ago my wife gave me a little card to carry in my billfold. On it she had written her dress size, shoe size, glove size and more. That was nice to have so I could know all about her when I went to do some shopping. But it didn't provide much companionship or encouragement when I was away from her.
It's one thing to have the facts about Jesus, it's another thing to have a relationship with Jesus.
Do you know Jesus...really know Him? Or are you just gathering facts about Him?
:angel:
August 14
The Law of Life in Christ
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:2
I've always found airplane flight amazing. They are so heavy, yet they fly! The pilot gets behind the controls, moves the throttle, and those great engines begin to roar. And the first thing you know, you're flying.
Has the law of gravity been canceled? No, but there's another law that comes into effect called the law of aerodynamics, which is a greater law than the law of gravity. When you get right with God, the law of sin and death is still there. But there's a new law. It's the law of life in Christ Jesus that sets you free from the law of sin and death. As long as you abide in Jesus Christ, then you are free from the law of sin and death.
Have you been set free? Then, it's your turn to set another captive free with the Good News. Go out and share this free gift with someone today.
:angel:
August 15
Faithful in Little and Much
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much." - Luke 16:10
What would you do if you had a million dollars? Well, let me tell you a good test of what you would do—it's what you're doing with that hundred dollars you have right now. Are you saving it? Spending it? Sharing it?
The test of what you would do in the spiritual realm is seen by what you do in the physical realm. Many of us do not have spiritual blessings because we simply haven't been faithful with the small things in our lives.
Are you hoping for something in your life? How could you be faithful in something little so that you'll be faithful when the other comes along?
:angel:
August 16
Be Merciful to Me, A Sinner
"Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation." - Psalm 85:7
There's a story about a lady who went to a photographer to have her picture made. When she saw it, she didn't like it. She took it back and told the photographer, "You'll have to take this over." He asked, "What's wrong with it?" She said, "It doesn't do me justice." He looked at it and looked at her and said, "Lady, you don't need justice, what you need is mercy."
God is just, but we need mercy. If you have never come to place where you have seen yourself as a sinner lost before Almighty God and cried out to Him for mercy, you've never been saved.
You may have joined a church, but have you thrown yourself on the mercy of the court? Have you said, "Lord God be merciful to me, a sinner?"
:angel:
August 17
Casting Our Burdens at His Feet
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22
I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn't come. He called him several times; he wouldn't come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master's feet.
It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can't get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master's feet.
Is your heart aching today? Cast your burden at His feet and allow His peace to fill your heart.
:angel:
August 18
Exercise Discernment with Entertainment
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
The most dangerous thing on television in my estimation today is the sitcom. Do you know what they're doing? They're getting you to laugh at sin. In fact, a Christian television and film writer attended a producers' workshop one day. One of the keynote speakers was one of TV's most successful producers of sitcoms. In his address, he stated that in order to have a commercially successful production, the characters in a sitcom must violate at least three of the Ten Commandments. How tragic. But what an opportunity for people like you and me to take a stand for the truth and for the glory of God in the film and television industry.
Pray Joshua 1:7 for those who are in the television and movie industries—that they will be strong and courageous.
:angel:
August 19
True Freedom in Christ
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22
When Jesus Christ comes into your life, He changes you. Maybe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Maybe you struggle with lust, fear, doubt, or self- pity. Maybe you're a slave to public opinion or perfectionism. But I want to tell you that the Jesus Christ who set Adrian Rogers free is the Jesus Christ who will set you free.
Our freedom in Jesus Christ isn't the privilege to do what we want. Instead it is the glorious, abundant, supernatural power to do what we ought.
It is saving grace that sets us free. It is sustaining grace that keeps us free.
Bow before the Lord and thank Him for the freedom you've been given through the great price of Calvary.
:angel:
August 20
The Sacrificial Quotient of Giving
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." - Ephesians 5:25
A little boy was looking through the family picture album, and he came to a picture of his mother when she was a very young girl. It was taken just after they'd gotten married. The boy asked his father, "Is that when Mother came to work for us?"
Does this ring true in your home? Let me set the record straight. The husband, if he loves his wife as Christ loves the church, is going to love his wife sacrificially. He is going to love her in such a way that he would be willing to lay down his life for her. He's going to protect her. He's going to provide for her. He's going to do what he can to present his wife and family as holy vessels for the Lord's use.
Are you married? Then how are you doing on the sacrificial quotient of giving to your spouse? If you had to, would you be willing to lay down your life for your spouse?
:angel:
August 21
When These Things Begin to Come to Pass
"Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy name." - 2 Samuel 22:50
If we get into an auto accident and come out alive, we typically thank God for sparing our lives. But do you ever just thank God for saving your life as you drove home from work and didn't have an accident? Isn't that even better?
I heard a story that poignantly illustrates this. One Sunday a husband and wife heard that a person in their church whose son died on the battlefield gave a significant love offering in his memory. On the way home, the wife asked her husband, "Why don't we give an offering for our son?"
"Why?" he answered. "Our son wasn't killed."
She said, "Don't you think that's a good reason?"
:angel:
August 22
Peace, Be Still
"Keep me as the apple of the eye...hide me under the shadow of Thy wings." - Psalm 17:8
Charles Wesley was walking through the woods on a stormy day when a lightening storm broke out and the rain began to come down in torrents. A bolt of lightening flashed, and a little bird was so frightened that it flew down to Wesley and it tried to hide in his coat.
He was so moved by the scene that he wrote a song we often sing: "Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, 'til the storm of life is past; safe unto the haven guide me, O receive my soul at last." That's what our Lord does. He hides us, sustains us, and keeps us.
Are the storms of life raging around you? Hide yourself in the dark clouds—they are just the shadow of His wing.
:angel:
August 23
How Passionate Is Our Love for the Lord?
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." - Matthew 16:25
When I was a little boy and I found something that didn't belong to me, I'd say, "Finders keepers, losers weepers!"
But do you know what the apostle Paul said? "Keepers weepers, losers finders."
He said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:7).
Religion does not save us. Jesus saves us. And He's calling us to not only turn from our sins, but to turn from our righteousness.
What are you holding onto in your life that brings you security? Let it go to the glory of God! You can trust Him to provide for all your needs.
:angel:
August 24
That I May Know Him
"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." - Philippians 3:10
One day I was making a call on a businessman with a friend of mine. This dear man of God began giving his testimony of how the Lord saved him. But then he said something that really shocked me. I was speechless. He said, "I used to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and that He was buried and rose again. But I don't believe it anymore."
I was stopped dead in my tracks. Then with a smile on his face he said, "I don't believe it anymore. Now, I know it!"
Oh, to go from believing to knowing the Savior! What a change of thought. What a change of heart. What a glorious revelation and transformation!
Do you know him? Really know Him today? Or do you just believe that He died, was buried, and rose again?
:angel:
August 25
To Be Found in Christ
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." - 1 Corinthians 1:30
Paul thought it was the greatest of blessings to be found "in Him" (see Philippians 3:9). Paul exchanged a set of rules for a friend.
Hadn't you rather have a friend than a set of rules? Before this, Paul had the law. Now, he has the Lord. And what a difference! What a safe place—to be found in Jesus Christ.
You're not just a church member if you are saved, you are in Christ. You are in His body and He is in you. Talk about fellowship divine! You may be alone, but you'll never be lonely again because the Lord Jesus Christ is in you and you are in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you have a hymnal in your home, find the hymn "In The Garden" and meditate on its truth, that "He tells me I am His own."
:angel:
August 26
More Than We Can Ask or Think
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." - Ephesians 3:20
To be found in Jesus, Paul says, is worth more than all of his religion, race, and ritual. It is a relationship with the Almighty God. It is Jesus. Paul says, "I'm tired of trying. I'm going to start trusting."
Basically, Paul lived a life of working his way to heaven before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9). Legalism is a terrible thing. It is a harsh task master under which no one can succeed.
Liberty, not legalism, is what the Lord Jesus Christ offers. Freedom, not bondage. Relationship, not religion. We give up nothing for which Jesus will not abundantly offer more than we could ever hope or dream.
Read Colossians 3:11. What does it mean for Christ to be your "all in all"?
:angel:
August 27
Take It to the Lord in Prayer
"Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows." - Job 22:27
Have you ever disagreed with someone and felt you were in the right? I have. What started out as a conversation turns into a confrontation. And the tension becomes so thick you can cut it with a knife. At that point, it's time to separate before things disintegrate.
And when you separate, it's time to communicate with the Lord. It's when you get alone with God that the communion of conviction comes, and what seemed to be confusion becomes crystal clear in His light. More often than not, the Holy Spirit has shown me that I was in the wrong and needed to ask forgiveness.
Have you had a disagreement with someone lately? It's time to retreat, reflect, and receive what the Lord wants to tell you. Enter your prayer closet today.
:angel:
August 28
God Is Your Best Purity
". . . it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." - 1 Corinthians 7:1-2
Premarital sex always endangers future marital happiness. It follows as night follows day. Surveys have shown that those who were sexually pure when they went to the marriage altar have the greatest opportunity to have a happy marriage.
You can understand why. Suppose a man says to a woman "I love you so much, I just can't wait." He talks her into giving in to his desires. Now think about a man who loves and respects a woman by keeping her pure. Do you see the trust that this builds? God has a wonderful plan for you. Sex is so bad outside marriage because it's so good inside marriage.
Are you single? Take courage from knowing God's best is your purity. Though it may be hard to wait, God will honor your obedience.
:angel:
August 29
Fidelity, a Multi-Facetted Trait of Character
"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." - Hebrews 13:4
I'm continually amazed at the apathetic responses to surveys where people are asked, "Does it make any difference to you whether a candidate is faithful to his wife or not?" Or, "Would you vote for a man that was unfaithful to his wife?" And they say, "It doesn't matter."
Well, friend, it makes a difference to me. And more importantly, it makes a difference to God. When couples break solemn vows—unless they repent with every ounce of their hearts—trust is broken. Put it down big, straight, and plain: People who treat sex lightly will treat other people lightly.
Are you married? Find some time today to express to your spouse your love and faithful commitment to him or her.
:angel:
August 30
Imputing Righteousness to Your Account
"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works." - Romans 4:6
God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does "impute" mean? To put on your account. At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8 says, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved and she replied, "It feels as though I am standing in Jesus' shoes and He is standing in mine." A scholar or theologian couldn't have said it any better.
"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).
Thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn't impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He imputes—puts into your account— that to you!
:angel:
August 31
"After His Kind," Not Another Kind
"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created." - Psalm 148:5
In Genesis 1:11-12 we read, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good" (italics mine).
If evolution is true, then one specie would have to involve into another specie, and if that is true, then you would expect to find transitional forms of life. You hear talk about the "missing link." May I tell you, the whole chain is missing!
What do you believe about the origin of creation?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 1
The Trial of Your Faith
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 1:7
James 1:13 says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man."
Some people get confused between temptations and trials, and the difference between the two is this:
Trials are sent by God to cause us to stand.
Temptation to sin is sent by the devil to cause us to stumble.
One is meant for our maturity. The other is meant for our misery. James used this word interchangeably. While God does not cause both kinds, God allows both kinds, and He will use both to make us more like Jesus.
Are you in the furnace of affliction? Do you feel you're being tempted? Trust in God to see you through.
:angel:
September 2
Ready to Face Trials and Temptations
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Winston Churchill was speaking to the House of Commons one day when he gave this advice, "We must always be ready to meet at our average moment, the thing that any possible enemy could hurl against us at his selected moment."
Satan could hurl a deadly temptation at you at any given moment. The phone could ring with terrible news about a friend. A police officer could knock on your door to inform you of a tragedy in your family.
Trials can come with such a force that they blow you off course. Temptation can strike at your backside and almost give you whiplash!
It is not God's will that you have a vacancy of temptation or trials but that you have victory in temptation and trials.
Are you ready at this moment to meet what the devil may throw at you or what God may allow to come your way? Get ready by spending time in His precious word today.
:angel:
September 3
All Things Are Under His Feet
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him." - 1 Corinthians 15:27
God has given us kingdom authority. Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19).
When problems get over your head, remember they are under His feet.
You need not be discouraged when troubles strike. It is the pathway your Savior has walked before you. It is the way of the cross, and He has won the victory!
· Write down the hardest thing you have to deal with today.
· Now, put that paper on the floor.
· Look down on it.
Now you have a glimpse of God's vantage point over the problems in your life.
Remember ... "He hath put all things under His feet."
:angel:
September 5
Praising the Lord for Who He Is
"I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." - Psalm 104:33
· We have a God who is simply presented in all of creation; we should recognize Him.
· We have a God who is sovereignly powerful; we should respect Him.
· We have a God who is surely purposeful; we should reverence Him.
· We have a God who is savingly personal; we should receive Him.
All of that is in Genesis 1:1 which says, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
We have an obligation to God. We are twice His. First, we are His because of creation, and secondly, we are His because of redemption. He made us and He bought us.
Have you ever had something very precious and lost it? Then gratefully, it was restored to you again? That's just an inkling of the treasure you are to God!
:angel:
September 6
Forever in His Heart
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:6-7
When God brought us into this universe, He did not make us to abandon us. When God finished His first creation, He stepped back and said, "It is good." But then sin came into the world, and we broke fellowship with our Creator. Because of His great love and mercy toward us, God sent His only Son to bring us back to Himself. Now, when we are saved, we become a new creation, and God says, "It is good." When sin soiled your garments, God sent the righteous robes of His Son for you to wear.
Now, you are---
· washed in His blood,
· clean in His sight,
· and forever in His heart.
Take a look in the mirror. Are you dressed in the robes of man or the King? Humble yourself under His mighty hand that He may lift you up.
:angel:
September 7
The Meaning of Everything
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." - Colossians 1:16
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse. And the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16).
There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only. People say, "the world needs saving." But what the world really needs is redemption. And where is redemption going to come from? Not from a creed, code, or cause, but Jesus only.
The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
:angel:
September 8
The Impending Great Tribulation
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." - Matthew 24:21
General Omar Bradley said this about our generation:
· We know more about war than about peace.
· We know more about killing than about living.
· This is our 20th Century's claim to progress – knowledge of science outstrips capacity for control.
· We have too many men of science, too few men of God.
· The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience.
· We are a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.
I think he said a mouthful. Jesus said there's coming a time like never before seen in history – the Great Tribulation – when all our progresses and advances will come down to one thing – Jesus Christ.
Where will you be on the day of Tribulation?
Where do you want to be?
:angel:
September 9
The Blessing Book
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." - Revelation 1:3
When I was in seminary, my wife Joyce told me, "You're going to flunk if you don't start hitting your school books."
Instead I was reading books on prophecy and told her, "I've got to find out what this is all about. They're not teaching it in school." And as I would study these things, I felt God building me.
There is a blessing to be found in a study of prophecy. It would be better for you not to know these things than to know them and to be idle about them.
There's nothing that fuels the flames of evangelism like a proper understanding of prophecy.
When was the last time you read the book of Revelation? Maybe you can start on it today!
:angel:
September 10
It's Getting Gloriously Dark!
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28
I wonder what would happen if scientists began making a human being from the cell of another human being. We are living in strange days, are we not? But I want to tell you our hope is not to be found in science. There's no blessing in the book of science. Friend, the blessing is in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
When I see things like cloning come to pass they do not shake me. Sometimes they grieve me or sadden me, but they do not shake me because I know God's Word. I know it is the fulfillment of prophecy, and I can say with all of the saints, "Praise God! It's getting gloriously dark."
Next time you read something in the paper that shadows the end times, use it as an open door to share the Second Coming of Jesus with someone.
:angel:
September 11
Into The Storm—With Jesus
"And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm - Mark 4:39."
Remember when Jesus was with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came upon them? The lightning began to play in the wind. The sea churned. And the gentle winds turned into a cruel gale. The little ship was tossed and turned like a cork. The disciples despaired and said to the Lord Jesus Christ who was asleep, "Don't You care if we perish? Do something!" And Jesus said, "Peace, be still." And the winds ceased and the sea calmed. This world is headed into a storm and the spiritual barometer is dropping. And our world will not know peace until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes and says, "Peace, be still."
Read the full account of what happened to the disciples in Mark 4:36-41. What application can you give to your life?
:angel:
September 12
Lukewarmness—a Form of Blasphemy
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." - Revelation 2:4
In Revelation 2:1-7, we read about the Lord's charge that the church at Ephesus had left their first love. It wasn't that they didn't love the Lord Jesus. It was that they didn't love Him like they used to. If there ever was a time when you loved Jesus more than you do at this moment, you're backslidden. G. Campbell Morgan said that lukewarmness is the worst form of blasphemy. I believe he's right. Lukewarmness is a way of saying, "God, I believe in You, but You just don't excite me." Oh, how we ought to stay in love with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Have you left your first love? Has your love for Jesus become lukewarm? Pray Psalm 26:2 and seek His face.
:angel:
September 13
The Rapture of the Church
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16
I believe there will be seven years of terrible tribulation. It will be a time of tyranny and persecution. It will be a time when all nature will be out of joint and when demon spirits will infest the world. It will be a time when the Anti-Christ will rule and reign.
But before the tribulation comes, the Church is going to be raptured out. You might find it interesting to note that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible, but the word "caught up" is, and that's literally what the word "rapture" means. We will be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Do your loved ones know what the rapture means? Why not ask them what they think this next week and open the door for a candid discussion about the future?
:angel:
September 14
"Praise the Lord!"
"Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever." - Revelation 7:12
I heard about a man who got a little excited in church and kept shouting, "Praise the Lord!"
One day, some of the brethren called on him while he was plowing his fields. When they were finished talking, he hung his head and said, "I know it's the truth. I have disturbed the services, but you know, I sit there and think what the Lord has done for me, how He died in agony and blood for me upon the cross, how He's forgiven all of my sins, how He's filled me with the Spirit, and – here, hold this mule while I shout!"
If being a Christian and going to heaven doesn't excite you, then you have calluses on your soul. It's exciting to know the Lord Jesus Christ!
When was the last time you raised your hands and shouted "Praise the Lord!" Maybe right now is a good time!
:angel:
September 15
Holy Spirit Conviction vs. Satanic Accusation
"Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." - Revelation 12:10
You will be a miserable Christian if you don't learn the difference between Holy Spirit conviction and Satanic accusation.
When the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sin, He will not make you just feel bad all over. He will put His finger right on the sore spot and push. He will convict you specifically and He will convict you legitimately.
Now if the devil doesn't convict you of all your sins in general, he will try to accuse you of a specific sin for which you have already been forgiven. And he will fight a losing battle, because if you put your sin under the blood of Jesus Christ and it comes up again, it's not God bringing it up.
Are you under conviction or accusation today about an unconfessed sin? Read Revelation 12:9-11. Claim the powerful blood of Jesus to cover your sin. Repent and believe!
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 16
The Whole World in His Hands
"And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." - Colossians 1:17
We sing about the Lord having the whole world in His hands. But do you know what is more remarkable than that? He has the whole universe in His hands.
He's the One who spoke it into existence. He's the One who keeps it going. He's the One who is going to fold it up like a garment and tuck it away in a drawer somewhere. He regulates it; He rules it and He runs it.
When you pick up the newspaper and read something alarming, you don't need to panic. Instead, remember Who has it under His control. He who flung the stars in space has the whole universe in His hands!
Take the hand of a child today and look at the stars twinkling in the night sky or a flower beginning to bloom. Then share about the awesome Creator and Sustainer of all.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 17
The Law of the Harvest
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. . ." - Luke 6:38
When God created the herbs of the field, He said, "Let them bring forth after their kind" (Genesis 1:12).
Whatever we sow, we're going to reap. If you sow to the flesh, then you're going to reap what you sow. On the other hand, if you sow to the spirit, you cannot fail to reap good things. You can't even give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple and lose your reward.
Every seed you plant for Jesus is going to sprout. Whatever it is you want, plant it, sow it, give it, "and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together."
Would you like to have better relationships? Then start sowing seeds of encouragement and good deeds.
:angel:
September 18
Valleys and Mountains in the Life of a Christian
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? They are beautiful complements in God's grand creation.
The valley is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection.
The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong.
If you find yourself in a valley, it is because you have come down from a mountain. If you're on a mountain, you came to that place by way of the valley.
Are you in the valley or on the mountaintop? Read Psalm 46 about the strength of the Lord. Rest and rejoice in His strength, wherever God has you right now.
:angel:
September 19
Seizing Opportunities to Serve
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:10
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on a journey but stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn't make excuses saying, "It's none of my business." It was a golden moment, and he took it.
All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you to see their pain as a golden opportunity to serve them in the name of Jesus.
The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, our duties, our responsibilities, and we're too busy. But if we're too busy to be kind, we're too busy.
What's on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix it? If someone called and needed a ride to the hospital, could you take them? Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.
:angel:
September 20
Longing for His Return
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." - Revelation 22:17
God chose the analogy of a wedding to describe the moment when we become one with the Lord Jesus Christ. When we become one with God for all eternity, we'll know Him in a more intimate way than we know Him now, and God calls that "the marriage of the Lamb." When I think about the fact that being swept up to meet the Lord in Glory and meeting Him face to face is so fulfilling that the Bible describes it as the consummation of a marriage, I don't mind telling you that really excites me!
Does the Second Coming of our Lord make your heart pound with excitement? Do you long for His return and reign?
:angel:
September 21
Espoused to Christ
"...Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God." - Revelation 19:1
I've never performed a wedding where there wasn't a beautiful bride, but no bride can compare in beauty to the one we'll behold when Jesus returns to claim us, the Bride of Christ.
You see, when we were saved, we were espoused to Christ, and an espousal is a little bit stronger than an engagement. An engagement is a promise to marry, but an espousal is a promise that you belong to this person even though the marriage has not yet been consummated.
Every child of God already belongs to Him. When we become espoused to Christ, He gives us something better than an engagement ring. He gives us the Holy Spirit.
Read Revelation 19, then spend a few moments worshipping Him.
:angel:
September 22
Seeing Problems as Potentialities
". . . the God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build. . ." - Nehemiah 2:20
Do you have any problems today? You do? Well, I just have one word for you: "Congratulations!"
I don't want to sound flippant, but I am very serious about my comment. You see, a problem really is an opportunity in disguise. You need to learn that God wants you to see your problems as potentialities and your adversaries as opportunities.
A Christian is not someone who sees a difficulty in every opportunity, but to the contrary, he's one who sees an opportunity in every difficulty.
Think of a problem you are struggling through today. Now, get on your knees. Ask God to show you the opportunity hidden away in your struggle that will bring Him glory.
:angel:
September 23
Driven to the Heart of Our Lord
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." - Psalm 32:1
The worst thing that could happen to sinful people would be to live in a perfect environment.
If God had left Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam would not have known that he had the fatal infection of sin, and he would not have sought the remedy for sin, which he found in the shedding of blood.
Problems are designed not to crush us, but to crowd us to Christ who provided the remedy for sin by shedding His blood on the cross. The problem of sin is real and terrible, but it brings with it the possibility that we can be forgiven and clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
When was the last time you thanked God for the problems in your life? Think of them as vehicles that drive you to the heart of your Lord
:angel:
September 24
Don't Try to Hurry the Harvest
". . . the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." - James 5:7
Sometimes the things that count the most seem to take the longest to get here.
Some giant sequoias in California are 300 feet tall. That's the height of a 30 story building! Yet each one began with the smallest of seeds that began growing and maturing since before the time of Christ! That's a long time.
You may say that you're going to serve God. Then you start to do something for Him, but when you don't reap a harvest immediately, you get discouraged. Don't try to hurry the harvest. In due season, you will reap.
Have you shared Christ with people and yet they haven't been saved? Read Isaiah 55:11 and Romans 10:13 and receive His encouragement.
:angel:
September 25
Looking to God, Our Provider
"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." - Psalm 50:10
Do you remember when it was rare to hear of someone whose job was either threatened, or actually lost, due to changes or cutbacks? Well, that's hardly news anymore.
These days it seems that almost everyone is struggling with financial problems related to job security.
You may be struggling and asking, "What good can possibly come from my financial problems?" They are wonderful opportunities to trust your Heavenly Father for your daily bread. I've always said that it's better to have a Father who owns a bakery than to have a warehouse full of bread!
Are you having financial woes? Do you know someone who is? Share with them the Good News of God's provision and faithfulness.
:angel:
Lord, do not hold this sin against them. (Acts 7:60)
Constantin Caraman
I would like to end the list of ordinary people who did extraordinary things with Stephen. After he had proclaimed the Gospel in Jerusalem, he was in serious trouble. Some of the onlookers attacked him and dragged him out, intending to kill him. "Away with him," they shouted, "we don't want to listen to this any longer."
Stephen knew there could be a reaction like this. After all, the disciples had been picked up and punished several times already. Yet, none of them had been stoned and killed. Stephen would be the first martyr.
When they started throwing stones at him, he could have cried, "Lord, help me, they are going too far. Lord, send down a fire from heaven to destroy these people. You don't want me to die, do you?"
While the stones came down and hit him, he knelt down and prayed. What did he pray for? Did he pray for strength to remain faithful? No, he prayed for those who cursed him, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Until his last breath he had compassion on the sinners, and in doing so, he followed Christ's example.
Are we prepared to do this too?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 26
The Law and the Gospel of God's Grace
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all." - Romans 4:16
There are more than six billion people on the face of this earth. If you extracted from each one the very best character traits and put those things into one man, that one man would still have to bow before God and cry out for mercy to be saved.
We've got to quit trying to be saved by doing good things or being a moral person or even by keeping the Ten Commandments.
The law says "if." The gospel says "therefore."
The law says you must earn salvation. The gospel says salvation is a gift.
The law demands holiness. The gospel provides holiness.
The law says run, but it doesn't give us legs.
The gospel says fly, and it gives us wings of grace.
Read Romans 10. What application can you gain for your life from this chapter?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 27
Fully Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6
John G. Patton was a Bible translator in the South Sea Islands. While translating, he came to the word "believe" and searched for a word that the native people could truly understand. He wanted something that meant commitment and trust, but he couldn't think of a word. Then one day, a messenger rushed into Mr. Patton's room out of breath. Needing to rest, he flung himself into a big chair and leaned back in complete relaxation. Patton asked the native for a word to describe what he did when he sat down and completely trusted in the chair to hold him so he could relax. That's the word he used for "believe."
When a person quits trying and begins to trust the Lord Jesus, that's "belief."
Who have you been sharing Christ with that hasn't yet been saved? Ask God to give you a word that will break through the barriers and bring salvation to this person.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 28
Not Ashamed of the Lordship of Christ
"O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me." - Psalm 25:2
Have you ever noticed that some people get a little embarrassed in a restaurant if you bow your head and mention Jesus as you ask His blessing? They rub their eyebrows or forehead when you pray. Have you ever asked yourself why they're ashamed? I think it is because they don't know what they're missing in Jesus. You see, salvation is a wonderful gift. God sent His Son to die for us. He rose from the grave for us. He ascended into heaven for us. He's coming again for us! How can we be ashamed of this?
Next time you go to a restaurant, let your prayer of blessing turn into an evangelistic opportunity with your unsaved friend.
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 29
Loving God with All Your Mind
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . ." - Mark 12:30
Jesus said of Satan, "He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).
Satan is a clever liar. In fact, many of his lies sound like the truth. He plays with our minds to confuse us. He lies about the biggest subject of all – God. Satan wants to deceive you about God. If he can distort your idea of God, then beyond the shadow of any doubt, he has you in everything else.
What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
:angel:
SEPTEMBER 30
The Comfort of the Holy Spirit
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." - John 14:26
Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the Comforter."
Whenever peace enters your heart in the midst of grief...
Whenever joy enters your heart in the midst of a trial...
Whenever you see evidence of His life in yours...
.....you can be sure the Holy Spirit is flowing through your life.
Can He forget you? Never. The seal of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is on your life if you are His child. Whenever you pass through a room or walk through a crowd, His oil of gladness sends a sweet aroma of Christ through the air!
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. How can you show the comfort of Christ to someone who is hurting?
:angel:
October 1
Facing Temptation
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16
When you face temptation, remember it is not a sin to be tempted. Temptation to sin is not sin.
If temptation were a sin, then Jesus would be a sinner, because Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus felt what you feel. He was just as much a man as though He were not God at all, and He was as much God as though He were not man at all. He was the God-Man, and praise God, Jesus never sinned though He knew those temptations.
Are you facing a temptation today that you feel no one has ever faced? Turn to Jesus and He will meet you there.
:angel:
October 2
The Testing of Your Faith
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." - 1 Peter 4:12
Has something bad happened to you and you said, "Oh me. What did I do? I must have done something terrible. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened!"
And before you knew it, you fell headlong into a pity party of morbid introspection—taking yourself apart piece by piece to see where you went wrong. If you're like most people, you have.
But have you ever thought that maybe you've done absolutely nothing wrong, but God is simply testing your faith? This is an important truth for you to understand, because if you don't, you may get discouraged. The seeds of doubt and discouragement sprout in the soil of ignorance.
Read Exodus 16 about the testing of the Lord in the lives of the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. What applications can you give to your life?
:angel:
October 3
Humbly Grateful, Not Grumbly Hateful
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." - James 1:2
Sometimes we have to admit that it's hard to "count it all joy." Sometimes we complain and rather than being humbly grateful, we become grumbly hateful.
Oh, how I wish that, beginning today, we would emulate the faith of the saints that have gone before us—saints like Fannie Crosby, the great hymn writer.
For most of her life Fannie Crosby was blind, and yet, at the tender age of eight, Fannie wrote:
"Oh! What a happy soul am I, although I cannot see,
I am resolved that, in this world, contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don't.
To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't."
And do you know what? .... She didn't.
How can you apply this truth to your life today?
How can you share this truth with someone else?
:angel:
October 4
The Greatest Event of All Ages
". . . and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." - Revelation 17:14
The Second Coming of Jesus is going to be the greatest event of all of the ages. It is one of the grand theological truths taught in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
· The New Birth is vitally important, but it is mentioned only nine times in the New Testament.
· Baptism is vitally important, but it is mentioned only 20 times in the New Testament.
· Repentance is mentioned only 70 times in the Bible, as important and needful as that is.
· But the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's Word at least 380 times.
One out of every 25 verses points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you getting ready for His Second Coming? What if He came this very hour?
:angel:
October 5
Patience Worketh Perfection
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:4
"Patience worketh perfection." When was the last time you asked God to make you perfect? Maybe you should have asked for patience as well, because it is only through patient, abiding faith and trust in the Lord that we become "perfect."
A lot of people confuse this word "perfect" with "sinless." The Greek word for perfect in James 1:4 is teleios,and it refers to a maturing growth. For example, an oak tree is the teleios of an acorn. It is the perfection of an acorn.
So when you are discouraged and feeling a little blue,
Take a look at a mighty oak and see what a nut can do.
Take a walk this week enjoying the beauty of God's creation and ask Him to give you the patience and faith that can turn a little acorn into a mighty oak.
:angel:
October 6
True Beauty
". . . even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." - 1 Peter 3:4
Are you a woman struggling with the way you look? We all know that women want to be beautiful, especially to their husbands and boyfriends, but so often women think that beauty is found at a cosmetics counter, on a dress rack, or in a jewelry box. Those things are corruptible, and what's in vogue today is out of fashion when next year's supermodels hit the runway.
The only thing that will make you more beautiful, day after day, is what you nurture within yourself - serenity.
The ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit is worth far more than even the most expensive jewel you can wear around your neck.
Stand in front of the mirror today. Imagine Jesus by your side, and ask Him to create in you a gentle and quiet spirit of love.
:angel:
October 7
God's Plan for the Man
"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." - Genesis 2:15
God gave women a nurturing instinct, but God gave men a different gift and task—to dress the garden. God equipped men with a hard exterior to be the providers and protectors, and because of this, men want to be admired by women. I want to be admired by my wife. I get more blessing when she admires me and says, "You are wonderful," and she gets a blessing when I am romantic, loving, and tender toward her.
1 Peter 3:7 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [your wives] according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
How can you show your wife a little tender loving care today? Now that you've thought of something, go do it!
:angel:
October 8
Taming the Tongue
"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." - Proverbs 10:19
Your tongue can get you into a lot of trouble. There is nothing that can do more damage to your relationships than your words.
Proverbs 17:27 says, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words." That is, if you're smart, you won't talk so much. When you do talk, keep your words warm and sweet because you may have to eat them later.
There's an old saying I heard a Rabbi use once that reminds us:
"The ears are open and out. They're unguarded, but the tongue is behind ivory bars."
When you're talking, you're not learning.
When you're not learning, you're not communicating.
When you're not communicating, there will be no intimacy in your relationships.
