Understood by Jesus

READ | Hebrews 4:14-15

People often try to comfort others who find themselves in a difficult season of life. But sometimes expressions of consolation create even more pain. For example, the well-intentioned words “I understand” feel empty if the speaker has never actually experienced the situation.

Yet we all long to feel understood. And it helps to know individuals who have endured circumstances similar to ours. Today’s passage reassures us that Jesus truly understands because He experienced struggles like ours.

The writer of Hebrews refers to Jesus as our High Priest. Each year the man serving in this capacity would enter the Holy of Holies, and there, in God’s presence, offer a sacrifice for sin. The priest was the Jewish people’s bridge to God. Christ not only took on this role, but He Himself also became the sacrifice when He died on the cross. Now He sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven and intercedes on our behalf.

That is tremendously encouraging, but even more than that, we know that Jesus truly understands our pain and our weakness. He faced the very temptations, needs, and hurts we experience. For example, a single parent who has suffered much pain can be assured that Christ also knew betrayal (when Judas turned against Him), isolation (when Peter denied knowing Him), and depression (when facing separation from His heavenly Father).

If you feel alone in the hardships you’re facing, recall Jesus’ trials, hurts, and temptations. You’ll find comfort in His understanding.


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

You Are Not Your Own"

Do you not know that . . . you are not your own? —1 Corinthians 6:19

There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?


From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

A Second Chance

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
-Romans 3:23 (NIV)

THE aircraft carrier on which I serve recently crossed the International Date Line, which is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Traveling east across the date line, we moved the clocks ahead one hour and stepped back one day. In effect, we got to live an entire day over again. For those of us six months into a military deployment, it can feel exasperating to wake up and see that it's Tuesday - again! But I chose to look on the bright side: at least I could use this "second" Tuesday to avoid the mistakes I had made on the previous one.

How many of us wish we had the chance to go back in time and live some portion of our life over again, to be given a second chance? While we may not get to travel through time, we do have a second chance, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus was willing to lay down his life, we are now able to find forgiveness, to put our sins behind us, and to move ahead, knowing that God will not hold our past mistakes against us. Because of this, we have the ability to wake up each day unburdened, striving anew to live our lives according to God's purpose.


Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us remember that it's never too late to turn away from sin and toward you. We humbly ask for your forgiveness so that we may embrace the future with its opportunities to grow closer to you. Amen.


From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Will Moynahan

The Muck and the Mire

“God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him.”
Luke 1:50

For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was afraid of failure. He was susceptible to wooing women. He got colds, burped, and had body odor. His feelings got hurt.

To think of Jesus in such a light is—well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn’t it? It’s not something we like to do; it’s uncomfortable. It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation. Clean the manure from around the manger. Wipe the sweat out of his eyes. Pretend he never snored or blew his nose or hit his thumb with a hammer.

He’s easier to stomach that way. There is something about keeping him divine that keeps him distant, packaged, predictable.

But don’t do it. For heaven’s sake, don’t. Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.


From: Max Lucado

No Fear

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5, NIV


"No Fear" was a popular slogan back in the '90s.

I remember seeing auto decals with this inscription everywhere I went. Pickup trucks, sports cars, SUVs ... you name it and you would probably see "No Fear" displayed across the back window in some kind of "edgy" font.

I didn't know exactly (and still don't) what it meant, though. Did "no fear" connote a state of mind, as in living fearlessly? Or was it a marketing gimmick for some product line? Most likely the latter (especially in this day and age).

Now I haven't fully researched it out as of this writing, but if the thought is to live without fear, then I am all for that. And so, apparently, was David in Psalm 27:1-3 ...

The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
When my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

Based on these verses, living a life of "no fear" all boils down to who or what is at the center of our lives. And this, in essence, will result in how we live. With fear or with "no fear."

In my life, I've found that the surest - and quickest - way to find out what I'm made of is during a time of crisis or trial. That's when the outside pressures of this world squeeze out what's holding me together on the inside. And it's either a stronghold that sustains or something that just causes me to crumble.

About nine years ago, I faced a time such as this when I was laid off from my job. It was the first time I had ever experienced this in my career, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Employees were let go in three waves, and I knew I was going to be in the final one.

People were upset. They were afraid. And they were angry that their worlds had been disrupted. Their sources of income were gone, and they would now have to figure out what to do next for themselves and their families. They had placed their trust in a company that had decided to unexpectedly shut down and was offering no future for any of its employees.

For some strange reason, though, I did not fully share these sentiments. I didn't know what the road ahead would hold for me, but somehow I knew that the Lord would take care of me and that he would show me what to do next. As someone who struggles with anxiety, this was out of the ordinary for me to immediately have such a peace. Surely, it passed all of my understanding.

Well, when the third round of lay-offs came, sure enough I received my pink slip. The company would officially close at the end of the calendar year, and so I was asked to help shut it down along with the other last handful of employees.

As we began notifying our business contacts of the company's demise and getting rid of files and figuring out what to do with leftover office furniture and computer equipment, news came in that a different company wanted to buy part of our dying company.

And you know what? This "hero" company wanted to employ me and about five other people who had been laid off as well! So, in about a week's time - from being laid off to accepting new jobs - the Lord had taken me from unemployed to employed. How could I have known this was going to happen?

The Lord was surely with me in this "day of trouble" and had kept me "safe in his dwelling." And he is the one who (miraculously) enabled me to live with "no fear."



From: CrossWalk Devotionals

SHACKLED BY MAN...SET FREE BY GOD

"And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely ... And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." Acts 16:23,26

The believer has the joy of knowing that his life is "hid in Christ." He has the choice of living day by day with confidence in the ONE who orders his steps and will direct him in the paths of righteousness for HIS name's sake. There are no circumstances in his life that have not first passed through the permissive will of God, and are formed in the providence of His plan and purpose.

In the life of a believer, who is committed and loyal to God, there is no such thing as chance or luck. God often brings us into circumstances that we do not understand, among people that we do not know, into places we have never been that we may trust him in these strange encounters, and bring them before Him in unwavering faith, that the Holy Spirit may work to glorify God through it all. God does not ask us to understand these circumstances, but to trust Him in them, and see His mighty power being manifested in ways beyond our finite resources.

Such encounters challenge the depth of our faith which must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. God brings these circumstances into our lives for many reasons. One that is foremost is to turn our "head faith" into a personal possession. In this, we get constant opposition from Satan himself. It is not a fight sometimes, but always. But God has a purpose in these trying circumstances. He wants to show us that the nature of faith is to make its object real. Faith is the whole man rightly related to God, that activates an unwavering trust in Him, in whatever circumstance he finds himself by the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants the focus of our faith to be centered in Him, regardless of the measure of our circumstances, large or small. The smallest detail in which we follow in simple obedience and child-like faith has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it.

Paul and Silas had just seen God's power manifested through them, in casting out the evil spirit that possessed a young girl. They were falsely accused, stripped, beaten, unjustly thrown into prison, and their feet bound fast to the stocks. This was the unjust reaction of ungodly men, shackled by man. What a scene! They had every human right to complain, cry out for justice, and plead for mercy. Their eyes were not fixed upon their circumstances, for they knew God was in control, and in His providential care, permitted this encounter to reach one man, the jailer...and then, his whole family.

Look at the scene. Paul and Silas were a pitifully beaten sight of humanity, and what was their response? "At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God, and the prisoners heard them." Can you imagine what went through the minds of these prisoners as they heard Paul and Silas pray and praise God in word and song? But then, we see them set free by God. "The earthquake shook the prison, the doors opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." We may not be responsible for the circumstances we are in, but we are responsible for the way we allow those circumstances to affect us: we can either allow them to defeat us, or we can allow them to transform us into what God wants us to be. Paul said, "And in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). God has promised an overcoming spirit to all who will dare to trust Him! "But thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." Shackled by man...set free by God!


