Messages

November 15

2 Timothy 1

Paul exhorts Timothy to rekindle his zeal for the Christian life and ministry.

INSIGHT

A number of years have passed between the writing of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. During that time, Timothy has faced great trial and opposition and is in danger of discontinuing his ministry. Paul writes a terse letter of exhortation, urging strength and constancy. A list of phrases used in this book include:"stir up," "do not be ashamed," "hold fast," "be strong," "endure hardship," "be diligent, "flee youthful lusts," "pursue righteousness," and "preach the word!" In the heat of battle, short and powerful commands are easy to comprehend.

PRAYER

As you consider God's love for you, praise Him that He guides your spiritual growth:
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. . . .
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You;
For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You (Psalm 9:1-2, 9-10).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
There is not a just man on earth who does good
And does not sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
the leading of the Lord in your life,
opportunities for evangelism,
your activities for the day,
whatever else is on your heart.

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24).

Weekend, November 15 & 16

Gratuity Not Included: Friends

The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.
Ruth 2:12

Recommended Reading
Ruth 4:13-17 [ http://iz3.me/HkM22zwXd1A1 ]

Aristotle made the following observation about friendship: "My best friend is the man who in wishing me well wishes it for my sake."

Watch This Week's TV Broadcast [ http://iz3.me/KkM22zwXd1A1 ]

The Bible often exhorts us to care for one another. In the book of Ruth, for example, Boaz extended kindness toward Ruth; and she thanked him in return, saying, "What have I done to deserve such kindness? ... I am only a foreigner."

'"Yes, I know,' Boaz replied. 'But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law. . . May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done'" (Ruth 2:10-12, NLT). This story has gratitude all around -- Ruth to Naomi, Boaz to Ruth, Ruth to Boaz -- and is a great example to us.

Do you have a friendship that needs tending? Mulch it with thanksgiving.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, / Friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild; / Christ, our God, to Thee we raise this our Sacrifice of grateful praise.

Folliott Sandford Pierpoint, in the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth"

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 10-13 [ http://iz3.me/LkM22zwXd1A1 ]

Scripture to Comfort
by Meghan Kleppinger

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4, NAS

If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.

It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.

Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.

This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.

Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."  (Revelation 21:4)

And finally...

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""

Further Reading

Revelation 21:3-5
Why Does God Comfort Those Who Mourn?
Learning True Comfort

November 14

1 Peter 3:18
Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.

Thoughts on today's verse

Having stood over the open graves of friends, family members, and strangers, I know the appearance and feel of death's finality and our human frailty. But Christ's death is that great reminder that death is a matter of perspective and faith. I believe God raised Jesus from the dead and that he is the first fruits of those of us who believe in him. He is alive, not just in Spirit, but in bodily form and so we will also be!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for the gifts of your grace, Spirit, forgiveness and life. Most of all, thanks for the gift of you Son, who brought life and immortality to me through your salvation. While I have no great desire to die, I know I can look through death to you and your victory in me through Jesus. Please give me the courage to live for you every day until that day you take me home. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Understanding Guilt

John 8:1-11

Guilt over doing something that violates the conscience is a normal emotion. However, living under a cloud of remorse for no discernible reason is not. The Lord designed feelings of culpability and regret to serve as a reminder that a person has done wrong and needs to repent. But Satan twists those emotions to imprison men and women: those living in shame are uncertain of God's love and often lack self-confidence.

Good guilt--the Lord's effective tool for prompting repentance--is a gift that helps us find the right path. However, the Devil encourages false guilt, which involves taking responsibility for things outside our control and then suffering self-condemnation for not changing the outcome. This unhealthy type of guilt is also a widespread problem for those in legalistic churches or lifestyles--certain behaviors or thoughts are labeled as wrong, and then people feel ashamed for doing or thinking those things.

Self-condemnation stunts a relationship with Jesus. Instead of enjoying the peace of God, people who are trapped by shame fear His rejection and feel driven to prove their worth. Trust is nearly impossible because they are waiting for God's judgment to rain down. Their guilt even colors how they see themselves: rather than saying, "My action is wrong," they say, "I am bad."


Jesus did not come to accuse or condemn us. Christ restored our souls and made us righteous before God so that our guilt is removed. If our Savior forgave the woman caught in an adulterous relationship, just imagine how ready He is to take your shame away too (John 8:11).

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?

November 14

1 Timothy 6

The quest for godliness motivates us to "fight the good fight" of faith while we live on earth.

INSIGHT

If any of us could have three wishes, most of us would include wealth as one of those wishes. Everything else being equal, we would rather be rich than poor. Yet that very desire is a snare - so much so that Paul urges Timothy to flee the love of money and "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (v. 11). And he adds: "I urge you . . . that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing" (vv. 13-14). If we have wealth, we are to use it compassionately. If we do not have wealth, we are to be content.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for being free to worship Him with words and with our lives:
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens! . . .
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him? . . .O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
(Psalm 8:1, 3-4, 9)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
"Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

Confess any sins which the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
the renewing of your mind,
needs of your extended family,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).