In what ways has your mouth gotten you into trouble this week? Confess those times before the Lord and ask for strength and wisdom to be a better communicator.
:angel:
October 9
Inclining Our Ears to Hear
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22
Several years ago, the investment firm of E. F. Hutton had a slogan: "When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen." If only people had this respect and reverence for God and His Word! That is the kind of ear we ought to have for the matchless Word of the living God.
If you do not incline your ear, you might miss something! It has been said that God will not only hold us accountable for what we hear but also for what we would have heard if we had listened.
Do you take notes when your pastor teaches? Maybe it's time you started. It's a great tool for those teachable moments during the week with your friends and family.
:angel:
October 10
A "Know-So" or a "Hope-So" Salvation?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
If you think you're going to get to heaven by your good works, I guarantee you will always wonder if you've done enough. You will not have a "know-so" salvation. You will have a "hope-so" salvation. Rather than standing up straight in confidence like an exclamation point, you will be bent over and wondering like a question mark. That is, until you understand that it's all by grace.
Suppose everybody who wanted to be saved had to run around the block. Some can't run. What if you had to read a chapter in the Bible to be saved? Some can't read. But there is one thing that can make the promise sure, and that is grace.
Who can you share this Good News with today? Think of at least one person, and ask God to give you a bold love and a divine opportunity to do just that. We also invite you to read "You Can Be Sure" for more insights on the eternal security of the believer. Just visit us here.
:angel:
October 11
Thankful in Trials
"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people." - 1 Chronicles 16:8
If you are a child of God, you ought to be able to thank God every moment of every day no matter what happens to you.
Have you ever stopped to thank God for the water that you drink? Did you know that in some countries in the world, the majority of the population doesn't have reasonably pure drinking water? Millions of people die annually just from water-related diseases.
If you wear a hearing aid, do you ever thank God for that? Some people wish they had a hearing aide.
If you are a student in the midst of final exams, do you thank God that you have an exam to take? There are many who wish they could afford college.
Do you thank God for your next breath?
Take whatever it is that looks like a trial in your life today and thank God for it! Thank Him every time the thought enters your mind to grumble or complain.
:angel:
October 12
One Plus One Equals One
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." - Matthew 19:6
Do you know what's wrong with many marriages? Husbands treat their wives like a new car. When it's new, he shows it off; and then when it gets old and the paint fades a little bit, he trades her in for a new model.
Are you a married man? Then you are to satisfy her needs and share your life with her. That means all that you are and all that you have is for her! God's arithmetic is one plus one equals one! There's no part of our lives that we do not share.
Are you the strong, independent type? Then you're not like Jesus, who shared unconditionally and sacrificially with you.
This week, make it a priority to give something sacrificially to your wife. It may be your time. It may be a possession. It may be a word of encouragement that she needs.
:angel:
October 13
Don't Be a Flabby Christian
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
I'm amazed at the little bit it takes to stop some Christians from accomplishing the tasks the Father has given them to do. This thing of being a Christian is not a Sunday afternoon stroll! Shining God's light in a dark world is a full‑time job.
We must pray over it, weep over it, and study over it to show ourselves approved. Most of us in America get up on Sunday mornings and sit in an air conditioned church with beautiful stained glass windows and sit in streamlined comfort. The truth is we're flabby, undisciplined, and exhibit no determination.
Friend, God does business with those who mean business.
Do you mean business in this Christian life? Then, begin something today for the building up of God's Kingdom to the glory of God.
:angel:
October 14
Honoring Our Parents Always
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." - Exodus 20:12
Whether you are young or old, you can honor your parents. How? By showing respect. Leviticus 19:3 says, "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." Now that word "fear" doesn't mean to quake in the presence of your parents. That is, you are to have a holy respect for your father and your mother.
You may say, "But my parents are not worthy of respect." With all due respect, you aren't either. None of us are worthy. Only perfect children can demand perfect parents, and no children are perfect. Our parents are imperfect. We are imperfect. But God is holy, and He says that we are to respect our parents.
What's your relationship like with your parents? If you've been showing less than the type of biblical respect God requires, then begin today to turn that around for His glory!
:angel:
October 15
The Sun of Righteousness
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings. . ." - Malachi 4:2
Since Jesus is the S-O-N of God, He is also the S-U-N of righteousness. Let me tell you something about the sunrise. The sunrise never comes ahead of time, and it is never late. Isn't that right? The sunrise operates according to the power of God and the authority of God. You can't hurry it up, and you can't stop it!
It is the same with the Second Coming of Jesus. He is coming at a time known only to God. You can't hurry it up and you can't stop it.
One day the Lord Jesus Christ shall come with trumpet sound. He will pull back the shade of the night and pin it with a star. Then He'll open the door of the glorious morning of His millennial reign and flood the world with light.
Tomorrow morning, get up with the sunrise and praise God that His timing is perfect and that He is coming again!
:angel:
October 16
Making Your Own Idol
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3
What is an idol? A man takes his own ideas and puts them into the work of his hands, and then he begins to worship it. What he is really worshiping is himself.
You may say, "Well, I'm not guilty of idolatry." Let's just see...is there anything that you love more than God? Anything you fear more than God? Anything you serve more than God? Anything you trust more than God? Am I getting hot?
You say, "Well, I give God a place in my life." God doesn't want a place in your life. Then, you say, "Well, I give God prominence in my life." God despises prominence in your life. God demands preeminence in your life. He will take nothing less.
Is there anyone or anything in your life that takes precedence over God? Confess it and repent of it. Now, put on the throne the rightful Master—the Lord Jesus!
:angel:
October 17
Obedience in Tithing
"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." - Matthew 25:21
A man spoke to his pastor one day and said, "I don't know what's wrong, but God is not real to me anymore." The wise pastor asked, "Is there any sin in your life?" In a moment of honesty the man responded, "Years ago I was tithing regularly to God, but one day I thought, 'God doesn't need the money as much as I do,' so I stopped."
The pastor said, "Will God say, 'My child has disobeyed Me. He cannot trust Me with his resources, so I think I'll bless him with even more financial resources.' Will God do this?"
Absolutely not. If you're not faithful with little, He won't bless you with any more.
Are you faithfully tithing your income to the work of the Lord? If not, it's time to.
:angel:
October 18
Made White as Snow
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow . . ." - Isaiah 1:18
I heard of a man giving his testimony at a Salvation Army meeting. There was a heckler in the crowd shouting, "Would you shut up? You're just dreaming!"
The heckler felt a tug at his coattail and a little girl said, "That's my daddy up there. He used to be a drunkard and beat up my mommy. We didn't have enough food to eat. But then he got saved, and my daddy's life is changed. See that woman over there? See how happy she is? That's my mommy. Mister, if my daddy's dreaming, don't wake him up!"
What a Savior who can take a poor lost sinner and wash him, save him, and make him new. Hallelujah!
When was the last time you shared Christ with a homeless person? Avail yourself and allow God to use you to shine His light in that direction.
:angel:
October 19
The Miracle of the New Birth
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3
Nicodemus was so impressed with the miracles Jesus had done that he wanted to find out more. He asked Jesus about miracles, and Jesus began to talk to him about births. It's as if Jesus were saying, "Nicodemus, if you want to understand miracles, you're going to have to become a miracle."
Now Nicodemus was an intelligent man. He was a ruler of the Jews and a member of the Sanhedrin. Yet with all of his learning, he heard Jesus say to him, "Except you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God." People simply can't understand spiritual things until the Holy Spirit of God turns the light on in their souls.
Do you know someone who has a lot of education but no salvation? I challenge you to share this same Good News with him or her today.
:angel:
October 20
Clean Before the Lord
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." - Psalm 51:7
I heard of a missionary whose wife was very fastidious. They moved into a small hut, and soon she noticed that the floor was filthy. The first thing the wife wanted to do was to scrub that floor, so she scrubbed and scrubbed but to no avail. She began to wonder if she would ever get the floor clean. Finally, somebody told her the problem. It was a dirt floor! The more she scrubbed the more dirt she scrubbed up.
In the same way, we can never scrub off our sinful nature. All we do is reveal more of what is there.
I hate to tell you this, but we're rotten to the core.
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
How dirty are you this morning? How clean must you be before you can talk with your heavenly Father? Claim the blood of Jesus and commune freely with your Father who loves you.
:angel:
October 21
Faith in Our Great God
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
How do you have faith? You look to Jesus, and faith is produced in your heart.
You don't have to work up faith.
Suppose I needed to cross the Mississippi River and I wasn't sure whether the bridge could hold me up or not. I could do one of two things. I could stand on the banks of the Mississippi and try to work up enough courage to make myself believe in that bridge, then timorously walk over that bridge. Or I could look at the semi-trucks traveling across the mighty steel and concrete of that bridge, believe, and boldly walk across in faith! In this case, faith is the by-product of seeing the strength of the bridge itself. In the same way, it's not great faith in God that you need; it is faith in a great God!
Attempt something so great in your life today that is doomed to failure unless God be in it.
:angel:
October 22
Born Again, Saved for All Time
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - John 3:7
Have you ever known anyone who was physically born twice?
Have you ever known someone who was spiritually born twice?
Nowhere in the Bible will you find a passage that describes anyone being saved twice. Once you come into the family, you're in the family.
Now there were times when I disappointed my parents. There were times when my father had to chastise me, but I am a Rogers. I will be a Rogers for all eternity. It's the same way with your spiritual life. When you are born into the family of God, your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. It is fixed. It is done.
Do you know a brother or sister in Christ who is doubting his/her salvation? Encourage him/her with this Good News today.
:angel:
October 23
The Just Shall Live by Faith
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." - Romans 1:17
Is God righteous? Yes. And how is the righteousness of God revealed? It is revealed from faith to faith. God gives you truth. You believe that truth; God gives you more truth.
The more you obey the light, the more light you get.
The reason some of us don't understand the Bible any more than we do is that we haven't been living up to the light God has already given us. It's time we began taking God at His Word and obeying it. If we begin obeying the small things we understand, God will enlighten our path to help us understand the things we don't understand.
Ask God today to give you understanding into the depths of His Word so that you can begin to share His truth in greater ways with the lost around you.
:angel:
October 28
Looking Unto Jesus
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
What does it mean to "look to Jesus" to have all of our needs met? Well, let's say I borrow ten thousand dollars from Dan, a friend of mine, but then I discover that I can't pay it back. Dan is on to me and says, "If you don't pay it back, I'm going to foreclose on you."
So I go over to another friend, Tom, and tell him about my dire situation and ask for his help. Tom says, "That's alright, Adrian, look to me."
Notice that he didn't say, "Look at me." He said, "Look to me." In other words, "I'll handle it." That's what the Bible means when it says "look unto Jesus." It means look to Him for whatever you need.
Who is looking to you to have their needs met today? Are you, then, looking to God or are you trying to do it on your own?
:angel:
29
Where is Your Focus Today?
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
When a runner is in a race, he puts his eyes on the goal. He doesn't look at the grandstand or the other runners. Neither does he examine himself. He has his eyes on the goal. He looks away from everything else. The finish line is all he sees.
That's exactly what we're to do. The reason many Christians fail in the race is that they have not learned to look away from other things. They're trying to look in both directions at the same time, and James 1:8 says, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." And Matthew 6:22 says, "If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."
Where is your focus today? Has the world drawn you back into itself, luring you away from the command of our Lord? Read Matthew 28:19-20. That's your goal.
:angel:
October 30
Remembering What We've Learned
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." - 2 Timothy 3:14
In the last days Satan is going to come, and there are going to be more miracles than you have ever seen. Most of them will not be done by God but will be done by the power of darkness—the power of Satan. The Bible says that you can look for an explosion of the occult.
Thank God we don't have to face these days without hope. God tells us what we must do in His Word. We are to remember what we've learned and to take His promises to heart. This will not be a time to doubt Him but to trust Him with all that we are.
How is your personal study time in God's Word going? Start this week to incorporate at least one hour of personal time in God's Word to study its promises, prophecies, and applications.
:angel:
October 31
Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." - Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy will pursue you all the days of your life. That's what the word "follow" literally means in Psalm 23:6—to pursue.
Jesus pursued you with His call of salvation, and He will continue to pursue you. His goodness and mercy are like two sheep dogs that follow the flock to assure there is safe journey to the Shepherd's final destination.
How many times have you questioned God's provision in your life and wondered if He really cared for you? Well, there's no question here. It says surely, not hopefully. Yes, you and I will stumble, but He will pick us up.
How would you live differently today if you knew that grace and mercy were going to follow your every step? How would you treat others?
:angel:
November 1
"...to Live is Christ...to Die is Gain"
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." - Luke 23:43
I read about a man who was on an airplane in a bad storm. Even the flight attendant was nervous. But there was a little lady humming "Blessed Assurance." She seemed to be at ease. This man said to her, "Lady, aren't you afraid?" She replied, "Not at all. I've given my heart to Jesus Christ. Not so long ago, I had a daughter who died. She was a radiantly beautiful Christian and is now in heaven. I have another daughter who's in Denver, where this airplane is going. But, I tell you the truth. It really doesn't make much difference to me which daughter I visit."
Jesus told a man on a bloody cross, "Today you'll be with Me in paradise."
If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? And what about your family?
:angel:
November 2
Purchased at a Precious Price
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." - 1 Corinthians 6:20
Matthew 26:28 says, "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." The word "testament" is from the Greek word diatheke, which means "covenant." Christ has purchased us with His blood. We have entered into a covenant with Him. The church is the bride, He is the bridegroom. We are betrothed to Him in a covenant bought with His blood.
Samuel J. Stone wrote these powerful words in a hymn we sing in our church,
"The Church's One Foundation."— "From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died."
Let this powerful truth sink deep into your heart today. Meditate on what it meant that Jesus came and sought you, then bought you with His blood.
:angel:
November 4
Faithful in Your Words
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." - James 5:12
In talking with teenagers, I've discovered many who harbor bitterness and resentment. And much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over a serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go to him with a remorseful spirit and say, "I've asked God to forgive me and I want you to forgive me." And then ask him this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me, because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? A woman of her word? Turn over a new leaf today that you will stand behind your word.
:angel:
November 5
Faithful in Little Things
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." - Luke 16:10
There was a man who was going to be made a chief executive. The Board of Directors talked about it, and it was a "done deal." In the company cafeteria one day, the existing CEO was behind this man in line. Unbeknownst to the man, the CEO saw him take a pat of butter that cost about 3 cents, then put a slice of bread over the butter so that no one would see it. The CEO went back to the Board and told them they had the wrong man. He told them that he didn't have integrity. And for 3 cents the man lost a monumental promotion!
Are you faithful in the little things? Let this be the beginning of a new day of faithfulness in your life. Remember the little things. God is watching to find you faithful.
:angel:
November 6
Faithful to the Fellowship
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25
Do you know what is happening in America today? People who claim to be Christians are not getting involved and becoming faithful to a church — the local fellowship of believers. Such a thing was unheard of in the Bible. If you were a Christian, you were faithful to the fellowship. You attended when everyone gathered together. If you stopped attending, they assumed that you were an apostate. What is more important than the local visible expression of the body of Christ? It is the way we stay "plugged in" to the needs of the body of Christ. It is the way we show honor to Him in worship. It is simply the way.
What do you have on your schedule this week that is more important than being a part of the blood-bought body of the Lord Jesus Christ?
:angel:
November 7
Held by His Omnipotent Hand
"Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me." - Psalm 139:10
I've heard people say, "Pray for us that we'll hold out faithful to the end." I think I know what they mean, but I always smile. I picture Noah's ark, and I can see Noah and his wife and family. Rather than being on the inside, they're holding on to some slimy pegs on the outside of the ark. And Noah says to Mrs. Noah, "Honey, pray for me that I'll hold out faithful to the end." But God said to Noah, "Come into the ark," and the same God that shut the water out, shut Noah in. Now Noah may have fallen down inside that ark, but he never fell out of it. It's not that we hold on to Him, but that He holds on to us.
Spend some time today simply praising God for His faithfulness, His steadfastness, and His unconditional love for you.
:angel:
November 8
Secret Faults
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." - Psalm 19:12
I read an account of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel. In the story, he was painting in a corner behind everyone's view, and someone said to him, "Forget that area, nobody can see it anyway." But Michelangelo replied, "I know it's there."
What you are in secret is what you are—nothing more, nothing less. Through the years I've spoken with men and women who travel a lot, and in almost every motel there are R-rated and X-rated films available. "Nobody's in here but me," they say. Are you sure? Jesus is in that room. What you are in that room when you think no one is around is what you really are.
Do you struggle with the secret sins of the flesh? Read Isaiah 29:15, Ezekiel 8:12, and Ecclesiastes 12:14. Then pray Psalm 19:12.
:angel:
November 9
Abundant Life
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3
Abundant life is God's plan for you. In fact, it's God's plan for all of us as Christians. The Lord Jesus Christ promised us, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Now, what is abundant life? It is life where all of your needs are met. But more than that, abundant life is where you have enough to bless others. Not only do you receive a blessing, but you are a blessing. The abundant life that Jesus promised is not just life out yonder "in the sweet by and by." It is abundant life right now in the nasty now and now. Every day in every way we are to be having victory in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who in your life is not experiencing the abundant life? Your mother? Your husband? Your best friend? Take time out today to encourage them with this promise in 1 Peter.
:angel:
November 10
Being a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:9
John Calvin was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. He said, "I gave up all for Christ and what have I found? I have found everything in Christ." Do you wish you could say that too? You can. Just don't get confused about what it means to "give up all" to find Christ. So many think that being a disciple means they must get into a movement or go to the mission field or attend seminary. Friend, being a disciple is fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ — knowing Jesus intimately and following Him wherever He leads. Fellowship with Christ comes before service for Christ. We must minister to Jesus before we can minister to anyone else.
Are you praying about where you fit in the body of Christ as His disciple? Spend some time fellowshipping with Him this week and the answer will come.
:angel:
November 11
Understanding the Spirit of Adoption
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15
It is tragic, but many will never accept their sainthood. A while back, it was in vogue for believers to make comments like "I'm saved, but I'm not a Christian." Then the person would explain, "Well, I'm not worthy to call myself a Christian because I'm not living like one." Let me nail this down for you. Have you believed upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and repented of your sins? Have you called upon Him to save you from the judgment of hell? If so, then you are the next of kin to the Trinity. You are a child of the King! Since you are part of God's family, Jesus is not only your Lord and Savior, but He is your Friend and Brother.
Have you felt like you couldn't call yourself a Christian because of your sin? Then get on your knees and repent of the sin of unbelief that keeps you from knowing you are a child of the King!
:angel:
November 12
What Is True Humility?
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." - James 4:10
Have you ever wondered what humility is all about? True humility is not thinking negatively about yourself. It is agreeing with what God says about you. The grace of God will exalt a person without inflating him and humble a person without debasing him. I am what I am because of Christ. In this life, you are not going to be sinless, but as you deal with sin in your life, you can come closer to being free from sin. Sinless? No. Blameless? Yes. As you confess and stay prayed up, you can be blameless.
Do you have a concordance in your Bible? Do a study on the subject of "humility." Start with Philippians 2:5-11.
:angel:
November 13
Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6
Have you ever noticed that we buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even like? We try to keep up with the Jones family, but when we finally catch up with them, they refinance! Let me exhort you to get off that comparison treadmill and onto the pathway of serenity. You are accepted right now in Christ. God does not change you so He can love you. He loves you so He can change you! God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. If you are saved, you are in Christ. And where is He? He is seated in the heavenlies. You are also seated in those heavenly places, even though you still have your address on planet Earth. You are enthroned with Him.
When was the last time you compared yourself with someone else? It's time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King!
:angel:
November 14
Bridging the Stress Gap
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
Stress is nothing new. Noah had it when he was building the ark with no rain in sight. Martha had it when she was preparing a meal for our Lord. Stress is the gap between the demands placed on us and the strength we have in meeting those demands. It is not a sin to be stressed, nor a sin to be weary. It is a sin, though, not to seek a lessening of that stress which tears down the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body. Where is your answer? In waiting upon the Lord — waiting in the midst of demands. When you learn to wait on Him, God steps in to bridge the stress gap with His mighty strength.
Ask God to equip you to be a stress-buster today. Perhaps it will be your boss or your spouse that is "stressed out." Rejoice in the opportunity you have to share God's love.
:angel:
November 15
The Will of God
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother." - Mark 3:35
Major Ian Thomas, English author and founder of a worldwide missionary fellowship, once wrote, "Which of these things in the life of Jesus is more spiritual? When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount? When He raised Lazarus from the dead? When He washed His disciples' feet? Or when He spat on the ground and made clay to anoint the blind man's eyes? None was more spiritual than the other. Jesus did not divide His life up into little segments of spirituality. He was simply available to do whatever His Father willed." The will of God is not a road map. It is a relationship! You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God.
Are you segregating your life into activities that are more spiritual than others? Surrender all you are to Him and make yourself available for whatever He calls you to do today.
:angel:
November 16
God Is In Control
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." - Isaiah 41:13
Once I had the rare opportunity of visiting with Corrie Ten Boom. I drank in her words. I listened and kept my mouth shut. One of her statements went straight to my heart: "There is no panic in heaven, only plans." That is how God operates — no panic. Did you know the Holy Trinity never meets in an emergency session? God has never stepped down from His throne. Jesus has not left His right hand, and the Holy Spirit has not stopped interceding for you, His child. Refuse to listen to Satan's lies of fear, discouragement, and despair. You are a victor. And God is in control!
Repeat the following throughout the day today, "God is in control of my life. He will not leave me. His right hand will sustain me all the length of my days."
:angel:
November 17
People God Chooses to Do His Work
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." - 1 Corinthians 1:27
The people God chooses to do His work are plain, simple folks. All you have to do is look at the twelve men Jesus chose to be His disciples. Fishermen, a tax collector, a "zealot." What a ragtag bunch! But they ended up "turning the world upside down." And those who watched them exclaimed, "Why, these are ignorant and unlearned men!" (Acts 4:13). Maybe you didn't make the "Who's Who," or worse, the "Who's Not"! That's all right. God has a plan for you. God knows what He is doing. He turns the table on the world's idea of success. Wealth, fame, acclaim. None of these are necessary for you to be used of God.
What a glorious truth for you to share with someone today who may be feeling like they're not worth much. Ask God to lead you to that someone right now.
:angel:
November 18
Release from the Ghosts of Guilt
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." - Jude 1:21
Guilt dogs the footsteps of mankind. It gnaws. It growls. It eats away at the joy God intends for us. Is there no peace from guilt? Will the ghosts of our guilt always lurk nearby? Not with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and the healing power of our Lord in us! The devil is the prosecuting attorney who is going to point his bony finger of accusation at you. But the Holy Spirit is not the accuser. He is the Convictor. In love, He convicts to lead us to confession. Then we can confidently come to God and ask for cleansing. No psychologist or psychiatrist can take away guilt. Only Christ Jesus can.
Read the story of the adulterous woman in John 8:1-11. Praise God for His lovingkindness and generous mercy!
:angel:
November 19
Never Alone
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18
The late Dr. Paul Tournier, great Christian psychiatrist from Switzerland, wrote that loneliness is the most devastating malady of this age.
What is loneliness? Many confuse it with being alone. But you can be alone and not lonely. Your loneliness does not have to overwhelm you. After all is said and done, truly your only solace is found in Jesus. Why? He understands. John 1:10-11 tells us that the world neither received Him, nor knew Him. In many respects He lived a life of loneliness. "But I need somebody real." Jesus is real. He is closer to you than anyone else can be or ever will be. What a friend we have in Jesus! We will never be separated from Him!
Are you lonely? Chances are someone you know is, too. Why don't you give someone a call right now and invite them to do something.
:angel:
November 20
Heartfelt Soul-Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest
"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:6
Do you know what you're doing in the morning when you have a quiet time? Weeding your garden. You're weeding the garden of your mind, so that the good seed of the Word of God can multiply. Now, the next step is to plant the seed and cultivate His harvest. And when you go out to win souls, water the crop with your tears. Read how the Lord's heart broke over the people He longed to embrace and love unto Himself (see John 17). Learn this same sort of compassion in the garden God has given you to harvest for His kingdom.
Ask God to put you into His fields of service today. Ask Him to make you bold, yet compassionate and wise to share His Good News.
:angel:
November 21
It Is Not Ours to Ask "Why?"
"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." - 2 Samuel 22:31
When bewilderment enshrouds you and despair looms at your door, when trials storm the beaches of your life, you may want to ask God, "Why? Why? Why?" Friend, you may never understand why things are happening the way they are in your life, but that's not your job. You see, it is not necessary for you to know why. That is God's question. Your response is all that matters. When we can't feel His hand, we must trust His heart. Our job is to simply trust and obey.
Is there something happening in your life for which you have no explanation, but long for answers? Ask God to give you peace and grace to trust Him.
:angel:
November 22
Just Keep Praying
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26
There's an old song with the refrain "Just keep on praying 'til light breaks through." When you don't feel like praying, that's when you need to. You need to pray until you do feel like praying. You see, you're not praying by yourself. The Spirit is praying through you and for you, helping to present your petitions to the Father — petitions that perhaps you yourself are not even capable of expressing. Do not approach God with your hands full of the brass of your emotions. Rather, approach Him with hands and heart full of the sweet incense of His worth. Just keep praying.
How's your prayer life? Do you say grace before meals and squeeze in a quick prayer before you drop off to sleep each night? Take some time today to talk to the Lord.
:angel:
November 23
True Joy and Peace Come from the Lord Alone
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." - Isaiah 26:3
You may admit that God is necessary, but do you honestly know that God is enough and that He is, in fact, more than enough? To find out if God is enough for you, let me ask you a couple of questions. Where do you obtain your joy? Is it from the Lord or from somewhere else? If your joy is from your health and it goes, then your joy will fly out the window. Many a believer has lost his health, his business, his family, his reputation, but has still maintained his joy because the source of genuine contentment and peace is in God. Indeed, one may not know that God is enough until God is all one has.
When was the last time you visited a hospital waiting room and shared Christ with those who are hurting? Maybe you could do that sometime this weekend.
:angel:
November 25
Uprooting Toxic Bitterness
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14
Bitterness is an emotional cancer that consumes many a person who once had the bloom of eternal springtime in his heart. Where does it come from? Usually from being hurt. Perhaps you were abused as a child, rejected by someone, fired from a job, or even bypassed at church. Bitterness sets in when the hurt goes unresolved. There is a solution. If you've been wronged and bitterness has become so strong that you can almost taste its bile within your mouth, then it's time to pursue it with a holy vengeance. With the Spirit's spade, root it out. Draw a circle that takes in those who have wronged you. Forgive them for Christ's sake!
Bow before the Lord this morning and ask for grace and power to uproot the bitterness that has taken hold in your heart and is robbing you of the joy you desire.
:angel:
November 26
The Cleansing, Healing Work of the Holy Spirit
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise." - Jeremiah 17:14
There are two kinds of wounds to the human psyche. One is sorrow; the other is guilt. Sorrow is a clean wound. Somehow your heart will heal as the Holy Spirit applies His healing balm. He will pour in "the oil of gladness." Time and the grace of God will heal. But guilt is dirty and will never heal until it is confessed and cleansed by the antiseptic of Calvary. A slave only fears his master's whip, but a son fears his father's displeasure.
Are you suffering under a load of guilt? Allow the Holy Spirit to expose your sin. Then confess it and experience the joy of forgiveness in Christ.
:angel:
November 27
God's Plan and Purpose for Your Life
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." - 1 John 3:2
If Jesus is Lord of your life, then not only is your entire life ordered, but so is every single step within your life. God has a plan for the plumber as well as the preacher, for the mechanic as well as the missionary. And if, for instance, God calls you to be a mechanic and you become a missionary, you are accepting second best! To find God's will is the highest achievement in your life. Success is not spelled M-O-N-E-Y. Nor is it spelled F-A-M-E. Success is the continuous realization of the will of God—what God desires for your life. God does not make clones; He makes children! There is an ultimate purpose for your life as His child —to be like Jesus.
Do you have children? Share with them these important insights about their future.
:angel:
November 28
Understanding Kingdom Authority
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19
A police officer weighing 160 pounds may effectively stand before a tanker truck and with an uplifted hand say, "Stop, in the name of the law." The police officer certainly couldn't stop the truck with his physical force. He is appealing to an authority greater than himself — the law — to back him up. Your authority over Satan is the same way. Your authority does not rest in your strength. You cannot overcome Satan with your power but rather with Kingdom Authority from God. And you have that as a child of the King. You have His authority to overcome every attack of Satan.
Sing of the power of the Lord. Find a hymnal and sing or meditate on the verses of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
:angel:
November 29
What Would Jesus Do?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Did you know that the best argument for Christianity and the best argument against Christianity is...your life? That's right. Not only are you to be a witness of and for Jesus, you are to be a part of the evidence of His reality. What would happen if every Christian began to walk as Jesus walked, talk as Jesus talked, and love as Jesus loved? The world would take notice.
Before you say or do anything today, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"
:angel:
November 30
Being Born Again - No Certificate Required
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." - 1 Peter 1:23
A little girl was supposed to take her birth certificate to school. Her mother had solemnly warned her not to lose it because of its tremendous importance, but lose it she did. Later she was sitting on the steps of the school, crying. The janitor asked her what was wrong. She replied, "I lost my excuse for being born." Now, that's a funny story, but it has a sobering analogy. You don't need an excuse for being born again. You have a Savior, and He's calling your name.
Have you been born again? Have you experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' blood that washes all your sin away? If not, I invite you to come to Him in repentance and faith. Discover Jesus today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 1
True Satisfaction Is Found in the Lord
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1
The Scottish-born naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, once had a conversation with railroad magnate and industrialist E. H. Harriman.
"I'm richer than you are," declared Muir to the railroad baron.
"And how is that true?" responded Harriman.
"Because you don't have all you want — and I do. Therefore I am richer than you," answered Muir.
Well, perhaps these two men were playing word games with one another. We don't know if either man was truly satisfied with his life, but there's one thing of which I'm certain. Our search for satisfaction will not be found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. It can only be found in Jesus.
What satisfies you today? Is it the things you own? Your relationships? Your job? Ask the Lord to fill you with the source of lasting satisfaction—Himself!
:angel:
DECEMBER 2
No One Knows Your Needs Better...
". . . for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." - Matthew 6:32
St. Augustine once said that we were created with a "God-shaped" void.
I agree.
Only God can meet the deepest longings of our hearts. There is nothing that can satisfy apart from your relationship with Him.
But it's not because He is a heavy-handed dictator forcing you to accept life the way He dishes it out! Who knows what will satisfy your deepest needs better than the One who made you? As your Creator, He can see what your needs are going to be tomorrow and ten years from tomorrow. Don't you think He knows what you need today?
What do you need today? Notice I'm not asking, "What do you want?" but "What do you need?" Does your Father know what that is? Then trust that He will provide.
:angel:
DECEMBER 3
Working All Things Together and Toward His Return
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
God has not promised you smooth sailing, but He has promised you a safe landing. He has a purpose in allowing every circumstance into your life. You can bank on this: He'll see you to the shore in every storm of life.
Andrew Murray said, "God is willing to assume the full responsibility for the life totally yielded to Him." One of these days your destiny will be fulfilled. And soon and very soon, He is going to step down from the mountain of His glory, and the trumpet will sound. Our little ship will leave the sea of time, and immediately we'll be on the shores of eternity.
When He comes, He's coming for you! He's coming for me!
First Thessalonians 4:16-18 tells us to comfort one another with these words of Christ's return:
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Do you have a Christian friend who is troubled today? Comfort him or her with this hope.
:angel:
December 4
The True Depth of the Savior's Love
"No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." - John 10:18
The true depth of the Savior's love becomes apparent when you consider an important truth—Jesus Christ is the only person who ever chose to die.
"But, what about kamikaze pilots in World War II? What about soldiers who, having heard the ominous 'click' of a land mine, stood still until their buddies could scurry to safety?"
They didn't choose to die in the final sense of the word; they only chose when to die. You and I, and everyone yet to be, will die eventually. But there was only One who did not have to die. Nails didn't hold our Savior to the tree. Silver cords of love and golden bonds of redemption held Him there.
Read Psalm 22, 23, and 24 and rejoice in the provision, protection, and providence of the Good Shepherd!
:angel:
December 5
Jesus Is Victorious Over All
"For He hath put all things under His feet. . ." - 1 Corinthians 15:27
Praise God! The story has a happy ending! He is risen! Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God at this very moment, interceding on your behalf (Romans 8:34). And His prayers are always answered. When the problems of your life are over your head, remember they are under His feet. Where is His head? It is in the heavenlies, interceding for you. Where are your problems? Under His feet. Jesus is alive and waiting in the wings to return for you!