From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

Obedience In Every Way Possible

Obedience is a very broad topic which discusses how we walk daily, whether we will live our lives independent, or dependent with God.

As christians, we ought to obey at all times. Not just in the law God provides but also in the law that our world provides. Some say that what matters most is the law of God and not of the world. The truth is, obedience is about having a good life discipline, if we can't obey simple laws that our world govern, its possible that we will have much harder time to obey God.

In fact, we need to abide in every laws in our world because it will dictate our life's testimony in front of other people, right? How can we say we love God if other people don't even feel blessed about what we do.

Obedience in every way possible is simple about abiding in those simple rules we need to obey in our daily lives. Like no litering, no jay walking etc.


Always Remember:
Most of the time, we fail to do the very simple rules. But don't forget that most of us to sin on those simple rules.

We ought not just to obey but to teach every people to obey the law. According to Matthew 5:19,Mat 5:19 "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

You have that decision to choose whether what live to pursue. Make sure that we do not forget the fact that all of us are called by God to obey.

Busy without God?

As [the two followers of Jesus] talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him.
-Luke 24:15-16 (TEV)

THE two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus were so busy in their thoughts and in their discussion that they did not recognize Jesus when he began to walk with them. How this story reminds me of my walk with Jesus!

As a Christian leader and trainer, I often find myself extremely busy in ministry, training ministers in spiritual formation and Christian leadership. Recently, though, I have realized that in doing so much work "in the name of God," I have neglected a basic element in my own life of faith: intimacy with God and growth in my personal spiritual formation.

When we become busy in our "doing" for God and forget to spend time in God's presence with scripture and prayer, we will find ourselves becoming tired and frustrated with our work. In our ministry for Christ, we miss Christ's ministry to us.

I have learned that I need to have intimate times with God constantly, even as I go about doing things for God. My Christian service has changed for the better as I have prayed, "Lord, help me and lead me as I daily serve you."


Prayer
Faithful God, help us to be constantly aware of your presence. We seek your love and your wisdom as we spend our days serving you and those you call us to love. In Jesus' name. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Sammy N. Gumbe

Work Can Be Worship

“Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord.”
Colossians 3:17

Have you seen the painting The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet? It portrays two peasants praying in their field. A church steeple sits on the horizon, and a light falls down from heaven. The rays do not fall on the church, however. They don’t fall on the bowed heads of the man and woman. The rays of sun fall on the wheelbarrow and the pitchfork at the couple’s feet.

God’s eyes fall on the work of our hands. Our Wednesdays matter to him as much as our Sundays. He blurs the secular and sacred. One stay-at-home mom keeps this sign over her kitchen sink: “Divine tasks performed here, daily.” An executive hung this plaque in her office: “My desk is my altar.” Both are correct. With God, our work matters as much as our worship. Indeed, work can be worship.



From: Max Lucado

God’s Blessing of Brokenness

READ | Exodus 2:11-15

The Lord had a great calling in mind for Moses—to free more than 2,000,000 Hebrew slaves from Egyptian bondage. And the future liberator appeared more qualified for the task than anyone else. As Pharaoh’s adopted grandson, he had all the benefits of royal privilege, power, and education.

But God knew this wasn’t enough. Moses still had a strong spirit of independence that would get in the way of carrying out the assignment through divine power. The Lord had to break this tendency before He could work through His chosen servant.

The opportunity arose when Moses killed an Egyptian for beating a slave (Ex. 2:11-12). Realizing the crime had been witnessed, he fled to the desert to escape Pharaoh’s wrath. It was there that he came to the end of himself.

Like Moses, we’re all born with a tendency toward selfishness and stubbornness and want things done our way. Therefore, God must bring every area of our lives into submission.

Few will be given a task on the scale of Moses’, but the Father has a calling for each believer. Whether His plan is that we raise a godly family, reach out to a neighbor, or run a business with integrity and consideration, He wants us to do so in His power. To prepare us for this work, He sometimes uses brokenness. This wouldn’t be our chosen method, but God knows that hardship is sometimes necessary to strip us of our selfish ways.

Do you want to achieve what the Lord has planned for you to do? In humility, ask Him to break any aspect of your life that would prevent it from happening.



From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

GARRISONED BY GOD

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34:7

We often think in military terms when we use the word "garrison." It refers to a group of solders guarding an encampment or military post. Spiritually, it relates to the protection God gives to each believer...to the mighty power of God that "encamps around those who fear him" (Psalm 91).

We cannot imagine the care, concern, and compassion which God has for His own. Psalm 91 beautifully describes God's faithful protection for His own. I read this psalm many times when engaged in the horrors of war during WW II. The consciousness of His presence was so real, even when the battle raged and the enemy was directly in front of us.

Did you notice to whom this promise is made? It is to them that "fear Him." This is not to everyone. It is a direct blessing to all who walk in holy reverence of our Almighty God...whose hearts are "fixed" on Him...who trust Him in all of their encounters. What a comfort and encouragement to every believer whose "refuge is God"...who finds the anchor to their hope in Him.

There is no enemy who can overpower or defeat the believer whose life is resting in His almighty hand. Nothing comes into the believer's life except by the permissive will of God. We suffer the consequence of actions prompted by foolish and self-willed decisions. But when we seek to follow as God so clearly instructs us in Proverbs 3:5-6, we will be triumphant through HIM. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

When we meet the conditions given in these verses, God WILL make our paths straight. Look at Psalm 91:1..."He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." To abide in obedience in the "shelter of the Most High," we will be "garrisoned by God" in all our ways. How great are the blessings of God upon those who will dare to trust in Him. Look how the closing verses read..."I will rescue him...I will protect him...I will answer him...I will be with him in trouble...I will deliver him and honor him...with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

We rejoice in these promises, BUT how often do we APPROPRIATE them, make them our own by "experiential faith" and make them a reality in our life by putting into practice the faith we claim. That's where we fall so far short of all God wants to do for us. Live the blessing by daring to trust Him implicitly!"

"The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." David found this blessed refuge in God many times. This can be our experience each day, in whatever encounters we face.

God has promised to "garrison" us with His might and power, that we with Paul can say "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37).

Garrisoned, protected, abundantly blessed!...all ours in Christ!



From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

PLANTER

They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3


FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, do you sometimes feel like a tiny acorn surrounded by huge oak trees? I hear your sighs. I know how badly you want to grow, yet there are times you may see no progress at all. Trust Me. I am the planter. It takes years to grow a sturdy oak. Don’t be impatient. Just because you can’t see the branches doesn’t mean My power is not at work in you. Your labor is not in vain. In time, you, too, will become an oak that offers shade and blessing to many.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
At times I’ve wished to be a strong, sturdy oak, or maybe a pine whose green branches grace the forest all year. Yet sometimes I feel like I’ll always be a twig. You decide what I’ll be, according to Your divine plan. I’ll bloom, Lord, wherever I’m planted.


SIMPLE TRUTH
He is the planter; we are the seed.



From: CrossWalk Devotionals

Give Up Your Life

“He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.”
Philippians 2:7

God grants us an uncommon life to the degree we surrender our common one. “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life” (Matt. 16:25 NLT).

Jesus did. He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death” (Phil. 2:7-8).

No one in Nazareth saluted him as the Son of God. He did not stand out in his elementary-classroom photograph, demanded no glossy page in his high school annual. Friends knew him as a woodworker, not a star hanger. His looks turned no heads; his position earned him no credit. “He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.”