Friday, November 14

NO Power

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:10

Recommended Reading
Matthew 26:36-41 [ http://iz3.me/LjE22zwXd1A1 ]

Temptation has been around since the days of Adam and Eve, but it's never been as virulent as today. Sexual temptation, especially, has been intensified by technology, and it tends to reach people earlier in life. Still, we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no temptation has overtaken us except what is common to humanity; and God is faithful to provide pathways of escape. He did this for Joseph in Genesis 39. When tempted by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was able to say "No" because he had established his convictions before the crisis. His moral principles were set in advance, so Joseph instinctively resisted the lure of lust.

Listen to Today's Radio Message [ http://iz3.me/NjE22zwXd1A1 ]

Temptation has many guises, but God gives power over temptation. Our greatest weapons are: (1) a preset determination to obey God; (2) memorized Scripture on needed topics; and (3) prayer. Jesus told us to watch and pray so we don't fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41).

Don't wait until the moment of crisis. Plan ahead, hide God's Word in your heart, and pray in advance for victory, holiness, and a life pleasing to God.

Are you protecting yourself, your family, and your church from falling into temptation through active prayer to the Father?
Henry and Norman Blackaby, in Experiencing Prayer with Jesus

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Acts 8-9 [ http://iz3.me/OjE22zwXd1A1 ]

HOW FIRM IS YOUR FOUNDATION?

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

Some years ago, a good friend of mine bought a new house in the Dallas area. He and his wife were so excited! The house looked great ... the price was right ... nothing could be better! Within nine months, however, their excitement turned to grief because the house had major foundation problems. As everyone knows, when the firm foundation of your house starts to shift and fail, every other part of the house begins to suffer as a result ... and the homeowner is left holding the bag.

As important as it is have a firm foundation for your home, it is even more important to have a firm foundation for your life, a foundation that can stand the storms. What exactly does that foundation look like?

TWO THINGS YOU MUST HAVE

I believe with all my heart that there are two foundational truths that you and I must have embedded in the core of our being in order for us to stand, no matter the storm.

These two key truths are simple and yet so profound. They are found in 2 Chronicles 7:3:

"And all the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, 'Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.'"

1. You must know and believe that GOD IS GOOD. No matter what happens in your life, no matter what tragedy strikes, God is still good. If you don't believe that, when the disaster of cancer ... or job loss ... or the death of a loved one ... or betrayal and divorce strikes, you will get bitter at God and silently declare, "God is not good and not worthy to be trusted." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Remember, life is not always good, but God is. Do not equate the circumstances of this life with God. This life is marred and tainted by sin. Bad things do happen to good people. Terrible tragedy does touch down like a tornado even on those who love and fear God. That is just a fact of life. When the bad things come, don't believe the devil's lie that God is not good. "Truly He is good", regardless of the devastating circumstances.

2. You must know and believe that GOD LOVES YOU. It is very easy to look at the bad circumstances of your life and make the determination that God must not love you. Job's wife lost all ten of her children, her wealth and her husband's health ... all within a week. As she looked at the circumstances she determined God did not love her or Job anymore, and she counseled Job to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9).

Now before you throw her under the bus for her lack of faith, put yourself in her shoes. She experienced pain and loss to a greater degree than any of us have ever experienced.  You and I often question God's love for us over things far less devastating than Mrs. Job faced.

The truth remains the same, regardless of the circumstances: GOD DOES LOVE YOU. The cross of Jesus Christ proves it. God freely gave His only begotten Son to be whipped, beaten, spit upon and nailed to a tree not for friends, but for enemies. You and I were enemies of God because of our sin and independence, yet God still gave His sinless, innocent Son for us ... and Jesus willingly gave His life for us. Charles Wesley wrote, "Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" Anytime the devil tells you God doesn't love you ... and you are tempted to believe it, take a mental trip to a bloody hill called Calvary and see His love for yourself.   

A NEW FOCUS

Will you focus on your foundation today? Will you praise God for His goodness and for His love? Will you look at everything in your life through the rock-solid, never changing foundational perspective that says, "COME WHAT MAY, MY GOD IS GOOD! ... AND MY GOD LOVES ME!! ... AND MY GOD WILL ONE DAY WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD AND HIS GLORY!!!

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries                         

November 13

1 Peter 2:15-16
It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Thoughts on today's verse

What does the world most need to hear from me today? A life tuned to the melody of grace that I claim I believe. Doing good, being like Christ, is Peter's answer to opposition, cynicism, and even persecution. We are free in Jesus, but being free means that we don't have to pretentiously prove we are free. Instead, we can live for him who died to conquer death. He renounced absolute heavenly freedom so we could find it. We are free to serve others, and most of all to serve God.

Prayer:

Holy Father, my Great Emancipator, you have freed me from sin, law, and death at the cost of your precious Son. I open my heart to you today to say I love you and want to thank you. Please accept the actions of my life, the words of my mouth, the thoughts of my mind, and the emotions of my heart today as my offering of thanks. Through Jesus my Sacrifice and your holy Son I pray. Amen.