Is there someone in your life who is struggling? Write them a note of encouragement and use Romans 8:34 as a closing verse of hope.
:angel:
DECEMBER 6
Omnipotent God—Held by His Love and Grace
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." - Jude 24
Have you fussed and fumed through life's challenges, wondering if the Sovereign Creator of the Universe was on vacation? I have a message for you: The God who hung the stars, the God who poured the oceans, the God who raised the mountains, the God who knew you before you were knit together in your mother's womb, this sovereign God is your Savior. He is your King, and He is in control.
When you are plucked from the depths of sin, you are placed in the very hand of God! You can't climb up into the hand of God; you are placed into the hand of God. Hallelujah! Our efforts didn't get us there. His grace placed us there. And His love will keep us there forever.
Read Psalm 139 and rejoice in the truth that God has created you and will make a way for you!
:angel:
December 7
Dependence on God—A Witness of His Power
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7
If you're like most people, you don't realize your dependency on God until you're burned out from stress—either self-induced or caused by circumstances beyond your control.
Why is that?
Paul says it's because we are fragile. But he doesn't stop there. He says that God made us this way so that His power may be known through us!
Maybe someone told you, "Oh, just tie a knot and hang on!" Sometimes God wants us to let go of the rope because it is keeping us tied down to our destructive habits. We are totally dependent on God so that the love of His Son may be made known to the world.
Get a piece of rope and tie a knot in it. Let it sit on your desk this week as a reminder that God is more than just a knot at the end of the rope. He is the Savior of the World!
:angel:
December 8
Let Jesus Lead the Way
"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." - Psalm 31:24
Who knows you better than the One who created you? Who cares more for you than the One Who died for you? Who leads you more carefully than the One Who knows the end from the beginning? There is no greater picture of courage than the picture of Jesus Christ—the Savior Who lays down His life. You can know security because the One Who loves you is compassionate, caring, and courageous. Jesus knows you. He cares for you. He wants to lead you into the abundant life.
Are you willing to lay down your life for the sake of the Lord?
:angel:
December 9
Free to Choose
"What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose." - Psalm 25:12
You are free to choose. You are not free, however, not to choose. After you make a choice, your choice chooses for you.
There are consequences for your choices—always. If you choose to step off the roof of a ten-story building, you are not then free to choose the consequence of your choice. Your choice has chosen for you.
What if you make a bad choice? What is God's reaction? First, He is in control. Your choices will not take Him by surprise. Thanks to God, He can prevail over our bad choices to restore us into fellowship with Himself!
Have you made a choice in your past that has brought you consequences reverberating even today? Share this insight with someone who is younger in the faith than you.
:angel:
December 10
Follow Someone with a Limp
"For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:29
Someone has said, "If you are looking for a leader to follow, find someone with a limp." The wounded in life are those who have learned difficult lessons through suffering. Do not resist the Shepherd's rod of correction.
Is the wounding painful? Indeed. Does it seem that you will not be able to bear it? Most certainly. Then why would He subject us to such pain? Because you have a Father who loves you so much that He is willing to hurt you to heal you. What you need to focus on is not your pain, but your Savior. God didn't save you to take you to heaven. That's a fringe benefit. God saved you to make you holy—as He is holy.
Read Hebrews 12:1-13. What application can you make from this passage for your life today?
:angel:
December 11
Listening for His Voice
"Hearken unto Me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of My mouth." - Proverbs 7:24
The United States Government doesn't teach Treasury agents to detect counterfeit bills by having them study fakes. They show these agents real dollars over and over and over until they have the pattern memorized. Then when a counterfeit is put in front of them, they recognize it instantly because it doesn't fit the pattern their eyes are looking for.
Do you know the voice of the Lord? The only way you can be sure that it is His voice you are hearing is to hear it so often that a stranger's voice is instantly recognizable. It is far wiser to spend time learning the One True Voice than it is trying to learn to detect a multitude of false voices.
Spend at least 15 minutes today being silent before God and listening for His voice.
:angel:
December 12
Off the Defense and On the Offense
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15
If I had to identify the major misconception about believers today, it would be that they spend too much time getting out of trouble with God, instead of getting into righteousness!
We are living on the defensive instead of the offensive. We need to move beyond the defensive line of Christianity, and move on to the offense—advancing the Kingdom, fulfilling the Great Commission, and telling others about Jesus. Our Shepherd will never lead us where His strength cannot keep us. He will never lead us down a path that He hasn't first walked down Himself.
Are you sharing His love and words of salvation with someone who's lost? If not, begin today to move beyond your comfort zone and see the hand of God move.
:angel:
December 13
Burdens and Trials a Necessity?
"Knowing this,that the trying of your faith worketh patience." - James 1:3
A man had a grandfather clock. One day he felt sorry for the grandfather clock because it had a weight on it. And that weight was always pulling on the clock. The man said, "Oh, Mr. Clock, you've held this weight so long, I'm going to remove it and let you rest."
The clock protested, saying, "Don't take that weight from me. That's what keeps me going."
In the same way, the trials and tests of life are there for your endurance. They're to keep you going, keep you trusting, keep you praying, and keep you depending upon God.
When was the last time you shared with someone that they needed to be thankful for their trials? When was the last time you told yourself?
:angel:
DECEMBER 14
Light of Hope in a Dark World
"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." - Isaiah 9:2
Imagine being in a cave without a flashlight. Can you see any shadows? You cannot even see your hand! Shadows are only visible in the presence of light.
Regardless of how dark, how large, how absolutely ominous a shadow appears, it is only there because there is light. David says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Why? Because "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
Jesus has taken the sting out of sin and the fear out of the grave. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit to give us confidence that He will always be with us and watch over us.
There are many today who are grieving because of a loss—the loss of a loved one, a job, a wayward child. Pray for them. Send them a note of hope and include 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
:angel:
December 15
The Lord Ever-Present
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!
Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.
This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 16
"For Thou Art With Me"
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
There's nothing, my friend, that will bring you more face-to-face with God than going through the dark valleys of life. When you are there, you are going to cling to His garments and hold onto His hand. You won't stray far from the fold in the dark.
Do you believe that He is with you? The ultimate Sovereign is your loving Savior. You will not have to cross Jordan alone. You will not appear before the judgment of the Holy God alone. You are not going to die alone.
What a joyful promise! You are not alone! Write these words on a card and post it in a place where you can see it all the time:
"I am not alone. God is with me."
:angel:
DECEMBER 17
Recognize the Devil's Lies and Claim the Promises of God
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8
The devil wants you to live your life from an empty cup. He wants you to think that God's cup of grace has dried up for you. He wants you to be disenchanted with God. Most especially, he wants you to feel that God is a cosmic killjoy...that God is always thinking of ways to rob you of joy and peace. Satan knows that if you start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with you in other areas.
Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has won the victory for you! Send those lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the promises of God.
Wish someone the peace and joy of the Lord today.
:angel:
December 19
Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider
"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." - Matthew 14:14
It is the unbelievable, supernatural replenishment that awakens the world to see the mighty power of God. Jesus demonstrated, once with a crowd of 5,000 and again with a crowd of 4,000, that He is the God who provides (see Matthew 14:14-21, 15:32-38).
When the most "responsible" thing to do, in human terms, was to ask the multitudes to find their own food, Jesus turned to the supernatural power of God. Moved with compassion, He confidently told the disciples to begin feeding the multitudes.
Jesus never wavered in His complete and utter trust in Jehovah Jireh.
Read the accounts of these miracles in Matthew with your family today, then ask God to fill your family with an utter and complete trust in Jehovah Jireh.
:angel:
December 20
God's Provision, A Living Testimony
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
What is it about your life that you cannot explain apart from God? Do you know that's the only part of you that is believable? Let me illustrate. If your neighbor can explain you, then you are just like him—only you're religious.
Friend, your life as a religious person is not going to convince him of the power of God. But when he sees God supernaturally meeting your needs, then, you're going to be believable.
How is your life radiating the light of our Lord in your neighborhood? Invite your neighbors over for a night of fellowship and share with them the Good News of the divine birth of Jesus.
:angel:
DECEMBER 21
Loneliness During the Holidays
"For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." - Psalm 116:8
I believe that the holidays are the loneliest time of the year. Everywhere you look, people are told they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. Just walking down the mall can make you feel lonely.
But Jesus has said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). When I'm discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I'm lonely His presence cheers me up. When I'm worried, His presence calms me down. And when I am tempted, His presence will help me out.
Write down the last portion of this devotional thought and personalize it. Now use it as a prayer of faith and trust.
:angel:
DECEMBER 22
But He Made Himself of No Reputation
"But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:7
Jesus came in a manger for you and for me. He willingly left the glories and riches of heaven to be born in a stable.
Jesus became poor so that we might become rich. He lived a life of such abject poverty that when He had to pay taxes, He had to look for a coin in a fish's mouth. When He sent out His disciples, He told them to take nothing but a staff and the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 6:7-9). He was put to death like a common criminal so that we could wear a royal robe!
Child of God, you are rich! I am rich! Praise God!
Read Philippians 2:6-11 with your family or friends today as a Christmas devotional. Spend time praising God for His Son, Jesus.
:angel:
DECEMBER 23
Held in His Hand
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." - 1 John 3:1
You are rich! Jesus became the Son of Man that we might become sons of God. We are saved because of the grace of Christmas. That is not rhetoric—that is reality!
A little boy was talking about eternal security and said, "I am held in His hand."
A cynic responded, "What if you slip through His hands?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," the boy replied, "I'm one of His fingers."
You are rich, my friend.
Amidst all the materialism that sometimes chokes out the true meaning of Christmas, take some time to share this Good News with someone today.
:angel:
DECEMBER 24
Boldly Proclaiming Good Tidings of Great Joy
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." - Luke 2:10
The angel said that we have received "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." God wants this message known around the world.
Now I know that you may not be a preacher, but you can be a "reach-er"! What would happen if every believer went out into their neighborhood and said, "Jesus is Lord!" How will the world know if we don't tell them? Oh, we need to be bold for Jesus.
The skies are going to split open, and the trumpet is going to sound. The dead in Christ will rise, and the angels will once again be heard! "He's returned!" The Savior born in a manger will return as a Monarch to rule and to reign!
Are you joyfully sharing the Good News of Christ this Christmas? Will you be bold and share His Good News with someone today?
:angel:
DECEMBER 25
The Greatest Gift of Love
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E. What is the Christmas message? John 3:16. God gave us the gift of love on Christmas Day.
It is truly said, "What the world needs now is love." I need it. You need it. Your spouse needs it. Your child needs it. An elderly man or woman sitting alone in a nursing home today needs it. A child abandoned and alone in a children's home needs it, too.
God sent His one and only Son as the Savior. He knew we couldn't save ourselves. So He sent His Son to be born in a manger, to die on a cross, to rise again into glory, and to come again to redeem His church.
Where are you spending your Christmas day? Maybe you can spare a few minutes with your family and friends to share His gift of love with someone who is all alone today.
:angel: :angel:
DECEMBER 26
Anticipation of an Even Greater Day
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:3
It's the day after Christmas. The glow on the tree is just a little dimmer because the anticipation of the day is now past. Ever feel that way about your walk with the Lord? Well, let me give you some good news, my friend. The best is yet to be!
That's right. Christmas Day is past, but Resurrection Day is coming soon, and I don't mean Easter. I mean the Second Coming of Our Lord is imminently on the horizon.
He is coming again. And that's not just a nice thing; that's a rock-ribbed truth! Jesus is coming again!
Write down John 14:3 on a little note, and as you say goodbye to family and friends, give them this note of encouragement.
:angel:
DECEMBER 28
Random Acts of Kindness
"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great." - Luke 6:35
I've seen bumper stickers that exhort us to "show random acts of kindness." I think that's a good thing. And what is kindness? It's love in the little things.
A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ.
She said, "You did."
The pastor said, "Well, I'd be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ."
She said, "It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real."
What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?
:angel:
DECEMBER 29
Be an Encourager
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Someone has well said that discouragement is a darkroom where the negatives of fear and failure are developed.
Some people are encouragers and others are discouragers. Have you ever met a discourager? They're like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed.
But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God. You're never more like God than when you're encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people.
Find a needy person and enrich him; a lonely person and include him; a misunderstood person and affirm him; an undiscovered person and develop him; a failing person and restore him.
:angel:
DECEMBER 30
Eternity . . .
"That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16
Your soul, made in the image of God, will exist forever. I think Billy Sunday, the evangelist, said it this way: "Imagine a little bird taking a grain of sand and flying to a distant planet. It would take him a million years to fly to that distant planet. Then he would drop that grain of sand. Then the little bird would fly back to the earth taking another million years. He gets another grain of sand and flies back to the distant planet.
"Back and forth, back and forth it goes. When he will have transplanted every speck of earth to that distant planet, it will only be breakfast time in eternity."
Your soul will go on, and on, and on.
Where do you plan on spending eternity? Where do your loved ones plan on spending it? If you don't know, ask them today and get their salvation on the right side of eternity.
:angel:
DECEMBER 31
Moving Forward Into the New Year
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." - Hosea 6:3
On this New Year's Eve, you may be wondering what is going to happen. Years ago, some men were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea. One of them asked the captain, "Are we safe?" He said, "Well, the boilers are weak and may explode at any moment. The ship is taking on water. To be very honest with you, we may go up, or we may go down, but at any rate, we are going on."
And that's the way we are as we face this new year. Jesus may come; we may go up. We may die, and go down and then up, but at any rate, we are going on.
Reflecting on this past year, allow the Holy Spirit to invade your heart, convicting and drawing you to Himself. Ask for wisdom, courage, and faith to continue on, whatever happens this next year!
:angel:
JANUARY 1
A New Year Without Fear
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"...for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." - Hebrews 13:5-6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I heard of some men years ago who were on a leaky old ship in the middle of a rough and stormy sea, fearful for their lives. They didn't know whether they were going to sink or not. So one of them went to see the captain and said, "Captain, are we safe?" He answered, "Well, I'll put it to you this way. The boilers on this ship are very weak and may explode at any moment. Also, the ship is very old and she's taking on water. To be honest with you, we may have an explosion or we may sink. "We may go up or we may go down. But," he continued, "at any rate, we're going on."
And that's the way we are, as we face this new year. Jesus may come—we may go up. We may die—we'll go down and then go up. But at any rate, we're going on...even though we don't know what it's going to bring.
ACTION POINT:
Face this new year by squaring your shoulders, lifting your head, and saying "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear." The greatest thing you could do to begin, if you have not done it yet, would be to give your heart to Jesus Christ. This would be the beginning of a brand new life. This can be the first day of an eternal life. Are you willing to openly and publicly acknowledge Christ as your personal Savior?
:angel:
JANUARY 2
Starting from a Secure Position
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." - Acts 16:31
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you are not saved, your first step in this new year must be giving your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. If I had a thousand lives to live, I'd give Him every one of them. I really would.
I came to Jesus Christ as a teen. If I had understood it sooner, I would have come sooner. I don't care how young you are or how old you are, if you are reading this, you can be saved. I don't care how good you are or how bad you are, there's no one so good they don't need to be saved and no one so bad they can't be saved.
The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." That doesn't mean mere intellectual belief or just accepting some facts about Him. It means trust. You can believe an airplane can fly; you don't trust it until you get on it. Come to Jesus and I promise you, on the authority of the Word of God, He will save you instantly. He will be with you continually. He will keep your eternally.
ACTION POINT:
Commit your life to Jesus. Believe on Him. Trust Him and a transformation will take place. He will save you. He will satisfy you. He will secure you if you trust Him.
:angel:
JANUARY 3
The Lord Will Be My Helper—I Will Not Fear
BIBLE MEDITATION:
So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." - Hebrews 13:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you are going to face this year with steadfast resolve, you must find your contentment, your companionship, and your confidence in Christ. And then you'll find your comfort in Christ. Then you may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
I'm not trying to tell you life's going to be all honey and no bees. No, the Christians in the book of Hebrews faced heartaches and trials. They had opposition from family, friends and foes alike. They faced mockery and brutality. Yet they could boldly say, "The Lord is my helper."
Friend, this coming year may be difficult for you. But I am telling you that you can stand upon the promises of the Word of God.
ACTION POINT:
We don't know what the coming year will bring—sickness, heartache, or trouble. But I do know that you can boldly say, "The Lord will be my helper. I will not fear what man shall do to me." Find your contentment, your companionship, and your confidence in Jesus. In Him you will find your comfort and your courage.
:angel:
JANUARY 4
The Danger of Drifting
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." - Hebrews 2:1
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Life is like an ocean...a trackless ocean with winds, currents and waves. We'll meet ships we never knew were on that ocean and we'll have all kinds of opportunities, heartaches, tears and fears as we sail into a new year on an uncharted sea.
Scholars tell us Hebrews 2:1 refers to the sea—the writer is using a nautical term. He must have spent time at sea, because the phrase "giving more earnest heed" and the word "slip" refer to bringing a ship into the harbor, a difficult and sometimes dangerous task. A ship never just drifts into the harbor. The most skillful part of being a sea pilot is bringing the ship into the harbor. "Let them slip" literally means drift away. You have to be careful when you enter the harbor that you don't end up on the rocks or drift past the harbor.
The worst thing that could happen to us this year is that we just drift through it—live an aimless life—letting this year "happen" to us rather than charting a course and getting into God's appointed harbor. The winds of worldliness, the tides of circumstance, and the currents of the old nature are determined to cause you to drift.
ACTION POINT:
You will drift unless you decide not to drift. You must have an anchor. You need a fixed direction. It's important, because drifting is one of the easiest things in the world to do.
:angel:
JANUARY 5
Jesus Meets the Heart's Deepest Need
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." - Philippians 4:11-12
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When Paul wrote this he was in prison. But he said, "I've learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
The word "content" literally means "self-contained." We're hearing a lot today about the "r" word, recession. Back in 1929 and 1930 when the stock market crashed, there were men who jumped out of skyscrapers, committing suicide. Why? Because the things they were trying to satisfy their heart with, they lost. That's where their security was. Friend, you'd better have your security, sufficiency and satisfaction in something that can't be tampered with.
ACTION POINT:
Paul continues, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That literally means, I can do all things through Christ who is pouring His life into me. Learn a life of contentment. Have the contentment of His provision—Christ Himself. The deepest need of your heart can be met in the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
JANUARY 6
Our Security Is In the Lord Jesus Christ
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound." - Philippians 4:12
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
As we face the coming year, if the stock market goes down, what we have in Jesus Christ—eternal security, salvation, a relationship with the King of kings— is worth multiplied billions and more. Today some of you find that you are abased. You're saying, "I can hardly make it until the next paycheck." Some of you are abounding. You have more than you ever thought or dreamed you'd have. If you have that, I'm happy for you. See it as a gift from God and enjoy it, for the Bible says, "God takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants." It is the Lord who gives you the ability to get wealth. Thank God for it. Don't be ashamed of it.
From his prison cell Paul says. "In Christ, I have a self-contained life. All that I need is in the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't have to go outside of Him for contentment."
ACTION POINT:
If you have Jesus, friend, you have something wonderful. You are rich, regardless of what you may or may not have in the bank. Now say "amen."
:angel:
JANUARY 7
Finding Contentment in Him
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have." - Hebrews 13:5
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you would face a new year without fear, know the contentment of His provision. You say, "That's just preacher-talk." Well, I'll tell you this much. I would not sell the contentment I have in Jesus Christ for any price you could name. I am content in the Lord Jesus. That doesn't mean I'm satisfied with myself, but that along with the Apostle Paul I can say it gladly and surely: "I can do all things through Christ who is pouring His life into me," and "I have learned that whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
ACTION POINT:
If you want the source of your satisfaction, your sufficiency and your security to be steadfast, then you must find it in the Lord Jesus Christ. "All other ground is sinking sand."
:angel:
JANUARY 8
Charting and Reaching Your Goals
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." - 1 Corinthians 9:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Many years ago a Yale University study found that 3% of the students had written down specific goals. Twenty-two years later, a follow-up with those students revealed that the goal-writing 3% had achieved more than the other 97% put together. They were not drifters. They had goals in their life. Sociologists find that 95% of people never have any written goals, but of the 5% that do have written goals, 95% of that 5% have reached their goals.
ACTION POINT:
Write down today some goals for yourself in the coming year. We are body, soul, and spirit, so make 3 divisions: On one page write "Spiritual Goals." On the second write "Physical Goals." And on the third write "Personal Goals." Do you have a goal? Do you have a vision? Be one of the 5%, not the 95%.
:angel:
JANUARY 9
Would You Like To Make Your Life Over?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it." - Jeremiah 18:3-4
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The making of pottery is one the oldest arts known to men. A potter takes clay and molds it and squeezes it until it is soft and pliable. It is a beautiful thing to watch: a vessel of beauty or a vessel of service, or both, emerge from that ugly clay.
God is the potter. We are His workmanship. God is the Master Workman, working on us. Think of yourself as the clay and see what God can do with you, for He is at work in your life.
ACTION POINT:
Though you may not understand it now, every turn of the wheel has been a part of God's plan. If He does not rule, God overrules. He's going to turn every Calvary to an Easter, every midnight to a sunrise. He is going to turn every tear to a pearl and make a diadem for you.
:angel:
JANUARY 10
He Is the Potter, I Am the Clay
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel." - Jeremiah 18:5-6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God the Potter has the clay upon His wheel—but something happens. It's marred. It's ruined. Did God make a mistake? The problem is not in the hands of the Potter. The problem is in the clay.
Now what could be the problem in the clay? First there might be some rock, some hidden impurity keeping the vessel from becoming what it ought to be. There may be some hidden impurity in your life, marring what God wants to do. Or it may just be that the clay is not broken enough. The clay is too stiff. The clay does not yield to the hand of the Potter. What is clay to do in the hand of the potter? We are to yield.
ACTION POINT:
Are you yielded? Can God form and shape you and make out of you what He wants? We must be willing to say, "Lord You are the Potter, I'm the clay; mold me, make me after Thy will." Have you said, "Lord, here I am, make of me what you wish, do with me what you will"? Most of us dare not dream what we could be if we would allow God to have His way in our lives.
:angel:
JANUARY 11
The Promise of a Life that Repents
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them." - Jeremiah 18:7-8
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God is saying here, "If you will repent of your sin, I will repent of the judgment I had planned." That is a promise to every one of us today. Just because you may have failed in the past doesn't mean that God is finished with you. Are you ready for some good news on the threshold of a new year? You can have a brand new start! There's hope for you. Our God is the God of the second chance. Your life may be marred. Your life may have gotten off track because of some hidden sin or some stubbornness when you refused to yield to God. But He is saying , "I don't hold grudges. I am the God of the second chance."
ACTION POINT:
This condition holds true for a life that is still pliable and gives God all the pieces. If your life is broken, give Him all the pieces, but do it while it is still pliable, and He can make another vessel out of you. Are you willing to do that?
:angel:
JANUARY 12
The Peril of a Life That Rebels
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Thus saith the Lord, "Go and get a potter's earthen bottle... Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that are with thee, and shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel that cannot be made whole again...." "Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they hardened their necks, that they might not hear My words." - Jeremiah 19:1, 10-11, 15
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You can say, "Well, I'm not going to yield to God." Then you are clay that is going to be hardened. There is peril in a life that rebels against God. Some vessels when they hear about hidden impurities and stubborn resistance will be broken and say, "Here I am Lord, I yield myself to you. I repent. Take me, make me, mold me. Give me a new start."
Or you can say, "It's my life. I'm going to live it the way I want to live it. I'm not going to yield." That is your privilege. But if you do that, you're going to be hardened in that position, and once the clay is hardened, the Potter cannot remold it. He cannot remake it.
ACTION POINT:
God gives a second chance. When you read the Bible, you find it is full of people to whom God gave a second chance. But always, always they were pliable. Search your heart. Are you pliable?
:angel:
JANUARY 13
The Hidden Cupboard
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Search me O God and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." - Psalm 139:23-24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
F. B. Meyer was one of the greatest Christian writers of the centuries. As a pastor, Meyer was successful, but not as he ought to have been. He had two friends, Charles Studd and Hudson Taylor, great men in the history of the church. They seemed to have victory day by day—joy and power in their lives. Meyer watched them. One day he went to Studd and said, "You have joy in your life that I don't have." Studd said, "There is nothing I have that you can't have. Have you given everything to God?"
Meyer went back to his room that night and began to pray. In his heart there had been something he did not want to yield to the Lord. It seemed like a small thing, but it was standing between him and victory. He wrestled with God that night until finally he came to the place where he had to do something. He took a bunch of keys out of his pocket and said, "Lord here it is. This key ring represents my life. I give it over to you." And he said, "It seemed as if the Lord said to me, 'Are all the keys there?' 'Yes Lord, they're all there except one small key, a key to a little cupboard. But it's just one little key.' The Lord handed the keys back and started to walk out the door. I said, 'Wait Lord. Don't go. Here's that key. I don't believe I can give it to you, but I will hold it out. Please take it.' The Lord took those keys, every one of them, and went into that cupboard and began to do a work, and my life was transformed.'"
ACTION POINT:
Is there some little key like that in your life? Some little cupboard where you say, "Lord, you can be Lord of all—except this." Have you yielded?
:angel:
JANUARY 14
"Lo, I Am With You"
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." - Matthew 28:18-20
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what worry is? Worry is a mild form of atheism. It's acting like God doesn't exist. The great missionary David Livingstone took the Gospel to Africa and actually discovered and unlocked much of Africa. He lived a life of loneliness and danger. On January 14, 1856, surrounded by hostile people beating war drums like they were going to attack the next morning, he wrote in his journal: "Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all of my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teaming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow."
Sitting at his campfire, he knows what's out there in the dark. Then he writes, "But I read that Jesus said, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, go ye therefore and teach all nations, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' This is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor. I will not cross furtively as I had intended. Why should such a man as I flee? I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight. Though it may be the last, I feel quite calm now. Thank God."
ACTION POINT:
Follow Livingstone's example. Practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. You're going to be tempted. Know that Jesus Christ never leaves us, never forsakes us. When the devil comes and knocks at your heart's door, simply say, "Jesus, please go answer the door."
:angel:
JANUARY 15
The Changed Life
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." - 2 Peter 2:22
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
An unsaved person can sit in church, sing in the choir, and sound holy and righteous. But as soon as he's back in the world, he'll return to the sordid, old sin he enjoyed before.
Peter likens the unsaved religious person to a dog and a pig. You can scrub him clean, brush his teeth, and dress him in a pink ribbon; but he will go right back into the mire. A scrubbing on the outside doesn't change his inner nature. The dog may feel better, and the pig may look better; but neither has been changed.
But a person who comes to know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior is changed. He does not want the same things anymore. He does not live the same way anymore. He has been born again into a new life.
ACTION POINT:
What has changed in your life since you came to know the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you different? The Bible says when we are "in Christ," we become new creatures—for the old has passed away, and all things have become new. Have you experienced that? Then thank Him today!
:angel:
JANUARY 16
The Spiritual Discipline that's a Lost Art
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"I, Daniel...set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes." - Daniel 9:2, 3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Someone has called fasting "the weeping of the soul." Fasting is a lost art in most of our churches, but it is one of the clearest taught doctrines in the Word of God, especially in a time of crisis.
When Ezra and his people were in a predicament, he "proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava..." (Ezra 8:21). Nehemiah said, "And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4). Jehoshaphat "feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast through all Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:3). Joel said, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly" (Joel 2:15). The Lord Jesus said, "Moreover, when you fast..." (Matt. 6:16-17).
Most of us have never practiced fasting with consistency. Fasting is not just going hungry, and it's not a way to lose weight. Fasting is the affliction of the soul for discipline and determination to humble ourselves before God and seek His face.
ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you "set your face" to seek the Lord? Is there a situation in your life, in your home, at your job or in your church, which merits serious, sustained prayer? If so, perhaps it is time to seek the Lord in fasting and prayer.
:angel:
JANUARY 17
You Won't Have One without the Other
BIBLE MEDITATION
"In the first year of his [King Darius] reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lordthrough Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications...." - Daniel 9:2-3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What was it that caused Daniel to set his face to seek the Lord? It was reading the books, the Old Testament prophets. As Daniel studied the book of Jeremiah, God showed Daniel that He had prophesied a seventy-year program of captivity for His people the Jews in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11, 12), and the seventy years were almost up. Through Jeremiah God said to Daniel, "I'm going to judge Babylon."
Now Daniel is in a crisis, and he's praying. But what prompted his prayer? Reading the Word, Daniel saw God's blueprint and knew he was living at the end of an age. He was asking God for wisdom. What do we learn from this? That Bible study and prayer rise and fall together. Your study life will not be greater than your prayer life and vice versa. There is no way you can separate Bible study from prayer.
ACTION POINT:
When you read the Bible, the Bible impels you to pray. And when you pray, your prayer life will urge you to read the Bible. Prayer and Bible reading go hand in hand. When you read the Word of God, God is speaking to you. Prayer is you, talking back to God. And it ought not to be a one-sided conversation from either side.
:angel:
JANUARY 18
Praying for What God Has Already Promised
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"...I, Daniel, understood...by the word of the Lordthrough Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications..." - Daniel 9:2-3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God had prophesied that He was going to do something, but still Daniel prayed. Why didn't Daniel just sit back and say, "Well, God, since You prophesied that You're going to do it, then, ha-ha-ha, there's no need for me to pray about it"?
It's a strange thing—the Bible teaches us to pray about what God has already promised He would do.
Revelation 11:15 says, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." Yet Jesus taught us to pray "Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done..."
The Bible teaches there's going to be peace in Jerusalem, yet Psalm 122:6 tells us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
Jesus Christ is going to come again. (Revelation 22:20) Then John prays, "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus." It is prophesied, yet we're told to pray it will happen.
ACTION POINT:
Even when God says He's going to do something, God does what He's going to do through the prayers of His people. God wants us to have a part in bringing about His will upon this earth through prayer.
:angel:
JANUARY 19
The Prayer that Makes God Angry
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession...We have sinned, and committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and from Thy judgments." - Daniel 9:4-5
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Daniel's prayer here is not the prayer that makes God angry. Some people think "If we just pray, God will hear our prayer." My dear friend, it is not so. Prayers of a wicked people anger God. They make the matter worse. It's an affront to God.
The Bible says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). "The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29). Again, God says, "He that turns away his ear from the hearing of the law, his prayer shall be an abomination" (Proverbs 28:9). Prayer could actually become an abomination to God. The psalmist said, "Lord, how long will you be angry at the prayers of your people?"
ACTION POINT:
Have you ever thought that a prayer of yours, rather than enlisting God's mercy, might stir up God's anger? Nothing angers God more than for a people stuffed full of sin and self to be imploring God to do something good for them when they stand in need of judgment. Confessed sin will be forgiven, but it must be confessed. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me."
:angel:
JANUARY 20
The Casual Prayer Life
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes." - Daniel 9:3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
So often our prayer is casual prayer, prayer that comes with almost a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Many of us could not even remember what we prayed for this morning or last night. We rattle off little "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayers. The truth is, more often than not we're flabby, undisciplined, and exhibit no determination.
ACTION POINT:
Have you ever set your face to prayer—desperately sought the Lord? If you want to see God move in your life, devote yourself to prayer. Friend, God does business with those who mean business.
:angel:
JANUARY 21
A Clear Picture When You Pray
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments...O Lord, righteousness belongeth to Thee.... To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness...for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works which He does.... - Daniel 9: 4, 7, 9, 14
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When you pray, is it with a clear picture in mind of the might and power, the holiness of the One to Whom you are addressing your prayer?
This passage reveals the character of God, His greatness, His awe, His power, righteousness and mercy. We must see this about the great heart of our God: God is a God of righteousness, judgment, and justice, but God had rather show mercy than send judgment.
ACTION POINT:
It is impossible to see who our great God is in a time of crisis and not want to pray. When you see the character and nature of God, you can hardly keep from praying! God says, "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it." (Jeremiah 18:7-8)
:angel:
JANUARY 22
What Do You Seek Most?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"O Lord, according to all Thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let Thine anger and Thy fury be turned away from Thy city Jerusalem, Thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us." - Daniel 9:16
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The sins of God's people were great. Daniel prayed, "Our sins have risen up in Your face. And O God, we're praying. Turn Your anger and Your fury away." God will judge any nation that continues to print pornography, abort babies, applaud sodomy, and sings, "God bless us" at the same time. God's fury is turned against that nation. But Daniel is standing in the gap saying, "O God, remove our guilt," then, "Lord, restore Your glory...cause Your face to shine upon Your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake." (v. 17).