God hunts for those who will do likewise—people through whom he can deliver Christ into the world.


From: Max Lucado

Equal to Us

"These men who were hired last worked only one hour," [the workers] said, "and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day."
- Matthew 20:12 (NIV)

IN Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard, laborers are employed at various times throughout the day, some even at the eleventh hour. When it is time for wages to be disbursed, they all get paid the same amount. This causes the longer-serving workers to complain.

Often my attention in this story is drawn to the last sentence spoken by Jesus: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." However, what strikes me today are the words of the complaining workers: "You have made them equal to us."

We are all equal in God's sight. Yet there may well be times when we feel God has favored others over us. Others seem to prosper while we suffer. God appears to answer their prayers but keeps us waiting; or, worse, God gives us an answer we don't want. But at these times we can look beyond the immediate and see the bigger picture of what God wants - and in that big picture there are no losers. All who believe will receive the same reward, and all will get full measure. This excites me. There is no short measure with God. No one will miss out who sincerely receives Christ as Savior and follows him.


Prayer
Lord God, we pray for any who think they have been short-changed by you. Show them this is not so. May they reconnect with you in joyful response. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Peter Francis

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

READ | 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

In our homes, we use smoke detectors to warn us of fire. Our car’s dashboard has lights to indicate a malfunction. We’d be foolish to ignore these warnings. Similarly, we need to pay close attention to the scriptures that warn us about the terrible consequences for rejecting God’s provision of a Savior.

The Bible tells us how to be reconciled to God so we can spend eternity with Him. We need to understand and accept that . . .

Sin separates us from God (Rom. 3:23; Col. 1:19-22). Because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion, we all are born with a nature bent away from the Lord. His justice requires that we pay for our transgressions. God sent His Son Jesus to make that payment for us (1 Cor. 15:3). Only the death of one who was perfect would satisfy the Father’s righteous judgment. Jesus lived a life without sin, which qualified Him to become our substitute. He willingly took our place and died in order to pay our penalty. God accepted His death in place of ours and declared us righteous in His sight (Rom. 3:22).

Salvation is a free gift, received through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9). Our good works will neither satisfy divine justice nor pay for our transgressions. They are not what God requires for forgiveness or adoption into His family. Faith in Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6). When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, heaven becomes our eternal destination.
God wants you to live forever with Him. If you haven’t yet made your eternal destination certain, do so now.



From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

What is a Missionary?

Jesus said to them again, ’. . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’ — John 20:21


A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front— to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him— to carry out His plans.

Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . ." ( Matthew 28:19 ).

When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, "What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!" But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were "foolish" enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.



From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

LIVING IN COMPANIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

"For I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight." Isaiah 45:2

What a tremendous covenant God has made to those who will dare to turn from their self-imposed ways, exercise child-like faith in God, and follow His ways. So often we fall into the shallow security of the present by not allowing the sins and failures of our past to minister to us, and challenge us for the future. The lessons God has tried to impress upon our hearts from the trials we have endured, should propel us to new ventures of undaunted faith, steadfast reliance upon Him, and triumph!

But, have we so learned? Do we recognize the impetuous haste in which we respond to life's encounters, when patient perseverance is needed? Is the present anxiety and concern accompanied with unremembered delight, which causes us to lunge forward with impulsive thoughtlessness? Do we fail to remember how devastating our actions were, when we unconsciously disregarded holy concern, inward inability, and weakness, trusting in our resources rather than God's? How beneficial it is to transform this destructive anxiety into constructive thoughtfulness that finds its point of reference in God and His Word.

It is a constant challenge for us to "look within" and evaluate our relationship with the Lord. How destructive it is to rely upon our old nature that exalts the sinful resources of SELF. Satan points his ugly finger at our failures, and delights to see us hasten to acknowledge, "Yes, I've failed again...I've been neglectful again...I've fallen into the same trap again!" We are admitting that "we" have failed. GOOD! But, we must also recognize, that sometimes "we" act impulsively within the realm of "our" strength, and do not rely upon the ONE who is the SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH--Jesus Christ.


Why do we do this? Because we live in the UNCONSCIOUS REALITY of not walking and living in His companionship. Unconsciously, we rely upon our own resources, gifts, personality, and ability. We think, "I really don't need to involve God in all of this, I can handle it." But, we do so, to our own peril. We are living within the walls of our own self-inflicted bondage, rather than walking in companionship with Christ. We become so engrossed with our concerns, our involvement, and our interest, which all may be good...BUT we do so at the expense and exclusion of unwavering trust and reliance in Christ. God is not in the equation of our considerations.

Therefore, in the haste of our unfocused actions we forget that it is of Him, and through Him, and to Him, ARE ALL THINGS, to whom be glory forever" (Romans 11:36). This is a constant challenge to every believer...every day! BUT, God has promised to be our refuge, our strength, our shield, our defense, our sure foundation and the resource for ALL our need...as WE TRUST HIM!

"I will go before you, making the crooked ways straight." For what purpose? "That you may know that I, the Lord, which call you by your name, am the God of Israel" (Isaiah 45:3). What a blessed relationship is ours in Christ! This is true when we walk in surrender and resignation to His lordship. A provision beyond our comprehension, by the ONE who has made it all possible...Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him" (Romans 8:37). HOW GLORIOUS!



From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

Believe In Your Prayers

Why do we pray?
Do we pray because it's our last option?

As far as I know, people pray hoping that extraordinary work of God would happen in their lives. And if we pray to God, it is obvious that we should have faith as we pray, right?

Unfortunately, most people doubt as the pray. Weird? But its reality.

According to Mar 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

Once we pray, we need to believe that God will do something to answer our prayers. He is all-powerful and there is nothing impossible for Him to do. What we simply need to do is to believe that our prayers will be answered, and in return we will have them fulfilled.


Always Remember:
Faith is the foundation of our believe and relationship with God. The moment we communicate to Him through our prayers, it is a must that we have Faith. As the bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God!".

Your Eternal Destination

READ | Luke 16:19-26


All of us are eternal beings because we were made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26). After physical death, our spirits will live forever. Where we reside—heaven or hell—will depend on whether we have accepted or rejected Jesus as our personal Savior.

Scripture teaches that all have sinned and owe a penalty (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). There isn’t anything we can do to earn God’s forgiveness. Knowing this, our heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus to take our sins upon Himself and experience punishment in our place. In that way, we become part of God’s family and look forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven. His only requirement for this amazing blessing is that we acknowledge we’re sinners who need a Savior and believe that Jesus died to save us (Rom. 10:9-10). Those who reject Christ will spend life after death separated from Him and all else that is good. But those who believe will live with Him forever.

Every person will ultimately dwell in heaven or hell, both of which are real places described in the Bible. In heaven, we’ll never again know pain, sorrow, or tears (Rev. 21:4). But Hell is the opposite. A place of punishment, it will be the scene of everlasting agony and torment. Today’s passage illustrates this hard fact.

Eternal punishment and the reality of hell are never easy topics to consider, but they are vitally important because they will really happen. Don’t let your emotions turn you away from the truths recorded in Scripture. Instead, take heed of the warnings, and be certain you are heaven-bound.


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

A Spiritual Science Experiment

1 John 1:7
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.


Fruit of the Spirit

Suppose a student chooses to test the effects of light and darkness on the growth of seeds for a science fair project. He gets some marigold seeds from the store, plants them in four Styrofoam cups, and waters them. He places two of the cups in a dark closet. The others go into a sunny window. In a couple of weeks, the seedlings appear. For a few hours, the plants in the dark and the ones in the light are quite similar. Two tiny green leaves break through the soil and begin to grow. Within a couple of days however, the plants in the closet turn yellow and begin to die, while the ones in the light grow and get more and more leaves. The experiment proves that plants have to absorb light in order to have the energy needed to grow, bloom, and make seeds.

The same is true of our spiritual lives. We need to live in the light in order to grow and become fruitful. Galatians 5:22-23 describes spiritual fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are in stark contrast to the ones Paul listed as acts of the sinful nature: Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, envy, etc.

Let’s imagine a spiritual science fair project in which we try to become more and more kind. At first, we determine to observe how we act after a few days of listening to rap music that encourages rebellion and watching television shows that glamorize gang members who commit violent crimes. We may continue the experiment by hanging out with some kids at school who like to sneak around after dark to paint graffiti on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Would we become more kind or less kind after a week or so?

Next, let’s imagine that we do exactly the opposite for a couple of weeks. We listen to music that encourages us to love others in the same way Jesus did. We read accounts of young people helping others through short-term missions projects. We watch uplifting TV programs and movies. We might even volunteer to paint some classrooms at the local community center or play games with the children who gather there after school. Would we become more or less kind after a week or so?

Clearly, kindness could grow much better in the latter situation. We tend to become like the people we hang out with. So, if we hang out with mean and violent people, we will become increasingly mean. If we hang out with kind, generous people, we will become kinder. Living in the light means developing relationships with people who will help us become more like Jesus. We grow in godliness when we choose our friends based upon whether they have the kind of qualities God approves.
Those friends will be more likely to do what Jesus would and that will help us do the same. Good friends definitely help us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.


Today’s Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you are the very best friend I could possibly ever want. You always love me and accept me. You even forgive me when I mess up. Please help me choose friends who will help me grow godly fruit in my life. Also, please me be the kind of friend who encourages others to become more like you every day. Amen.



From: New Wine Skin - Written by Martha E. Menne

The Embers of Love

“God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:5 CEV

What if you’re married to someone you don’t love—or who doesn’t love you? Many choose to leave. That may be the step you take. But if it is, take at least a thousand others first. And bathe every one of those steps in prayer. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Ask God to help you love as he loves. “God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.” Ask everyone you know to pray for you. Your friends. Your family. Your church leaders. Get your name on every prayer list available. And, most of all, pray for and, if possible, with your spouse. Ask the same God who raised the dead to resurrect the embers of your love…

Isn’t it good to know that even when we don’t love with a perfect love, he does? God always nourishes what is right. He always applauds what is right. He has never done wrong, led one person to do wrong, or rejoiced when anyone did wrong. For he is love.



From: Max Lucado

THE BOUNDARY OF OUR BEWILDERMENT

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

This is a tremendous promise to every believer! It is easy to read, easy to memorize, and easy to encourage others with this blessed truth. But let me ask you, "Do you sincerely believe it?" Trials, adversities, and difficulties are common to us all. The Christian takes on a different perspective than the unbeliever. The believer has the assurance that God's hand is upon him, that "all things work together for good ...to them who are the called according to his purpose." When adverse times come, do we find our refuge in Him? Do we appropriate what He has purchased and provided for us?

God knows the "boundary of our bewilderment," the length to which our faith can be stretched, the depth to which we may plunge, and the testing to which our trial may take us. But through it all, He has promised, "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." Either God will give us the grace, strength, and sufficiency to go through the trial with Him, or He will deliver us from the trial by His mighty power. "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).

Some years ago, my wife and I had a situation in which we were tried to the limit. The more we prayed, the worse the situation became. We cried out in prayer, "Lord we can't take any more. We are broken, exhausted, and have no more strength to face this situation any longer. We commit it fully to you." Ah, it was THEN God began a work of His grace and in His faithfulness, the burden was lifted and God took over. He provided a way out. God never comes too late, nor does He come with too little. It is "IN" the trial, "IN" the depths, "IN" the adversities, "IN" the dark encounters of our life that the "light arises" and we find HIM in the midst of it all. In God's way...in God's time...in God's Faithfulness...GOD MEETS US AT THE POINT OF OUR NEED! We are consoled by His presence, comforted by His compassion, blessed by His interceding, and strengthened by His mighty power.

You might ask, "Why does the Lord, in His providence, allow us to go through these heart-wrenching experiences?" I think He sees in the depths of our being those areas that need to be tested. It's like the piano tuner that bangs away time after time, trying to bring each note into the right pitch by tightening the wires, so that the sounds may blend together harmoniously and resound with beautiful music. Our faith needs to be stretched, our character must be refined, our trust needs to be focused, and our endurance needs to be strengthened. It is only through the "trying of our faith" that our character is developed and made strong that we develop unwavering faith in Almighty God, and God gives to us the ability to persevere with purpose. God knows the boundaries of our bewilderment.



From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

The Problem of Laziness

READ | Proverbs 6:9-11

The book of Proverbs has much to say about people who are lazy. They are regarded as sluggards who do not think beyond today (20:4), who wrongly consider themselves wise (26:16), and who are on a path leading to future poverty.

When people develop a habit of laziness, they tend to offer excuses—such as “I was too tired” or “I ran out of time.” They will avoid doing something they don’t like, even if it is their responsibility, and instead do only what pleases them. Sadly, individuals who act this way have trouble seeing clearly what they are doing wrong, and they find criticism unreasonable (Prov. 26:16). Though such men and women might think that their self-centeredness slips by unnoticed, it is usually evident to others.

People may fool themselves, but God, who sees poor attitudes and careless ways, is not pleased by shoddy efforts. He has prepared work for us to do and expects it to be handled conscientiously. The Lord knows that the consequences of laziness are serious: at work, there is the possibility of frequent criticism, probation, or even termination; at home, harsh words can add tension to the atmosphere as frustration builds; and in a “trickle-down effect,” children may copy their parents’ undesirable work habits.

If you are already a disciplined worker but must interact with people who are not, continue to please the Lord with your productiveness. In addition, pray for patience (Gal. 5:22), and be an example of Christ to those around you.


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

The Proper Perspective

Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . . — 2 Corinthians 2:14


The proper perspective of a servant of God must not simply be as near to the highest as he can get, but it must be the highest. Be careful that you vigorously maintain God’s perspective, and remember that it must be done every day, little by little. Don’t think on a finite level. No outside power can touch the proper perspective.

The proper perspective to maintain is that we are here for only one purpose— to be captives marching in the procession of Christ’s triumphs. We are not on display in God’s showcase— we are here to exhibit only one thing— the "captivity [of our lives] to the obedience of Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ). How small all the other perspectives are! For example, the ones that say, "I am standing all alone, battling for Jesus," or, "I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold down this fort for Him." But Paul said, in essence, "I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn’t matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph." Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul’s secret joy was that God took him as a blatant rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive— and that became his purpose. It was Paul’s joy to be a captive of the Lord, and he had no other interest in heaven or on earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. We should belong so completely to the Victor that it is always His victory, and "we are more than conquerors through Him . . ." ( Romans 8:37 ).

"We are to God the fragrance of Christ . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 2:15 ). We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.



From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

Surrender?

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish."
- John 6:9 (NIV)


I wonder how the story of feeding five thousand would have turned out if the boy had said, "I won't give you all of my lunch, but I will give you half." Would there even be a story? Part of what we learn from the passage is that the boy gave everything he had. In giving all the food he had, the boy and the others got more than enough to eat.

Sometimes when I think I've given a situation to God, I realize that I've held on to a corner of it until I see how things will turn out. The truth is that God can't work freely in my life until I surrender - all my circumstances.