Daniel's motivation is not for America's sake, not for Israel's sake, not for a denomination's sake, not for his sake, but for God's sake. "For Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name."
What a great man Daniel was. Most of us ask God to get us out of the mess we're in so we can drive new cars and not see the stock market tumble. How many are consumed for the glory of God? Very few. Daniel was. Daniel says, "God, for Your sake, for Your name, do it!"
ACTION POINT:
Do you have a burning in your heart for the name of our God to be exalted throughout this earth? His name has been stepped on, blasphemed, and ridiculed. Make the focus of your prayers and the goal of your prayers the glory of God.
:angel:
JANUARY 23
What Gives You the Right to Pray?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lordmy God...the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering." - Daniel 9:20-21
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What is the evening offering? Daniel is praying in Babylon. There was no temple or altar in Babylon. There was no sacrifice made. As a matter of fact, it had been almost seventy years since a sacrifice had been made. In the temple, the time for the evening sacrifice was between 3 and 4 pm in the afternoon. That's when the animals were slain. They also called it "the ninth hour."
Daniel says, "I was praying at the time of the evening sacrifice." That is, "I was praying on the basis of a sacrifice made a long time ago. I'm linking my prayer with that sacrifice." May I tell you, Jesus died exactly the same hour! "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) That same hour was the hour Daniel was praying; only Daniel was praying long after the time of those animal sacrifices and hundreds of years before Jesus' death.
ACTION POINT:
Daniel's prayer, like any prayer that has ever been offered, will only get to heaven on the basis of a blood sacrifice. Whether that sacrifice was made seventy years ago, as in Daniel's case, or two thousand years ago in our case, we need to link our prayer with Calvary.
:angel:
JANUARY 24
The Disease of Discontent
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Many times we think we need something when we really don't. Sometimes we want things we don't need. We get our luxuries and our necessities confused.
Discontentment is a disease that takes away your joy and peace. And what is contentment? It's not getting what you want but wanting what you already have. You see, contentment will make a poor man rich. And discontentment makes a rich man poor. No matter how much you have, if you're discontented, you're really poor.
Sometimes it is God's grace that we don't receive what we think we want. Once upon a time, two tears met up along the river of life.
Said one tear to the other, "Where did you come from?"
"Oh," the second tear said, "I'm the tear of a girl who loved a man and lost him. And where do you come from?"
The first tear answered, "I'm the tear of the girl who found him and married him."
ACTION POINT:
You are rich today if you know the Lord and are content. Paul goes on to say, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But having food and raiment, let us therewith be content." If you have clothes to wear and food to eat and you have Jesus Christ in your heart, my dear friend, you're blessed.
:angel:
JANUARY 25
You May Have All of God that You Want
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"He that loveth silver shall never be satisfied with silver." - Ecclesiastes 5:10
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
We live in a day that has confused luxuries and necessities. Material things can never bring contentment, for they can never satisfy the deepest need of your heart. Either you can't get enough of them, or when you get them, you find out they don't meet your need.
Do you remember the story of the little boy who loved pancakes? One day his mother thought she would satisfy him, so she decided she would cook all the pancakes he wanted. He ate the first ones with relish and the second plate—if not with relish, at least with delight. He ate more, and then some more, and she just kept cooking them. Finally she asked, "Johnny, do you want another pancake?" He said, "No ma'am. I don't even want the ones I've already had."
Now that's the way it is with silver. "He that loveth silver shall never be satisfied with silver." When you get it all, it doesn't satisfy, and you want more.
ACTION POINT:
This round world will never fit into your three-cornered heart. There is nothing wrong with material things; they just cannot satisfy the deepest longing of your heart. Your deepest needs will never be met by material things, only by the living God. I don't know how much of God you have, but you may have all of God that you want.
:angel:
JANUARY 26
What Your Heart Really Longs For
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
This verse doesn't mean you'll have every whim and fancy met—that you can have an island paradise somewhere, a pink Cadillac, or a handful of diamonds. It means when you delight yourself in the Lord, what your heart has really been seeking for, it will find. What your heart really yearns for is God. Only Jesus can meet the deepest needs of your heart.
Do you know why so often we live in fear? Because we think our needs are not going to be met. Or because we think the things we believe are meeting our needs are going to be taken away from us. This verse tells us God will never leave us nor forsake us, and godliness with contentment is great gain. We have something that can't be tampered with.
ACTION POINT:
Suppose someone were to go into your house and carry out all your material possessions. Could you still praise the Lord? If your delight is in the Lord, you could!
:angel:
JANUARY 27
Anchored
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I was raised in South Florida, in what you might call hurricane alley. When we knew a hurricane was coming, my dad would say, "Boys, go out there in the back yard and tie things down," patio furniture and things like that. Sometimes we would go out after a hurricane, and the thing we tied down was gone and the thing we tied it to was gone!
ACTION POINT:
Friend, you'd better be tied to Jesus. He won't blow away. Where is your hope? Where is your security? What have you anchored your hope to? I hope it's in the solid rock, the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
JANUARY 28
The Love that Will Never Let You Go
BIBLE MEDITATION
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." - Jeremiah 31:3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
George Matheson, a student at the University of Scotland, was taken with an eye disease. He was losing his eyesight. A beloved professor came to him and said, "George, the doctors told me that it's my responsibility to tell you that in three days you will be blind. If there is any face you want to look upon, do it now." George wrote to his beloved fiancée and asked, "Would you come to my side? I want to look into your face before I go blind." She wrote back, "If you are going blind, I don't want to be married to you" and broke the engagement.
George was crushed, but he went on to graduate from the university at age 19. Out of that pain, he wrote one of the most beautiful hymns ever written: "O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine's glow its day may brighter, fairer be. O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be." Though blind, he became a mighty minister of the Gospel of Christ. This crushing experience allowed him to touch the world.
ACTION POINT:
The words to this hymn came to George in a total of five minutes, and he never had to go back and edit them. We all experience painful losses in our lives. How we choose to handle them is key to what happens next.
:angel:
JANUARY 29
One of Our Greatest Fears
BIBLE MEDITATION
"...for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
This is one of the most encouraging verses in all the Bible. Greek scholars tell us this sentence, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," actually has five negatives in it. Now we say a double negative is bad English, but evidently it wasn't bad Greek. In the Amplified Version it reads: "I will never, no not ever, no never leave you nor forsake you." Now friend, that will take the fear out of the future. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.
A preacher was visiting a grandmother in his church, trying to comfort her in her old age. I believe she knew the Lord better than he did, however. He took out his Greek New Testament and was reading this verse to her, explaining there were five negatives there. The grandma said, "Well, God may have to say it five times for you Greek boys, but once is enough for me."
We fear because we're afraid we're going to have to face something we don't understand, and we'll have to face it alone. God wants us to walk in faith, not fear, because He is always with us—He dwells within us!
ACTION POINT:
Do you fear being forsaken, lonely? Most of us do. Yet we have the companionship of His presence. We fear our friends will leave us. Psychiatrists say the greatest need we have on earth is not material but the ability to love and be loved. The Lord has said, "I will never leave you." Do you believe that promise? God speaking to you. Are you listening? It would be a good idea to commit Hebrews 13:5 to memory this week.
:angel:
JANUARY 30
Window Shopping Through the Bible
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Most of us just kind of go window-shopping through the Bible. "Oh, isn't that a precious promise?" "Hmm, what a sweet promise." "Oh, that's a wonderful promise." We take verses, memorize them, and even put them on our refrigerator door, but never lay hold on them. Just kind of window-shopping. But do we believe them?
Leonard Ravenhill said, "One of these days somebody is going to pick up this book, read it and believe it, and the rest of us are going to be ashamed of ourselves." Promises are wonderful, but the Word of God was never meant to be just a grab bag of promises. It is a lamp to our feet and the light for our path.
ACTION POINT:
Don't wait another day to commit to making this a year of being devoted to reading the Bible and to prayer. Plan to read through the Bible this year, cover to cover.
:angel:
JANUARY 31
Jesus, our Shepherd
BIBLE MEDITATION:
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The Lord Jesus Christ is described as a Shepherd three times in the New Testament. He is called the Good Shepherd in John 10:11: "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." That's the past — Mount Calvary.
He is called the Chief Shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4: "And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." In the future He will return.
Finally, He is called the Great Shepherd in Hebrews 13:20-21: "... our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will..." That's the present. He perfects us.
The Good Shepherd—He died for me. The Chief Shepherd—He's coming for me. The Great Shepherd—He lives for me.
ACTION POINT:
The Good Shepherd cares for you, past, present and future. Praise Him today—thank Him for making provision for you...before you were even born.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 1
Dressed in Rags
"...We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ..." - Isaiah 64:6
What a beautiful, wonderful life Adam and Eve lived in the Garden. But when they disobeyed the Lord, immediately they were stricken with guilt. They tried to cover their guilt by making suits of fig leaves. But when God came walking through the Garden, they hid themselves from His presence. What had looked good to them could not stand under the gaze of a holy God. He demanded something else, so He shed innocent blood to make them coats of skin—which is the picture of the covering of righteousness that we receive in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us.
So many of us have tried to dress ourselves in the rags of our self righteousness. We need the blood of Jesus.
Examine your heart. What fruitless efforts are you making to sew a fig leaf covering for yourself? What is the only thing that will wash away sin and bring you purity, cleansing and righteousness? Apply that to your heart today.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 2
Between Two Mountains
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..." - Psalm 23:4
"... I lift up mine eyesunto the hills, from whence cometh my help." - Psalm 121:1
In Psalm 23, David speaks of walking in "the valley." But there can be no valley without mountains, true? Psalm 23 is the "valley psalm" between two "mountain psalms," Psalm 22 and 24. Psalm 22 deals with the crucifixion of the Messiah. Psalm 24 deals with the coronation of the Messiah and the Second Coming. So, in the valley of Psalm 23, on one side are the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and on the other are the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion.
Are you down in the valley? Then look to the mountains. Praise Him for dying for you and rejoice in the hope of His coming again! Thank God we can say with David, "...I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills...."
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FEBRUARY 4
Beautiful Garbage
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven." - Matthew 6:19-20
Years ago I read about a man who had a rather ingenious way of getting rid of his garbage. He would gift-wrap it, put it out on the curb in front of his house, and invariably someone driving by would see that wrapped box, stop, and pick it up. And the man would be behind the curtains, watching those people drive away with their gift-wrapped garbage!
So many times that's what the devil does. He just takes the things of this world and wraps them up so beautifully. But what we get is not treasure...it turns out to be trash.
Don't let the devil cheat you—don't cling to the worthless things of this world, but use your resources and energies wisely to invest in souls and store up eternal treasuresin Heaven!
Add up everything you have that money can't buy and death can't take away. The sum will reveal to you how rich you really are.
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FEBRUARY 5
You Can't Spoil a Baby
"But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way...." - Acts 9:27
I've heard that in the first year of his life, it is virtually impossible to spoil a baby. You can't give one too much love. Now you can spoil kids, but it is virtually impossible to spoil a newborn baby. All of the love, all of the attention, all of the hugging, all of the kissing, all of the coddling you want to do; just do it.
And I want to say, correspondingly, it is virtually impossible to spoil a newborn Christian. He needs to be loved. Barnabas took Saul to the apostles and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord. While the apostles were scared of Saul, Barnabas introduced him, made him feel a part, and encouraged him in this way. Thank God for Barnabas!
Some of us have known firsthand what it's like to have a Barnabas in our lives. Others, new believers, may be wishing they had one—or not even realize how much they need one. Keep your eyes and ears open. Let the Holy Spirit show you if there is someone you can befriend and help to grow, as Barnabas did Saul/Paul.
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FEBRUARY 6
Merciful God
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
Did you know Methuselah lived to be 969 years old? And God had a very good reason for letting him live to be that old. The reason Methuselah lived so long was not that he had good genes but that God had great mercy. Why?
The name "Methuselah" means "When he is gone, it will come." The "it" refers to The Flood. And according to the Word of God, The Flood came exactly the day that Methuselah died. God kept letting him live and live because God didn't want anybody to perish in that flood. God kept giving one more opportunity and one more chance. He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Reflect upon your life—are there times you can name when God intervened with mercy when He might have sent judgment instead? Perhaps there were times when He spared you from something, and later you look back on that time and say, "God was so merciful." Remember His mercy today and thank Him specifically for how He has covered your life with His garment of mercy.
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FEBRUARY 7
You're on Jesus' Prayer List
"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." - Hebrews 7:25
You want a blessed thought? You're on Jesus' prayer list. There's nothing more comforting to me than for someone to tell me they pray for me. I once met a man who said, "Adrian, I prayed for you this morning. I pray for you every day." That moved me greatly. There are six billion people on this earth. Some people have never been prayed for one time. If you're on anybody's prayer list, you're blessed.
But I can tell you, you're on Jesus' prayer list. The Lord Jesus knows you by name, and He calls you by name. Did you come to God by Jesus? Then you're on His prayer list. The finished work of Jesus is Calvary. The unfinished work of Jesus is His prayer ministry.
Thank Him today for the truth that "He ever lives to make intercession" for you.
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FEBRUARY 8
The Word of God...Settled in Heaven
"For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." - Psalm 119:89
Isn't that a beautiful verse? You know, the Bible is not the book of the year; it is the book of the ages. It is settled in heaven and on Earth. We can depend upon the Word of God. It is not up for a vote. But it does have its enemies.
There is the liberal who will try to water it down, the atheist who will deny it, and the cultist who will twist it. But I believe the greatest enemy of the Bible today is the Christian who does not love it, memorize it, practice it, and obey it. If we would do that, we would be witnessing and winning those who disbelieve.
It is absolutely imperative that you be certain about the Bible. You'll never get much of anything else settled, until you get that settled. Your salvation depends upon it because the Bible says you are born again by the Word of God. Your sanctification depends upon it. Jesus said, "Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Word is truth." Your usefulness depends on it. God has given you the Word that you might be a workman needing not to be ashamed. Your assurance depends upon it. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you might know that you have eternal life."
If you want to be an exclamation point rather than a question mark, then you need to be certain that the Bible is the Word of God.
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FEBRUARY 9
Faithful in the Small Things
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." - Luke 16:10
Have you ever thought that the vast ocean is really made up of single drops of water, built from tiny molecules, which are made of microscopic atoms? Even in our lives, it is the small things that really do make the difference. All big things are made of little things. Big things are made of little choices, little acts, little words, and little thoughts. This is so important for us to realize, because every day we impact others by the little things we say or do. But if we are faithful in the little things, it follows that we will be faithful in that which is much. In other words, if we get the little things right, the big issues will take care of themselves.
"Little drops of water, little grains of sand..." goes the children's rhyme. Be on guard for those little things that may slip in unnoticed but undermine God's greater purpose in your life.
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FEBRUARY 11
What Should It Profit a Man?
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
Some years ago I went to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. Centuries ago when Vesuvius erupted, volcanic ash fell on everything and preserved the city just as it was. In fact, in the ruins there is a very interesting skeleton of a man. Evidently, when the volcano started to erupt and the ash began to fall, this man went back to his home for his bag of gold. The gold spilled on the floor and he reached out for it, just as the fumes overcame him. Now, he is embalmed for all time, grasping that gold. How foolish! What profit was his gold? Friend, the wisest thing that anybody can do is give his heart to Jesus Christ. That's the only way to save your soul!
What are you grasping for today? Position? Power? Possessions? Prestige? Whatever it is, if you desire it more than you desire knowing Him, it will turn to ash in your hand. Or the Lord may have to gently pry it loose from your hand. Instead, say with Paul, "...that I may know Him!"
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FEBRUARY 12
Getting Rid of the Darkness
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12
If you wanted to get rid of darkness in a room, how would you do it? Would you curse the darkness? Take a broomstick and try to beat the darkness out? Grab a shovel and shovel it out? Or a vacuum cleaner and suck it out? How are you going to get the darkness out of a room?
There's no way except one: turn on the light. Just turn on the light. The darkness cannot stand the light. When Jesus comes, darkness is going to go. It has to go! And when it goes, everything that loves it will go with it. What a day it will be when Jesus comes and all the wicked, vile, filthy things in the spiritual world flee His light!
When we're faithful, when we live as a Christian ought to, everywhere we go, we're making manifest the deeds of darkness simply as we let our light shine.
Don't have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness! We're to walk in the light; there is to be godly fruit, godly fellowship, and godly faithfulness as we "walk in the light as He is in the light."
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FEBRUARY 13
The Refiner
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." - Malachi 3:3
Do you know that God is not as interested in making you happy as He is in making you holy? His goal is to purge and purify you. The moment you were saved, God began His work to make you pure and holy. He wants to burn out the dross and impurities in your life and present you as pure gold. You see, He is not as interested in your automobile as you are. He is not as interested in your job as you are. He is not as interested in your health as you are. But he cares for you so much that He wants to make you pure. And God will touch all of these things, if necessary, to make you holy.
How much do you want to be made pure and holy before the Lord? Not "holier than thou" in attitude—which is a turn-off—but pure in heart before Him. If that is your desire, ask Him to begin to burn out the dross. There may be something in your life right now you recognize as "dross." If so—start a "closet-clean-out" in your heart today. He will help you bag it and take it to the curb!
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FEBRUARY 14
The Fruit of the Spirit
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." - John 15:4
Galatians 5 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Now, have you ever seen a fruit factory? No. You might have seen a shirt factory, but you will not see a fruit factory. You will only find an orchard. You see, there is no fruit without life. Later in Galatians 5:25 the Bible says, "If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit." He is our lifeline. You cannot manufacture fruit.
Friend, you're not going to grow and produce the fruit of the Spirit unless you are walking in the Spirit—until you abide in the Spirit. And then, you won't produce fruit, you will bear it. Jesus told us to abide in Him, and then we'll be fruitful.
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FEBRUARY 15
Running from God
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation." - Psalm 51:10-12
The most miserable man on Earth is not an unsaved man but a saved man out of fellowship with God. That is absolutely true. If a person is truly a child of God and is out of fellowship with Him, I can tell you he's carrying a big burden. Now, if he's not saved, he's not carrying any burden at all. But if he is truly saved and out of fellowship with God, that's a different story completely.
When David got out of fellowship with God, he said to the Lord, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation." He didn't say, "Lord, restore unto me Thy salvation," but "restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation." He was miserable running from God.
Are you running from God? Or perhaps you know someone who is. Pray that they will be restored. Today's passage is a good one to pray for them, inserting their name into the verse, asking God to restore and renew.
:angel:
FEBRUARY 16
Guarded by His Power—Jesus Sees You
"And when evening was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and He alone on the land. And He saw them toiling in rowing ... and ... He cometh unto them, walking upon the sea ..." - Mark 6:47
Jesus' disciples were way out in the sea, and Jesus was on the shore. But He saw them toiling and rowing. He never took His eyes off them.
Are you in the midst of a storm? Did you know He sees you right now? You say, "He doesn't know where I am. He doesn't know this difficulty. Why is He so far away? Why am I in the storm and He is on the shore?" Friend, He is there, and He's praying for you. He's up there on the mountain looking down. He sees right through the dark. You can't see Him, but He sees you. You can say, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."
My advice for you in the midst of your storm is to see Jesus, the great I AM, and see Him walking on the water. And that thing that looks like it's going to be over your head is already under His feet. You're seated in the heavenlies with Him. And you can't drown with your head above water. He is the great I AM. You can put it down: you are guarded by His power.
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FEBRUARY 17
Governed by His Providence
"...His disciples went down unto the sea,and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew." - John 6:16-18
In my journeys to Israel, one of the most delightful times for me is to sit at twilight on the shores of Galilee. The tranquility is like a dream. You're almost intoxicated by beauty as the sun sets over the Sea of Galilee. The Golan Heights across the sea from Tiberius turn a rosy color. You can hear birds nesting in the trees. I believe the Sea of Galilee is one of the most beautiful bodies of water on earth. The old rabbis used to say that God created all the other seas, then He created Galilee just for Himself.
It had been a wonderful day. Jesus had been with His disciples, feeding the 5,000. The disciples were full of success and self-confidence when they climbed into their boat that evening. Then it happened. The wind begins to rise. Clouds darken the moon. An angry wind beats the sea with its fists, and the water rises up and slaps the disciples in the face. That Sea of Galilee, quiet as a millpond, now has become dangerous. These seasoned sailors are filled with fear. Then they see Jesus, walking on the water, saying, "Don't be afraid." In another gospel He says, "Be of good cheer. It is I."
Are you in a storm? You say, "No, Pastor, I'm not." Well I'm glad for you. Enjoy the trip. We're fools if we don't enjoy the good times of life. But just wait awhile. Sooner or later, you're going to find yourself in a storm. It may be that God has engineered your storm; if not, He has certainly allowed it because our God is over everything. The first thing you can say when difficulty comes is that God's providence is over it all. You can say, "I am governed by His providence."
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FEBRUARY 18
Glowing in the Dark
"So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship; and they were afraid. - John 6:19
In the Bible there are correcting storms and there are perfecting storms. Jonah, who spent the night on a foam blubber mattress, was in a correcting storm because he was out of the will of God. He was running from God. And God sent a correcting storm.
But there are also perfecting storms. These disciples were not out of the will of God. Why were they in a storm? Because—don't miss this—they were in the will of God. It was Jesus, Matthew tells us, who constrained them to get into that boat. They were in this storm because they were obeying Jesus. Why would Jesus want them to be in a storm? Because He wanted them to grow.
I've often shared these words, written by Robert Browning Hamilton:
"I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow, not a word said she. But oh, the things I learned from sorrow, when sorrow walked with me." Is that not true? "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress." Someone said that faith is like film. It's developed in the dark. That's when we learn to trust the Lord.
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February 19
Growing by His Plan
"...see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof...Then they cry unto the Lordin their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still...so He bringeth them unto their desired haven." - Psalm 107:23-30
It is God who is the master of the winds and the waves. He is able to cause storms to come or to calm them.
It is a very shallow theology that says if we're in the will of God, we'll always sail smoothly on the sea of life. We'll have no sickness, no sorrow, no disappointment, know no separation. There'll be no problems in our family. The "joy boys" get on television and say, "You just believe God and send me an offering, and you'll never be sick. Everything'll be fine." This is the gospel of cash and Cadillacs. Friend, there's a Greek word for that—"baloney."
No, we are going to have difficulty. And the first thing you can say when difficulty comes is that God's providence is over it all. "I am governed by His providence."
Not only am I governed by His providence, butI am growing by His plan. Now God's plan is not to indulge you; God's plan is to enlarge you. "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress." (Psalm 4:1)
Those of you who've been on the trail for awhile, who have walked a long time with the Lord, when did you grow the most? When everything was fine? When there was smooth sailing? Or when the storm came? Did you not grow more in the storm, in distress, when you were crowded to Christ, and when you had to call upon Him? You are growing by His plan
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FEBRUARY 20
Be Not Afraid
"But He saith unto them, 'It is I; be not afraid.'" - John 6:20
Did you know, some 365 times in the Bible, one time for every day in the year, God has told us not to be afraid? Three hundred and sixty-five times, in one way or another, He said. "Be not afraid" or "Fear not." The devil is the sinister minister of fear, but our Lord tells us not to be afraid.
In John chapter 6, the disciples, some of whom are seasoned sailors, are filled with fear. They bend their backs to the oars. It's too far from the shore to swim. The waves are too boisterous. They have an idea that they are going down. And on top of all of this, where is Jesus? Why hasn't He come to them? Why has He forsaken them?
Then they see Him. He's walking on the water. That doesn't bring them joy. Now their fear has turned to raw terror. Who? What is that walking on the water? Is it a phantom? Is it a ghost? And then they recognize—it's Jesus, the wave walker, walking on the water.
I've learned as a pastor that there is a heartache on every pew. We all have storms, if not now, later.
How do you find peace in the midst of your storm? Peace is not the subtraction of problems from life; peace is the addition of power to meet those problems. That's God's peace. This week, commit to memory John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
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FEBRUARY 21
Immediately, We Will Be On Shore!
"But He saith unto them, 'It is I; be not afraid.' Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." - John 6:20-21
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.... These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:2, 33
Andrew Murray said, "God is willing to assume full responsibility for the life totally yielded to Him." Jesus said, "Be of good cheer. In this world you'll have tribulation. But I've overcome the world." In this world we encounter tribulation, and it's growing more, not less, intense. Where is Jesus? Jesus has overcome the world. That's what He's telling you and me.
The spiritual barometer is falling, and all of us who can read the signs of the times know a storm is gathering. The Bible tells us that. But soon our Lord, who has been on the mountain of His glory praying for us, is going to rise from His throne. And then, walking on the water will be child's play. He'll come stepping on the clouds. He'll come in His glory. And those of us who are here on the sea of time will immediately be on the shores of eternity just like that when He comes. Won't that be a day?
It happened when they received Him into the boat. Have you received Him? Have you trusted Him?
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FEBRUARY 22
Dining on a Different Kind of Bread
"Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us." - Numbers 14:9
When the Israelites were headed into the Promised Land, there were some demon-possessed giants called Anakim. And when the twelve spies went to spy out the land, ten came back saying, "The land is full of milk and honey, corn and wine, oil and pomegranates, figs and grapes. But, hey, we can't take this land—there are giants in it!"
But two of the spies said, "Don't fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us." Bread, like your toast this morning. "Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us; fear them not." They said, "Look, these people are a piece of cake. They're bread for us."
Why do you eat bread? For strength. Bread gives energy. Bread is the staff of life. What was God saying? These things that look like problems? They are your food. "Anakim—the breakfast of champions."
It's when you feed on these problems that you grow. Our Lord isn't looking for softies as disciples. Remember, you're governed by His providence when you're in a storm. He rules over all. And you are growing by His plan. In the storm you're going to grow and become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ.
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FEBRUARY 23
Cursed
"And unto Adam He said, cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." - Genesis 3:17
When God created mankind, God put him in a garden. And in the Garden of Eden, there were no thorns. A curse came upon Adam and Eve because they sinned and disobeyed God. What does a crown of thorns speak of? The thorn, the thistle, symbolize the curse upon humanity—on you, on me, on all of us—because of sin.
Jesus wore a crown of thorns because He bore that curse. The thorns on His head speak of the hardship, sorrow, and death that come with sin.
Do you have a heartache? Sorrow? Sickness? Can I tell you the thorny pathway we walk is because of sin? The bed of briars we sleep on is because of sin.
When in sorrow and trials you praise and glorify the Lord, saying with Job"though He slay me, yet will I trust Him," they'll say there's a quality of life about you that is different.
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FEBRUARY 24
Abraham Saw My Day
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad." - John 8:56
It is one of the most dramatic scenes in the Old Testament: Isaac, the promised son, was stretched out on an altar. His father Abraham lifted a gleaming knife into the sky, prepared to plunge it into the heart of his son. But then he heard a voice: "Abraham, Abraham, don't harm the lad. I have provided a substitute." Abraham looked—and there was a ram caught in a thicket. The Hebrew word means "a thicket of thorns." His head was caught in the thorns. God said "Abraham, take the ram I have provided and sacrifice him instead." That ram caught in a thicket, crowned with thorns, became the sacrifice that day in the place of the one who would have been sacrificed.
No wonder Jesus said, "Abraham saw My day and was glad." God preached the gospel to Abraham long ago.
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, has always portrayed for us the Father's willingness to sacrifice His only Son, the Lord Jesus. Thank Him again today for that holy sacrifice. "Jesus paid it all," so we might have it all—eternal life, eternal joy—through Him.
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FEBRUARY 25
The Master's Feet
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
I read about a man whose dog was swimming. The man called the dog to go home. The dog was having such a great time, he wouldn't come. So the man picked up a stick and threw it in the water. When the dog saw the stick, he instinctively swam to the stick, put it in his mouth, came back, and laid it at his master's feet.
I wonder if the burden you have has been given to you by God to cause you to come to His feet. Maybe He's called you other ways, but you wouldn't come. Maybe the burden is what God is using to bring you to your Master's feet. But thank God we can cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.
What burden weighs upon your heart today? Did you know that we have a high priest, the Lord Jesus, who, the Bible says, is not high and mighty and aloof, but one who can relate to our sufferings and understand them, for He Himself knew the greatest pain, suffering—and loss. Read Hebrews 4:15, then cast your cares upon Him today.
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FEBRUARY 26
Half-hearted Christianity
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." - Deuteronomy 4:29
The scourge of the twenty-first century is half‑hearted Christianity. Half-hearted Christianity will not do it. Are you seeking for Christ with all your heart? The Bible says in James 1:8, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." That word double‑minded literally means "two souls." Here's a man trying to face both ways at the same time. He's trying to live with one foot in the church and one in the world. He's got just enough of the world in him that he can't be happy in church. And he's got just enough Christ in him he can't be happy in the world. He is a spiritual schizophrenic. He is a two-soul man. We are to love the Lord with all our heart.
Is there anything in your life you love more than the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then my friend, that thing—whatever or whoever it is—has become an idol in your life. Realizing that, what steps can you take today to remove it from the throne and put Christ back in His proper place in your life?
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FEBRUARY 27
The Lord Will Sustain You
"Man that is born of woman is full of trouble as the sparks that fly upward."
It starts almost the day we're born. We're born crying, and from there it just goes on and on. We have burdens. If you don't have burdens, the problem is you're probably not a thinking person. But I want to tell you today what to do with your burdens.
David wrote, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." David was a king; he was wealthy. What do we learn from this? That burdens come to the high as well as to the low. They come to saints as well as sinners. They come to the old as well as the young. What do we do with our burdens? We have to cast them upon the Lord,
Do you have a broken heart? Has one of your children ripped your heart out? Is there a husband who has forsaken you? A physical malady gnawing away at your body? Is there a problem perplexing you? The Bible says you are to cast your burden upon the Lord (Psalm 55:22). He will sustain you.
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FEBRUARY 28
New Leaves
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Some people want to get everything in their life straightened out before they come to Christ. But you'll wake up in hell and still not have it straightened out. It's like trees that don't lose their leaves in the fall. The leaves wither and turn brown but hold on until the spring. And when the new leaf comes, it pushes the old leaf off.
That's exactly what happens to your old habits, your old life, when you find the Lord Jesus. The new life pushes your old life off. It's not a matter of plucking off this leaf and knocking off that one. You'll never do it that way. Let the new life within you do its work.
Have you come to grips yet with the fact that your "old nature" is dead and you are a new creature in Christ? You can't "kill" him on your own. You have to "reckon" him as dead and allow the "new nature"—the new creature you are in Christ—to come alive and be fed and nurtured by the Holy Spirit.
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MARCH 1
The Only Way to Live
"Now the just shall live by faith." - Hebrews 10:38
This great statement, so abundantly true, actually was first stated in the book of Habakkuk. The writer of Hebrews is quoting the prophet Habakkuk.
Habakkuk was perplexed. He lived in a day of violence, degradation, apostasy and danger. He bombarded Heaven, asking God to answer—to explain things so he could make sense of it all. But God said, "Habakkuk, you couldn't understand it anyway, if I told you what I'm up to. You think I'm not working? I'm working, and Habakkuk, here is your responsibility. You are to live in this uncertain age by faith. You want me to tell you how to live? Don't live by explanations. Live by faith."
Now, that's not hocus-pocus or smoke and mirrors. That has spiritual steel and concrete in it..."the just shall live by faith."
This is the only way to live. In fact, this verse is quoted three times in the Word of God. I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. I know He is. The challenge for us today—and every day—is to live by faith.
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MARCH 3
The Sword
"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword..." - Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is all-powerful. Satan fears the Word of God. He knows its overcoming power. We must learn to use it against Him. It's an offensive weapon. Many of us study the Bible, but it's not enough just to study it, we must learn to employ it. The Word of God is a sword, and it is meant to be used.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, tempted by Satan in the wilderness, took the Word of God—that sharp two-edged sword—and time after time ran Satan through with it. Jesus said, "It is written.... It is written.... It is written...." We can rely on the Word of God. We must!
Sharpen your Sword today. Read the Word. Stay in the Word. Memorize the Word. Begin today. If you only memorize one verse per week, by this time next year you'll have committed to memory 52 verses! How many will you have memorized if you don't? "Thy Word have I hid in my heart."
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MARCH 4
What If You're Wrong?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13
Some of you are wondering whether or not you ought to give your heart to Jesus Christ. You may ask, "What if Adrian Rogers is not right? What if the Gospel is not true?" Let's suppose that what I believe is wrong—that the Bible is a bundle of blunders. Let's suppose there is no God and that Christ never died for our sins. Well, you're going to die anyway. So you're no worse off. But suppose I'm right and you're wrong. By coming to Jesus, you've got everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Now, it takes more than that kind of rationality to come to the Lord, but you need to do a little spiritual calculation. The Holy Spirit will prove to you that what I say is true.