It's good to give a tenth of my income to God, but one hundred percent belongs to God. It's good to give a seventh of my time to God, but all of it is God's. Everything is. When I get clear on that, I find that there is more than enough to go around - enough time, enough food, enough love, enough everything. God is enough.


Prayer
Almighty God, I give you my life, my all. Do with it what you will, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.


From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Carolyn Caldwell

THINK ON THESE THINGS

"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

Many thoughts invade our minds to our dismay and regret. Satan infiltrates our mind with vain thoughts, and if encouraged by our imagination, run rampart on a disastrous moral course. Paul challenges us to "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

David was a victim of yielding to his vain lustful thoughts that was the cause of his fearful fall. His idleness opened the door to temptation, as he strolled onto his porch and saw Bathsheba taking a bath. The beauty of her body stimulated lustful desires, and David began to plan the adultery. He was not in control of his thoughts, but was receptive to Satan's cunning and insidious ways. The consequences of his sin left scars on his life ever afterward.

Paul recognizes the frailty and weakness of our mind to be easily influenced and persuaded to yield to our fallen nature, and subtly attracted to fleshly desires, and those actions that appeal to our ego and self-gratification. He says in so many words, "Don't be carried away by your imagination, don't let your base nature run its course, which seeks to exalt and crave those things that satisfy our selfish nature." Paul says, "Cast down imaginations," turn from the alluring attractions that have but shallow earthly values and of no eternal value. They are deceiving, disarming, and detrimental to your spiritual journey. He challenges us to think clearly, soberly, and godly...and admonishes us to focus our minds on things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, things of virtue and praise. THINK ON THESE THINGS!

WHY? Because those malicious thoughts exalt themselves against the knowledge of God and lead us away from all God wants to do in and through our lives. You might say, "I think I can handle my thoughts. I'm the master of my ship, no one is going to control my thinking." Paul said, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand, take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Satan's approach is to make us think WE can handle whatever we encounter in OUR strength. We must realize we are up against an enemy that is greater, wiser, stronger, more powerful, and more determined than we are, and his chief end is our defeat and destruction.

We need to be discerning in this liberal free-thinking world, where man puts SELF on the throne of his life, where Christ has been destined to rule as LORD. We are lulled to sleep, not realizing "our heart is deceitful above all things, who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9), "...for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts" (Matthew 15:19). From the evil promptings of our heart proceed our thoughts that control our attitude, and our attitude controls our actions.

Paul says we must engage these destructive thoughts and CAST THEM DOWN, bring them under control by the power of the Holy Spirit. Think on things that will be uplifting, productive, stimulating, positive, encouraging, and glorifying to God. Seek to have the "mind of Christ," so we will walk in obedience to Christ.

David said, "I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned to your statues. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands" (Psalm 119:58-60).



From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

You'll Be Judge From What You Did!

People loves to compromise. Even christians do fail to do the right thing when faced in situations where most people compromise.

I still remember a friend of mine, he is June. There was a time before when he stole food items on a grocery store with his fellow friends even though he has the money to pay them all. Weird right? Luckily they were not caught by the guards.

Surprisingly, one of his relatives knew what he did and instantly talked to June's father about the matter. Of course, his dad do what every dad would. He disciplined June! When ask about the reason for doing such crime, he strongly said to his dad that its not his fault, that his friends planned it all. But no matter how good his explanations was, still he cannot blame other people. In fact, his dad doesn't have any rights to judge other parents son.

Same thing with our heavenly Father. He will judge us based from what we did, and not what other people did. You cannot blame them from influencing you. In our life, we are given free will to decide for ourselves. We are given options to pursue and its up to us whether we will do things rightfully or not.


Always Remember:
We are made christians to follow God and His will. We are ought to obey everything he commanded us. According to James 1:22, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

To be sure that we are doing the right thing, let us always based our actions on what God tells in His word. If you choose to do good, then you will rightfully be judged.

The Danger of Laziness

READ | 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

The Lord has appointed believers to be His ambassadors to a lost and hurting world. As His followers, we are to represent Him in our character, conduct, and conversation whenever we interact with family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers.

God expects us to be diligent in our work and faithful to complete it. However, in our self-absorbed, pleasure-seeking culture, it is very easy to get sidetracked into laziness. This sin is dangerous in a Christian’s life because of the potential harm that can result—it can hurt our witness for Christ, damage our relationships with others, and waste both the time and the gifts the Lord has given us. One negative result of such a lifestyle is a character marked as unreliable and untrustworthy.

Laziness frequently shows up as procrastination. For example, despite saying that we will take action, we repeatedly delay the start time. Or we may begin a project and yet find reasons not to finish it. Being neglectful is another manifestation: though we make an attempt to carry out responsibilities, they are handled in a haphazard or incomplete way; relationships with loved ones go untended; or the needs of others are overlooked.

Irresponsible behavior doesn’t fit who we are in Christ. If you realize you’ve been careless in some area of your life, pray, “Lord, I have not lived as I should, and I ask You to forgive me. I choose to turn away from lazy attitudes and neglectful behavior. Please help me to follow through and become someone who is industrious for You.”


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

THE FORK IN THE ROAD

"If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15


We live our lives in the realm of our own making. We set goals, have priorities, and establish a life-style that is suitable to us. Most of the time, the results are pleasing, acceptable, and we feel that we have "done quite well." But, has our life impacted others? Did we reach out to encourage someone else with care and compassion? Did we take the time from our hurried pace, to reach down and lift up those fallen by the wayside?

So many questions abound when we suddenly realize how selfish we have really been. How many things we would do differently, if we could only do it over again. But time waits for no one, and the opportunity passed us long ago. Why do we wait until the sunset of our lives to ponder what we could have done, and should have done?

I guess experience and maturity have a lot to do with it. Often times, through the dreadful encounters, we vow that next time we will do it differently. We find it difficult when we are young to accept the words of wisdom our parents and mentors seek to teach us. After all, they have been there, done that, and know well the consequences we will have to confront if we spurn their advice and do it our way. But do it we did, and we suffered from the folly of not heeding loving words from those who knew best.

God's Word gives us many truths and principles to heed. Examples of those who turned from their own selfish pride to humble themselves before an Almighty God. Their lives were characterized by faith and obedience. The secret of their "self-giving lives" is found in their realizing who they were before a holy, just, and righteous God. They came to the realization that, "there is none that doeth good, no, not one." They had to find their purpose for life in another...Jesus Christ. Until we come to that same fork in the road, we will plod along in a meaningless journey that will be without eternal significance and a total loss of human effort in every way, as far as God is concerned.

Moses faced the fork in the road. We read, "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward...he saw him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:24-27).

The world was his! There was nothing he could not have, being the son of royalty...BUT GOD WAS GREATER! Many would say, "What a foolish choice." But they know not the Lord, and His saving grace. Moses had his eyes fixed on the ONE who created it all, and with unwavering faith, made the choice that will count throughout eternity.

Have you come to that fork in the road? If so, what decision will you make? Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6). The ball is in your court, and you must make the choice that will determine your life throughout eternity!



From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

The Context of Stillness

"Be still, and know that I am God"
Psalm 46:10


How many times have you heard this verse? A hundred? A thousand? This snippet of a psalm is a pet verse of mine. It constantly pops into my head when I start getting too busy or stressed out. Ironically, I hadn’t taken time to read the whole psalm in months until the other night, and I had no recollection of the verses surrounding my favorite one-liner. Here’s a sampling of the other verses in Psalm 46:

“Though the earth gives way…” (vs. 2)

“Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…” (vs. 2)

“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter…” (vs. 6)

“Be still and know that I am God… I will be exalted in the earth!” (vs. 10)

“The God of Jacob is our fortress.” (vs. 11)

I had been picturing an idyllic, Psalm-23-ish passage as the context for my pet verse, but the context is completely different. The psalm is actually the meditation a man holding back fear with faith. In a setting of uncertainty, war, and all-around “trouble” (vs. 1), the psalmist focuses on the peace that comes from being the presence of God – even though the earth around him threatens to fall apart. The verse holds even more power in this context than in my imagined setting, doesn’t it?

I love the Psalms because of their deep meditations on humanity confronted with God’s holiness and faithfulness. I can see real men writing the lines, reminding themselves of the bigger context for their troubles. I see men who – like me – wondered what would happen next in this life. But every one of them comes to the realization that they serve a God who supersedes their worries and replaces them with worship. These men heard the command to “be still and know” and found that God blew their imaginations.

I often look at the looming election and the financial woes and start getting jittery, wondering about outcomes and impacts. In these times, I slip into this mentality that thinks “being still” and listening to God can only happen in green pastures. But the real context of Psalm 46:10 tells me otherwise. God’s amazing peace works most powerfully when the world’s craziness reaches a crescendo. Like they say, context is everything.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Look up your favorite one-liners of the Bible today, and read the surrounding passages and chapters. How does the context add to your understanding of the verse? What more does it reveal about living the Christian faith?



From: CrossWalk Devotionals - Katherine Britton

Jesus Knows

“I am the one God chose and sent into the world.”
John 10:36

God with us.

He knows hurt. His siblings called him crazy. He knows hunger. He made a meal out of wheat-field grains.

He knows exhaustion. So sleepy, he dozed in a storm-tossed boat.

Most of all, he knows sin. Not his own, mind you. But he knows yours.

Every lie you’ve told.

Person you’ve hurt.

Promise you’re broken.

Every deed you’ve committed against God—for all sin is against God—Jesus knows. He knows them better than you do. He knows their price. Because he paid it.



From: Max Lucado

Team Colors

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
- Galatians 3:27 (NRSV)


MY son and I attended a football game in a city three hours away from our home. As we settled into our seats, the air was full of excitement over the game about to be played.

Although we didn't personally know any of the other people in the stadium around us, we were immediately accepted into the group because we were all wearing the colors or jerseys of the home team. Regardless of who we were or where we traveled from, the only thing that mattered on game day was whose colors we were wearing.

As Christians, we are called to be clothed in Christ, spiritually wearing his "colors" of truth, faith, and love as boldly as any team jersey. And we are called to accept all who share our allegiance to Christ, even if their homes are far away or they are of a different nationality. At the football game, fans of many colors and ethnic backgrounds cheered together as one for their team. As Christians, let us make sure we're wearing Christ's colors.


Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be clothed in you in our interests and behavior. Give us boldness to live for you as openly and enthusiastically as we cheer for our sports teams. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Larry Hashman

Let Us Adore

Do we truly appreciate God?
Do we truly adore Him in our lives?

He deserves every praise of His people. Whether in good or bad times, He still remains faithful. The moment we wake up everyday, it should be our hearts desire to give Him all the praise and adoration He deserves.

I am a huge fan of Hillsong and they have this song entitled "Let Us Adore". This is one of my favorite worship songs and I pray that it may touch your heart as you listen. This song is not just about music and entertainment, its about giving God all adoration.

Effective Prayer for Others

READ | Colossians 1:11-14


One of the disciples saw Jesus praying and made the request, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). If Christ’s close associate needed instruction, surely we, too, must learn about prayer.

Thankfully, there are many examples in Scripture for us to follow. For instance, Paul’s first-century requests for the people of Colossae are still applicable today.

One such request was that these people would know God (v. 10). In other words, he wanted them to grow in the Lord and not stagnate in their faith. This transformation takes place by studying the Word, applying biblical principles, and observing the consequences of obedience.

Another plea was for the Colossians to experience God’s power (v. 11). The apostle wanted them to have the Lord’s supernatural energy and the strength they needed to carry out His will. What is impossible by man’s effort becomes possible when believers rely on God. Then the glory rightly goes to Him.

Finally, Paul asked that they would give thanks joyously (vv. 11-12). This indicates his hope that they would exhibit the proper attitude, expressing gratefulness even during difficult situations.

In church, we often hear people asking for prayer. And many believers make a prayer list so they don’t forget to intercede for certain individuals during the week. Using the apostle Paul’s example, we can be confident that we are praying for those on our lists in a manner that pleases the Lord and is in line with His will.



From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

Brag About That!

“Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.”
Proverbs 27:2


Demanding respect is like chasing a butterfly. Chase it, and you’ll never catch it. Sit still, and it may light on your shoulder. The French philosopher Blaise Paschal asked, “Do you wish people to speak well of you? Then never speak well of yourself.” Maybe that’s why the Bible says, “Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.”

Do you feel a need for affirmation? Does your self-esteem need attention? You don’t need to drop names or show off. You need only to pause at the base of the cross and be reminded of this: The maker of the stars would rather die for you than live without you. And that is a fact. So if you need to brag, brag about that.


From: Max Lucado

Impulsiveness or Discipleship?

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith . . . — Jude 20


There was nothing of the nature of impulsive or thoughtless action about our Lord, but only a calm strength that never got into a panic. Most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, and our Lord always ignores it, because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple. Watch how the Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness, suddenly bringing us a feeling of self-conscious foolishness, which makes us instantly want to vindicate ourselves. Impulsiveness is all right in a child, but is disastrous in a man or woman—an impulsive adult is always a spoiled person. Impulsiveness needs to be trained into intuition through discipline.

Discipleship is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God. Walking on water is easy to someone with impulsive boldness, but walking on dry land as a disciple of Jesus Christ is something altogether different. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, but he "followed Him at a distance" on dry land ( Mark 14:54 ). We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises—human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes.


From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

The Renovator

Even when we were dead through our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ.
- Ephesians 2:5 (NRSV)


THE shack my wife and I had bought in Tasmania required major renovations. Still, the place was ours. We replaced rotten timber and old plaster and removed debris. We repainted the place. It took time, effort, and money, but it became our home.

It struck me that God does something like this for us. God bought us with the blood Jesus shed on Calvary. Though we were worse than a shack (according to Eph. 2:1-3 and Rom. 5:6-11), God saw the beauty of a temple in us.

When God gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, we needed a lot of renovating. God has a master plan by which to work, a goal for each of us. We are to be transformed into Christ's likeness. (See 2 Cor. 3:18.)

Throughout scripture we read stories of God's renovations in the heart, mind, priorities, and relationships of people. Similar replacing, repairing, and rebuilding can happen within us. But unlike us with our shack, God requires our cooperation to achieve that transformation. Yet God is gracious and patient with us. The result glorifies God, blesses others, and makes us eternally grateful.


Prayer
We praise you, Lord, for your work in our lives. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Raymond N. Hawkins

Is God’s Will My Will?

This is the will of God, your sanctification . . . — 1 Thessalonians 4:3


Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and to let His life be exhibited in my human flesh? (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). Beware of saying, "Oh, I am longing to be sanctified." No, you are not. Recognize your need, but stop longing and make it a matter of action. Receive Jesus Christ to become sanctification for you by absolute, unquestioning faith, and the great miracle of the atonement of Jesus will become real in you.

All that Jesus made possible becomes mine through the free and loving gift of God on the basis of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound, humble holiness (there is no such thing as proud holiness). It is a holiness based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him (see Romans 5:8). He completed everything for my salvation and sanctification. No wonder Paul said that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ.