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MARCH 5
The Word Cuts Anyway
"When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them." - Acts 5:33
Suppose you were on the battlefield and someone's coming at you. You warn him, "Don't come any further! I'll shoot!" He answers, "I don't believe in your gun. As a matter of fact," he says, "I don't believe in guns at all." That's not going to change anything, is it?
Likewise, the Bible is the Sword of the Spirit. Someone may say, "Well, I don't believe the Bible." But it will cut him anyway! The apostles preached the Bible, and when the people heard it, they were cut to the heart. The Word cuts even an unbeliever. It's a two-edged sword. It cuts to heal, or it cuts to judge. But it will cut—believe it or not.
Before going into battle, soldiers are dedicated to training in the use of their weapons. How foolish to go into battle without training. How familiar are you with your Sword?
God has given you a weapon for spiritual battles...the Sword of the Spirit. In the armor of God, it is the only offensive weapon—the rest are defensive. To have the victory God wants for you, you must see the sharpness of your sword, the Bible, and you must be trained in it.
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MARCH 7
Eggshells and Jell-O
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4
Are you uncertain about some things? Are you walking on eggshells and Jell-O theologically? Don't do it! Get a bulldog grip on the truth and stand by it. Learn to feed your faith and starve your doubts.
If you don't come to church, read your Bible, and pray, then you have no shield of faith. Sometimes college students go off and let some ungodly, unbelieving man make fun of their faith. And they fall apart like a house of cards. That's because they don't have a strong, rock-ribbed faith in God. Feed your faith. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God," and it will be like a shield to you to protect you from all the fiery darts of the wicked. It gives the believer certainty.
Again, you must actively, consciously clothe yourself in the armor of God. How much are you dedicating yourself to being in His Word, learning how to wield your Sword?
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MARCH 8
It's Gotta Be the Shoes
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God...your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace...." - Ephesians 6:13-15
A Roman soldier had to have sandals with hobnails to give him standing, very much like a golfer's spikes. And because the devil would love to trip us up, we're told, as we're putting on our armor, to put on our shoes—and not just any shoes of peace.
You see, your enemy, the devil, can defeat some people through error. They don't have the belt of truth. Others he can defeat through sin because they don't have the breastplate of righteousness.
But some he'll get through discouragement; they'll lose their peace. He'll plant thorns, briars, holes, and stumbling blocks. And if we don't have on our shoes, our spiritual feet will be bruised and bleeding. Rather than leaping, we'll be limping because we don't have peace.
Your shoes are "the preparation of the gospel of peace," peace with God. The peace of God dwelling in your heart enables you to fight Satan. Do you have this peace?
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MARCH 10
Defeated Foe
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." - 1 John 4:4
Praise God, Satan is a defeated foe! Satan's back has already been broken at the cross. When Jesus Christ prepared to go to that cross in anticipation, He said, "Now is the prince of this world cast out" (John 12:31).
"Is cast out." Satan has already been defeated, not will be defeated. Oh, we as Christians need to learn that! The devil hopes you never learn that "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). The devil hopes you'll never learn that his power has been stripped from him and that Jesus said, "I give you authority over all of the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19).
Satan is a defeated foe; and when you pray, you do not pray for the victory, you pray from the victory.
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MARCH 11
Later Than It's Ever Been
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." - Revelation 22:12
I believe we're living in the days of the coming of our Lord. We ought to be living as though Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and were coming back tonight.
No one can set a date, but I'm kind of like that old farmer who woke up in the middle of the night and heard the grandfather clock sounding the hour. Bong-1 o'clock; bong-2; bong-3; bong-4. On it went. Bong-10; bong-11; bong-12; bong-13; bong-14. That frightened him. He turned over, shook his wife, and said, "Old woman, wake up." She said, "Why? What time is it?" He said, "I don't know, but it's later than it's ever been before."
I believe it's late in the age, and you and I need to be prepared for the coming of our dear Lord.
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MARCH 12
What a Change!
"And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image..." - Genesis 5:3
Did you know you've never really seen a man? Well, in a way you have. Suppose you'd never seen a railroad train, and I showed you a train that's been wrecked with all the twisted metal on the tracks. Have you seen a train? Not really! You've seen a train wreck.
That's no man you've seen; that's a wreck. Everybody talks about being made in the image of God, but we're not. After the fall, we find that we are made in the image of Adam. Adam was in the image of God, but that image was wrecked and spoiled. Adam brought forth a son in his image. But, oh, what a change there's going to be someday when we become what our Lord made us to be.
One of the sweetest verses in the Bible says, "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:49). Take heart, friend. We're going to be like Him, the second Adam, the last Adam, Jesus Christ from above. We've borne the image of the earthly long enough. We're going to bear the image of the heavenly. We're going to be like the Lord Himself.
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MARCH 13
God Looks at the Heart
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7
David's older brother Eliab was a big, broad-shouldered, winsome man. If you had gone to look for a king, you would have said, "Surely there's a kingly man if I ever saw one." But God didn't have His eyes upon Eliab; He had his eyes on David.
Sometimes we see people and say, "Oh, they have it all. I wish I could be like that person, look like that person, sing like that person, serve like that person. I wish I had their ability. I wish I were this or that." It's so great to know that God doesn't see as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.
At the judgment seat of Christ, there will be a day of revelation and the things that are highly esteemed among men may look much different then. Jesus spoke to those who were self-righteous in His day, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)
Aren't you glad, dear friend, for that day of revelation that's going to come? When it does, the emphasis is not going to be upon size but upon quality. God is not primarily interested in quantity. God is interested in quality.
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MARCH 14
In the Beginning—God!
"In the beginning God...." - Genesis 1:1
The Bible begins with this statement. The fact of God is not argued here. Neither is the nature and being of God explained. He is just presented. "In the beginning God...." No philosophy presented, no argument made, no apology offered, and no explanation given; just, "In the beginning God...."
The Bible writers never tried to prove God. They presented God. They never tried to explain the existence of God. Nor should you. Don't let this shock you, but there are no proofs for God. The finite can never prove the infinite. To try to prove God by looking through physical or material things would be like tearing a piano apart trying to find "The Hallelujah Chorus." The first four words of the written Word of God say all we need to know: In the beginning—God!
You will never really comprehend anything else in the Bible unless you understand Genesis 1:1. This is foundational truth. It is functional truth. You must believe it. You see, the key to the rest of the Bible is hung right here by the front door. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
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MARCH 15
Believe in God
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..." - Psalm 14:1
Can a person find God by reasoning? No. We are incapable of proving God. Sometimes an atheist will say to a believer, "Prove there is a God." That never threatens me. I just smile and say, "Prove there is no God." Sometimes it's leveled against Christians as though it's an accusation: "You just accept by faith there's a God." That's right. And let me tell you what the unbeliever does. He accepts by faith there is no God. He does not know there is no God. He has never proven there is no God. He accepts by faith there is no God.
Some of the finest minds this world has ever known have been given to the gospel of Christ. It's not a matter of intellect. It's not a matter of reason. It's beyond reason and above reason.
All men are believers. I choose to believe in God. The atheist chooses not to believe in God. If a man doesn't believe in God, it's because he doesn't want to believe in God. He has chosen not to believe in God. But make no mistake, we're all believers.
You don't prove God, and you don't disprove God. You believe in God. He is the God who is presented, not proven.
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MARCH 17
The Beginning and the End
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." - Revelation 20:10
Did you know there's no devil in the first two chapters or the last two chapters of the Bible? But Genesis and Revelation have plenty to say about him elsewhere.
And the devil hates Genesis and Revelation! He has waged war against them. He would tell us that Genesis is myth and Revelation is mystery. In the book of Genesis, you see sin as it begins and brings death and a curse. In the book of the Revelation, sin is gone. There is no more death and no more curse.
In the book of Genesis, Satan appears for the first time. In the book of the Revelation, he appears for the last time. There is a special blessing in Genesis because it is the seedbed of all theology, and in Revelation, for it is the culmination of all theology. In the book of Genesis, the devil's doom is pronounced; in the book of Revelation, it is carried out. What we see in embryo in the book of Genesis, we see in completion and fulfillment in the book of the Revelation.
How important it is that we see these books as they are, in comparison and in contrast. For what God began years ago at the first creation, He ultimately completes in His new creation.
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MARCH 18
I Ask for Mercy
Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." - Luke 23: 42-43
The Polish astronomer Copernicus, through his writings and education, changed the concepts of what men think about the universe and how the universe runs. He was a brilliant man. But when Copernicus came to die, he did not see himself as an astronomer but as a sinner in need of forgiveness. He asked that this epitaph be inscribed on his gravestone: "Lord, I do not ask the kindness Thou didst show to Peter. I do not dare ask the grace Thou didst grant to Paul; but, Lord, the mercy Thou didst show to the dying robber, that mercy show to me. That earnestly I pray."
Do you want that today? Do you want the mercy that God showed to the dying thief? He will show it to you and save you today.
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MARCH 19
Most Things I Worry About Never Happen
"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" - Matthew 6:27
The best thing you can say about worry is that it does no good. The worst thing is that it does much harm.
I'm reminded of the little lady who said, "Don't tell me worry doesn't do any good. Most of the things I worry about never happen."
Worry is absolutely useless. It doesn't cure any problems. It doesn't lift any burdens. It doesn't wipe away any tears. It never has; it never can; it never will! Worry can't make you any taller, shorter, fatter, or thinner. It is so senseless, and it is therefore useless. But even worse, it is faithless. Worry is just the opposite of faith.
When we worry, we make God out to be a liar when God has said He will take care of us.
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MARCH 20
Whatever He Says, Do It!
"His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." - John 2:5
We must obey whether we can understand or not. When Jesus was at the wedding in Cana, the servants had no way of knowing what Jesus was going to do. It might have seemed silly to them to fill pots with water. But Jesus' mother gave them some very wise advice that we would do well to heed: "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."
It wasn't a matter of whether they understood it or not, just that He told them to do it. The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, can transform your life, can transform your family, can transform your future. That same Jesus is still in the miracle working business. His business is the business of transformation.
Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, the penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.
A lot of times your mind is going to say, "Well, that's old fashioned," or "That doesn't make sense." Never come to the Bible that way. Never parade the Bible across the judgment bar of your reason. Whatever He says to you, do it.
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MARCH 21
Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
"When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?" - John 5:6
"Wilt thou be made whole?" That sounds like a silly question. It really does sound inane to ask a man who is sick if he wants to be made whole. But Jesus respected this man's will just as He respects your will and every human will.
If God were to transgress your will, if He were to force you to do something you did not want to do, you would no longer be a human being. You would become a machine. So God gave you a will; and because you have a will, you must decide if you want to be made whole by accepting Him as your Savior. The offer made available to you today is whosoever will may come (Revelation 22:17). "Wilt thou be made whole?"
What kind of faith does it take to have our lives transformed? Faith that can see the invisible, that can believe the incredible, that can receive the impossible.
Doubt dreads to take a step, faith soars on high.
Doubt questions "Who believes?" Faith answers, "I!"
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MARCH 24
Changed by the Bible
"Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes." - Psalm 119:12
Did you know you could read and even memorize the Bible, but if that's all that happens, it won't change your life? You are not changed by the words of the Bible but by the Holy Spirit of God, who takes the words and applies them to your heart.
You see, you'll never learn this book unless God teaches it to you. And it is not enough just simply to read it. You must come to God saying, "Lord, I want to have a controlled, disciplined mind. I want You to teach me."
David goes on to say in verse 2 of this Psalm, "Open Thou my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Thy law."
You cannot separate the God of love from the God of the Word. Many read the Bible like a math book rather than a love story. They get the words, but they don't get the music. But you'll never learn the Bible unless God teaches it to you. Not only must the Word of God get into you, but the Spirit of God must come into you.
Make this your prayer today: "Open Thou my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law. Teach me Your statutes. God, control my life. And Lord, as I get my heart cleansed, committed and conditioned, let my heart be controlled. Come, Holy Spirit, control my thoughts and guide me into Your truth."
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MARCH 25
Why Don't You Ask Me?
"I am a stranger in the earth: hide not Thy commandments from me." - Psalm 119:18-19
One man loved to study the Bible, but every time he came to something he couldn't understand, he thought of his friend Charlie. Charlie was a great student of the Bible. The man would go to him and say, "Charlie what does this verse mean?" Or, "Charlie, tell me about this." One day in his Bible study, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Why don't you ask Me? I'm the One Who taught Charlie!"
I thank God for Bible students and Bible scholars and people who can teach, but the same God Who teaches them is the God Who wants to teach you. As you study the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in His truth.
The Word of God will be dynamite in your life. But to vitalize it, you need to verbalize it. Start speaking the Word of God. Speak it clearly, speak it courageously. You'll discover as you verbalize God's Word, as you share God's Word, as you quote God's Word, as you sing God's Word, as what is in your heart finds its way to your lips, it will mold your mind in a way you never knew before. It will become vital in your heart and in your life.
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MARCH 26
The Victorious Christian
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God...and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before Me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord." - 2 Chronicles 34:27
How many truly victorious Christians do you know? How many genuinely victorious churches are you aware of? You know the problem with many of us? We are failing, but we don't weep over it. We are not living in victory, but it doesn't seem to bother us. We know very little about victory, and we seem to be quite content to live day after day without it. We seem to think that victory is for others, but not for us.
Today's verse occurs at a time of utter devastation in Israel. Young Josiah—a mere boy—became king. He wanted to get things right with God. He humbled himself. Here is God's answer! "Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before Me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before Me; I have even heard thee also," saith the Lord.
This is a beautiful chapter—one you should read today. Do you think you were behind the door when victory was passed out, and it's not your fault you live in defeat? It is your fault if you're not victorious, and you ought to be weeping over your shame and over your sin. Follow Josiah's example in this chapter and humble yourself before our great God.
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MARCH 27
Stretched Out in Prayer
"... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16
These words, effectual and fervent, literally mean "stretched out." The idea is of a horse jumping over a barricade, stretched out as he leaps. Or it's like an athlete who's running for the gold, and he bursts for the tape and stretches himself out for the goal. James says that's the way we are to pray. Our prayers are to be on fire! They're to be stretched out, and I don't mean stretched out on your bed half asleep. We are to be striving for the goal. We're to be eager, earnest, fervent, and impassioned in our prayers. God forgive our cold, lukewarm, milk toast, take-it-or-leave-it type of prayers.
When we give without sacrifice, pray without fasting, witness without tears, is it any wonder we sow without results?
How God has convicted my heart as I've studied the book of James! I've had to bow my head, confess my sin and say, "God, forgive my cold, lukewarm, indifferent prayers. May I learn how to pray effectually, fervently, as James taught us to pray." What does James mean when he talks about the conditions that we should meet? He's talking about the intensity of the asking. That's the kind of prayer that brings results.
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MARCH 28
Taken Captive
"And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." - 2 Timothy 2:26
I've heard it told how they catch monkeys in the South Sea Islands: they take a coconut, make a hole in the top, and put a hand full of rice in. A monkey will reach his paw in, take the rice; but then his fist is bigger than the hole, and he can't withdraw it. Now, when the captor comes, that monkey will scream and plead; but he'll never let go of the rice.
You say, "Foolish monkey!" Well, foolish person, who will not relinquish the sin he is clinging to, that he might have the blessings of God. Foolish person, taken captive by Satan, who will not have power with God because of some handful of rice — some sin, some habit, some grudge — that he holds onto.
Let go! Don't be captive
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MARCH 29
Passionate Prayer
"Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared." - Hebrews 5:7
I read in the book of Hebrews how my Savior prayed with "strong cryings and tears." How that rebukes me. When is the last time you shed a tear over some soul that was mortgaged to the devil? When is the last time that you, like Jacob, said, "Oh God, I will not let You go, except You bless me" (Genesis 32:26)? When is the last time you labored with God in prayer as the Bible says?
Prayer is hard work! For the energy it takes, I'd rather preach than pray. I'd rather study than pray. It takes work to pray. And here's a man—our Savior— Who was praying passionately. He cast himself upon the ground. We need that kind of passion in our prayers.
The effect of my preaching is not measured by how my sermons are outlined or illustrated, but by the power of Almighty God upon my life because I've been alone with God in prayer.
Jesus knew what it was to get alone with God in prayer. Do you know what it is?
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MARCH 31
The Deceitfulness of Riches
"And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful." - Mark 4:18-19
There are many misconceptions and illusions about money. Money can buy some things but not others. It can buy marriage, but it can't buy love. It can buy four years in college, but it can't buy an education. Money can hire a doctor, but it can't make you well. Money can take you almost anywhere except to heaven. It can buy almost anything except happiness. Some people think money means security. But there's no security in money. It fades away.
The Bible speaks of the deceitfulness of riches because earthly treasures can be wiped away so easily. Are you putting your trust and hope in things of eternal value?
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APRIL 1
A Child of the King
"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" - Ephesians 3:8
Have you been complaining about your poverty? Listen, you may not have much money in the bank, but you are immensely wealthy. You're in the King's family! "For the Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16-17.
"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9. "In everything ye are enriched by Him." 1 Corinthians 1:5.
I want you to remember that you're a prince, a royal blueblood, if you're born again. No matter how poor you may be in this world's eyes, in Jesus Christ, you are rich. You are a child of the King!
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APRIL 2
Literally and Figuratively
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." - Revelation 12:9
Sometimes people ask, "Is the Bible to be interpreted literally or figuratively?" I answer, "Yes!" It is to be interpreted figuratively and literally all at the same time.
The Bible is full of symbolism. But you must find out what the symbol stands for, and then you literally believe it. For example, in the book of Revelation the devil is symbolized as a huge dragon. Don't say, "Oh, that's just symbolism, there is no devil." The golden arches symbolize McDonald's, right? When you see those golden arches, do you say, "Oh, that's just a symbol. There is no McDonald's restaurant. There's no such thing as a hamburger"? You wouldn't say that! No. It's a symbol, but when you know what the symbol stands for, you can apply it literally.
When you open the Word of God, first pray over it. Then ponder it. Ask these six questions:
1. Is there a promise to claim?
2. Is there a lesson to learn?
3. Is there a blessing to enjoy?
4. Is there a command to obey?
5. Is there a sin to avoid?
6. Is there a new thought to carry with me?
Pray, "Oh God, open my eyes; move upon my heart; give me understanding," and you ponder it. You think about it. Then with a pen close by, you write these things down. Read it through, think it clear, write it down, pray it in, live it out, and pass it on.
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APRIL 3
Starving Spiritually
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby." - 1 Peter 2:2
Can you imagine a conversation like this?
"I'm just so weak I can hardly get out of bed. I just don't want to go to work, I'm so weak."
"Well, what's the matter? Have you been to the doctor?"
"No."
"Do you have a disease?"
"I don't think so."
"What are you eating?"
"Well, I have this restaurant I go to on Sundays—sometimes—if it's not raining, and I get a meal there. That's all I eat."
"You mean that's all you eat?"
"Yeah, and I'm just so weak."
Friend, organized worship is just to whet your appetite. If you don't learn how to feed yourself the Word of God during the week, you will never grow. You'll be sick and weak spiritually.
Dig in to the abundant nourishment of God's Word. It will be a source of victory and a source of joy.
:angel:
APRIL 4
As Bright as the Promises of God
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform." - Romans 4:20-21
Adoniram Judson was a great missionary. He went to Burma and labored long. He prayed, fasted, and witnessed. But rather than seeing souls come to Jesus, Adoniram Judson was arrested. He was tortured and cast into a vile, filthy, vermin-infested prison.
Later when he was home on furlough, he was asked if the prospects were bright for the conversion of the world. His famous reply was, "As bright, Sirs, as the promises of God!"
Every person in this world can say that. If he knows the Lord Jesus Christ, he is an heir of the kingdom of God; and he can say, "My future is as bright as the promises of God."
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APRIL 5
I Know!
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
If you were to ask me, "Adrian Rogers, are you saved?" I'd say, "Yes, praise God! I know I am saved!"
But if works have anything to do with my salvation, and you were to ask me, "Adrian Rogers, are you saved?" I'd have to say, "Well, now, let me think. Yes, I believe I'm saved. I prayed today and I studied the Bible. I didn't curse today, and I didn't steal. But uh-oh, I did lose my temper today. Well, let me see. I hope I'm saved."
If you depend upon works, a little or a lot, to get you to heaven; then you'll never be able to say, "Praise God, I know that I know that I'm saved." But you're not saved by works. You're saved by grace through faith.
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APRIL 7
Thy Will Be Done
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us." - 1 John 5:14
Do you know why our prayers sometimes are not answered? We're saying, "Not Thy will, but mine be done." Let me tell you something: prayer is not some exercise where you talk God into doing what He doesn't want to do. You'll never do that. Prayer is not bending God's will to fit your will. Prayer is finding the will of God and getting in on it. Do you know where man got into trouble? In the Garden of Eden when the first Adam said, "Not Thy will, but mine be done."
Thank God for the second Adam, the Lord Jesus, Who prayed in another garden, "Not My will, but Thine, be done (Luke 22:42)." Are you submitted to the will of God?
:angel:
APRIL 8
Time to Clean House
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
Suppose you own a piece of property, and right in the middle of it you sell me an acre, and I have access in and out. Let's suppose all night long I'm playing loud music, I throw trash around, I desecrate your property. After a while you say "I want you out of there. Move out. You're defiling my land."
But I say, "I'm not going; you can't make me go. You sold me this piece of property; I've got a legal right to it and I'm not moving." Dear friend, you would not be able to move me out because you gave me a place there.
Some of you have done almost the same thing with Satan. Certain things in your life have become strongholds and you have given a place to the devil. You cannot dislodge him unless you legally dislodge him.
Even after you repent from sin, the devil is not going to walk out. You're going to have to run him out. You still have to clean house. You have to say, "Satan, I've given you a place, but I take it back in the name and the authority of Jesus. Satan, I don't shout at you, I don't plead with you, I don't argue with you, I don't beg you. I bring Jesus Christ against you. You have no right, no authority. This body of mine is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. You are trespassing on my Father's property, and in the name of Jesus, Whose I am and Whom I serve, be gone!" He'll flee from you.
:angel:
APRIL 9
15¢OR $150,000—To God It Is the Same
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." - Luke 16:10.
Look carefully at this verse. Jesus is saying that when a person is unfaithful in the small things, he will be unfaithful in greater things as well. He didn't say "may be" unfaithful or "could be" unfaithful. It says he is. If you would steal so much as a 15-cent pencil and carry it home from the job—if it doesn't belong to you, you've made a place for the devil.
You say, "Wait a minute!" This is what the Bible says. A person who would steal a 15-cent pencil has the potential of stealing a $150,000 payroll. When you are unfaithful in that which is least, the Bible says you are unfaithful. That dawned on me the other day. I used to say, "Well, if I'm capable of stealing a little, then I'm capable of stealing a lot." That isn't what God says. God says if you are unfaithful in that which is least, you are unfaithful in that which is much, because with God thievery is thievery. It makes no difference
Ask yourself this question: "Is there any area of my life that is not impeccably, indisputably, completely honest?" If there's an area of dishonesty of your life, that will be the devil's campground.
:angel:
APRIL 10
Not Any Should Perish
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
Some people believe there is a certain number of persons who are going to be saved and that number has been fore-ordained—already settled, nothing we can do about it. They believe God has predestined some for heaven and some for hell. I don't believe that for one second!
I believe God wants everybody to be saved. Read today's verse—black print on white paper. Don't get the idea that God created a little baby and said, "You, child, are going to go to hell, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it." I don't believe that for a moment. Listen, God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
It's one thing to believe this. It's another to get out there and start sharing the Gospel with people. What are you doing to present them with the opportunity to be saved? Are you sharing the Lord Jesus Christ?
:angel:
APRIL 11
Shut the Devil's Mouth
"When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." - John 11:4
The devil's charge against Job was that Job didn't really love God—that the only reason Job served God was that God had bribed him. God said, "To prove He loves me, Satan, you can take anything from him but his life." Job continued to serve the Lord and said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (Job 13:15). Isn't that great?
God often gets the glory through our trials. There are servants of God today, special people who've been chosen of God to shut the devil's mouth by saying, "Though I do not have physical health or a lot of this world's goods, I love my God. Jesus Christ is real to me, and Jesus Christ is enough for me."
Sometimes sickness may glorify God. Andrew Murray, a dear old saint, wrote:
"In times of trouble the trusting child of God may say, 'First He brought me here, it is by His will that I'm in this great place. Next, He will keep me here in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn and working in the grace He means to bestow. And in His good time He can bring me out again. How and when—He knows.'"
So many people have an "if" faith: "Lord, if you do this..." But what you need is a "though" faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." And that shuts the mouth of the devil!
:angel:
APRIL 12
What God Can Do
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
A. C. Dickson, a fine expositor of the Word of God, said when we depend upon organization, we get what organization can do. When we depend upon education, we get what education can do. When we depend on money, we get what money can do. When we depend on singing and preaching, we get what singing and preaching can do.
But then he said when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do. And, oh, what this world needs is what God can do! What our cities need is what God can do! What your home needs is what God can do! What our churches need is what God can do!
Are you depending on what God can do? Are you depending on prayer?
:angel:
APRIL 14
God Is Still on the Phone
"...ye have not, because ye ask not." - James 4:2
A little girl heard the choir singing that song "God Is Still on the Throne." She didn't understand it quite correctly and told someone they were singing "God is still on the phone." Well, He is!
There's a heavenly hotline and thankfully God is still on the phone! He answers our prayers. Prayer—that you and I can talk with God—is the greatest Christian privilege. The One Who scooped out the seas, heaped up the mountains, and flung out the stars—the omnipotent God — has invited us to talk with Him. There is no possible way I could overstate the importance of prayer. And I pray that you will never underestimate the importance of prayer.
Prayer is the Christian's greatest privilege. It is the Christian's greatest power. But it is also the Christian's greatest failure. We have not because we ask not. May God forgive us.
:angel:
APRIL 15
Healing the Wounded
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." - Galatians 6:1
Have you ever noticed that sometimes when a new convert comes down the aisle, especially if he's been a notorious sinner, everybody watches him like a hawk? Well, the first thing you know, if he slips back into his old world, so many times the Christians say, "Uh huh, just as I thought. Look at him; look how he failed." And rather than helping him, it seems as though they put their heel on his head and push him down further into the mud. Somebody has said the Christian army is the only army in the world that shoots its wounded.
We are not to criticize, we're to help, we're to lift, we're to boost. "Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another." This is the command we should obey. We should pray one for another.
:angel:
APRIL 16
Cursed
"And unto Adam He said...cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." - Genesis 3:17
The crown of thorns Jesus wore—what does it speak of? It symbolizes the curse upon humanity, on you, on me, on us all, because of sin. When God created mankind and put him in the Garden of Eden, there were no thorns. A curse came upon Adam and Eve because they sinned and disobeyed God. The thorn, the thistle, are the result of the curse of sin upon humanity. Jesus wore a crown of thorns because He bore that curse...the hardship, sorrow, and death that come with sin.
Are you having heartaches? Are you having sorrow? Do you know sickness? The thorny pathway we walk is because of sin. The bed of briars we sleep on is because of sin.
Who is taking care of your sin today? Who is paying the price for it? Is it under the blood? Are you trusting Christ alone for that?
:angel:
APRIL 17
The Just for the Unjust
"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the Just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God ..." - 1 Peter 3:18
A Roman soldier walked down a narrow corridor in a Roman prison. He held the torch up, and back in the shadows was a man. The guard with his key opened the door and said, "Barabbas, get up and come with me." Barabbas began to plead, "No, wait, don't take me! Have mercy!" The Roman soldier said, "You're not going to die; there's somebody else who's going to die in your place. Come here. Look over on that hill. That's the cross we made for you. But there's someone else on it. He has taken your place."
In what happened to Barabbas, God arranged a perfect picture of substitution — the just dying for the unjust that He might bring us to Himself.
Take time today to tell the Lord Jesus Christ how much you love Him and how grateful you are that He stepped out of glory and became obedient unto death—even the death of the Cross—for your sake and mine.
:angel:
APRIL 19
The Perfect Sacrifice
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" - Hebrews 9:14
The Lord Jesus lived an amazing life. Do you realize that Jesus never corrected, withdrew, or amended any statement He ever made? I wish I could say that! Jesus Christ never apologized for anything He ever did or said. He never sought advice from anyone, nor ever needed to ask for forgiveness.
Jesus Christ doesn't have any strong points. For Him to have strong points, He would have to have weak points. Robert Clark has rightly given this assessment of the character of Jesus: "There was meekness without weakness, tenderness without feebleness, firmness without coarseness, love without sentimentality, holiness without sanctimoniousness, lowliness without lowness, truth without error, enthusiasm without fanaticism, passion without prejudice, heavenly‑mindedness without forgetfulness, carefreeness without carelessness, service without servility, self‑exaltation without egotism, judgment without harshness, seriousness without somberness, mercy without softness."
What a person was the Lord Jesus Christ! Today, embrace the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior with this renewed sense of Who He was—His matchless character. This is the One Who laid down His life for you.
:angel:
APRIL 21
Were the Disciples Liars?
"...we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not." - 1 Corinthians 15:15
It's one thing to be mistaken; it's another thing to be a false witness. Were the disciples liars when they said Christ was risen? Were they deceivers? If so, why would they lie? People usually lie in order to gain something. But what gain did they have if Jesus Christ was still in the grave?
They died as martyrs. They were tortured, persecuted, and burned at the stake. They reddened the mouths of lions, were stoned, crushed, and humiliated. Hypocrites and martyrs are not made of the same stuff. People tell lies to get out of trouble, not to get into trouble. A man may live for a lie, but few, if any will willingly die for a lie. No, they did not lie. Jesus Christ has indeed risen as they said!
If someone were to ask you, "What proof do you have that Jesus Christ really rose from the dead?"—what would you answer them? Are you prepared with a well-thought-out, logical answer?
:angel:
APRIL 23
The Eye of a Needle
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." - Mark 10:25
Around the walls of Jerusalem and other Bible-era cities, they had little low gates to keep people from riding through the streets of the city at night. A man could get through, but the animals couldn't. These little gates were called "The Eye of a Needle."
Now, a camel could possibly have gotten through one of these gates, but it would have been next to impossible. He would have had to get down on his knees and have his entire load taken off his back.
The reason it's so difficult for a rich man to get to heaven is that he, along with us all, has to get down low (humble himself) like that camel and get that burden off his back. Trusting in Christ alone is the only way.
:angel:
APRIL 24
The Simple-Minded
"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" - Proverbs 1:22
A Greek named Demosthenes was once addressing a bored and listless audience, so he told them a story.
"Once there was a man struggling with a great load. Along came another man with a donkey and said, 'Rent my donkey, and he'll carry your load.' He did. Later, as they tried to find relief from the hot sun, they began to argue over who owned the donkey's shade."
At this point, Demosthenes walked off the stage. The audience became agitated, wanting to know how the argument was resolved. Demosthenes returned and said, "Earlier, I was talking about issues of life and death, and you were bored. But now you're all worked up about who owns the shade of a donkey!"
Demosthenes' audience was a simple-minded bunch. They tuned out issues of serious truth but were entranced with the trivial. How about you?
:angel:
APRIL 26
The Value of Wisdom
"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" - Proverbs 16:16
I was interested to note in the newspaper that several billion dollars was moved from one bank to another—7.5 billion dollars to be exact. And there to watch and protect was an army of one hundred policeman and guards—all with their machine guns, tear gas, and all forms of electronic communications—because, of course, everybody wants money, don't they? People would do anything to get their hands on that money.
I wonder, if they had had a truckload of wisdom going down the street, how many policemen do you think they would have needed to guard it?
It will be a great day in your life when you begin to seek after wisdom with the same intensity and commitment as you seek after gold.
:angel:
APRIL 27
The Answer to All Our Problems
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18
I once met a lawyer on an airplane. We began to talk about what we liked to read. I said, "I read newspapers, books, journals, devotional studies, but primarily the Bible."
He said, "If you don't read any further than that, how do you know what to talk about when you speak to people?"
I said, "Sir, man only has three problems: sin, sorrow, and death."
He answered, "There are more than that."
I replied, "No, only three."
"Oh," he said, "there are other problems."
I said, "All right, tell me another."
He went off for a while, came back, and said, "Man only has three problems."
That's true. And the cross of Jesus Christ is the only answer to those three problems. You give me all of the wisdom of this world....but there is no other answer apart from the cross.
The Jews want a sign; it is the Cross. The Greeks want wisdom; it is the Cross. To this world it is foolishness, but to God it is not foolishness. Now, thank God for the message of the Cross.
:angel:
APRIL 28
The King's Table
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." - Revelation 3:20
A man once told me, "Back in the depression, we had three meals a day. We had oatmeal for breakfast, cornmeal for lunch, and no meal for dinner."
You may feel like that. You may not feel as if you have much now. But I don't care what is set on your table today.Friend, listen, when you become a Christian, whether or not you have a freezer full of filet mignon, it makes no difference. There's Someone else Who prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies, and He is the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Christian, you eat at the King's table.
If you have opened the door to Him, you feast in Him. You are in the Lord's fellowship! You sit at His table! And no matter how poor you are, you eat with the King! Open your heart's door to the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
APRIL 29
Revive Us Again!
"Wilt thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?" - Psalm 85:6
What we need in America is a sweeping revival. They tell us that a nation's decay occurs in nine cycles.
People go from bondage to spiritual faith.
From spiritual faith to courage.
From courage to liberty.
From liberty to abundance.
From abundance to selfishness.
From selfishness to complacency.
From complacency to apathy.
From apathy to dependence.
From dependence back again to bondage.
This cycle is being revealed today in our nation's current status. But I'm telling you, it is time some of us took our place and prayed for God to send a mighty revival and for our nation to return to Him. It's not too late with God!
:angel:
APRIL 30
Bitterness
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." - Ephesians 4:30-31
Bitterness creates a climate for the devil. Did you know the devil is bitter? In Revelation 12:17, you find the devil pursuing the nation Israel—the dragon pursuing after the woman. The devil has bitterness, a vendetta against God's holy people, and he is pursuing. He's trying somehow, someway, to hurt them.
I've seen some Christians with bitterness in their hearts. I don't know where they got it. Evidently someone hurt them. But the real problem is, there's a root of bitterness down there in their heart, and they're like the devil.
Are you bitter? If so, in that regard, you are like the devil. If you're not careful, before long you're going to be full of the devil. Don't let another day go by without bringing that bitterness to God and asking Him to help you release it.
:angel:
MAY 1
Standing on the Inside
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..." - 1 Samuel 15:23
There is a classic story about a father who told his little four year old son to sit down, but the son didn't sit down. So the father said a second time, "Son, I said sit down." The boy still didn't sit down. Finally, the father took him by the shoulders and forcefully placed him in the chair. He said, "Now, Son, sit there!" The little boy answered, "Okay, I may be sitting down but—" he added defiantly, "I'm standing up on the inside!"
A lot of us are in that mode. A rebellious spirit is not always discernible except to God and the person who has it.
Is there some area in your life where you're "standing up on the inside"? If on the inside you still harbor a rebellious spirit, you are not really "obeying."
:angel:
MAY 2
Knowing God Intimately
"Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight..." - Exodus 33:13
There are two ways that you can know God: casually or intimately. You can know about God, or you can know God. To know about God is to know His works. To know God intimately is to know His way.
Moses asked to know God intimately. But most people know God on the first level. All they know are the works of God. They know what God does, but they don't know the ways of God. Not everybody, even those who claim to be saved, knows God intimately. They don't know who God is. How sad it will be in the resurrection to meet a God face to face that we have not known heart to heart.
As you go through your day, ask God to show you His ways and to reveal to you how they are in contrast to the way the world thinks.
:angel:
MAY 3
Avoiding the Panic Button
"He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel." Psalm 103:7 "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him ..." - Psalm 37:7
Peter and James were both put in prison for preaching the gospel. But James had his head cut off while Peter was delivered miraculously out of the same prison. Did God love Peter more than he loved James?
Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. He stood up for the Lord Jesus Christ, and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2). But Stephen preached, and he got 3,000 stones. They stoned him to death (Acts 7:59).
If all you see are the works of God, you're going to be hopelessly confused. If you don't have a deeper insight into the ways of God, you're going to be pushing the panic button all the time. You will never be able to rest until you know God intimately. To know God intimately is the way of tranquility.
To know God intimately begins with two things: time in His Word and time in prayer. You know God intimately by direct dealing with God. You can't know anyone that you don't spend time with.
:angel:
MAY 5
Does Money Satisfy?
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." - 1 Timothy 6:6
Dr. Vance Havner is quoted as saying, "I'm often amused and amazed at the way we equate Christianity with success, popularity, and prosperity. We may not admit it, but we use the same old gauge the world uses, except we employ religious language. It would appear that gain is godliness with us, in spite of Paul's formula that godliness plus contentment equals prosperity."
So often we say that money will not satisfy, but that all depends on what we're trying to satisfy. The problem is not that money doesn't satisfy. The greater danger is that it does—but only for a season. If you have it and you are satisfied with the things of this world, that's a dangerous place to be spiritually.
Consider this: Paul had one of the best pedigrees any Jewish person could have. Yet he wrote (Philippians 3:7-8): "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."
:angel:
MAY 6
You Will Never See My Face
"... 'for I [God] will not go up in the midst of thee [the Israelites]; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way'. ... And he [Moses] said unto Him, 'If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.'" - Exodus 33:3,15
What is Moses saying here? He's saying, "God, if You're not going, I'm not going." St. Augustine is attributed with asking this question: "If God were to come to you and say, 'I'll give you anything you want. Nothing will be withheld. You can have whatever you want with one exception: you will never see My face,' would you take that proposition?" He then said, "If a chill went over your soul when you heard that phrase, 'You will never see my face,' thank God for that chill."
God offered to send the Israelites along their way with the protection of an angel. He promised them victory in the Promised Land. But Moses said: "I don't want Canaan without you. I don't want an angel to guide us. I don't want victory. I don't want milk and honey. I want you, God."
Is there anything today you want more than God's presence? Think carefully. If so, then that thing—whatever or whomever it is—is an idol.
:angel:
MAY 7
Enough is Enough!
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." - Joshua 24:15
It's always been amazing to me when critics say, "These evangelical Christians are trying to cram their values down the throats of other people."
Of course, I want to ask this question:
"Who was it that redefined when life begins? Who is it that has changed the way Americans think about premarital sex? Who is telling us what is decent and what is not? Who wants to dictate when and where you can pray and when you can't? Are they not the same ones that want to decide who lives and who dies?"
We have people out there who are trying to remold and remake society in their own image, and it's time God's people said, "Enough is enough!"
:angel:
MAY 8
A Proverb is a Proverb, Not a Promise
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
Some parents have almost put themselves in an early grave because they've had a wayward child. Someone has taken this proverb and beaten them over the head with it.
Friend, this verse is a proverb. If you read the book of Proverbs and try to turn proverbs into promises, you'll lose your faith. A proverb is a proverb. A promise is a promise. A precept is a precept. A parable is a parable. A prophecy is a prophecy. You have to be careful.
There are proverbs that tell you the way to be wealthy. Does that mean everyone who follows one of these proverbs is automatically going to be wealthy? A proverb is a general principle that when generally applied will bring a general result.
Instead of grabbing Proverbs as promises, ask God for discernment. He desires us to "rightly divide the word of truth," not use it as a club to beat up fellow believers. (2 Timothy 2:15)
:angel:
MAY 9
Children Need Encouragement Like Plants Need Water
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4
Children need encouragement like a plant needs water. They need it over and over again.
And you need to catch them doing something right! Let them know you believe in them. Let your speech affirm them. Be positive. Constantly encourage them.
Encouragement is twice as powerful as praise. Praise says, "You are great because you did something." Now there's nothing wrong with praise, but I'm just saying that encouragement is twice as strong as praise. There's a real difference. Encouragement looks at a child not primarily for what the child achieves, but for who the child is—and says "Thank you. I'm so grateful for you."
It's a fine line, but think about it. Catch your children doing something right and let them know through your encouragement that you believe in them.
:angel:
MAY 10
Not the Ten Suggestions
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." - Psalm 1:2
Ted Koppel, ABC's original Nightline host for decades, was addressing the 1987 graduating class at Duke University. If he never ever says anything else right, he said a mouthful to those students:
"In the place of Truth we have discovered facts; for moral absolutes we have substituted moral ambiguity. We now communicate with everyone and say absolutely nothing." And then he said, "What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not 'The Ten Suggestions.' They are commandments. Are, not were. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify in a handful of words acceptable human behavior, not just for then or now, but for all time."
Mr. Koppel got it just right!
It is a tragedy that The Ten Commandments have been removed from the walls of many public schools. But more important than The Ten Commandments being on the wall at the local school is that they be taught in your home and written upon the walls of your heart.
:angel:
MAY 12
Train Your Children
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24
A boy responded disrespectfully to his mother, and his dad responded this way:
"Son, when you disrespected your mother, you sinned against God because God says you are to honor her (Exodus 20:12). You're going to have to answer to God for that. And you sinned against her, and you're going to have to answer to her for that."
But then he added, "Not only is she your mother, she's my wife. And you're not going to talk that way to my wife. Now you've got me to deal with because you have disrespected my wife."
What kind of lesson is that to a youngster? For a husband to protect his wife is one of the greatest lessons I have ever heard in my life!
:angel:
MAY 13
Be Happy
"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance..." - Proverbs 15:13
There are three things animals don't do that humans do:
Animals don't blush. Mark Twain once wryly observed, "Man's the only animal who can blush—or needs to."
Animals don't cry.
And animals don't laugh. This tells me that man, made in the image of God, reflects the character of God. And God is a God of joy.
Laughter is a gift from God. There's nothing wrong with laughter. As a matter of fact, laughter comes innately. You don't have to teach children to laugh; you have to teach children when not to laugh. And if you really have the joy of the Lord in your heart, it's going to show up on your face.
Does your face today reflect the joy of the Lord? Or something else?
:angel:
MAY 14
You Can Control Your Speech
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." - James 1:26
We must watch what we say, because one word builds upon another, and it can get worse and worse. You have the snowball effect.
You say, "Well, I can't control it." You're a liar! You can control it, and I can prove it. For example, sometimes in a home a husband and wife are just snarling, fighting, snapping down one another's throat. Their voices are full of hostility. Then right in the middle of that kind of an argument, the phone rings. They answer the phone and say so sweet and nicely, "H-e-l-l-o..."
You can control it. And you'd better learn to control it. If you don't, you're going to be out of control.
This week, memorize Proverbs 29:20: "Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
:angel:
MAY 15
Financial Freedom
"The Lord shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in His season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow." - Deuteronomy 28:12
Financial bondage is not God's plan for His people. (Nor is it a good plan for any nation!) Whoever you are in debt to, you are the servant of.
God doesn't want you, His child, to be the borrower; He wants you to be the lender. God doesn't want you to be the tail; God wants you to be the head.
God wants to bless His people above all the nations of the world, and He wants to give His people financial freedom. But so many people don't have financial freedom—they're in financial bondage. The devil wants to keep you in bondage, and he doesn't care what kind of bondage you're in.
Are you in financial bondage? God wants you out of that so you can serve Him freely. Today we are blessed to have a number of godly Christian ministries guiding believers to sound, biblical teaching and freedom from debt. If you are under financial stress, contact one of them today. The Lord Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36).
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MAY 16
What is Reality?
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18
A man may say, "It's hard for me to have faith—I deal in reality." So, what is real? Your house? Your car? Your money? No, reality is not in something you can see, taste, touch, smell, or feel. Those things are not real because they are not lasting. Reality is in God.
If you're putting your trust in things you can see, touch and count, you're living in a world of illusion. The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal. The only "real" things are those things that will last eternally.
Only when we put God first will we come in contact with reality.
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MAY 17
An Open Bible
"Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." - 2 Timothy 4:2
Something that really bothers me is to go to church and hear somebody stand up and preach without an open Bible. Or maybe he will quote a text and close the Bible and then make a speech.
What we need to do is to read the book and study it. Let me tell you what I think preaching the Word of God is. I think it is taking a passage of Scripture, reading that passage, analyzing it, organizing it, illustrating it, and applying it.
I believe there's a famine in the land today for that kind of preaching, where people can understand the Bible. That is the kind of preaching that will ultimately build great Christians.
When you heed the Word of God, it is going to produce three things. First, sorrow. Then joy. And then obedience—just obey the Word of God.
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MAY 19
My Burden is Light
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ... for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28, 30
I've heard it said so many times that it's hard to be a Christian. Where did you get that? You didn't get it out of the Word of God. It's not hard to be a Christian.
Listen, the Bible says that "the way of the transgressor is hard" (Proverbs 13:15), but it's not hard to be a Christian. I'm having a wonderful time serving the Lord Jesus.
You say, "You mean there's no suffering?" There's suffering in this world whether you're saved or lost. You're not going to get out unbent, unbloodied, or unbowed. But I want to tell you, there is joy in the Lord Jesus Christ; and Jesus is the One who makes the sufferings of this life worth it all.
If you are struggling and straining today to "lead the Christian life." then something is out of whack. Jesus said, "I will give you rest." Come to Him right now in humility and lay down the heavy burden.
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MAY 20
It's Your Fault!
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
Suppose you were deathly sick and the only cure was a very rare and costly medicine. Yet you had no money.
Your doctor leaves and is gone for several days. When he comes back, there are dark circles under his eyes, his hands are trembling, and his clothing is torn and blood-stained.
The doctor holds out a vial of the medicine. "I went to secure this medicine for you. I withdrew my life savings. In my hurry, I wrecked my automobile. The blood on my shirt is that of my only son who was with me and was killed in the accident. Here is the cure. Take it, and you'll live."
Suppose you took that medicine, dashed it on the floor, and said, "Doctor, if I die, it will be your fault."
This is exactly what God has done for mankind. God offered His Son so that no one has to be lost. But we must accept His gift. Have you accepted it?
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MAY 21
Rubbed the "Right" Way
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
There are some people who say, "Well, I come to church on Sunday to feel good. I don't want some man up there ranting, raving, and pointing his finger at me, telling me I've got to repent and get right with God and all that business."
Billy Sunday, a great fire-eating preacher of yesteryear, once preached an excoriating message against sin. When he finished, somebody said, "Billy, you better tone it down a little bit. You're rubbing the fur on the cat the wrong way." He said, "Well, the old cat is headed towards hell! If she'd turn around, I'd be rubbing it the right way."
Does the truth of God rub you the wrong way? Then it's time to turn around.
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MAY 22
You're Too Late!
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost." - John 19:30
Evangelist Billy Sunday preached in tent meetings. It is told that one time after a meeting had ended, a young man who had been in the services and under great conviction found Billy Sunday and said, "Oh Mister Sunday, I need to be saved. What can I do to be saved?"
Billy said, "I'm sorry. You're too late." The young man said, "Oh, but I wanted to be saved. I should have been saved. What must I do to be saved?"
And Billy Sunday said, "You're too late to do anything to be saved, for Jesus has already done it all. It's finished. All you need to do is receive what He's already done," and he led the young man to Jesus.
It is finished. All you need to do is receive what Jesus has already done.
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MAY 23
Unbelief
"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18
Men don't go to hell primarily because they lie, steal, or cheat. It's much worse than that! Men go to hell because of unbelief. Unbelief is the major sin—the mother sin, the father sin, the sin out of which all other sins grow. It is the one sin that will damn you and send you to hell.
Unbelief is a terrible, horrible sin. It's never an intellectual matter; it's always a moral matter.
Can you think of any sin greater than to point the finger of unbelief at God and say, "You lie!" There is no greater sin than to aim the gun of unbelief at the Christ on the cross and refuse to receive Him.
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MAY 24
Love Not the World
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15
It stands to reason: if you love health, you're going to hate germs. If you love flowers, you'll hate weeds. If you love cleanliness, you'll hate dirt. If you love God, you will hate sin.
And so the Bible says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." What is worldliness? And why should a Christian not love this world?
Three reasons: Number one, because of the character of the world—what it is. Number two, because of the corruption of the world—what it does. Number three, because of the condemnation of the world—where it's headed.
If we're not to "love" this world, what, then are we to love? Jesus said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:37-39
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MAY 26
Presentation Plus Transformation Equals Revelation
"... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
Some people say, "Oh, I'm searching to know the will of God." Listen, it's not your job to find the will of God. It's God's job to reveal His will to you. It is your job simply to present yourself to Him.
If you have been conformed to this world, you will not know the will of God; therefore, you will not do the will of God.
Most Christians need to be transformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here's the formula for knowing the will of God. Presentation plus transformation equals revelation.
You want to know the will of God? Present yourself to God. Let Him change you. Then you won't have to find the will of God; the will of God will find you.
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MAY 27
My Eyes Were On You
"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
There once was a king captured by the Roman army. They took the king with his family to stand before the Roman general to receive the sentence of death. The king fell on his face before the general and said, "You may do with me what you will, but spare my wife and children!" The Roman general was so moved by the plea that he released them all.
Later, the king asked his wife about some of the things they had seen while in the Roman general's chamber. She said, "I didn't see anything. My eyes were only on the man who was willing to die for me."
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." May we be able to say, "My eyes are on the One who died for me, Jesus Christ. And I have eyes for no one but Him!"
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MAY 28
Under the Circumstances
"But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." - Matthew 14:30
I ask some Christians, "How are you doing?" They say, "Well, I'm doing pretty well under the circumstances." I want to say, "How did you ever get there?"
If you look at circumstances, you're going to fall. Remember when Peter was there in the boat, and Jesus came walking on the water. Jesus said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on water through those boisterous waves! And I can imagine Peter said, "This is wonderful!"
Then an unkind wave slapped him in the face. He looked around at those waves and said, "This is impossible," and he started to sink. He simply failed to look unto Jesus. He looked at circumstances.
Today, come what may, keep your eyes focused upon Jesus. Even the wind and the waves must bow to His command.
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MAY 29
Good and Best
"... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
There's a certain discipline that belongs to the child of God. He does not have time to participate in good things because there are too many best things.
People sometimes ask me, "Oh, have you read thus and such a book? It's so good." I say, "No, I haven't." And I think, "Where on earth did you ever get time to read that? I haven't even read the best books yet. How am I going to have time to read good books?"
I'm amazed at how many people spend so much time doing good things. But good things are bad things when they keep you from best things. Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But it's a choice between good and best.
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MAY 30
God Has a Plan for Your Life
"...let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1
God has a plan for my life, and God has a plan for your life. Do you know God's plan for your life? I don't care whether you're nine or ninety, man or woman, rich or poor, God has a plan for your life! God has a race He wants you to run! And the Bible says you're to run the race that is set before you.
Have you ever taken time to get alone with God and make your life a sheet of blank paper, sign your name at the bottom, and say, "God, You fill it in. Whatever Your will is, I'll do it"? The will of God—nothing more, nothing less, nothing else, nothing but!
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MAY 31
Prayer Wrestling
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." - Romans 15:30
One of the things I'm trying to cure myself of is casual prayer, prayer that is not intense, prayer that costs little.
Do you know the Bible calls prayer "wrestling"? Paul said, "...that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
Have you ever thought of prayer as striving, as wrestling? If you really get into intercession, you're going to find out that the devil will fight you and oppose you. Prayer is work. I'd rather preach for an hour than to pray for a half an hour, so far as the labor that it takes for genuine prayer.
Ask yourself: How much genuine agonizing do I do in prayer?
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JUNE 2
How Do You Handle A Crisis?
"And he [Herod] killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also." - Acts 12:2-3
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
What do you do in times of crisis? One thing we all must do, before we panic or sin against God, is respect the mystery of God's providence.
Throughout the pages of His Word, you're going to see the hidden hand of God...working in mysterious ways, in inexplicable ways. God is in the shadows arranging things, moving things people cannot see. That may be true in your life right now. God is working, but you cannot see Him working.
You may be in the middle of chaos right now. Nothing seems to be making sense. Everything you thought you had nailed down is coming loose, and the devil is pulling nails as fast as he can.
Just because it doesn't make sense to you doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. Many of us have questions. As we look at Acts chapter 12, we say, "Well, how could God let a rascal like Herod be the king anyway? Isn't God, God? If I were God, I'd turn him into a frog. And why should James be killed and Peter released? Does God have favorites? Has God lost control?"
Friend, you must grasp this important truth, or you will live your life floundering. We do not live by explanations. Life is not a problem to be solved; it is a mystery to be lived. Sometimes we must back off and simply see what I call the hidden hand of God. Just because you cannot see today the hand of God working doesn't mean God is not working.
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JUNE 3
Life Is a Mystery to be Lived
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
Have you ever stood and watched an artist paint a picture? He starts putting his colors on canvas. He's just splashing on the colors, mixing this one and that. You can almost hear him thinking, "A little more yellow here...."
And we say, "He's so good—how does he do that?" Then suddenly he'll dip his brush in some colors and go swoosh! across the canvas. We say, "Oh, you ruined it! You've really messed up. Let's see how you get out of this!" Then a few more strokes and suddenly it just comes together. It's a masterpiece!
We treat God the same way. As God puts His colors on the canvas, we look and say, "Lord, you're really doing well." Then all of a sudden God goes swoosh. "Lord! You've messed things up! How did You let this happen?" Have you ever felt that way? Of course you have, and I have too.
When I watch an artist at work, it doesn't make sense to me, but it makes sense to him. And just because things are not making sense to you, do not think that they don't make sense. In Acts 12 we see Herod's ungodly power, James' death, then Peter's release. Yet all of these things are working together. We call that the sovereignty of God. The providence of God.
In Acts chapter 12 in your Bible, write in the margin Romans 8:28, "And we know, we k-n-o-w, that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose."
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JUNE 4
The Fellowship of Prayer
"If any two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it will be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:19-20
God is pleased when His children pray, but God is more pleased when His children pray in fellowship. There's nothing that will bind us together as a church more than praying together. If you've ever had a prayer partner, you know that your hearts are linked together.
There are times when the church prays and God seems to come down, and it is glorious and wonderful. It's what we call "the fellowship of prayer." This prayer is the prayer we see happening in Acts 12 when the church came together to pray for Peter.
Jesus had an "inner circle"—Peter, James and John. Every believer needs that special friend or group of friends you can call on at a moment's notice—"in season, out of season"—to encourage and uplift you in prayer. And you need to be that go-to person for a fellow believer. If you have this, praise God. If not, ask Him to bring that prayer partner into your life.
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JUNE 7
Get Some Sleep
"Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." - Psalm 121:4
I heard about a man who was in a crisis and couldn't sleep. He thought about this verse of Scripture, "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." He said, "Well, Lord, there's no need for both of us to stay up all night. Good night, Lord. I'm going to sleep while you stay awake."
The Bible says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3
It may sound like a paradox: on one hand, pray earnestly. On the other, get some sleep. But Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, "Be careful for nothing" (that means don't worry about anything) "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God" (listen to it) "the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Friend, turn your problem over to Him. Roll it on the Lord. I don't care how big it is. When you obey Philippians 4:6-7, God's peace will have the mastery over your panic.
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JUNE 9
You're Going to Live
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die..." - John 11:26
I heard a story about a boy who was dying on a battlefield. The chaplain was there, cradling this boy's head tenderly in his hands. The boy looked up and said, "Chaplain, am I going to live?" The chaplain looked down at that grievous wound and saw the life's blood ebbing out, and he knew that in just a matter of minutes the boy would be dead. He said to the boy, "Son, are you a Christian?" The boy gave a weak smile and said, "Sir, the happiest day in my life was when I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. Yes, I'm a Christian." The chaplain said, "Then, son, you'll live!" And indeed he will!
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). As the hymn says, "Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?"
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JUNE 10
It's Confession
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Psychologists are always talking about getting rid of your guilt complexes. They say man has all of these desires within him, and he's been held in by blocked memories, and they squeeze him in. They say if he represses himself, he will come up with a neurosis and a psychosis. And so they say, "Express yourself. Live it up! Do your thing."
They claim the opposite of repression is expression. No friend, let me tell you, it is not repression, and it is not expression — it is confession.
The Bible says in 1 John 1:7, "... the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." And Romans 5:20 says, "... but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."
The Bible says that if you will confess with your mouth and Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Here is how the Amplified Bible explains it: "If you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms his salvation."
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JUNE 11
Never Been More Alive!
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." - 1 John 5:12
If you are a child of God and this moment were to have a stroke or a heart attack or something fall on your head, and some doctor were to say, "I have an announcement to make: he/she is dead," he'd be "dead" wrong! You'd never be more alive!
Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body; spiritual death is the separation of the spirit from God. I can never die in that sense because I can never be separated from God. Neither can you. Paul said there is nothing that can "separate us (the child of God, the Christian) from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
There are a lot of dead people who will go to work tomorrow. They have existence, but they don't have life. But if you know Christ, you have life and will never die! Do you have Jesus, dear friend? Are you "washed in the blood of the Lamb"?
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JUNE 12
Is the Choice You're Making Questionable?
"... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." - Romans 14:23
A man was in the back bedroom getting dressed. His wife was out in the living room talking with a friend. He yelled out, "Is this shirt clean enough for me to wear?" Without hesitation, she said "no" and went on talking.
After a while, he came out, buttoning up another shirt. He asked, "How did you know that shirt wasn't clean without looking at it?" She said, "If you had to ask, it wasn't."
So many times we wonder whether a course of action is right or wrong. We're not quite sure, so since we don't know absolutely that it's wrong, we do it anyway. But if we think it may be wrong, we should leave it alone until we're sure that it's right.
The old adage "When in doubt, don't" is often a good course to follow. When faced with a choice, ask: "Will this gladden the heart of God or grieve Him? Pray today: "Lord, I want my heart to be grieved by those things that grieve Your heart and be gladdened with the things that give You joy."
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JUNE 13
Things of Value
"Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place." - 1 Chronicles 16:27
I heard about a little girl who loved her daddy so much she wanted to do something special for him for Christmas. She decided to make him some slippers. She went up to her bedroom every evening and worked. The times that she used to sit in her father's lap and talk disappeared. For days she worked alone. Finally, she came down on Christmas Day and presented the slippers to her father.
He was appreciative of her nice gift. But he thought to himself, "How much more I would have valued her time just sitting in my lap and being with me than I value these slippers."
Are you occupied elsewhere doing things "for" God, rather than spending time with Him? Jesus values the time you spend with Him far more than the things you do for Him.
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JUNE 14
Faithful in Your Words
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." – James 5:12
In June we take time to focus on fathers, and I've discovered in talking with teenagers that many of them harbor bitterness and resentment. Much of that resentment is directed toward their fathers over the serious matter of broken promises.
If you're a dad who wants to restore your relationship with your teenager, one of the best things you can do is to remember those broken promises. Then go to them with a remorseful spirit and say, "I've asked God to forgive me, and I want you to forgive me." Ask this question, "Have I ever made a promise to you that I've failed to keep? If so, I want you to tell me because I want to repent. I want you to believe that your dad is a faithful man."
Are you a man of your word? If not, start fresh today and make a commitment that you will stand behind your word.
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JUNE 16
New Labels on Old Bottles
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us ... If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8, 10
Today we've almost done away with the idea of sin. Our culture rejects sin as old-fashioned, so we've taken away the word sin and replaced it with new words in our vocabulary.
Some of these high‑sounding phrases are: error, mistake, misjudgment, weakness, psychological maladjustment, glandular malfunction, and a stumble upward—anything but sin.
We've gone through the medicine cabinet and put new labels on old bottles of poison. So we have new terminology. We've tried to change things, but they've not really been changed at all. We have some egg-headed people—with all of their learnedness and intelligence—who have said "sin" is out of date. But nothing's changed except how we see ourselves. We're lying to ourselves and to a holy God.
Take inventory. Are you seeing your sin and dealing with it humbly and honestly before the Lord? Do you remember the father and the Prodigal Son? Our Father is full of mercy, long-suffering and ready to embrace you. He loves you.
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JUNE 17
Sin is the Cause; Christ is the Cure!
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." - Romans 5:12
Some would say that man is but the sum total of his environment and his body chemistry. If he does wrong, it's because he's like a computer that has been programmed wrongly. If he was raised in a bad neighborhood, he shouldn't be blamed for breaking into stores or smoking dope. Or if he has a vile temper, perhaps he had an overbearing mother.
According to psychologists, these unfortunate souls may be pitied but not blamed. They may be sick, but they're not sinful. They may be weak but not wicked. They need guidance but not salvation. But these social evaluators are wrong!
Are you blaming others? Or taking responsibility and coming to the Cross? Let me sum it up this way: life is short; death is sure; sin is the cause; and Christ is the cure.
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JUNE 23
Practical Atheists
"Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof." - 2 Kings 7:2
This man, this government official, acted like he believed in God, but he was a practical atheist. He spoke of God but doubted His power. To me the biggest fool is not the man who says there is no God, but the man who says there is a God and then doesn't live like it. Here was a man who had a sterile religion. He believed in God in a way. He had a form of godliness, but he denied the power thereof. And he was the loser. He was robbed by the thief of unbelief. I want you to see what the man of God said to him. "Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eat thereof."
Unbelief always withholds God's blessings from us. When we say we believe but act as though God is not in the equation—we are practical atheists. "...for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
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JUNE 24
Are You Limiting God?
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." - 1 Corinthians 1:27
People say, "Well, I don't believe God can use me." You're insulting God. You're limiting Him. "Well," you say, "all right then, I'll just serve God in my poor little old weak way." Quit it! He doesn't want you to serve him in your "poor little old weak way." God wants to take ordinary people and do extraordinary things through them! This is the kind of people God wants to use. He delights to use them. He's done it from the dawn on time! Gideon, Deborah, young Samuel, Ruth the widow, David the shepherd boy, Esther the orphan, Matthew the tax collector. Don't forget Cornelius, the member of an occupying army; Saul, the church-persecutor; Peter, the denier; and John Mark, the deserter.
It's not your fame; it's your faith. It's not your scholarship; it's your relationship. It's not your ability; it is your availability. It's not who you know; it's Whose you are that counts.
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JUNE 25
Gain What You Cannot Lose
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21
Jim Elliot, martyred missionary to the Aucas in Ecuador, wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." He's talking about giving his life for Christ and the gospel.
I'll tell you, in these days the most dangerous thing you can do is to play it safe. You are safer out on the waves with Jesus Christ than you are in the boat without Him. These are desperate days, and we need to live like it.
Don't just sit there and let life pass you by! You're going to die anyway. You can't save your life. You're not going to get out of it alive. And so you might as well invest it in something important.
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JUNE 26
The Sin of Silence
"For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." - Acts 4:20
Andrew Murray said, "There are two classes of Christians: soul winners, and backsliders." In my estimation, there are two great sins a Christian can commit: the greatest is to fail to love the Lord Jesus. The second greatest is not adultery or drunkenness, but it is the sin of silence—to refuse to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Suppose you knew the cure for cancer. Would you not tell it? Suppose you were on an island where people were starving to death, and you knew where there was a vast hoard of food. Would you not share what you knew?
Ours is the greatest mission, the greatest message, the greatest Master the world knows anything about. Our mission is the great commission. Our message is the saving gospel of our Lord and Savior, and our master, Jesus Christ Himself, has told us we must take the gospel to every creature on earth. Yet many Christians are sinning against this command. They're committing what I call "the sin of silence." If you're not a witness, you're not right with God, I don't care what else you may do.
I care not how faithfully you attend, how eloquently you teach, how liberally you give, how circumspectly you walk or how beautifully you sing. If you're not witnessing, you're not right with God.
:angel:
JUNE 27
Good News
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7
I once heard of a pastor who received word from the war department that a young soldier, reported missing in action and assumed dead, was found alive! His mother had already been informed of his death. And now they asked this pastor to be the one to tell her that her son was alive.
Do you think this pastor said, "Well, I've got a little vacation I'm going to take first, and I want to play some golf"? Of course not! What a thrill to deliver that a message! I want to tell you, there ought to be that thrill and urgency in my heart and yours every time we tell a poor, sin-sick, lost, and undone sinner there is good news that Christ died for our sins.
If you know the gospel of Jesus Christ, and you're not interested in sharing it, I sincerely doubt you've ever been saved. How could a person know the gospel and not want to share it?
:angel:
JUNE 30
Simply Obey
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord." - Isaiah 55:8
The Bible is not primarily a book to be explained; it is first and foremost a book to be believed and obeyed. Whether you understand it or not, when God says it, you just simply obey it.
And don't substitute human reasoning for obedience. So many times we like to tell God how He ought to do things. I can imagine those early disciples when Saul was making havoc of the church and hauling Christians off to prison and death. I imagine there were many praying, "Oh, God, do something about Saul. Strike him dead." But God didn't want to strike him dead. God struck him alive! And aren't you glad He did?
Isn't it strange how God works? You see, our ways and God's ways are so different. This is when we have to say, "I will trust You and obey."
:angel:
JULY 1
God Reigns, Rules, Overrules and Overrides
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord as the rivers of water. He turneth it whithersoever He will." - Proverbs 21:1
God can change a ruler, God can remove a ruler, and God can overrule a ruler.