From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

Life-Changing Prayer

READ | Colossians 1:9-10


Philippians 4:6 says that it’s good to bring requests to the Lord, and we often ask Him for certain blessings, desired outcomes, and healing for loved ones. But there are times when, in God’s omniscience, He sees that a “no” would ultimately result in greater good.

So, what supplications can you be sure are in accordance with His will? The apostle Paul recorded specific petitions he made on behalf of the Colossians, and you can offer these life-changing prayers for the people in your life.

First, request that they “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9). In this way, you are asking God to give them direction and the ability to see life from His viewpoint.

Second, ask that they “will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (v. 10). The only way to succeed in this is through the control of the Holy Spirit—He fills hearts with a longing for God and creates the desire to please Him through obedience.

Third, pray that their lives would count (v. 10). There is a difference between being busy and being fruitful. Many Christians assume that to have an impact for God, they must volunteer in numerous ministries at church or become a missionary or pastor. But the truth is, effectiveness in God’s work depends on what He calls each person to do.

Too often, Christians pray for others only during hardships. But Paul continuously lifted up the Colossians to our Father (Col. 1:9). As you mention others by name to the Lord, consider the areas that the apostle addressed.


From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

Fretting is Futile

“You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.”
Matthew 6:27

No one has to remind you of the high cost of anxiety. (But I will anyway.) Worry divides the mind. The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (“to divide”) and nous (“the mind”). Anxiety splits our energy between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems. Part of our mind is on the now; the rest is on the not yet. The result is half-minded living.

That’s not the only result. Worrying is not a disease, but it causes diseases. It has been connected to high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness, migraine headaches, thyroid malfunctions, and a host of stomach disorders.

Anxiety is an expensive habit. Of course, it might be worth the cost if it worked. But it doesn’t. Our frets are futile. Worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem, or cured a disease.


From: Max Lucado

Friends

Jesus said, "I do not call you servants ... I have called you friends."
-John 15:15 (NRSV)


DURING my lifetime I've had very few best friends. There have been some sad times when a friend moved far away and slack times when I had no best friend at all. Life can be lonely and boring without friends. However, friendship is not something that can be forced; friendship just seems to happen. On a given day I may meet someone; we will find that we have common interests, and over time we will interact and become friends.

Consider the paralytic in Luke 5 whose friends lowered him down through a roof. I picture that day starting out with jokes and laughter and everyone full of hope as they carried their friend to see a man they thought could heal him. When Jesus finally saw the man, he called him "friend." The man who was formerly paralyzed now was surrounded by his old friends and his new friend, Jesus. He walked home that day. He had a new friend, and he had God's forgiveness. That is what I call a great day!

I need to remember that I am Jesus' friend and he is mine. Even if I'm going through a season when I don't have an earthly friend in my life, I have a heavenly friend who can comfort me, encourage me, and forgive me when I fail.


Prayer
O God, thank you for the friends we meet along life's journey. Remind us that you are always our companion. Amen.



From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Richard Lewis

AN AMAZING DESIGN

"I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren." Genesis 24:27


Several years ago I had the privilege of making a business trip to India. We worked in New Delhi and a few remote villages nearby. I visited the Taj Mahal and was amazed at such a magnificent shrine. As we traveled, I was appalled at the extreme poverty that was everywhere.

We stopped at a small hand-made rug factory. It was fascinating to see beautiful rugs being made by hand with exquisite colors and intricate designs. Even more amazing was to see that much of the work was being done by children and young people. Their nimble fingers were needed to insert and pull the threads of yarn in and out of the designated pattern. Mixing colored yarn so often in a complexity of patterns and working from the bottom side, I wondered how anything of beauty could possibly emerge.

I then realized, there was a "master designer" who mapped out every thread, every color, every phase of the pattern, and every tedious movement. When the rug was complete, it was turned right side up, and was amazingly beautiful. It was interesting to notice the impression the dark threads made in the over-all design. They served as the background to magnify and enhance the beauty of the lighter colors. The design was a work of art and magnificently portrayed. I thought of all the work and planning that had gone into this extremely beautiful rug, and how these young people persevered to accomplish such a difficult task.

Could this be how God works in our lives? He has a plan and purpose for our lives, designed before the foundation of the world. There are cords of various colors, some dark and others bright and beautiful. Each day additional colors are added, and a different design suddenly takes place. We wonder at the wisdom and complexity of it all. But then, as we follow the will of the "Master Designer," the purpose of each intricate movement finds completion in the beauty of His design. God works from the "inside" to finalize a pattern of beauty on the outside.

It requires the culture of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail of our life. Never let your attitude be that the insignificant happenings in our lives are anything less than His hand weaving in the small details of His design. The dark colors are mixed with the brighter so they will enhance the beauty of our life. How exciting to see the "unexpected realities" of His doing. When we see God in the "simple things"...we will discover His designs everywhere. Someone has wisely said, "See God in everything, and God will color all that you see." Looking back, we can see an amazing design God has interwoven into our lives. So many things that have happened, that our conclusion is "Only God could have done that!" His ways are past finding out.

It is imperative for us to have a humble and submissive spirit, so He can weave the colors and design of His choosing that will glorify Him. Those who joyfully leave everything in God's hand, will eventually see God's hand in everything. God's ways may be unsearchable, but His grace is unfailing. May we be receptive to His plan and submissive to His leading. When the work is complete...done according to His divine pattern...it will be eternally glorifying to His name.

"An amazing design"...by the ONE who loved us and gave Himself for us. To Him be the glory!


From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

Your Everyday Ministry

How do you define a ministry? Is it about supporting every church activity and gathering? Or joining the music team? Or is it about being active in church evangelism programs? etc...


As I analyze the term "Ministry", it seems that there will be 2 types:

1.) General Ministry - this is the type of ministry where most people get joined with. Just like what the term implies, this is intended for the general public who is interested. For example, music team, ushering team, pastor support team, evangalism team and many more.


2.) Personal Ministry - this is not about any other people, its all about you. We all have our own calling, own destiny to live in, own skill to use and develop, and own life to dedicate for God.

God has a very unique plan for all of us. Hard to imagine and think of but easy to know especially if we will truly seek God.


According to Romans 12:3-8, "(Rom 12:3) "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.(4)For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,(5)so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.(6)Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;(7)or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;(8)he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

It clearly states that we all have our own spiritual gifts to nurture and use everyday. We may have different capabilities but what matters most is that we all use it to fulfill God's plan in our lives.


Always Remember:
God will judge us not based from all those things we did but on those things we obeyed. If you still don't know yet your spiritual gift, try seeking God because it will be the only solution.

You may start by sharing His marvelous Word. Believe me, we are all called to share the Gospel. It is a fact that you should consider.

Understanding the Word of God

READ | 1 Peter 1:10-12

Prophecies about Jesus Christ abound in the Old Testament. However, the men who wrote down God’s message didn’t always understand its full meaning. Events needed to unfold and further knowledge had to be provided before more complete significance could be grasped. In fact, Jesus Himself said that there was more to be known but the disciples were not ready for it (John 16:12).

Let’s look at some Old Testament truths about the Messiah that were understood more clearly later on—namely, that He was . . .

• Preexistent. Micah 5:2 prophesied that One coming from Bethlehem would have origins in eternity past. John 7:42 says that Jesus came “from Bethlehem . . . where David was,” while Colossians 1:16 names Him as Creator.

• Divine. When speaking to Moses, God identified Himself as “I am” (Ex. 3:14). Jesus declared that He Himself was the one spoken of as “I am” (John 8:58).

• Our Suffering Servant. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah described the Messiah’s agony and death (53:3-8). But the nation of Israel wasn’t anticipating the Anointed One to be a substitute who would pay their sin-debt. They were looking instead for the promised king of Isaiah 9:6. The purpose of Jesus’ first coming wasn’t to lead the government, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).