You ask, "Should I pray for my leader if he's wicked?" You ought to pray all the more for him. Why? Because the Bible says, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." - 1Timothy 2:1-3
The greatest responsibility in America is not in the White House but in the church house. We're to pray for our government. Pray for those who are in authority.
Would you pray for America right now? You might pray, "Oh God, bless America. Lord, we deserve judgment, but we need mercy. Bring this nation, Lord, back to You. The troubles that we see in our land are tokens of Your love to bring us to our knees. Lord, it's beyond us. God, we need You in America."
:angel:
JULY 2
You Are the Salt
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." - Matthew 5:13
Edmund Burke wrote, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." When it comes to the political scene and government, there are some who have dropped out all together. They have the idea that if you get involved in government, somehow that is the "social gospel." So they've just hunkered down, trying to "hold on till Jesus gets here." They see the political scene as being dirty and worldly. And some have been intimidated by the great debate between church and state.
We can't drop out. It's impossible to think that God would have ordained government and told His people to stay out. Who else does that leave to run things?
Others with misguided zeal have tried to bring in the kingdom of God by political machinations. That cannot be done either. So where do we get the answers? We're not going to get the answers today from the politician who may have his personal ax to grind or from the ungodly and the humanists who don't believe the Word of God, or from finger-bumping philosophers who don't know the Word of God. The only place we're going to get the answers, I believe, is from the Word of God.
We need to confess and turn from our wicked ways. We need to speak up and stand up for what is right. Let your speech be seasoned with salt. But stand up, speak up and come out from under the rock. Stand on the rock and speak up for the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel:
JULY 3
Turning the Tide
"I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable and right in the sight of God our Savior." - I Timothy 2:1-3
When I was a boy in Florida, we lived at the seaside. I love the water and one of the things that always intrigued me as a boy was the changing of the tide. As we'd go out fishing, my brother and I would always be cognizant of the tides because we would come and go by the tides. The tides were important to us.
There are tides in nations too. America saw a tide of revival sweep in twice—in the First and Second Great Awakenings. But today we've seen a different tide. At this lowest point, when the tide is as low as it can get, may God grant that we see the tide begin to turn, back the other way, back to decency in America, back to standing up for the unborn.
We need to look up. Only God can help us. We need to confess up and turn from our wicked ways. We need to speak up and we need to stand up for what is right. Pray 1Timothy 2:1-3 today.
:angel:
JULY 4
God Has Ordained Human Government
"And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings and raiseth up kings...." - Daniel 2:21
What does the Word of God have to say about government? It teaches that God has ordained human government. The prophet Daniel said that God is the one who removes kings and God is the one who sets up kings. And Romans13 teaches that the powers that be are ordained of God.
What about wicked governments? Did God set them up? It may surprise you to learn, yes, He did. That does not mean they are God's will. God would much rather have righteousness. But by and large people get the kind of government they deserve. Wicked leaders are God's reward for a wicked people.
What are we to do as a church? What is my responsibility so far as government is concerned? First of all, we are to pray for our government. We need to pray for leaders even if they are wrong"For this is good and acceptable and right in the sight of God our Savior" (1 Timothy 2:3).I am calling upon you to confess your sins personally and our sins nationally. And I am calling upon you to pray for America as Daniel prayed for his people—in the power of the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is prayer time in America.
:angel:
JULY 7
Yes, God Is Holding Us Accountable!
"We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and from Thy judgments." - Daniel 9:5
Daniel prayed, "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Thy precepts and Thy judgments." You ask, "Did Daniel do all that?" No, Daniel simply included himself in his prayer for his nation.
Does God hold me accountable for the abortion in America? Yes! Does God hold me accountable for the pornography? Yes! For the drug addiction, alcoholism, materialism, humanism? Yes, He does. Friend, if the church had done what she ought to have done, and if we would do what we ought to do, then these problems would be healed. And while we may not commit these sins, they are still our sins. Verse 20 of this same chapter makes it so clear: "While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel...."
Now, people who don't know God aren't going to confess the sin of this nation. Like Daniel, we must set our face and pray with reflection and repentance, confessing our sin and the sin of America. Only sin that is confessed is forgiven.
Have you ever set your face to prayer? So much of our prayer, I hate to say, is casual prayer, prayer that comes with almost a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. When are we going to set our face before God with fasting and determination?
:angel:
JULY 8
What God Would Rather Do
"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it." - Jeremiah 18:7-8
In this passage, God is not just talking about the nation Israel. He's talking about nations in general. God says, "When I get ready to judge a nation, if that nation will repent, then I will turn from the judgment that I had determined to send upon that nation."
Let me tell you something about the great heart of our God: God is a God of righteousness, judgment, and justice, but God had rather show mercy than send judgment.
America is ripe for judgment. God says, "When I get ready to judge a nation, if that nation will repent, then I will turn from the judgment that I had determined to send upon that nation." We are in the eleventh hour, the clock is about to strike midnight, and we need to pray, "Oh God, hold back Your hand of judgment upon America."
"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
A church steeple is something that is supposed to point us to God. Have you ever noticed that the closer the steeple gets to the top, the smaller it gets? The closer we get to God, the more we realize how insignificant and sinful we are. This is not a time for finger-pointing in America. This is a time for repentance of personal sin. I'm talking about the people in the pew. The Bible says the time has come that judgment begin at the house of God.
:angel:
July 9
The Guilt Removed
"To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him." - Daniel 9:9
Isn't it wonderful that to God belong mercies and forgiveness? You see, just as Daniel prayed, the basis of our prayer is the greatness and the mercy of God. The basis of Daniel's prayer was the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
It is impossible to see the greatness of God and the mercies of God and not pray with confidence.
We need to pray, "God, cleanse us, restore us, revive us, renew us, refresh us. We need revival in America. Remove our guilt."
:angel:
July 10
For His Glory
"Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies.
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name." - Daniel 9:17-19
Daniel is saying, "O God, please forgive us. Remove the guilt." He's also praying for the restoration of glory. Notice "for the Lord's sake."
Do you know what so many of us are praying for? For America's sake. That won't get it done. Or for our denomination's sake, our church's sake, or even our family's sake. But Daniel is praying for not only the removal of guilt but the restoration of glory (v. 18). When we get concerned for the glory of God, then we're going to see our prayers answered. So many times we're just simply trying to get out of difficulty. Do you pray for the glory of God?
Do you know what most of us want? We want revival so we can return to our own ways, once God gets us out of the difficulty we're in. Do you have a burning, yearning in your heart for the glory of God? Do you want to see God's glory spread over this land? I want to see God do something again that cannot be explained by the pundits on television and the news anchors.
When we get concerned for the glory of God, then we're going to see our prayers answered.
:angel:
July 11
I Don't Understand, But I'll Obey
"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." - 1 Samuel 15:22
I read an interesting story about Stephen Grellet, a pioneer evangelist to the lumbermen in the Rocky Mountains. He felt the Spirit of God leading him to a particular lumber camp to preach. When he got there, the place was absolutely deserted. He said, "Lord, I don't understand, but I'm going to be obedient." So he opened his Bible without a soul in sight and preached a full-length message. Then he pled for people to come to Christ. He said, "Lord, I don't know what that was all about but Lord, I was obedient." Years later, a man walked up to him in England and said, "I was the foreman at a lumber camp. I had come back to the camp to get an ax, and I heard you preaching. I stood behind a pile of lumber and listened. As you preached, my heart was strangely warmed, and I repented of my sin and gave my heart to Jesus Christ. I later witnessed to four other men. Now, all five of us are missionaries preaching around the world."
How important it is that we obey completely in small things! Naaman was asked to dip seven times in the river Jordan. At first, he angrily refused. But in 2 Kings 5:13 his servants asked him, "... if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?"
Do you know why many of us are not obeying God more than we are? Because we're not hearing what God is saying. We're not spending time listening to God. That's the importance of a quiet time, that's the importance of getting somewhere alone with God in a nook with this book and reading and listening.
:angel:
JULY 14
That's what Brought Me to Christ
"And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also." - Luke 6:29
Someone asked an army officer, "Why are you a Christian?" He said, "One day we went out on a march. We slugged through the mud all day long. Our boots were dirty, and our clothes were heavy. When we came into the barracks, we were cross and irritable."
"There was a young man who had already come in, cleaned up, and was kneeling down by his bed saying his prayers. I became so irritated I took one of my muddy boots and hit him in the head with it." He said, "The young man paused for a moment and then continued praying. But when I awoke the next morning, my boots were beautifully polished and set by my bed by that young man. That's what brought me to Christ."
You know, it is when God's people suffer as Christians that this world begins to look at us. Now we may not want it. We may not ask for it. Certainly I'm not asking for it. But if it comes, let us suffer as Christians, as the Bible says. Oh dear friend, from the human viewpoint it is misery. From the Satanic viewpoint it is mystery. But from the divine viewpoint it is ministry.
:angel:
JULY 15
Worthy to Die, Living for Jesus
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried..." - Revelation 2:10
Polycarp was the pastor of the early church in Smyrna. He was asked to renounce his faith in Christ and offer a pinch of incense to Caesar. He refused and said, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and in nothing hath He wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, Who saved me?" When they heard that, they clamored to burn him at the stake. They brought their wood and heaped it around his feet. And then Polycarp prayed, ""I count it a blessedness to be thought worthy of a place among the martyrs of Jesus Christ." And when that fire was kindled around his feet, he was heard singing and praising the Son of God.
Most of us will not die at the stake, be carried to the wall and shot, or be imprisoned for the Lord Jesus Christ. We may not have a chance to die that way, but can we not die to this vile world? Can we not die to our plans and our ambitions? And can we not say that Jesus Christ is Lord?
:angel:
JULY 16
Not Fearful but Faithful
"...and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." - Revelation 2:10
If others in past centuries—and some even today— have reddened the mouths of lions, languished in prisons, and been scorched in the flames, can we not go out today, back to the school, back to the office, and live for Jesus Christ? God help us that we shall. In this evil hour, we'll have revival when there are men and women, Christians with burning hearts, brimming eyes, and bursting lips, who fear nothing but sin and who love nothing but Jesus Christ.
Who among us will be faithful unto death? We're not to be fearful; we're to be faithful.
:angel:
JULY 17
Those Who Hold Fast Will One Day Rule
"But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." - Revelation 2:25-27
In these days there will be more temptation to get away from the Word of God, the blood atonement, and salvation by grace through faith. Churches will be under attack by seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Here in Jesus' message to Thyatira He says, "You hold fast till I come."
Even though it seems to be tough, remember this, dear friend—the saints are going to have their day. Look in verse 26. One of these days Jesus is going to come and rule this world, and we are going to rule with Him.
If we suffer with Him, we'll also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). We are even going to judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). It may not be long before Jesus comes and His millennial reign begins here on this earth. The Bible clearly says that it's going to be a powerful reign (v. 27).
Don't give up, don't let down. Hold fast, stick to it, stay with the Word of God. Hold fast that old truth. Hold fast to this old Book and don't let go.
:angel:
July 18
The Father's Wealth
"And I will give him the morning star." - Revelation 2:28
I remember reading a story about a wealthy Roman who had a lavish estate, and he had a servant named Marcellus. When the wealthy Roman died, he wrote his will and left everything to his slave. The wealthy Roman also had a son, and for some reason he had had a disagreement with him, so in his will he said, "I have left my entire estate to my slave Marcellus. To my son, I leave him only one thing. He can choose any one thing from my estate he wants, but that's all." The son said, "Very well, I choose Marcellus."
Here at the end of Revelation 2, our Lord gives another sweet promise to those who overcome (v. 28): "And I will give him," that is, the overcomer, "the morning star." Jesus is that morning star. What He's saying is, "You'll receive the greatest reward of all, you'll receive Me, the morning star." Do you know what the morning star is? It's the star that appears just after the darkest hour of the night.
It's getting very dark. Praise God, it's getting gloriously dark, and before long that morning star is going to appear. Jesus is the morning star. If you choose Jesus, with Jesus comes all the Father's wealth.
:angel:
JULY 21
Paying an Extra Price
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, that I might finish my course" - Acts 20:24
Do you pay a price—some extra time in the morning—to get into the Word of God? Do you pay the price of being ridiculed because you keep your Bible on your desk in the office or bow your head and thank God for His gracious goodness to you when He gives you a meal? Are you willing to be different? Will you finish your course?
When you're running this race, you're going to find out that you're running right against the grain. Don't get the idea that there's the broad road and the narrow road, and the narrow road runs alongside the broad road, and over there a bunch of people are going this way, and over here you're going in the same direction.
No, there's the broad way, and here you are, right in the middle of it, going the other way. Against the grain. What we believe
starts at a different source
follows a different course
ends at a different conclusion
...and there is a price to pay.
Frankly, today we don't like that idea of a "price to pay." We say, "Well, I'm saved by grace, and so I'm just going to float on into heaven on flowery beds of ease." No. A disciple is one who follows his master, obeys his master, and there is a price to pay.
:angel:
August 5
Trusting God with Your Reputation
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works." - Psalm 73:28
We can be so protective of our reputations, can't we? I know of preachers who have lost their children because they were more concerned about what people thought than what God taught.
Maybe some of you are raising teenagers, and they dress in a way that isn't your style. Maybe your church friends are saying some unpleasant things. Let them criticize! God knows your heart. Those children are yours, not theirs. You need to love them with everything that God gives you. Stand by their side.
Never sacrifice your son or daughter on the altar of your reputation. Trust your children to the Lord. Ask God to give you His wisdom so you can see how He is fulfilling His promise of Romans 8:28 in every situation.
:angel:
August 6
Do You Need Help Finding Your Seat?
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6
Why is the empty tomb so glorious? Because it signifies more than just the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. He raised you, too, to walk "in newness of life" (see Romans 6:4). I have come out of that grave. I have ascended. You have, too, if you are saved.
Where is Christ today? Seated in the heavenlies. Where are you seated? In the same place. You don't have to die to go to heaven. In Christ, you are seated in the heavenlies right now.
We encourage our brothers and sisters by telling them to keep looking up when we should be saying, "Keep looking down!" You're already seated in the heavenlies, so you can look down on your problems. You, dear friend, have a brand new life!
Take a moment and ask God to give you a brand new life or thank Him for the one He has already given you.
:angel:
August 7
Learning to Find Real Contentment
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." - Philippians 4:11
Paul came to a place in his life—not a physical place, but a spiritual place—where he felt divine contentment. Most people think they know what this word "contentment" means, but let me tell you what it means in God's Word—"self contained."
In the context of this passage, we learn that Paul was thanking people for their love gifts to him, but he wanted them also to know that he was not dependent upon them because God had brought him to a place of sufficiency in Himself alone.
That is, Paul was able to say, "I have learned that I don't need anything or anybody else, but the Lord. I have Him, and therefore, I am self-contained, not self-sufficient. I can do all things through Christ."
Do you have a contentment today in Christ alone?
:angel:
August 8
Seeking Things or Seeking Him?
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33
Have you ever noticed that along with the command in Matthew 6:34 not to worry, correspondingly there comes a promise from God to take care of us? One of the most frequent promises is that we will be fed—God will take care of our needs.
Then why does God promise that "all these things will be added unto you."? So we will not starve? No. Friend, a lot of people who don't trust God have a pantry full of food. The average unsaved person is thinking about money, homes, cars, clothes, jewelry, etc. Jesus knows we have a one-track mind and cannot serve two masters. If these are the things you are seeking, then you are not seeking the Lord. He is telling us, "You trust Me. Bring all of your attention into trusting Me and doing good, and I'll take care of you."
Today each time you're tempted to worry, bring your concerns to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you trust Him.
:angel:
August 9
Trade In: Your Weakness for His Strength
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
What does it mean to "renew" your strength? It literally means "changed," as if you changed clothes. You remove your rags of weakness and put on God's royal robes of strength. God promises to exchange our strength with His strength.
You see, the Christian life is not just simply a changed life, it is an exchanged life. God doesn't just change us from what we were to something better. He exchanges His life with us. He takes our sin. We take His holiness. He takes our weakness. We take His strength. He takes our anxiety. We take His peace.
Sounds great. But, what's the problem? We get tired of waiting for the change.
Friend, don't give up. The wait is never too long when God is in charge.
:angel:
August 11
An Inheritance that Will Never Fade
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." - 1 Peter 1:4
A man was sitting on a street corner, weeping. A friend saw him and asked, "Why are you crying?"
"Haven't you read the papers? Rockefeller died."
The friend responded, "Why are you crying? You were no kin of his!"
"That's why I'm crying!"
You have an inheritance right now as a child of God. It is incorruptible. The foul breath of decay and gnawing tooth of time cannot take it away. It is undefiled. No high-powered lawyer can find a loophole. It will never fade away.
If you understood what you have in Jesus, you would never be jealous of anybody. Ezekiel 44:28 says that God is your inheritance. You have an inheritance that is faultless, flawless, fadeless, and reserved in heaven for you!
:angel:
August 12
Which Grace Do You Need Most Today?
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - 1 Peter 4:10
The Bible speaks of the "manifold" grace of God. What does that mean? It means we can experience God's grace in many ways. For instance, there is singing grace. When Paul and Silas were in prison, God gave them grace to sing (see Acts 16:25).
There is speaking grace. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." God will give you the ability to talk about your troubles with His grace.
God also gives us strengthening grace. Timothy was often sick with many infirmities. Paul told him to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).
Which do you need today? Singing grace? Speaking grace? Strengthening grace? All three? Spend time in the Word of God today and draw from the manifold grace of God.
:angel:
August 13
We're Only on the Threshold of Knowing Him!
"Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands." - Psalm 102:25
I have been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for more than fifty years, but I feel I'm just on the threshold of discovering Him. I want to move closer and closer to Him and learn more and more about Him.
Do you know what Paul said at the end of his ministry? That he may know God (see Philippians 3:10). Did he know God? Yes, but he knew so little about Him.
Let me ask you a question. Did Christopher Columbus discover America? Well, he touched on the shores of America. But even today there are thousands of unnamed lakes, forests, and more where no one has yet completely explored.
There is so much in Christ.
You may have "touched on" Christ, but God's plan is that you know Him more and more each day.
:angel:
August 14
Faith: Your Link to Promise and Victory
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
The life of Joshua in the Old Testament is an illustration of Jesus. As a matter of fact, Joshua is the Hebrew name of Jesus. The Lord Jesus is our heavenly Joshua who leads us into the land of promise and victory. And what is this victory? It is a victory of faith.
There is nothing more, nothing less that will achieve the victory in our lives but faith. Victory is not achieved by fighting. Victory is received by faith.
You see, when God has a gigantic task He wants us to perform, He gives the contract to faith. Your faith links your nothingness to God's almightiness and victory is yours for the taking!
:angel:
August 15
Saved, Sealed and Secure!
"In Whom ye also trusted,after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1:13
What does it mean that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit?
First, it is a mark of authenticity. If the Holy Spirit is not in you, then you are a fake. First John 3:24 says, "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us."
Second, the seal is a mark of ownership, like the branding of a cow. You are His. Romans 8:9 says, "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
Third, the seal is a mark of security. Esther 8:8 tells about this type of seal, which "no man can reverse."
The way I am kept saved is because God sealed me. The way you are kept saved, is because God has sealed you.
:angel:
August 16
Is Jesus Your Stumbling Block or Your Stepping Stone?
"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Jesus Christ will be either a stepping stone into heaven or a stumbling stone into hell. No one can be neutral about Jesus Christ. Either you rise on Him, or you fall on Him. You cannot walk around Him. Either you're saved by Him or you're judged by Him.
You will encounter Jesus Christ. He is inevitable. He is unavoidable. He is inescapable. What you do with Jesus Christ determines what Jesus Christ will do with you. What are you doing with Jesus Christ today?
:angel:
August 18
An Offering of Continual Praise
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1
In the Old Testament, the priests would offer an animal sacrifice to God. What do believers offer today? Romans 12:1 tells us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.
And just as the altars of old had two flesh hooks to keep the sacrifice from slipping off, we have two hooks that hold our bodies there—discipline and devotion. Are you disciplining yourself and devoting yourself as a living sacrifice to the glory of God?
In the Old Testament, the priests would burn incense as a fragrant offering to the Lord. What do we do today? Hebrews 13:15 says we continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.
Our incense of praise should be going up out of our body, as we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Are you giving God a continual offering of praise every moment of every day?
:angel:
August 19
His Peace and Joy in Suffering
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." - 1 Peter 2:21
Christ suffered for you.
"But I don't want to suffer for Him."
You're going to suffer anyway—whether you are saved or lost. That is life in a fallen world.
When you submit to Jesus Christ and obey the Word of God, He is going to arch a rainbow of hope over your suffering. He is going to write Romans 8:28 over what you are going through. You will know that your current trial is for your good.
Surrender and submission to God is the only way to get His grace and power over your life. Joy, peace, and worry-free days are ahead for the one who lays his life down for the glory of God. Suffering will come, but joy will follow.
:angel:
August 20
Who Are You Burning Your Candle For?
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." - Romans 8:13
We preachers are fond of saying, "Get right with God. You may die!" It is far better to say, "Get right with God. You may live!" The greatest joy in life is living for Jesus. Why waste more time? There is a life to live.
Friend, the best thing that you can say about a life lived without Christ is that it is a wasted life. Billy Sunday, a revival preacher from the 1920s, said that the deathbed repentance is "burning the candle of life for the devil, and then blowing the smoke in God's face."
If you are not saved, it's not too late for you to be saved. If you want to be saved—wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you've done, Jesus wants to save you. Repent and believe and you will be saved.
:angel:
August 21
When?
"I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." - John 9:4
Robert Moffett, a great missionary statesman, said, "We shall have all eternity in which to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before the sun sets in which to win them."
Life's setting sun is sinking low. There are only a limited number of days in which to save souls. Are you going to spend your days investing in the things of this world, or putting up treasures in heaven? When?
Are you going to start sowing seeds of salvation or are you going to plant happiness in this life alone? When?
Are you going to do something nice for your wife? When?
Are you going to write your father? When?
Make a promise to yourself right now that you will not put off until tomorrow what you should be doing today.
:angel:
August 28
Shaking Hands or Saving Lives?
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
There was a preacher who kept a painting in his study of a shipwreck. There were sailors in lifeboats reaching out their hands to people floating on debris from the ship. A little boy looked at the painting and asked his daddy, "Are those in the lifeboats trying to save those people or are they just shaking hands?"
I wonder about us. It is all right to have friends; in fact, I encourage you to do that. But are you doing more than just socializing? Wouldn't it be a shame if all you did was shake the hands of those around you, when you could be serving and showing them the way to God through Jesus Christ?
We don't pray, live, and witness as if people are dying and going to hell or heaven every day around us. May God have mercy on us. The need of the hour is for men and women to have a servant's heart.
:angel:
August 29
Not to Decide Is to Decide
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." - Deuteronomy 30:19
Years ago I was witnessing to a young lady in Florida. I asked her if she had received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She became teary-eyed and said, "I just don't seem...no...I can't do it today." I asked her, "Don't you realize that if you don't receive Him, that you're going to deny Him?" She said, "Oh, I wouldn't deny Him for anything." I said, "But there's no middle ground." And yet she refused.
I said, "Before you go, would you shake hands with me?" And she said, "Well, certainly." And so I said, "If you'll take Christ as your Savior, take my right hand. If you'll take hell and refuse Christ, take my left hand." She refused to take either of my hands.
Every person has a choice. There is no neutral ground. You are either crowning Jesus as Lord of your life or you are not. Which is it my friend?
:angel:
August 30
What Do You Love More than Jesus?
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." - 1 John 3:16
The rich man asked Jesus, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Then Jesus asked him if he had kept the law. He said yes. In love Jesus responded, "One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me" (Mark 10:21b). But the rich man was "sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions" (Mark 10:22).
Jesus let him go. Jesus didn't run after him. And there's another thing I want you to notice: Jesus didn't lower His standards.
Is there anything you love more than Jesus? You must willingly lay it down to be saved.
:angel:
September 1
Finding Joy in All the Right Places
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." - Psalm 34:8
A Christian should be filled with joy. But we can't take any credit for it. It is Jesus who gives us joy and satisfaction. We couldn't have found it had we been searching for it, but by finding, knowing, and growing in Christ, He has filled us with an overflowing joy.
Do you know what the devil will tell you? That holiness and happiness don't go together. He will tell you that if you make up your mind to live a holy life, then you won't have any fun. Friend, the devil is a liar.
You'll never know satisfaction and joy until you find it in the right place. You'll never enjoy the good things of life until you know Jesus. Oh, how sweet to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Is the hunger of your heart met in Christ?
:angel:
September 2
Standing on the Edge of the Red Sea
"For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." - Isaiah 54:10
Sometimes the grandest revelations come through confrontation. Why did God bring the Israelites to the Red Sea? That they might have a confrontation with Him and discover His greatness and deliverance.
Many times the things we think are tragedies and problems are God's way of drawing us to Himself. God shuts this door; God shuts that door...it seems that there's no way out.
But we must cling to the fact that God makes Himself known to us in the storm and He plants His footsteps in the sea.
Are you standing at the edge of your "Red Sea"? Have you stopped to consider that this could be your Father drawing you to Himself by the only way He knew He could get your attention? The God who parted the Red Sea and stilled the surface of Galilee is the One Who is your Shepherd.
:angel:
September 3
Will God Be Enough...?
"And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." - Matthew 10:22
Have you ever read God's Hall of Fame in Hebrews chapter 11? These men and women of faith did miraculous things. "Who through faith subdued kingdoms." Hallelujah! "Wrought righteousness." Praise the Lord! "Obtained promises." Amen! "Stopped the mouths of lions." Glory!
And how did they do it? Faith.
"And others [men and women of faith] had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder..." (Hebrews 11:36-37). "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise" (Hebrews 11:39).
Some had faith to escape; others had faith to endure. If it is God's will for you, faith to endure may be the kind of faith God wants you to have. Will God be enough if He lets you walk through the fiery furnace?
:angel:
September 4
Welcome! You are in the Priesthood
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9
Christians are a kingdom of priests, so in order to understand what that means, let's look at what someone had to do to become a priest in the Old Testament.
The first thing the priest did was bathe from head to toe. This symbolized that he was saved (see Titus 3:5). When we are saved, we are bathed from head to toe in Christ's cleansing blood.
After his bath, the priest received a linen garment, which symbolized the righteousness that is provided by our Lord.
Then he was anointed with oil, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
How encouraging to discover God's Word flowing from the Old to the New Testament to describe such essential details of the believer.
Have you been bathed in the cleansing blood? Are you aware you're wearing a robe (the righteousness of Christ)? The Holy Spirit lives within you. As you go through your day today, be ever mindful: you are a priest—chosen, royal, holy, set apart for Him.
:angel:
September 5
Is Courtesy a Way of Life for You?
"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." - Psalm 18:35
Do you know what our churches could use a little bit more of? Courtesy among the brethren—love in the little things, love that says "please" and "thank you," love that steps back and gives the other person first place. The gentleness of our Lord.
It never ceases to amaze me how people so quickly lose their religion when they leave church on Sunday morning. They go to their cars in the parking lot, then cut people off in traffic. And don't ever take someone's "regular" seat in church. You're seen as stealing their "rightful" place in the worship service!
May God cleanse our churches of self-righteousness and pride. May He purify us from anything that seeks to elevate self over others.
:angel:
September 6
Ready to Make an Honest Confession?
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
What does it mean to "confess your sins"? It doesn't mean to simply admit your sin. There are a lot of people who have admitted their sins, who have never confessed their sins.
I've spoken to people many times and asked, "Do you know that you're a sinner?" And they respond, "Yes, I know. We've all sinned." But those people aren't confessing; all they're doing is admitting. There is a difference.
The word "confess" is a compilation of two words, "con" and "fess," which mean "to agree with." To confess your sins is "to say with" God what God says about them.
As you go before the Lord in prayer today, rather than just admitting you've sinned, agree with God about your sin. Then ask for His grace to overcome.
:angel:
September 8
Learning to Love, Learning to Hate
"Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked." - Psalm 97:10
This may come as a surprise to you, but just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you're supposed to love everything.
Now, we hear that Christians are to be a people of love, and that is true. But did you know that if you're a Christian, not only must you learn to love, but you also must learn to hate?
If you love God, then you are to hate what God hates. It is true in every realm. If you love flowers, you hate weeds. If you love health, you hate germs. If you love God, you hate evil. It is just that plain.
Romans 12:9 tells us in even stronger terms to "abhor that which is evil." A hypocrite, something none of us want to be, is someone who says he loves God, but then he doesn't hate sin.
Don't tell others you love God if you don't hate that which nailed His Son to the cross.
:angel:
September 9
On the Proving Ground
"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth." - Psalm 26:2-3
How do automobile manufacturers make sure their vehicles are safe for people to drive? They put their vehicles onto a proving ground. They're driven hundreds of miles over rough roads and through water and heat—screeching, turning, twisting, hitting the brakes, accelerating to top speeds. They want to see if that automobile will stand the test.
It is the same with our spiritual lives. God gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. Read throughout Scripture and you will find this to be true. Joseph was tested. David was tested. Moses was tested. Peter was tested.
When God gets ready to prove you, He is not going to test you in the good times because that is not a test. Anybody can serve God in the sunshine.
The test is not how you behave when there is victory all around; the test is how you behave when God brings you to the wilderness. He wants to know what is in your heart. Are you fully devoted to God?
:angel:
September 10
"Because I Said So"
"For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." - Leviticus 11:45
Are you a parent? Then, you've probably told your children to do something and they asked why. And what did you say? "Because I told you. Period."
I believe there are times when parents want their children to do things and they need to explain their rationale. It's important to teach principles for living instead of mere commands and rules. But sometimes children are not able to understand, so the answer I just mentioned is one that simply communicates parental authority to a child.
Leviticus is a book full of laws that no one understood logically. And yet did God stop to explain the law? No. He simply said, "I am the Lord your God." He is above our need for explanations and deserving of our full obedience.
:angel:
September 11
When Your Life Caves In
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." - Mark 13:26
When we come to a place where we don't understand what's happening...when everything seems to be caving in, there is Jesus. We always have the forgiveness of the cross, the victory of the empty tomb, and the hope of Christ's imminent return.
When we go to the doctor and he tells us we have a malignancy. When we hear that we as a couple are infertile and cannot bear a child. When we have to declare bankruptcy. When we are laid off work. When we read a note that our spouse has left. When a loved one dies because of a terrorist act.
We have a Savior...and we have a choice to believe or not to believe! At that time we can begin to murmur, criticize, grumble, or despair. Or we can yield to the Savior and hear Him say, "My child, no matter what is happening, this is how much I love you. Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look for Me. I'm coming again."
:angel:
September 12
Redeem the Time!
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
Procrastination. Just seeing the word makes me want to put off saying anything else. Are you under conviction in that area? One fellow said, "I started to procrastinate, then decided to put it off."
Procrastination is a form of disobedience. When God tells us to do something and we don't do it, we can label our actions with all kinds of fancy words, but the bottom line is, it's sin. The days are passing and time cannot be stopped. You can't call a "time out" in life. And time can't be stored like money in the bank. Really, the only thing you can do with time is use it or lose it.
Someone has said, "Lost: One golden hour, studded with sixty diamond minutes. No reward offered, for it is lost forever." Redeem the time.
:angel:
September 13
Wholehearted or Halfhearted?
"The light of the body is the eye: Therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." - Luke 11:34
Joshua chapter fourteen tells us something very interesting about a man named Caleb. Three times the Holy Spirit says Caleb "wholly followed the Lord God" (vv. 8, 9, 14). Every ounce of Caleb was given to the Lord.
This is the kind of heart you and I should have if we call ourselves Christians. The devil is going to intimidate a fainthearted man. And there's only one way to stand against the devil. That is to give everything to Jesus Christ. Indeed, God does not accept half-hearted religion.
It would be better for you to say that there is no God than for you to say that He doesn't mean that much to you, He doesn't make a difference in your life, He doesn't stir your heart to love Him.
God is looking for wholeheartedness. "With my whole heart I have sought Thee." (Psalm 119:10) Can you say this to the Lord today?
:angel:
September 15
Why Is a Question We Cannot Answer—Yet
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." - Isaiah 50:10
We can endure almost anything if we know why it is happening. Wouldn't you agree? But we don't always get the luxury of knowing why things happen.
You can't be a pastor as long as I have without having heartbroken questions asked of you. "Why did my baby die?" "Why did I lose my business?" "Why am I so sick?"
Job felt this way. He said, "I deserve an answer why this is happening to me! The bottom has fallen out of my life. And I don't know why."
Have you ever been plunged into darkness? Don't get the idea that if you're right with God, you'll have all the answers. Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.