He suffered and died to do just that.

The Holy Spirit illuminates divine truth for believers who rely on His help as they study the Word. Ask for His insights whenever you read the Bible.



From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals

Love Rejoices in Truth

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
I Corinthians 13:6 NIV


In this verse lies a test for love. Here’s an example. A classic one.

A young couple are on a date. His affection goes beyond her comfort zone. She resists. But he tries to persuade her with the oldest line in the book: “But I love you. I just want to be near you. If you loved me…”

That siren you hear? It’s the phony-love detector. This guy doesn’t love her…He may love her body. He may love boasting to his buddies about his conquest. But he doesn’t love her. True love will never ask the “beloved” to do what he or she thinks is wrong…

Do you want to know if your love for someone is true? If your friendship in genuine?… Ask yourself: Do I influence this person to do what is right?


From: Max Lucado

THE UNDERCURRENT OF INFILTRATION

"Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12


In basic training to be a soldier, one of the most important lessons our instructors taught us was always be alert to the infiltrating ways of the enemy. In the stillness of a midnight hour, we sat motionless and deathly silent to "listen" to a soldier cocking his rifle, getting ready to fire it 500 yards away. We were to "intensely watch" for any movements at night...to be "alert to everything." The objective of our enemy was to destroy us. That didn't arouse my concern too much at the time, since we were in the security of our U.S. Army base. Months later I was on the front line in Germany and danger was everywhere and my focus changed considerably. There was always an "undercurrent of infiltration." There was an unseen enemy at every turn...the one who sought to "infiltrate" our lines, who tried to "invade" our position in order to gather important information that would enable the enemy to attack our strongholds.

Satan wants to infiltrate where we think we are strong. Our most vulnerable time for Satan to attack is immediately after our greatest victory. It is then that we think we can conquer the world. We have an attitude of self-assurance and self-confidence that we think we can handle any foe. It is then the undercurrent of infiltration is initiated by Satan. Let me illustrate this from an experience by the son of a dear friend of mine.

Bill was brought up in a devoted Christian home. He had graduated from high school with honors, and enrolled at Emory University. In his freshman year he was startled at what he heard from the professor in one of his classes. The professor refuted the biblical account of creation, God, Jesus Christ, and other cardinal truths. When such remarks persisted, Bill began to stand up for his faith and refute the professor. The professor would side step his remarks in his insidious manner. The second year, Bill still stood firm for his faith, but you could see signs of weakness. The liberal ungodly professors were the "undercurrent" that so infiltrated Bill's faith that by his senior year Bill's faith was destroyed! He wasn't aware of the enemy infiltrating his mind and heart with undercurrents of doubt that soon took its toll.

Oswald Chambers had an insightful thought regarding this when he said, "A man's disposition is on the inside, i.e., what he possesses in his personality, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the nature of the one tempted, and reveals the possibilities of the nature. Satan does not tempt us to do wrong things; he tempts us in order to lose what God has put into us by regeneration; namely, 'the possibility of being of value to God.' He does not come along the line of tempting us to sin, but on the line of shifting our point of view, and only the Spirit of God can detect this as a temptation of the devil." Where Bill thought he was strong in his faith, Satan cunningly undermined his spiritual strongholds, and it was the means of his fall. How sad, but this can be true in all of our lives. We stand against Satan ONLY in God's strength! Let us ever be aware of the "undercurrent of infiltration" by Satan to destroy our faith. Spiritual discernment is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."


From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell

The Unheeded Secret

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world" — John 18:36


The great enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ today is the idea of practical work that has no basis in the New Testament but comes from the systems of the world. This work insists upon endless energy and activities, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation . . . . For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" ( Luke 17:20-21 ). It is a hidden, obscure thing. An active Christian worker too often lives to be seen by others, while it is the innermost, personal area that reveals the power of a person’s life.

We must get rid of the plague of the spirit of this religious age in which we live. In our Lord’s life there was none of the pressure and the rushing of tremendous activity that we regard so highly today, and a disciple is to be like His Master. The central point of the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship with Him, not public usefulness to others.

It is not the practical activities that are the strength of this Bible Training College— its entire strength lies in the fact that here you are immersed in the truths of God to soak in them before Him. You have no idea of where or how God is going to engineer your future circumstances, and no knowledge of what stress and strain is going to be placed on you either at home or abroad. And if you waste your time in overactivity, instead of being immersed in the great fundamental truths of God’s redemption, then you will snap when the stress and strain do come. But if this time of soaking before God is being spent in getting rooted and grounded in Him, which may appear to be impractical, then you will remain true to Him whatever happens.



From: RBC - Utmost For His Highest

Choose Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
-Philippians 4:4 (NRSV)


"A malignant brain tumor, too near speech and memory centers to remove surgically . . ." Those words about my husband's physical symptoms began a journey for us that totally changed our lives. Our journey continues after 32 months, with much improvement but ongoing treatment. During this time, we have felt God's presence, peace, and joy in ways we had never known previously.

We've learned that each situation in life presents choices. We can see faults in family members and withdraw from our relationships, or we can be grateful that they overlook our faults and bad habits and decide to do the same for them. We can grumble about our jobs and co-workers, or we can be thankful we are able to work and earn an income. We can criticize neighbors, or we can appreciate their willingness to help in time of need. We can grumble about the material possessions we don't have, or we can be thankful for sufficient food, water, and shelter. We can despair when illness or aging makes daily life more difficult, or we can face new challenges with determination and make the most of our abilities.

Regardless of the circumstances, these choices are ours to make.


Prayer
Lord, every day help us to accept the joy you freely offer us. Amen.


From: UpperRoom Devotionals - Diana C. Derringer

Regulated Chastisement

"I will correct thee in measure" (Jeremiah 30:11).

To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign: it would prove that the LORD had said, "He is given unto idols, let him alone." God grant that such may never be our portion! Uninterrupted prosperity is a thing to cause fear and trembling. As many as God tenderly loves He rebukes and chastens: those for whom He has no esteem He allows to fatten themselves without fear, like bullocks for the slaughter. It is in love that our heavenly Father uses the rod upon His children. Yet see, the correction is in measure": He gives us love without measure but chastisement "in measure." As under the old law no Israelite could receive more than the "forty stripes save one," which ensured careful counting and limited suffering; so is it with each afflicted member of the household of faith-every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine. LORD, if Thou standest by to measure the bitter drops into my cup, it is for me cheerfully to take that cup from Thy hand and drink according to Thy directions, saying, "Thy will be done."


From: CrossWalk Devotionals

Go Bear Fruit

I believe that it was not an accident when I saw John 15:16. It says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. "

This is just a confirmation of what God is dealing to me. I've been undergoing trainings about cellgrouping for about 3 months already, but no matter how knowledgeable I am with that, still I have no cellgroup to handle. Bad for me then.

God truly moves in a very mysterious and unexpected way. I met a new christian and as we talk we unintentionally discussed about cellgrouping. To our surprise, we end up planning to start a new cell group which will cater to some of our closest friends.

John 15:16 is the go signal I've been waiting. And I guess it is a verse which talks about how we should live our lives. God did not say, "believe in me then focus your own life". But instead God commanded is to bear fruit, fruit that will last.

Whether we like it or not, we are ought to obey His commands and start bearing our own fruit (spiritual fruits). This is not a topic about faith but it deals with how we obey everything that God commanded us to do.


Always Remember:
You always have a choice in life. (Whether to follow God, or follow your will). This is not a verse just intended for me, this is intended for all of God, for all who believes and loves Him.