:angel:
September 16
What Do You Make Time For?
"For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." - Acts 22:15
What is more important in your life today? Seeing your daytime soap opera or asking an unsaved neighbor over for a chance to love them to Jesus? Joining your buddies for a round of golf, or visiting your unsaved father? Going shopping with your friends, or taking the time to read the Bible to a lost person in a nursing home? Someone wisely observed, "We managed to make time during the day for what's really important to us."
Friend, the time is running out. We will not be witnessing in heaven. This is our earthly duty and privilege now. None of us knows how many hours we have left. We must seize the golden opportunities that God gives us daily to witness.
A line from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is our challenge: "Oh, be swift, my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on."
:angel:
September 17
The Battle Between Faith and Worry
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6
Do you ever worry? Don't look around and point your finger at someone else. Do you ever worry—even the least little bit? And yet the Bible so clearly tells us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything.
There are really only two classes of things for which we ought not to worry: those things we cannot do anything about and the things we can do something about. The best thing you can say about worry is that it is useless. The worst thing you can say about it is that it dishonors God.
Worry is the opposite of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
:angel:
September 18
Do You Have Only A "Prayer Life"?
"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
You are to pray when you are adding up prices in the grocery store line. You are to pray when you are changing a tire. You are to pray when you are singing a song. You are to pray when you are teaching a little one how to read.
We are commanded to pray all the time. But how do we do this? Think of a mother who has a child who is ill with a fever. Finally, the fever breaks and the mother and child settle down for some much-needed sleep. Not a noise from the television, from the street, or from the phone could awaken that mother. But one whimper from her child and she's awake, right? That's because even when she is asleep, she is in tune with that child—just as we are to be with God...constantly communing and attuned to His voice.
Prayer to us should be as natural and continual as breathing. Jennifer Kennedy Dean asks an important question: "Do you 'have a prayer life'—or are you living a praying life?" Think about the difference.
:angel:
September 19
Willing to Be Thought A Fool
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." - 1 Corinthians 3:18
One day, the great preacher of yesteryear Harry Ironside was traveling with friends on a ferry. They were having a glorious time singing praises to the Lord when someone critically interrupted them saying, "Who are you people? What are you doing?"
Dr. Ironside replied, "We're just some Christians having a good time praising the Lord." And the heckler replied, "You're a bunch of fools!" Ironside said, "You're right! We're fools for Christ's sake."
The way of the Christian is sometimes foolishness in the eyes of the world. When was the last time you made a fool of yourself for Christ's sake?
:angel:
September 20
First, Read How It All Turns Out!
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8
A boy was reading a murder mystery one day, and he became anxious about whether the heroine was going to live. To alleviate his anxiety, he read the last chapter and discovered that she survived!
Afterwards, when he read that the villain was planning a dastardly deed, he chuckled to himself and thought, "If you knew what I know, you wouldn't be so haughty."
Christians know the last chapter, and that helps us cope with the present. Indeed, the glories of the future can help dilute the sorrows of the present. The devil's doom is pronounced in Genesis—and it's executed in Revelation.
:angel:
September 22
"Artist At Work"—on Your Life
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
In Scotland some men were sitting around drinking tea and swapping fishing stories. One man, with a flamboyant gesture of his hand, knocked another man's hand, splattering his tea on the white plastered wall, creating an ugly brown stain. He was horrified, but the man said, "Never mind." And he took out his crayons and started to sketch around that stain. Suddenly there emerged a royal stag with his antlers spread.
The artist was Sir Edwin Lancier—England's foremost painter of animals. He was able to take that old stain and make something beautiful out of it.
Jesus Christ is that kind of an artist. He can take a life that has been stained, and by His transforming power He can make something beautiful out of it.
:angel:
September 23
Sharing Jesus with Your Children
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7
Have you ever tried to take a tasty bone away from a dog? It's a good way to get bitten! But what if you put a steak down on the ground? The dog will drop the bone to get that steak.
This is the mistake so many parents are making today. They spend their time telling their children "Don't do this. Don't do that. That's wrong." By such behavior, these parents are failing an entire generation. Many times, children are never shown the riches of Jesus Christ. In every 24-hour cycle, there are a multitude of teachable moments for sharing and modeling life in Christ.
Children must be shown that what they have in the Lord Jesus Christ is so much better than what this world has to offer. But are they seeing that in your life?
:angel:
September 24
Is It Time to Refresh and Renew?
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit." - Psalm 51:10-12
So many people have the idea that being a Christian is like taking foul-tasting medicine—it tastes awful, but you know you'll feel better one day.
They're like the young man who prayed at a prayer meeting with few in attendance: "Oh God, be with us now, and help us while the rest of the people are out there having a good time."
Do you ever feel that going to church or having a quiet time is like going to the dentist? Then you're getting your satisfaction in life outside of a relationship with God. It's time to spend some time in prayer and ask God to renew your spirit.
:angel:
September 25
Murmuring or Grateful?
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." - Philippians 2:14-15
Do you know the problem with many of us when we obey God? We murmur about it while we are doing it! And God is taking notes, because halfhearted obedience isn't obedience at all. Remember, God is looking at the heart, not the deed (see 1 Samuel 16:7).
Do you know why we murmur? Because we've taken our eyes off Calvary. Jesus didn't murmur on the way to the cross. Oh no. Do you thank God for the pains in life? Or only the gains?
Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
:angel:
September 26
Our Giving God
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5
James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God. Let me tell you what that literally means. If you lack wisdom, ask of the "giving" God. Have you thought of God as the "giving" God?
What does it mean to you that God yearns to pour out His blessing upon you? Do you say to yourself, "Oh goodie, goodie, let me see what I can get from God"?
Or does it humble you that the Almighty God who created the air you breathe, the ground you walk upon, and the body you are draped in...this God loves you and wants to bless you? I pray it is the latter, for that is the heart of a child of God.
:angel:
September 27
Our Unchanging Father
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." - 1 Corinthians 2:14
God made the mind of man. All true discoveries and all true knowledge in this world come from God. It is God's Truth and we do not have to be afraid of it. But that doesn't mean we are to casually stroll down the devil's lane of godless philosophies.
God's Truth doesn't change like philosophies. Malachi 3:6a says, "For I am the Lord, I change not." I don't know whether that means anything to you, but it means an awful lot to me, dear friend.
The same God who loved us enough to put His Son on the cross two thousand years ago still loves us with that same love today. We don't have to worry when we come to God in prayer that we might catch Him in a bad mood. Now, if that doesn't start your motor, you don't have one.
:angel:
September 29
Making the First Thing the First Thing
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults." - Psalm 19:12
I believe in church attendance, but if your relationship with the Lord and with others is suffering, then you need to stay at home and get on your face before God.
Sometimes a businessman will get very prosperous in his business—and at first it seems a good thing. He tells his wife, "Honey, you know how I couldn't give you much when we got married? Well, now I can." But soon the pursuit of a nice home and nice things consume him. A sadness descends upon his wife and children, and they lament, "Oh, Daddy....Oh, Husband...what we would give to just have you spend time with us."
What tragedy it would be if what you do for Jesus keeps you from Jesus. Stop the cycle today. If you know you're a workaholic, stop it. If you know your walk is far from God, get it right.
:angel:
September 30
Going Through the Valley
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Psalm 23 is perched between Psalm 22, which tells about the crucifixion of Jesus, and Psalm 24, which is a prophecy of the coronation of Jesus. It is beautiful trilogy about the Savior's cross, the Shepherd's crook, and the Sovereign's crown.
Psalm 23 is the valley between the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion. Thank God for every valley, because there must be a mountain.
If you are in the valley today, remember that you wouldn't be there had there not been mountains to cross. There is vision in the valley and hope in the hills.
:angel:
October 1
Have to? Need to? Or WANT to?
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more." - 1 Corinthians 9:19
There are three reasons for obedience. A slave obeys because he has to. An employee obeys because he needs to. But a loving son obeys because he wants to.
So many of us live like slaves, when Jesus has said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15).
I don't work for my salvation—that work has been done by my Lord. But I will work like any slave for the love of God. What about you?
:angel:
October 2
What If It Were Today?
"And every man that hath this hope in Him purifies himself, even as he is pure." - 1 John 3:3
Two little girls were talking in school one day, and one said to the other, "I hear the school board is making an inspection of our school this week."
The other girl's desk was messy, so she said, "I'll clean it up tomorrow."
The first one asked, "But what if they come today?"
Her friend said, "You know, I think I'll clean it up right now—and keep it clean."
If you knew that Jesus was coming to your house this afternoon, would there be any cleaning you would need to do? Any magazines or videos you would need to trash? Any pictures on the walls you would need to take down?
:angel:
October 3
The Only Thing You Have that God Wants.
"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it." - Matthew 10:39
We have nothing that God needs. Think about that. If I were to give God my riches, I couldn't make Him richer. He owns everything. If I were to give God my wisdom, I wouldn't make Him wiser. He is the all-wise God. If I were to give God my power, I couldn't make God more powerful. He is omnipotent.
God wants only one thing from His children—our hearts. If we pray to God without giving Him our heart, we are mocking Him. If we preach without giving God our hearts, we are preaching in ignorance.
God is saying to you today, "Give Me your heart." How will you respond?
:angel:
October 4
Studying Under the Best
"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." - Psalm 138:2
There was a man who loved to study the Bible, and every time he came to something he didn't understand, he asked his friend Charlie, "What does this verse mean?" One day in his Bible study, the Holy Spirit said, "Why don't you ask Me? I'm the one who taught Charlie."
Now, I thank God for the Bible scholars who teach God's Word, but the same God that teaches these men and women is the One who wants to teach you.
As you read the Bible, I want you to ask God to help you answer these questions: 1) Is there a lesson to learn? 2) Is there a sin to avoid? 3) Is there a blessing to enjoy? 4) Is there a promise to claim? 5) Is there a new thought to carry with me?
:angel:
October 6
The Divine Exchange, Part One
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6
Jesus suffered like you suffer. But He suffered more than that, because He took not only your suffering, but He also took upon Himself the suffering of the world. The sins of the world were compressed and distilled upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrew scholars tell us that there is an intensive plural in Isaiah 53 that speaks of the death of Christ. They say that it literally means that He "died a thousand deaths."
Do you know what that means? It means that Jesus, being infinite, suffered for a finite amount of time what you, being finite, would suffer for an infinite amount of time. A great exchange took place. He suffered upon that cross an eternity of hell for every one of us.
Can you say today with the songwriter...
"What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace."
:angel:
October 7
More About the Divine Exchange
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." - 1 Corinthians 1:30
The church is not an organization with Jesus Christ as its president. The church is an organism with Jesus Christ as its head. We are in Him and He is in us. The victory He won on the cross was for us.
When Jesus went to the cross, He wasn't fighting the battle for Himself. He didn't need to overcome Satan. He fought it on your behalf. He made the transaction, the divine exchange:
Jesus became the Son of man that you might become a son of God. He took your sins that you might take His innocence. He became guilty that you might become acquitted. He was filled with despair that you might be filled with joy. He took your shame that you might take His glory. He suffered the pains of hell, that you might know the joys of heaven.
"What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee."
:angel:
October 8
Running the Race—with a Running Partner
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
What does it mean that Jesus is the "Author" and "Finisher" of our faith? The Greek word archegos means that He is the Captain, Leader, or Prince of our faith. The Greek for "finisher" is teleiotes, which means He is the Completer of our faith.
Jesus had His eye on the goal—He could see you saved. He paid the price so you could be saved.
Do you want to know how to run the race? Jesus is your example. Keep your eyes on Him. He is the Savior who not only shows you how to run the race, but He lives within you through the Holy Spirit and runs the race through you. Praise God—we are never alone!
:angel:
October 9
Make No Provision for "the Flesh"
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." - Romans 13:14
One of my favorite stories is about a father who leaves his son at home one Saturday afternoon because his son isn't feeling well. He tells his son, "Don't go swimming with your buddies."
The son says, "Yes sir!"
The dad returns by way of the swimming hole and notices his son frolicking with the other boys. He stops the car, calls his son over and says, "I told you not to go swimming."
"But I didn't intend to go swimming. I just came down to watch, and I fell in," the boy said.
The dad began feeling sorry for his son until he noticed he had his bathing suit on! The son explained, "I brought that along...in case I was tempted."
Friend, don't make any provision for the flesh.
:angel:
October 10
Now, What Is Faith?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1
A nobleman's son became ill, so he sought Jesus to heal him. When he found Jesus, he asked Him to come to his home. But instead of physically going to the boy's bedside, Jesus healed him by His word. John 4:50b says, "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way."
Not a wonder, not a sign, not a vision, not angels playing tic-tac-toe on his ribs, or cold chills going up and down his spine...the man believed Jesus' Word and went on his way.
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.
Doubt sees the obstacles; faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night; faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step; faith soars on high. Doubt questions who believes; faith answers, "I"!
Life follows faith like night follows day. There is no life without faith.
:angel:
October 11
Are You Praying the Wrong Prayer?
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19
Many of us who are praying for our unsaved friends, family, and neighbors are directing our prayers in the wrong way. We are saying, "Oh God, help them to see." But they are blind—they cannot see! 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 explains: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
We must first bind the blinder. We're not in a battle of flesh and blood. We are in a battle with Satan himself, and we will never rob his house until we first bind him.
:angel:
October 13
Hold Fast...and Kill that Lion!
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." - Psalm 34:4
The times that will most strengthen and enrich your life are those when you go barehanded, armed with only the Spirit of God, against the red lion of hell—and prevail. Remember Samson, who killed a lion with his bare hands, then ate honey out of its carcass (see Judges 14:6-9). Whatever is hounding and threatening your life right now, you must hold fast to the Word of God that promises deliverance and hope, power and strength, wisdom and guidance.
Look beyond the physical evidence to the spiritual promise of God. Problems are opportunities for God's power to be manifest in your life.
:angel:
October 14
Recipe for a Miracle
"I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live." - Psalm 116:1-2
Here's the recipe for a miracle: Take a problem, transfer it to Christ, and it will be transformed by Christ. The ingredient most of us keep missing or taking back is when we are to transfer the problem to Christ.
Have you given your all to Jesus Christ? This is not just rhetoric. I am trying to get as serious and honest with you as I can within the sterile confines of this daily calendar. Have you literally given everything to Jesus Christ? If not, do so today and you will begin to see God's miracle-moving power transform your life.
October 15
A Source that Will Never Dry Up
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23
Do you know what Lamentations 3:22-23 means? It means that God never runs out of compassion.
Have you ever gone to Niagara Falls and watched the water rampaging with torrential force? I've thought, "Surely the water is one day going to dry up." But it hasn't. Friend, greater than Niagara is the compassion of the Lord. His compassions fail not.
In 1923, Thomas O. Chisholm wrote one of the greatest hymns of all time and this stanza is the refrain of this truth, "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be."
God is faithful. What are you facing today? Dear friend, lean upon Him and His faithfulness. He will never, no never, leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
:angel:
October 16
Every Law Has a Song Written on the Back
"Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for Thy law is my delight." - Psalm 119:77
How does God unite a law book with a song book? I'll tell you how. With liberty and harmony. God never intended His laws to be burdensome. He meant for them to be a blessing.
The piano operates according to laws. When a person masters those laws, the drudgery of learning turns to delight. Piano practice enables a person to sit at the piano in perfect liberty and let the melody dance off the ivory keys.
Every law has a song written on the back of it. And you will discover this when you obey God's laws. "Duty" will turn to delight.
:angel:
October 17
The One and Only God
"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." - Exodus 34:14
God is a jealous God. Now, that may sound like a bad attribute. But to God it is a holy attribute. You see, I have no right to be jealous of another preacher because I am not the only preacher in the world. I do not own preaching. On the other hand, there is only one God.
Exodus 20:2-3 says, "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." And when asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37).
When you die to self and worship God, you will begin to experience the fullness of God in a way that transforms your life.
:angel:
October 18
The Valley, the Shadow, and a Promise
"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth." - Psalm 145:18
Psalm 23 speaks of the "valley of the shadow of death." For every shadow, there must be light. Jesus Christ said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). A shadow may frighten you, but a shadow cannot really hurt you.
I dare say that a shadow at one time or another has spooked many of us. But thank God, death is but a shadow if you know the Lord Jesus Christ. If you keep your face toward the light, the shadow will fall behind you. You won't even see the shadow. God doesn't bring us to a valley to leave us there. He always brings us through.
God is never closer than when you are in a dark valley. That's when He is especially near. In the original language, we're told Hebrews 13:5 actually has five negatives! The Amplified Bible translates it this way: "I will never, no, not ever, never leave you nor forsake you." Memorize this short, precious verse today.
October 20
Do You Feel "Fogged In"?
"Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful." - Psalm 116:5
Imagine you are in a plane, ready for take-off on the runway. The pilot has come on the intercom and announced there's a delay because of fog. You glance out your window. It looks so gloomy and dark. You wonder if the sun is shining.
The fog lifts enough for the control tower to give the pilot the green light, and the plane takes off. It's still cloudy, but the plane starts climbing, climbing, climbing. Suddenly, the plane bursts through the clouds, and it is so gloriously bright that you have to blink your eyes. Now, you realize the sun has been there all the time.
That's the way it is with Jehovah God, the Son of righteousness with healing in His wings (see Malachi 4:2-3). He is always loving, always giving. He is waiting for you to see Him now.
Invite the Holy Spirit to show you today the true condition of the sky—above the clouds. Open your heart to His presence and let Him speak to you about what is really there beyond the fog. Things are not always what they seem. And God has His hand upon you.
:angel:
October 21
Every Failure—Is a Prayer Failure!
"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." - Ephesians 3:12
One of the grandest privileges you and I have is the privilege of prayer. I believe when we get to heaven, one of the things that will amaze us is that we prayed so poorly, and we prayed so little, while we were here on earth.
I want to tell you: you do not have a failure in your life but what it is a prayer failure. You do not have a need in your life but what prayer could supply that need. There's not a sin in your life that a proper prayer life couldn't overcome.
Hymn writer Joseph M. Scriven penned these words, "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
Friend, rather than wringing our hands, we ought to be bending our knees.
:angel:
October 22
Does Your Life Help or Hurt the Cause of Christ?
"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:14
You are either a helper or a hurter when it comes to reaching the world for Christ. Why? Because, like "Big Brother," the world is watching your "Sunday-go-to-church" behavior and wondering how it compares to your behavior the rest of the week.
Do they see you giving your time and resources to help them when they're hurting? Do they witness how you treat your family? Or how you entertain your friends? Or do you even know their names?
The greatest argument for Christ and the greatest argument against Christ is the life of a Christian. Hymn writer Philip P. Bliss penned, "Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor fainting struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save."
:angel:
October 23
Just Give Me Jesus
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 29:2
There was a man who had lived a long life with Jesus, and now he was dying. His loved ones came to him and asked him to sign his name to a legal document. They said, "Daddy, if you would sign this, it would help us with a lot of legal difficulties. We hate to mention it, but it needs to be done."
With the old man facing eternity, he lifted his quivering hand and signed the paper. Before long, he went to be with the Lord. When the family picked up the document, to their amazement he had signed, "Jesus." More than likely, it was the only name that meant anything to him in those moments.
What name means the most to you right now? There will come a time when the only name that will mean anything to you is—Jesus.
:angel:
October 24
The Goal of An Unbroken Circle
"In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge." - Proverbs 14:26
The devil hates families who worship together. He will allow parents to be religious, but he does not want them to take their children to heaven with them. As a result, we're losing an entire generation. Our children are being left behind to die and go to hell because we are compromising with Satan.
Catherine Booth, wife of the founder of the Salvation Army, prayed, "Oh God, I will not stand before Thee without all my children."
There are many fathers and mothers today who need to say that. Stand firm, Mom. Stand firm, Dad. Gather those children close to you and love them to Jesus.
:angel:
October 25
More Than One Reason to Live by God's Principles
"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." - 1 Thessalonians 4:7
A former president of the American Psychiatric Association said, "Premarital sex relationships resulting from the so-called new morality have greatly increased the number of young people in mental hospitals."
Dr. Billy Graham said he talked to the head psychiatrist at one of our great universities. At that time he said, "Over fifty percent of the students at that university are suffering psychological problems because of immoral relationships."
Friend, why does God tell us to live a pure and holy life? It's not only so that we can have fellowship with Him, but also it is for our own mental health! He knows holiness brings life to our bones, healing to our hearts, and joy to our steps!
:angel:
October 27
Let Your New Life Push Out the Old!
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Our eyes delight to see those trees in autumn which turn glorious colors, then drop their leaves one by one. But there are certain trees that hold their leaves until spring. They wither and turn brown, but they don't drop. Not until spring do these trees lose their leaves—when the new leaves push out the old leaves.
That's exactly what happens to our old habits and our old lives when we find the Lord Jesus. The new life pushes that old life off.
It's not a matter of plucking off this leaf and knocking off that leaf. The Christian life is not forged in that manner. Our new life replaces our old life when we are born again.
:angel:
October 28
Come This Morning to the Cleansing Basin
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." - Psalm 51:2
Before a priest could enter the Holy of Holies, he had to stop by the basin and wash his hands and feet. He had already been washed from head to toe, but there is no floor in the tabernacle, only dirt. This final preparation before he entered God's presence was to symbolize the washing away of the defilement of this world.
As you and I come into contact with the world, we are going to become defiled. We don't need a bath all over. We are already saved. But each day we must ask God to search our hearts and cleanse us from our sins.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if each of us came into the presence of God as seriously as the Old Testament priests? We should. Have you been to the cleansing basin this morning?
:angel:
October 29
Are You Sitting on the Lukewarm Fence?
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." - Philippians 1:20
May God help us today in the midst of our lukewarm apathy toward the things that matter most to Him! If it's worth anything, it's worth everything. May God forgive those who will not go the second mile.
Now, in some things moderation is good, like eating, rest, recreation, exercise, and finances. But when it comes to spiritual warfare, moderation is a sin. When it comes to believing the Bible, moderation is a sin. When it comes to loving the Lord, moderation is a sin!
Suppose a wife asked her husband, "Honey, do you love me?" And he said, "Well, moderately." She'd fix his wagon, don't you think?
Friend, if the world considers you a "moderate" when it comes to your Christianity, you are riding the fence of lukewarmness.
:angel:
October 30
God May Use Distress to Expand Your Influence
"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." - 1 Chronicles 4:10
The story of Jabez is one of a man who wanted his influence to be enlarged. God can stretch you, as well.
If you ask that God enlarge your influence, be aware of this: For the Psalmist, Psalm 4:1 says that God enlarged him when he was "in distress." You can expect that God may use distressing circumstances to do that in you. And the pain will be worth it all.
When God enlarges you, He does so to fill you with more of Himself. Don't be satisfied with God's filling a small place if God wants to fill a larger place.
Are you ready to say, "God I want more. I want You to enlarge my coasts. I don't want just a blessing. I want a blessing indeed"? We need to pray big prayers to a big God.
:angel:
October 31
Giving the Devil Plenty to Mourn About
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." - Colossians 2:12
People often ask me, "Why do Baptists immerse people—put them fully under the water—when a new convert to Christ is baptized?" Because that's what God's Word teaches. When you go under the water, that is a picture of your death and burial. When you come up out of the water, that is a picture of your resurrection. "Buried with Him." "Risen with Him."
If I died and you took me to the cemetery and sprinkled a few granules of dirt on my head, have you truly buried me? No. The very word "baptism" means to immerse.
Your baptism is a funeral service: Dead to the old life. Raised to newness of life. And the devil doesn't like that. The baptismal is a liquid tomb, and the mourner who comes to that funeral is the devil. Let's be sure he has plenty to mourn about.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 1
Is It Too Late for National Revival?
"If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
I am believing God for a national revival. You know, sometimes we think that it's just too late and we need to hunker down. That's what the devil wants us to do.
It's always too soon to quit. God has sent revival in the darkest days before, and there's not one shred of Scripture that says we cannot have revival in dark days.
It is not too late for America. And I don't want you to say, "My country, right or wrong." No, I want you to get right. One by one, let's get right with God and then we can say it, sing it, pray it and mean it, "God bless America." But there's something more important than America, and it's the kingdom of God. I'm not interested in making America a better place to go to hell from. People need to be saved.
The best thing you could do would be to lead another person to Jesus Christ. Then you will not just have a better citizen—you'll have a new creation and a citizen of God's kingdom! If someone asked you today how to be saved, are you prepared to lead them to Jesus Christ?
:angel:
November 3
The Troubling Problem of Dropout Citizens
"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight;" - Leviticus 26:8
When it comes to the political scene and government, there are some people who have dropped out all together. They have the idea that if you get involved in government, somehow that's the "social gospel." They see the political scene as being dirty and worldly. And some have been intimidated by the great debate between church and state. And so people have just hunkered down, trying to hold on till Jesus comes.
We can't drop out. Edward Everett Hale, author of the story "The Man Without a Country" once wrote:
"I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
I am only one in a small voice. But a lot of small voices together can do something. Believe that and act upon it. Jesus said, "Occupy till I come."
Is there someone who has wronged you and you seek revenge? Do you have a need to have your rights exalted above others? Read and apply the truth of Philippians 2:3-11.
:angel:
November 4
The Bad Citizenship of Good People
"Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin." - James 4:17
In our spiritual life, our home life, and our church life, we have duties to perform and commitments to keep. The same is true in our national life. Some people say, "I don't see the perfect candidate, so I'm not voting." If we don't speak – who's left to speak? Jesus said we're to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's." Our Caesar is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our government requires our vote.
If a person chooses not to participate when and where the battle is enjoined, then in my estimation, that's disobedience to the Lord. One vote can make a difference.
:angel:
November 5
Excuses or Obedience?
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22
In First Samuel 15, we read the story of how Saul failed to destroy the animals that God said were to be utterly put to death. Samuel confronted Saul about this and Saul told a lie: that he was going to sacrifice them, but he just hadn't done it yet.
And Samuel said, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:22-23). To rebel against the Lord "is as the sin of witchcraft" because it puts you in the realm of the devil.
When God gives a clear command from His Word, we are not to parade it past the judgment bar of our human wisdom. We are to obey whether we understand it or agree with it. It is either God's Word or it is not.
:angel:
NOVEMBER 6
Renouncing the Rebel Inside
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20
Is there stirring in your heart a spirit of rebellion today? Maybe you don't even recognize it. But if you do, let me plead with you to do something about it right now.
Ask God to cleanse you from your desire to rebel.
Ask Him to root out the rebel in you. He is not going to remove it until you renounce it. It is your choice.
Ask Him to forgive you for the foolish and careless words you have spoken.
Ask Him to take out that spirit of rebellion against authorities.
Ask Him to teach you how to lovingly respect people when they are in the wrong.
Either you crown Jesus as Lord, or you crucify Him. Are you with Jesus today or are you against Him?
:angel:
November 7
No More Running from Bugaboos!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
God has endowed us with His power and enriched us with His love. Not only that, He has enlightened us with a sound mind. Now, this phrase "sound mind" does not mean the opposite of insanity. It actually means discipline and self-control. Along with that, it is the ability to discern between truth and falsehood.
So often, the devil gets us running from bugaboos. Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Have you ever heard of phobias? This is what this verse is talking about.
We must pull back the mask of darkness from the devil's ploys and expose them for what they are and see the things that count in eternity. God has given you a sound mind by trusting in His Word, not in the devil's schemes.
:angel:
November 8
Shake Off Fear—Embrace Blessing!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3
Did you know that fear can cause you to forget things? Now, I'm not talking about forgetting a phone number or someone's name, though it may cause you to forget things like that. Instead, I'm referring to fear that causes you to forget the blessings, the anointing, the power of God—all these possessions you have because you are saved!
It happened to Timothy, who was mightily gifted and graced by God for the ministry that God had given him. Yet he forgot this in the midst of fear, and Paul had to remind him (see 2 Timothy 1:6). He had taken his eyes off of God and focused on fear so much that he couldn't see anything else.
Let me tell you something, friend: You are tremendously blessed! If you get your mind distracted by fear, then you will fail to see your blessings in Christ. Fear will blow out every light in your soul, take the blue out of your sky, and the joy out of your life.
Friend, wake up and count your blessings. Rejoice, for you are in Christ!
:angel:
November 10
Showing Genuine Love for Others
"Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." - Psalm 18:35
Can a person donate to the poor and not have love? Can a person work in a soup kitchen for the homeless and not have love? Yes.
You say, "A person wouldn't do that!" Oh yes, they would...if they had a guilty conscience. Sometimes it is neater to write a check or donate some used things than to give of our time.
Do you know what the world needs? Not more money, though I'm sure they'd be glad to take it. First Corinthians 13:3 says, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving of yourself to others.
Ask God to show you the ways you can show His genuine love to others.
:angel:
November 11
When Your Feet Are Slipping...
"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart." - Psalm 73:1
Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, started his psalm by talking about the purity of a person's heart and the goodness of God. Then he says, "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped" (Psalm 73:2).
He had the idea that when he got right with God, that he wouldn't have any more troubles. Are you sure about that? Yes! Psalm 73:13-14 says, "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning."
He said, "I got right with God and I still have problems!" He had a false expectation that the Bible doesn't necessarily give. Christians are not due preferential treatment.
Seek the Lord through His Word and in prayer. You will find the presence of God is enough, even in the midst of our trials.
:angel:
November 12
Hungry for God
"With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation." - Psalm 91:16
One day I was eating in a cafeteria in New York when the door of the restaurant opened and a man ran in. He rushed to a table that had been abandoned by patrons just shortly before. He began to stuff his mouth with the leftovers when the management discovered him. He rushed out like a squirrel scurrying to safety. No pride. He didn't care what people thought.
A man who is starving is dead serious about the matter of getting food. He's focused. He's only got one thing on his mind—where is his next meal? He's not concerned about popularity, position, or possessions.
What are you hungry for today? Is Jesus enough to satisfy your appetite?
When a person is thirsty or hungry enough, he will pay any price.
:angel:
November 13
Ask for Help from the Teacher
"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." - Psalm 119:18
Have you ever thought you could just go to the Bible and pull some truth out of it for your life? Let me tell you friend: you cannot do that. Your mind will never comprehend the things of God apart from the Holy Spirit illuminating you.
First, we must lay our intellectual pride in the dust, and with open arms and a heart of faith, approach God's Word for wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. Then He will teach us.
It took a supernatural miracle to write the Word of God. It takes a supernatural miracle for you to understand it. When God begins to write His Word upon your heart, you are going to lead a supernatural life! Ask Him for that!
:angel:
November 14
Whose Clothes Are You Wearing?
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." - Isaiah 61:10
There are some who may be reading this who are going to be absolutely speechless when they stand before the King of Heaven. They are church members, but they're not saved. Instead, they're dressed in the rags of self-righteousness rather than the wedding garment of His righteousness.
In 1834 hymn writer Edward Mote wrote this timeless pledge, "When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne."
It would be tragic indeed for those who acted in every conceivable religious way to think they can come to the wedding without Christ's righteousness. I'm not trying to get you to doubt your salvation, but I want to ask you, are you saved? How do you know?
:angel:
November 15
Is There Enough "Goodness" in Your Cup?
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." - Isaiah 64:6
There is none good, no not one. If you asked every single human being on planet earth to deposit in a cup all of his or her goodness, there would not be enough goodness in that cup to save even one person!
Isaiah 64:6 says our righteousness is as "filthy rags" in the sight of God. The cross of Jesus Christ is our only hope. Jesus took our sin upon the cross. Jesus took our shame upon the cross. Jesus took our suffering upon the cross. And by His death, He paid the sin debt and now we have His righteousness.
In 1906, Jessie Brown Pounds wrote these words: "I must needs go home by the way of the cross, there's no other way but this; I shall ne'er get sight of the gates of light, if the way of the cross I miss."
Get this clear with yourself: Whose righteousness are you depending on? Your own? Your accumulated lifetime of "good works"? Or the righteousness of the sinless Lamb of God, Who became your substitute on the Cross and paid your sin debt in full?
:angel:
November 17
An Extreme Make-Over is Underway
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." - Romans 8:30
Dr. Scofield, who edited the Scofield Bible, says that "predestination is the effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass." That is, God says He is determined to do something and then He does it. God's wisdom is sovereign.
What did God predestinate? That those whom God foreknew will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, who is the Firstborn.
God had one Son and He said, "I want more just like Him." And so God is redeeming a whole race of people, so that all these people might be conformed to the image of God's Son.
If you are saved, you are predestined to be like Jesus. When God foreknew that you would receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then He said, "It is settled. You will one day be like My Son."
Thank God for what He has done and is going to do, in shaping you into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.
:angel: